Earth Day/Work Day

Today several people started four day ritual honoring the Earth. Today was about getting out there and doing something, be it clean the side of the highway, plant trees, clean a park, get out and enjoy nature. Whatever it was, do it and post about it. 

Well, I spent the afternoon cleaning our groves Nemeton. We raked leaves off the pathway and out of the meeting area and the Nemeton. Several small trees where cut down or the tops lopped off to make poles for the tarp we are using as a canopy.  We expanded the meeting area, pulled up stumps and cut firewood.  It was a very busy, exhausting afternoon.

I will be truthful, at first I wasn't looking forward to it. Nope, not at all. But once we were there and really digging in (yes, pun intended) I found I was enjoying myself.  It felt good reconnecting with the nature spirits in that area. Feeling the energy that flows through there was a pleasant surprise. It seems like every time we work on the area it seems to have a little more welcoming feel to it.  I don't know why the nature spirits feel more welcoming in the woods then the ones in the field, but there is a diffident difference in the energy in the Nemeton here.

Beltaine is in a couple of weeks, I can't wait to see the reactions of our grove mates when they see it. Also looking forward to "pimping" out the Nemeton for Beltaine. Hey! It's a holiday of fun, color and laughter, why shouldn't the Nemeton reflect that. I'm going to try and get people to help me make it look like a fairy exploded in it. That would be so awsome!  

ConVo 2014

Well, we went to our first ConVo this past weekend.  As norm my daughter and I completely stressed about everything for a couple of weeks before the event.  That's nothing new, we still do that before Midnight Flame and we're going on our 4th year of that festival.  So as norm, my daughter is running like a crazy person and I'm procrastinating till the last minute.  By the time we are ready to go both of us are rather stressed.  

The drive there was kinda nerve racking, I really don't like driving in or around Detroit, between the potholes and the crazy drivers, it's not a pleasant experience.  But we made it in one piece and truthfully, it was quite easy to find.  

I have to admit, the way some people were talking about it I really expected a HUGE hotel with trillions (okay, maybe not quite a trillion) people everywhere.  The hotel was actually very nice and there were quite a lot of people.  I think it was around a thousand people coming and going to the events and checking things out.  Of course, I'm guessing on that but at the raffle drawing they called a number that was over a thousand and since that was the number on our badges, it's a safe bet there was over a thousand. Either way, there was a lot of people there.

There was a room for artists to display and sale their artwork.  A good friend of ours had her prints on display.  She does lovely stuff.  It was interesting to look at the different displays.  I liked how there was such a variety, not like going to a crafts show and everyone is selling the exact same thing.  Next year I'm going to have to set money aside just for that room, I'm thinking.

The merchants room was smaller then I was expecting, I won't lie, but there was so much to look at and want.  It's probably a good thing it wasn't as big as I expected.  Of course we had to visit our friends' stall, The Magical Druid.  I really like their items and highly recommend them.  There were quite a variety of merchants, I spent way to much time and money in there. But I bought several things, magical and mundane, that I can't get around here.

I took several classes this weekend on a variety of subjects.  I was very impressed with all of the instructors.  It was a breath of fresh air to take a class from someone who had a good knowledge on the subject they were teaching.  The classes gave me some ideas on how to expand my practice.  They also solidified a few of my beliefs on my magical practices.  I am really grateful for the wonderful people who were willing to take the time to share their experience and knowledge.  

The thing that I enjoyed maybe the most was meeting up with old friends and just chatting and hanging out.  We had several new people come in to check us out, I do believe we may have some new members.  I know there was one lady who told us that we were the only group that actually welcomed her in and made her feel good.  Unfortunately, I had noticed that it was rather cliquey which is rather unfortunate.  It seemed like this is an excellent opportunity to expand your friends and experiences but a lot of people just seemed to only want to stick with the same people doing the same thing.  That was a bit of a disappointment, I will admit that. 

All in all, I really enjoyed myself.  Next year will be even better.  I'm looking forward to more classes, lectures, dancing and meeting more people.