Mountain Mysteries Mabon Festival : A great success

September 23, 1:45 PMPagan Travel ExaminerPaula Jean West

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This weekend  approximately 250 pagans came home. They attended the Mountain Mysteries Mabon Festival at Heavenly Acres Campground in Stanardsville, VA, but they experienced the rediscovery of their spiritual family, their clan, the place where they truly belonged, felt welcome and celebrated. Debbie Striker, one of the festival organizers , received an email today from a happy festival attendee that summed it up this way:

I have never been to a festival of any kind that had the energy of the Mountain Mysteries Mabon Festival. It was truly amazing and wonderful to be there. At every moment of my journey to Virginia and all during the festival weekend, I continually experienced synchronicity. I received validation of my own inner journey, encouragement in my purpose of life, and energy and love to take away with me to help me grow and thrive spiritually. The entire mood of the weekend was one of love and compassion and community. In that light, let me extend my warmest regards (and please quote me here) to all the committee members and those who helped make this weekend the incredible success that it was.

All weekend, the phrase, "This is the way a Pagan Festival SHOULD feel, kept resounding through the hills and forests of the festival's lovely campground setting at Heavenly Acres.  "This is what I have been searching for, longing for," was the refrain on many lips.  "I can't wait until we do this again next year.  Don't forget about the Beltane Festival the first weekend of May in the Spring!  Will I see you there?"

The weekend progressed so smoothly, it hardly seemed it was a Pagan Festival.  There were few comments about "herding cats."  Everything started reasonably on time.  No one got drunk and fell into the bonfire.  Children ran blissfully through the crowd watched by all the parental eyes in the weekend Pagan village.  The workshops were interesting, well attended and well worth attending.  The concerts were very good and very well attended.   The last night of the festival, all of the musicians got on stage together and jammed into the night while the fire dancers put on an amazing display. 

There was something for everyone.  There were workshops by Gavin and Yvonne Frost about the History of Wicca,  Power Raising and Circle Dancing, and 99 Ways Good Witches Go Bad.  There were men's rituals, women's rituals, and a wonderful Harvest Ritual by Dave and Jeanet of the NOVA Pagans Network celebrating the harvest.

There were classes on belly dancing, Argentine tango, dowsing, candle-making, the Mayan culture in Guatemala, sacred fire tending, cider making, mead making, honey tasting, and a Pagan fashion show hosted by the beautiful, glamor witch, Lisa Starnes.  Lisa also hosted the opening Merry Meet ritual to kick the festival off with an emphasis on love and connection for the entire festival community. "Heart to heart and hand to hand, we cast the circle in love."

There was a complete track of classes for the children, teens and young adults as well.  There was a food drive to collect food for the Blue Ridge Area Foodbank.  It was a weekend full of the feelings of family and tribe.  Friday Night featured a Harvest Gala and Dessert swap which was delicious and inspiring as the group fed one another the sweetness of life.

"The great gift of divine desserts will be shared by ALL.  As we partake in the great gifts that satisfy the body, we invoke the energetic gifts that feed the Soul-Joy, Laughter and Gratitude-to name but a few.  Our voices, our drumbeats, our footsteps, our heartbeats, join in the energy that brings forth greater abundance and prosperity to the world.  As carriers of the Divine Light, aware of our joined power, we call forth Healing, Abundance, Prosperity and Love for all.  We are all ONE."

For more information about Mountain Mysteries and their festivals and campouts, please go to their website at www.Mountain-Mysteries.com.  In 2010, they will be hosting the Mountain Mysteries Beltane Festival on April 30, May 1 & 2, 2010 and the Mountain Mysteries Mabon Harvest Festival on September 17, 18 & 19, 2010.  These festivals will all be held at Heavenly Acres Campground just outside of Stanardsville, VA.  There will also be several mini-campouts in 2010 at the Heavenly Acres Campground.  These will be held: May 28-30, 2010, June 25-27, 2010, July 30, 31 and August 1, 2010 and August 27-19, 2010.