Places to Go

Not so many years ago, as part of a fundraiser for the Pagan Community Center (now defunct), I designed tee shirts and a bird eye’s view map for an imaginary theme park called Wicca World. Attendees bought the merchandise while commenting on the unlikelihood of such a place ever coming into being. Fast forwarding to the end of 2007, ground was broken in Orlando for Hogwarts Castle, Diagon Alley, and other notable scenes from the life of “The boy who did not die” (Harry Potter to you). The first was a conceptual piece; the second will be a tightly controlled commercial experience.

With some advance planning (starting, for instance, today) you may, if you dare, participate in a world of magic and ritual which springs into being the third week of July every year, since 1980. I am referring to the Starwood Festival, where all the stands of all things Pagan weave together. For the last several years, the gathering place has been the Brushwood Folklore Center, a campground in Sherman NY. Attendees hail from all over the world to share in the rituals, drumming and dancing, subscribe to workshops and classes, to shop and chat long into the night.

For those who, in their daily lives, are alone in pursuing their interest in all things magickal, Starwood affords an opportunity to come out of their own broomcloset, in like-minded company; or rather, among a whole spectrum of unlike minds. A first thing first, however, how does this work? You will need to bring your own shelter, i.e. a tent or a camper. The truly young and brave do without, which in upstate NY will guarantee thunderstorms. There are electrical hookups, bathrooms and showers onsite, but there will be about 2000 others utilizing the resources. Brushwood is clothing optional, so be prepared to see things you never imagined you would see, or maybe you have. Children are allowed; pets are not. This is to preserve the local wildlife and to not establish a population of feral house pets.

The organizers do maintain a security presence, and volunteers are accepted. As well, a full range of facilities and activities are available for your children, in a safe space. Of course, none of this means you should act as though the petty real world has dropped away, things could get stolen, conflicts erupt, and unwelcome advances might be extended. The relations between the attendees and the townsfolk are not confrontational, so the shoulder chip may be left at home.

Camping locations are divided up into separate groves, so there are sections which will be Wymyn, Faerie, in recovery, and quiet zones, to name a few. The boundaries between public and private personal space still exist; you may come across a ritual in progress, in the open, but this isn’t an invitation to jump right in. Temporary shrines and altars should not be considered public space, unless marked as such.

But enough of the carping; while caveats take up much of this column, it is only to give a sense to first timers of the lay of the land. If you attend, you can have a transformative experience, exploring new paths in workshops and public rituals, losing yourself in the patterns of movement and sound around the all night bonfire drum circles, take up new magic and friendships that will never fade. To get the full story, log on at www.starwoodfestival.com, and for information on Brushwood and the surrounding area, go to www.brushwood.com.

So, while the weather is not conducive for a romp right now, I hope this will have fanned a spark of new possibilities in this Imbolc season. And, who knows? Perhaps Starwood might come to Hogwart’s for the beta shakedown of the park, before the public is admitted. I’d like the tee shirt concession.