Description of the Real and Original Pagan Gathering of the Tribes

Before you decide, listen to the words of people who have attended past Gatherings of the Tribes.

This was my fourth year attending the Gathering of the Tribes. I was thrilled to see many familiar faces from previous gatherings as well as meeting new faces. I exchanged email and snail mail addresses with many and hope to keep in contact with them over the next year.

Several members of Y Tylwyth Tulluan accompanied me down to the festival this year. Their contributions were noteworthy, especially my Summoner, Jack, who took it upon himself to take care of the fire for all three nights.

We especially enjoyed the music, the opportunity to drum and dance, and share knowledge with others of like mind.

We look forward in coming to next year's festival along with more people from Cincinnati (vendors and coven mates) and hope to contribute even more to this wonderful event.

Bod yn gendigiad,
Lady Maeve
Arglwyddes Mawr
Y Tylwyth Tulluan

---

From Lord Athos and Lady Caru:

Annwyl Lord Rhuddlwm and Lady Cerridwen,

We very much enjoyed our stay at this year’s (our Fourth year) Gathering of the Tribes.  It was wonderful to meet with familier faces from past years as well as meeting new friends.   (Especially felt a connection to the many great people who spoke to us of their starting on the Dynion Mwyn path)

The people that came to our classes were very open and wanting to learn. In the Energy class that Caru taught there were a number of people that felt on a new level energy as well as being able to see/sense energy. In Athos class several people connected to the chants in such a moving way that it brought tears to their eyes.

The Bands were a great addition to the Gathering. “Singing in the Rain J”. Noted that the web site speaks of the bands returning next year too ,which will be great

The Staff of the Etodah River Campground were a joy as well. Also some of the local residents that we met were very nice and did not have a fear of Pagans. This in part I’m sure is due to Us walking our talk, they know that we are Earth Friendly and would not trash the place.

The laid back more relaxed gathering style is very much appreciated given our very frantic pace that we have in our mundane jobs.

Looking forward to seeing you at next years Gathering of the Tribes, hopefully our schedules will allow us to be able to stay for the whole event in 2002 .

Pob hwyl i ti

Athos & Caru

Y Tylwyth Teg, Florida   http://www.Dynion Mwyn.org

---

From Victor Anderson:

This was my 3rd time to GOTT, and it gets better and better every year! I agree that taking advantage of the warm fall weather in GA would be a good idea. Perhaps Mabon next year, as it falls on a weekend anyway?

I would also be very interested in being a coodinator for next year's GOTT.  Let me know what you want me to do!

As for a fall drumming circle, we would be interested, but it's a five-hour drive for us. Maybe make it a Sat-Sun thing instead?

Bright Blessings,
Vic

---

From Anitra and Crystal:

Brightest blessings Lady Cerridwen,

I wanted to let you know that we really enjoyed this year's gathering. We had a great time.  The relaxed atmosphere was wonderful. We had been to a previous gathering in Virginia, and suffice it to say it was very difficult and not much fun for any of the vendors.

Yes, the afternoons, at the Gathering of the Tribes were hot but the cool river was there to make things wonderful again. The campsite is just beautiful.   I would also like to add that the drum circles each night were excellent.  Lady Maeve kept the beat slow and sensual, great for dancing.  In most circles the beat is way too fast to dance to.    Watching Maddie, the owner of Silver Cauldron, teaching and entertaining the children was a delight.
Looking forward to next year.....

Thanks again and gentle breezes

Anitra and Crystal

Turtlewick handcrafted soaps and candles

From Dragonwind:

HI..... I WAS THE ONE WHO HAD TO LEAVE BECAUSE OUR HOUSE GOT DAMAGED...WE HAD A TREE COME THROUGH THE LIVINGROOM...

MY BOYFRIENDS BROTHER WAS HIT IN THE SHOULDER BY PART OF THE LIMB...BUT HE WAS NOT AS INJURED AS THEY TOLD US HE WAS... MY FRIEND THAT WAS WITH ME WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT WE COULD NOT STAY FOR THE REST OF THE CLASSES.. HE SAID HE LEARNED ALOT IN JUST THE ONE WE TOOK... I HOPE WE MAY BE ABLE TO COME TO ANOTHER EVENT IN THE FUTURE...THANK YOU FOR THE HOSPITALITY.....

DRAGONWIND

(Dragonwind has been invited to come to the next Gathering as our guest.  Since she already paid for a gathering and did not get the full benefit through no fault of her own, we feel she should not be charged .)

From Sheri Shaver:

From Vayla Nightshade:

From Steve and Cathy:

Hello!

We just wanted to take this time to say Thank you for allowing us to share in the festivites at The Gathering of the Tribes 2001. It was our 1st time, and we left there with so many happy memories, and several new friends. We went to several of the workshops, and enjoyed them very much. We especially enjoyed the Shaman workshop, given by Scott. My husband and I had several questions for him afterward, and he was so kind as to sit with us privately in our camp and give us 2 hours of his attention, which we appreciated so much, as we know he is so busy. We never caught up to him for his email address, so if you would send it to us, we'd appreciate it.

We look very forward to future gatherings with you. We are new to the craft, and have so very much to learn, but with the help and guidance of all the wonderful people we are meeting, we are slowly finding the path we want to follow.

Thank you again for all that you do for all of us!

Sincerely,

Steve and Cathy N.

 

---

THURSDAY MORNING:

Thursday morning we were ready to go. We had over 600 miles separating us from the Gathering of the Tribes, we we didn't feel rushed at all. We had planned it down to the last tank of gas and we had already sent in our reservations, made lists, and had a roll of duct tape. We were now ready to get out the road maps and identify the areas that would slow us down.

Although we tried to be on the road by 8:00am, we actually got out by 9:00am.  We knew then that someone in the group was doing Magick, because all five of us are always two hours late for everything.

The trip went unusually uneventful considering we were traveling south on US 75 and its always packed going south.  Then even though we had to navigate across the N. Georgia mountains, we made it to the campground with hardly any proiblems.  We only made one wrong turn at the end.

We got to the campground around 6; got our name badges and set-up our tents in a small meadow below the registration tent.  Magick was everywhere.  We only had one glitch that we quickly fixed by borrowing a tent peg and roap from some who had extras.

The schedule looked exciting. There were several fantastic workshops and classes planned for the 4-day event. We all sat around deciding which we wanted to attend while the kids waded in the creek, behind the camsites. There were several children at the campsite and my little girl spent most of the weekend playing with them.  We saw one of the older children even fishing at one point.

The many venodors had a good selection of merchandise at excellent prices. The Silver Cauldron was there (they are coming back in 2002) with stones, incense, bracelets, necklaces, and other witch paraphenalia.  Madison, the owner is also the member of a very talented musical, Spiral Rhythm.  They have already been booked to play at the next Gathering!!  I highly recommend their CD

We met many People from many different traditions, but also really enjoyed their similar philosophies, because the focus was on what everyone had in common, not on differences. Everyone was open and full of excitement.

We had a light shower that evening, and most of the scheduled events were cancelled, but that didn't upset us at all. We still ended up down at the Bardic circle and after the showers, we drummed for quite a while.  It was wonderful.

FRIDAY

Friday morning, the sun woke us up with its bright rays as we rolled out of our sleeping bags into the crisp clean air of the Georgia Mountains.

After a cup of coffee, we were ready for a shower at the wonderful bathhouse which was nearby and very clean.  And they had hot water the whole time!!   We had a few no-shows in the speaker dept. and there were a few rescheduled workshops, but all in all we had a great learning experience in Lord Rhuddlwms class on Traditions.

After lunch, we attended Shamanism I with Lord Bleiddwn.  He was a very good instructor and his experience with Tom Brown, the famous tracker reaaly was evident.   He answered our questions and his guided meditation was excellent.  We saw him later after the second class and he was very easy to talk to and answered all our questions.

Lady Maeve's one of Rhuddlwm's advanced students held a drumming workshop which I missed but she invited me into her circle later and that was the highlight of my afternoon. She is a very dynamic and has a wonderful easy manner.  She totally ignored my terrible drumming.  Her teaching gave me the hope that one day I too might be able to do what she can do.

After supper and more visits with the many merchants, we headed down to the drumming circle. The area which had been previously selected by the sponsors, was perfect. We were under a canopy of trees with the sounds of the creek for background music.  Lady Maeve and her drum kept a steady beat for several hours while Lord Senthor, Lord Rhuddlwm and others added their different beats to make up a wonderful fire circle. The energy was amazing. No one wanted it to end. I went to sleep that night with the sound of drums in my head and visions of dancers around a bright fire.


SATURDAY

After my morning Coffee, and our breakfast and shower was over, all of us were ready to begin a fantastiv great festival day. And fantastic it was!!!

After lunch and when the others returned from town we attended Lord Bleiddwn's Shamanism II workshop. And again it was fantastic.  With the band Spirit Quest playing in the background, and the drum beats floating on the warm breeze, The workshop was magickal.   His narrative and guided meditation was very well done.  A person even became so relaxed, she went to sleep.

It was then time for Lady Maeve's Tarot Workshop.  We learned a great deal considering all of consider ourselves good readers.  She is a very talented woman and seems to be able to "play" Tarot as well as the drums.

Lady Caru's workshop, on Accessing Energy Within and Without, was really neat.  This is another elder within Y Tylwyth Teg, who demonstrated the ethics and honor this group strives to teach.  After the class we talked about Reiki and some of the wonderful techniques she uses in on energy work.  I was able to record part of the class and wish I had brought more tape.

Lord Athos, her husband, then presented a class on How to Chant.  It was a treat.   He is humerous but also very knowledgeable about chanting and trance work. I was very glad I had the chance to meet him and sample the Dynion Mwyn philosophy of Chanting and Magick

There was also a crystal energy class presented by Sandra who was another gifted teacher. She was very very interesting, but then crystals are my favorite subject.

One of our group went to rev. Victor Anderson's class on Wicca in the Workplace. They said his class was fantastic because it applied to their situation back in Tennessee.

The choice of which workshop to attend was very difficult because there were too many choices.  Thank you Dynion Mwyn for furnishing the teachers and speakers. It was utterly fantastic!!

Emerald Rose played that afternoon.  They are what is described as a Celtic fusion band.  A little Irish Celtic, a little Folk, even a little rock seemed to find its way into our concert.  The chicken song was hillareous and I rolled on the ground.   They sold CD's after the set and we purchased several as gifts. 

We then returned to our campsite and prepared for the main Ritual and Pot-Luck Feast.
Lord Rhuddlwm and Lady Cerridwen of Y Tylwyth Teg did the honors as High Priest and Priestess of the circle.  They were great!  We added our energies to the blessing of the earth, and the spiritual advancement of all attending..

The Feast was great and very delicious. There was all kinds of food.  Pagans love to eat! Moonstruck played some great pagan classics while we ate, and it seemed to help everyones appatite and digestion.  After the feast, we went back to the campsite, got our drums, and walked down to the drumming circle.

Several members of MoonStruck and Spirit Quest joined in with the drumming.  Words cannot describe what we all felt.  The energy was awesome. The fire dance was not only sensual, but it was totally fantastic. At one point, the fire was dancing with Lord Bleiddwn and his student Angela as they twirled around the fire.

It was exactly 2:23 am when the drummers stopped but my ears kept hearing that beat for the next hour and I couldn't go to sleep. 

SUNDAY

The sun blasted into our tent and we groggily woke to it blaze.   We began breaking camp and made our way slowly around the area, saying Merry Part so many times.   It was very emotional, because we had made new friends and renewed old aquaintences.  We exchanged wonderful hugs, email addresses and phone numbers with promises of returning next year.  And WE WILL BE BACK.  We even asked to be on their Home Study program. I have been a Pagan for over twenty years.  I was initiated into the Gardnerian tradition by a student of Rowan in New York back in the 80s.  I was initiated into the Alexandrian tradition in 1992.  But after listening to all the speakers and workshop coordinators, I have decided that I have missed something.  I sense of real community.  Dynion Mwyn has that sense and I want to be involved in the next Gathering.

GATHERING NOTES

Bring along a set of cards which have your name, snail mail address and e-mail address printed on them.  I couldn't find enough paper to write down everyones information.

bring along a lot of ropes, stakes and duct tape.   These are necessities!!!

Gathering Law: Bring more than you think you will need because ultimately you will need it.

---

From anonymous (she is afraid of reprisals) and we have taken out the name of the controversial Gathering.  We normally don't print letters like this, but the contrast is so great between ours and this other gathering.  Some of the more graphic descriptions of what happened have also been cut out.

"Your gathering was the most fantastic gathering we had ever attended.  But i would like to compare yours with one I attended earlier in the year.

"In May, I went to a "Gathering" being held in a different state .  Not only did it rain the whole time, but it was the worst gathering I had ever attended.  Not only the participants, but, we vendors were treated very poorly.  In advertising for their gathering a few months before, they spammed thousands.   They use a service to make sure their e-mail address isn't traceable.  You would think they would want to keep such information secret.  But the promoter has a big mouth and she told several people who also have big mouths.   On the otherhand, I am on your list and you have never spammed me or anyone I know.  And the weather at your Gathering was GREAT!

"When I got to the other gathering, this person allegedly bragged about how she had scammed national "Pagans," into supporting her "gathering."  She allededly sent out several letters with known lies about your Gathering of the Tribes in Georgia, so people would not attend  yours and instead attend hers.  She said it was nothing personal, after all everything is fair in Business, and she was running a business.   On the otherhand, I have never been treated with less than total respect and kindness by your staff, and they have always been helpful with my daughter since she is so young.  Please let me know when the next gathering of the Tribes is being held.  I WILL BE THERE.

"Why can't all Gatherings be like yours?"

SPECIAL GUESTS WERE:

Lady Cerridwen ab Gawr
Lady Cerridwen is the mother of three children (and one husband). She has authored (with her husband) several metaphysical books including "Welsh Witchcraft and the ancient Word", "Thirteen Treasures of the Craft", and the "Welsh Triads" By the year 2,001 she and her husband hope to have a total of 30 books on the market.

Lord Rhuddlwm Gawr
Rhuddlwm Gawr is an author of over twenty books with such diverse titles as "the Quest", "The Way" and "The Word" and "Celtic Crystal Magick I & II". Rhuddlwm is also a Celtic and Reiki healer, Witch high priest and elder, Mediator, and spiritual counselor. He is schooled in ancient Welsh magickal practices and modern behavior sciences, and has studied with native American medicine people as well as a Welsh "shaman". He has a Ph.D. in Psychology, a D.D. in Theology, and a BLA in Environmental Design and Ecology. Rhuddlwm has been a lecturer at numerous conferences and has been published in several Pagan journals.  

Lord Athos & Lady Caru
Lord Athos and Lady Caru are Fourth degree elders from  from Y Tylwyth Teg's South Florida Grove of the Faery Dragon. Tamarac, Florida Coven and will teach a Workshop on various energy workings.   Check back from time to time so that if there is a change, you will stay informed; The Grove of the Faery Dragon is a healing and teaching coven that is also involved with local Pagan community activities though the Pagan Pathway Community and The UU CUUps group of Ft. Lauderdale. . They are the co-coordinators of the Dynion Mwyn-Florida study group.  Their goal is to honor and worship the Goddess and God by striving to relink mankind with the Divine, Nature and each other.

Lady Maeve
Lady Maeve Burns.  is a High Priestess and third degree initiate from Y Tylwyth Tulluan (Dynion Mwyn Owl) of Cincinnati Ohio, a sister tradition to Y Tylwyth Teg and Dynion Mwyn. She is also an ordained minister of, and the secretary for, Green Dome Temple of Cincinnati. She has been involved with the Craft most of her life and has been involved with Dynion Mwyn (Owl) for over 7 years. This is her fourth time attending the GOTT. She is knowledgeable in ritual drumming, dancing, music, Tarot, astrology, palmistry, and her contributions to the ritual feast are noteworthy.

Rev. Victor Anderson

Victor is a Full time Pagan as well as being a non commissioned officer in the Armed Forces in South Carolina.   His kudos are: he is a Wiccan High Priest, a Witch elder and an ordained minister currently residing in South Carolina.  He was initiated in the Gardnerian tradition in 1980, and progressed to 3rd degree.  He has since "gone eclectic" with a somewhat Celtic spin.

He has been out of the broom closet almost from the begining. Being a career soldier in the US Army, he has worked with many military chaplains in the states, Europe and Korea. A member of the Witches League For Public Awareness he has been involved for many years in raising
public awareness of the Craft and fighting discrimination in the workplace.   He has helped to educate many along the way.  He has worked as a solitary and in large covens.  He prefers coven work and is an advocate of  formal training for Witches.  He is in the process of starting a new,  Traditional Wicca coven in the Columbia, SC area.

WORKSHOPS   We had dozens of workshops.  Everything from Shamanism I & II to Celtic Magick.  The only complaint we heard was, "I can't find the next workshop, where is it being held?"   Everyone seemed to participate because there was so much for everyone.