Newcomers Welcome

On Thursday evening, we'll be hosting a Newcomers Welcome; A chance for new folks to become familiar with everything about the Gathering including meeting our team members, learning to get around the park, getting the opportunity to ask questions, and more.

Whether you're attending the Gathering for the first time, or you've been coming for years, you're all welcome to join us for this activity. 

Folks who've attended in the past are encouraged to attend and share your perspectives and experiences!

Banners in the Feast Hall

Everyone is invited to bring a group or personal banner, if you have one, to hang from the beams in the Feast Hall.  This has become a long-standing tradition that gets cooler every year.  Some folks have created banners specifically for this event!  ShadowGrove and the Wilder Grove have one -- join the fun and help bring the Feast Hall to life!

Pagan Paint-Along with Tava Baird

This introductory acrylic workshop will teach you a ton of tips and tricks on how to paint a fantastic folk-style painting of either the Lord and Lady of Beltane or a Creativity Goddess. You’ll learn how to do beautiful backgrounds, sketch out your design, blend and mix colors, and let your inner positive energy out to play on the canvas. Taught by Tava Baird of Darkflower Books and Folk Art, an art teacher with over twenty years of instructional experience. Come share your magick and be inspired by others as you create a one-of-a-kind painting to remind you of Fertile Ground Gathering!

Connecting

The strength of the Pagan community is built by those who wish to work together to move us forward; learning from one another, supporting each other, and helping to make the whole community better than the sum of its parts.  At Fertile Ground Gathering, we are committed to fostering connections that last years beyond.  And we look forward to continuing that trend; helping to create more opportunities for acceptance and understanding of the paths we follow.

Lord and Lady Corn Husk Altar Dolls

with Tava Baird

Grab a towel and dive into the traditional craft of corn husk poppet-making to create a one-of-a-kind Lord and Lady Beltane couple (or a couple of any gender you wish!) for your altar or sacred space. Veteran Poppet-maker Tava Baird will be on hand to guide you through this merry exercise with natural materials. We'll be working with damp corn husks and learning all the steps of this lovely tradition. A small circle will be set up in the corner of the cabin at the end of class to bless your dolls if you wish.

Cook-out Lunch

On Friday afternoon, we host a cook-out lunch in The Commons.  Lunch will include burgers and hot dogs, picnic sides, fruit and salad, as well as vegetarian options.  

We invite you to bring camp chairs or picnic blankets for your comfort.  And you're also welcome to bring lawn games to play together as well.*


* Please note that park regulations prohibit us from inserting items into the ground.  Please only bring games that can be played without the use of stakes or other in-ground objects.  Thank you.  

Nature Hikes

Between all the schedule activities, there is plenty of time to take a nature walk around the park.  There are paths that lead all around our campsite, and a map to help you find your way. *

During your walks, you are welcome to take photos, and sit amongst the trees.  (But please remember to leave everything where you find it, and leave the wildlife alone.)

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Want a guided tour?  Meet Lacey Ballow in The Commons for an informative hike designed to teach you a little about the native plants throughout the park!

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* Please note that the lake is off limits to everyone in our encampment.  Thank you.  

Board Games in the Feast Hall

If you prefer to stay inside after the evening meals, you are welcome to gather in the Feast Hall to play board games!  There will be some games available throughout the Gathering, and you're welcome to bring some to share as well.  Bring games everyone knows, or introduce something new!

Arachne's Web Community Crafting Circle 

with Tava Baird

Join veteran art teacher and artist Tava Baird for a relaxing, laid-back hangout with your favorite project. Bring your knitting, carving, crochet, or favorite handicraft and enjoy time chatting with other creators while you work. Don't have a craft with you? Tava is bringing supplies and will guide you towards creating and charging your own unique Protection Poppet! 

Helping Hands

At Fertile Ground Gathering, we ask that all participants volunteer an hour of their time to help with things that need to be maintained, cleaned, transported, arranged, etc.  Working together is part of what makes this event so successful and helps to keep our community positive.

We are grateful to you for your cooperation, and for your willingness to keep the Gathering a positive sacred space.

Welcome Altar

When you arrive, we invite you to stop at the Welcome Altar.  There you will be able to take a moment to breathe, center yourself, ground, and release anything that might hold you back from fully immersing yourself at the Gathering. 

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Leave your worldly cares on the altar so you can step into the Sacred Work of the weekend, and prepare yourself for this immersive experience.

Rune and Swedish Card Readings with Jane Sibley

During the Gathering, Jane Sibley will be offering a variety of divination techniques including Runestick Readings and Swedish Card Readings.

She will be available at the Feast Hall throughout the event when she is not teaching a workshop.

If you would like to have a divination session with Jane, please sign up with her.

Not sure which type of reading you want? Ask Jane which one would be best for your needs.

Empowering Rituals

Ritual is central to the paths that many of us follow.  While the familiarity and intimacy we find in our own personal or group practice can have a profound and lasting effect in our lives, it's also important to gather in Sacred Space with others of like mind and good heart to share in the power and energy we can raise together.

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The rituals at Fertile Ground Gathering are designed to work as a thematic arc that spans the entire event from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon.  Each ritual builds upon the last, and creates a magical, and immersive ritual experience.  Combined with the workshops that follow the event theme, these rituals offer our guests the opportunity for an even more profound and spiritual journey than ever before. 

This year, we invite you to come and speak your truth, sing your song, tell your story, and add your own voice to the chorus as we shape the magic of the coming year.

The Commons

The Commons at Fertile Ground Gathering is a place to relax, meet friends old and new, play games, experience services from some special guests, learn about local groups and businesses, learn a new skill, and just enjoy the open field with others in the community.  This is a great place to hang out between workshops or during several Activities Blocks built into the schedule. 
 
Below are some things that happen in The Commons every Beltane.  We invite you to take part in strengthening this community with offerings of your own.  And we welcome you to make yourself at home in The Commons at Fertile Ground Gathering!

Singing to the Bones Demo with Tava Baird

​Curious about bone-casting, but don't know how to get started? Come and visit with Tava Baird, bone-casting instructor and author of Singing to the Bones. We'll cover the art and history of bone-casting and do some group readings together to start you on your journey. Help us preserve this ancient and beautiful form of divination! A drawing will be held for all participants and three lucky winners will take home a starter bone-casting kit and a copy of Singing to the Bones.

Family Lawn Games!

During the Cook-out Lunch, we'll have plenty of lawn games available for everyone to enjoy!  From Giant Jenga to Cornhole and Bocce, there'll be lots of ways to have fun! 

You're also welcome to bring lawn games to play together as well.*

* Please note that park regulations prohibit us from inserting items into the ground.  Please only bring games that can be played without the use of stakes or other in-ground objects.  Thank you.  

Tarot Reading with Christina Woods

Join Christina Woods in The Commons for a tarot reading during the cook-out lunch. 

Christina is a 35-year-old tarot reader at Hexes & Healing in Fredericksburg, Virginia and a spiritual healer with a passion for romance and writing. She is the founder of The Cyanide Sisters Tarot and Apothecary.

Bonfires & Drum Circles

Friday and Saturday Night Drum Circles facilitated by Mark Sawasky

Mark facilitates drum circles that fully engage all participants, from beginners to advanced drummers and musicians, while creating a strong sense of community. His approach is to teach simple, accessible rhythms that people can play along with, add on to, and even solo from. 

Playing rhythmic patterns for an extended amount of time helps each person relax, connect with the collective heartbeat, and find their own place in the circle. In Time, the drum circle will find its groove and evolve into a beautiful, unified piece of music with multiple voices.

Authors Table

We are fortunate to host several amazing authors among our special guest presenters, and many of them bring their books with them for sale.  These books are set up in the Feast Hall for the entire weekend.  We hope you'll visit the Authors Table this year!