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*** Information about The Stanardsville / Charlottesville Beltane 2007***
May 22, 2003 - "Green County Record"
This weekend a gathering of
Pagans, Wiccans and Druids celebrated Beltane, the ancient Celts traditional
first day of summer, right here in Greene county.
The Blue Ridge Pagan Alliance, a religious organization that hopes to dispel
negative myths that have been associated with words like "pagan",
"heathen", and "witch", as well as plan events like the
Beltane festival, sponsored the event.
The Alliance is made up of many earth-based religions. Paula West, whose
Pagan name is Branwenn WhiteRaven, is the President of the Alliance.
"We believe everything is sacred," she says of Pagans in general.
The Beltane festival is held annually at the Heavenly Acres Campground in
Standardsville. This year over two hundred people from all over the
country, including visitors from New York, Maine and even California, attended.
The Alliance says that Pagans are from all walks of life - from professionals to
homemakers. All types of people did attend the festival, including some
local residents. Most stayed in tents, braving torrential rains and flood
warnings through the weekend, as well as inescapable amounts of mud.
Isaac Bonewits, an expert on ancient and modern Druidism, Witchcraft and the
rapidly growing Earth Religions movement, said in a small workshop at the
festival, Earth-based religions are more comfortable with ambiguity.
"The universe is complicated, there are no simple answers."
Bonewits, who looks more like a professor in his brown wool sport jacket than
the stereotypical Pagan, is a practicing Neo-Pagan priest. He believes,
for example, that children are born holy and that divinity can manifest itself
in both the female and male form.
Along with workshops and a friendly atmosphere, the festival included live
music, food vendors, including Charlottesville's Veggie Heaven, and
plenty of shopping. Boutiques like the Torch Stone sold clothing, jewelry,
and a wide selection of crystals and other stones.
Debbie Striker, a stained glass artist and veteran of the Beltane festival,
offered her colorful wares to the festival goers, even though she had to fight
the wind to keep everything in place.
Megan Petersen, who shared a booth with Striker, sold fresh home-made soaps at
this, her first, festival. Her line of soaps, called Wolf Haven Designs,
are made from goats milk, glycerin, and fresh herbs. They come in many
shapes, including a dragon and Goddess design.
Along with crafts and entertainment, the festival organizers always provide
security to the attendants, as well as first aid.
Tim Boyd, known around the campground as "Doc", has been on hand every
year to provide health services. He reminds people to keep hydrated and
wear their sunblock. Aside from a few minor scrapes, Doc, who strolled the
festival grounds bare-chested despite the rain, says there are few real
concerns.
"This festival is like a family gathering, but without your weird Uncle
Earnest."
Over the weekend, a hand full of Pagan bands played live music for the crowd,
including Bridget's Kiss, KIVA and others.
If you missed the event, many of the same artists and musicians will attend
Pagan Pride Day, planned for early September in Charlottesville.
-Natalie Peeterse
