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Witches Gone Wilde — the theme of Asheville's 19th Annual Free Public Witch Ritual conducted by Coven Oldenwilde on Thursday, October 31st, 2013 C.E. — was beautiful and powerful!
Despite a rain wash-out direly predicted for days in advance of the festivities by area meteorologists, our months of chanting hundreds of times daily an effective weather-working charm we devised decades ago paid off in predictable fashion: Volunteer helpers were grateful for the preternaturally warm temp during setup, and the barest mist glistened faces of ritual participants grateful for the cool-down after the fast-paced Spiral Dance finale!
Volunteers of all kinds impressively decorated the forested, 4-acre site alongside the French Broad River in assured, unrushed fashion. Helpers included experienced, seasoned veterans of our annual exploits; a homeless couple; a former young male apprentice turned activist college student; a Native American medicine man; and many more.
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View Map & Announcement of Witches Gone Wilde: Samhain 2013 |
Lady Passion gave hundreds of fortune-telling readings to attendees depending on method each preferred, either cards, coins, or cowry shells.
Three playing-card Aces tossed air-ward sought the querents' Ancestors' otherworldly wisdom regarding their earthly plans, revealed in the card that landed closest to her, while three gold Sacajawea dollars or quarter-sized cowry seashells shaken and tossed across the altar answered burning "Yes/No" or "Past/Present/Future" queries.
Kids played all manner of traditional Witch games for prizes in the spookily decorated Kidz Zone. Teens and adults either mingled with Witches who'd traveled from afar, or donated to support our nonprofit by purchasing a hardcover or paperback occult book or dried Fava Bean divination kit in organza, clear-pak, or satin pouches handmade by Lady Passion.
Circle began with the traditional ice-breaking Meeting Dance, then transitioned into a solemn lament for the Dead, and culminated with a breath-taking 8-minute Spiral Dance to the gypsyesque Kila tune "Rusty Nails."
The Afterparty for volunteers featured food, drink, camaraderie, and a thought-provoking Witch game in which deep philosophical questions were posed and everyone in turn expressed their feelings or opinions about them. Folks stayed till 5 a.m., and our lack of clear picture proof of the fun had reflects the truism that those who attended likely came away with a rather blurry recollection of events!
Afterclap: Lady Passion had torn her left leg quadriceps muscle weeks prior to the rite, but was healed by the power raised during circle.
