Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.
It doesn't matter.
Ours is not a caravan of despair.
Come, even if you have broken your vow a thousand times
Come, yet again, come, come.
Happy Earth Day, everyone! One year ago TAPA facilitated our very first public ritual over at the Festival of Legends in Chapel Hill. This past Sunday we were so pleased to return to the same venue with an updated ritual and a whole year’s worth of ritual experience beneath our belts. Despite being wet and SO COLD we had a great time. A lovely group of people joined us – family and friends, old and new. We prayed, gave offerings, and danced together, offering our voices and intentions in a lovely ritual devoted to our Mother Earth.
Our friend helped us with dancing and drumming, teaching us the sacred circle dance “Caravan”, which is inspired by the Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi. “Even if you have broken your vow, yes, even TEN thousand times, you are welcome here,” she said as we gathered in a tight circle, freezing against the cold but still excited for the ritual and festival. She reminded us to keep these words in our hearts as we offered our intentions to the Earth. We may have the best intentions for this Earth Day season, but sometimes our vows may be hard to keep (less waste, buying local, recycling more, reducing spending, planting a garden…) Even if we don’t follow through with our Earth Day intentions, it doesn’t matter. We can always return to our vows, yet again and again.
Like the mystical Sufis, Neo-Paganism welcomes the wanderers and the worshipers. We are not in a caravan of despair, but together in one of community, love, and fellowship. We support one another as we return to our vows and our intentions, and we are thankful for the blessings we receive in this caravan of support and encouragement.
Many, unending thanks to those who came out to our ritual, and a huge THANK YOU to the kind folks over at the Festival of Legends. It’s a fabulous event, and we’re so proud to have been part of it. Thanks to the steerage committee members of TAPA, and thanks to our friend who helped us with dancing and drumming – you’re a true gift.
Happy Earth Day, everyone!