Can't wait!

[scott snedeker]

10 days to the Beltaine gathering at the Short Mountain Sanctuary! 3 days of peace, love, harmony, and forest spirits with pagan faeries from all over the world! It is the first gay faery commune in this country! 37 years young and more vital than ever!:D

[kara speltz]

10 days to the Beltaine gathering at the Short Mountain Sanctuary! 3 days of peace, love, harmony, and forest spirits with pagan faeries from all over the world! It is the first gay faery commune in this country! 37 years young and more vital than ever!:D

Wow Scotty, sounds fabulous. And you're going? Have fun. Kara

[scott snedeker]

Oh yes I'm going! This gathering has come together long ago. The physical presence is only the last small detail of the greater design!

[Zerbie]

I thought Beltaine was in the summer???

Anyway, sounds like a great deal of fun. :)

[Daniel]

Wish I could come along. I need a vacation! :lol: Some Faerie Fun would suit me just fine.

Not forgotten is NYC's AGay Pride about 5 years ago: two young faeries were walking in Central Park- near the Shakespeare Garden actually- as Mr. Husband and I passsed by. They were wearing body paint, backpacks, and little else.

Well....a cop happened to spy them and told them they had to cover up. What did they do? They laid down on the lawn and pulled up some grass and twigs over their privates. The cop started laughing, shaking his head, then walked away.

Scott- I hope you have a wonderful time. :love:

[scott snedeker]

That story made me smile!
If you and hubby came then you would have to come up with faerie names!

[scott snedeker]

Today I let go of my medical practice of thirteen years. My replacement is worthy of the entrustment with the 4000 souls who have given me the privilege of knowing them and caring for them for the last thirteen years.

I mourned the goodbyes but now the next page of my life starts with the Faeries on Short Mountain Sanctuary Commune where peace, love and the pagan forest spirits will further connect me to my inner spirit and free unconditional love. This is the only place where some of the most sensitive people in this world can live.

My first pagan lover, Adrain, taught me that my spirit was not broken, just disconnected. He is among the hundreds of faeries who are welcoming me into the loving fold. Two of my other lovers and I are travelling together to experience the love and connection to the love of others.

I hope some day that the rest of the world will learn to love as easily.

[Rick336]

I'm not sure I understand what the faeries are. Is it an organization of feminine gay men that live in a commune like hippies?

Rick

[Daniel]

Rick- not being a faerie per se, I'd like to take a shot at your question, though Scott could answer it from a personal standpoint.

Faerie culture, if I can call it that, draws its roots from diverse figures like Edward Carpenter and Harry Hay.

http://www.radfae.org/harry.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Carpenter

In this new stage of society Carpenter argued that mankind would return to a primordial state of simple joy: "The meaning of the old religions will come back to him. On the high tops once more gathering he will celebrate with naked dances the glory of the human form and the great processions of the stars, or greet the bright horn of the young moon.” Edward Carpenter (1889), Civilisation: its cause and cure. This brand of "Mystical socialism" inspired him to begin a number of campaigns against air pollution, promoting vegetarianism and opposing vivisection.

Funny that Hay should come up- I made another post today- in jest- using his name.

As the link notes, Hay is considered that father of the Faerie movement. Now- I don't know if one could say that Faerie culture is simply made up of effeminate men. That sounds like an over statement. This page says it succinctly.

http://www.radfae.org/about.htm

Who are the faeries?

We're decentralized, and nobody's in charge -- so every faerie who you ask will give a slightly different definition of "Radical Faerie." Generally, we tend to be Gay men who look for a spiritual dimension to our sexuality; many of us are healers of one kind or another. Our shared values include feminism, respect for the Earth, and individual responsiblity rather than hierarchy. Many of us are Pagan (nature-based religion)

[nmwolfboy]

Scotty -

Many faerie blessings on your journey, and a joyous & fertile Beltane to you!

i've never made the trip to SMS, but have spent many a wonderful time at Zuni Mountain Sanctuary, about a 2 hour drive west & south of where i live. i credit my time there with some VERY deep healing that i needed several years ago. :D The sanctuaries are such magickal places.

So far as faerie names - they change constantly - very few of the fellow faeries that i met several years ago still go by the names they used then. For example, Heidi became Balance, then Balance became Vanguard, and i've no idea what by what name he's called now. Raif became Zephyr, then RedWolf, and probably goes by something else now too. Of course, many faeries use several names interchangeably, the usage of which depends on their mood! Some of my favorite names of actual faeries: Eden Gloria, Rosie Delicious, 3 Raven, Aunt B, Pinky, Ha!, Penny, Macha Nightmare...the list goes on.

i miss Heart Circles and being in faerie space!!!!! Guess it's time to head out to Zuni again, huh? :-)

Much love & glittery faerie kisses,
scott (the faerie formerly mostly known as Sylver, or occasionally Sylverweed; or when i'm feeling REALLY grand (and rarely used), Sylverweed Endorian. i've also thought of using Posie or Persnickity; 'Persie' for short. What do you think?) :flower2: :rainbow: :magic: :flower2:

Hey Daniel - that's as good a 'short version' of RadFae that could be given! Good point about effeminancy, too. i wouldn't say that faeries are effeminate - some may be, some are definitely not. Most have some degree of comfort with being & expressing themselves beyond the dichotomy of butch/effeminate. It's part of the charm of faeries for me - helping a butch, muscular man stripped to the waist build a stone wall, completely at ease with wearing a tucked up skirt, combat boots and sporting painted (though chipped - most faeries work HARD) fingernails. Meanwhile, opera blares in the background and you're discussing some obscure theological point. Then you both pause to wave at and admire the cute guy walking by, who is returning from his hike up to the ancient Native American ruins on the nearby mesa. Another faerie, dressed like a Fellini version of a Russian Orthodox Patriarch (because that's just how he felt this morning) stops by to serve you delicious homemade muffins. Inexplicable, joyous, surreal, and completely natural.

[scott snedeker]

After reading your posts I am more excited than ever. Daniel Rick and especially nmwolfboy!

My faerie name is Bunkie. My other lovers are Adrain (uses his given name), Otter and Gyver. There I hope to find the path of letting go of much of my past and present self injury.

Some day I hope to create or join a commune.

I'm warmed to hear from other faeries on this site!

Spread the love! :love:

[scott snedeker]

Persie is a beautiful choice! It is in alignment with Persephone who spends 6 months in the underworld and with her return brings Spring. This appears to be a sign to me for you to return to the Zuni Mountain Sanctuary:agree: :rainbow: :cookie: :love: :dove: :flower:

[nmwolfboy]

Dear, sweet Scotty:

The Persephone reference never occurred to me; thanks for pointing it out. Again, bright blessings on your SMS journey!

Pax :dove:

scott

[Daniel]

Hey Daniel - that's as good a 'short version' of RadFae that could be given! Good point about effeminancy, too. i wouldn't say that faeries are effeminate - some may be, some are definitely not. Most have some degree of comfort with being & expressing themselves beyond the dichotomy of butch/effeminate. It's part of the charm of faeries for me - helping a butch, muscular man stripped to the waist build a stone wall, completely at ease with wearing a tucked up skirt, combat boots and sporting painted (though chipped - most faeries work HARD) fingernails. Meanwhile, opera blares in the background and you're discussing some obscure theological point. Then you both pause to wave at and admire the cute guy walking by, who is returning from his hike up to the ancient Native American ruins on the nearby mesa. Another faerie, dressed like a Fellini version of a Russian Orthodox Patriarch (because that's just how he felt this morning) stops by to serve you delicious homemade muffins. Inexplicable, joyous, surreal, and completely natural.

This kind of gathering sounds right up my alley, especially the opera plus theological discussion part while doing something real and surreal at the same time.

Why is that people cannot see, or won't see, that gay people straddle the inner and outer worlds at the same time with unabashed ease? The trouble/blessing seems to be that we are shamans in our own fields- in both senses of the word- yet often do not know this, being fooled into thinking we must be other than we are.

Food for thought:


Part of gay identity, which is continually becoming, continually evolving, is an expanded and expanding awareness of the potentials in human relationships. The gay person knows what non-gay people know, but he also knows what they do not know, or cannot allow themselves to know or acknowledge. A gay person knows experientially that same-sex love is possible. A non-gay person does not. A gay person knows experientially that gender and sexual categories are fluid. A non-gay person does not. Expanding awareness is the essence of spiritual growth; therefore, gay identity is in its very essence spiritual. Gay identity, being more inclusive, naturally transcends many of the dualistic experiences and categories of non-gay identities, and thus lies closer to the all-inclusive, non-dual Oneness that is God’s essence.

This expanded awareness makes a gay person an outsider in relation to non-gay society. Being compelled by the cognitive dissonance between inner reality and social reality to question fundamental assumptions about human existence and destiny, e.g. the nature of love and relationship, provides a precious and unique opportunity for expanded awareness. Much of the substance of practical spiritual teachings aims to train, coax, or shake aspirants out of limiting assumptions about the nature of self. In this respect being a gay outsider confers certain advantages, but it also exacts terrible costs.

The gay outsider gets greater awareness, expanded consciousness, but society considers his knowledge forbidden, shameful knowledge, and he learns very quickly that he must hide what he knows to protect non-gay, homophobic people from the “terrible truths” of his and their being, and to protect himself from their ignorant wrath. The instinctive desire for self-preservation may induce him to hide so well, that he hides even from himself, and then he loses the gift of awareness, leaving him only feelings of inferiority, shame, rejection, and fear. He has internalized the homophobia and thus becomes dangerous to himself and to others like himself. He splits his psyche into a socially-acceptable, non-gay, false self and a forbidden, gay, true self. When he awakens to the spiritual longings that are his human birthright, he may naturally try to approach God through the forms and traditions of society. But he comes to the spiritual path with his psychic energies divided and often at odds, and he finds that society’s God has no place for his gay, true self.

The whole essay is here.

http://www.gaytantra.org/introessay.html

Oh. I'm rambling. It's been a long week arguing with those who are (seemingly) deaf, dumb and blind to such things.

We speak a strange and beautiful language, and sing wordless songs, which can only be heard by those who rise before dawn and sit in silence.

[scott snedeker]

impressexed was a typo just now, but it seems like it should be a word.


Daniel, your knowledge of this and just in general blows my mind!:reading:

I just woke up from a dream right out of Twin Peaks where I was warned not to let myself or anyone in my office be alone if there was a flower left on the counter or on the floor anywhere. This was a sign of Narcissus. It was pronounced in the elvish fashion "Narthithus," a dread presence.

Creeped out yet?

I accompany a male dentist evaluating a female patient in an exam room. As the dentist approaches the patient the lights in the room dim. The trapped panicked patient backs against the wall and then runs to the other side of the room. The dentist pursues ignoring the stark fear of the patient.

I yell to the dentist:
"Get out of here! Now! Out of the room!"

As he leaves reluctantly and with defiance is his eyes to my command, the room now completely darkens.

I feel an Icy cold grip around both arms and the malignant presence of....... Narcissus. I look first to the patient, now knowing what she feared, then to the dentist wondering from where the presence came.:eek:

I woke up feeling completely Creeped out! Had to check my bedrooom for flowers:flower: :lol:

[u-dog]

This kind of gathering sounds right up my alley, especially the opera plus theological discussion part while doing something real and surreal at the same time.

Why is that people cannot see, or won't see, that gay people straddle the inner and outer worlds at the same time with unabashed ease? The trouble/blessing seems to be that we are shamans in our own fields- in both senses of the word- yet often do not know this, being fooled into thinking we must be other than we are.

Food for thought:



The whole essay is here.

http://www.gaytantra.org/introessay.html

Daniel, would you consider copying this post into "the GAY RAPTURE" (or may I?) It is the very sort of answer I was hoping to hear!

[Daniel]

Daniel, would you consider copying this post into "the GAY RAPTURE" (or may I?) It is the very sort of answer I was hoping to hear!

David- Don't mind at all. Copy away my friend.

The book by the author- the one in the link- is very interesting. I've included it below as well as two others which are equally thought provoking. Those in the Faerie community will be well acquainted with them.

Gay Tantra by William Schindler
Tantra for Gay men by Bruce Anderson
Gay Soul: Finding the Heart of Gay Spirit and Nature by Sixteen Writers, Healer, Teachers, and Visionaries

impressexed was a typo just now, but it seems like it should be a word.

I just love it that you worked sex into the word! :D Impressed with the sex! I'm smiling from ear to ear.

Daniel, your knowledge of this and just in general blows my mind!:reading:

What can I say? I'm just curious about this stuff. No one teaches you anything about being gay when you grow up, much less how to integrate your inner states with our outer ones.

I just woke up from a dream right out of Twin Peaks where I was warned not to let myself or anyone in my office be alone if there was a flower left on the counter or on the floor anywhere. This was a sign of Narcissus. It was pronounced in the elvish fashion "Narthithus," a dread presence.

Creeped out yet?

Not at all! I love dreams: they are excellent teachers. Inexpensive too. I have had some frightening ones myself, the worst being nightmares of a vampire. Those were, in retrospect, a fear of sexuality and raw desire. I had them several times a week for about three months, and would wake in a sweat: it was no cooincidence that I was meditating very deeply very day. That'll bring up stuff to look at! :lol: And after they subsided, I met my husband Jonathan and found myself deeply in love. It was like a train wreck. Blew me away totally.

I accompany a male dentist evaluating a female patient in an exam room. As the dentist approaches the patient the lights in the room dim. The trapped panicked patient backs against the wall and then runs to the other side of the room. The dentist pursues ignoring the stark fear of the patient.

I yell to the dentist:
"Get out of here! Now! Out of the room!"

As he leaves reluctantly and with defiance is his eyes to my command, the room now completely darkens.

I feel an Icy cold grip around both arms and the malignant presence of....... Narcissus. I look first to the patient, now knowing what she feared, then to the dentist wondering from where the presence came.:eek:

I woke up feeling completely Creeped out! Had to check my bedrooom for flowers:flower: :lol:

The dream, along with the journey you are about to embark on, suggests that you are about to enter territory which brings about a change in your 'deserving factor', a neat term a counselor friend of mine often talks about.

I would venture that the dark presence is your own fear and the flower a sign of imminent transformation, seeing that flowers are also a symbol of death and change.

The male side of you is going full steam ahead, while the feeling side (female) is a bit wary. And the witness consciousness in the dream (so like your professional self) is trying to manage the process, which, of course, it can't.

Think about the male dentist. He's operating on the woman's mouth, right? He's trying to fix something there. That speaks to language, use of language, self-talk and the like. The guy is trying to do his work, when, in fact, there is another, much deeper issue that needs attention, and is, in fact, making itself known.

I would say that all the intense work you having been doing on yourself is actually paying off. It's helping you face some deep seated issues of self-worth. And I wouldn't be surprised if someone taught you- by word or example- that it was better to take care of others and narcissistic to take care of yourself.

That program has run its course.

Time to take care of Scotty. :D :love:

You are going to have fun in the woods! It might scare you, but all that you encounter is going to be good. All good.

[scott snedeker]

Just returned from the Beltaine Celebration. I have never seen so many beautiful, sensual, creative, loving people. I was embraced into the tribe of faeries who are free to express on the outside the beautiful feelings on the inside.

This Beltaine was attended by the gentlest most loving souls that I have met. More than 300 people lived, loved, expressed , danced, sang, performed. I met international concert pianists, opera singers, movie actors all living with the rest of us in a commune where love frees us from the outside world. One of my lovers was moved to sobbing during a piano concerto!

I became a child again reconnecting to the sense I had as a young child visiting my Grandmother. A sense that everyone loved me just because that is the way it is! And a world that is safe with no need to be protected from anything.

Heart circles, Love-ins, Fire dancing and Pagan spirtuality changed me.

My Faerie name changed to Ash Phoenix or Ash for short, leaving my past behind with Beltaine my Burning Day, leaving only ashes of the cares I used to carry.

I will be joining the commune in a few years. Never have I felt so profound sense of home since my young childhood.

Love to you all. I wish I could share what I feel in my heart with those of you who deserve such peace and love in your souls.:love:

[kara speltz]

Dear Scotty: Glad it was such a positive experience for you and thanks for sharing some of it with us. Blessings. kara

[Daniel]

Wonderful stuff. Welcome back Ash Phoenix.



In ancient Egyptian mythology and in myths derived from it, the phoenix or phœnix is a mythical sacred firebird.

Said to live for 500 or 1461 years (depending on the source), the phoenix is a bird with beautiful gold and red plumage. At the end of its life-cycle the phoenix builds itself a nest of cinnamon twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix arises. The new phoenix embalms the ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis ("the city of the sun" in Greek). The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — a symbol of fire and divinity. Tears from a phoenix can heal wounds.

[Zerbie]

WOW!!!
That sounds amazing!!!!

Scotty, I got thrills reading your description. Wow, just, wow.

Say, do they let girls inside? I think I'm a Faerie. :dove: :good:

[nmwolfboy]

Welcome back Ash! i'm so happy you had such a wondrous time. :love: :love: :love:

Your sharing's making me long to be on the land again.

Much love to you :weee: :magic: :weee:

scott

PS: Zerbie, there are definitely female bodied faeries. Check out www.rfdmag.org to see if there are any faerie circle contacts in your area. One of the first faerie gatherings was held in AZ so i'm sure there are some faeries around there somewhere!

[Zerbie]

W
PS: Zerbie, there are definitely female bodied faeries. Check out www.rfdmag.org to see if there are any faerie circle contacts in your area. One of the first faerie gatherings was held in AZ so i'm sure there are some faeries around there somewhere!

Oh double-wow!!! For some reason, I thought faerie retreats only allowed male-bodied people. The longer I live, the more I suspect I was supposed to be a gay man and accidentally got the wrong body. . . .:p

That sounds great! I will take a look at that link!!! Thank you Scott!!! :weee:

[scott snedeker]

Zerbie.

There were many women at the gathering. Some of the oldest members of the commune are female.

You are definitely inhabited by the spirit of a faerie! I'll check but I believe the next gathering is Oct 1

Glittery faerie kisse to you!

[keltic63]

Welcome Back Ash!!!! :love:


how did I miss this thread yesterday???? :confused:

[Freespirited]

What an enlighting post! I love mother nature and all

her glory too! but I have yet to fully experience that

type of holistic community! I love to see more writings

about this thou, as I am a very open minded at

experiencing the many spiritual path to God!



LEANDRO

[scott snedeker]

Preparations are underway for the Fall Gathering of Radical Faeries from September 24, 2007 to October 3,2007 at the Short Mountain Sanctuary in Tennessee. I can already Feel the love energy building!