Radical faeries, Short Mountain

[scott snedeker]

Thank Mother Earth for the faeries.

A place for the gifted and the challenged

A sanctuary for those so sensitive that a sanctuary is the only place where they can survive.

We all gather stars.....
yes we all feign a life

We all sigh in the the dark
Get cut off before we start....

And as the first act begins
you realise there always is....
For a flaw, for a flaw, for the end......

There's a past stained with tears
Could you talk to quiet my fears?..


Could you pull me aside
just to acknowledge that I tried?

And as your last breath begins.....
contently take it in.....
'cause we all get it in ....the end?

[Daniel]

Not sure if this link will work for those who don't subscribe to the NYTimes, but this cartoon is thought provoking.

http://modan.blogs.nytimes.com/

[Zerbie]

(((((((( Scotty ))))))))



Are you going there soon?

[scott snedeker]

I'll be leaving very soon, I'm on a hiatus from work and have enough to live off for a while. I received a copy of a documentary of the Short Mountain Sanctuary Beltaine gathering in which I was interviewed and it brought it all back.

The contrast of outside living to sanctuary living makes returning to the land nirvana and returning to the outside hell.

I'm wrestling with the idea of living there long term. It would mean leaving my profession, farm, people I love. But by not going I would but missing the peace, love and warmth I found there. I don't want to wait until the end to discover what could have been.

Any way It's going to be a fabulous Fall. I wish I could share the love and peace and harmony with you that my heart fells when I'm there.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by scott snedeker

I'll be leaving very soon, I'm on a hiatus from work and have enough to live off for a while. I received a copy of a documentary of the Short Mountain Sanctuary Beltaine gathering in which I was interviewed and it brought it all back.

The contrast of outside living to sanctuary living makes returning to the land nirvana and returning to the outside hell.

I'm wrestling with the idea of living there long term. It would mean leaving my profession, farm, people I love. But by not going I would but missing the peace, love and warmth I found there. I don't want to wait until the end to discover what could have been.

Any way It's going to be a fabulous Fall. I wish I could share the love and peace and harmony with you that my heart fells when I'm there.

Please don't leave us. The peace and harmony that you feel while there is what everybody needs. We need to spread more of that energy into the world outside.

Every time you speak supporting affirming words to us you DO share the love and the peace you've taken in.

We aren't so bad, are we?

[scott snedeker]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

Please don't leave us.

We aren't so bad, are we?

You are of the beautiful people. And there is a place at the top of the mountain where wireless internet connection is possible on a clear day with a laptop so I am not leaving sweetie. I have a 110 volt socket in my SUV (That really comes in handy!) so I can drive to the top of Short Mountain and use it.

I'm learning how to adjust to living off the grid. Much of what is taken for granted, the simplest of things require focussed effort. This again creates a contrast that emphasizes the joy that is present around us every day. "You don't know What you have until it's gone"

Example: Food,

to eat breakfast of eggs, potatos fruit and tea in a self-sustaining commune requires a huge investment of time, effort and resouces to initiate and maintain
hot water,
requires ecologically responsible harvesting of trees cutting chopping and storing.

these are the lessons I hope to learn

[Alecto]

All I've got is ::jealous::

We don't even have radical faeries around here.

[labguy22]

Scott,
I shared this with my husband and we are both excited for you; what an awesome opportunity. I did a few searches and was wondering if this is still in Arizona?
We look forward to hearing back regarding some of your experiences...if that's not being too forward.

[scott snedeker]

Originally Posted by Alecto

All I've got is ::jealous::

We don't even have radical faeries around here.

I think you may, below is a list of the sanctuaries


California: Starland Retreat
Louisiana: Manitou Woods
Minnesota: Kawashaway, email
New Mexico: Zuni Mountain, also see Utopian Imaginaries and Faerie Practise
New York: Blue Heron Farm
Oregon: Nomenus at Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek yahoo group
Tennessee: Short Mountain Sanctuary
Tennessee: Ida
Vermont: Faerie Camp Destiny

Originally Posted by labguy22

Scott,
I shared this with my husband and we are both excited for you; what an awesome opportunity. I did a few searches and was wondering if this is still in Arizona?
We look forward to hearing back regarding some of your experiences...if that's not being too forward.

There is a small faerie commune in New Mexico, And a Faerie community nearby.

The one I'm going to is in Tenn

If you need specific directions I will Email privately. The Sanctuarians prefer to not have the location available on the internet. I'll be happy to share some of the experiences, but It is important not to share any names, pictures, or videos.

To understand radical faeries rent the movie Shortbus. It may change how you see social evolution. The rest of society may take scores of years to reach this level of evovled sensibility, The profoundly intimate way in which we are all connected. The preservation of the Sanctuary depends on it's location not coming into the hands of those who would violate it.

[Alecto]

I will say it's closer than I thought. I knew there weren't any local chapters, but I just might manage transportation to Blue Heron; will definitely be looking into it. Thank you!

[antiochian]

I did a google on RF and found a little info, but mostly just pictures, of... well, radical faeries. Kawashaway is in my home state!! I'd love to go and visit. A couple questions.

Are there people who actually live in these sanctuaries (I think that's what they're called, if I remember right), or are they just places people go occasionally for kind of a "camp out" type thing?

What goes on at these gatherings? Must one be pagan to participate? Is there a fee or donation?

I'm really interested. Thanks.

[scott snedeker]

Sanctuaries are special places where we all can allow all personal boundaries to drop safely and...... wow! part of me comes alive. There I was six years old again in my heart! Where everybody loved me just because that's the way the world is....and there is no need for defenses and I swear the spirit of my grandmother was there to hold me on the couch by the piano (inhabiting an old drag queen named Agnes). There is lovemaking everywhere, Heart circles.

Some sanctuaries do have permanent residents called stewards, others are campgrounds. Donations are accepted but not required if you can't spare it. But a little wood chopping or dish washing or help in the kitchen go a long way.

You do not have to be pagan or anything, just bring your capacity to love. There is often pot smoking and 'shrooms (I don't use myself) which allows some to better relax, but no pressure is placed on anyone to partake. Not much alchohol is consumed as this is typcally a cerebral bunch discussing philosophy, metaphysics, art, expression, environmental politics.

People come from all over the world: Artists, international concert pianists, opera singers, stage actors, movie actors, activists, Old Hippies, Young Hippies, sex workers, newspaper editors, gypsies, straight faeries..........even a physician (me)

The first two days you might be stunned and apprehensive. Then once you feel your personal barriers drop the feeling is......magical and you will be hooked!