Themes for Atheopagan “Welcoming” Gatherings
This past weekend, a handful of us threw a successful Atheopagan gathering for the Harvest Sabbath.
Not everyone there was an Atheopagan. Not everyone there had even heard of Atheopaganism. But we ate and drank and socialized and circled together, and a good time was had by all.
And isn’t that the point?
Where I’m going with this is that wherever you live, there may not be self-identified Atheopagans to gather with. Not right away, at least. But there are people: folks who might very well enjoy a seasonal gathering with a theme, socializing and food, and a short acknowledgement of the meanings of the season in ritual form. Those folks may find, in time, that doing these Atheopagan rituals—perhaps even helping to design or officiate them— is something that interests them, and they may want to learn more.
So think about it: who might you invite to something like that? The gathering doesn’t have to be huge; even 6-8 people can have a great time together. You can start to pull together a working Atheopagan community simply by being hospitable and offering experiences that are connecting, meaningful and memorable.
Here are some suggested themes and activities for Atheopagan gatherings at various Sabbaths around the year*:
Yule (winter solstice): family and community, the return of the light, the longest night
Slogg (3rd Saturday in January): “second Christmas” party, community, getting through winter
Imbolc/Brighid/Riverain (~Feb. 1) : early spring, making Rain Babies,
High Spring(vernal equinox): dyeing eggs, playing childhood games, candy and desserts
May Day (~May 1) : playfulness, arrival of summer, Maypole, May wine.
Midsummer (summer solstice): the peak of the light, the longest day, evening gathering, outdoor games
Summer’s End (~Aug. 1): picnic or beach/river day, go berry-gathering, bake bread
Harvest (autumnal equinox): harvest feast, celebrate the year’s “harvest”, gratitude for abundance
Hallows (~Oct. 31/Nov. 1): Halloween, spooky fun, costumes, ancestors and remembering those who have died in the past year.
One reason we practice Atheopaganism is to connect with our fellow humans. Wherever you are, I hope you will reach out and extend invitations to friends to join you in simple celebration of seasons, rites of passage and the fact that we are alive.
May your gatherings be well-attended, fun, and rich with meaning!
*These are for the Northern Hemisphere; reverse the dates for Southern.
Mark Green
Author of ATHEOPAGANISM: An Earth-Honoring Path Rooted in Science and ROUND WE DANCE: Creating Meaning Through Seasonal Rituals, Mark Green is the initiator of the Atheopagan path and editor at the Atheopaganism blog. He volunteers as a staffer to the Atheopagan Society Council to support the growth of Atheopaganism throughout the world. In his home of Sonoma County, California, in the occupied ancestral lands of the Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok peoples, he is best known as an environmental activist and founder of Sonoma County Conservation Action, the largest environmental activism group in his region. He continues to work in the conservation sphere, focusing particularly on protection of natural landscapes on California's federal public lands.
5 Comments
Gerald Young
All the Sabbats and Esbats have come and gone for many. I will explain, when I first began to learn about both Paganism and Wicca. I was still working and I picked up a couple of books on the subject. At that time there were a few who were interested and a place to go (bookstore in the next town). When I say a few it was maybe like 50 of us and then we had a place (someone’s home) where we could do the ritual Sabbats etc. That has all come to an end and I am by myself . It was sort of fun for them, for me it was serious and it still is. So I celebrate by myself as those who talk bout it were and still are just that. As much as it would be great; to find even one with whom I could either celebrate or discuss . It would help to open my mind to more new thought processes. Aging and living alone makes one more into their selves; especially when there is no one to experience together. It’s a nice thought for those who can (all the sabbats etc.)
Mark Green
We’re working on a world map which will plot the members of the Atheopaganism Facebook group; perhaps you can find someone to contact near you who would celebrate the holidays with you.
Gerald Young