Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a unique event called the Pagan Picnic. It was held in a beautiful park surrounded by nature, creating a magical atmosphere for all attendees. As someone who has always been interested in paganism and spiritual practices, I was excited to be a part of this special gathering. The picnic was organized by a local pagan community with the aim of bringing like-minded individuals together and celebrating their shared beliefs. People of all ages and backgrounds were in attendance, which added to the diversity and sense of unity that permeated the event. Upon arrival, I was immediately struck by the vibrant energy and cheerful atmosphere.

St. Louis Pagan Picnic

Every year for the past 27 years in Tower Grove Park in early June you will find a gathering of Pagans. This picnic is a fantastic start to the festival season in Missouri. 2019 was the first year that my husband and I were able to go for both days of the picnic. This year the picnic was able to boast that they had nearly 100 vendors. The vendors are in the middle of the picnic. The picnic coordinators are hoping to welcome even more next year.

On Saturday at 10 AM, there was an opening ritual. Ritual is on the south side of the vendor’s row. The Ritual takes place in an area that is marked by flags for each compass point. It is always open to all who want to participate.

Speakers start their presentations at 11 AM and go until 3 PM both days. The lectures take place on the north side of the vendors’ row. There were so many speakers this year, but I could only pick a few because there are four presentations every hour. Speakers only took an hour for a lecture; many also-ran vendor stalls while at the festival too.

Celia was there her talk was titled “Adventures of an Everyday Goddess,” and we could hear her singing during her lecture too. Reverend Don Lewis-Highcorrell was there talking about Cornellian Soul. Mickie Mueller taught about “Magical Self-Care During Hard Times. Reverend Bill Duvendack was there teaching about “Astrological Timing of Rituals.” And Sunday started with Oberon Zell giving a presentation on “Awakening into Quantum Consciousness.” (there were so many more that I didn’t get to hear this time around.)

At the St. Louis Pagan Picnic, there are a lot of local artists, writers, and teachers that give lectures. If there is a time that you don’t want to go to hear a speaker, you can sit on the south side of the vendors’ row at the Bardic Circle. At the Bardic Circle, they have some great singers and Dancers. Celia also was at the Bardic Circle. At another time, you could catch Mama Gina or watch Sugar Cyanide dance.

My husband and I purchased a Tarot deck and a refillable book from artist Karen Swartz, who has a shop on Etsy, Talenshistudios. The Tarot deck is called “A Darisa Tarot.” I found that the Tarot deck is genderless to be a unique aspect that makes reading with it more accessible in so many ways.

Another vendor I adore is “Chaos Emporium.” She has a shop in South County Mall in St. Louis. Her shop and her vendor space deal with corsets, hats, gloves, and some beautiful Parasols. (I had to get a purple one to go with the primary color I wear daily.)

I also found a new vendor that I hope is there again next year, Obsidian Sithin. They have amazing wooden puzzles. (I purchased a Unicorn from them. I want to get more of their puzzles.)

About the Author:

Dawn Borries loves reading and was thrilled to become a Reviewer for PaganPages.Org. Dawn, also, has been doing Tarot and Numerology readings for the past 25 years. Dawn does readings on her Facebook page. If you are interested in a reading you can reach her on Facebook @eagleandunicorn.

Pagan picnic

Rev. Don Lewis interviews Spirit's Edge Shamonial Temple Founder & High Priestess Kassa S. Morgan for Magick TV's amazing videos on the 2019 St. Louis Pagan Picnic! Also, a correction. where Kassia talks about our public sabbat rituals, our Spirit's Edge Shamonial Temple's public sabbat rituals started at Mabon 2012. Love, Light & Blessings!

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Scenes from Spirit's Edge Shamonial Temple and friends at the St. Louis Pagan Picnic! Fun in the sun! Come to the Edge, where Spirit dwells!

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  A Recap of This Weekend's Pagan Picnic in Tower Grove Park

  Living and working near Tower Grove Park allows me to experience the joys of that special place on a regular basis. This past weekend, my park usage was amplified four-fold through twice-a-day-visits to the Pagan Picnic, an annual event held in the park’s northeast quadrant. With one of the outer roads turned into a bazaar, the Pagan Picnic experience is a mix of commerce with artistic and faith concerns. For sale: drums, books, drums, rainsticks, clothing (from tie-dye to gothic), drums, candles, incense, tribal masks, ice cream, herbs and drums. Every few booths, a personal experience is offered, from Reiki and chair massages to Tarot readings and palmistry. While many of the vendors are local, others travel to the event, and a colorful, little tent city lines the back of the booth walk. Just beyond them, pushing a little deeper into the park, the occasional workshop’s held under a canopy, often based around non-mainstream faith traditions or healing forms. One grass field traditionally enjoys a weekend-long larping tourney, with role-players engaged in short, pitched battles, foam and lightweight weaponry crashing down on the heads and legs of well-heeled competitors. Music’s a staple and is typically based around acoustic songwriters and drum groups; on Saturday, though, the main stage was held down by Tuatha Dea, a large, percussion-heavy, electro-acoustic group that sang of watchtowers and Celtic maidens and coming storms. Totally, totally appropriate stuff. My own commerce at the event was minimal: I bought a used copy of Cloud-Hidden: Whereabouts Unknown, a memoir by the mystic philosopher Alan Watts. The book came in an individual, plastic sandwich baggie, as did a flyer for Spirit’s Edge, a local “Shamonial Temple and Mystery School.” Cool. But you don’t have to buy anything, or be Pagan, to enjoy the Pagan Picnic. Maybe the best thing about the annual event is the people watching; that’s totally free, and you’re going to come across folks from a really curious blend of disciplines and tribes, with that seldom-seen blend of flowing-garb Ren Faire vets alongside leather-clad Futurists. (Hat tip, by the way, to those who rocked the multi-layered, head-to-toe black gear this weekend, with temps cracking 90 in the shade.) A few wandered the park with pets-on-arm, be they lizards or rats. Others sported swords and tails. Most simply came as they were, and on a hot summer’s weekend, that meant an impromptu tattoo convention breaking loose. What an array of ink! The best moments may’ve come when people unfamiliar with the event wandered through, whether running or walking. (Cycles were stopped at each end.) These folks brought the most wide-eyed wonder, their heads on a swivel, as St. Louis’ most interesting gathering space for the weekend enveloped them. Here’s to next year.

  by Thomas Crone June 9, 2015 8:19 AM CONNECT WITH US

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  Upon arrival, I was immediately struck by the vibrant energy and cheerful atmosphere. The park was adorned with colorful decorations, symbolic items, and beautiful altars dedicated to various pagan deities. It was clear that a lot of effort had been put into creating a visually pleasing and spiritually uplifting space.

  

  There was a myriad of activities and workshops to choose from throughout the day. These ranged from guided meditations and tarot readings to interactive discussions on various pagan traditions and practices. I found myself engrossed in conversations with fellow attendees, who were more than happy to share their knowledge and experiences with me. One of the highlights of the picnic was the communal ritual that took place in the late afternoon. Led by experienced practitioners, the ritual aimed to honor the changing seasons and connect with the natural elements. By participating in the ritual, I felt a profound sense of unity with the earth and those around me. Aside from the spiritual aspect, the Pagan Picnic also provided an opportunity for attendees to indulge in delicious food and drinks. There were stalls offering a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options, showcasing the belief in respecting all forms of life. It was heartwarming to see people enjoying the offerings while engaging in conversations and forging new connections. As the sun began to set, a sense of gratitude and fulfillment washed over me. The Pagan Picnic had exceeded my expectations in every way. It had not only allowed me to deepen my understanding of paganism but had also provided a space for community building and personal growth. In conclusion, the Pagan Picnic was a memorable and enriching experience. It brought together people with a shared passion for paganism and allowed them to celebrate their beliefs in a welcoming and inclusive environment. I left the event feeling inspired, connected, and eager to continue my spiritual journey..

  Reviews for "Pagan Picnics as a Form of Ecological Activism"

  1. John Doe - 1/5 stars - I found "Pagan Picnic" to be a highly disappointing read. The plot was weak, and the characters lacked depth and development. The writing style felt amateurish and there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book. I struggled to stay engaged and ended up skimming through large sections just to get to the end. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and captivating story.

  2. Jane Smith - 2/5 stars - "Pagan Picnic" didn't live up to the hype for me. The concept was intriguing, but the execution fell short. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in certain parts and rushing through others. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, there were inconsistencies in the plot that were never explained or resolved. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it left me feeling unsatisfied.

  3. David Thompson - 2/5 stars - While "Pagan Picnic" had an interesting concept, I felt like it failed to deliver on its promise. The writing style was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow the narrative. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their struggles. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, further hindering my ability to engage with the story. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would recommend looking elsewhere for a more satisfying read.

  Exploring Pagan Picnic Traditions Around the World