LIFE OF GAEA : Heartland Pagan Festival 2017
Channel: FentsPostProduction1
Date: 2021-12-21

MERRY YULETIDE!
The year of 2017 saw the start of a mania-filled presidency, the ensuing resistance escalated and a total solar eclipse that August. Here in 2021, we're getting out of the pandemic EVER so slowly and the Heartland Pagan Festival had an online event only, meaning that it has been 3 years since the last fest.

Here is my documentary shot at the 32nd edition of this amazing event. If you've been, then consider this a taste of what we have enjoyed. If you're new to the fest or not even involved with neo-paganism, consider this a solid introduction to the world of  Pagans, witches and a beautiful piece of Kansas called The Gaea Retreat Center. 

Herein lies the beauty, magic and family fun ignited every May by the Kansas City Heartland Spiritual Alliance. An  all-volunteer group of caring individuals work very hard to create a safe space for people of all paths and orientations to come together in peace and love. You'll hear some really talented composers who are well-known on the festival circuit: Tuatha Dea, SJ Tucker, Lynda Millard, Renee Janski, Celia Farran and studio ace Ginger Doss. They all share stage space in various configurations having known and played music together for years. It was a reunion within a reunion! Ginger shares some of her magical experiences from a night at the big fire built by Hestia's Fire Horde. Jessi Hunter speaks of how they make the big burn that is a center-piece of the whole weekend, burning every night and bringing many drummers while we dance. The Sacred Experience people create complete rituals in the theme of the year, this one being “The Unexpected”. 

Many more stories are told in this documentary, but mostly I wanted to create all of the emotions that we missed the past couple of years. This is a magical space.

This is not only my gift to the pagan community, that wonderful bunch of weirdos in the woods, but maybe a conduit for understanding what we're about. We are all living on Gaea, the Supra-Organism that gives life to all beings. Each of us finds a way to take it all in and to find our own spiritual path to the center of Gaea's mysteries, here at (Where else?) Camp Gaea.

Enjoy and Brightest Blessings!

-Ron Fent