This weekend marked the official beginning of the planning season for Witches in the Woods 2020. For those that don't know, Witches in the Woods is an annual camping meetup for those in the online spiritual community ever May. Last year was the pilot year and this year, those who attended last year, #WITWAlphaSquad, bonded in magick, had life changing experiences, and are excited to be embarking on this adventure once again!
Witches in the Woods was created by myself and Pyperh after the sudden passing of our dear friend Dee, aka Tip Toe Chick. Pyperh, Dee, and I were all friends who formed our friendships with each other via YouTube and the internet. We both had intended to take a trip to see Dee but we never had the chance because she passed before we could make the voyage. Between living in foreign countries, having children, and life just generally getting in the way - the trip got put off and put off until it was too late. Her death brought a stark realization to the forefront. Life is short and if you put things off, you may never have the opportunity to do the things you want to do. So, we made a vow that we weren't putting off meeting each other any longer, even if we had to hitchhike to get there. So we did one better - we found a pagan campground and created a yearly camp in Dee's memory that can be attended by anyone in the online spiritual community seeking to meet in friendship, rewild with mother nature, and bond together in magick.
Last year was a test run and we learned some valuable lessons. For one thing, we learned that we picked the PERFECT place - Oak Spirit Sanctuary in Boonville, Missouri. Boonville is the exact halfway mark between St. Louis and Kansas City. It's in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, and in the middle of the country. It has altar spaces, groves, and ritual circles throughout. The land is steeped in magick that hums and buzzes beneath your bare feet. We learned what it means to participate in group ritual, dance in revelry to the sound of beating drums around the campfire, and that the power of friendship doesn't end at the keyboard. This was my first time meeting everyone in attendance but I found my bond with them only strengthened in person.
We also learned practical lessons to put to use in the future. Allotment of camp funds and where they should go since they really didn't cover our food expenses for dinner like we'd hoped (we're not doing that this year, don't panic! lol). When it storms, to use the retreat center for a rowdy game of "What Do You Meme?" and "Cards Against Humanity." That we definitely need more than two port-a-potty's in 2020. That next year we want to create a but more structure with a theme, an opening and closing ceremony, and a workshop or two wedged in there. Witches in the Woods is an evolving experience. One that I can't wait to watch grow.
Witches in the Woods official graphic artist/photographer/videographer, Melani Malsbury, creates two shirt designs for camp. One design is the WITW logo shirt for the year. The other is what we affectionately dub the TTC shirt - Tip Toe Chick - and is created in her memory. The logo shirt sales aide in the costs of camp. This year we are hosting a pot luck dinner but we hope to put the funds towards community needs like firewood, tables, and canopy tents to sit under during the day (no matter how much sunscreen we wore, we got burnt to the max last year!). The Tip Toe Chick Memorial Fund money started as a fund to help pagans in need. However, we found that selecting recipients was a tough job with no real way to create a fair process in determining who got what. So, we thought again. Funds from the TTCMF go towards environmental conservation. For now, the funds go directly to Oak Spirit Sanctuary to help maintain, conserve, and improve the land we camp on. Dee was a huge lover of nature and we think she'd be proud. If you'd like to purchase a shirt, the links to do so are below or you can click on the design you like above and it will take you to Bonfire.com to purchase.
This year we have some really awesome things planned, For starters, this year's theme is PRIMAL. Camp will center around primal living, primal magick, and primal self. Our opening and closing rituals center around this theme with ritual fire, dancing, war paint for our bodies and faces, singing, chanting, screaming, and even a few surprises that we're not unveiling until you arrive. We also are having workshops this year but we will announce those closer to camp time. Not to mention, one whole day this year is dedicated to participating in magickal arts from tarot readings, to spellworking, to reiki healing, and more!
If this sounds like something you want to do, I encourage each of you to make it happen. Especially if there is someone within the online spiritual community that you have fostered an online friendship with but have never had the chance to meet. Join our camp group on Facebook to keep up with all the latest camp updates and information.
And now for the vital information:
Tickets
Shirts
TTC Design 1: https://www.bonfire.com/the-witch-is-in/
TTC Design 2: https://www.bonfire.com/know-thyself/
#WITW2020PRIMAL Logo Design 1 - Grayscale: https://www.bonfire.com/witw2020gray/
#WITW2020PRIMAL Logo Design 2 - Color: https://www.bonfire.com/witw2020color/
Theme
#WITW2020's theme is PRIMAL. This year its all about getting back to who we are as individuals in our most raw and primal form. Communing with nature and bonding in magick with one another to create a unique and unforgettable experience. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!
Cost
This year the price per tent will be increased from $10/tent/night to $20/tent/night with a total of $60 for the duration of camp. This cost is NON-REFUNDABLE. Why? Well $30 goes to OSS automatically as those are their fees. And $30 will go to the camp funds. Remember, these costs are PER TENT, not per person.We learned in 2019 that the t-shirt fundraisers just weren't enough to accommodate the cost of things like ice and wood as well as for the cost of acquiring supplies we found were a must have like canopy tarps for shade. The money will also be used for camp ritual supplies and help pay for a new feature, camp workshops (TBA).It is non-refundable because OSS counts on groups like us to keep it going.
#WITW2019 was great but we felt terrible giving them a count of nearly 25 to show up with only 8 of us. OSS is struggling to remain open and keep the grounds kept. Any left over from these funds will be given to OSS at the end of camp.
We will still do the t-shirt fundraiser in February of 2020 but we simply have to increase the cost.This year we will host one group dinner on Saturday night. Dinner will be PRIMAL themed and pot luck with everyone contributing a dish. If you're wondering what to bring, think caveman style. Aside from this dinner you will need to provide all of your camp food. Don't worry about the plates, cups, etc. #WITWAlphaSquad will use fundraising money for those costs.
#WITWAlphaSquad will also arrange for firewood but please be aware you will need to provide your own ice. They have ice on site to be paid for by the bag.
Timeline
Friday, May 22nd - #InitiationDay - All new rewilders will arrive on Friday. You will meet up with the alumni who will help anywhere they can to get you all set up in a good spot, get you wood and ice if needed, show you the ropes and give you tours of the grounds if they have time. Otherwise, explore on your own! The place is massive and gorgeous!As the sun lowers and night beckons the #WITWAlphaSquad will hold an Initiation Ritual to induct all new rewilders. Hold onto your hats because it will be at the front ritual circle and on a stage out under the open stars. After the initiation ceremony, camp is officially open as we embark on a journey to stay up to the wee hours of the morning playing really inappropriate games and imbibing in spirits (not that kind! lol)
Saturday, May 23rd - #REWILD - Today is all about ALL. THE. MAGICKAL. THINGS. Bring your cards, oils, herbs, incense, crystals, drums, rattles, flutes, books, and anything you want to work with or show off! Spend the day immersed in expanding your magickal practice and flexing your intuitive muscles. This is also the day we will engage in workshops so be on the lookout for the workshop schedule in the WITW facebook group.As the sun goes down, and after a pot luck dinner, a ritual will be open for all to experience. Details on this ritual will be released closer to camp. Afterwards, embrace your inner heathen and gather around the campfire for some drumming and dancing.
Sunday, May 24th - #RelaxandReflect - We have extended camp by one day for 2020 but if you should part early, Sunday is the least interruption to the experience. Spend today meditating, hiking, reading, reflecting, journaling, and analyzing what you've experienced at camp.As the sun goes down, we will partake in our closing ceremony to honor our experiences with gratitude, our ancestors, and our fallen friends and loved ones. This ceremony will always include Dee because without her, this idea would never have happened.
Monday, May 25th - #UntilNextYear - Wake up, break down campsites, and head out onto the road until #WITW2021. All rewilders will need to be out by 12PM.
All that's left is for you to show them this blog and meet us at Witches in the Woods 2020: PRIMAL. I'll see ya there!
