The Pagan Unity Festival is a sixteen year old family oriented four day event in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee. We offer dozens of workshops, Pagan authors, music, food, rituals and fun. We hope that you will join us for some good old Southern Pagan hospitality!
There are no fires allowed on the site except the designated fire pit areas. There is a $200 fine imposed by the park for violations.
No animals except for service animals are allowed on site our insurance precludes it.
Sponsors of PUF!
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Peggy Anderson
Has been coming to PUF for years and always delights with her workshops. With a Masters of Science and Ecology, her work with the Baruch Marine Lab and MESC as a Swamper she has love and respect for the planet she walks upon. She lives on her farm with her husband Bill and a collection of animals.
Basket Making with locally collected supplies
People have been carrying things since we were people. Some of the earliest carrying vessels were baskets. They can easily be made with almost any type of plant material. Peggy has been experimenting with making baskets using various plants around her farm.
She will demonstrate the techniques of designing and constructing egg baskets (also called butt baskets) using plant materials collected on her Lewis County farm. She will discuss handling and qualities of different plant materials. There will be sample baskets she has made and materials with which to demonstrate and for participants to play with materials and techniques.
Has been coming to PUF for years and always delights with her workshops. With a Masters of Science and Ecology, her work with the Baruch Marine Lab and MESC as a Swamper she has love and respect for the planet she walks upon. She lives on her farm with her husband Bill and a collection of animals.
Basket Making with locally collected supplies
People have been carrying things since we were people. Some of the earliest carrying vessels were baskets. They can easily be made with almost any type of plant material. Peggy has been experimenting with making baskets using various plants around her farm.
She will demonstrate the techniques of designing and constructing egg baskets (also called butt baskets) using plant materials collected on her Lewis County farm. She will discuss handling and qualities of different plant materials. There will be sample baskets she has made and materials with which to demonstrate and for participants to play with materials and techniques.
BILL
Bill has been attending PUF for many years and has been presenting workshops that delight and surprise, this year is no exception. Bill lives on a farm with his lovely wife Peggy and a colleciton of animals.
Cycles Within Cycles: The Sun, the Moon, and the Earth
Bill has been attending PUF for many years and has been presenting workshops that delight and surprise, this year is no exception. Bill lives on a farm with his lovely wife Peggy and a colleciton of animals.
Cycles Within Cycles: The Sun, the Moon, and the Earth
The cycles of the Sun and the Moon have been central to pagan belief and practice from prehistory to the present day. They are literal keepers of time, symbols in myth and metaphor, and objects of direct veneration and deification. Astronomical monuments that mark the apparent movements of these two brightest and most prominent celestial bodies were built throughout the ancient world. The intricate patterns they trace out all arise from the combinations of just three simple and fundamental cycles, but the results of their interplay are complex: seasons, solstices and equinoxes, the phases of the Moon, eclipses and the saros cycle, the equation of time and the analemma, and the precession of the equinoxes. We'll talk about these and the physical astronomy that underlies them. We'll also relate all this to the ideas of sundials, Stonehenge, and other devices and monuments
Kiki
An integral member of the metaphysical community in Nashville, TN as a workshop facilitator, tarot card reader, event creator and now as a life coach. She earned her Master's Degree from the University of Nottingham and her undergraduate from Southern Connecticut State University, both degrees in the focus of English, Medieval English, mythology and creative writing. She has taught workshops on a diverse range of topics from writing haikus to divination at Pagan Pride Day, Pagan Unity Festival, Center of Symmetry, Goddess and the Moon, Mystical Heart Spiritual Center and Shelby Bottoms Nature Center. She has been reading tarot cards and extensively studying spirituality, paganism, divination and mythology since she was 13 years old.
Tarot without the Guidebook
Do you find yourself mid-tarot-reading going to the "little white guide book" that comes with your tarot cards to get a quick interpretation? Do you think, "Hmmph, there must be more to the 'Nine of Cups' than abudance"? It's time to take that big leap: put away the guidebook. Slowly. Okay, chuck it out the window. In this workshop we are going to look at techniques, exercises and tricks of the trade which will allow you to feel confident interpretting tarot cards without a guidebook.
An integral member of the metaphysical community in Nashville, TN as a workshop facilitator, tarot card reader, event creator and now as a life coach. She earned her Master's Degree from the University of Nottingham and her undergraduate from Southern Connecticut State University, both degrees in the focus of English, Medieval English, mythology and creative writing. She has taught workshops on a diverse range of topics from writing haikus to divination at Pagan Pride Day, Pagan Unity Festival, Center of Symmetry, Goddess and the Moon, Mystical Heart Spiritual Center and Shelby Bottoms Nature Center. She has been reading tarot cards and extensively studying spirituality, paganism, divination and mythology since she was 13 years old.
Tarot without the Guidebook
Do you find yourself mid-tarot-reading going to the "little white guide book" that comes with your tarot cards to get a quick interpretation? Do you think, "Hmmph, there must be more to the 'Nine of Cups' than abudance"? It's time to take that big leap: put away the guidebook. Slowly. Okay, chuck it out the window. In this workshop we are going to look at techniques, exercises and tricks of the trade which will allow you to feel confident interpretting tarot cards without a guidebook.
Mary Hawk
A practicing Wiccan for over a decade both as a Solitary and as part of a coven. She has studied in several Wiccan traditions. Her interests include Numerology, mythology, and tarot. She lives in Nashville with her husband, four cats, and one dog.
Everyday Numerology
This workshop will cover the meanings of the numbers one thru nine and the Master Numbers 11 and 22, as well as how to convert words to their numeric equivalents and reduce words and dates to their basic number. We will look at using numerology to pick auspicious dates for events and to start projects, as well as names for projects and businesses. We will also look at the meanings of addresses and phone numbers.
Introduction to Tarot
A practicing Wiccan for over a decade both as a Solitary and as part of a coven. She has studied in several Wiccan traditions. Her interests include Numerology, mythology, and tarot. She lives in Nashville with her husband, four cats, and one dog.
Everyday Numerology
This workshop will cover the meanings of the numbers one thru nine and the Master Numbers 11 and 22, as well as how to convert words to their numeric equivalents and reduce words and dates to their basic number. We will look at using numerology to pick auspicious dates for events and to start projects, as well as names for projects and businesses. We will also look at the meanings of addresses and phone numbers.
Introduction to Tarot
This workshop will look at the history of the Tarot, it will also cover some basic Tarot spreads and the meanings of the cards. Mary will focus on reading the cards intuitively.
Mary will also offer a class on Wicca 101 for the Teens.
Mary will also offer a class on Wicca 101 for the Teens.
Prehistoric cave paintings
These are the most elaborate example of our ancient ancestors abstract thought and they are fascinating. In this workshop Peggy intends to explore the images and the ideas represented in these ancient works of art. We will discuss location & age and theories about their creation and what that reflects on the sophistication of the artists. We will discuss the subjects of the paintings and what they suggest about the world view & religious beliefs of the artists.
These are the most elaborate example of our ancient ancestors abstract thought and they are fascinating. In this workshop Peggy intends to explore the images and the ideas represented in these ancient works of art. We will discuss location & age and theories about their creation and what that reflects on the sophistication of the artists. We will discuss the subjects of the paintings and what they suggest about the world view & religious beliefs of the artists.
ancient and modern that mark, track, and honor these two great lights in the sky. Weather permitting, we may even do some tracking of the sun ourselves and explore a bit about how these solar timekeepers really work. Though this workshop is not primarily about astrology, what we talk about will be relevant to understanding the nature of the zodiac and many fundamental astrological concepts.
Beyond Oak, Ash, and Thorn: Know Your Neighbors
Beyond Oak, Ash, and Thorn: Know Your Neighbors
How well do you know your neighbors -- the ones that are literally rooted to the earth around you? Do you know what they tell you about this place and time? You may know oak, maple and dogwood, and may even call to the names and spirits of the trees in your songs and rituals. But did you know that middle Tennessee is home to 19 different species of native oaks, five maples, and four dogwoods? These different species are not just scientific curiosities, they are as different as Wolf and Coyote, Crow and Raven, or Lion and Jaguar. Many of our neopagan traditions are still rooted in the Europe, but our trees and forests here are far more varied than what is found on the other side of the Atlantic. In terms of diversity, the forests of Tennessee are North America's Amazonia, a richness that often goes underappreciated by North American neopagans. Come along on a short walk and learn the names of some of the full-time residents here at the PUF site, some of whom have been here since before we were born and will be here long after we have left. A name is a powerful thing, and is a magic key that can help unlock understanding. This class will be a walking tour.
We will examine symbols, colors, numbers, astrology, the power of intuition, and perhaps even talk about Stevie Nicks as the High Priestess. Bring your tarot deck, though extras will be on hand.
You're Going to Read My What? An Examination of Divination for the Curious Prophet
You're Going to Read My What? An Examination of Divination for the Curious Prophet
Yup - it's back again: the equivalent to "Arts and Crafts Class" for Pagans where we get to do some hands-on divination. Divination. We love it. And so did the wise people of every civilization dating back to, well, the beginning of civilization. Whether we're throwing sticks, laying down cards, looking at the way smoke blows in the air, or observing flocks of birds' flying patterns, we have made countless systems to assist in the reading of future events. In this workshop we will examine and practice some different forms of divination, including (but not limited to) psychometry, scrying, runes, pendulums, tea leaves, palmistry, crystals and more. No experience necessary!
Wicca 101
Are you new to Wicca and need a better explanation that the one you get from books? Want someone to explain what it all means? Then this is the class for you! This class will cover the basic of Wicca and Witchcraft, from what the tools are used for to each Wiccan holiday. And much much more.
Are you new to Wicca and need a better explanation that the one you get from books? Want someone to explain what it all means? Then this is the class for you! This class will cover the basic of Wicca and Witchcraft, from what the tools are used for to each Wiccan holiday. And much much more.
Jude Lally
Is an artist, a teacher and a writer who grew up on the banks of the River Clyde, a few miles from Loch Lomond in the West Coast of Scotland. Her father is Irish and summers were spent rambling throught Galway in East Ireland. She moved to Asheville, NC in 2009. She gained her masters degree in Human Ecology at the University of Strathclyde in partnership with the Center for Human Ecology, her thesis entitled 'Fire in the Head, Heart and Hand. A Study of the Goddess Brigit as Goddess Archetype and her Relevance to Cultural Activists in Contemporary Scotland.http://celticsoulcraft.com/tour/
Personal Journey with the Goddess Brighid from Scotland into the Neolithic and back again!
In Scotland Brighid was the 'Mary' of the Gael, Goddess yet midwife to Christ. Yet she wore another face as Cailleach Bheur, the Blue Faced hag of winter, a most ancient creatrix goddess.
Brighid beckons me still further to the great bear mother of our Neolithic ancestors and back again to the origins of the great Cosmic Mother herself. Yet my journey really only begins in what can we take from all this to root in the here and now, offering us new ways of working of inspiring and empowering our self, each other our plant and animal neighbors and our mother, Earth.
In Scotland Brighid was the 'Mary' of the Gael, Goddess yet midwife to Christ. Yet she wore another face as Cailleach Bheur, the Blue Faced hag of winter, a most ancient creatrix goddess.
Brighid beckons me still further to the great bear mother of our Neolithic ancestors and back again to the origins of the great Cosmic Mother herself. Yet my journey really only begins in what can we take from all this to root in the here and now, offering us new ways of working of inspiring and empowering our self, each other our plant and animal neighbors and our mother, Earth.
Kara Howell
~ Several years ago I had an issue that did not allow me to do rigorous exercise. In my search for an exercise that would be gentle yet affective I discovered more and more that I was being pointed towards yoga. I found a great instructor who took my needs into account and I was thrilled at finding something that I was able to do without having excruciating pain afterwards. In fact over the next several months I found that I only had pain when I didn't do yoga. The extra pounds I put on, started to disappear and I became more conscious of my health. My instructor gave me the push I needed to advance from student to teacher. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of this wonderful spiritual exercise and thrive to share the feeling of well being that I have discovered through this method of exercise. I am currently teaching at Yoga for Life in my hometown of Lima, Ohio. I am the owner of MoonLove Designs and am currently in pursuit of becoming a Reiki Master. I hope to eventually incorporate Reiki into my Yoga classes.Yoga strengthens the body from the inside out, but it is so much more. It also strengthens your mind and spirit. I hope you can join me at PUF this year and let me lead you in a Hatha Yoga class on Friday and Saturday mornings.
~ Several years ago I had an issue that did not allow me to do rigorous exercise. In my search for an exercise that would be gentle yet affective I discovered more and more that I was being pointed towards yoga. I found a great instructor who took my needs into account and I was thrilled at finding something that I was able to do without having excruciating pain afterwards. In fact over the next several months I found that I only had pain when I didn't do yoga. The extra pounds I put on, started to disappear and I became more conscious of my health. My instructor gave me the push I needed to advance from student to teacher. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of this wonderful spiritual exercise and thrive to share the feeling of well being that I have discovered through this method of exercise. I am currently teaching at Yoga for Life in my hometown of Lima, Ohio. I am the owner of MoonLove Designs and am currently in pursuit of becoming a Reiki Master. I hope to eventually incorporate Reiki into my Yoga classes.Yoga strengthens the body from the inside out, but it is so much more. It also strengthens your mind and spirit. I hope you can join me at PUF this year and let me lead you in a Hatha Yoga class on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Ariel Monserrat, M.A.
Tom Donohue, M.S.
Ariel spent fifteen years as a psychotherapist, she led 5 to 8 therapy groups a week during that time and is quite comfortable in leading and working with groups. Currently she is the host of the Green Egg Radio program on Blog Talk Radio. Tom, husband of Ariel, was a high school biology teacher for 20 years.
THE COUNCIL OF ALL BEINGS
Tom Donohue, M.S.
Ariel spent fifteen years as a psychotherapist, she led 5 to 8 therapy groups a week during that time and is quite comfortable in leading and working with groups. Currently she is the host of the Green Egg Radio program on Blog Talk Radio. Tom, husband of Ariel, was a high school biology teacher for 20 years.
THE COUNCIL OF ALL BEINGS
This is a ritual/workshop wherein circle participants will be acting as oracles for various life forms on the planet. Participants will be led in a meditation to ask what animals/plants etc. would like to speak through that particular individual. Each individual will be an oracle for one life form. The oracles will be
speaking about what life is like for them now, living on this planet, as compared to what it was like before humans began polluting Earth and destroying ecosystems. In this time of complete and utter destruction of entire ecosystems, such as the Gulf of Mexico, our Earth is changing faster than we can comprehend. It is effecting all life on earth and nothing is untouched. Ariel and Tom feel that we all need to hear the wisdom of all earth's inhabitants so we can know directly what their experience is like, having to live with all of the pollution and senseless killing of animals and plants. This workshop is based on work by Joanna Macy, who created the ritual several decades ago. Tom has participated in and helped to run such a Circle before, along with Joanna. There is a book named, "Think Like a Mountain" which explains the entire ritual. It has been done countless times and continues to be done around the world, but I have ever heard of it being done in any Pagan circles. We think this needs to change.
Kitti McConnell
Kitti McConnell is Gemini, with Aries Moon and Scorpio rising. If you're thinking of starting an argument, we recommend hydration and some endurance training beforehand. She has studied natal Astrology since shortly after the birth of her child. When not pushing books on the unsuspecting, she dreams of being a song-writer and occasionally raids the cheese drawer. She is a sometimes health-nut who has 3 planets in Virgo and 2 in the sixth house.
Astrology and Your Health
Take this class to find out what the heck all this means.
Kitti McConnell is Gemini, with Aries Moon and Scorpio rising. If you're thinking of starting an argument, we recommend hydration and some endurance training beforehand. She has studied natal Astrology since shortly after the birth of her child. When not pushing books on the unsuspecting, she dreams of being a song-writer and occasionally raids the cheese drawer. She is a sometimes health-nut who has 3 planets in Virgo and 2 in the sixth house.
Astrology and Your Health
Take this class to find out what the heck all this means.
Michael Haggerty
Michael Haggerty is a spiritual councilor and life coach as well as an ordained minister with a Fellowship from Holmes Institute. He grew up in southern California with a Religious Science (no that's not an oxymoron) background and studied under, among others, Michael Beckwith and Terry Cole Wittaker.
Living Pagan in a (seemingly) ChristianWorld
Have you ever been in a situation where the atmosphere and conversation has taken a very non pagan turn and you felt a little uncomfortable, clammed up, and couldn't get out of there fast enough. Maybe it was a wedding, funeral or some other social event that you had to attend, or even better (or worse) one of your well meaning, born again acquaintances has offered to "pray for you". This workshop offers very real, useable tools and techniques for dealing with and even participating in these types of events. There is no reason why we all can't be on the same page, even if we are using different books. Participants are encouraged to bring paper and pen for some very light writing (no essays, we promise).
Michael Haggerty is a spiritual councilor and life coach as well as an ordained minister with a Fellowship from Holmes Institute. He grew up in southern California with a Religious Science (no that's not an oxymoron) background and studied under, among others, Michael Beckwith and Terry Cole Wittaker.
Living Pagan in a (seemingly) ChristianWorld
Have you ever been in a situation where the atmosphere and conversation has taken a very non pagan turn and you felt a little uncomfortable, clammed up, and couldn't get out of there fast enough. Maybe it was a wedding, funeral or some other social event that you had to attend, or even better (or worse) one of your well meaning, born again acquaintances has offered to "pray for you". This workshop offers very real, useable tools and techniques for dealing with and even participating in these types of events. There is no reason why we all can't be on the same page, even if we are using different books. Participants are encouraged to bring paper and pen for some very light writing (no essays, we promise).
Gypsey Teague
A Georgian Elder and author of Steampunk Magic from Weiser, among other popular fiction and non fiction books, who has been a practicing witch for 40 years and a woodworker for far longer. Gypsey is the Branch Head of the Gunnin Architecture Library at Clemson University and a member of the faculty with a Masters in Landscape Architecture. Her current project is A Witches Guide to Wands and she is currently writing The Witches Guide to Wands for Weiser. She an Elder in the Norse, Georgian, and Steampunk traditions.
Pagan guide to Wands
One just does not serve soup with a butter knife. Then why do we expect one wand to do everything. Every wood and metal has a unique characteristic from Holly created at a full moon to Poison Ivy worked at the darkest of a new moon. This workshop will discuss the top 60 woods and 3 metals that witches and other magic users choose for their wands. Examples of all wands will be availabe; yes even the poison ivy one. This is a must take workshop for anyone who has wondered why their wand didn't work or how to get their magic to work better.
A Georgian Elder and author of Steampunk Magic from Weiser, among other popular fiction and non fiction books, who has been a practicing witch for 40 years and a woodworker for far longer. Gypsey is the Branch Head of the Gunnin Architecture Library at Clemson University and a member of the faculty with a Masters in Landscape Architecture. Her current project is A Witches Guide to Wands and she is currently writing The Witches Guide to Wands for Weiser. She an Elder in the Norse, Georgian, and Steampunk traditions.
Pagan guide to Wands
One just does not serve soup with a butter knife. Then why do we expect one wand to do everything. Every wood and metal has a unique characteristic from Holly created at a full moon to Poison Ivy worked at the darkest of a new moon. This workshop will discuss the top 60 woods and 3 metals that witches and other magic users choose for their wands. Examples of all wands will be availabe; yes even the poison ivy one. This is a must take workshop for anyone who has wondered why their wand didn't work or how to get their magic to work better.
Aranon C'ean
aka
Reverend, M J. Smith, CW2, USA (Ret.), DD, OD, AA, BS, MSBS, CHS
is a Pagan Elder with 30+ years of world travel and study of Pagan Spirituality and the Craft. He is a retired U. S. Military Officer and the Father of Sancturary in Central Arkansas. His study of multiple Traditions gives him a unique understanding and insightinto the Pagan Way of Life and Celebration of our Rites. His training as a Master Instructor and Studies in Counseling, Psychology and Philosophy allow him to present information and involve the listener in an interactive experience.
Living Pagan in the Modern World
Group presentation and discussion about living and practicing a more Natural/Pagan life on a day to day basis.
Synergy (Sympathetic Energy)
Group interactive study of the energy fields of others with demonstration of both reception and projection of energy.
aka
Reverend, M J. Smith, CW2, USA (Ret.), DD, OD, AA, BS, MSBS, CHS
is a Pagan Elder with 30+ years of world travel and study of Pagan Spirituality and the Craft. He is a retired U. S. Military Officer and the Father of Sancturary in Central Arkansas. His study of multiple Traditions gives him a unique understanding and insightinto the Pagan Way of Life and Celebration of our Rites. His training as a Master Instructor and Studies in Counseling, Psychology and Philosophy allow him to present information and involve the listener in an interactive experience.
Living Pagan in the Modern World
Group presentation and discussion about living and practicing a more Natural/Pagan life on a day to day basis.
Synergy (Sympathetic Energy)
Group interactive study of the energy fields of others with demonstration of both reception and projection of energy.
