GOG at the HOC NJ 2010 Pagan Picnic

GOG led the main ritual at the Hands of Change NJ Pagan Picnic this year. Tricia did a great job as Druid-in-Charge, and 16 grove members took ritual parts. 60 attended the rite, which was dedicated to the parkland itself, nature spirits around the park, and the Raritan River. Norma's main invocation had the river laying on the land like a lover. We sang songs, opened the gates, invoked the kindreds, and inspired people to praise the land.
The reaction we were getting from people afterwards was how smooth the invocations were (and not read off pieces of paper! Fancy that!), how each person was speaking their own thoughts in their invocation, how comfortable everybody seemed with each other, and how the ritual gave them a real researched connection to the park. Also, compliments on how we mixed mirth and reverence. So, hooray, I think we got our point across without trying to be anyone but GOG. Omens from Patty's Johnson Park Deck: The Bridge; Road Work Ahead; Right Here, Right Now. ("They're making things better. It's pretty now; it will be even prettier.")
We also created a Minotaur labyrinth, Cicely led a Ganesh chaturthi and people helped to construct a Ganesh rangoli with herbs and spices and made Playdoh Ganesh elephants, and Kerry and Tiffany painted faces. And a big thank you to everyone who helped us clean up the site at the end of the day!
Hands of Change is to be commended for yet another lovely day of workshops and rituals.