Philadelphia’s Pagan Pride Day event took place on Sunday, September 14 at Starr Garden at 6th and Lombard in Philadelphia. We had a lovely, if small crowd, and I think it is safe to say a good time was had by all. Although other cities may have had much larger turn outs, I feel this year was a real success for us. There were new faces, familiar faces, and we even had the opportunity to feed a homeless person.

The main ritual for the event was performed by members of DVPN, the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, the Spiral Scouts, the DC Radical Faeries and a local solitary. I feel our diverse community was well-represented by all present. We performed the ritual sug-gested on the Pagan Pride Day website with a few alterations. One of our local Spiral Scouts cast the circle for us, entwining all of us in yarn, and reminding us of our connections to one another. Various members of the commu-nity cast the circle, and everyone participated in invoking deity, calling forth a diverse array of pantheons as we went around the circle. The climax of the ritual involved raising a cone of power through chant, and then sending forth seeds as a sign of our good will towards our own community, and the community of Philadelphia at large. During the ritual, a large cicada and a cicada killer wrestled in the middle of the circle, reminding us all of the endless cycles of life and death, and the Wheel of the Year.

The main ritual was followed by a non-alcoholic symbel, a Norse ritual in which we praise the Gods, the Ancestors, and the Community. The symbel was led by Vanadisflame of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel, who did a wonder-ful job explaining what a symbel was (yes, S-Y-M-B-E- L is the correct spelling) and how to perform one. A large, beautifully hand carved horn was passed around the circle for each round. The rules went as follows:

1. The horn must never be emptied – if it becomes close to being empty, it goes back to the host for a refill.
2. Only the person holding the horn may speak, as in a Talking Stick ritual.
3. There are three rounds in a symbel. On the first round, the Gods are hailed. On the second round, one’s ancestors (whether related by blood or spiritual bonds) are hailed, and on the third, the community is hailed.
4. Only the Norse Gods are hailed.
5. It was highly recommended that oaths not be made in the Symbel. The horn represents the Well of Weird, and anything said in the Symbel goes directly into the well. Norse oaths often end with “Or die trying” and it was strongly suggested no one do such a thing in public ritual!

It was wonderful to hear everyone speaking and honoring the gods, and one another as well. And the home made, non-alcoholic mead (thanks Karen!) was wonderful as well.

After the symbel, we dispersed to the picnic tables in the park for the potluck meal. Many cans were collected (I believe the final count was 75 pounds worth) for our food drive collection, and they had been blessed symbolically during the main ritual. A homeless gentleman who had been in the park was offered food, for which he thanked us.

New connections were made, old connec-tions re-affirmed and a lovely day was had by all. Here’s to an even bigger and better Pride Day next year!

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