What it's All About:
In this episode of Music from the Goddess Vault, I tackle the frequent issue of drawing people to your rituals and pagan events. Many organizers struggle to spark interest and encourage participation, so this episode delves into practical strategies to tackle these challenges. I’ll share effective methods and insights into what potential attendees are looking for, offering actionable tips to help increase attendance.
I’ll also cover ways to create engaging experiences that appeal to both newcomers and experienced practitioners. By cultivating a friendly atmosphere and effectively conveying the benefits of your events, you can motivate increased participation and enhance your pagan community. Stay tuned for advice on refreshing your gatherings and inviting more people to take part!
Songs Featured:
Das Fest Der Wintersonne (Ein Weihnachtslieo) by Hagalaz Runedance
Goddess of the Night by Gayla Soldano
Spirit Guide Background Music by ALEX ANT from Pixabay
Dream Symbol Background Music by Samuel F. Johanns from Pixabay
Links Mentioned:
Get in Touch Through Social Media:
Spirit Guide of the Week:
Maximon
Dream Symbol:
YouTube
Diaper
Digging
Transcript:
(03:49)
Welcome to another episode of the Music from the Goddess’ Vault Podcast. I am your host, Midnight Starr. You just listened to a song by Hagalaz Runedance called The Festival of the Winter Sun (A Christmas Song), which is perfect since Yule is just around the corner.
The topic of today’s show is all about getting people to go to your ritual or other pagan events.
Before we jump back in, I’d really like to know which classic Yule episode you want me to revisit this December. You can vote in the "Choose an Old Yule Episode" poll linked in the show notes.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to complete two brief questionnaires. The first one focuses on the exciting perks available for my Patreon supporters, and I’m eager to hear your suggestions for possible rewards. Simply click the Patreon Perks link in the show notes to participate.
The second questionnaire focuses on the topics you want to explore more on the show. I’m particularly eager to hear your suggestions for future Spirit Guides and dream symbols. Feel free to share your ideas through the link in the show notes or connect with me on social media—Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Blue Sky, or Mastodon. You can also check out my blog at goddessvault1.wixsite.com.
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Now for the topic: getting people to come to your rituals and events.I understand that many of you find it challenging to draw in attendees, and I can empathize. At the last Samhain event I went to, which I wasn't in charge of, there were significantly fewer people than anticipated, but at least a handful did come.
This topic has been a struggle for me since I was 12, when no one came to my birthday party. Since then, I’ve developed anxiety about organizing events and often try to avoid it. While I've had my share of small gatherings with few or no guests, I’ve also had some successful ones. My most recent was a Coffee Cauldron in February, which I postponed because of a blizzard. On the new date, I felt completely relaxed and was just excited to host, no matter how many people came. To my surprise, about six or seven people showed up!
But enough about me—it’s really about you. So, let’s get into some music, shall we? Here’s All the Fun Of the Fayre by Blackmore’s Night.
(10:05)
Whether you’ve formed your own coven or your leader has asked you to organize a ritual or event, you put in the work—from promoting on social media to booking a venue. Then, the day comes, and either no one shows up or just one person does. While it’s still possible to celebrate with that one attendee, I truly empathize with those who face total no-shows. I get that people might cancel at the last minute, but it’s really frustrating when others don’t respond at all.
We all have hectic schedules, and there are times when, even if we can make it to an event, we prefer to unwind at home. It's important to keep in mind that the people who plan these gatherings invest a lot of effort and passion into them, and seeing empty seats can feel disheartening. If you're on the fence about attending, I urge you to give it a try—you might find yourself having a great time!
For those organizing events with low attendance, I understand you’re wondering how to encourage everyone in the coven to show up. That’s what I’ll cover in the next section. But for now, let’s enjoy some music. Here’s Spiral Rhythm with Talking to Ancestors.
(15:22)
Time for another Spirit Guide of the Week.
He is the ancient primordial spirit associated with healing, prosperity, and protection. Maximon acts as a god of the crossroads, bridging the gap between the living and the dead, whether they are other spirits or human beings.
Maximon is known as a defiant, rambunctious, and anti-social trickster deity. Originally called Maam, he was worshipped in what is now Guatemala until the arrival of Christian missionaries changed everything.
The Mayans tried to unsuccessfully canonize this god, but rather than disappearing into obscurity, they renamed him Saint Maximon. This name might be a blend of Maam and Simon, or it could derive from his original name combined with the Mayan word "Ximon," which means either "bundle" or "tie up."
You can call upon Maximon in different magical spells and rituals.
If you wish to honor him on your altar, think about including hats, silk scarves, bougainvillea, carnations, and gladioli flowers. You might also want to add fruit, Coca-Cola, water, tequila, aguardiente, tobacco, and copal incense.
That’s it for now! Stay tuned for another spirit guide of the week.
(22:28)
That was Trick of the Wind by Fay Brotherhood.
Now, let’s get into planning a successful pagan event. While there's no guaranteed formula for high attendance, several key factors can significantly influence your event's success.
Start by finding people who also are or want to be pagan. It's crucial to build a community before diving into any planning. I suggest meeting up a few times to get to know one another on a personal level. This groundwork will help you grasp the dynamics within your group.
Next, it’s crucial to stay focused on the purpose of your ritual or event. Ask yourself: What do you hope to achieve? Once you've clarified your goals, you can start thinking about logistics, like selecting the right date and time. Remember, you can’t please everyone!
Organization is essential. Are you a person that others can count on for events and rituals? Being reliable will strengthen your group's unity. Additionally, consider potential challenges in advance. Establishing a plan for handling disagreements can help avoid conflicts from worsening. And remember to be mindful of those with special needs; inclusivity is crucial.
You totally need to be a person who is organized in order to be tasked with organizing the event.
Are you someone who people can rely on, when it comes to group related things. You also have to think about what goes wrong. You should have some sort of protocol when it comes to something like disagreements. And you have to accommodate those with special needs as well.
To keep everyone in the loop, consider creating a Facebook page and setting up an email address for your coven. While some may think email is outdated, it still serves as a reliable means of communication.
Then there's the challenge of picking a meeting spot. My city is split into four quadrants: Southeast, Northeast, Southwest, and Northwest, along with the Deep North and South. It can take more than an hour to get across these areas. Otherwise, it's important to think about travel times and parking options, particularly for those relying on public transportation.
Finally, decide how often you want to meet. Regular meetings can help strengthen your connections, but it's important to find a balance that works with everyone's schedules.
With these considerations in mind, you'll be more prepared to foster a warm and inviting environment for your pagan community.
Let’s break for some more music. I got Where the Sea Meets the Stars by Brian Henke.
(26:53)
Here's another dream symbol to interpret.
These are the three: YouTube, Diaper, and Digging.
Dreaming of watching a YouTube video suggests underlying thoughts and ideas in your subconscious.
To dream of watching a "how to" video on YouTube shows that you have a desire to expand your knowledge.
If you dreamt of watching a music video on YouTube, the song or video might reflect your experiences in real life.
Seeing yourself in a diaper in a dream symbolizes your immature or childlike behaviors and attitudes.
Dreaming about changing a diaper indicates that it's time to reflect on your actions and let go of childish behaviors.
Seeing dirty diapers in a dream indicates that it's time to address the mess caused by your immature actions.
Dreaming about digging indicates that you are working hard to uncover the truth behind a troubling issue.
Digging a hole and finding something in a dream may playfully suggest that you "dig" it, meaning you enjoy or value it.
Dreaming of digging a hole and filling it with water may indicate that you can't change the situation, no matter how hard you try.
Dreaming of digging for mollusks symbolizes aspects of yourself that are adaptable and open to change.
And dreaming of digging for plastic items symbolizes rigid and unchangeable aspects of yourself.
If you want a dream symbol to interpret and maybe have a dream symbol featured, I will mention the contact information at the end of this show. So keep dreaming.
(31:07)
That last song you heard was Go Dig My Grave by Emerald Rae.
And that concludes today’s show! I’m your host, Midnight Starr, and I have some exciting news to share with everyone!
I’m eager to know which classic episode you think should make a comeback this November! Don’t forget to participate in my 'Choose a Old Yule Episode for December Poll'! You can find it in the show notes, on my blog, or on my Substack page.
I have two short questionnaires for you as well.
I’m creating some exciting rewards for my Patreon supporters, and I’d love to hear your thoughts! Just click the 'Perks for the Show' link in the show notes to share your feedback.
I’m excited to know what topics you’d like me to cover on Music from the Goddess Vault! Whether it’s Spirit Guides, dream symbols, or anything else, I’d love your suggestions. Feel free to connect with me on social media (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Blue Sky, Mastodon) or visit my blog at goddessvault1.wixsite.com/home.
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As we finish up this episode, let’s take a moment to listen to "Goddess of the Night" by Gayla Soldano. Blessed Be.
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