I am so excited to announce this Fall’s camping ceremony which will be focused around the artist archetype and taking place at Texas’s newest state park up north just west of Fort Worth – Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. In the old Celtic Calendar, 10/29 – 10/31 were considered the 13th month. As one of my teachers, Amber Gray, always says – “3 days of preparation for 1 day of ceremony” and that’s how I think of this 13th month as it ends with the fire festival of Samhain, the Celtic New Year. It just so happens this year that this 3-day period falls on a Thurs – Sat so this feels extra special to me. In addition, one of my fellow storyteller apprentices (and fellow artist) from my recent and current Celtic myth sojourn, Kenzie Grubitz Simpson, has also agreed to drive down from OK and spend the first couple of days with us bringing her storytelling prowess with an incredible gift of so deliciously painting her scenes with language that flows right off of the artist’s lips. Any who are able to make it will surely be in for a treat!
After watching this year’s Tony awards, I felt so incredibly inspired by the power of the artist (in this case, specifically the theatre artists of Broadway) to stand in the gap and continue to create beauty, speak truth to power, and fiercely and tenderly reflect back our shared humanity in the face of a political machine intent on destroying the Sacred. Since I tend to work and navigate the world archetypally, it seemed only fitting to honor this pulse of inspiration and hope by focusing this Fall’s programming around the archetype of the artist which I’m going to denote here as she/her because that’s just what feels truest to my experience. The artist is not just about paintbrushes, collage, stories, song, and dance (though she certainly loves to channel through those various media). Deeper than that, she is a way of seeing, engaging with, and translating the world beneath the world of ordinary reality in a way that moves the heart and stirs the soul. She can be present in the way you garden, arrange your living space, travel, cook, raise children, and more. Together with each other and the land we will welcome her into our presence and listen for her wisdom as guidance and inspiration for the new year to come.
The sites I’ve chosen for this ceremony have potable water and a vault toilet in their vicinity. Electricity, flush toilets, and showers are available within a short drive from our sites as well. The park includes some beautiful hiking trails as well as a big, beautiful lake nearby as well.
No prior camping experience is required and space will be limited to 10 participants. If this trip/experience sparks your curiosity, please be in touch with any questions and/or to register.
When: Thurs., 10/29/26 @ 12pm – Sun., 11/1/26 @ 2pm
Where: Palo Pinto Mountains State Park – Strawn, TX
Investment: $125 deposit with $225 remainder due the week of ceremony (for a total of $350)
Cancellation Policy: Your $125 deposit is fully refundable (or can be redirected to your account with me as a credit) up until 3 weeks prior to the trip (in this case, that will be 10/8) and then 50% refundable up until 10 days prior (10/19). In the event of weather that precludes the trip happening at the designated location, I will make every effort to find an alternative location for us (i.e. a park in a different location with better weather prospects). If I am unable to procure an alternative location, the trip will be canceled outright. As these ceremony trips require a fair amount of logistical, financial and energetic preparation, in the event that the trip is canceled because of weather, $75 of your deposit will be refunded or redirected to your account as a credit (as you choose) and the remaining $50 will be forfeited to help cover the preparation costs already invested.
To register: Contact Eamon Willow via phone, text, or e-mail (512-560-7294, eamonwillow@calonyddraig.com)