Do men want a men's gathering? 

I do! - I've been keeping my ear to the ground, hassling people who've run that sort of thing to do it again, putting my own energies into organising a men's gathering and slowly getting other pagan men interested in seeing it happening. 

Why?

Because I have a need - because I got a lot out of the last one I went to and feel that I and other men would benefit from another, because I want to further my spiritual growth and feel that a men's gathering can only help, because I feel that there are many men's issues that have been ignored and forgotten, and hope that a men's gathering will strive to address at least some of these issues, because of a need to empower myself and other pagans, to connect with the god energy, and restore self-esteem in myself and others. To have a place where I can feel proud about being male and what it is to me to be male, to encourage and be encouraged, and overall to learn. 

What do you hope to get out of it?

to learn something new about myself, my gender, any related issues, and about others, and, if it works, to get at least one other thing I've listed above.

What would you expect to happen at a men's gathering?

connection, mateship, learning/knowledge exchange, spiritual growth and connection with the god energy. and most of all, lots of fun!

rites of passage, man's place in modern society (ie our place as a hunter is no longer necessary and not everyone is a warrior), the idea of 'going down' as opposed to depression (see the book Iron John), and at the very least a few others of which I have only heard the outlines and not understood the concept - and as such am unable to relate them here. time to do some more reading I think... <grin>

We had a rite of passage, weapons training (we had a Thai stick-fighting champion!), a Celtic-based ritual on facing death and a discussion on male energy - there were many other things that happened that weekend, but these were the main stuff that I remember.

The weapons training was good and a lot of fun, because the Thai stick-fighting champion was using foam sticks which didn't hurt, so
there was more emphasis on skill than bravery, and he was a authorative figure who knew his stuff and taught it well. It gave the meek (ie. me) a chance to learn some fighting moves without scaring them/me off. 

Quests, rites of passage, contests and journey! 

" So when you stand on top of that hill, your spirit for a time whole in your body, and you have conquered your fate! The roar that utters from your lips.......the divine beings will look down and hold high your very banner and say: FOR THIS IS OUR SON OF WHOM HAS OVERCOME ! "

"

blessings,

Wyrmwood

    ~*Laughs a little* Wow... This is exactly what I'm trying to create here in Bliss. Guess the Goddess is working EVERYTHING out now, hehe. So mote it be! =D As always, thanks to Wyrmwood and his site Paganmen.com!~