The Preserving the Fire Event

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We invite you to join us at the scenic Gaea Retreat Center on April 12-13 for a weekend of community, celebration, and ritual as we honor the sacred holiday of Sigrblót.

Sigrblót is one of the most significant holidays in pre-Christian Scandinavian paganism. In the past, summer was a demanding season defined by travel, trade, farming, and battle, making this celebration a vital occasion to seek blessings from the gods and ancestors for success and prosperity throughout the summer months. While the world has changed in many ways summer remains a busy season for many modern Heathens, and so we continue to ask the gods and ancestors for their blessings at this time.

On Saturday, enjoy a full day of activities that bring us together as a community. Participate in games, experience meaningful rituals, and attend classes. Later, join us for a communal feast featuring a hearty beef or vegetable stew with additional sides. As the evening settles, we’ll gather around the fire for heartfelt conversation, fellowship, and a Folk Sumble, a sacred time for sharing toasts, boasts, and honoring the bonds of kinship and tradition. On Sunday we will make an offering to Thor, asking for his blessings and protection over those traveling home. As we get closer to the event, a proper schedule of events will be released.

Fees

While the event itself is free, as well as dinner on Saturday, there will still be fees for visiting/camping at Gaea. If this would prevent you from coming or cause you hardship then LET ME KNOW, and I promise you that we'll work something out to ensure that you can still attend. Your presence is worth any extra work I might need to put in on my end to make it happen.

Here are a list of the fees that Gaea charges:

Children under 12 are free

Day Pass: $10.00 per person

Overnight: Tent, Popup, or RV: $15 per person per night

RVs Impact Fee: $50 (per entry)

Electrical Hook-up (per campsite per day): $10

The link to register and pay any necessary camping fees to Gaea can be found here: https://gaearetreat.org/account/register

Camp Rules
Important Note: While we have reserved the Ridge and Pavilion, Gaea Retreat Center is a clothing-optional facility. If you explore areas beyond our reserved spaces, you may encounter guests who are nude. This is fully within their rights, and we ask all attendees to remain respectful and courteous in keeping with the inclusive spirit of the center. 

For a full list of Gaea's rules and code of conduct, please review the following links:

https://gaearetreat.org/rules

https://gaearetreat.org/conduct

Inclusivity and Values

At Preserving the Fire, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. This event is explicitly BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ friendly, reflecting our commitment to honoring the diversity within our community and fostering a safe, respectful environment where all individuals feel valued, supported, and truly welcomed.

Let us be unequivocal: racism, bigotry, and hatred have no place here. If your beliefs or attitudes dehumanize, demean, or marginalize others, this event is not for you. We are unwavering in our stance against any form of discrimination, and we expect all attendees to uphold the principles of respect, honor, and mutual support that form the foundation of this gathering.

We take immense pride in preserving the fire of tradition in a way that uplifts and includes everyone. Our goal is to create a space where the bonds of community and unity are strengthened, where all voices are heard, and where every individual can participate in an atmosphere of genuine inclusivity and shared purpose. This is not only a celebration of tradition- it is a celebration of the values that make our community stronger together.

Registration

This event is free to attend outside of Gaea's set camping fees, but we do ask that you also register through the form below so we can ensure enough food and space for everyone. Your registration will go a long way towards helping us create a seamless and welcoming experience for all.

Come join us in preserving the fire of our renewed traditions, strengthening the bonds of our community, and seeking out the blessings of the holy wights for the summer months ahead. We look forward to sharing this special weekend with you!