Why Hearthingstone?

We are being moved.

Traditions long recondite are emerging into the polytheistic landscape- familial faiths, circles and hearths who practiced quietly for many years, aging shamans and spiritworkers called alone to their paths…

We are not ready.

As these formerly hidden servants of the Gods reach out, monotheism and its “pagan” analogues stand prepared to receive them, deceive them, and undermine the restoration of humanity’s polytheistic heritage.

Leaders in our world’s various polytheisms are, on the sea of world religions, often as flotsam- individuals widely separated by dangerous waters and only occasionally drifting past another of their ilk.

A polytheist leadership conference could bring scattered servants of the Gods closer together and help them in forming liferafts to catch those now emerging before they fall into hostile hands.

Sadly, there has not, to the best of my knowledge, been a national, or international conference focused exclusively on polytheist leaders since 2014.

I am not ready.

The mundane concerns of modern life press down upon me- job, money, health, car, groceries… My spiritual house is as untidy as my corporeal one. Connections to the land that I once enjoyed in the valley of my ancestors are unavailable in this new city in a seemingly indifferent land.

Only occasionally do I perceive anything of spiritual import.  I see not the dead and hear not the spirits.

I am no great priest or wise shaman.

I cannot do the esoteric work of healing our polytheistic traditions.

But there is work for me to do.

I am a leader.

In college, I shepherded an organization from 50 members to around 300. The last time I checked in with them, they had over 750. I have held elected public office and chaired a committee that built a $66 million high school.

I am a convention organizer.

I founded a hobby convention that ran for more than fifteen years. I worked on a dozen or so others, ranging from about a hundred to thousands of attendees.

I am not ready, but I can help us to be ready.

Where the money will come from, I know not. How I will summon the energy to do the work, attract the right presenters, or build the necessary goodwill to deliver a successful conference… I cannot say.

I feel called to this by the Gods and for now, that must be enough.