Since ancient times, humans from various cultures have created and used mounds and other sacred earthworks for spiritual purposes. In recent years, mound building has become a spiritual tradition at the Pagan Spirit Gathering (PSG), our annual week-long Summer Solstice festival sponsored by Circle Sanctuary and held at Wisteria in Ohio . Wisteria is within an hour's drive of several ancient Native American mounds, including the Serpent Mound near Peebles and Mound City near Chillicothe.

The PSG Community became mound builders in 1997, the first year PSG was held at Wisteria land. Several hundred PSG participants placed ritual objects in an opening respectfully created in the land near Wisteria's Stone Circle . Then with repeated circlings, participants carried handfuls of dirt to the area and shaped a small Mound above it. This Mound was built as the Sun set on the eve of Summer Solstice. The rays of the Solstice time Sun created a golden glow on participants and the Mound. This ritual culminated with drumming, chanting, and a group blessing. Humans expressed their loving connection with the Land through this Mound. As the sound, movement, and energy peaked, the Full Moon rose and added its silver radiance to the people and the Mound.

The following year, at PSG 1998, the small Mound created at PSG 1997 grew larger and the community ritual expanded in form. A small opening was made in the top of the Mound and additional ritual objects were placed there. In addition, participants brought soil from their home areas and other sacred sites and added this to the Mound along with other offerings. Many brought baskets to aid in soil transfer. The Mound not only grew larger, it took a conical Mound form. This second Mound building ritual again culminated with chanting, drumming, and blessing. Many hands touched the Mound as it was energized.

As part of the Opening Ritual on Summer Solstice eve at PSG 1999, this first Mound was consecrated and dedicated as an Ancestral Mound. Special offerings were added to an opening created in the top of the mound, including ashes of a PSG Community member who died in the previous Winter as well as the placenta of a baby born to a PSG couple. This Ancestral Mound is now serving as a memorial to the ancients and to loved ones who have died, as well as being a reminder of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is a place of remembering and meditation.

In addition to the consecration and dedication of the Ancestral Mound, a new mound was created at PSG 1999. Rather than building a copy of a existing earthwork from ancient Europe or Native America, this mound emerged from our own community, its multicultural Ecospirituality roots, and its sacred connections with the Land. We combined old and new approaches to mound building in our creation process which evolved during the week. We began building an effigy mound in the shape of a Turtle, a creature which has been associated with the Earth in a variety of cultures across the ages. In addition to honoring the Sacred Earth, the Turtle Mound honors the turtles who make Wisteria their home and honors the ancient mound building peoples who lived in this region as well as in other parts of the world.

All PSG participants were invited to work with Wisteria members, Circle staff, and festival coordinators in creating the Turtle Mound through the series of rituals, planning meetings, and work sessions that occurred throughout the week. The Turtle Mound was built in stages. During festival setup, the shape of the mound was laid out and oriented to align with the setting Summer Solstice Sun. As part of the Opening Ritual, the Mound site was consecrated. Participants placed offerings in a hole in the center of the base of the Mound to honor the Earth, the Land, and ancient ways. These offerings included Goddess sculptures, God images, ritual tools, soil and rocks from their home area, crystals, and other sacred objects.

On Summer Solstice morning, beginning with the dawning of the Solstice Sun, several PSG community members carefully covered the offerings with soil and then the foundation of the Mound to create the shape of the Turtle. On the following three mornings, smaller stones were added to the rock foundation to build up the Mound, and on Thursday evening, participants in the large community Mound Building ritual added more stones, plus soil to further build up the Mound. On Saturday evening, the week of mound building culminated with a Mound Dedication ritual. Elders, Priestesses, Priests, Medicine People, and other PSG Community members from a variety of Nature religions traditions around the world blessed the Mound.

At PSG 2000, participants added the head, tail, and legs to the body of the Turtle Mound and did another blessing ritual. At the main Community ritual at PSG 2001, we added another layer of soil to the Turtle Mound. In subsequent years, we have continued to add offerings to the Mound as well as done rituals around it and atop of it.

At PSG 2005, we continued our Mound Magic traditions. The Ancestral Mound became a place of remembrance for all the PSG Community members who died since PSG began 25 years ago. In the Opening Ritual, we added more offerings to the Turtle Mound. Both Mounds were lit as part of the Labyrinth ritual on Solstice night. Community members gathered on the Turtle Mound on Solstice morning and around it during the Women's ritual and main Community rite. Plans are to continue our Mound Magic at PSG 2006, which will be held at Wisteria June 18-25.