Review

Workshops

Photos

In the movies a weekend retreat at a cabin, ghost stories around a fire, a late night romp through a swamp, and a visit to a Native American burial ground are all recipes for disaster. For participants of OSC's 4th Annual Men's Retreat, these were what the Supernatural themed weekend was all about. The retreat was held in a cabin at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach on the weekend of March 24-26, 2006.

Friday night started with ghost stories by fire and candlelight. A rule for the weekend was that all lighting had to be natural, so electric lights and flashlights were kept off. Late in the evening, one participant stepped out onto the porch, and then called others out to see. An eerie fog had started to form outside the cabin. Also evident was a phenomenon known as foxfire, a bioluminescent fungus that glowed on the trees. Foxfire, also called "faerie fire," is associated with accounts of the supernatural.

Workshops throughout the day on Saturday focused on the supernatural. Topics included strange creatures in Virginia like Chessie the sea monster of the Chesapeake Bay, the Mothman of West Virginia, the Wampus cat (a were-cat creature), and other such creatures; local legends and folklore including the folklore behind locally found plants and trees; factors that affect the genus loci or "spirit" of Hampton Roads; protecting oneself from psychic and paranormal attack; and Virginia historical figures of supernatural prominence - people like Joan Wright and Grace Sherwood (two early Virginian alleged witches), Edgar Allen Poe, Blackbeard, and Edgar Cayce. A special guest from the Center for Paranormal Research and Investigation (CPRI) spoke on ghost hunting, spirit photography, and electronic voice phenomena.

Besides the strictly supernatural, other workshops led to a nighttime ceremony at the Native American burial mound in the park. These included Native American legends and folklore and the making of prayer ties and spirit bags. Just before sunset, unsuspecting participants were gathered to apply face paint to one another while Native American music played in the background. They were told about the Chesapeake Indians who once lived on the land and who are buried in the park. Participants were blindfolded and marched through the forest to the heartbeat of a drum. When they arrived at the burial mound, the blindfolds were removed to the sight of the burial mound lit by torches and candles. Time was given for reflection before returning to the cabin. A Native American meal was served for dinner.

Sunday's activities included a hike, lunch at Abby Road, and a visit to Edgar Cayce's A.R.E. center.