Guidelines

Attendance:

PSG is a private gathering, open only to those who have pre-registered.

There is NO at-gate registration.

Pagan Spirit Gathering is a community which functions because all community members commit to a common set of behavioral guidelines and work toward a safe and harmonious atmosphere.  Anyone found violating the community guidelines, harassing or endangering the safety of other participants, or otherwise disrupting the festival may be asked to leave at any time.

Circle Sanctuary does not permit those listed on the United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Registry to attend Circle Sanctuary events. All adult registrants will have a Sex Offender Registry check completed prior to their registration being accepted.

Arrival & Check-in Procedure:

The campground will be open for arrivals from 9am - 9pm on opening Sunday, June 15th and from 9am - 7pm Monday, June 16 through Saturday, June 22nd. 

You will need to present the gate pass(es) included in your registration confirmation packet to the gatekeeper on duty when you arrive in order to gain admittance to the festival. Everyone in your vehicle must be listed on a gate pass. For increased security, we also require that each adult SHOW PHOTO ID at the gate along with their gate pass. 

After checking in, proceed to the PSG Town area and set up your camp. Campsites are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are a merchant, you will be directed to your assigned booth location when you arrive. 

Parking:  New this year, your vehicle can be kept at your campsite!  Your vehicle must stay parked for the duration of the event, unless you are leaving the site to go to town and back.  You may not utilize it to get around the campground.  Plan accordingly as you set up your camp to minimize your footprint of you camp as much as possible.

Next, go to the PSG Information Center to register. Registration involves marking your camping site on the Town Map and signing up for your four hours of community workshifts. When this is done, you will receive your Town Guide and your Spirit Bag. Be sure to read through the Guide, which contains the Gathering schedule and other useful information about Town centers, site facilities, and gathering etiquette.

Alcohol, Tobacco & Drugs:

Use of alcohol & tobacco is limited to adults of legal age. All local laws regarding alcohol or tobacco consumption must be obeyed at all times.  Alcohol must be used in moderation. No sale or barter of alcohol is permitted. No alcohol is allowed in Amethyst Circle area. 

If you smoke, be considerate of non-smokers, make sure butts are extinguished and deposited in an appropriate receptacle and not left on the ground.  Chewing tobacco products must be disposed of properly and not spit. Smoking around sacred fires is prohibited at all times.

The use or possession of illegal drugs is absolutely prohibited at PSG.  All local laws must be obeyed at all times regarding any controlled substance.  Please be aware cannabis is illegal in the state of Wisconsin even with a medical card.  

Animals:

Pets and companion animals are not allowed at PSG.  Some service animals may be permitted, in accordance with PSG guidelines below.  All service animals must be pre-arranged with PSG coordinators well ahead of PSG.   Email the Circle Office at circle@circlesanctuary.org to make arrangements and receive approval.

If you bring an animal that is not pre-registered according to the guidelines below you will be turned away to find lodging for that animal.

Guidelines for Service Animals:

Definition: The term "service animal" is defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as an animal "individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability." Service animals are working animals. Many wear a harness, cape, vest, or back-pack when working. Service animals are normally dogs and fall into three categories: guide dogs for visually impaired, hearing dogs for the hearing impaired, and support or service dogs to help those with physical disabilities or mobility impairments to accomplish daily tasks.

In order to consider you and your service animal attendance at PSG you must provide Circle with the following information:

• The reason for your need of a service animal. Please provide medical documentation of such. 
• Tell us about your dog. Type, training, length of time with, etc.  If your dog was not provided and trained by a non-profit such as Canine Partners for Life or Service Dogs for America, please provide proof that that the dog has achieved the American Kennel Club's Urban Canine Good Citizen certification by passing an Urban CGC test conducted by an AKC-certified evaluator.
• How will your service animals needs be met during PSG? Food, care, housing, cleaning up after, vet care, etc.
• All service animals must be up-to-date on rabies vaccination.
• Circle assumes no responsibility for your service animal. Do you have insurance to cover any incidents? If so, please provide name of company and policy number.
• Participants requiring use of a service dog also are required to bring along a support person who can assist them. This person must be willing to leave the Gathering should you and your service animal find it necessary to leave the Gathering. Please provide the name and contact information of your Support Person.

Cancellations & Refunds:

Written cancellation requests received by May 31st, 2025 will be refunded minus 15% service fee. 

After May 31st there will be no refund requests granted.

Departures:

Once you have arrived at the Gathering, it is highly suggested you remain on-site until the end of your Gathering participation. Please plan your food and other supply needs accordingly.  If you do need to leave site plan on stopping at the gate on your way out to collect the appropriate paperwork to regain entry.  You must have your photo ID with you if you plan to leave site.

For security reasons, the PSG Gates are locked at night and do not re-open until morning.  You must arrive and depart during gate hours unless you have a medical emergency.   

All Gathering participants must leave the PSG site by 5 pm on Sunday, June 22rd.

Firearms, Weapons & Ritual Blades:

Firearms are absolutely prohibited, including those in locked cars.  Do not bring any form of gun or firearm to PSG.

Ritual blades must be kept peacebound when not being actively used.  Please ask the ritual facilitator before bringing or using a blade during any group ritual.

All other weapons are prohibited at PSG.

Food & Food Vendors:

Plan to bring sufficient food for yourself or your family/camp, or funds to buy food from the on-site food vendors.  

Please bring your own means to cook food in order to ensure a cooking apparatus is at your personal campsite. You should plan on bringing your own, portable elevated fire pan for use, you may not dig fire pits on site. Picnic tables will not be provided, so remember to bring your own camp tables and chairs.  Take care in storing of your food that you have sufficient supplies and space to prevent spoilage and discourage animals from accessing your food. Absolutely no hunting, plant foraging or wood cutting is allowed.

If you don't want to spending time cooking during PSG, plan to eat some or all meals with the food merchants, who will serve all week. For a listing of food merchants, visit the Site/Food page.

Minors:

Minors (those under 18 years of age) must attend with a parent/legal guardian or other adult caretaker designated by their parent/legal guardian.  The Caretaker MUST request, complete & return the Caretaker Registration Form prior to event.  The Parent/Legal Guardian/Caretaker is responsible for supervision of minor(s) and for ensuring the minor(s) complies with all provisions of the Gathering Guidelines.

When minor(s) is not in Family Center or Teen Center, the parent/legal guardian/caretaker should retain control over and supervision of the minor(s). Use of the Family Center or Teen Center for any minor(s) in your care is at your own risk and discretion. Neither Circle Sanctuary nor River Forest staff will be responsible for your children at the Gathering.

On-Site Supplies and Facilities:

The site has hot showers, portatoilets, pit toilets, some flush toilets, and sinks for handwashing. Cold water spigots are in various locations in camp. All water must be carried back to your site for drinking and cleaning: consider bringing a small wagon or luggage carrier for transport. 

Most cell phones (depending on your carrier) will work in some areas of the campground.  We are told AT&T and Verizon work the best. Cell service in the surrounding area is sketchy and sometimes not at all.  There is no WIFI in the campground.  Limited WIFI near the campstore.  

Trash barrels are located around the site for you to deposit your bagged trash in. If the trash bin is 3/4 of the way full, please pull the bag, tie it and place it next to the trash barrel.  Replacement bags will be in the bottom of the barrel.  There is no recycling in this area, please consider taking your recycling back home with you!

Please bring a flashlight (with extra batteries) to light your way around the campground. Please bring torches and fuel to light the area around your personal camp!

Bagged ice and firewood will be available to purchase on-site via runs by River Forest staff or at the campstore.

Camp, park, build fires, and stay within designated areas. Don't bring pets, animal friends, people not pre-registered, firearms, illegal drugs, or alcohol not intended for personal consumption.  Please connect with the information center on site you if you have any further questions about village life.  

River Forest Convenience Store:   Fully stocked on-site camp store:   

• Groceries: Stock up on essentials like bread, milk, eggs, snacks, and even fresh produce. 
• Camping Gear: Forgot a tent peg? Need a new lantern? 
• Pharmacy Items: Minor aches and pains shouldn't derail your fun. We carry basic pharmacy items to keep you feeling your best.
• Booze and Smokes: Unwind with a cold beer or your preferred cigarette brand. 
• Hand-Scooped Cedar Crest Ice Cream: Treat yourself to 10 flavors of pure ice cream heaven, hand-scooped to perfection. Root beer floats, and refreshing ice are also waiting to quench your thirst.
• Freshly Ground Coffee and Snacks
• Hot Cooked Pizza Delivery: Craving a comforting meal after a day of exploring? We deliver hot cooked pizzas straight to your campsite!
•  Souvenirs and Gifts: Take a piece of the campground magic home with our selection of souvenirs and gifts. The perfect way to remember your adventure.  
• Wood and Ice

Parking:

New this year, is that your vehicle can be kept at your campsite!  Vehicle traffic through camp is not permitted except for Campground and Gathering Staff service vehicles.  Your vehicle must stay parked for the duration of the event, unless you are leaving the site to go to town and back.  You may not utilize your vehicle to get around the campsite. 

Plan accordingly as you set up your camp area to minimize the footprint of your camp set-up.  

Physical & Mental Health Conditions:

Conditions that may require medication and/or periodical medical attention must be described in the comment section of the registration form. Bring ample supply of medications - there is no pharmacy nearby. Doctor's permission will be required for persons with health conditions that require ongoing support from First Aid and/or Psyche's Grotto. You may also be required to bring a support person with you.

Privacy Policy:

PSG is not open to the general public and its media. Pagan scholars who want to conduct Pagan studies research at the Gathering as part of their participation must submit a research proposal by March 31, 2025 in order to be considered.  Pagan Media who want to report from PSG must follow the Media Guidelines and apply for accreditation.

Raffle Item Donations:

Circle will sponsor a raffle and silent auction fundraiser. Help support your spiritual community and win fun prizes! We are looking for donations of new or quality used magical items for raffle prizes. If you have ritual tools, Pagan artwork, ritual clothes, or other items of interest to Pagans that you would like to donate, please drop them off at the Raffle Tent when you register at PSG. We are happy to mention merchant booths for any merchants who would like to donate a prize. If you would like us to do this, please attach a card with a brief description. 

Shirt Orders:

If you ordered a PSG shirt, you may pick it up at the Info Center during your onsite registration.  If you didn't order a shirt when you registered, there will be a limited number of shirts available onsite.