Off to go host a conference. But before then, I wanted to write this, because I don’t think I’ve ever done some list of things I’m absurdly grateful for, and right now? I’m absurdly grateful.
ONE: All the people who believe in me enough to have already pledge to my Patreon account. As of writing this, I’m at $300/month, which means I’m going from full-time to part-time and immediately starting work on my next collected-works book.
I don’t really know how to express how fucking grateful I am for this. I mentioned elsewhere that, while a lot of people I know are trying to unpack their middle class white privilege (a really good thing to do), I’ve still been trying to convince myself that I’m not destined to return to a draughty shack in Appalachia with an open sewer. The experience of growing up in abject poverty haunts you a long time afterwards.
TWO: Which is the second thing I’m really damn grateful. A dear person has taken me on as one of her lifecoaching clients. Yeah. You read that right. Lifecoaching. I’ll have more to say about this later, but trust me–she’s fucking awesome.
THREE: I’m also damn grateful for the small handful of people who’ve emailed at some point to say, “hey! Thanks for doing all this unpaid volunteer work to put together a conference for gods and people who talk to them.” I swear, their emails have come exactly at the point when the whole thing felt rather thankless. But it hasn’t been, because a couple of people have noticed we’ve been doing this all for free
FOUR: Another thing I don’t think I’ve ever publicly mentioned, except in the acknowledgments of Your Face Is a Forest. Do you know what Jason Pitzl did for me? He gave me my first paid writing position ever. Not because I was a Brand Named Pagan, or had some long list of credentials (I’ve none, actually). But because he liked my writing. And now (under Heather Green, who’s amazing, too), I continue to write at The Wild Hunt, which is fucking amazing.
FIVE: Also, if there’s anyone in polytheism to be thankful for more than others (there is, trust me), it’s Sannion. No, really.
Do you have any idea what that guys’ done for Dionysos? Or for polytheism? And for unpopular people? And really for Paganism altogether? He’s gonna be pissed at me saying all this, but really–no one’s opened more of a path for people to find and worship gods outside of formal traditions or paid teaching than him. Except maybe Galina. Also, he’s the only one I’ve seen who, when he gets too (in)famous, actually shuts down his blog instead of trying to cash in on that shit.
SIX: And also, speaking of people not cashing-in on shit, the writers at Gods&Radicals are all really fucking amazing, currently writing for free, and entirely unafraid to challenge the sacred fatted calf of Paganism, which is Capitalism. And I’m damn fucking honored to work with them, and I’m in awe of their writing, and I really like that it’s not ‘my’ site any longer, just the one that I’m steering for awhile until we crash into a crowd of international financiers, because everyone knows I’ve never driven a car in my life.
SEVEN: A particularly very beautiful soul across an ocean. I’m pretty damn grateful for him. He knows who he is. and why.
EIGHT: A certain shield-maker, who made the thing that changed lots of other things. And the people who transported it.
NINE: All of you who’ve been reading me and commenting or emailing me or just reading silently. Thank you.
There’s a lot of other stuff. But I needed to get those all out tonight. Much fucking love to all of ye’. and maybe see you this weekend?
–Rhyd
Rhyd Wildermuth 
Congratulations on the success of your Patreon page and thank you for all the amazing work you do for Gods & Radicals. I hope Many Gods West is a triumph (as I am sure it will be). I really need to make some of these events one of these days, its just a bit hard being on the east coast. It seems like you west coasters have the best ones.
That was a great list, Rhyd! You know I’m totally with you on number Five especially. 🙂
Thank you so much for putting on this conference, which will be my first opportunity to do big group Dionysian ritual since my last Pantheacon in 2007. That’s a big deal to me. Should have thanked you sooner, but consider this my kick in the ass. Hope to see you during the brief time I’m there.
Awesome. Don’t forget, many of us are grateful for you, and for the work you do. Rock the conference, my friend…..
I am beyond delighted that you’ve done so much work on MGW. I am so envious of all y’all that are working this event or attending it. I love you very much, dear Rhyd, and I’m deeply grateful that you’re in my life.
As for #5? I would not be a devotional polytheist were it not for Sannion. His generosity & gentleness are magnificent.
At 51 I just may rank as one of the world’s oldest “baby pagans,” but I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend Many Gods West. I just know it’s gonna be a potential life-changer for me. Thanks to you Rhyd, to Niki and to PSVL for giving so selflessly of yourselves to make it a reality.
Now, back to packing!
And Thank you for your writing and and also the work towards the MGW! I really do enjoy reading your writing, it is a gift unto itself.
As for Sannion… yeah he is probably gonna hate this… but I’ve been reading his work for over fifteen years. I can’t imagine what my concepts, practice and thoughts on Dionysian-polytheism would be without his incredible contributions to the subject and many others topics
It’s been an honour and a privilege volunteering for the Bakcheion ritual with him and everyone else involved, I wish them all the very best.
Congratulations on the patreon and the conference! May it be a good conference without major issues, and take care of yourself during and after.