3 Wishes and Cornwall camping

Finally I have found time to write up about my time in Cornwall and 3 wishes faerie festival.

Yes it is that time of year again where we pack up Penny the smart car with all our camping equipment and festival gear and set off west to my spiritual home of Cornwall.

As in previous years we headed to stay with family in Plymouth, who took us for a lovely walk around Stover nature reserve on the Thursday.

http://www.devon.gov.uk/stover_country_park.htm

On Friday morning we had a hearty breakfast before setting off towards the ferry port and then on to Mount Edgecombe for the 3 Wishes Faerie festival!

Unlike last year, where we just went for the one day, I brought tickets for the whole 3 days plus camping as I felt I really missed out last year.

Soon our little camping village was set up and we went around to meet up with friends, some who I had not seen since last years 3 wishes!

The weather was glorious and everyone was in great spirits. In the evening the fire pit was lit and I was gifted the privilege to play two wonderful shaman drums of horse and buffalo by two lovely ladies. I wish there was enough room in the car so I could bring by own drum.

Fireside drumming. Bliss!
(Thanks Bekki for the photo)

Unfortunately Saturday's weather was a bit bleak but that did not stop us from having fun and dong a bit of shopping at the vendor's.

This year there was the wonderful Eartheart bar which served yummy food and also played host to some amazing DJs and musicians. One such was Sika, whose mix of didgeridoo, chanting and electro music had us all in the mood to dance.

http://www.sikamusic.com/

The evening was the pirate and mermaid party!

Me and Esther ready to party

 But the rain put a slight dampener on the nights proceedings and some of the acts had to be cancelled as the stage was at an angle so all the rain (which was quite torrential at some points) was going on to the stage.The Dolmen, the main headline act, was not to be put off and after an hour delay they were able to play with the help of a huge net to stop most of the rain. We danced and the rain held off a little and we were awarded a wonderful glimpse of the super moon.

Sunday for me, was the best day. The rain held off and along with a few other of my friends we went for a Sunday Carvery at a local pub. The looks we got from the other patrons was priceless.

I attended a talk by Terry English, a gentleman and creator of wonderful armour as   seen in films Excalibur, Clash of the Titian and Harry Potter.

What a handful!

 I also went on a tree walk and faerie spotting hosted by Laura Daligan, which was very enlightening and enjoyable.The evenings entertainment was 3 Daft Monkeys who put on a great show. We concluded the night by sitting around the fire pit to drum and sing.
Monday morning came and we packed the tent away and said our goodbyes before journeying off to Bodmin Moor and to South Penquite farm for the rest of our holiday.

http://www.southpenquite.co.uk/

Smart packing!

After setting up the tent again with (no) help from the Farm cat, we went for a walk around the area around the camp site. 

Our new tent came with a free kitty!

Soon we came upon the standing stone we went to last year and so we retraced our steps from the stones, past the beech trees, the rushing river and the quarry. A short stroll which ended up being about two hours long!

River on our evening stroll

Tuesday saw us going back to Mevagissey to the lovely Lavender Pillow and the pirate shop to purchase some wares and had some pasties down by the harbour. Afterwards we then went on to Truro to see the funky vintage shop we went to last year but unfortunately it didn't have anything that fitted me :-( 

Wednesday was a brighter day and so we decided to go to Tintagel and do our annual coastal walk to Boscastle which we always enjoy and treated ourselves to a cream tea and got the bus back to Tintagel. I brought myself a lovely turquoise ring.

Thursday we packed up the tent and went to see friends near Penzance and stayed the night with them. We also went to see the mermaid chair in Zennor which was something I wanted to do last year but ran out of time.

Friday came and before going home we went to have breakfast down by a lake and then on to Porthleven, a quaint harbor town with a fantastic shop with local creative artisans. I purchased a beautiful fleece skirt and gloves from feeline clothing. Check out their website: http://www.feelineclothing.co.uk/

Soon we were on the road home, which turned out to be a bit of an adventure in itself,  it is amazing what people do instead of just driving in their cars!

Immerse in Elen Retreat

Last weekend I went to the 'Immerse in Elen retreat' run by Samantha Marks. I have wanted to go on the retreat ever since I learnt who the elusive Goddess was and finally this year I managed to go.

You can find out more about the Goddess in this blog post:http://therockabillypagan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/elen-of-ways.html

On the Saturday morning I made my way to Essex to the outdoor activity centre where this years retreat was being held.

The morning saw a wonderful gathering of like minded women of all ages, seated in a circle and listened to  the stories of our connections with Lady Elen. Some rang very true with my own path. We also partook in a powerful path working, thinking about it now gives me goosebumps in a good way.

At lunch time we all gathered in the dinning room for a shared lunch, (so much food!) And I got to talk to some of the other women and showed some of my Wylde Embers boxes I had brought along with me and had some wonderful feedback.

After lunch we got into groups and created incense and invocation oils in honour of Elen and Mala bracelets. We then went into the new 'Temple of Elen' sacred space to learn a chant with the Mala's.

Dinner was at 5:30 which was really tasty and then we all went for a walk in the wooded area of the park. The light was wonderful and we were all given a little clay token which was baked with seeds to leave as offerings.

2013 Elen clan.

After the walk we gathered some kindling for the fire and spent some time in the presence of a wonderful hollowed tree.

The sun set on a fantastic day and the evening saw the clan come together for (more) food, drink , drumming and singing by the light of the fire. 

The moon shone down on us as we made our way back to the cabins we were to call home for the weekend and to dream of running deer and antlers.

The next morning we gathered for a cooked breakfast before taking our drums down to the temple sacred space for another meditation. This one called  on the more primal aspects of the antlered Goddess and since learning more about shamanism this really appealed to me and is something I want to look into more.

We were given a few moments to ourselves and I had decided to take my drum down to the hollow tree and do some solo drumming. It was amazing and I decided to make a short film of it.

The hollow tree

Inside the tree.

After this we gathered back into the conference room to make deer leather journey pouches which I really enjoyed making .

In the conference room there was Elen artwork and altars set up. 

Also a table with wonderful Elen inspired goodies to buy. I placed some of my Wylde Embers boxes and I was very pleased that many have found new homes!

We had lunch before returning back to the Temple and we were invited if we so wanted, to dedicate to the path of Elen or as priestesses of the antlered road. I had been waiting a long time for this opportunity. Although I have recognised Elen as my Patron I had yet to dedicate myself as a priestess and this seemed the perfect opportunity, surrounded by my other clan sisters and in the presence of a beautiful altar. 

I went first. I sat in front of the altar, next to Pristess Sam and donned a beautiful antlered headress. I closed my eyes and sang a opening chant. I wasn't going to do this, it was not planned but it just seemed right. 

Several of the clan made their dedications that afternoon, some with voice, others with their heart and it was all so beautiful and very special.

The clan then moved outside for a ceremony which saw us all leave our red Ochre footprints on cloth. A wonderful lasting tangible memory of our time together on the trackway.

This retreat was everything I wanted and more. The connections I made with the other ladies of the retreat were all very special and I had some very profound conversations, especially with my cabin sisters at 1am! 

My heartfelt thanks goes to Sam for running the retreat and the tine sisters, Suzi and Julia who helped with making everything run smoothly.

In September there is a reunion where previous retreat attendees gather. I am very tempted! 

Thank to Sam for the photos. I didn't take many. You can read her blog entry about the retreat here:

http://antleredroad.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/immerse-in-elen-retreat-2013.html

Celtic Moon anniversary!

I can not believe it has been a year since I joined this wonderful pagan community as a circle member.

I am still very pleased to be a member and I feel like I have grown so much in my path since sharing it with my Celtic Moon brothers and sisters.

Here is to more pagan adventures! 

Rochester! Sweeps! Morris! Faeries! Oh my!

What a blast of a bank holiday that was!

Another Beltane has come and gone and with it the Jack in the Green's have been on parade. Last year I went to the Hasting's Jack in the Green festival but this year we decided to go along for all three days of the Sweeps festival which is a wonderful gathering of Morris dancers and some great folk bands.

On Saturday we met up with Esther and Martin to check out the faerie event that I would be exhibiting at on the Monday. Here we got to catch up with the wonderful faerie artist Linda Ravenscroft and the beautiful Bryony and Bruce Whistlecraft with their Woodland Wild elf locks stall.

In the afternoon we meet up with Celtic Moon members, Breaca, Vandrake, Midnightstar and Feena who had come all the way from Norfolk for the event. It was lovely to finally meet!

         Celtic Moon sisters. Photo from Feena and used with permission.

On the Sunday we went back to Rochester and met up with some of the Morris dancers we befriended during last years folk week and enjoy the music on offer. In the evening I got my gothic faerie gear on for a Faery rock night with some great bands including Lightwish, a Nightwish tribute act. Suffice to say I knew all the words and sang along.

Monday was an early start to the Royal Function rooms and set up my Wylde Embers stall. I have done a few stalls in my time but this was the first time under the Wylde Embers banner and I was a bit nervous on how I would be received.

I had no worries. Everyone who came to look at my stall only had kind words to say about my work and when I told them I had only just started pyrography in February they were stunned.

I made a few sells which I was really pleased with.

In the afternoon was for me the highlight of the festival, the parade. 

I have done the parade before as part of Celtic Moon but this time I was part of the faerie entourage.

Sporting wings made by the talented Twinkle. 

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TwistedTwinkle

Faeries on parade!

The weather during the weekend was glorious and I had a great time but seemed over all too quickly.

Avalon moot

On Saturday was a Celtic Moon moot long anticipated. Ever since Priestess Breaca started walking the Avalonian path we have watched in wonder as this new spiritual direction took hold of her in a very creative and positive way and last night she gave a talk with a little more insight to what she has learned in the past few months.

Breaca's passion for Avalon has been infectious but that is not hard with such a mysterious and magical place that is Glastonbury, thought to be the physical reality of the Isle of Avalon.

Through Arthurian legends Avalon is known as a sacred place, where Arthur was taken to be healed so that he will one day return to lead the people of Britain once more.

Glastonbury is a melting pot of culture and religious belief. Here the Christians pilgrimage to see the sacred thorn and the pagans come to worship the Goddess in the landscape.

My own experiences of Glastonbury cemented my belief in my path.

I first went to Glastonbury in 2009 when I was not sure where my spirituality lay. Once surrounded by the wonder that is Glastonbury, sitting next to the Chalice well and reflecting on own my beliefs I decided that I couldn't be anything but pagan. It is part of me even if I found it hard to define. Since that first trip I have been a further 4 times for various reasons and I have loved each trip.

Back in 2009 in the Chalice Well garden

In Breaca's talk she gave an overview about Glastonbury and it's sacred landscape in relation to Avalon and how it has become this amazing spiritual centre for many many faiths.

She talked about the different traditions of the Avalon path and about the Goddess aspects and how they relate to Avalon. The Avalonian path is very female centred but that is not to say that the God is ignored.

After her presentation we moved into the altar space, which was decorated beautifully with images of the Lady of Avalon and the Nine Morgans which Breaca made from clay.

We sat in a circle and were all presented with a candle and our own Lady of Avalon sculpture.

My little Lady of Avalon on my Altar.

In the circle we then went on an Avalon Immrama Journeying Meditation, lead by Breaca and I found it very very moving.

The last few weeks have been full of turmoil, sadness and disappointment but at the same time overwhelming clarification. The meditation made me put these things in to perspective and I realised that I had to learn from them otherwise what was the point.

After the Immrama we each lit our little candles with a flame from Avalon and sent love, light and healing to those who need it most. Our candles are now part of a large network of Avalon candles that are used every month as a light for peace.

This moot was a long moot. I didn't get home until 2am but it was worth it for the knowledge I have gained and the strength I received from being with my Celtic Moon sisters.

The Avalon path is something I would like to look into further and many of the things Breaca talked about last night rang true with how I feel about things, especially when it comes to the Maiden, Mother, Crone aspect of the Goddess. Technically I am no longer a maiden (as much as I like to think I am) but I am yet a mother, so where do I fit?

Breaca wrote a blog post about the nine Morgans which you can read here: http://blackcatsandbroomsticks.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/the-nine-morgens-of-avalon/

Where do you fit? Are you Maiden, lover, mother or crones?

Lover here. ;)

I would highly recommend reading Breaca's blog to learn more about the Avalon path or wait to read her book which will be a fascinating read when it is published.

Links:
http://www.kathyjones.co.uk/- Main author of the Pristess of Avalon
http://www.goddesstemple.co.uk/- Goddess Temple in Glastonbury
http://www.awakeningavalon.com/

Celtic moon pagan project: Shamanism

In my last blog post I mentioned that Celtic Moon circle members have been asked to undertake a personal project and I have chosen Shamanism.


Why Shamanism?

I don't want to be a shaman, someone who heals others by retriving their lost souls from the otherworld (one definition) but I want to know about shamanic practices which have always fascinated me yet at the same time scared me too. I have never used drugs to induce spiritual visions or wish to but I can not help be curious about it.

So what am I hoping to achieve during this project?
Discovering what being a shaman means, in history and in modern day society.
Shamans in different cultures- Africa, Sami, Native America and other First Nation countries.
Celtic Shamanism- Druidry?
Riding the Shaman's horse - power of drumming.
Power animals
Shamanism in art

What shamanism means to me.
As a teenager I had an interest in Native American culture. At school I learnt about different tribes and their beliefs. This was a catalyst for me to look at Native American art and I fell in love with the animal carvings of the Coast Salish tribes.
Anyone who knew me at school knew I loved whales and dolphins and so the stylised killer whales of Salish art captured my imagination.

A project at secondary school where I made a totem pole.

After this time I began looking at paganism and witchcraft but the draw of the spiritual path of the Native Americans did not leave me.

Little coincidences started happening. When I met my boyfriend he was dressed as a 'Native American Indian'. I had a psychic reading in which I was told I had a spirit guide of a maiden Native American (doesn't everyone?) I liked listening to music inspired by the chants and drums of the tribes. However it was not until I birthed my own shamanic drum when I decided that I would look deeper into shamanism.
I started to attended open drum circles and on hearing the beats of the drums could go on journeys far better than any meditation I have tried (which frankly I am rubbish at as my mind is way too busy.)

When my priestess Breaca set us the pagan project to do from now until November I immediately knew what I wanted to study. Having studied the Bardic grade of Druidry and feeling that the next step of the course, the Ovate grade sound much more like what I wanted to learn to begin with; tree lore, sharp shifting, earth mysteries, etc, I concluded that Druidry is a Celtic Shamanism and my next step should be to look at Shamanism on a much wider scale.

My patron Goddess Elen to me is much more shamanistic in nature than most Goddess I have come across. The reindeer herders of the Sami people also have shamans and although Elen is not mentioned in their culture there are many aspects of their beliefs that ring true with how I feel about Elen.

There is something about shamanism, how it has been portrayed in film, books and games which does make me reluctant on how far I should go with my studying. Most of the practices I am interested in are very difficult to do as someone who house shares with other and already find my collection of antlers 'a bit weird'. How are they going to react when I tell them I am going to fast for three days, lick a mushroom and go on a vision quest?

This journey can't be all consuming as much as I would love it too be as I have commitments in the mundane that must be kept in order for me to survive and to keep a healthy relationship with friends, family and my partner.
So my studying will involve reading, taking part in drumming circles, performing ritual and other forms of exploration which won't see me jumping on a plane to find a mentor halfway across the world and call myself Orca Moon.... Mores the pity.

My beloved drum.

The Rockabilly Pagan blog is One today!

A year ago today I set up my new blog.

My aim for this blog was to be somewhere I could share things that are important to me  and that I found interesting, hoping that others would find it interesting too. Well it turns out that you do!

On my many travels to events people have come up and said how they follow my blog and on twitter and facebook and enjoy my blog post! 

So I say thank you to all my readers, new and old and here is to another year of blogging!