'Everyone's a pagan now'

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Vanity Fair Article

Vanity Fair

Do We Have Any Actors Here? Oh, Just Some Major Movie Stars

Left: Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton; right: Simon Costin and Gareth Pugh.

On Thursday night, in a quiet street in North London, something dark and pagan was afoot: renown set designer Simon Costin was the perpetrator, and raising funds to pioneer London’s first Museum of British Folklore was his fête. Through a small white gate, marked by a freshly painted gypsy caravan trailer (it shelved some of what will be the museum's spoils), ornately-draped guests scampered into the English Folk Dance and Song Society's garden. As daffodil wreaths from the flower shop Wild at Heart adorned empty heads, famous flower girl herself Nikki Tibbles was overheard explaining why she wasn’t wearing one of own her beautiful creations: “Oh God, no! I’d look like a drag queen!” While a couple of Alices (Rawsthorn and Temperley) took their tumbler-sized champagne flutes over to the hog roast and asparagus table, D.J. Dan Lywood had found the Whitstable Bay Organic ale tap and was keeping it well oiled for the minglers.

When talk of Michael Jackson, swine flu, and what actress Helena Bonham Carter would be wearing that evening had nearly reached full circle, Bonham Carter herself appeared with her husband, filmmaker Tim Burton. The lady did not underwhelm! She was wearing only what could have been a steal from the Sweeney Todd wardrobe. As interior designer Nicky Haslam, costume designer Sandy Powell, milliner Stephen Jones, and society figures Harry Worcester, Jazzy de Lisser, and Robie Unacke spilled onto the lawn, guests were ushered through an arch of lilac, stock, and sweet pea into the main hall of Cecil Sharp House, where the entertainment commenced.

“Spooky men not unlike yourselves,” announced the 10 blackened-faced traditional Morris folk dancers, brandishing wooden clubs. They thwacked and stamped in perfect synchronization while onlookers gazed in genuine amazement. “I never knew Morris dancing was this hard-core!” exclaimed one of the guests.

“Anyone here from Shropshire?” shouted the ringmaster during an interlude. Disheartened, he tried again: “Do we have any actors here?" Stifled sniggers circulated until Haslam piped up just audibly, “One or two major movie stars, actually.” Even Helena B-C had to get the giggling back in order with some stern “shhush-ing.”

Then, as Costin took to the microphone, all eyes rose to the heavens—not because of his six-foot frame, but because of his Jones-created hat, which truly put the Mad Hatter and Queen Mary’s doll house to shame. “What calm you emit for the host of such a party,” I later remarked. His remedy? Xanax and champagne.

Doc Rowe’s The Wicker Man-esque short film got everyone in the mood for the angelic sounds of the Blue Roses' singing, which instigated such pleasure among the dance-hungry crowd that singer-songwriter Alison Goldfrapp and design critic Rawsthorn couldn’t resist letting their feet go. By the time the music had ended, the pair had launched themselves into a full-blown jig. (It's fair to say they got a pretty good review.) Lywood swiftly took the hint and started the dance floor off with Cat Stevens’s “If You Want Sing Out, Sing Out,” and as I was about to lay down my wreath, I heard a wistful sigh behind me. It was fashion designer Gareth Pugh: “I did make him a tambourine that matched the coat … but whatever …

7:59 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Our latest mention in, The Guardian 22nd June
Current mood:

bouncy
Category: Religion and Philosophy

'Everyone's a pagan now'

From morris dancers in mirror shades to green activists getting in touch with their spiritual side, paganism is going mainstream. Cole Moreton reports on a new national faith

........

The Beltane Bash, following The Pagan Pride Parade, ....London...., 2009. Photograph: Teri Pengilley

Look out, here come the pagans. It's late May in central ....London.... and a man dressed as a tree, a witch in a velvet robe and a woman pretending to be a raven with a long black beak are dancing through the streets of Holborn, with several hundred others, moving to the rhythm of a dozen loud drums. They could wake the god of thunder with their noise but it's OK, the people at the back with the broadswords and shields are followers of Thor. This is a parade to celebrate pagan pride, and it would be wise not to get in the way.

"We are moving into a new time," says the leader, brandishing a huge set of antlers. "We are becoming more accepted. Paganism is reasserting itself."

Who is going to argue? Her name is Jeanette Ellis and she looks like the figurehead of a mighty galleon, cleavage pushing up out of a medieval dress (although her bottom half is mostly foliage). Ellis has been organising parades for more than a decade. "There has been such a dramatic change," she says, "in the way we are perceived."

Paganism is casting its spell over more people now than ever before in the modern age. There are said to be a quarter of a million practising pagans in this country, double the number of a decade ago.

That would make them more numerous than Buddhists (of which there are 144,500, according to the 2001 census) and almost as numerous as Jews (259,000) - and it doesn't even allow for the growing tribe of unofficial, instinctive pagans such as my friend Cath, who planned to celebrate the summer solstice in the early hours yesterday by "going out into the garden at dawn and just tuning in". At Stonehenge at least 30,000 people were expected to watch the sun rise in the company of the druids who see themselves as practising the ancient faith of pre-Christian ....Britain..... For them, the sun is symbolic of one aspect of the "universal force which flows through the world and which can be encouraged to flow through us", according to Philip Carr-Gomm, founder of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and author of the new Book of English Magic. The druids are only a small part of modern paganism, which encompasses a bewildering number of traditions or "paths", but central to them all is this idea of a divine force inherent in nature. It is an individualistic faith that encourages each person to respond in their own way, so you don't have to be a druid, or belong to any kind of order at all.

Away from ..Stonehenge.., much smaller groups of people celebrate the summer solstice by gathering before sunrise in gardens or woods, on beaches or hilltops across the country, some for organised rituals and some, like Cath, just responding to their own understanding of a spirituality that seems to work best in the open air. Ask her faith and she says "pagan" straight away. She sees no need to join in with anybody else, but Cath is far from alone.

"What we believe is suddenly everywhere," says Bantu, a dreadlocked 29-year-old who planned to be on a hill in ....Wales.... when the moment came. He started to worship Gaia, the earth goddess, after going to a workshop at a climate camp. "Everyone's a pagan now."

Not quite, maybe, but the rise has been dramatic. The census in 2001 recorded 40,000 pagans, but the true figure may be higher. "Pagans don't like telling the government what they're up to," says Ellis. A decade ago Ronald Hutton, a professor of history at ....Bristol.. ..University...., calculated that there were 120,000 people going to rituals or meetings (often in pubs) called moots. That was before Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Lord of the Rings, Charmed and Sabrina the Teenage Witch made pagan spirituality and mythology part of pop culture.

The Pagan Federation, which aims to represent all "followers of a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion", claims the number of adherents has trebled at least. That would mean there were 360,000 committed, practising pagans, putting them ahead of the Sikhs (329,000) and fourth behind Hindus (552,000), Muslims (1.5 million) and Christians (42 million, according to the census).

Hutton adds that there has been a much greater acceptance of pagan ideas among the wider public. "It is best to think in terms of concentric circles," he says, "from those who are initiated members of a group such as a coven, out to those who go to ..Stonehenge.. for a drink and a party."

The Pagan Federation's membership list includes druids as well as wiccans, practising modern witchcraft; shamans, engaging with the spirits of the land; and heathens, worshipping the gods of the north European tribes (including Thor). But then there are the neopagans such as Bantu, always visible at environmental protests, who wouldn't think of belonging to any kind of federation and who pursue a rainbow of revived, recreated or invented beliefs with nature at their heart.

All you have to believe to be a pagan, according to the federation, is that each of us has the right to follow our own path (as long as it harms no-one else); that the higher power (or powers) exists; and that nature is to be venerated. If you asked everyone in ....Britain.... if they agreed with those three statements, millions would put their hands up. At its loosest, paganism is beginning to look like our new national faith.

The circles can be seen widening in the most unlikely places. Nine years ago, Ray and Lynda Lindfield and their friends tried to start a pagan festival on the seafront in ultra-conservative Eastbourne in ..East Sussex.., and were threatened with arrest. "It had to be pointed out that we had a right to practise our religion in public," says Lynda. Lammas is now one of the big local draws of the summer.

These public events usually include a re-enactment of whatever stage of the pagan cycle is being marked. In ..Eastbourne.. they needed some dancers to perform the cutting down of the male sun god, represented as the mythical character John Barleycorn, and so a morris-dancing group, Hunters Moon, was born. It is now the most fashionable side (as morris-dancing groups are sometimes known) in the country, having recently been hired to perform at a party in ....London.... for Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter, among others. It is also part of what amounts, in morris dancing, to a pagan coup.

The Morris Ring, which represents the hanky-waving sides everyone thinks of as morris dancers, announced in January that young people were not interested. That was news to Hunters Moon, and other recently formed, pagan-inspired sides across the country such as Wolf's Head and Vixen, the first gothic morris outfit, whose members wear mirror shades and look like the Sisters of Mercy.

Half of the two-dozen dancers at a recent Hunters Moon rehearsal were under 30, including teenage students. They hopped, they skipped, they smashed big sticks together until the splinters flew and then used them for gestures that were, quite frankly, rude. Hunter's Moon dance with blacked-up faces (not racist but medieval, they insist, having been a way for mummers to hide their identities from their daytime employers as they went door to door for trick or treat) and outfits that make them look like ragged crows that have mated with Hell's Angels. Not every member is a pagan, but they wear pentagrams and the dances include arcane elements such as the spiral. "Those that know what it is," says Armstrong, "know what it is."

Witchcraft is another driving force in the rise of paganism. Leading members of the Federation are part of this closed tradition that became public in 1954 when a retired civil servant called Gerald Gardner claimed to have been introduced to pre-Christian occultism by one of the last surviving covens. Their version of the divine force is embodied in a horned male god and a mother goddess, and their response to its energy all around us involves the casting of spells and incantations to influence real events. ....Gardner....'s critics called it fiction, but wicca now has 7,000 adherents, according to the census, which again is probably an understatement. What do you have to do to join? "If I told you, I would have to kill you," says Chris Crowley, a wiccan high priest who speaks for the Federation.That's a joke, I think.

His partner, Vivienne, has written acclaimed books on wicca, or at least on its public side. Wiccans believe in the ability to communicate directly with the divine by calling down the god or goddess to enter the body, which can involve going into a trance and allowing them to speak through you. The most common wiccan symbol is the pentagram, whose points represent the elements essential to life: air, fire, water, earth and the spirit that ties them all together. They see themselves as inheritors of the "wise craft" that led men and women to be ducked and burned in previous ages, so if you want to know their deepest secrets you have to prove you are sincere and committed. Joining a coven traditionally takes a year and a day. "It is a mystery religion," says ....Crowley..... "You do have to be initiated."

....Crowley.... is a head-hunter for public sector recruitment, and dresses in jeans and blue blazer. "We look normal," he says, "because we are."

Jeanette Ellis is not a wiccan but a "traditional" witch, who follows a path she found among her family roots in the west of ....Ireland..... "I work with the Morrigan, a Celtic goddess." One associated with death and war (and ravens), I subsequently discover. "We do not target people in our spells," insists Ellis, who calls her home in east ....London.... her "covenstead". The 13 members meet when the moon is full. "People bring ideas for spells. If someone has split up with her boyfriend, for example, we may cast a love spell that will make her more confident and attractive."

She is not so shy about ritual and is able to explain why so many people on the parade are wearing knives, including those broadswords (with the police turning a blind eye). "That is the athame, a director of energy. It must not touch blood. There are no sacrifices going on." The knife is placed in a chalice to bless wine. She also describes the male high priest pushing the athame into a scabbard held by the high priestess. Hang on, this is all about sex, isn't it?

"There is a sexual energy, I wouldn't deny it," says Ellis, chuckling. "The sexual union happens within every ritual, usually symbolically." Usually? "It's not about orgies. Of course, after any full moon, if you want to go out into the garden and have ... that's fine, as long as you're a couple. You don't just go off with whoever you fancy." Do they ever do it as part of the ritual? Expecting a denial, I am surprised by her answer. "Some do. Less and less, I think. I don't know what other covens get up to."

Nobody does. That's the point. It's hard to join. (Once in, you presumably become as vulnerable to exploitation as any other member of a closed religious group whose initiated members are taught secret information by a caste of self-elected priests.)

Some wannabe wizards did go on to take an adult interest in the esoteric after reading Harry Potter, but the boy wizard's bigger impact has been in the adoption of pagan ideas into the mainstream: the BBC uses pagan spirituality as a source of inspiration even for children's shows such as Raven and Merlin, or Saturday tea-time blockbusters Robin Hood and Doctor Who.

It is in pop culture that witchcraft meets the other main force behind the rise in paganism: environmentalism. James Lovelock made the link explicit in his influential 1979 description of the earth as a single, living organism, which he named after the Greek goddess Gaia. Some take this more theologically than others, but it remains the most famous example of how the desire for alternative lifestyles that began to flourish in the 60s has led to both a questioning of our attitude to the natural environment and a turning away from the established, patriarchal faiths towards new forms of spirituality. Of course, you don't have to be a pagan to be a green. Far from it. But the two movements have given each other energy, as each has grown.

For many pagans, becoming a green campaigner is a way of demonstrating faith with practical action. For many activists who come at it from the opposite direction, the pagan idea of an ancient and universal spirit that animates the earth gives their actions a personal, spiritual framework. Not that you have to read eco-theory to get it these days, just watch Teletubbies. "The indoctrination into things like recycling starts at an early age," says Catherine Hosen, a druid from ....Kent.... who watches a lot of CBeebies with her children. "If you start off trying to be environmentally aware, it is not much of a step to seeing all of nature as sacred, and from there to becoming a pagan."

Perhaps. This, don't forget, is mostly a loose faith. That is why it is so popular in these individualistic, iconoclastic times. Wander towards the centre of Hutton's concentric circles where the covens wait and you will be asked to pass tests, obey priests, follow rituals and keep secrets; but on the outer edges, at festival times such as the summer solstice, there is none of that - just a dance, a beer and a "Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again". Just watch yourself with those knives.

• Cole Moreton is writing a book on the soul of ....England...., to be published by Little Brown next Easter.

7:29 AM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

http://www.badwitch.co.uk

Monday, January 19, 2009

From a fan (A badwitch blog)
Category: Parties and Nightlife

Magical Wassail under a frosty full moon

Here are some pictures from the Wassail last Saturday night at Middle Farm, in Sussex.

The Wassail is a traditional blessing of the apple trees to ensure a bountiful harvest in the coming year. The annual event at Middle Farm, organised by Hunters Moon Morris, takes place each January and draws a huge and enthusiastic crowd.

Although the ceremony is pagan in tone, it attracts people from all walks of life and faiths, from the nearby countryside, from towns such as Brighton and even from as far away as London.

It was a perfect night to be out in the apple orchards by a roaring bonfire, with a full moon in the clear night sky and the trees and ground glistening with frost.

But the beautiful wintry landscape was far too cold to want to stay outside for very long. After singing traditional wassail songs around the fire, everyone was happy to retreat to a warm barn where mulled cider and hot apple juice were on sale.

Morris dancing displays were followed by a barn dance that everyone could join in. Dancing and drinking went on late into the evening and a great time was had by all.

Thank you to badwitch for a superb write up of our Wassail. Pleas visit her site if you are interested in all that is Pagan.

11:06 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Monday, January 19, 2009

Oh what a night! (not late December back in 63)
Current mood:

mellow
Category: Parties and Nightlife

***WASSAIL - A RIP ROARING SUCCESS!***

Hunters Moon's annual Wassail was held again this year in association with Middle Farm, Firle, Nr. Lewes. The day dawned like a winter wonderland - early arrivals at the farm to set up were met by a glittering host of trees, a frozen duck pond and minus 6 in temperature! The animals were slightly confused and a bit put out to be kicked out of the barn but Rod and Helen from the farm had kindly made our lives easier by filling it with hay bales and bedecking it with wonderfully villagey bunting. Much cutting down of greenery and setting up of stage ensued and some of the girlies ventured to the orchard to bedeck the trees with tatters.

At 6 o'clock the fun started as the throngs started to fill the barn. Much frivolity followed with dancing outside under the beautiful full moon from us and our visitors Mythago and Bacchus, drumming from Pentacle Drummers and a Mummers play. Our Newbies really excelled themselves with their dancing - we were all thrilled with their performance and more to the point they all loved the adrenaline rush! Reminds us all of what it's like to be new and do that first dance out!

The first torches were lit and with the drummers keeping up a steady beat the procession wound its way down the torchlit path to the Orchard. A huge bonfire was lit and much Wassailing of trees and singing commenced culminating in the blessing of the orchard by Lynda and the sharing of wassail cake and cider with the trees. It was all back to the barn for a fantastic barndance with Rattlebone and Dave Rannie from Long Man Morris who kindly came and called for us. The barn was heaving with happy, smiley people of all ages, supping local brew, eating local sausages and having a wonderful (free) time. As the evening wound down, local band Lackadaisy entertained us and helped the tired masses calm down a bit! We were over the (Hunters) moon that so many came and had such a good time. Over 400 we reckon this year!

Huge thanks go to Rod and Helen at Middle Farm for their continuing support and efforts in making the Wassail such a success. Big hugs to all the sides that came along and added to the colour and spectacle for the evening. Bit girly wet kisses to everyone in the side who pitched up early on Saturday to help set up and early(ish) on the Sunday to pack it all away again. Special thanks to Ray and Lynda Lindfield and Garry who helped set up the lighting in the barn and outside, Chris and Simon for setting up the stage and sound and Christine for her great Squireship keeping us all together.

Here's to Wassail 2010!

10:58 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

www.huntersmoonmorris.co.uk

Friday, September 05, 2008

LIFE WITH BELLS ON!!
Current mood:

amorous
Category: Music

LIFE WITH BELLS ON!

My name is Jenny and I'm a Morris Dancer. There, I've said it. That's my cover blown! I am proud to be a member of Eastbourne's local Morris dancing side Hunters Moon and am now in my fourth dancing season. Oh, and I absolutely love it – live and breathe it actually. That's what it does to you. One minute you're an ordinary working mother with a bit of a penchant for art and singing and the next thing I'm blacking my face up, wearing a top hat and shrieking at strangers in the street. If someone had told me six years ago that I'd be going to folk festivals without my curling tongs I'd have laughed my (two pairs to prevent chafing) socks off!

Hunters Moon dance the traditional Border style of Morris. That is we perform dances that originate from the Welsh border counties. We use big sticks and have big attitude as opposed to the stereotypical picture of Morris dancers in white shirts and breeches with hankies. This traditional image of Morris dancing comes from the Cotswolds and is still very popular today although people enjoy border Morris for its strength and theatrical appearance. Although we are often asked about our 'unconventional' clothing, hardened folkies will no doubt be aware that we are actually quite traditional in our appearance of black faces, tatter coats and top hats although its origin is unclear. It is thought however, that it was likely to be a disguise. In days gone by, the activities of Morris dancers were frowned upon by the local gentry and landowners who were not impressed by begging for beer money! Those who tended their land would therefore blacken their faces with goose fat and soot and wear their coats ragged side out so they would not be recognised the next day at market! Judging by how many of you I have stood right next to on the street, seafront or in a local pub I can categorically say that the disguise is most effective!

Hunters Moon Morris prides itself on our commitment to upholding English culture and heritage. We practice faithfully every Thursday and dance out all the year round at folk festivals, local pubs, weddings – you name it, we've probably done it! We will often appear at 'stands' with other sides performing their own special brand of Morris be it Cotswold (like our friends, local side Long Man Morris), North West (clog dancers) or even Molly dancing (based more on country dancing). The contrast is great and very entertaining. Rochester Sweeps festival which takes place each Mayday bank holiday is a real must for any traditional dance enthusiast wanting to see Morris in all its glory. Tenterden Folk Festival taking place on 3rd - 5th October is also a wonderful spectacle of colour and dancing. Morris sides visit from all over the country and parade through the town on the Saturday.

We are proud to be the host side each year for the fantastic annual Eastbourne Lammas Festival (first weekend in August) which is a real showcase for local talent and provides Eastbourne with the chance to experience traditional music and dance. Despite the inclement weather this year the festival was again a huge success raising money for the RNLI and providing entertainment for those who fancied a weekend away from the DIY and the Playstation.

My life has changed beyond belief since I joined Hunters Moon Morris. I am two dress sizes smaller, my 12 year old Son runs around and jumps in puddles and haystacks instead of being glued to the laptop and I have more friends than I can shake my stick at. I even found my Someone Special. I travel all over the country and experience places and people I would never have met otherwise. My eyes have been opened to the traditions and heritage of not only beautiful East Sussex but also our rich and varied Country. Whatever your preconceptions about Morris Dancing please stop and support it whenever you can. Perhaps even suspend your self conciousness and give it a try. Remember that without your support this traditional image of rural England could well disappear forever. That would be a real tragedy. My fallen arches may be thankful but I could never give it up now and be that bored Croydon girl again. I'm now a Morris Dancer through and through.

And that's with bells on.

Hunters Moon are running two open evenings at West Rise school in Langney on Thursday 18^th and 25^th September. If you think you've got what it takes to wield a big stick or indeed you have a hidden musical talent and you fancy an outlet, please come along. Please feel free to give me a call for further details!

12:15 AM

(Add Comment) |

2 Kudos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJNpo84rK8Y

Friday, August 08, 2008

John Barleycorn at Eastbourne Lammas Festival

9:56 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Wassail 2008- A dancers perspective
Current mood:

good
Category: Parties and Nightlife

I arrived in a very busy car park on Wassail night, as I got out of the car I could hear the haunting rhythm of Pentacle Drummers, the atmosphere was already building, a large number of Morris dancers were hurriedly making their way into the farm across the car park, musicians / dancers / and a group of general public complete in Victorian dress and torches were being drawn in by the sound of the Drums.

Very soon the Dancing started with the host side leading the way. The crowd was growing all the time and. The Knots of May were as usual excellent. The Pentacle drummers continued to entertain and the weather held off for Mythago to give the crowd a great show. Everyone was entertained by the Mummers play and going by the amount of laughter everyone was getting into it big time. True to form the good doctor resurrected the dead solider and everyone joined in with the traditional singing led by the mummers.

It was going to be a great night and as Hunters Moon drew the first part of the evening to a close we were introduced to the three new members who excelled themselves on their first dance out.

Forming up behind Hunters Moon and to the sound of the drums a crowd of about 200 wound its way down to the apple orchard. Hunters Moon dancers marked the way with flaming torches and very soon everyone was standing in the shadow of a massive bonfire.

The ceremony was started and it was so moving, standing under the apple trees the whole crowd went silent as the trees were blessed. After the singing of the wassail song, Cake was passed around and plenty of warm cider consumed. Not forgetting to give plenty back to the tree for the coming year.

The peace was soon shattered by the sound of the shotgun and this was the signal for much screeching/ clanging/ screaming/ringing of bells/ you name it. So much noise was made there was no chance of any evil spirits remaining there to upset the Wassailed trees!

As the bonfire came to life and flames reached high up above the trees the crowd filed back into the barn for the evening festivities.

The barn was decorated from top to bottom and with a sturdy straw bales to sit on everyone settled down to watch more dancing from all of the sides, there was more from the drummers and we all enjoyed an encore from the Mummers. There was cider galore for sale and with hot food / live music / and laughter what more could we want.

Everyone eventually got the opportunity to join in and the floor was filled to bursting point when the barn dancing got going. Everyone got involved and dancing continued into the night, ,not always as it should have been done but going by the look on peoples faces , nobody cared and everyone enjoyed themselves. All good things must end and as I returned to the car I took with me many happy memories of a Wassail night that will never be forgotten.

Roll on next year; I will just have to enjoy the resulting cider from a great night till then.

Huw.

9:15 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos

Sunday, January 20, 2008

With blackened faces and jackets of rags
Current mood:

vibrant
Category: Parties and Nightlife

Many thanks to the contributor of this blog

An early evening rainstorm and lack of a ticket nearly stopped me going to the Wassail run by Hunters Moon Morris at Middle Farm, in East Sussex, on Saturday. I'm very glad they didn't.

When I arrived, at about 7pm, the entertainment was going strong with morris dancing and drumming. And if the term 'morris dancing' makes you think of old blokes hopping from foot to foot and waving white hankies around, think again. Hunters Moon Morris puts on something much more theatrical and wild.

With blackened faces and wearing clothes made of rags and tatters they leap around, whooping and bashing sticks, to put on a carnival-like display. It seems more like a war dance than an ancient fertility rite - although that is what is it supposed to be.

The drumming display ended by leading a torch-lit procession down into the heart of the apple orchards. A huge bonfire was set ablaze while libations were poured to the apple trees and everyone was invited to sing the Wassail Chant:

Oh apple tree we honour thee
in hope that you will bear
the blessed fruit of Avalon
at harvest time each year.

Each golden apple you bring forth
a gift to Aphrodite
has at its heart a pentacle
the symbol of her mystery.

Your blossom heralds springtime
your leaf brings summer shade
Let Samhain's harvest cup be filled
with cider freshly made.

When winter's cold encloses you
in wind and rain and hail
then we'll return each year to bring
our grateful thanks - Wassail!

1:48 PM

(Add Comment) |

2 Kudos

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Wassail 2008- It just looks like a bloody good time!
Current mood:

mellow
Category: Parties and Nightlife

Edited comment of a member of the audience, not from England attending for the first time.

Well Saturday night was great :)

We ran a little late due to a few thing including an accident on the highway, but we arrived before 6:30pm and wandered into the main square at Middle Farm to see people gathered around, music playing and Morris Dancers. I have never seen Morris Dancing "in Real Life" before. Only photos on the net and I was instantly taken with it :)
It hasn't the Grace or sensuality or Belly dance of course, but there is something that alls to the inner parts of me. Not to mention it just looks like a bloody good time, and telling some of my favorite stories in doing so :)
There were Two Morris Dancing troupes, a Mummers troupe who did a play/told stories, a women's group called "the Knots of May", they Danced the style you would see on May Day with sticks wrapped with brightly coloured ribbon and arches/garlands make from bunched together material.

There was also a drummers group called "the Pentacle Drummers" Who are 90% pagan and play everywhere. They are great.

Each troupe did a dance, played, or told a story and then when it was time, we all lined up behind the drummers and trudged through the mud (that was fun) to the Apple Orchard. There, we were given cakes and ale (Mulled Cider which is fast becoming a favorite of mine) and a small open rite was performed with consecration of the cakes and ale, a thanking and blessing of the apple trees and a HUGE bonfire lit with drumming and singing and spoken word accompanying.

I had to cut our enjoyment of the bonfire short as our little one "had to go to the toilet" so a quick libation and blessing and thanks to the Old ones and the trees via the designated decorated apple tree and off through the mud we went appease the calling of nature.

Afterwards everyone congregated in the hall for observing MORE Morris Dancing (I don't think I could be sick of it in a hurry at all :D ) and soul bouncing drumming and more cider and food stalls.
After a while it became time for the rest of us to Dance. A pleasure I didn't get the chance to enjoy sadly. Hubby's knee is royally screwed and he couldn't dance much to his very deep disappointment. The little one was too stubborn to get up with me in the easier first two Dances and I stood there wishing madly to Dance.
Next time :)

We didn't really speak to anyone. I was all to shy and so the three of us stuck together in our own little group. But suffice to say seeing all those [pentagrams made me feel much more at home knowing that the pagan community aren't so far away or that hard to find. :) We were certainly being looked after in heading to Middle farm that day and seeing the advertisements for Wassail. :)

We hope to go to the next Wassail and to any other event around.

1:22 PM

(Add Comment) |

0 Kudos