This weekend just gone is one that will have been marked on many-a Pagan's calendar: The Artemis Gathering. This year was a big one- CoA sold out! They actually had to turn people away with how many people flocked to buy tickets. I think there were about 450 guests in total. A true testament to how hard Merlyn and Cath have worked over the years to build the Children of Artemis and its events to the amazing standard they are today. Things can only get better! (pictured left: the Bronze Goddess who had to come home with me, from Runesmith)
This weekend has been absolutely remarkable. I barely had time to stop for all the workshops and talks I wanted to attend- some I had to miss because I couldn't be in two places at the same time. Other talks I turned up to whilst shoving lunch in my mouth (on that note: hats off to the Artemis Cafe for another brilliant range of food for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans). I have learned so much and there are so many ideas I am now eager to try at home, from storytelling as a means to read the Tarot (Ania), really looking at and exploring plants when out for a walk (Elm and Tylluan Penry), considering the role of women and witches in literature (Diane Narraway and Louise Whotton) to Shamanic Journeying (Julie Huggins).
Pete Jennings surprised me when he did a talk/workshop on Ritual Movement, a topic I was similarly covering later that day. He talked about how more efficient movement can be over words, especially in a big ritual when not everyone can hear you, and how you can convey your intention without ever speaking. A few people who attended both Pete's workshop and mine said that they paired really well, which was completely unintentional!
So, if you missed my workshop, shame on you! Joking, but it was a good one. I, like Pete Jennings, focussed on using movement and dance to create a ritual. Prior to the Gathering, I created a structure loosely based on a Wiccan circle, but no words were to be used at any point. We used our bodies to still our minds, invoke the elements, invite the God and Goddess, and state our intention. We raised our energies through dance and then used movement meditation to ground ourselves at the end.
The ritual lasted a good 20 minutes, so I do want to give a big congratulations to all of my attendees for lasting the whole thing without collapsing. There was a deep, primal energy raised during the workshop and a real connection between us all- including the drummers (once again, thanks to the Dagda crew for bringing their drums along and giving us a rhythm or two). Absolutely wonderful!
And there was, of course, the Firewalk! I did it last year- it was terrifying but exhilarating. This year was the same, if not more emotional. A few of the stories about what brought some people to the Firewalk (which I will not repeat here) were so amazing and heartbreaking- there wasn't a dry eye in the Lodge!
After blessing the fire and raising energy and sense of community with arrow-breaking, we headed back to the hot coals and walked over them. Some in pairs, some on their own, and most went multiple times. I went over three times, which felt right for me. I think one person went over six times... whilst playing her drum, it was fantastic!
All in all, it was a beautiful weekend and I'm sad that it had to end (although my cat and my husband were very happy to see me when I got back). I'm extremely excited for Witchfest- and I can confirm that I definitely will be doing a talk/workshop. I'm looking into the Gods and Goddesses of dance. Want to learn more? Come to the talk!
Blessings,
Shanti
xxxx