Beltaine
Stone City Beltaine Festival
Friday April 27 - Sunday April 29
This year we are providing a somewhat different Beltaine experience than the usual NeoPagan approach. We are reaching back to some of the old Celtic traditions surrounding Beltaine: to pass between two fires built with the Nine Sacred Woods in the traditional ritual of purification and blessing, and to bring in the current of Faery power that rises within the land at this time, one of the two portals of the Celtic year which marks the birth of Summer. And we will also gather round the Maypole for that well-loved celebration of sexuality and fertility.
Events and Rituals:
There will be three parts to the ritual observation of Beltaine. The Beltaine Eve ritual will begin at sundown Saturday evening. For this ritual we will build the traditional twin Bel-fires on the hilltop, and we will dance between the fires for blessings and purification, in the way many of our ancestors used to drive the cattle between two Bel-fires to ensure potency and protection. We will make the fires using the Nine Sacred Woods from druidic lore: Willow, Oak, Thorn, Elder, Pine, Hazel, Apple, Elm, and Birch, to lend blessing power to the flames. We will speak to the Faery folk, bringing offerings at this time when the Faery mounds open and the secret folk walk among us. And revelry and celebration round the fires continuing into the night...
Sunday morning the brave and the bold can rise with us at dawn to welcome the Sun of Summer as it rises over the Beltaine stone. After breakfast we will gather to go a-Maying in the sunny morning, in a traditional festive May procession to the Maypole, culminating in the Maypole dance, a celebration of life, beauty, and... well, you know. :)
Things to Bring:
If you play drums or other musical instruments, please bring them. We will need music and rhythm to enliven the Beltaine Eve revel as well as the Maypole dance.
For the Beltaine Eve ritual everyone should bring at least one branch or piece of wood from one of the nine sacred woods: Willow, Oak, Thorn, Elder, Pine, Hazel, Apple, Elm, or Birch. (Traditional lists of these sacred woods vary, so we have chosen those which are most locally available.) We will be especially needing Hazel, Apple, Elm, and Birch, as the rest of those can be found plentifully on the land here.
You may also want to bring something in the way of an offering for the Faery folk, as we will incorporate offerings into the Eve ritual. Traditional offerings include milk and honey, oatcakes (bannock), whiskey, or coins, but feel free to let your inspiration guide you.
For the Maypole dance, extra ribbons and flowers to decorate the Maypole and the circle will be needed. Bring something festive to wear!
Food and Accommodations:
The guest house, camper-cabins, and camping space will be available. Bring your own bedding, pads, etc. and tent if you have one. The guest house is available to everyone on a first-come first-serve basis. The two camper cabins can be reserved for a small additional cost (see below under registration). Space in our home will be reserved for those arriving early to set up (or cleanup) and work as staff - you must arrange this with us ASAP.
You should bring your own food and utensils for preparing it. The kitchen in the guest house will be available for cooking and has a stove and oven, but is not fully equipped with pots, pans, dishes, etc. If you have campstove equipment do please bring it as it will ease congestion in the guest kitchen. Coolers are recommended for your food as there is not enough refrigerator space for everyone.
Saturday evening we will have an early potluck dinner before sunset, to give time to move up into the Henge for ritual starting at dusk. Other meals are individual, or however you like.
Registration:
Cost is $25.00 per adult until April 20, or $35.00 after April 20 or on site. Well-behaved children and teens are free. Monsters extra, unless we get to keep them. ;-}
If you wish to reserve one of the two camper-cabins, there is an additional cost of $10.00 per night.
Any funds you add above the registration cost are a tax-deductible donation to Stone City and will help us continue to improve the land, the facilities, and the sacred sites.
Please register ahead. It's cheaper, and as you know, we operate on a minimal budget and it is difficult to get preparations done if everyone plans to pay their registration on-site.
You can send registration via:
Paypal to: thestonecity@gmail.com
Mail to: Stone City Foundation
PO Box 692, Livermore, CA 94551
Call or email if you have any questions and to let us know you are coming!
thestonecity.org
thestonecity@gmail.com
Friday April 27 - Sunday April 29
This year we are providing a somewhat different Beltaine experience than the usual NeoPagan approach. We are reaching back to some of the old Celtic traditions surrounding Beltaine: to pass between two fires built with the Nine Sacred Woods in the traditional ritual of purification and blessing, and to bring in the current of Faery power that rises within the land at this time, one of the two portals of the Celtic year which marks the birth of Summer. And we will also gather round the Maypole for that well-loved celebration of sexuality and fertility.
Events and Rituals:
There will be three parts to the ritual observation of Beltaine. The Beltaine Eve ritual will begin at sundown Saturday evening. For this ritual we will build the traditional twin Bel-fires on the hilltop, and we will dance between the fires for blessings and purification, in the way many of our ancestors used to drive the cattle between two Bel-fires to ensure potency and protection. We will make the fires using the Nine Sacred Woods from druidic lore: Willow, Oak, Thorn, Elder, Pine, Hazel, Apple, Elm, and Birch, to lend blessing power to the flames. We will speak to the Faery folk, bringing offerings at this time when the Faery mounds open and the secret folk walk among us. And revelry and celebration round the fires continuing into the night...
Sunday morning the brave and the bold can rise with us at dawn to welcome the Sun of Summer as it rises over the Beltaine stone. After breakfast we will gather to go a-Maying in the sunny morning, in a traditional festive May procession to the Maypole, culminating in the Maypole dance, a celebration of life, beauty, and... well, you know. :)
Things to Bring:
If you play drums or other musical instruments, please bring them. We will need music and rhythm to enliven the Beltaine Eve revel as well as the Maypole dance.
For the Beltaine Eve ritual everyone should bring at least one branch or piece of wood from one of the nine sacred woods: Willow, Oak, Thorn, Elder, Pine, Hazel, Apple, Elm, or Birch. (Traditional lists of these sacred woods vary, so we have chosen those which are most locally available.) We will be especially needing Hazel, Apple, Elm, and Birch, as the rest of those can be found plentifully on the land here.
You may also want to bring something in the way of an offering for the Faery folk, as we will incorporate offerings into the Eve ritual. Traditional offerings include milk and honey, oatcakes (bannock), whiskey, or coins, but feel free to let your inspiration guide you.
For the Maypole dance, extra ribbons and flowers to decorate the Maypole and the circle will be needed. Bring something festive to wear!
Food and Accommodations:
The guest house, camper-cabins, and camping space will be available. Bring your own bedding, pads, etc. and tent if you have one. The guest house is available to everyone on a first-come first-serve basis. The two camper cabins can be reserved for a small additional cost (see below under registration). Space in our home will be reserved for those arriving early to set up (or cleanup) and work as staff - you must arrange this with us ASAP.
You should bring your own food and utensils for preparing it. The kitchen in the guest house will be available for cooking and has a stove and oven, but is not fully equipped with pots, pans, dishes, etc. If you have campstove equipment do please bring it as it will ease congestion in the guest kitchen. Coolers are recommended for your food as there is not enough refrigerator space for everyone.
Saturday evening we will have an early potluck dinner before sunset, to give time to move up into the Henge for ritual starting at dusk. Other meals are individual, or however you like.
Registration:
Cost is $25.00 per adult until April 20, or $35.00 after April 20 or on site. Well-behaved children and teens are free. Monsters extra, unless we get to keep them. ;-}
If you wish to reserve one of the two camper-cabins, there is an additional cost of $10.00 per night.
Any funds you add above the registration cost are a tax-deductible donation to Stone City and will help us continue to improve the land, the facilities, and the sacred sites.
Please register ahead. It's cheaper, and as you know, we operate on a minimal budget and it is difficult to get preparations done if everyone plans to pay their registration on-site.
You can send registration via:
Paypal to: thestonecity@gmail.com
Mail to: Stone City Foundation
PO Box 692, Livermore, CA 94551
Call or email if you have any questions and to let us know you are coming!
thestonecity.org
thestonecity@gmail.com