MERCIAN 07
Pictures and Comments
Friday, September 07, 2007 - 02:52
To the Realm of Mercia! Last Friday afternoon I stepped into my
car and began the journey to the land of Mercia. I had been booked to play at
the Mercian Gathering that was being held on a farm just outside of Coventry.
I'd heard a lot of great things about this camp so was really looking forward to
it.
The journey went well and I arrived in plenty of time. I got to the village
where the camp was being held and found no signs anywhere. I drove around for
about 30 minutes, up one lane, down another, trying to find the roads that were
shown on the little map that had been sent out with the tickets, but I couldn't
find them anywhere. In the end I saw a postman who pointed me in the right
direction - I have to say that if I hadn't found him, I might still be looking
now! I was told that the camp had suffered in the past from a number of
gate-crashers, so they don't advertise the location.
When I finally pulled into the farm I was met by the Dagda - not the Giant
Celtic God, but the tribe who provide added security to almost all of the Pagan
events in the UK. What a welcome too! I love these guys and we mutually
love-bombed each other before I was pointed to the area I could pitch my tent.
The first thing I noticed was how many people were there! I was told that there
were about 500 attending. That has to make it the biggest Pagan camp in the UK.
The organisation was superb, with a cafe, a very large marquee, a few smaller
tents, some tee pees, and some of the most luxurious toilets I've ever seen.
Once the tent was up I took a wander around the site, found the venue for my
concert - the labyrinth was already set up ready to be lit, and as I walked into
a neighbouring field I met with the Wicker Man, standing tall and awaiting his
fate. People were already placing items on him as wishes for the Gods.
My performance was part of a Bardic evening. the first up was my friend Kevan
who performs under the name Tallyessin. Stories and poetry told with eloquence
and passion, wonderful stuff. That was followed by Gary Breinholt, a Bard I met
years ago within the Stone Circle at Avebury. Again, a wonderful storyteller who
held the audience spellbound. I was due to start my set at 10pm, so I took the
opportunity to just step outside and take in the vibe of the camp, and its
central fire. After such an awful rainy Summer, this felt like a magical early
Autumn evening. When I got back to the marquee it was full of people! I'd never
played this event before, so I thought I would have to gradually draw the
audience towards singing, but how wrong I was! From the opening chords of Song
of Awen it was obvious that almost everyone in the audience knew my songs, and
they were singing along, not just with the choruses, but with the verses, from
the off. I was very humbled by the experience; and the love I felt from the
people there, it was quite overwhelming. It's a performer's dream when this
happens, because you feel the love from the audience, they feel the love you
have for your songs, and for them, they feel that back and sing and cheer
louder, which then makes you work harder, and on it goes. Within the set I
played about three new songs, and they were even joining in with those after a
verse or so! A truly magical night, a real treat, if you were there, thank you.
It was one of those concerts that will stay with me.
The next day brought more sunshine, talks, conversation, and peace. I spent the
day just wandering, spending some time by the fire, some time in the cafe,
sitting by the Wicker Man, and just playing music in my tent. The evening seemed
to arrive very quickly, and in no time we were all gathered at the Labyrinth for
the evening's ritual. As darkness fell, the labyrinth was lit, and we all made
our way through, chanting, spiralling and drumming, then we walked in procession
down to the Wicker Man. We stood in circle singing as the archers raised their
flaming arrows and fired them into the pile of wood beneath him. Flames grew
higher, and cheers rang out into the night as he was slowly engulfed in fire.
Dancing, drumming, wildness, chanting. I stepped out of the melee for a moment,
just to take in the sight, just as the Moon rose from behind the clouds low on
the horizon. People look to the past to see a Pagan Golden Age, but at times
like that I realise that we are actually living in it now.
They've booked me to play again next year - I can barely wait!
Damh the Bard
Thank you for one of the best weekends I have EVER had! The Gathering was SUPERB ...brilliantly well run...superb entertainment....a wonderful atmosphere....
very best wishes, Alison
Thoughts on the Mercian Gathering
A film by Dave Smith
What a great weekend. My first Mercian
Gathering and I have no intention of it being my last....Everyone worked so hard
to make the weekend enjoyable, I hope you all had the opportunity to enjoy it
too.
Thanks, Jacki B
I felt I must mail you to thank you for an absolutely fantastic festival! Wow! Organisation was incredible, the whole event was SO well thought out, the atmosphere was wonderful, I made new friends, strengthened existing friendships & loved every minute of it. The site is great for the less physically able, the toilets a dream & the shower was a veritable treat on Sunday morning. You & your team must work so hard all year to pull off such a "good do." The downside of the week-end was at 11.00 p.m. in my tent, just as I was getting my 3 year old daughter ready to go & see a bit of The Dolmen. She managed to fall over while carrying her potty & emptied the entire contents all over her bed! Great!
Jools & Tallulah Garvey.
thank you so
much for inviting me back again this year. I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday and
for me i think it was the best one yet! there was something different this
year... maybe the lay out & location... the vibe... the incredible response i
got out on stilts (i was out there for over an hour!)....the fire show and
ritual (i was doing tricks i don't usually dare
to do with fire poi - usually only with glow or practice ones).... that i was on
my own (stress free!!).. whatever the case i came away feeling fabulous. so
thank you very much. without you this experience wouldn't
have been possible.
love claire xx
To say a big Thank You to all for making this such a memorable occasion (incidentally our first, but hopefully, not last. Damh The Bard is always well worth listening to and lets hope he can come again next year. So many interesting workshops and talks left me very well stimulated and gave much thought-provoking material.
Leonore x
Thank you for putting on such a wonderful weekend, it was our first visit, but hopefully won't be our last. The ceremonies on Friday and Saturday night were just spectacular, so much more than we were expecting from seeing video from previous year's. We all also found the opportunity for networking invaluable, only problem was there were so many really good people to meet!!
Sue, Anne, Heidi & Chris
Just wanted to say
what a great time my friends and I had at the Gathering. Can't wait until next
year. You all worked so hard.
Tracey Moon xx
It truly was a great event, I loved the wicker man it was very empowering especially after the walk of the labyrinth and then the evening entertainment on both night was fantastic, I could have danced all night (well jumped about like a maniac) can't wait until next year,
Moonchild
It was great. The fest had a brilliant atmosphere about it, shame we had to shoot off but that's how this whole summer has been. It was great to get up there and do it and we met a few new faces which is always rewarding.
Taloch [the Dolmen]
I still can't find the words
to describe such spiritual progress, especially in ritual. Jumping over the fire
seemed to slow time down for me...The Mercian Gathering definitely changed and
bettered my life.
Yuri
The weekend has had a PROFOUND effect on me. I find I
have the need to reread those books (and new ones) as I know I will see them in
a different light and they will have far more meaning to me. By participating in
the workshops, listening first hand to the speakers, the Rituals and the
celebrations at the burning of the Wickerman I feel that something has woken
inside of me. As I reread this post I still find it hard to believe it’s me
typing it .!!! For the last week and a half, I have felt in what can only
be described as ‘a daze’. I have felt a warm glow around myself and I’m at peace
with myself. It is so hard to describe. Needless to say, the Gathering has had
an intense spiritual effect on me, and one that I know will remain.
Skribbin
THE WICKER MAN
A film by Mark Brown
UNCHAINED
Like wisps we gather,
a spell with nature,
stars come together,
our selves to nurture.
Convene mid the field
to free and to yield.
Burdens lifted, gone,
from what we had been.
Pathways lay undone,
visions brightly seen.
Converge mid the field
to clear and to yield.
Máni rode the sky
his face full of light.
Time slowly passed by
fading into night.
Group amid the field
to relax, to yield.
The Wicker Man proud
rose above my head,
circled by the crowd,
his body lay dead.
Amassed mid the field
unfettered we yield.
Doorways relax wide,
our souls start to flow,
flooding deep inside,
folk began to grow.
Bound by love's resolve
unchained, we revolve.
HugiSkrifari
The fire dancers where very good on Friday night around the camp fire. The big night was Saturday with an amazing flaming labyrinth that you walked through then making your way through the camp site singing in a procession to the wicker man field where he was lit accompanied by fireworks and fire dancers it was a fantastic tribute to ancient folklore. My hat is removed for the organisers who have got this event just right. Well done and we will be back next year.
Naturally Gifted