MERCIAN GATHERING 2009

Mercian 2009 was the best one yet! Over 850 Pagans gathered to celebrate the harvest, share their knowledge, meet up with old friends and make new ones. We had dozens of excellent talks and workshops, fantastic and varied entertainment and rituals with amazing energy. The weather Gods were kind, and people could spend the day just sitting outside and chatting if that's what they wanted to do. I look forward to seeing you all next year! Thank you to my brilliant team of organisers and volunteers who work so hard to make sure everything goes well. We raised £4000 for the Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary and the Beacon, plus another £1200 to pay for two people to go through the Lightning Process (an effective treatment for ME which has cured both me and Sally) which makes £17,000 raised in the last five years. Bless you all for your support. Anna x

Hi all, just to let you know our ritual working group raised £271 selling our votives at your wonderful camp. In honour of The Lady Bast, all the takings went to "Cats in Crisis" a small but sadly busy cat rescue group in Bamber Bridge near Preston. We usually only manage to send about £75 a quarter, but thanks to your stunning wicker man , we sent a total of £382 this time (Your camp was cited as the main earner, and you should be mentioned in the next mag!) See you next year if the gods allow, Bright Blessings Pam Runereader (The witchballs working group.)

I've been coming to the Gathering for 4 years and only missed the one when the site changed. Each year it gets better and better. I work a lot of the festivals doing massage so regard this one as MY relaxation one. A time to sit round the fire and listen to some inspirational people. I love the site and have some sloe seeping for a hopefully magical brew. I am a practicing Druid over the last 9 years and love the magical works that go on at the site. Looking forward to the next one. Blessings of chestnuts and heart fires. Rowan

Thank you for having us at the gathering, yet again it was an amazing experience, we enjoyed every minute of it. The crowd were even more enthusiastic than last year, and i feel the need to thank you for doing half our job for us. By bringing together all these people from such diverse backgrounds and uniting them through ritual and a common understanding. I actually had the time to take part in things this year, if only from the side lines. And i feel a better man for the experience. Thanks again Baz (Endless Knot)

it was the first time i'd been anywhere like it and because of the effect it had on me now feel as though i am ready to be more active socially as i was made to feel so much at home over the entire time we were there. the energy alone was remarkable it was like a constant giant hug. Mel

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and all the great people who made the Mercian Gathering such a great and safe time for everyone.
Thankfully the Gods blessed us with great weather which helped even tho after last year i came prepared for all possibilities. As always the ritual was great and already i am looking forward to next year. I left with new friends blessings from the Gods and brilliant memories. ffff Heather xx

thank you to you and your incredible team once again for an awesome Mercian Gathering! Each year it feels more and more like coming home, and the community spirit was beautiful and infectious. Kim Huggens

Amazing weekend, wonderful energy! Where else can you dance around a burning Wicker Man, be entertained by great musicians, learn what you will at the workshops, shop till you drop and eat well at the café, and hopefully raised a good amount for the sanctuary ? Dahm excelled himself, Dragonflymoon and EndlessKnot were superb. Scott Jaspers drum/chant workshop awesome. Special mention to Anna and the rest of the team who work so hard . It get's better each year. See you all 2010. Blessed be, Wolfshadow

once again, we had a fabulous time at the Mercian this year - congratulations to all involved, we'll be back next time! it's a real credit to the pagan community! Wassail! john

I had a great time over the whole weekend, meeting up with people who we had met in previous years, going to workshops and watching displays. I attended less workshops this year, maybe because the weather was better and it made it easier to wander around the camp just soaking up the energies (and managing to fit in time to look at the many stalls!!) I did attend Anna Franklin’s workshop covering the Wheel of the Year, we got a lot of information and the banter between participants made the whole subject come alive. I know we picked up some helpful hints and tips to enhance our own Moot ceremonies. One of the highlights of the weekend (and judging by the size of the turn out, not just for us) was Scott Jasper’s drumming workshop – if you could harness the energy that man has, we wouldn't need to consider any other fuel sources!! His easy and enthusiastic style certainly drew people in, by the end of the workshop it was standing room only at the back of the tent. I have been to a few of Scott’s workshops in the past, but I think the combined energies of the participants made this one of the most enjoyable. Then it was back to the tent for a little chill-out time before getting ready for the evening ceremony. The evening ceremony – which I think for a lot of the pagan’s attending is their main focus – is the Fire Labyrinth followed by the burning of the Wicker Man. The Fire Labyrinth ceremony is both beautiful and energising, with people all dancing through the flames! Then it is on to the field with the Wicker Man, to watch it being lit by flaming arrows just as twilight sets in. What a spectacle it is, and how amazing to be a part of it. We all danced around the burning effigy chanting and generally having a ball. Once the fire dies down to manageable, the brave amongst us jump the fire to general acclaim and for the blessings of the season. If I hadn’t been wearing ceremonial dress and cloak I would have been tempted to jump the fire myself! Ravenstone99

Last weekend me and Cerri went to the Mercian Gathering near Coventry. I had a gig on the Friday night, and Cerri had the opportunity to have a stall outside our tent where she could sell some of her artwork. Last year I had strained my back so barely made it up there to play the gig, and then it rained solidly all weekend and some people had to be towed from the field. This year some kind of Karmic debt needed to be paid and sure enough the weather was lovely. A few little sprinkles of rain, but nothing like the deluge of last year. We had a pretty good drive up and arrived around 4pm on the Friday, to be greeted by members of the Mighty Dagda security team. These people give so much to the Pagan community in Britain, camping by the gates of most of the festivals and keeping the participants safe. They are a Pagan National Treasure! Hugs a-plenty with the Dagda crew was followed by tent pitching, and a brew. It was chilly, and a little gusty, but the weather report said that would clear over the weekend.

We gathered around the unlit Labyrinth for the opening ritual and it was then I realised just how many people were there. 850 apparently, which has to make it one of the biggest, if not the biggest, Pagan camp in the UK. It was amazing to see, and stand in Circle, with so many other people. The opening ritual dance through the Labyrinth hailed the beginning of the festivities, so I headed back to the tent to get my instruments, and made my way to the main marquee. I was due to play at 10.30pm after my good friends Scott Jasper and Susan Garlick (AKA Dragonflymoon). They did a great acoustic set to a packed house ending with some rousing chants. Groovy! I tuned up pretty quick and dived onto the stage area. The applause was loud and immediate. I could tell straight away that we were in for a good night together. I’ve tried to open with other songs, but Song of Awen always sets the tone so well, after that I went into Green and Grey, but pretty much after that requests started to be shouted out, so the set list went out of the window very early! It was lovely to just play what people wanted, with a new tune here and there too. I didn’t take a break, just played through about 90 minutes before I said goodnight. Not… so… fast… An incredibly loud cheering audience could keep me playing all night, and they almost did! I probably played another 30 minutes, so it was about a 2 hour set in the end. But eventually the last note was played. I could still hear the audience in my head for most of the night, reliving moments we shared together...

We spent most of the day by the tent and Cerri’s stall, which was a lovely distraction – meeting people as they walked by, and watching the Witchmen Morris. The wind had dropped too, so it looked good for the evening Labyrinth and Wickerman ritual. At 7.30 we all gathered once more by the Labyrinth as it was dowsed in lamp oil by the crew. Dusk soon fell. It was lit and looked amazing. Some fire dancers walked through with poi and then we were all led through in a mass of 850ish chanting Pagans. As we walked out we were guided to walk to the field where the Wickerman had been prepared. All day people had been placing wishes, prayers, burdens, on him, and now he stood proud, our proxy sacrifice, ready to send these to the Old Gods. We stood in a horseshoe shape before him, and flaming arrows were fired. He lit well, and soon 20-30 foot flames were sweeping into the sky. A great cheer sounded as finally he slowly began to keel over, and tumble in a mass of flames, to the earth. The Circle span, drums pounded, energy was raised, and then the fire-jumping began. Our messages sent to the Old Ones to do with as they wished.

I love the way that spectacle and drama have returned to Pagan camps, and the Mercian crew of the Hearth of Arianrhod do it so well. All of the profits from the Mercian Gathering go to their chosen Wildlife Charity, and they’ve raised something like £11,000 so far. Such amazing generosity. Anna, Sue, Oliver and their crew are wonderful! As we left I managed to have a hug with Anna who booked me again for 2010, and I tell you what, I can barely wait to get back in that field again!! To the Old Ones! Damh the Bard

The Wicker Man was huge (in more ways than one ;0)), he went up very well and kept us quite warm. We also walked the flaming labyrinth and the fire spinners were amazing. A great weekend, we are already talking about going back next year. Dawn

well done to all involved, was indeed a kick ass camp missing every one already. Melanie

Was a REALLY good camp this year -the best yet in my estimation and I've been every year. A great end to the season. Thanks so much to Anna, Chalky, Tim, and all the organisers and workers, to the speakers, workshop runners, the entertainers, performers, and just to everyone who went. Special mention to Dragon Fly Moon - the chap who ran the drumming classes - the BEST drum teacher the Mercian has ever seen, and to Damh, who was awesome as ever. Thanks to Tai for enlisting me into the Labyrinth with my fire poi for the first time - I am no longer a Labrnth fire virgin!!! *tut*, and to the girls with the hula hoops, and other circus stuff - you guys rock!! Thanks so much, and see you all next year if not before xxxxxx Sam

Just to say thank you to you and the team for an absolutely awesome weekend - The Gathering was one of the best pagan gatherings I've ever been to - it was well organised and with a wide range of speakers on different subjects there was something for everyone......thank you also for asking me back again next year - I am looking forward to it already! Peter Nash

Thanks sooo much for a truly wonderful weekend at the Mercian gathering , so glad to have met u and a weekend with Janie was great fun to, Loved Endless Knot , and how mine n Janie's feet weren't blistered with dancing ill never know .BB Nikx

For three days, members of the Wulfrun Gathering joined 800 or so other Pagan Folk at the largest Pagan Camp in England. We loved it! The atmosphere was friendly, the Wicker Man was huge, the weather ok, and the talks and workshops were many and varied. The opening ceremony was held as the sun set and the full moon rose on Friday, and the evening was a real treat with gigs from the folk at Dragonfly Moon and the legendary Damh the Bard both playing their actual socks off for a delighted crowd in the marquee. Mead flowed freely. Saturday - and there were far too many things to take in all at once, but I made time to see the scariest lookin’ Pagan border Morris side ever, The Witchmen, do their thing, and also caught a couple of talks too, with the folks at STAV giving an interesting presentation on wilds survival. Then there were the trade stalls to explore… lots of good stuff. Another highlight for us came in the form of the Viking Re-enactment, where they appeared to have lots of fun batting each other jovially about the head with axes…The Fire Labyrinth was spectacular as ever in the evening, with the cloaked masses filing through and making their way down to the Wicker Man who was sent on his way with prayers, dancing, singing and hey, even perhaps a little mead… With hundreds of Pagan Folk dancing around, and the more adventurous leaping over the fire, it must have rivalled the scenes and excitement of thousands of years ago - I certainly feel we did the Gods justice but the real star of the show was the fantastic sense of community, and the sheer talent of the people there. The campfire stories, jokes, personalities and songs. The fire jugglers, archers, mystics, healers and craftspeople. Us Pagan folk did that - and we should be proud! The night ended with a great set from (amongst others) Endless Knot who really got the marquee jumpin’ . Wulfrun Gathering, The Wulfrun Gathering Pagan Interest Group

...The evening was amazing with a fire walk through a labyrinth and the burning of the wicker man and yes for once i joined in and loved it

the evening was rounded off with fire dancers and music and lunarwave, our fellow trader friends and myself having a bbq sitting around the fire, drumming chatting and just enjoying the atmosphere. We would TOTALLY recommend members going to the mercian gathering next year it was a wonderful experience and the energy and the people were wonderful there was always something going on and around other like minded people. Blessings, Shanor, The pagan sanctuary

just want to say thanks for an amazing weekend. The work that went into it is clear for all to see. A big thank you also goes to the team who help make it all work. You must be exhausted and I hope you are having time to rest (though I do realise it must take days to clear the site). Already people on my forum (gradually gaining pace) are talking about attending next year and bringing their families. I shall definitely return. Harmonia Saille