Photo by Candlesprite, logo by Paul Mason
Britain's Largest
PAGAN CAMP
30th, 31st August, 1st September 2013
Organised by the Hearth of Arianrhod
"By coming to the Mercian Gathering you state that you are no longer a spiritual consumer, but a dedicated participant" Damh the Bard
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The Mercian Gathering Mission Statement:
- To honour the Old Gods
- To create a sacred space for people of all paths to come together
in a
spirit of fellowship, reverence and learning
- To raise money for our chosen charities - £37,500 raised so far
At the Mercian Gathering, various tribes and types of Pagans gather as one to celebrate the harvest, to thank the Gods for their gifts and honour the Earth with dedicated seasonal ritual. We use the labyrinth as a pathway of transformation, first activating it with the harvest dance on Friday, drawing everyone together into a weekend of shared spiritual aims. Then, on Saturday, we move into purification and offering as we flame the labyrinth and attach our tokens to the wicker man before burning him and sending him to the Gods with our sincere prayers and blessings. On Sunday we will return through the labyrinth to take our blessings to the everyday world. It is a spiritual act, not a spectacle, and we would prefer that people didn't take photographs (we have an official photographer and pictures will be available on the website).
We seek to share our knowledge and insights with each other through talks, workshops and conversation. It is a weekend of learning where we respect the beliefs, needs and wisdom of others in an unselfish way. We can all learn, and we can all teach.
We are not a festival - we are a purely Pagan camp, concerned with performing ritual and sharing knowledge. There is no beer tent at the Mercian and there never will be, and we discourage you from bringing alcohol on site. Drunken behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone found dealing drugs will be immediately ejected and given a lifetime ban. We are not a commercial venture, and we do not have many stalls, all day entertainment or any outside caterers. As Pagans we aim to tread lightly on the Earth, consuming as little energy as possible and leaving no litter to mark our passing, taking personal responsibility for our own actions.
Before you book a ticket, ask yourself if you are prepared to come in a spirit of reverence for the Old Gods, with a willingness to participate in rituals, talks and workshops, behave with unselfish respect and open friendship for others, and are willing to act from a sense of personal honour.
The Mercian Gathering is organised by the Hearth of Arianrhod and staffed entirely by volunteers. No one, except our charities, makes a penny from the event - by 2012 we had raised over £37,500. Everything is free on site, including healing sessions and archery.
General Information Tickets Contact
2013
Nigel Pennick
Magic in the Landscape
Michelle Axe
The Blood Red Cave
Michelle Axe is the Author of Beyond The Blood Red Cave. Joint Head of the Order of Gwyddon and organiser of The Spirit of Awen Camp.
For thousands of years women and men have used caves as sacred places, places of celebration, places that represented life, death and humanity. In her talk Michelle will be exploring some of those ideas looking specifically at the sacred Red Caves of Anglesey, but focusing on her own experiences and her understanding of the sacred Feminine, of the Goddess and how that has manifest in her and her life. This is a journey into the sacred feminine, female magic and understanding; a journey about singing the song of self as we make our way through the labyrinth of life.
Kris Hughes
Talk tba
Matt Poole
The Spirit of Wood
Wood connects us to our ancestors. This talk explores the folklore behind trees that were held sacred by the people of Britain and Northern Europe, and their uses in modern Paganism.
Linda Sever
Seidhr
Jess MacLeod
Gods and Goddesses of the Northern Tradition or Heathenism,
How they are called on and why they would be called on, a brief description of Seithr and Galdr (the magics) and Wyrd, also the festivals that are celebrated and how they are. The talk will end with raising the horn, the Gods and Blot.
Joe Caudwell
Didgeridoo workshop
Didgeridoo performer, teacher and maker Joe Caudwell of Cephalodidge will be holding a didgeridoo workshop for beginners including a vibrational healing session and tuition on how to create different sound effects and vocalisations with the didgeridoo and how to circular breath. One to one beginner/intermediate lessons can also be provided. Plus acoustic performance.
Chrissey Derbyshire
Beauty and the Beast: A Magical Notion, a Human Obsession, a Thousand Stories
In the world of folklore, one idea has haunted the human imagination arguably more than any other. Myths and folktales brim with tales of humans paired with animals, paired with monsters, paired with gods, telling and retelling the same basic story with infinite colour and variety. Popular culture has taken up the torch with gusto: 'Dracula', 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'King Kong', 'Labyrinth', even current sensations 'Twilight' and '50 Shades of Grey' partake to some extent of the Beauty and the Beast myth. This talk explores the many faces of a story seemingly deeply rooted in the collective - pun intended - Psyche, and its potential spiritual meaning and importance.
Kim Huggens
talk tba
Gary Hall
Bodhran Workshop
Bashing the Bodhran for beginners and betters covering where to hit it, what to hit it with and a couple of tips and simple rhythms for playing with others in a session. Don’t forget to bring your Bodhran!
Elaine Mein
talk tba
David Benton
Dion Fortune
Susie Fox
Ritual Journeys with Great British Goddesses
Emrys Ruck
Sanse
Sanse: the elevated spirit and would act as an introduction to this practise (otherwise known as Puerto Rican Vodou). The world view held by a sanse practitioner, a short history of this tradition, the spirits that are worked with in this practice, some of its songs and the general practises involved in the day to day life of a Sansista. Emrys is an initiate of the Puerto Rican practise of Sanse, initiated by Houngan Hector of the Sosyete Gade Nou Leve.
Paul Mitchell
Circus Skills
Kimberley Morgan
Talk tba
Stan Eenkhoorn
Ongoing Wood Carving Workshop
Don Kavanagh
Qi Gong Sessions
Gail and Tash
Shamanic Workshop
Sarah McCarthy
Mantra Workshop
Using the ancient technique of Sanskrit Mantra or chanting, we can tap in to thousands of years of energy and focus, making this extremely powerful. Mantra has come to be associated with specific religious groups and cultures, but mantra pre dates all of that, it is from the time before, when the Gods roamed free, and this is what I hope to show you in this workshop, how beautiful mantra Is and how it can aid us in our journey.
Gordon Rimes
Pagan Songs Workshop
Tim Entwhistle
Gods & Goddesses in the Brain
Talk. Developments in brain scanning technology have made it possible to image what is taking place in the human brain whilst people are in 'altered' spiritual states. Particularly, this research validates many of the techniques which have been developed by magical systems over the years, and provides us with an explanation of what is happening at a physiological level when one is in a state of ecstasy, awe or one of 'cosmic' consciousness. Are the Gods and Goddesses a product of our brain - or is the brain structured so as to make it possible to experience them? This question will be considered as the central theme of this talk.
Susan Marie Paramour
Tibetan bowl workshop
Susan Marie returns to the Mercian Gathering to impart knowledge of the Tibetan Singing bowls. A workshop that takes you through the many different types of bowls and how to play them come and delight in the beautiful sounds.
Graham Butcher
Stav session
plus talk
Does Religion have any place in the 21st century?
In our modern world science is supposed to explain everything and yet religion is never out of the news.
Should we make our own decisions in creating the spiritual dimension of our lives?
Or is it better to just try and fit in with a fashionable 'norm'?
Is a religion something we invent for ourselves or should we rely on someone else to tell us what to believe?
Is a belief in God or Gods any less rational than a belief in money or electricity?
Graham has a degree in Religious Studies and a PGCE as a teacher of Religious Education.
He is a Methodist Lay preacher and a Stav master.
His lifetime of experience in Martial Arts has also helped him gain an awareness of Zen Buddhist and Taoist teachings.
Graham will share some thoughts on seeking to live a spiritually authentic life.
Can drawing on traditional teachings and trying to interpret them for today really help us in the present?
There may well be far more questions than answers but that is okay.
The purpose of this talk will be to encourage you to follow your own path, wherever it may lead.
Alison Chester-Lambert
The Uranus Pluto Square
From 2008 until 2016, two planetary Goliaths battle it out over our heads for supremacy. The Divine Feminine meets the Divine Masculine in a period of more obvious confrontation and so we witness the metaphors of a struggle that began with Creation. This talk is an explanation of the endless duality as seen through the eyes of the planets, and Alison will explore how we can employ it creatively in our lives.
Laura Musgrave
Adult Yoga
Adult Hoop
Dave the Flute
Flute Making Workshops
Colin and Karen Cater of Hedingham Fair
Spirit of the Hare
Exploring the amazing breadth of mythology and folklore concerning Hares, from all over the world and back to the dawn of time, together with Karen’s own encounters with Hares and what they taught her. Readings and songs from Karen’s acclaimed book ‘Spirit of the Hare – in folklore, mythology and the artist’s landscape’
Aly Wheatley
Belly Dancing Workshop
Sally Singer-Fraser
Magical Plants and Incenses
Elen Sentier
Celtic Chakras
Sam Pearson & Marie Millward
Drumming Session
"African style" Djembe Workshop (please Bring drums & chairs!)
plus
Guided Meditation - Connecting with the ancestors
(please bring mats to lie on!)
Lynn Gosney & Touch The Earth
A Shamanic Experience - Tree Beats As One
Join us as the drums call out their rhythm, as our roots go deep deep down into our Mother Earth As with the gentle breeze we bend and sway with grace and ease as the shaman’s horse journeys us deeper into the mystery and into the void of oneness.
Alex Fell-Bowers
Armageddon Mythology
How it
has been exploited by the media and survival industry, also the
origins of these myths and what they mean and why they were created.
Anne and John Harris
Healing Therapies Talk
Crystal & Colour Healing, NLP, & Spiritual
healing.
Kid's Workshops
Debra Parfrey
Kid's Glass Painting
Laura Musgrave
Kid's Yoga
Jessica Lambert
Kid's mask workshop
Gitta Cooper
Two Kid's Art Workshops
Entertainment
The Witchmen
Morris
Vikings!
Damh the Bard
Kate and Corwen
Touch the Earth
Mad Magdalen
Flutatious
Hex
Plus
Non profit cafe
Showers
Archery
with the Hwicce Bowmen
Temple of Elen
Meditation space
Flaming Labyrinth
Wicker Man
Sunday Procession
Rituals with Anna Franklin and the Hearth of Arianrhod
Sold Out!
When we have counted up the total number of volunteers and speakers there may be a few tickets left, and if there are we will put them on in June, so check back then or try the forum for people selling spare tickets.
Ticket Queries and issues: Jen Asbury merciantickets@gmail.com
[Please read before you email to ask questions that are already answered here]
VENUE - secret except from ticket holders. It is on a farm near Nuneaton, Warks, UK. Please respect this privacy rule.
OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES - opens 10.30 am on Friday and closes at 8 pm on Sunday. No extra camping Thursday or Sunday night - please don't ask
Tickets include- all camping with your tent (you bring the tent), talks, workshops, entertainment etc. etc. Your paypal confirmation is your receipt. You will have them by August 15th but you will not get them immediately.
WHAT TO BRING - You will need a tent, sleeping bag, some food and a camping stove as the cafe is not open 24 hours. Please also bring personal toiletries, towels and any medication you are taking and fresh clothes. You will need some money for purchasing food from the cafe or goodies from the stalls, and a notebook is a good idea. You may wish to consider bringing a small fire extinguisher or a bucket you can fill with water in case you set fire to your tent.
CHARITY - all profit we make at the Gathering is donated to charity.
CAMP ETHOS - the focus of this camp is spiritual exploration through the sharing of knowledge and participation in ritual It is not a music festival and there is no beer tent; please don't bring more than a couple of cans on site. Drunken behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone found dealing in drugs will be ejected and have a life time ban.
VOLUNTEERING FOR THE GATHERING - You can find out how to do this and download a volunteer form here (this takes you to the forum. Click the Mercian logo and scroll down to the volunteer forum.)
SUNDAY MARKET - if you only have a few crafts etc to sell, we have a Sunday Market in the afternoon in the marquee. You can bring in a blanket or pasting table and set up for free.
STALLS are booked by space (in square feet) and that booked space must be large enough to contain the stall, caravan/camper/tent and car or van. Stall passes come with two tickets and all other personnel or family must be paid for.
CHILDREN - are very welcome. We run workshops and entertainment especially for children and their parents. We do not, however, provide a crèche.
DISABLED PROVISIONS - We are in a farmer's field, it is on grass, and some of it is bumpy and may get muddy. If you are genuinely disabled, you can camp in the Events Field (still a field!) in the disabled area with a pass, where there will also be a disabled toilet. Please note, this is for one tent only (caravans must have caravan pass) and does not admit your group of friends and all their tents! Please do not take up space in this area unless you are genuinely disabled as you may be robbing a disabled person of the opportunity as there is limited space. If you have special requirements please let us know in advance.
PARKING - cars can be parked on site next to your tent. If you are planning to come in daily, you must park on site, and not down the road in any farm gateways.
TALKS AND WORKSHOPS - workshops start at 2 pm Friday till 6 pm Sunday. The day’s events are displayed on a board in the information tent and outside each marquee.
NO DOGS- people smuggling dogs or other animals on site will be asked to leave immediately and their money will not be refunded. Please don't ask if you can bring a pet- there are no exceptions.
RUBBISH - please take all your rubbish away for recycling. The Information Tent will give you a black bin bag.
NOISE - 11 pm curfew. Please respect your neighbours in the field - who may have sleeping children - and the neighbours of the farm.
FIRES - sorry, no personal fires; do not dig pits. Barbecues and fireboxes are okay. Please remember not to use your camping stove inside your tent as this can be dangerous.
TOILETS - there will be portaloos in the camping field and a really nice toilet block in the Events Field where you will probably be spending most of your time. There will be a disabled portaloo on site - if you are disabled you can camp near it if you have booked a pass.
CAFÉ - the café provides light meals, including vegetarian, gluten free and vegan options, a barbecue in the evenings, snacks and drinks. It is not a commercial venture: we run it ourselves. There is a limit to what we can supply and the hours we can open. Any profit the cafe does make is donated to charity. It is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers who do their best - sometimes in difficult circumstances - so please treat them with consideration.
PICK UP SERVICE - there will be a free pick up service from Nuneaton train station on the hour from 11 am till 7.00 pm on the Friday. A return service from the camp to the station will operate Sunday - book your return lifts at the Information Tent. NB Our volunteer cars do not have child seats fitted. If you need one you will have to bring it with you.
FIRST AID - please enquire at the Information Tent, which will be manned during the day, or otherwise at the Dagda tent on the gate or see Don at the showers. There are also first aiders walking around the site wearing high-vis vests marked with a white cross and the words 'first aid'.
MERCIAN CREW - The Mercian site crew and fire marshals wear green high-vis vests with 'Mercian Gathering' on the back and carry walkie-talkies. You will see them patrolling the site day and night. Ask the guys if you need any information or help, or if there is an emergency such as an accident or fire, or even if the loo has run out of toilet rolls!
SECURITY - the excellent Dagda come in to provide security for us and man the gate. They wear yellow high-vis vests with 'Dagda' on the back. You will see them patrolling the site with walkie-talkies and they are in constant contact with the Mercian crew. They can also be found at Fort Dagda on the gate. Please contact them or one of the Mercian crew in case of any trouble or disturbance.
RITUALS - the rituals of the camp honour the Old Gods, the season and the spirits of the land. A ritual is designed to transform the individual that takes part in it. Remember that you only get out of a ritual what you put in; don’t just be a spectator, but join in. The opening ritual is provided by the Hearth of Arianrhod. We activate the labyrinth and invite the Gods and spirits of place to join us in our celebration of the harvest, and ask them to help us in our learning experience during the weekend. You will be invited to decorate the wicker man with your offerings and prayers during the course of Saturday. On Saturday night we flame the labyrinth and travel through it as an act of purification. This is followed by a procession to the wicker man when we burn him and send him to the Gods with our prayers and offerings for the coming year. [If you do fire poi, fire staffs, fire juggling etc. please bring your stuff and help lead the procession.] The closing ritual is thrown open to our visitors to formulate during a Sunday morning workshop, and then perform, so please get involved in that. Please do not photograph the rituals.
BY PURCHASING A TICKET YOU AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Tickets include all camping with tent (you bring the tent), talks, workshops, entertainment etc. etc.
General Information Tickets Contact
Anna Franklin Hearth of Arianrhod Silver Wheel Annuals Lear Books Hwicce Bowmen
Jen Asbury (tickets and treasurer)
Speakers & Entertainment
Anna Franklin merciangathering@aol.com
Volunteering:
Tim Jones (all volunteering activity)
For information on volunteering click here which will take you to the forum, then go to the volunteering board.
Stalls
Sally Singer-Fraser
CHARITY DONATIONS
We support the Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary in Nuneaton every year.
We also regularly contribute money to the Beacon in Nuneaton. The Beacon is an independent organisation affiliated to the Christian Spiritualist Society (Registered Charity No: 507420) which runs meditation classes, spiritual development circles, Tai Chi classes etc. with room rental available to people from all spiritual paths. The Hearth of Arianrhod do not own the Beacon and we do not run it - we rent a room there once a month, and this is our only involvement. We donate money each year from the Gathering to this charity as we feel the Beacon is a valuable resource for the whole spiritual community.
We have also sponsored several ME sufferers to complete the Lightning Process and occasionally made donations to other charities including £500 to the Dagda Jennifer Scanner Appeal and £1000 to the Dorset Wildlife Fund.
General Information Tickets Contact
Anna Franklin Hearth of Arianrhod Silver Wheel Annuals Lear Books Hwicce Bowmen
Mercian Gathering Constitution
Mercian Gathering Health and Safety Policy
