Congratulations to the new May Royalty, Joe and Tracy--a beautiful, magical and talented couple to carry the energy of the God and Goddess for us!

Weaving Our Power and Love

Exausted, but still proud:

Beltaine Schedule 4/29-5/1

Friday: - - - - - 8:00 p.m. - Opening Circle

Saturday: - - 10:00 a.m. - Decorating May Crowns and Ritual Circles

("Into the Day")

1:00 p.m. - The May Games (to choose the new Royalty)

6:00 p.m. - Pot Luck Feast (Beast provided)

9:00 p.m. or at dusk - Walpurgisnacht,

("Night of Madness") hosted by Queen Bri's Circle

Sunday:- - - - 9:30-11:30 - Brunch (Food provided - Bring Champagne)

10:30 - Decorating Maypole Flower Basket, Ribbons

High Noon: - Women's and Men's Circles

1:00 p.m. - Maypole Dance Ritual

4:00 p.m. - Clean-up

5:00 p.m. - Closing Circle

Beltaine Report

Our 2005 Beltaine at Annwfn was a wonderful success! Forty-two of our members, friends, and family attended the circles on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon to welcome the month of May, celebrate the season of fertility, and welcome our new Stewards to the land.

Fine foods and wine and excellent company were enjoyed at the Saturday night potluck feast hosted by our four Stewards. Numerous delectable dishes were to be found at our Saturday feast and our Sunday brunch. Many thanks to our former May King Eric Funk and our Kitchen Angel Jessica, who helped throughout the weekend, and to all who pitched in to wash dishes and clean up spaces. The Cleanliness Fairies were here!

Thanks to Morning Glory and Crispin for leading the beautiful Maypole ritual on Sunday morning. Eris was indeed present for the May Dance, and we danced with joy and beauty. Mythic Images brought beautiful medallions and statuary to adorn the altars, which provided our eyes with feasts of art and vision. Our deepest thanks to them!

All praises to our new May Royalty! Our May Queen Tracy is a beautiful and brilliantly artistic belly-dancing, fire-fighting wonder woman! King Joe is another incredible artist and fiery individual, and very enthusiastically involved with his new role as May King. Both Joe and Tracy are locals to Mendocino County and hope to spend much time at Annwfn cultivating their connection with the land.

Outgoing Queen Bri's coven facilitated the Walpurgisnacht ritual, which included the raven carrying “that which was not needed” into the dark so that we could venture unencumbered into the light. Bubbles marked with runes lent a fey-like atmosphere to the firelit night and dancers cavorted ‘round the fire while firedancers spun with poi and staff by the pond.

Though our January was dry, our land's golden season had been postponed by April rains -- which held off for our sometimes overcast, sometimes sunny weekend. Several departing members were heard to draw back their Weather Witching Wishes, and the rains came soon after to lend vigor to the last of the wild iris bloom. The land reigns green for a while yet before the gold reclaims the hills.

Our celebration was prefaced with the preparation of our members and the work parties beforehand. King Bryan was present throughout the end of his reign, working hard with the Tribe to ready the year for the birth of new change. Countless thanks to all who lent their hands before and during our welcoming of Beltaine!

This Beltaine was a tremendous financial success for the sanctuary! Many of our sanctuary members contributed despite their absence and we thank you for your presents and your Presence. Keep in mind, though, that Beltaine as always been the largest source of contributions to Annwfn, but the expenses of the land are ongoing. Wouldn’t this be a great time to start a regular, monthly contribution (tithe) to the land?

We welcome our new Stewards, Steph and Fenwick, and recognize and deeply honor the tireless contributions of Jack and Tamar. In this time of contraction we nonetheless celebrate new life, and we look forward to the day that the Church of All Worlds is able to host an event at Annwfn again.