Joe Butt ("Reclining King") wrote:
Beltaine was a great success! Long live King Noel and Queen Savannah! Special thanks to everyone who brought love and peace and understanding and reverance and love! Many kids attended, and had a great time amongst us!

I've got some good pics, where can i send them for sharing?

Solstice will be celebrated on June 23,24, and 25th! We need strong backs n hearts to bring the Maypole down, and keep the Wheel turning. This is Our Celebration, Our Sanctuary. Lets come Together in Harmony, and make this happen in the most beautiful, and warm and Loving and Tolerant way we can. So RSVP right now, or write me off list and we'll hammer it out.

Love and Lust and Blessings to you all!

Nova Love wrote:
Dear Friends, I know that the conversation has turned to heavy legal issues, and concern for the future, I would ask however to voice some few things of recollection about this past Beltane that could use some reflection, maybe so that we can remember what we are concerned with safeguarding.

I remember: arriving at the top of old fluffy and having the tribe come into earshot and view, the first group camped near the temple, laughing and collecting around the tables already set with mead, and wine and sweet foods. Heartfelt greetings, and even help unloading a whole truck full of stuff. The goat lodge was well populated with the first rounds of shared food, roast chicken . . . mmm

Later as night fell I remember the sounds of passion from upstairs in the temple, while others worked on renewing the altar and playing music below. Mornings always begin with our sacred coffee sharing, and Saturday brought word that the main rituals were taking place in the garden and moon circle this year - to many sounds of approval. Of course (but not taken for granted) Tamar and Crispin [Jack] had done tons of prep work, along with huge contributions from the work parties from the weeks and days before.

The games were well crafted by Joe, Tracy, La Sara and all other contributors. They were fun, funny, sexy, naughty, and just right! Cheers to all who played and watched. Our new royalty were very loving to one another, and it was a close call for the judges. The feast was without compare. Awesome spread, thanks to all esp. Crispin. Saturday night's ritual was warm and expertly facilitated. Giving thanks to our long time contributors to Annwfn and CAW was sweet. The Moon shone brightly as the night spread out. Many a wild call was heard into the wee'est hours; thanks to those who held the vigil. Many also shared the good things of one another, song, story, warmth . . . .

The May Pole preparations and dance are always one of the best things about being Pagan. The women in the garden, men near the lodge, until we all come together at the [Yoni]Gate, and the party's just hitting overdrive. Thanks to our bard Artemisia for the traditional tune to dance to. Those who carried the ritual energy had only been asked hours before to conduct the main ritual. Thank God-ess for priestesses and priests. It is well rumored that some even went up to the site of many past May poles to give unto the Lady and Lord as it is our pleasure to gift. I can vouch that a huge smudge was burned in the Fire circle, and "interestingly" enough almost all the smoke poured over into the neighboring parcel. After our dance many had to go, some stayed too, and the energy is always so yummy as the final clean-up pours over from night to next day, and folks move on. For those interested in some of what I learned this year, read on.

The kids were fine. The elders and longtime CAW family are precious. Too many cameras at the games is awkward (one is probably enough in these times). Several reconciliations are healing past hurts. The shower is Awesome! The temple will be happiest if left as clean as you find it. A dream of Gwydion’s claymore being used again was manifested. The men's ritual will benefit from guidance and focus in the future. Annwfn is magick - it has its own Will, and we are fortunate to be the current humans upon it.

Heartfully...Nova Love

Jack Cain wrote:
Wow, what a wonderful weekend it was!! [. . . list of lost items. . .]

We, your erstwhile caretakers, sent out over 75 invitations to Beltane. We received 17 RSVPs, but attendance was about 50. This makes for difficult planning and food prep nightmares. We ask you to understand that we would like you, the recipients of the Beltane invite, to mail back that bottom portion so we may plan well for your presence. One cannot simply show up and expect hospitality and service. Nor does an e-mail or post suffice as an RSVP since we log on about once a month or so. When we work together good things happen and less burn out is encountered. [or at least phone the voicemail!]

Tamar and I put so much energy out prior to Saturday that we were just fried, and were not at our best. Both of us have taken a long look back at these eleven Beltanes we have hosted with pride and satisfaction that we have served the Gods well. We find our lives being led toward our profession [a high-end brandy distillery] and have no other path now. We have hosted our last Beltane and the Community must come together to steward the land.

The era of any one person being "just a caretaker" is long in the past. It is US. We will see the next folks through one turn of the wheel, but we need others to come and host events, and scrub those corners!

BIG THANKS to JOE for taking on Solstice. Anyone for Lugnasadh, [done] Mabon, Samhain? Stay in touch with positive vibes

Love to All, Jack

[. . . and a special thanks to Jack for taking on the childcare during the adult May Games]