April 29 – May 2
2004
Deep in the Southern Ozarks region of Missouri, there lies a treasure of a land. A magickal, mystical place we call Wolvenwold, where we are privileged to make our home. Our family is small, and our gatherings are not large, but such a sense of community is created at each and every event. This year’s Beltane was no exception. We had never done a review of one of our own festivals, but this time, we felt we had to share.
On Wednesday, our first early guests arrived, new vendors from Arkansas, not too far away from our own homeland! They generously offered to share their food and drink with us. We all retired early, however, exhausted from site setup, and prepared for the beginning of the event on Thursday. We shared much laughter and many tales of where we came from, and were amazed we had yet never met.
On the first official day of festival, people started to trickle in, as is usual at our place… unlike many festivals we've attended where we had to wait in lines to register and park, wait for direction, rules, and so on. People come and move at a very relaxed pace here, for the most part. A few vendors set up their wares, we helped folks set up some tents, and drank some mead and shared a feast of seafood that was to die for… crawfish, scallops, crab legs, shrimp, fresh vegetables, the works! Our dinner hosts, the new vendors, Cat, Brennan and Niki, were marvelous! They continued to be accommodating throughout, sharing all they had, and their lovely canopy space, with those who would come. We had an informal meet and greet around their campfire that night, meeting faces new and old, and marveling at some of our familiar connections.
On Friday evening, when many more people arrived, we commenced to setting our chairs around the main bonfire circle, and, hosted by the lovely and talented fire sprite Jennie Starr, had a bardic circle that rivals all bardic circles I have ever seen. Everyone really participated! We did it in the old traditional way, stoked the fire… passed a lantern around from soul to soul, sharing music, stories, jokes, tall tales, and dance! What a variety of talent our pagan community has! We took one moment to help some new arrivals that were stuck in the mud, (by this point, it had been raining intermittently) and played into the late hours. Finally, we wandered off together or in our own separate directions over to a neighboring campfire or three. I met some great new folks on way up the hilltop from Camp Joe (our affectionately named most popular camping area) at camp Memphis from Columbia (what fun we had!), and we sang new chants about the moon chasing the sun. Finally, we got to be serenaded by firelight by Sede, one of our new musical guests, which just so appropriately set the Beltane mood for the rest of the weekend. What a magnificent moment.
On Saturday, spirits became a bit dampened by the rain… a rain that would not cease! We enjoyed the gleaming sun when it occasionally peaked out, and gave thanks for our blessings. The campsite, by now, though, had become a bog, and eventually, the event was endearingly entitled “Bogtane.” One of the most disenchanting moments had to be getting stuck at the sawdust mill… It was like, the Gods and Goddesses being reduced to our most base human components right in front of one another… and in such a real way. It was humiliating, yet real, and authentic, and actually quite an adventure, in the end.
All things came together, in a most interesting way, however! By evening, though we had to forgo our colorful Arthurian ritual we had elaborately planned, (sob) (we finally did get to do it it at DragonDance…) we found places in our friendly hosts’ canopy once again! We had our musical performances, then, after sharing much meade and some wonderful drinks called “Celtic Kisses.” Yum! And the performers were saying… not yet… not yet… wait till it’s time… We are sharing drink with you now… wait… wait… And when just the right time came… we listened to the rewarding sounds of Susan Tucker (a.k.a. Skinny White Chick) and Sede. Ahh. We were rapt, captivated… for a precise and unforgettable little period of lost time. Did any time go by at all? People sang along to the songs they knew, one heard a mixture of beautiful harmonies and the more inebriated contributions that happened along also, giving their appreciations, as they were able, for the performances.
A few words about the enchanting music…
Susan, with a combination of her original voice and her ingeniously crafted lyrics, is a talent to behold, and a brilliant bard. She tells tales that that mad part of the psyche can relate to in her songs. In a camp favorite, “In the House of Mamma Dragon,” (one that everyone seems to sing along to, regardless of whether or not they have heard it before) we all realize at the same time that she is a most compelling power. Delicate, Fey-like and unassuming at first appearance… (yeah right) but then you remember… “Don’t judge someone until you have heard her speak.” And then… from some font of ancient untapped power, you are caught unawares.... You are entranced by her. She is most unique. I highly recommend checking her music out.
And then, Sede… who’s performance was interwoven with Susan’s… the songs coalesced and mingled with one another yet… each was it’s own completely seductive entity, … sang to us songs of magick and pain and love and darkness and honor for nature… and it was most captivating. From the solemn “Outside,” to the reverent and touching “All in All,” we heard a voice and a spirit who could entice anyone into that state of awe. You will fall in love with his music when you hear him. Captivating, entrancing, soothing, soul wrenching… ‘Nough said.
Throughout the performances, and for reasons wrought by the Gods, it seems, the rain continued as we all listened to them play. From within and outside of the tented canopy (not everyone could fit in there, so some sat comfortable by the fire outside), one could hear people singing along all around the campsite. It was nearly perfect, as perfect as magick will let us be, anyway.
We forgave the rain.
And Then…
The Drummers, in a persistent group from Memphis, arrived at the last moment! Luke, Chris, Nic, and Andrew came through the torrential downpour to our little gathering, braving the storm and hauling their drums. With the help of a four-wheel drive truck and its driver to haul drums and things, they came padding gently down the path to us, and commenced to setting our spirits stirring. A big fire was coaxed, and as it was said, “Shirts came off, the rain ceased, the clouds parted, the moon shone bright,” and we drummed and danced our asses off until the wee hours. More magick! When all had seemed wet and soggy and hopeless at times, and people were wading through inches of water in their tents, and sharing dry ones, and we were all entranced by the musical performances…things even got better. We hoped that this moment would be one of many more magickal ones to come.
Here are some random remembrances from a few of our cherished guests, as well. As usual, you guys said it best.
“Trying to stay up till dawn and singing Beatles’ songs… Toilet paper on my rain poncho… Kira’s nature hike at 7:30 am (I still can’t believe it!)… Pudding and bad jokes… Edge singing along with Susan in his sleep (or stupor!)… Belly dancing in the mud… And most importantly, the magic of meeting new people who instantly become old friends…” - Cathy
“Being at Wolvenwold for the first time… Seeing so many familiar faces and meeting lots of new family… Seeing Jennie and George shower in the lightening… and dance to the thunder… Watching in amazement at Lafaun bring fire out of wet wood, wet kindling and wet leaves… (Lafaun rocks!) D and I checking each other for ticks… The sequined shirt (yes, photos exist)… Cathy’s smile… Bardic Circle… (My, but we ARE a talented bunch!) A newfound drinking bud in Jennie who also appreciates the subtle complexities of a fine Irish whiskey… Staying warm, any way possible… Hearing laughter and love throughout the site at all hours… Eric’s new hairdo… (Shave anything else?) And finally, knowing we’ll be back. What a beautiful place to be. Thanks to Fran, Bel and Kitten for welcoming D and I home! From the Fey side of the Fire… - Kermit
“Where to start! Introducing my other wonderful pagan family to y’all, and everyone loving it… Drinking tons of mead and beer – I mean TONS! Meeting the new peeps… you all were totally awesome, I cannot say enough about the cooks! They rocked! Sleeping with George and a Rabbit and giggling through most of the night… Taking a shower in the storm with George – almost becoming crispy pagan bacon in the lightening and loving every moment… (It really helped me overcome my fear of storms!) You should all try it, talk about a hilarious sight… Drinking more mead, wine and beer… Being serenaded with Bel by Sede and literally swooning for the first time in my life. Woa baby! Sharing very silly thoughts about a boy with very good friends in the middle of the night, and getting some pretty funny responses. Eric taking me to my tent only to find it has collapsed under the weight of the water, taking a moment to say F---, and then going to his tent only to find Eric splashing around in the puddles INSIDE the tent… Then sharing a dry blanket in Eric’s car while apparently being very chatty in my sleep… Thanks Eric, you da bomb. Enjoying Irish Cream in my coffee, expertly prepared by Lafaun (hair of the dog, ya know!) Drumming and singing Bel’s new chant in the screen tent during the rain for 3 hours… Thanks to Bill, Angela, George, Rabbit and Marita for singing with me… Seeing Kermit and George in sequins and leather… And last but not least… Leaving early only to get a call from Luke the next day saying, “What the F---! You bet your ass we’re coming in the rain!” So I have learned my lesson, and just to say “F--- it,” and party on. I also cannot stop singing “The House of Mamma Dragon.” What a sweet ass song! Alas, I will stop talking and you all know that is truly a feat. I love you all dearly and am counting the days until Dragon Dance.” - Jennie Starr, bardic circle hostess extraordinaire, & talented songstress
And finally… from the drum organizee who dragged his gang to the festival at the very last moment, much to our gratitude…
“I’d like to share my story and resistance overcome to get there that night! Jennie invited me back in January and we were both very excited about the Beltane festival! Four o’clock Saturday came around and I was so ready to be on the road. It was raining and I had to talk one guy back into going at all. A couple of the other drummers were not able to get the rental van we needed to accommodate the journey. (Crap, I’m behind schedule and it’s a five-hour drive.) I go to another car rental place and it’s closed, then my car won’t start back up. I wait a few minutes and it starts. I call my buds, they still haven’t gotten a rental and though we could take our cars, they don’t have much room and are not in great condition. I call my mom to let her know I will be gone this weekend and tell her the situation. She offers her minivan! I said hell yeah, got the van, got the guys together and finally, we were on the road!
“It rained and rained the whole drive and the wind blew so hard at times that I had to keep the steering wheel at an angle just to drive straight. It’s ten o’clock and I’m in some town where my phone works again and it plays a tone that I have a message. It’s Jennie, she called a couple of hours ago to say it was too wet and she’s leaving. We are only an hour away, we’ve made it this far, and we are NOT going back! Finally, we pull on to Rocky Top Road, crunching down the path, the rain has let up, and we come to the stream that is overflowing the concrete bridge. We stop to investigate the depth, looks like about a foot or two. Will the van make it through? The water is moving fast and it’s my mom’s van. I’m a little hesitant. I drive all the way up to it and stare for a minute. I push the pedal and cruise right through it like it’s nothing. We all laugh at the silliness of having been scared of it.
“The moment we pull into Wolvenwold and get out of the van, the rain stops, we look up at the sky, the clouds part and the moon shines down. Following the path by the trailer, we see that it is lit by little glow sticks in bottles of water. The mystery and excitement enchants the night and our spirits lift. We hear voices ahead and the glimmer of a fire. Stepping into the light we say hello and that the drummers have arrived. Everyone gives us a warm welcome. I was told later that that moment started a new cycle of energy raising everyone up from the cold and wet depths of boredom.
“Around midnight, we started drumming and other than for short breaks, we kept going until about 4 am. Dancing began, shirts came off, bottles of mead were tilted back, and more than anything, smiles and laughter appeared from faces around the fire. We drummed, we got drunk, we made new friends, some of us got laid, and we went to bed.
“The next day appeared bright and blue. We had a drunken hangover breakfast and further connected with new friends. Around two o’clock some clouds started to appear and we decided to head out a little earlier than planned. Once we made it to the van and back on the road, the rain started up again. We waved goodbye to Wolvenwold and our friends. A couple of us remarked how the whole time we were trying to get there and then the whole time driving back, it rained. But for the time we were there, the moon was out and the sun shined, and some might say, magic happened. Maybe we can see a moral in this story: It may rain and storm on the road to your dreams, but when you know where you want to be and you mean it, mother earth will shine on you when you get there.”
- Luke Kende, “Rhythm Realm”
The Ballad of Bogtane
Beltana
On first day of festival new friends arrive, sharing their feast and the tales of their lives
We kept their company till the sun fell, headed to sleep and we wished them all well
On the next evening the lanterns in hand, more had arrived from the southernmost lands
Firelight serenades laughter and tales, held hands in a circle and tempted the gales
Chorus:
Come Christian, come Heathen, come Druid, come Sidhe
Come Valkyrie Warrior come gather with me
We’ll all sing together through torrents of rain
We’ll weather together the storms of Bogtane
We shared Celtic Kisses and Meade from Samhain from opposite sides of the circle again
From many a lip one could hear the invite, “I have a dry bed you may sleep in tonight…”
The wee one his chariot stuck in the mud, the great one his chariot plowed through the flood
We danced around naked and saw what we’d wrought, gave thanks for the fires on Walpurgisnacht
Chorus
Our ceremony it was planned for nightfall, yes it will be splendid come one and come all!
We’ll garland the bowers make love in the springs, alas, by night, only rain more could we bring
We battled and wrestled the Hammer of Thor then gathered together made music once more
Gave in till the clouds parted ceasing our fight, in the end we embraced him and drummed through the night
Chorus
And so... Here's to another mystical, magickal, enchanting Beltane...
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