Wolfsong Gathering Cont’d

Day 2

As previously mentioned woke up at 7:30 am made coffee, scarfed down some pain/allergy meds and dig out a clean pair of pants. Time for a walk about. Forego the foot wear and get some grounding in. On my walk about it would appear there is some where in the neighborhood of 15 people here, At least it appears this way judging by the people, cars and tents etc. The previous days wind is gone and it is slightly overcast. Temperature wise it is very comfortable not too hot nor too cold. A wonderful day so far.

I spent the day relaxing and chatting with friends. I missed the previous nights drumming and made apologies for that. Over the course of the morning aside from chatting and visiting I wandered the land, visited the horses and just let the world drift away.

I miss horses. I really wish I had been able to keep mine. He would have be 28 this year if he is still around. Mystic was a grey dappled roan Arabian/French Canadian cross. An even tempered sturdy horse albeit a little small for some one of my stature.

While on my wanderings it began to rain slightly. I headed to my tent grabbed a light jacket and headed over to the firepit and added a few logs to keep the fire going.

Forgot to mention, as some of you reading have never been here, several years ago a stage was built in the field. It was built around the flatbed of an 18 wheeler and has been modelled to look like a pirate ship. Some day I shall have to post a photo. I have watched a few bands and singers perform on it. It is amazing to look at. As well some people have built cabins and small villages. One particular little village has been made to resemble a small kingdom complete with a castle.

Over the morning I learned that some people I had been hoping to connect with would not be out. Apparently there was mention of rain and they decided to stay home. Damn was hoping to see them. As this is my first time here for the May 24 gathering there were some people who I thought were mainstays for this event were not present…I guess I was wrong, people are fickle. Normally I would be somewhere else this week-end. That may or may not be something I write about later as I remember stanza 127 of the Havamal “GIVE THEM NO FRITH”

With the rain the wind started to pick up a little so I ambled back to my site to grab some food and take a quick nap. At 1:20 an alert blared one my phone. I ignored it as I was try to get some sleep. The wind really picked up and the skies opened up. I lay there for about another 15 or twenty minutes trying to sleep. But the rain was really pelting down, and the wind was getting quite strong. I got up looked at my phone to see what the alert was about. It was a severe weather alert interesting first time I received one of those. The alert indicated high winds, sever rain and the potential for “toonie” sized hail. For you non-Canadians that is about an 1 and a quarter size. The winds were now close to gail force, I could here the trees creaking and the thunder was continuous and it got very dark. Only about 15 or so minutes past from the time the alert was received to what was happening outside my tent now. What a great advance warning.

My tent was fairing well so far, no leaks and it was not blowing in. The thunder continued to boom, and the wind and rain was relentless. I began to wonder if I should head to my car just in case trees decided to come down. At the time of that thought three sharp gusts of wind occurred causing my tent to balloon out. Ok Thor I get the hint. I organize my things in the tent so that if it did leak my stuff should stay dry. Unless of course the wind blows it in. I got out of the woods and into open ground. WOW that wind was fierce and the rain was coming down sideways.

From the initial weather alert to the time the weather settled back down was only about 45 minutes. I faired well my tent remained standing and all was dry. Unfortunately there were some people who lost their tent. I found out later they were in it when it collapsed on them, a kitchen tent became a parachute and went flying, some ones tent flooded and a structure blew down. The tent that flooded had its windows left open while the people were off site. Rule number one never leave your windows in your tent open if you leave site. And the power was knocked out at the house as of may 25th they were still out of power).

Some of the campers were off site when the storm hit. Some were out shopping some just out for a cruise. Those who were shopping had to abandon their trip due to the stores loss of power. Reports of major devastation, down power lines and trees on the roads, some had to get out and help clear roads so they could return. The property next door to the Magik Morn lost buildings. By reports the storm hit most of Southern Ontario, wide spread damages, and power outages. It was an impressive storm at least I can say I survived it with no loss. As a result though some people cut their losses and went home early. I certainly can understand wet gear sucks.

Speaking of wet gear the ground was now soaking wet, and the temperatures were cooler. I had been bare foot until now and decided it was time to don footwear, blah, unless you are tending fire footwear other than sandals really sucks when camping.

Around dusk checked on the fire it was still going, the fire keepers started to ramp it up for the night. It was going to be a coldish and damp night and people want to be warm. I went off to prep a thermos of coffee and filled my travel mug. Blarg my chair was damp. Oh well a nice warm fire makes the difference.

The remaining group was small around 10 or so people but we spent many hours chatting, no drumming happened but the conversation was good and lively, I headed off to bed around 4:30 am and this concludes the second day.

Wolfsong Gathering

Day One

I left work around 2:30 AM the car was all ready packed up and ready to go. I hit Tim’s for a coffee and a muffin and a quick stop at the bank for some cash and was off and running.

This will be my first May 24 long week-end at Magic Morn, normally I am some where else, but this year the tides changed. The trip out was non-eventful, and minimal traffic. Although I did stop midpoint to grab a two hour power nap. I probably could have made it out in one shot but I needed to get a few last minutes supplies. Food is an important thing.
I arrived onsite at about 9:30 am on Friday and it looks like I am the early bird. I prattle around for about an hour decompressing before setting up camp in my usual spot for Ancestorfest (Wolfsong II). It is a decently shaded spot along the tree line until about midday and it is probably the closest spot I can get to the fire pit, which is handy when you are walking back to your tent in the dark. I get my tent set up with bedroll etc and decide to leave the rest in the car till later as sleep is still needed. Whilst I was setting up got a message from Lisa asking if that was me she saw driving in to which I give a yes response. She replies back.. cool I will see you when I am done feeding the horses.

Around noon it is starting to get really warm, and windy. Lisa had come down to say Hi and I decide to try lay down for a nap. I toss and turn in the heat, wind has really picked up, and my tent blew in but recovered from it. Then that happened again… so much for withstanding 30 kph winds. Well fuck me I decide to move the tent.

At this point another fester has shown up and starts to set up near me, we exchange hellos and then I head off to scope out other set up spots. I find a perfect shaded spot in the woods between the Underworld larp site and Faerie camp. The wind is not penetrating the trees as bad here. The downside of this site there are lots of bugs, and it is far from the fire pit. Thankfully I have note fully unloaded the car so moving was not difficult, save for the fact I managed to kill my car battery. Rule 2 of camping bring booster cables cause you just never know when you or someone else may need a boost. I set up fully this time as I am about 200 feet from where the car is now and I really don’t want to truck stuff in later. Dang bugs and I have no bug spray.

I still cannot sleep. I guess to many tims on my way here. Kim Morgan is back on site and we chat for a while while chatting discover how many have past in the Pagan community over the last year. Death toll has been high. We also chat about the pagan community in general.

Ok one more time try grab some sleep after feeding my face and hydrating. It is now about 5:30 in the afternoon. Success finally! Only to be woken at midnight by a migraine. Damnit. I fumble in tent to find flashlight and Scarf down some pain meds, allergy meds and fire up stove to steam my head. Meanwhile I hear drumming….people hailing… laughter and drums. Darn freaking migraine I am in no shape to people right now. Rule 3 leave your flashlight where it can be found easily in the dark. Migraine gone after about an hour. But I am physically drained by the pain it caused. I go back to bed and wake up at 7:30 am, scarf down some more pain/allergy meds and on to day two.

StoneHeart

2 years and a bit ago I attended a harvest festival at Stoneheart, located in Coe hill. The hosts were Claudia Valdes and James Ljósviðr Hobson.

Situated on 42 acres of land Stoneheart is beautiful, Pristine forested land. Camping spots are were you can find a cleared area big enough to fit your tent. That is not to say the land has not been tamed to some degree, but it is not a manicured camp ground. And I like that about it.

The road leading in past the house is somewhat rough, from what I can tell it is an access road to get to the lower part of the property that was used to bring firewood out by the previous owner. You can drive down it but you will want a vehicle with decent ground clearance, tires and it is advised to drive slowly. Along the road there a several clearings that are reasonably level for setting up tents. The road slopes downward as you get further into the property and ends near two large clearings on the right hand side is the firepit area, on the left a clearing large enough to put in several tents.

I had the opportunity to fire keep at the event I attended and do some drumming as well with the talented Raven Black and her S/O Shawn Lint. I met Raven at Magik Morn while attending Ancestorfest. I love Ravens music she has that Janis Joplin/Grace Slick kind of sound.

Sadly I have not been able to return for another Harvest festival here due to other commitments, but that has changed so I definitely plan on going back. And I plan to keep better notes as this was pre blogging and I am running off memory to write this.

Magik Morn

Several years ago I attended my first Ancestorfest AKA Danafest AKA Wolfsong Gathering II. It was my second fest experience outside of things happening at Ravens Knoll. This gathering happens at Kim Morgans property near Lindsey Ontario. I had no clue what to expect other than the information I had on the property, and the knowledge that friends made at Ravens Knoll would be in attendance.

My first Ancestorfest I arrived earlyish. Early enough that I had day light to set up my tent, locate friends and to be greeted by the horses that were still in the field. I so yearned to hop on one and ride bare back through the grounds but decided against that. I did not have a chance yet to get food, other than the munchies I acquired on the way there. I felt like a newb…. only a tent and a flashlight, no chair, no stove, cooking implements. Thankfully the next morning friends offered coffee. It was a different experience all together, rough camping, no running water for where camping occured, what you brought in you brought back out. I had this! as a teen I had much experience with rough camping thanks to Scouts. Bathing in a Pond did not bother me in the least, and at least there were porta potties. Nicely decorated ones at that.
After getting my tent set up it was dark, the fire was lit, out came the drums (YAY I did bring mine) and the dancers, as it was known I was a fire tender at the Knoll I was given the opportunity over the course of the week-end to spell off the regular fire tenders when they needed a break. I felt at home here. I felt the freedom to just sit and enjoy the week end.

Saturday morning I slipped off to get food and provisions, explore the area abit, and be absolutely fascinated by the Buddhist temple that was being built nearby. In the afternoon explored the land enough to find the pond and take a swim. That brought back memories of the farm I grew up on and going for a swim in the creek. I finally registered for the event … it was much more relaxed than the knoll… some one was not at your site the minute you arrived to register you. But it was a small gathering, and I understand why it is more relaxed.

Saturday night another fire, this time with a ritual, the ritual was awesome, then drumming, dancing it was a late night I saw the sun come up. Thankfully I grabbed a quick nap that afternoon. It was great being able to mingle with people and get to know them. Sunday progessed, I was up mid to late afternoon I had to pack and go home…. I was somewhat sad to have to do this but I felt at home enough here that I definitely mad up my mind I would be returning the following year. And I have been back every year since.