Handfasting Ceremony

Enjoyed watching a lovely couple getting handfasted at the weekend.  It was at their Willow farm and we were all invited to camp if we wanted so that the celebrations could go on into the night, which was just as well really as there was lots of different homemade wines and other goodies to sample afterwards.  The ceremony took place on the grass surrounded by trees and they were handfasted in front of a flower bower with a golden ribbon, very pretty :0)  We had decided to get them something a gift, a handmade wooden crate by Elphius Flux, beer to put in the crate and a hand made pentacle by me.  The pentacle was made of Willow, not as thought they haven't got plenty of that I know ;0), but it also had on it a bear as one of the couple goes by Bear and on the other point a pixie for the other person.  I placed a golden amber coloured heart in the centre balanced by the sun and moon on each side and the goddess above.  Underneath were golden ribbons and green leaves, and a dragon charm as their place is called Dragons Wood.  I hadn't know they had chosen gold as their handfast colour just lucky chance.  After the ceremony followed music, dancing, drumming, eating and drinking as well as catching up with people not seen for a while.

Derbyshire Lammas Camp 2016

Lammas is getting ever closer and we're working on making our 13th camp even better. A crew meeting soon for planning, good excuse to get together ;0)  The Opening Fire Ceremony sounds cracking.  If you'd like to entertain/perform dance/sing/or something else let us know, we have a rechargeable amp now so folk and music can more easily be heard.   We're also using the amp Friday night for our nod to Hasfest, the small festival we used to have at the back of our moot pub.

Brief itinerary so far -

 Thursday Camp Opens 2pm - Beating of the Bounds & Opening Fire Ceremony/Ritual, drum curfew 10.30pm

Friday - Entertainment & nod to our original festival Hasfest - Shamanism, Paganism, Rock n Roll!
(If you'd like to perform/entertain, dance/sing/play/??? there's still time to get in touch)

Saturday - Lammas Ritual, Handfasting, Drum curfew 11pm

Sunday Camp closes 2pm

We have some workshops sorted (more to come, keep checking back on the website Morning Star Craft as well as here, ticket info on there as well)  

Workshops and talks are included in the ticket price (£20 per adult for the whole weekend)

Drumming Workshop - Bill

Re-wilding the Soul - Tan Harvey
We are an intrinsic part of nature; therefore if we say that we have lost our connection with nature then we have lost the connection with ourselves.The Oran More – Frank Mills 1998:
“Quiet – Eternal Quiet: – Not even the sound of the restless, stirring, dark waters could be heard.
Then, a great spiraling strain of Melody moved across the endless waters.
Subdued at first, then quickly gathering momentum until it reached a great crescendo.
And, then, there was Life!
But the Melody did not stop. It continued its song, filling all of Creation with its divine harmony.
And so it continues today, for all those who listen.”
The ‘Melody’ – the ‘Song’ this is the life-force energy flowing throughout all of creation, continuously, including US – listen, hear it, re-connect - the raw, wild energy of nature and our souls.

Incense - Tan Harvey
Our olfactory system (our sense of smell) is the quickest way to our brains; a smell is the one of the most powerful things for triggering memories or feelings, altering mood, healing and much more.Incense-sticks provide us with a natural way to achieve this – or do they? Mass production & unscrupulous manufacturers mean that in many the incense is glued to the stick (did you want to glue sniff?) or at worst are only coloured sawdust with chemical scents added.
Learn how to work with raw natural resins, herbs and woods to blend your own unique totally natural incenses, purpose made and lots of fun to do.

Yarn Mandalas - Gill

Power Animal 1  - Cherill
Journey to meet and greet your current animal spirit guide.
A talk and guided meditation to drumming.

Power Animal 2 - Cherill
You need to know your animal spirit guide for this one!
We connect with your animal guide them ask them to take you to the four directions to meet and seek guidance from the animal spirit guides that dwell on each of your four directions.
A longer guided meditation to the drum.

Past Life - Simon
Simon will demonstrate the Kristos method while Cherill will demonstrate the Own Space, Own Time method.
Both methods do not use hypnosis! We will ask for volunteers

Spell Casting - Lara

​Runes - Nacht Engel
An informal introduction to the Elder Futhark Runes-the magical alphabet of the ancient Germanic tribes of Northern Europe and Scandinavia. The runes have been used for many centuries both for divination and as powerful magical symbols.

This workshop will provide a little of the history and mythology surrounding them, as well as teach you ways to recognise and remember each rune and it's meaning. It will show you in a fun and interactive way a few techniques for using them to reveal hidden wisdom and unveil the possible future. You will also learn how to create a bind rune talisman for protection,  wealth, love, success or health. Free rune interpretation sheet for everyone attending.

Tribal - Tyler

Dowsing - Cherill
Cherill and Simon will show you how to Dowse for everyday living using rods and pendulums.
You will have a chance to use both methods during the workshop.

Mindfulness - Dave

Trees - Dave

Drum Journey - Pat
Waking the Spirit of the Drum
A ceremony and Journey to awaken the Spirit of your Drum. Connecting you with the spirit of your Drum will enhance the work you do together. Awaking the spirit of the Drum allows the instrument to become a helper spirit which will guide , intensify and increase the quality of your work.

Plant Spirit Shamanism - Pat

Kite Making - Richard

Stick Weaving - Liz
Make a bracelet.  Everything supplied, 1 -1.5 hours. Suitable for children as well.

Spinning - Liz
Liz will be bringing her wheel etc and setting up near her van, just ask her for a go when you see it there.
​*   *   *   *   *   *   *

RJS Caterers have the menu planned for vegans, veggies, and meat eaters every one catered for (get it ;0)) They have listened to the concerns about plastic and polystyrene and have sourced eco friendly eating equipment.  Jody and Richard are also setting up an undercover eating area for incase the sun is beating down while you're noshing or it's shhh raining.  Get your sun spells sorted for Lammas week :0)

Breakfast service
Freshly cooked Bacon, Eggs & Sausages (Vegetarian & Vegan Sausages available)
all served on a Fresh Roll with a Selection of Sauces (Gluten Free Rolls available)
£2.50 - £3.50
Fresh Fruit with Croissants / Pastries £2.00

Lunch service
Lunch bag consisting of a freshly filled baguette in a variety of flavours, packet of crisps and a muffin / cake £3.50
Jacket Potato served with fillings of Cheese, Beans, Chilli ( Vegetarian available), Tuna Mayo 
£3.50 2 fillings
Assorted Salads - £3.00

Evening Service
Barbecue serving:
Quarter pound Beefburgers 
Traditional Pork Sausage
Chicken Wraps

Vegetarian alternatives of:
Vegetable Burgers
Vegetarian Sausages
Halloumi Wraps

Vegan Hot dogs
Vegan Burgers

All served on fresh Rolls with sauces £3.00 each

Friday - Chicken or vegetable (Vegetarian & Vegan) Curry with fresh rice  £4.50 

Saturday - Beef or vegetarian Chilli with fresh Rice  £4.50

Everyday we will be serving throughout:
    Drinks: Tea, Coffee & Hot Chocolate 50p (Soya Milk available)
Bottled Soft Drinks £1.00
Crisps, Snacks & Chocolate 75p 
Assorted Ice creams £1.00

All served on compostable products to keep the fire going when you are finished!

* * * * * * *​​

As well as the long drops this year we are having portaloos!  More for the flower faires to do, might have to get them new wings;0)

A truly wonderful camp set in beautiful countryside, surrounded by like minded people, with drumming, dancing and fire, time away to breath. 

Yule Festivities Chesterfield, Derbyshire Pagans

Artwork Wendy Andrews

Well wow soon be Yule, can't wait for the sun to start regaining strength and for the evenings to be getting lighter longer again. Though it is nice to have candles on and snuggle up against the cold, lighter evenings are even better so that you can get more done.

As it is nearly Winter Solstice us Chesterfield Pagans crew are holding Yule Celebrations at Eyre Chapel again in Newbold, Chesterfield around the back of the Nags Head and all are invited.  It's a free event so no worries there, though some food and drink for the food share is welcome, just bring enough for yourself and a bit extra so we can all sample each others goodies.  Eyre Chapel is a lovely old building and where we hold our drum group every first Thursday of each month.

Ritual will most likely be inside this year rather than round the fire, hope we can squeeze everyone in, good job we're all friendly folk.  There is to be drumming in the ritual and afterwards as well if folk want, so if you have a drum bring it along and drum up that sun.

We are also looking for people to do a spot of entertainment/performance so if you have a talent you'd like to get into the open let us know (family friendly preferably), it doesn't have to be a long performance just wanting to get folk involved :0)  This is our facebook page Chesterfield, Derbyshire Pagans Page more event details can be found there.

Afterward there will be music to dance to, or jig around to, or bop along to, whichever your style is ;0)

So see ya there around half seven on Saturday 19th December?

Derbyshire Pagans Lammas Camp 2013

Lammas Camp is fast approaching again, 10th anniversary this year!  Chesterfield Pagans are getting ready to hoist marquees, build fire, and generally get camp ready for lots of lovely people to come and enjoy themselves, meet new folk, maybe learn a few things from each other, and chill out.

Camp opens at 2pm Thursday ends 2pm Sunday, people welcome to arrive anytime in between or just come for the day.

Where's it at you ask - New House Organic Farm Kniverton Ashbourne Derbyshire DE6 1JL
and how much is it - £17 for the whole weekend with free workshops and entertainment, excellent value, bet you can't find better anywhere.  If you just want to come for the day that's just £3.  Full ticket list and prices can be found here http://www.zetatickets.co.uk/lammas/01-08-2013

Workshops planned for Lammas Camp 2013

Power Animals - Part 1 & Part 2, the sequel
Working with Crystals the Native American Way
EFT - with psychic development
Meditation
Chrystos
Drumming Workshop
Blue Stone Pipe Ceremony
Goddess Workshop
Wand Making
Scraffito for kids
Cord Making
Pewter Casting
Dancing for Fun - kids/adults
Who's Life is it Anyway
Bellydancing Workshop
Mind Expanding Space Stuff Astronomy I & II
Runes - Beginners & Advanced
Birth Tarot
Crystal Legends
Dry Stone Walling
Story Telling

Dates and times aren't finalised yet, but to keep up to day with what's happening see our event page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/310669572378016/ or https://www.facebook.com/ChesterfieldPagans, there is also our website http://chesterfieldpagans.org/ which has loads of info about lots of stuff.

Some workshops may ask for a contribution towards any materials you use.  You also need to bring some pennies for spending on the stalls if anything catches your eye, including my MorningStarCraft stall ;0)x

Other things happening over that weekend -
Belly dance performance
Music
Tree Planting Ceremony
Labyrinth & dance

Beating of the Bounds 8pm ish Thursday
Fire Ceremony 9pm ish Thursday
Drum cerfew 10pm Thursday and Friday 11pm Saturday, guitars can be played for longer as they don't carry over to the village as well

Two lovely people are getting Handfasted on Saturday :0)

Camping is basic, there is running water, no showers or hot water, long drop toilets, beautiful scenery, things to do or just chill.

Wedding Favor Glasses

I was asked to engrave some glasses as Wedding Gifts for six Bridesmaids and the Best Man recently by the Bride To Be, with name, date and choice of animal on, and thank you for being my bridesmaid/bestman. They were all very happy with the glasses and I got lots of 'thank yous' and brilliants, the Bride sent me a message to say 'I cannot actually say how fantastic everything is' which made me feel great, it's lovely when you get compliments about your work even if it makes you blush a bit. If you would like something similar please contact me either by a comment on here or via my web site www.morningstarcraft.co.uk contact-me

She also asked me to make an Ivy and Oak Headress, alice band style, similar to the one I did for a Handfasting, she was carrying a bouquet with lots of ivy in it and they both went together really well.

The cake they had was fab, it had lots of flowers, toadstools and Mr & Mrs Owl on the top, Mr Owl had a beard to match the Groom's.  The cake was nothing to do with me I just thought it looked great.

Handfasting and Saining Rituals at the Nine Ladies

These are some of the photos I took of the Handfasting and Saining Ceremonyup at the Nine Ladies during the Derbyshire Pagans Camp at the weekend.

Both rituals were lovely and with lots meaning, the setting of the stone circle made them even more special, and its only 10 minutes walk from where we were all camped. It was great to all gather there and share these special events with friends.

www.MorningStarCraft.co.uk

Handfasting

Had a lovely day Sunday at Cherill and Simons Handfasting. The ceremony went very well, all there Pagans and none Pagans alike seemed to enjoy it. There was drumming around the fire, story telling and food to share. The vows and words were beautiful.

I was delighted to have be asked by them to make the floral circlet, the Chalice and the Handfasting rings. Cherill had chosen the colours yellow, green and ivory for the day, which I worked into the circlet with flowers, ivy and a few beads to match her gown and Simon's shirt. The silver rings had their bind rune engraved on to them, Simon had worked out the bind runes, I engraved them on after making the rings. I also hand engraved their bind rune onto the chalice which they used for the ritual, the runes were engraved inside an ivy and oak pentacle.

Met some new folk and of course joined again with old friends. Looking forward now to the Derbyshire Pagan's Camp this weekend.

www.MorningStarCraft.co.uk

Handfasting Ceremony

  

Hi, I took part in a fantastic Handfasting ceremony at the weekend (I was the South quarter), I will try and post some photos later, hopefully there will be some shown around tonight (I didn't take any, shame on me). There was fire, drumming, dancing, food and drink, the weather was sunny (ok one slight shower, but a beautiful rainbow afterwards), lovely words spoken and meeting of friends that hadn't seen each other in a while, all in all a great time was had by all.

I was asked to make the love tokens that were to be exchanged and also the headdress / circlet, I've put the photo's of the silver rings above, they both seem more than happy with them and they fit, yeah.


www.morningstarcraft.co.uk rings

Bindrune Silver Handfasting Ring

I was asked to make the love tokens to be exchanged at a Handfasting this weekend, the funny thing about it was they both asked me seperately and asked me to keep it from the other as it was to be a supprise on the day. Anyway they both decideded that thay wanted to exchange silver rings, the one above is Gwen's Handfasting Ring.

The bindrune on the front was created by Jay and I then engraved it into the silver, around the band itself I put crescent moons and infinity symbols. I was a bit worried about the size but luckly 'it fits like a glove'.


www.morningstarcraft.co.uk rings

Handfasting Silver Spiral Ring

This is Jay's ring which needed to be adjustable as he has thin fingers, but large knuckles and it was also to have a spiral on it, I gave it a lightly hammered finished as well. This is the first time I have worked with proper silver sheet, so not too bad I think.