Lammas Camp 2022

**Timetable times and revised workshops are at the bottom of the page, please scroll down**

June already, Lammas Camp is fast approaching.  

It is a lovely place to be, once that hill has been safely navigated.  There is a path/drive up it now which makes it easier, especially when it's wet and muddy, so we don't have to keep saying going wide lol.  Those of you with those ginormous motor homes still need to be carful of the farm's stone gate post though, I shouldn't fancy driving one of those down bendy, small one track Derbyshire lanes, I found a Bongo to be just the right size 🚐 :)   Once up in the field there  are lovely views and spectacular sunsets.  Time to relax and meet up with folk you might not have seen for some time, and also a chance to get to know new people.  

R J Caterers are onsite again so no need to cook if you don't want to, I love their Halloumi Fries.  

We have Beating of the Bounds followed by the opening Fire Ceremony on Thursday evening, please join in make some noise.  Weather witches please do your thing and bring us good weather for it 🙏 

There is a  Handfasting on both Friday and Saturday, always lovely to watch and wish them well 💓

Friday evening we have the popular Pub Quiz.  Well it was the first one last year and that was popular, had a shock when I saw how many were in the marquee and had to rush round getting it more ventilated lol 

Saturday we have the Lammas Ritual.  

There will be Larp and Folk Songs by Chilled Mead and Storytelling by Drakka Redd as well to keep you entertained, feel free to join in with them all :)

Drumming around the fire each evening, please respect the curfew though, to keep the neighbours happy and ensure we can keep coming back,  chanting, quite singing, soft acoustic etc is all good after drumming stops.  If you've been to the belly dance workshop earlier in the day try out your new skills out round the fire to the beat of the drums,

Some of the workshops we have already are:

Drumming with the Ancestors - Barbara Meiklejohn-free

The Wise-woman's Garden - Chris Hurst

    A wise-woman's garden provides her (or him) with all the supplies that they need.  Not just food but also medicines/remedies and yes.  In this workshop learn the basics and CREATE YOUR OWN DESIGN

Rewilding Yourself - Maili Mcquaid

    A walk and talk to meet the plant allies, friends, food and cure.  Learn to identify, use and connect to nature through plants and practical paganism.

Q&A about How spirit works with us all - Elaine Hakin

Reiki/Chakra Meditation - Aj Janko

Power Animals I & II Cherill Royce-Dexter Cancelled

     Power Animals I - A talk about the importance of Animal Spirits, followed by a journey to meet and greet your current Animal Spirit guide.

    Power Animals II - A shorter talk but a longer journey to the 4 quarters, to hopefully meet your totem animals or to gain wisdom and advice from any passing Animal Spirits that may want to help you.

Please be prepared to make yourself comfy for the journeys ie something to lie on or sit comfortably in.  

Painting for Mindfulness - Freya Legon Cancelled

    With a focus on appreciating nature to enhance our wellbeing, through painting and observation

Runes I & II - Darren Ramesdale

    Runes I - Basic runes discussed, practical demonstration of runic techniques

    Runes II - Further runes practical techniques for more advanced applications

Drum Healing - Ken Hakin

An introduction to Medical Astrology - Lauren Elliott

    In this workshop I will be discussing the association between the zodiac and how each zodiac sign is linked to specific parts of the body.  I will be giving you the basics on how to use your natal chart as a map to good and balanced health.

Mindfulness - Karl Stirland

Bumble Bees - Karl Stirland

    Introduction to common British Bumblebees, how to help them and possibly a safari to see some up close assuming the weather is okay

Belly Dance - Sophie Seniuk

    Come and learn some moves and maybe show them off around the campfire to drum beats later

Long Guided Meditation - Sara Alice

Dream Catcher Making - Linda

    Make a small dream catcher, different styles to have a go at and lots of different materials

Morning Yoga - Sara Alice

    Join Sara from Topaz Yoga in a beginner friendly practice with an emphasis on simplicity, repetition and ease of movement.  Full-body relaxation and balance are the goals, as we make a full circuit of the body's range of motion alongside the employment of breathing techniques and guided shavasana

 ? - Lara Turner

Paula will be in the Craft Area with creative activities for kids and grown ups, including Pewter Casting (that's an adult one) amongst others.  She also very bravely (in my opinion anyway lol) volunteers to keep children occupied while their adults wrestle with tent poles on set up Thursday and take down Sunday. 

I'll get a timetable worked out nearer the time, reminder to myself - don't clash the drums with the meditations lol  The timetable will be on an A-board near the Welcome Tent, which is where you can find crew members too if you need help.

All in all not a bad weekend don't you think? 

**A bit of an edit, well it looks likes not much, but it sends my laptop into a panic and what shouldn't take long takes hours while it spins it's wheel and I loose my train of thought. Hey ho, anyway think I've got the timetable sorted out again even though a couple of people have dropped out of running workshops and another drum workshop suddenly added lol.  Think there's a good mixture of things to suite most folk, what do you think? 

Ah going to try to add the update now, stand by it could go all horribly wrong at this time of night lol zzzzz

Lammas Camp 2022 Workshops/Talks & Events

All times and events are subject to change on the day.

Please see description for further details of workshops etc

Thursday

2 pm - Camp Opens

2-5.30 pm - Set up Crafts for Children in the Craft Area

 

7 pmish - Beating of the Bounds & Fire Lighting/Welcome Ceremony

Friday

Time	Marquee 1	Marquee 2	Craft Area - Paula
10-11	Yoga Sara -Topaz Yoga		Funky Foam 10-11.30
11-12	Runes I Darren Ramsdale	Bumble Bees Karl Stirland
12-1	Voice & Drum Car Dia		Pewter Casting 12-1.30
1-2	Q&A about afterlife. How Spirit work with us all Elain Hakin	Rewilding Yourself (meet in Marquee to take place outside 1-3) Maili McQuaid
2-3	Drum Healing Ken Hakin	Crafting Dream Catchers Inda Faith
3-4	Belly Dance Sophie Seniuk	Mindfulness Karl Stirland	Water Candles 3-4.30

Round the Fire or Marquee 1 if raining 

4.30 pm - Entertainment - Storytelling - Drakka Redd

6 pmish - Handfasting

7 pmish - Pub Quiz, prizes to be won - Marquee 1

Saturday

Time	Marquee 1	Marquee 2	Craft Area - Paula
10-11	Yoga Sara -Topaz Yoga		Stitches for Witches 10-11.30
11-12	Runes II Darren Ramsdale	Reiki/Chakra/Meditation Aj Janko
12-1	The Witch & The Fae John Crow	Introduction to Medical Astrology Lauren Elliott	Suncatcher Candle Jars 12-1.30
1-2	Drumming with the Ancestors Barbara Meiklejohn-free
2-3	Hand/Foot/Head Massage Demo & Aromatherapy talk Anna Caulkett	Birth Readings Lara Turner
3-4	The Wise-Woman's Garden  Chris Hurst	Long Guided Meditation Sara -Topaz Yoga	String Art 3-4.30

Round the Fire or Marquee 1 if raining

5.30 pmish - Handfasting

6.30 pm - Entertainment - Darren Ramsdale/Chilled Mead

7.30 pmish - Lammas Ritual

Sunday

10-1 pm - Take Down Crafts for Children in the Crafts Area whilst adults get their stuff together

2 pm - Camp closes.  Safe travels onwards everyone xx

Some workshop descriptions -

Drumming with the Ancestors - Barbara Meiklejohn-free

Through the power of the drum, you will journey to the cave of your ancestors to connect once more with the old ones and reawaken your dormant memories of who you once were as a wise one.

The Wise-woman’s Garden - Chris Hurst

A wise-woman's garden provides her (or him) with all the supplies that they need.  Not just food but also medicines/remedies and yes.  In this workshop learn the basics and CREATE YOUR OWN DESIGN

Rewilding Yourself - Maili Mcquaid

A walk and talk to meet the plant allies, friends, food and cure.  Learn to identify, use and connect to nature through plants and practical paganism.

Birth Readings - Lara Turner

A mixture of Tarot and Numerology

Runes I & II - Darren Ramsdale

Runes I - Basic runes discussed, practical demonstration of runic techniques

Runes II - Further runes practical techniques for more advanced applications

An introduction to Medical Astrology - Lauren Elliott

In this workshop I will be discussing the association between the zodiac and how each zodiac sign is linked to specific parts of the body.  I will be giving you the basics on how to use your natal chart as a map to good and balanced health.

Bumble Bees - Karl Stirland

Introduction to common British Bumblebees, how to help them and possibly a safari to see some up close assuming the weather is okay

Belly Dance - Sophie Seniuk

Come and learn some moves and maybe show them off around the campfire to drum beats later

Dream Catcher Making - Inda Faith

Make a small dream catcher, different styles to have a go at and lots of different materials

Morning Yoga - Sara Alice

Join Sara from Topaz Yoga in a beginner friendly practice with an emphasis on simplicity, repetition and ease of movement.  Full-body relaxation and balance are the goals, as we make a full circuit of the body's range of motion alongside the employment of breathing techniques and guided shavasana

 

Please see revised times above for craft workshops

 That's all for now folks, see you in the field soon :)

Hare Bracelets for Ostara Spring Equinox

Hares are great on jewellery in any season but especially more so at Spring Equinox/Ostara time being the origin of the easter bunny.

I have been busy making some Hare Bracelets in both Copper for it's healing abilities and warm colour and aluminium for it silver colour and tarnish resistant ability.  

The Trio of Running Hares with Triskeles came first and then Hares either side of a Triple Moon with Spirals and tiny stars at their feet.

All the bracelets can be inscribed on the inside with a personal message to make them even more special.

You can find them here on my Morning Star Craft website or drop me a message here and let me know what you'd like.  

Not a Hare but still to do with Spring and Summer are Bees.  This is my pun on Blessed Be with Blessed Bee instead as they should be blessed bzzz

Lammas Camp 2021

1st of July already, only 4 weeks to go until we are back in the field celebrating Lammas and being together again, having had to miss last year like a lot of events did.  I've got the workshops listed for those of you who like to know what's on :)  The lovely RJS Catering will be there again with lots of yummy food for you to buy, saves on washing up and faff ;)  Their menu for camp can be found on my website  along with the ticket form and other info.  

Workshops 2021

Timetable

Look out for the A board near the Welcome Tent for the timetable of events each day

Paganism and Community - Cat Treadwell

A talk on Paganism and community

Journey to the Now - Chris Hurst

Follows along the lines that mindfulness is about, but then goes MUCH deeper and teaches people how to find their own consciousness (themselves) and bring that into the now.

Working with your Inner Child - Sara Cad

Working with your Inner Child: meeting and caring for your younger self.

Runes I & II - Darren Ramsdale

Runes I - Basic runes discussed, practical demonstration of runic techniques
Runes II - Further runes practical techniques for more advanced applications

Crystal Healing - Caz Stafford

.What is Crystal Healing? Crystal Healing is a holistic and natural therapy that taps into the energetic power of crystals and how they affect the body and mind. A crystal therapist will place healing crystals on or around a client to help unblock, focus and direct energy. Here we'll discuss how crystal healing works, what you can expect from a session and how you can use crystals at home.
During this workshop you will learn: * Crystals and their benefits for emotional & physical health * How to cleanse and charge your crystals * How to programme your crystals to work with you and finally * How a Crystal Healing is preformed

Abundance - Qoya & Cacao - Katherine Rushton

.Qoya is an embodied shamanic movement practice based on the idea that through movement we remember that our true essence is wise, wild and free. Wise is the ancient time-honoured practice of yoga, wild is the creative expression of dance, and free is the pleasure of moving our bodies and unbridled enjoyment our of sensuality.

We will explore the theme of ‘Abundance’ through cacao (optional), movement and the wisdom of Lammas, the Mother archetype and element of fire.
All genders, ages and abilities welcome.
2 hour workshop

Demonstration of Mediumship - Elaine Hakin

Audience demonstration of mediumship.

Lughnasana : a yogic ritual - Libby Broad

An enchanting Yoga sequence where we use the body as a powerful instrument to channel the themes of Lammas / Lughnasadh, combined with yogic myth and personal intentions. Suitable for all levels.

Drum Healing - Ken Hakin

Drum Healing workshop with Ken and Elaine

Morning Yoga - Sara Kiks

Join Sara from Topaz Yoga in a beginner friendly practice with an emphasis on simplicity, repetition, and ease of movement. Full-body relaxation and balance are the goals, as we make a full circuit of the body’s range of motion alongside the employment of breathing techniques and guided shavasana

Craft Workshops - Paula

Craft workshops for Adults and Children.
Separate timetable to come.

March Hares

 It seems to have been a long and short winter all at the same time, the last couple of days of spring like weather have been very welcome, and what a glorious full moon so clear and bright.  

To celebrate March and spring I am offering 15% off in my new website, enter MadMarch21spend £20 or over and claim your discount.  Jewellery items arrive gift boxed, so easy for giving, Mothering Sunday is on the 14th ;0)

Of course March wouldn't be the same without hares, and Ostara/Spring Equinox isn't far of either, with hares on my mind I've engraved a bracelet with three hares running around it and there are a couple of Triskeles on it as well.  

These bracelets, I have a few different designs in my shop, can be personalised with a hidden message on the inside to make them even more special.

A link to my blog post a few years back about maybe why white rabbits on the first of March.  Do you have an idea of why white rabbits on the first of March?

Derbyshire Pagans Lammas Camp & a brief what happens in case you were wondering

Lammas Camp

​Time spent in a field with marvellous views of the Derbyshire countryside with a like minded bunch of folk is never wasted.  When you’ve had enough of sitting around relaxing soaking up the atmosphere and having a brew or two (or whatever’s your tipple), there are workshops to learn something new or swap ideas in, crafts to create and drums to beat.

​The central sacred fire is kept going throughout the weekend and is a good place to sit around, drum and chat or dance around as the night gets cooler.  It has the ashes of many other sacred fires, from far away and this country, sprinkled into it to lend their energies to our camp, as our fires ashes will be collected by those who like to to lend the energies of this camp to their own fires.​

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​The ‘Beating of the Bounds’ starts off Lammas Camp Thursday evening, when we go round the field beating our drums and clearing the space ready for the weekend, please join in and if you don’t have a drum clap your hands or just walk with us to where the fire is to be lit with an Opening Fire Ceremony.

Friday evening let your hair down and show your moves off in the dance temple, well marquee ;0)  There’s likely to be entertainment before hand as well to get you in the mood.  And of course you can dance round the fire other nights if the drummers get a good beat going ;0), we do have an 11 o'clock drum curfew to keep the neighbours happy though.

Saturday is the Lammas Camp Ritual, if this is your first Pagan camp don’t worry we don’t get naked or anything ;0)

* * * * * * * * *
We've had quite a few lovely Handfastings at Lammas Camp (I've not got photos of all of them but here's a few) and there is to one this year as well, on Friday, which I'm sure will be wonderful :0)

If you'd rather relax than spend time cooking and washing up take a look at the food menu which is next to the ticket forms, very good prices, they cater for vegetarians and vegans too, and have snacks as well as main meals, ice cream, hot chocolate …
​
Remember to have a browse round the stalls and treat yourself something different and individual to the normal stuff :0)  Have a look in my shop on here as well, if you see something interesting let me know and I can bring it with me.

The camp site it’s self has archaeological interest with barrows dating back 4000 years – take a look here.
​
In the mean time here's some more photos of past years camps to remind me/us of lovely times shared in the Lammas field, come and join us and make some memories :0)  

Tickets can be found on my Morning Star Craft website

Willow Pentagram Wreaths

 Last autumn I collected pieces of Willow from the tree that grows happily in my garden to make Pentagrams with, they are especially popular at Yule time.  

I am creating some now for Spring Equinox/Ostara, hopefully come spring the Willow tree will be ready to let me have some more of her wood to keep me going through the summer making Pentagram wreaths and Pentacle wreaths to decorate alters and walls.

They are all woven in a traditional under and over way rather than one spoke just been placed on top of the other and are about 9" across.

Here's a little gallery of past ones and a couple that are for sale now, message me if you would like something similar 😊🥚🐰

Element coloured Lucite flowers with a Dreamcatcher style centre and a little Dragonfly on it.

You can find these two Willow Pentagrams for sale on my MorningStarCraft website

Flower Goddess Pentacle.

Paper flowers and moss decorate the circle of the Pentacle and at the centre is a Flower Goddess.  

A selection of Willow Beaded, Suncatcher, Flower, Element Pentacles and Pentagrams for all seasons. 

Imbolc

Spring is stirring and bring hope of better times with longer brighter daylight time, new growth pushing it's way up from the soil and catkins on the Hazel getting longer.  It's time to start sewing early seeds and planning what the year might bring.

One of the goddess mostly associated with this time of year, the comping of spring/tale end of winter with more fertile times coming is Brigid Brid Bride Brigantia Bridgit.or however you choose to spell her name, usually pronounced Breed Brigg-id or Bree-id. 

Artwork - Jo Jayson

A great mother goddess, she was one of the most widely worshipped across Britain and Ireland.  It’s quite possible that the Northern British Tribe, the Brigantes derived their name from her.

Brigid is a Fire, Sun Goddess, Goddess of the Dawn.
She is also the Goddess of the Well and the Waters. There are healing wells still dedicated to her in Ireland.

The spark of inspiration, the muse of all creativity, Brigid is the Goddess of ...

• poets,
• musicians and singers,
• storytellers,
• scholars and teachers,
• artists, trades persons, and artisans, especially metalsmiths
• healers and herbalists,
• magick-workers,
• seers and prophets
• Midwives.

Brigid’s Cross is an ancient symbol for Brigid and is also known as a Celtic Sun Wheel or Solar Cross Solar Crosses are one of the most ancient of symbols and are found all over the world.

Brigid’s Crosses are traditionally made with rushes or straw and hung for protection, especially from fire but also from ill intent, mainly hung over the doorway but also by the fire for fertility
The intention could be whatever you want your Solar Cross to be for -- honouring the Sun Goddess, protection for your home, blessings and protection for your loved ones, etc.
It may also be given as a blessing and protection to someone you care about.
Another option is to offer it to the Goddess. You can hang it on a tree (particularly hawthorn) or leave it in nature somewhere, or burn it in a ritual fire (a bonfire or cauldron).  You could also hang it above your altar, to keep Brigid's presence near you all year long.

These are some I made at our moot last year from straw, reed and Willow.

The Demotion to Saint Brigid
In Ireland and other Celtic countries, Brigid was a primary Pagan Goddess. This didn't sit well when Christianity took over. But the people were unwavering in their devotion to this Goddess, and the Christian fathers couldn't eradicate Her worship.
So they did what has worked so well throughout the ages and around the globe: they incorporated Her into their own mythology.
In the 5th Century, She was remade as a Christian saint. She was given a fictitious history, and canonised. (Then in 1960, I guess the Church thought they'd made a mistake, and de-sainted Her! Or maybe they thought they could at last do away with this so-tenacious and beloved female deity.)

Love all the Brighid representations in this art work by Danielle Barlow, most of the Brighd symbols I knew but not how the serpent was linked to her. 

I did a bit of research and found that according to Celtic mythology an awakening hibernating serpent will emerged from it's lair at Imbolc, and by it's movements it was calculated how many more days of winter there would be, if it returned to it's lair then spring wold be a month or more in coming.  Although Brigid is a triple goddess she is mainly thought of as a spring goddess, so as she is to usher in spring this would be imported to know.  Serpents also represent new life and fertility, much like spring, as well as transformation, creativity and inspiration,
Paths of Earth energy, ley lines, were also called serpent paths and at Imbolc they are stirred from their slumber as the earth warms.