Click on the photos below to see a larger version. You can also read the Beltane Ritual.
Making clay masks on the Friday night |
Waiting for the clay to dry |
A work in progress |
Simon attempting to mould the mask to his face |
Saturday morning - painting |
Painting and decorating the masks |
The whole collection |
Fox by Jenny |
Kiwi by Charlene |
Full Moon by Samantha |
Mask by Chris |
Owl by Bev |
Raven by Ray |
Mask by Simon |
Raven by Nicole |
Mask by Maria |
Mask by Andrew |
Raven & Lorikeet by Jenni |
Water Dragon by Janine |
Fox by Suzanne |
Discs, medallions and sculptures by everyone |
Friday afternoon - waiting for the rest of the group to arrive |
Saturday - all dressed and painted, ready for the ritual |
The God and Goddess select 2 lines to be led into the circle |
Drumming and entering the circle |
Drumming while the God & Goddess walk the circle twice more |
The God & the Goddess enter the circle |
Calling the Eastern Quarter (followed by North, West then South) |
Invoking the Goddess |
Invoking the God |
The Great Rite symbolically re-enacted by the God & the Goddess |
Receiving herbs from the God |
Dropping herbs into the balefire |
Jumping the balefire (1) |
Jumping the balefire (2) |
Jumping the balefire (3) |
The balefire |
Receiving herbs from the Goddess |
Adding herbs to the fire |
Chanting & raising energy |
Releasing the energy |
Closing the circle & drumming |
Getting ready... |
...for some fun |
...the ribbons get shorter |
...and shorter |
Sunday morning - waiting for the rest of the gang to arrive for the final meditation |
One last photo before we head home |
Dancing the Maypole |
The maypole ribbons |
Tiggles - Simon's cat |
An altar by the Blessed BBQ |
Andrew cooks breakfast Yummmmmm!!! |
Charlene |
Painting |
Beverley working on her staff |
Sam setting up the circle |
Andrew, Suzanne & the maypole |
All the masks |
Little whatnots |
The masked gang |