2010 Circle Beltane Festival

Beltane
at Circle Sanctuary
April 30th - May 2nd, 2010
at Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve
near Barneveld, Wisconsin

It is Beltane! The Earth softens under the caress of the sun and all the world is new. We emerge from the darkness of a long, difficult winter; our eyes drink in rolling green hills budding branches and tender shoots. We breathe deeply the fresh fragrance of radiant blossoms. Merriment calls!

Featuring:
* Maypole * Labyrinths * Morris Dancing * Music * Magical Merchants Faire * Green Cemetery Blessings * Kids Activities * Bonfires * Feasting * Workshops * Drumming Circles * May Court

Oak Apple Morris Dancers

Based in Madison Wisconsin, the Oak Apple Morris Dancers perform traditional English folk dance at fairs and festivals in the city, across the state, and in the Midwest.

Helen Bond is a performer, percussionist, educator and storyteller. She is the founder and owner of Medusa's Musical Mysteries, founder of Motherland Rhythm Community a 501c3 non-profit Organization and co-founder of Benkadi Projectand the Performance Ensemble Diamana Diya.

Helen travels to Guinea, West Africa over the past nine years (since 2001) where she lives among the Malinke people. While there, she studies under world-renowned musician Famoudou Konate, grand master of the djembe drum and its orchestra (bass drums-dununs). Helen spends her time learning traditional music, dance, songs and local culture of Guinea. She is the North American Representative for Famoudou Konate. Helen has toured with Famoudou during his North American "From Hand to Hand: The Wassa Kunba! Drumming Experience" Workshop Tours (2006-present). Helen is the "Official North American Representative for Famoudou Konate" and his booking agent since 2005.

Helen has also studied drumming with Master Drummer Mamady Keita, Nansedy Keita, Sayon Camara, Ubaka Hill, Babatunde Olatunji, and many others. She has studied West African dance with Fanta Kaba and Sire Yalo as well as others in Guinea.

Helen has enjoyed the benefits of music since her childhood. In turn, she now brings the joy of drumming into your life through her workshops. Her teaching style allows even the novice to experience the joyful feel of community drumming. Helen teaches traditional Malinke rhythms from West Africa as well as non-traditional original compositions. The drum awakens our innate creativity and provides a channel for an introspective journey. Feel refreshed, revitalized and rejuvenated as you reconnect to your primal origins. Join her for a wonderful community drum experience.

Fode Camara is from Guinea, West Africa and part of the Susu ethnic group (decedents of the thirteenth century Mali Empire). The Susu who live predominantly in Guinea reside along the coastal waters. Fode is a performer and player of the traditional sangban drum. He tours annually with Famoudou Konate, grand drum master through out North America and works with him in their homeland. During his time in the US he has given presentations on his culture, traditions and life in Africa at varied events.

Jason Mankey is a Contemporary Pagan and High Priest who has been practicing his Craft for the last 15 years. Jason is a recognized authority on the Horned God and has been a popular figure at Pagan festivals across North America for the last eight years.

Whether initiating people into the infamous Morrison Clan or teaching people about his beloved Pan, whatever Jason does is sure to be educational and a heck of a lot of fun. Jason mixes humor with a scholar's attention to detail in all of his many varied presentations.

He also has the best hair in at least Michigan, possibly the Midwest, and maybe the United States. You can visit him on the web at www.panmankey.com

Linda Albers (AKA Shine) resides on the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation in Northern WI with her partner and four-leggeds. She is a Circle Minister, Shamanic Practitioner, ReikiMT, Teacher, Storyteller and Artist. One of her personal beliefs; Everyday brings us many gifts, it is for us, to recognize them.

Selena Fox is high priestess of Circle Sanctuary. She is one of America's best known Pagan elders and religious freedom activists, and is executive director of the Lady Liberty League. Founder of the Circle Craft tradition, Selena's approach to spirituality emphasizes Nature communion and blends together ancient and contemporary Pagan folkways, Wiccan traditions, multicultural shamanism, and transpersonal psychology. Selena is a clinical psychotherapist and spiritual counselor with a MS in counseling from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Selena and her work on behalf of the Craft and contemporary Pagan culture have been covered by various regional, national, and global media. She is active in efforts promoting multicultural understanding, interfaith dialogue, and global cooperation, and serves as a consultant on Pagan religious accommodation for a variety of state and federal governmental agencies and other institutions. Selena's writings and photographs have been published in a variety of periodicals, anthologies, and other publications. She is author of Goddess Communion Rituals and Meditations and other works. She also has created several music and guided meditation recordings. She is founder of the quarterly journal, CIRCLE Magazine, and sourcebook, Circle Guide to Pagan Groups. Selena has traveled internationally in connection with her work. She has presented workshops and led rituals in many types of settings.

Click HERE for the Kids' Schedule of Beltane Festival Activities!
This year's Beltane Kids Workshop Staff includes Peggy, Jen, Reed, Kristol, and breeze.
Reminder: these workshops are not daycare and we encourage parents to participate in them with their children.

Beltane Festival 2010
FRIDAY, April 30th
11 am	Merchant arrivals and setup begins.
1 pm	Gate opens and arrivals begin!
2 pm	Welcome to Circle Sanctuary with Moonfeather Unwrapping of the May Pole with Fearn Kids Workshop: Taking on a Name Merchanting Opens! Visit our merchant booths carrying a wide variety of Pagan wares including books, clothing, jewelry, drums, reflexology services, tapestries and more!
3 - 4:30 pm	Workshop: The Rabbit Teaching with Shine Come as Shine shares her emotional true life shamanic teaching that she has been called on to pass along. Through the teachings of Native wisdom and Native ways this experience will help you in the teachings of intent and perception. Kids Workshop: The Ogham Alphabet
5 - 6 pm	Dinner is served by our amazing kitchen witches and staff behind the house from 5-6pm followed by clean-up.
7 pm	Opening Ritual facilitated by MoonFeather and others To bless the festival and its participants, to honor the land and the Faery folk.
8:30 - 10 pm	Drum & Dance Workshop with Helen Bond & Fode Come and learn some basic rhythms and learn a dance that?s traditional from Guinea!
9 pm - midnight	Spiral Labyrinth with Joey Join in walking this candlelight labyrinth to honor the Faery Folk.
SATURDAY, May 1st
7 am	Nature Walk with Reed Walk the beautiful Circle land in the morning light as Reed checks to see if the bluebirds have moved into our many houses!
8 am	Open for Arrivals
7 - 8:30 am	Breakfast is served in the summer kitchen.
8 - 8:45 am	Bellydance Workshop with Colleen and Carlene Rise & shine and start the day moving and shaking as you learn some basic belly dancing skills!
9 am	Newcomers' Meeting with Joey & Brian Merchanting Opens
9 - 10:30 am	Kids Workshop: Tree Identification Field Trip
9 - 10:30 am	Workshop: Pan - The God of All by Jason Mankey In Greek, the word "Pan" translates to "everything" or "all". Find out just how important Pan was to the ancient Greeks in this exciting new workshop! We?ll trace the history of Pan from his humble beginnings in the mountains of Arcadia to his rise into the pantheon of the ancient Greeks to his re-emergence in the 19th century. We?ll explore how Pan was worshipped and perceived in the ancient world and why he might be even more important today.
11 AM	Crowning of Beltane Royalty Selection & crowning of the May Queen, May King, and Beltane Couple! Kids Workshop: Morris Dance Preparation
11:30 am	Oak Apple Morris Dancers The Morris Dancers remind us of the fertility customs of our ancestors; the clacking of antlers and high stepping as a symbol of the jubilance of Spring and the Summer ahead. Performances of these English traditional dances help us celebrate the Merry Merry Month of May; the season of Beltane!
12:30	Community Lunch on the Green!
1:30 - 2:30 pm	Workshop: Flower Goddesses and the May Queen with Selena Fox Exploring ways of creating personal and group rituals and meditations that incorporate the lore, symbols, and traditions of Queen of the May and Goddesses of Flowers and Springtime. Kids Workshop: Tree Harvesting
3 - 4:30 pm	Workshop: Spirit & Culture of Guinea, West Africa with Helen Bond & Fode Fode will take about his life; the gris-gris, how people protect themselves magically, comparison of now days and the old ways, life in the village vs city, importance of community and music in their culture. Video footage from Guinea included.
4 pm	Maypole Dance Practice For those who have signed up for Maypole dancing in the Beltane Ritual Kids Programming: Ritual Prep
4:30 pm	Drawing for the Raffle Prizes!
5 - 7 pm	Potluck Dinner served behind the house
7 pm	Beltane Ritual with Shel Skau, Selena Fox, the kids & others
9 pm	Kids Workshop: Sign Language
10 - midnight	Drum & Dance Ritual with breeze Bring your drum and other bangy things to celebrate the beauty, the strength and the joy of the season with high-energy sound and motion. All sorts of new rhythmic surprises are in store for this facilitated late night full-on journey of the senses. There will be a 10-minute break at 11pm for re-charging. A special thanks to Bob and Georgette Paxton, Helen Bond and Fode Kamara for their assistance, creativity and facilitation this year.
SUNDAY, May 2nd
8 am	Gate opens for arrivals
8 - 9 am	Breakfast
9 am	Merchanting Opens
9 - 10:30 am	Workshop - The Horned God with Jason Mankey Few archetypes in modern Pagan practice are as revered and as misunderstood as the Horned God. He?s a cultural universal, but his message has changed over the last few centuries. Come explore the history of the Horned God with us, see where he has been and where he is going. We?ll explore not only the generalized Horned God archetype, but also look at him in some of his most well known roles. From the Greek Pan to the Celtic Cernunnos to the Navajo Xochopelli we?ll explore what has made the Horned God a favorite in a multitude of Pagan pantheons. Kids Workshop
10:30 am	Discussion with kids, parents and community about what was learned from the kids' activities and plans for future events.
Noon	Lunch
1:30 pm	Weekend Wrap-Up & Closing Ritual by MoonFeather & Selena Fox
3 pm	Cleanup & Departures


	Items to Bring

	Ritual garb and/or brightly colored clothes, as well as a crown of flowers or greens for your head or bells for your feet, to wear during the Beltane ritual. Faerie, elven, pixie and fantasy garb are encouraged throughout the weekend and especially for the Beltane ritual Saturday evening. (optional) Contribution for potluck feast to feed at least two dozen, for Saturday dinner. For details, please see our Potluck Guidelines. Your own cup to use for drinks at meals and other times. Camping Gear: tent, sleeping bag, pillow, air mattress, flashlight, water jug, towel, biodegradable soap and shampoo, personal toiletries, sungear, raingear, cold weather gear, insect and tick repellent. A lawn chair, mat, or blanket for outdoor seating. Many activities will be outside. We've reduced the price of this event to help offset gasoline prices but we still need to raise funds for operating expenses! Please bring an item for the silent auction! Drum, rattle, or other rhythm instrument. (optional) A stone to give away to the Stone Circle. (optional)

Registration

PRICING

Adults (each):	4/5 - 4/29	At Gate
3 Days	$115	$125
2 Days	$95	$105
Sat. Only	$65	$75

Children 5+ (each)	4/5 - 4/29	At Gate
3 Days	$45	$45
2 Days	$40	$40
Sat. Only	$35	$35

Children under 5 are free.