Harvest Revel 2010 was FABulous! Friday people wandered in all day and set up their tents under the blazing sun (which made us all sweat, but we kept hydrated with our own drinks and the giant container of well water from the land). We held a meet-n-greet, though most everyone knew everyone else already. New friendships were formed and a couple of broken ones healed. Three of us ventured back into Lewiston for a little bit to pick up a few things at the grocery store, but more importantly to patronize the Pagan shop, Witch and Skeptic. I bought my son a tarot deck (his first), a tiny purple Goddess for me, some cedar for the prosperity ritual, and a pretty bead and wire pentacle keychain bob. After our return, we hung out around the fire that night, sharing songs and jokes and stories and lots of tasty snacks. Then to bed fairly late for a good, not-too-warm night’s sleep.

Up and at ‘em on a cool and cloudy Saturday to welcome in the Saturday-only folks and the vendor (had two this year: Cabochon and Apple Valley Books). I presented my Animal Totem workshop which went very well. Then Tchipakkan offered two Runic workshops. We all browsed her wares, and I spent a good $50 with her myself. I offered my Prosperity Ritual workshop, and we created a luscious blend of herbs and spices which had the properties of prosperity and luck, and shared them out so that everyone could benefit. Then some of the women left for the Rite Chocolate photo shoot, so we who remained either watched or participated in Jay’s poi spinning class which was fantastic! I also had the honor of presiding over a Handfasting! After dinner, we lit the fire and talked and sang and snacked. When it got dark, Jay brought out his Fire Poi and did an excellent show for us… but then, the skies opened up good and hard. We ran for our tents and the screen house, stopping briefly to gather up the more vulnerable foods from the snack table. I myself went to my tent, intending to just give in and go to bed since it was a decent-enough hour… only to realize that my water bottle for taking my meds was back at the fire. So a naked dash to nab it, and I got drenched just in that brief run. Then I heard Jay yell, “Naked Pagan rain dance!” and apparently nearly everyone joined in. I was too tired at that point, darnit, but I understand it was quite the prance! )

Sunday morning broke bright and sunny, and we cooked scrambled eggs and pancakes for those who remained (Saturday-only folks went home the night before, and we had a couple of early departures on Sunday). The food turned out to be quite good, and everyone enjoyed the meal. Then we put out our wet things on the grass and hung out in the shade talking. As the day progressed, folks departed and many solid hugs were shared.

My gratitude to my husband Travis and my son Carter for their serious help in getting the firewood into the truck and onto the land; for helping schlep a cubic parsec of camping gear from the house to the site and back again, and to Kat for use of her truck getting our things back; to Travis for being Wheelman (town run minion) and Fire Minion and generally helping out everywhere; to Brooke for being Registration Minion and doing a FABULOUS job! Thanks to our vendors and workshop hosts for their wares an talents, and to Harper Meader for his musical talents and delicious meads. Many thanks to Morghan who provided us with the firewood. And of course, our deep thanks to the Jokinens for use of their land, the Groves of the Green Man’s Denne!

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Midsummer Revel was a rousing success! We had about 30 adults and children in attendance, and the weather (other than a small sprinkle) was quite pleasant. The SummerKing was built, a good 7 feet tall, and he’ll stand in the Grove until his fiery end at Final Fire.

At Midsummer, we gathered to celebrate the Sun at his height of power, and created a wicker man, the SummerKing, who shall stand in this sacred place until his burning at Samhain. We adorned his body with ribbons and flowers, bedecking him as fits a monarch. Then we took papers and wrote our thanks and prayers, adding them to his form to energize in the summer sun. There he shall stand, under the blazing daystar’s heat, energizing our wishes until Final Fire at Samhain when he shall be set to burn.

Midsummer Revel was hosted on Saturday, June 26, at 3PM in Greene, Maine (just above Lewiston).

The rumor of a fire, mead, and general hanging-out after the ritual came true, and a wonderful time was had. See you next year!