Gorsedd: Festival of Lughnasadh 2010

Click here for the Registration Packet!

The House of Danu convenes its second Gorsedd during the Festival of Lughnasadh, July 30 to August 2, in the coastal redwoods above Watsonville, between Santa Cruz and Monterey, California.  We have selected the Buddhist retreat center, Pema Osel Ling, as our venue.  It will be transformed into our Avalon.  Fixed, youth hostel type, lodging is available, as well as camping.  All meals are included in the price by experienced wedding chefs who can accommodate any diet.  Though our programming continues to evolve, you can expect something like this:

FRIDAY, JULY 30th

3:00 – 6:00PM  Registraton, then enter through the portal to Avalon.

6:00PM  Registration moves to Feasting Hall

WORKSHOP: Introduction to Alchemical Drumming (all levels) 
by James L. Bianchi in Merlin Hall.  This style emerged from the Fire Tribes in a technique developed by Joshua Levin and Alan Wall.  People with no formal training in percussion will learn to take any percussion instrument and blend seamlessly with any rhythm produced by more experienced lead drummers.  Click here for a discussion on purchasing drums!

7:00PM  DINNER

8:00PM  Video message just for us from Philip accompanied by Damh the     Bard.

9:30PM- CAMPFIRE at Grove Pavilions with mead, drumming and all     manner of Bardic activity.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST

8:00AM  BREAKFAST – Feasting Hall

9:30AM  WORKSHOP:  You can choose from three drum workshops featuring Afro/Cuban, Middle Eastern, and Celtic rhythms.

11:00AM  WORKSHOP: Drumming/Chanting instruction for pre-selected music to be performed during Eisteddfod. 

We will create one or two performance pieces that drummers and chanters will learn and play during the Eisteddfod.  No experience required.  It’s encouraged that you record this training.

Noon   LUNCH

1:30PM  WORKSHOP:  Daily Spiritual Practice – Druid Grove in the Eisteddfodd theater

2:30PM  BREAK:  Hang-out in the pool.  Eat cheese.  Take a nap.  Interact with smokers in the Dragon’s Lair.  Rehearse for something. Waste your life away.

4:00PM  WORKSHOP: Prepare for the Lughnasadh Ritual.

6:00PM  DINNER

8:00PM  EISTEDDFOD: All participants are encouraged to bring their poetry, music, and song to share at the Eisteddfod Theatre

Til Midnight  CAMPFIRE at Grove Pavilions.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1

Dawn  INITIATIONS: Druid Level

8:00AM  BREAKFAST – Feasting Hall

10:00AM  RITUAL:  Festival of Lughnasadh.  Gather at Grove Pavilions.

Noon   LUNCH

1:30PM  WORSHOP/DISCUSSION:  The Druid Way: Sustainable Living presided over by JP Riley in Eisteddfod Theatre. 

Being a Druid is not about deities and ritual.  It’s about our understanding of the natural order in guiding how we live. Our paths are individual, so it’s time to reveal and share.  In diversity there is strength.

2:30PM  BREAK 

6:00PM  DINNER – Feasting Hall

7:30PM  INITIATIONS: Bards and Ovates

8:30PM  GRADE MEETINGS: Bards and Ovates

9:30PM  POMBA GIRA:  We explore our shadow selves in Merlin Hall. 

We emerge in black and red costumes, masques, face paint, and leather, to move with sensual live drum rhythms supporting music spun by the House of Danu House DJ, Murias O’Ceallagh.

Til Midnight  CAMPFIRE at Grove Pavilions. Fantasy Photography

MONDAY, August 2

8:00AM  BREAKFAST – Feasting Hall

9:00AM   DRUID HEALING PANEL:  There will be a wide ranging presentation of Druid Healing practice, and Pagan healing customs.

10:00AM  FORMAL CLOSING ACTIVITY

12-3PM  Return to the Apparent World

Directions

For the venue address and directions, please visit http://www.polmountainretreat.com/directions.html.