Druid

Oakleaf Circle , July

My holiday plans went a bit astray this year, as I'd hoped to use Oakleaf, a camp near Ripon, North Yorkshire, as the start for a holiday on Hadrian's wall. As it happened, I just drove up and back for the weekend, but it was worth it, for my third Oakleaf.

The camps is a bit over conscious (IMO) of security and privacy, and theres a no people in photographs policy; there were a couple of hundred people on site, in spite of appearances!

Its a very 'Northern' camp, unlike the ones down south. A burger van, lots of meat being cooked, and lots of alcohol. I didnt notice any drunkeness, but it was a presence. I did appreciate the guy selling home brew mead though.

I'm getting the impression that camps with a high Wican content are more 'priesthood and leity'; a bit of performance with not a big element of participation. The opening circle involved all passing some wood for the central fire to the priestess, who passed it onto the priest, who put it on the fire. I waited till they finished and I put my bit on the fire myself.

The whole farm is a nature reserve, and the farmer does a brilliant walk round the site, showing all the plants, animals and herbs.
There were a lot of stalls in one field, but few books. Some extraordinay scultures for sale too; VERY powerful creations!! I have the email address if anyone wants to get in touch.

		Oakleaf Circle , July My holiday plans went a bit astray this year, as I'd hoped to use Oakleaf, a camp near Ripon, North Yorkshire, as the start for a holiday on Hadrian's wall. As it happened, I just drove up and back for the weekend, but it was worth it, for my third Oakleaf. The camps is a bit over conscious (IMO) of security and privacy, and theres a no people in photographs policy; there were a couple of hundred people on site, in spite of appearances! Its a very 'Northern' camp, unlike the ones down south. A burger van, lots of meat being cooked, and lots of alcohol. I didnt notice any drunkeness, but it was a presence. I did appreciate the guy selling home brew mead though. I'm getting the impression that camps with a high Wican content are more 'priesthood and leity'; a bit of performance with not a big element of participation. The opening circle involved all passing some wood for the central fire to the priestess, who passed it onto the priest, who put it on the fire. I waited till they finished and I put my bit on the fire myself.

My little yurt looked a bit out of place among the nylon, but there there were some intereting vans and some bell tents. The workshops were great, and the cafe, the Old Boiler run by the Naughty Pirates, had some brilliant Northumbrian Piping. Thats the big plus about going north; the pipes! Wood trning workshops for kids, making wands by a bodger and carver; very popular. There was a sweat lodge, but it didnt feel right for me; again, a bit of a performance,and the stones brought in by clothed fire keepers. Thats the only lodge I've seen that happen! The best, though was the dancing round the fire, with the naked Green Man and beautiful young women! The roundhouse has become the place for drumming; 50 or so squeezed in and led by some strong drummers, the rest are swept along. It feels so tribal, dancing barefoot on the earth floor round the firepit.

In an adjacent field is an extraordinary nice space; a new stone circle with a tipi and medicine yurt. The circle was put up some years ago, and under each stone is buried an animal. Orientated to the compass, the Northern entrance has the double stones. The East has a hare, whose image is carved on the stone.

		The whole farm is a nature reserve, and the farmer does a brilliant walk round the site, showing all the plants, animals and herbs. There were a lot of stalls in one field, but few books. Some extraordinay scultures for sale too; VERY powerful creations!! I have the email address if anyone wants to get in touch.