The weather was scorching, so most of the time we spent hunting for shade. The camp can get pretty lively sometimes, but I think the high temperatures subdued everyone a bit.
Sadly many people still think Paganism is all about devil worship, abusing children, and naked sexual orgies, (nothing, by the way could be further from the truth) so the camp organisers ask for no photos to be taken of anyone without express permission, so I have only got a couple of photos to show you.
Just imagine a very happy group of about 300 people, from newborn to old and doddery camping in two fields with beautiful countryside round them. Some look "normal" in everyday sun wear, some look very hippy, and some with very little on at all! Its a place where we can do our own thing, meet with fellow minded people, play drums, have fun, drink and chat (oh, and drink more) until you are ready to fall into your tent in exhausted happiness, all without fear of getting funny looks or asked a load of strange questions by those who dont understand.
On Sunday we build a Straw Man - also known as John Barleycorn (think of the film, the Wicker Man without sacrifice element) The group build the Straw man together, then just the women build a disproportaionate sized willy, which is an ancient fertility symbol!
Once built, the Wicker Man gets paraded round camp, then sent back to the site of the fire. Everyone gathers, a ritual to "close" the camp and the Wicker Man is burnt as a tribute to the God. For more info, have a look on wikkipediea for Wicker Man, and John Barleycorn, or ask!!
Just remember.. nothing but straw, hay, wood and time are sacrificed on this fire.
Here is the Wicker man on the ground before he was paraded round camp. His Willy is much in evidence but I hope you can make out his legs below, and his head above!! :-)
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