This year, I’ve decided to offer an opportunity for community to gather around the fire (or a symbolic fire element if we’re in the midst of a burn ban) to hear and share stories and join in a community song or two as a way to honor the old Celtic fire festivals. These festivals mark the mid-way points between the equinoxes and the solstices and include Samhain (Nov. 1st), Imbolc (Feb. 1st), Beltane (May 1st) and Lughnasadh (August 1st).
We will anchor the night with one of the Old Stories (or a weave of pieces of a few of them) and then open up the space for the reflections, musings, and stories of others in the circle who would like to share. Stories shared can be bits of folktales, myths or legends and can also be personal stories, something that’s happened recently or long ago that struck your fancy and stayed with you for one reason or another. Songs can be offered as an individual offering to the group or taught as a group singing experience. You are so welcome to join us with or without a story or song to share.
At this Beltane gathering, there is sure to be a weave of stories that come out of Wales as there are several that dovetail into this season of flowering, frolick, and fancy. Of these, there is the tale of the two brother kings, Lludd & Llefelys, trying to free the Kingdom of the Isle of Briton from three nefarious curses…or the one about Ceridwen, the witch who brews a potion for a year and a day that ends up mistakenly giving the fruits of its power to her young serving boy who later becomes Taliesin, the greatest bard in the Land…or, finally, to Blodeuwedd, whose name means “Flower Face” and who is created out of plants by a magician for the sole purpose of being the wife of a man cursed by his mother to never marry a human woman.
Come see what delights the night holds as the sun sets and the full moon rises over our Beltane fire! Light snacks will be provided. Hope to see you there!
When: Friday, 5/1/26, from 7-9pm
Where: The Healing House in Central North Austin
Investment: $15/person
To register: Drop me a text (512.560.7294) or e-mail (eamonwillow@calonyddraig.com)