Thanks to my friend, Kelly, for providing the smooth ride there and back. We discovered early on that night time was not a good time for either of us, because one of us snored - lol!! Nevertheless, in spite of our wanderings, looking for a place to grab some sleep, it all turned out all right eventually.
The first clear memory that will be with me always, is of Alex showing up at the opening ritual sky-clad. Literally sky-clad, since his robe was one that was patterned with blue sky and white clouds. In addition, while working in the kitchen, he transformed into a red-horned demon whipping up the pancakes, a pirat scrambling the eggs, and a poor victim with a knife in his head cooking up the bacon. Thank you, Alex, for your never-ending source of joy to us!!
I became brave enough this year to run a couple of workshops, one on The Red Tent and the other on Dreams. Both went well, but the one on the Red Tent was absolutely electryfying! It led to a lot of personal sharing, tears, beginnings of healing within each of us. We were joined by three young girls who had not yet experienced their transition to womanhood, and all three also spoke of their fears and aspirations. Their wisdom was startling - "If we deny that part of ourselves, we diminish ourselves, we become less than what we really are". I love that!
The workshops I attended were amazing. "The Oracle of The Living Tarot" brought the Major Arcana to life as we became the archetypes! Not surprisingly, I drew one of my favourite cards - The Fool - who has much to teach us indeed! Thank you, Catharine, for bringing this to us!
Loved the workshop on Grimms Fairytales by Kenny Kline. Earlier on, I bought the book, and spent quite a bit of time reading the stories and analysis, and how these stories have changed throughout the years. I became immersed in the images of cottages and deep woods, of witches and animals that speak, of fairy folk and human maidens that speak of elemental powers.
An African Prince and Priest, as Oracle, read my fate. Now I must plan a feast for my friends.
In the relaxed atmosphere of the dining hall, a couple of new friends, many old friends and I spilled an abundance of words among us, words that encouraged, connected, strengthened and enlightened us all.
I spent a lot of money - more than I should have! - and purchased a beautiful gown of black and gold, a turquoise necklace and bracelet, a book, and a set of starfish pendants.
And my last night there flung me into my own tale ...
There, at the edge of the woods, I came across an empty cabin. Neat it was with five empty beds, inviting me in with promises of peaceful sleep. About me whispered the last of the words of rest and sleep, and I succumbed.
Magically, a bedroll appeared, along with some food and drink. Surely this cannot harm me, I thought to myself, ignoring the many warnings not to eat or drink anything that comes from the land of the fey. And so I did, and before long, felt myself being lulled into the soothing darkness. About me there was a glow from the near-full Moon, casting all about me into a space where the familiar becomes strange, and that which is strange becomes even more inviting.
I succumb to all this and after having a bite and drink of the fairy food, I lay down. I drift, drift towards the darkness of sleep, when all of a sudden, I am startled by a bang on the door!! Terror seizes my heart! Who is it? Who else comes to the door of the empty cottage at the edge of the woods? The door flings open and outlined against the light of the Moon stands a man!
Ah, who can this be!? A handsome prince or an ogre? The woodsman or the Bear?
He appears as startled to see me sitting up in bed as I am to see him in the doorway. "I am but a traveller on this road," he says with apologies, "and I chanced upon this cabin at the edge of the woods. My apologies, my lady, for I did not mean to startle and frighten you. May I beg you for this boon, that I may sleep in this far corner? But not just yet, for I must gather some things from the forest first. I shall just leave my pack here..." And with that he disappeared.
Now I remember all the tales of old, and realize that it is not as it all seems. That by staying in this cabin at the edge of the woods, I may be in mortal peril. Still partly trapped in the fairy world by the food and drink of magic, I struggle to move away from this enchanted trap. My bedding disappears as though it never was, and I finally am able to open the door and step outside. I do not look back, but quickly, as quickly as I can make my way deeper into the woods.
I do not know how I came to see the light of the morning, but when I did, I was happy to see that I was again back in the land of mortals and my night of night of enchantment has passed me by without claiming my soul.
But I do wonder - just who was that man who knocked and came into the cabin, that empty cabin at the edge of the woods? Ah, some things must always remain a mystery...
