|
|
|
|
|
THE CAULDRON OF PLENTY - VILLAGE HEART
GATHERING
|
This is an annual event taking place over the August Bank Holiday. See calendar for dates.
|
At what must be one of the most spectacular camping grounds in Britain, amongst the waterfalls, wild woods and cliffs of their secluded Welsh valley, Spirit Horse have for over twenty years set up their tents and built a village of roundhouses, yurts, shrines and sacred lodges.
The Cauldron of Plenty - Village Heart Gathering - is the most relaxed and easy going event in their busy calendar of ritual gatherings, spiritual retreats, men's and women's lodges and community events.
A huge ceremonial welcome that starts at the car park leads into -
Four days of a tribal overflowing cornucopia of exuberance
with every kind of performance and
expression to entertain the gods and
you - performance, dancing, singing, storytelling, together with fiercely humorous encouragement to live and be who you are and to relax and let go on deep levels.
Invitations abound to join in and be part of the attempt to recreate a village, a culture and a way of life worth living - full of praise and style and verve.
The event includes a Children's Circle, Ceilidh where everyone performs and a masked dance with the
dancers to the Gods, the singers of praise,
and the guardian elders and the warrior
youth and the blossoms of
childhood.. A Community Ritual towards the end aims to bring all the generations and diverse interests of people together in a fun and easy yet profound and moving way that feeds the Holy.
There are peaceful wild nooks in all directions to wander off and dream in.
We are rebuilding the ancient home from
memory. Come sit with us. You have no idea
how much you are needed and your place has
been prepared before you were born.
The seeds of sacred community are being
wildy sown, whoever you are; bring your
face to the feast and the light. Walk into
the Company of Lovers while there is still
time.
Expect the usual intoxicating brew of
teachers, workshops, occasional divine
appearances and the often hugely
unexpected gesture from you,
yourself.
This is our annual community get together -
come and join us! Bring the whole family,
your friends, or come on your own! You will
be welcomed! There is something for
everyone, young or old! This is a fantastic
introduction to Spirit Horse!
Bring stylish and beautiful clothes for
dressing up (who say's wellies don't go with gowns!) and
a song/poem/story for the Ceildh if you wish!
Our highly praised kitchen will be serving
delicious, wholesome and reasonably priced
meals throughout (or alternatively bring
your own supplies.) A meal ticket for the
whole event can be purchased upon arrival.
(See the Practicalities section
for more information.)
Please note: The Cauldron of Plenty is
not a festival. We do not hire
bands, acts or traders.
|
Workshops:
|
Taking
place during "The Cauldron of Plenty" are
lots of different workshops (at no
additional cost), which have included the following, and many not mentioned!
Usually we have unexpected surprises!
Healing, Basket weaving, didgeridoo, Five Rhythms,
woodland crafts, animal posture,
alternative health/medicine, performance
workshops, meditation, early morning Tai
chi, Power Animal workshops, Egyptian
dance, Salsa dance, Flamenco dance,
drumming workshops, African dance, Voice workshops,
blow your own trumpet, Sufi singing,
Scratch Choir, Shadow Puppets, Breton
dancing, Welsh Language, sculpture, Men's
Lodge, Women's Lodge,
Children's Circle, Young Warrior Men and
Women, Story Telling, Poetry, walks through
the valley, and much much more! If you
don't fancy a workshop, then explore the
valley, or simply relax and enjoy your
surroundings!
And the Celidh is your chance to perform a
song, skit, poem or even a cabaret act in front
of the community!
|
Some of our past teachers and guests :
|
|
Aboriginal Elder: Francis
Firebrace
|
Storyteller, dancer, painter and
rememberer of the old ways.
|
|
Arabic Dance: Dechen Chodron
|
Learning how to flow with your
natural rhythm and inner beauty. A
magical, ancient, joyous expression
of being.
|
|
Drumming and African Dance:
Kirby
|
An icon of sassy, forceful, female
dynamism chasing the sweet space.
|
|
Real Voice: Anthony Johnston
|
Choir creator, ocean bringer, calling
and revealing song and passion in us
all.
|
|
Percussion: Joe Caswell
|
Mythically known to us as
Lightning Bow. Hot, exciting,
super talented drummer. Setting light
to everything he touches. Watch this
man. He will be working with Alex and
everyone.
|
|
Five Rhythms Workshop: Alex
Mackay
|
Gabrielle Roth trained; an
unassuming, magical and very
respected teacher.
|
|
Percussion/Woodland Crafts:
Simon
|
Secretive powerhouse at the dusty
ground of rhythm.
|
|
Egyptian Dance: Colleen
|
Modestly walking in a sensual mood.
The soul rising in female form.
Wonderful. Who could have dreamt this
delight?
|
|
Didgeridoo: Shining Bear
|
A mountain of a man blowing the
primordial note!
|
|
Bulgarian Singing: Dessislava
|
Incredible voice and talent from this
stylish lady, steeped in Bulgarian
tradition.
|
|
Salsa: Andy Rae
|
Sensual, Latin-suited, under a hat
and 'being it', the Cuban Andy
shows us the steps. Also:
occasional Sculpture and Clay
experience with materials straight
from the wild with this experimental
artist.
|
|
Icelandic Songs and Stories:
Sigurburg
|
Sagas and songs from the land of ice
and fire.
|
|
Story: Deborah Gordon
|
Story, dreamtime, drama, ritual
theatre invoked by this fine
storyteller and ceremonialist with
one hundred percent warrior presence.
|
|
Story: Chris Jones
|
Well versed with a great store of
ancient lore. Night sky
interpretation, powerful ancient
epics, encyclopaedic knowledge.
|
|
Story: Shivam
|
Heroic tales of transformation.
Fierce encouragement and master of
ceremonies.
|
|
Sufi Poetry: Duncan MacIntosh
|
The pain, the longing and the
ecstasy.
|
|
Kitchen Genius: Vince
|
A contrary: a hyeka, a storm of
gentleness, an unpredictable,
hilarious and beautiful, grief-filled
contradiction. Love itself and calm
and order in any kitchen.
|
|
Children's Circle - Children in the
Valley
|
Co-ordinated by Fionna Collins,
and Luci Wright. In a sensitive
and supportive way, the aim is to
encourage children to have their own
experience in their own circle.
Suitable for children of any age who
are comfortable without their parents
for two or three hours - smaller children to be accompanied by an adult.
|
|
Young Warrior Men: Silas
|
More cool pointers on big times with
rebellion and responsibility.
|
|
Young Warrior Women: Saffia and
Aisling
|
Holding the young women's lodge.
|
|
Welsh Language: Brinley Palmer
|
We ask our youthful native speaker to
pass it on.
|
|
Welsh Song and Poetry : Blaenporth
male voice choir
|
Rousing harmony and perfect metre
with the great-hearted Blaenporth
male voice choir.
|
|
|
|