The Gathering of the Keltrian Tribes
TopazOwl

Wed Jun  9 11:57:09 1999
     Well, I have returned home finally from The Gathering of the *br*Keltrian Tribes and have time to write, and I return with hope in my *br*heart for the future of the Henge of Keltria in particular and for *br*Druidism in general. Many good things came out of this first national *br*Keltrian Gathering. It was wonderful to finally put faces to the *br*names of people I have been communicating with for years, and to *br*meet new people that are members of the Henge.*p*     When I first arrived I made an offering to the spirit of the *br*lake. We opened the gathering with introductions, dinner, and *br*then the opening Keltrian ritual held on top of a grassy hill at *br*dusk surrounded by trees. As the stars began to peek out, the *br*wind rose, and I looked around at all the bright faces there *br*holding hands as a clan in the firelight, singing songs together *br*as one. There was something truly beautiful in that sight, and my *br*heart was glad.*p*     At an appropriate point in the ritual I sent herbal gifts to the *br*Gods on the sacred fire.*p*     The next day was filled with workshops. The Solitary   *br*workshop that I led was done at the beach area (after a great     *br*cooling swim in the 90+ degree heat), but as I walked back toward     *br*the main area when my workshop was over I was struck by another     *br*heartwarming sight: a small group of students gathered around a     *br*bearded Druid teacher under a great old lovely oak tree, intent     *br*on the instruction being given. This, I thought, is the way it     *br*should be for us, the way it once was. I certainly had a feeling     *br*of deja vu when I saw this. *p*     Searles O'Dubhain's workshop on the Ogham was very successful *br*and much appreciated by those who attended. Every time I hear *br*Searles talk about the Ogham, no matter what I've heard before, I *br*always learn a little something new. *p*     After the workshops that night we had a wonderful feast of     *br*turkey and all the fixings and a birthday party for Searles,     *br*complete with cake and ice cream and presents. (I will have to     *br*tell about the Great Cake Search another time. <g>) After that we     *br*went back to the central fire for the Bardic Competition, where     *br*we heard some very talented people singing, telling stories,     *br*playing music -- we even had a bagpiper in a kilt who just     *br*wandered in and asked if he could join us. The Bardic Fire lasted     *br*into the wee hours of the morning, with just about everyone     *br*contributing in one way or another. It was wonderful! *p*     Sunday morning was the Annual Members Meeting, where the founder *br*of Keltria spoke about a vision statement for the Henge, the *br*Board had a chance to address the other members' questions and    *br*concerns, and the results of the elections were announced. We     *br*then proceeded to the hilltop to close the ritual that began on     *br*Friday night. We worked in sacred space all weekend, and the     *br*entire gathering was very successful. I, for one, have come away     *br*with a  new sense of purpose and a renewed desire to serve the     *br*Druid community. Once in a while we really need that personal,     *br*face-to-face contact with our clan members to recharge our     *br*batteries. *p*     Yes, I am quite happy with the way the Gathering went,     *br*and I look forward to next year.*p*TopazOwl*br*