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Dear Community,

First, the organizing team for Sunrise camp we would like to thank you for all the support that sunrise camp has thus far received from the community - all those people who bought raffle tickets (and we're sorry there were only 5 prizes), people who've sent us donations and people who've helped with publicity - handing out flyers and posting links for us, said nice things about us (and to us) and probably a few more that we are forgetting - we are hugely grateful!

And we need to ask for more support - currently the camp is about 9 people away from break even point, with 6 weeks to go before camp starts, we are decidedly anxious (the organising team is financially liable for the venture, and none of us have any spare cash).

we have crunched numbers back and forwards many times, and are running at our bare minimum, with no extras - both the org and teaching teams are donating their time for free.

We are committed to Sunrise camp going ahead in one form or other regardless of bookings - and we are really hoping that we will find enough extra people so that camp can go ahead as originally planned with 6 teachers and three paths, and many happy campers, that is our vision! If this is not the case we will have to make some changes to the structure of camp (not its length) and the size of our teaching team.

If you are planning on coming to camp and havn't yet booked, please do so! or at least drop us a line to let us know you are intending to come and a booking will follow!

If you want to come to camp and can't quite make the fees, please contact us, we can't promise much, but we are committed as a group to making camp as accessible as possible, so it's possible we might be able to work something out.

if you can't come to camp, but would like to support us, perhaps you would like to consider making a donation to the cause, or donating something to the camp raffle/fundraising.

perhaps you could put some flyers or posters in local shops or give then out at local events - we have pdf's of flyers to print out, or drop us a line with your mailing address and we can put some in the post to you.

and of course! positive energy and magic for Sunrise camps sucess is always welcome and appreicated.

with thanks and gratitude,

the sunrise camp org team

flame
Halo
Katy
Peter
Raven

(PS... sorry to those getting this from every organiser!)

I expect many of you have heard about this already, but for those that haven't, in South Wales (UK) this summer...






We're running on a shoestring, and Raven has made the most gorgeous bracelets, so if you've a couple of pound to spare to help out with some fundraising... or you just really like interesting bracelets... please check out our raffle!
Fundraising Raffle here!
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The soft sun warms my skin... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Life is Sweet!

Tortellinni, for once perfectly cooked, delights my tongue... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Life is Sweet!

My final essay is done and in and no longer a weight on my mind... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Life is Sweet!

There are blue-tits playing and forgaing in the garden, and white butterflies in the blossom filled breeze outside my window... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Life is Sweet!

And I am listening to amazing music which makes me want to smile and dance... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Life is Sweet!

Life is sweet, and I am so very grateful!

My heart goes out to everyone here, everyone who is struggling with health and work and stress and everything... I send you a piece of joy to keep you warm...

In Delight,
~Halo xx

I am listening to a brand new album (for me) by Skinny White Chick called Blessings (Pagan themed, check it out! Thanks gwydion1987 )

The second song April Fools Day is really making me giggle!

She's rather good...

In other beautiful news... I have gorgeous food from the local farm shop *noms*

loveandpower 's Beauty we Love Course is intense and makes me Sing!

I am full of joy! My uni work-pile is rapidly diminishing, my dissertation is close to done, my magical practice is expanding, my Faery Path is winding on and everything is winding together in my heart into a beautiful, glowing, sensual whole!

Everything is feeding into each other, supporting each other, building each other....

The only part missing is my Lovely, and he is working to rebuild his foundations... so thats ok. Thats good.


Some lyrics from SWC's Firebird's Child

"If you're brave enough to dance
then you are brave enough to fly!
Forget what's right and proper!
You won't know until you try!
If you're brave enough to fly,
then you are brave enough to burn!
Take my hand and join me in the
Carnival of Dawn!

I am the firebird... "

In Love and Beauty and Delight!


ETA: The next sone that played... Rabbit... for some reason filled me with so much joy and ebauty and, somethign, I am actually crying! I do not cry at media. But I'm weeping now. Oh! I am Touched.

For reasons known only to the voices in my head (and they're not sharing) I found myself walking home with a beautiful second hand flute today.

I can't read music. I can't play the flute. And yet, I bought it.

My friend is a very persuasive woman. She offered to teach me to play. She haggled the price down so I could afford the service to bring it fully back to life. She played each one on offer and told me the benefits of the one that came home with me.

So, despite the fact I'd decided not to spend any more money so I can afford to travel instead, I bought it.

And she's beautiful.

Silver-coloured, with the slight patina of age that comes from not being polished for a while, and engraved with the company name: Lark.

I had, for the aforementioned unknown reasons, decided to go check out the stall selling musical instruments in the Union this afternoon. There were also books, but nothing that caught my eye. I looked as I passed it at the guitars and trumpets and wondered why I'd bothered... but then my friend called my name, and, turning, I spotted the three flutes, waiting.

And there, nestled in the blue, was the little SkyLark.

I say little, apparently she's quite chunky for a flute, but, I am told, this is perfect for beginners, it makes it much easier to find the buttons.

So, yes, I brought her home.

Synchronicity or impulse? Time will tell.

One thing is for sure, this morning, waiting for the physio appointment that tunred out to be (hopefully) the last I need, I tried to sketch myself with a flute. I couldn't recall how the hands went and drew a front facing flute instead, but the urge was there.

So something made me think of flutes today.

And lo, the manifestation is complete.

And yes, after I finished the first draft of my essay, before I sat down to write this, I took her form her box, assembled her, and played a little, practising how to blow and trying to discover how to make the notes change. I never imagined a flute had so many buttons and levers!!! For once, however, I was not frustrated by the instrument. The slight ache in my hands from holdign an unusual object doesn't bother me, my inability to get anything resembling a tune, or even scales, is not a problem. The fact I know other people could hear me doing really badly... didn't bother me one bit. And normally any one of these things would have encouraged me to forget it.

I'm optimistic.

We'll see what happens over the next couple of months, won't we?

I've just had a lovely Sunday.

I decided not to go to Art Soc, and this was fine.

I spent the afternoon at a new friend's house, with others, as she talked to us about her faith, Bahai.

My sweetheart drove me up there, and I forgot the directions so I had to direct us through vaguely remembered instructions... Oops.

It was beautiful though, the rolling Welsh countridie is gorgeous in a very soft way :)

We got there eventually and Avril greeted me form her doorway. I was just in time.

it started with music and words to meditate to, and then silence.

Next she explained a little about Bahai, and then we asked questions about it.

Eventually it, unsurprisingly, evolved into a gernal discussion about things, which was really nice. And there was cake and tea. Mmmm.

I got a lift home with someone I know from class, and he pointed out Venus as the sun set.

Now I'm pootling online while my lovely sits reading... and I'm listening to 'Spanish Earworms' ~ learning Spanish for my trip!

Pleasant.

Oh, and in a bit I fully intend to start work on my next essay. I still haven't cut down the previous one!!!

I'm trying to cut down 3,151 words of essay to 2,000.

This is difficult.

I don't want to complain, but I think I will.

New rules mean that instead of having just finished half my essays for this module, I have to put in extra time to have finished a third of them. How bizarre is that!?

On the plus side, I now don't have an exam for this module. On the down side, I have less time to do all the work I need to do. And I LIKE exams. *le sigh*

Meh.

Back into the fray.

Story Charmer

In the back of my mind, through the forest of thoughts, I catch glimpses of the story. Its shy, but longing to be shared, and though I can't quite make out its shape occasionally, just for a moment, I catch sight of its colour.

Warm markings full of depth and glowing orange-red flash between the deep green leaves, like a goldfish in the ocean, dark and murky.

The story sneaks closer and I sit patiently, my pen flying across the paper while every other part of me is still. Waiting. Waiting for the story to lay itself down in the movement of ink, the flow of words across the crisp paper transforming potential into reality.

(posted here: www.haloquin.blogspot.com)

I'm thrilled to be running this residential workshop with my friend flame :)

The Elements of Magic

Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th April, 2009
Eskdalemuir, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland

A core class within the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft, led by flame and Halo

Join us for a residential weekend in the peaceful hills of southern Scotland.

We will take a journey together through earth, air, fire, water and spirit, focusing on our most important magical tool and the foundation of our spiritual practice: the body.

Using breath, voice, movement, imagination and creativity, we will explore the basic skills and tools of magic and spiritual practice in the Reclaiming Tradition.

***Full cost, including food, accommodation and all materials: £90-£120 sliding scale.***

For more information and to book visit http://reclaimingscotia.wordpress.com/core-classes/the-elements-of-magic/

Hello all!

I started up a new blog to share and keep track of arty-crafty things I make.

For your enjoyment:

My Studio

There is currently a giveaway of a little Dotee doll on there, for One World, One Heart, so if you'd like to win a pretty little creation, please comment in the post about the giveaway, I'll be drawing a winner randomly on Thursday 12th February - you have one week to join!

PS: please leave some kind of contact details otherwise I won't be able to let you know if you've won!

Bad news for handmade toys in America.

Thankfully this has been put off for a year.

I'm baffled.

Found at Eloah James' blog.

A flister linked me to this. I don't get it. Why would you remove ribs from a reproduction of an artist's work? Why? Whats so good about anorexic versions of beautiful artworks?!

Le sigh.

And I struggle not to apply these thoughts to myself. Anyone who's met me would probably agree I'm not anywhere near too fat. I see these kinds of reductions of beautiful ladies so often though that I find myself uncomfortable with my curvier figure.

(Ok, so I could stand to lose a few pounds for health reasons, but I'm not that bad dammit.)

On a whim, when we arrived back in my home town, I applied for a job.

I just had a phonecall asking if I still wanted it.

The honest answer is not really.

But.

Money would be useful, and I can do it, and if it turns out to be too much work with my studies I can quit.

So theres no real harm in taking the offer.

I do it, it goes fine, I get money. I win.

I do it, its horrible, I quit, I get a little bit of cash and a story. I win.

Win-win situation.

So why am I panicking?

I really like being unemployed during term time. I like being able to concentrate on studies and crafting and beign a student. I won't get many other chances to live like this I expect. I know I'll have to work in the future, but I don't really want to.

And its in a fish and chip shop. Although I'll apparently be working the till mostly.

*shrugs*

Informal interview type thing tomorrow afternoon.

It'll get sorted I'm sure.

Interesting aside... I guess this highlights interesting things about me and money. I'd rather not have money than get it in a way I don't enjoy. Huh. Guess I shouldn't take the job then. We'll see.

I'm quite capable of remaining oblivious to most Orwellian schemes our government concocts, so this database of communications shouldn't surprise me. But it does. How can such a plainly ridiculous idea seem like a good one? Does our government look at the world through warped mirrors?
Why this seems like a stupid idea.

You know, I'm really pleased for America, but I do find it a little unsettling when I'm excited about America's new president, and following sites which list the wonderful things he is doing... and I roll my eyes whenever our PM speaks. Isn't it sad, Mr Brown, that your country's people are more interested in the president of somewhere far across the ocean? When we feel that better things can come of this than what you seem to stand for?

I am relieved for my friends and family living in the US, I am grateful for what Obama has already pledged to do for Civil and Human Rights, and I'm pleased that there is hope. A part of me hopes in the name of all that is holy that he can carry through on his promises, and isn't assasinated, or worse, breaks his promises and betrays his people, but its only a small part that thinks this might happen and worries for the people placing so much hope in him. Oh yeah, and a part of me is jealous that America has a President that looks to be making good things happen and we're stuck with a government that is dissolving into 1984, and only looks to get worse.

Can we haz a golden candidate now pleez?

PS: I wasn't joking when I said I'm good at being oblivious to our government, I'm honestly mostly fairly oblivious to general politics, so yeah.

An art therapy rehabilition centre in Saudi Arabia for ex-militants. Beautiful.
8 Minute Documentary
Artworks

(A Focal Point Episode, from Wide Angle)

The beat. Struck. Deep.
Rhythm. Pulsed. Through.
Bodies. Dripped. Danced.

The sweat poured from her skin and she did not notice. It made her movements smoother, easier, removing all friction from between her and the world.

She danced.

Lights flashed every colour imagined since neon, a riot of manic patterns coating the room with jilted visions of seconds snapshotted from the ravers’ lives.

The beat struck deep in her bones.

Her arms moved of their own accord, feet dragged willingly on puppet strings of song. She did not dance, the beat danced her.

She was the dance.

No thoughts. No mind. No feeling but pure bliss.

Only the dance.

Her eyes, half open, watching the floor. The floor, moving beneath her, known only by the touch of her feet.

She was the dance.

Then, into her sight, came another pair of shoes.

Feet faced feet, dancing together.

Matched perfectly, dancing in the dance.

The music raised their faces at the same moment and they met, recognising in each other themselves.

They danced together.

Time began, mirrored in each other’s eyes.

They danced in until the lights came up, the sun rose beyond the walls.

The danced out together, fingers entwined, along the beach where the waves began to pound.

They danced together, no longer alone in their world, alone in the dance.

They danced together and a new world was born between them. A world of wonder.

They danced together.

And the world danced too.

( The inspiration... )

I'm really happy right now!

I'm enjoying reading everyones "this made me happy today" posts on LJ, and all the things people are grateful for, so I thought I'd chime in with the first things that come to mind...

I'm eating yummy food! Cottage Pie, made by yours truly :) (I can cook thigns that aren't pasta, thank you very much!)

I'm talking to a friend I haven't seen in ages, and ze has a bunny!

I got some really encouraging feedback from my dissertation supervisor about the first chapter, which basically says I'm doing the right things.

S.O. Is on medication. Which sounds bad, but it means he's gotten help and is on the path to healing :)

I live with a kitten!

I'm going to see my mummy tomorrow!

Solstice on Sunday :D

Yeah, so happy day today!

I'm on 9,872 words out of 20,000.

I'm feeling good about this. Accomplished.

I'm also worrying that I'll get to the end and it'll be complete crap and I'll have to redo the whole thing... but thats fine.

Just ordered a book for it, which I should get over the xmas hols, so, hopefully, all will be good!

Now to go phase out somewhere not in front of a screen. Maybe with some dinner.