If this is your first time at MayFest....

Whether this is your first time at Mountain MayFest or Mountain MayFest is your first time at a Pagan festival, you are probably wondering what to expect. Like any other magickal ritual, the intent you come with and what you put into the ritual will determine largely what you get out of it. Although this festival is very welcoming to newcomers, we certainly won't force you to socialize or participate. It will take some initiative to talk to people, attend rituals and workshops, and get to know other people in the MayFest village.

When you arrive at MayFest, the first place you will stop is the registration tent. At the registration desk, you will need to check in, sign the festival liability waver, sign up for a volunteer shift, and get your wristband. Generally, this is a good time to ask any questions that you have about the event. You will also receive information about where to park, where you are staying (room assignments or camping locations), and a schedule.

You will also be provided with information about the layout of the festival site. Activities are spread out between multiple locations, including the main lawn for the Opening Ritual, Web Ritual, Maypole Dancing, and Closing Ritual; a secondary site for the Community Feast and Ball, meals, shower facilities, guest rooms, and a common social room; camping areas; and fire circles. All of these sites are connected by walking paths.

Once you have had a chance to settle in, the first event on the schedule is the Opening Ritual, held at the main lawn. You may wear ritual clothing if you desire, although many people wear street clothes as well. This ritual is a great time to be welcomed to the MayFest village and hear any announcements about the festival. If you've never been to a ritual before, don't worry. . . just listen to what is said and watch others to get the gist of what to do.

If you are on the meal plan, food will be served in the dining hall. Following meal time, Thursday night's evening ritual is the lighting of the Ancestral fire. This represents the fires that have come before us and is a way to connect with our ancestors, our past, and deep levels of ourselves. Although this ritual is very powerful, it also is one of reflection and contemplation. Following the lighting of the Ancestral fire, some people may stay around the fire for meditation, however many people use the evening for socializing, "talking shop" (discussions of the Craft), or enjoying time together. If you're new, you can mingle at camp sites or socialize with other people in common areas. Many times people will stay up talking into the early hours of the morning, and all newcomers are welcome to come in and make new friends.

Because so many people stay up late, Friday morning is fairly quiet. There is a morning meeting before breakfast (check your guide book for location), which is a good time to find out about the day's activities. Following the morning meeting and brunch down at the dining hall, the rest of the day is filled with workshops and other special events. Also, you may have to choose between more than one workshop that you'd like to attend. Don't be afraid to attend a workshop on something that you arenít familiar with. The presenters are very knowledgeable and open to questions. If this is your first time, one event that is well worth attending is the Faery Well blessing. As a MayFest staff member for information on the location and time of this event.

After dinner, the evening rituals include the Web ritual and the lighting of the Balefire. The Web ritual is a gift from the people of the Earthspirit Community in Massachusetts. Following the Web ritual, we will process down to the fire circles. Because there is no break between the Web ritual and the lighting of the fire, don't be surprised if you see many people in ritual clothing for both the Web ritual and the lighting of the Balefire, however street clothes are fine as well. The lighting of the Balefire is a very potent ritual and not to be missed. Dancing and drumming after the lighting of the Balefire is more energetic than on Thursday night around the Ancestral fire, however some people also opt to return back to their campsites or common areas for more time to talk.

Saturday, after the morning meeting and brunch, there will be collecting of food for the Mulligan Stew. Every participant is asked to bring a cup of ingredients (or a tablespoon of spices) for the stew, with thought about what energetically you want to bring to the community. In the afternoon, there are more workshops, and occasionally special events, such as handfastings or baby blessings. Also either on Friday or Saturday, there is an Elder Tea, where elders from many different lines gather together for an open panel to answer questions from the community on nearly every topic imaginable. This is a great opportunity to get candid answers from elders in different traditions.

Saturday evening is the Great Feast and Ball. The Feast is a pot-luck formal dinner. Immediately following the Feast is the Ball, a formal dance and ritual to energize the BilÈ pole. Following the Ball, you are welcome to process with the pole back down to the fire for more evening drumming and dancing.

Sunday morning, after the morning meeting and brunch, you are invited to dress in bright spring colors to help bring in the May. Down at the fire pits, the BilÈ pole is blessed, the spirit of the Shellicoat is invoked, and then everyone parades up to the main lawn for the Maypole celebration. Women will dance the Maypole by weaving their ribbons together and men will help provide support and energy for the work of the dance.

Following the Maypole ritual, there is a closing ritual on the main lawn. Make sure that you collect some strands of the web to take home with you as a powerful talisman for work at home over the next year. Also feel free to exchange e-mail addresses or phone numbers with the people you have met so that you can keep in touch throughout the year.

And remember, it's only a year until the next Mountain MayFest!

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