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The Magic of OBOD camps
- A personal view
When John Whittlestone began his role as site manager, I began to help with the site plans and the crewing process on a physical and magical level. Some remarkable and amazing moments of affirmation and connection resulted. For example: one Lughnasa camp, I set foot onto the empty field, and whilst greeting the space, I began to feel my way around for a benevolent and practical centre for the camp. I found it. However, another member of crew arrived, particularly headstrong, telling me that over there was better etc. I had felt quite certain about this centre, a mixture of pride, trust and “stop bothering me” enabled me to gently wave aside his suggestions and I began to dig, although with an added sense of insecurity. I was digging a crescent moon shaped pit. (which was more functional than it sounds…the fire was still circular) Then, miraculously, right at the centre of the fire pit, I unearthed an old horseshoe. As it laid there it exactly mimicked the shape of the moon fire pit, with the horns facing north. The theme of the camp was ‘The White Horse’ and of course our camp is in the vale of the White Horse of Uffington! I was filled with confidence and that feeling of being in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. The pit was completed and a small standing stone was placed in the opposite arc of the moon circle, a cauldron nestled between the fire and the stone… in the centre of the circle that would have been made if the moon shape was full. The pit’s shape also mimicked a hoof print from the Uffington white horse itself! There was a Taliesin theme happening on this camp too, and each day we enacted a new part of the story at morning meeting. On the first day, everyone sat around the crescent moon/cauldron fire pit and we all received the three drops whilst singing a cascading Awen. I assumed the more official role of site manager as time moved on, and began to design geometric site plans aligning the temporary temples to the solar stations and the pole star, as well as fitting neatly into the field’s natural topography and sense of place. I also began to revive a tradition that Ivan McBeth had always done (I had worked as crew with Ivan on O.B.O.D camps and other similar events). He always took the time to gather the crew in a circle everyday and tune in to the spirit of the place, to each other and to the season. So, this evolved and the magic built as we built the camps… inspired, guided and in service. I tried to add a sense of awareness and presence to the intent of building and creating a space… working the set up and tat down as spells for a great camp etc… string tied as binding charms for community… poles placed in holes in the ground as marriages of heaven and earth. Always reminding myself and crew to try and be conscious and present of the magical act of building with benevolent intent. On a patchy night at one Samhuinn camp, I was out on the field at the centre adjusting the four gateways for the ceremonial circle. The crew were down in the barn preparing food. I aligned the northern gateway with the North Star and began to walk northwards back to the barn. The northern horizon seemed to be getting lighter! There was no town there, it couldn’t be a strange sun rise! It wasn’t near morning yet anyhow. I walked back, eyes glued to these phenomena, like faint orange, red, and pink searchlights fading and getting brighter. I got back to the barn and shouted this news to everybody! It was the Northern Lights! In South Oxfordshire! We watched them for about an hour. Uncanny and heart-warming soul food after just aligning the camp with Polaris! It was like drawing down the north, the centre of the wheel. At the closing of camps there is usually an omen or significant occurrence of the spirit of nature. A few examples: The first flight of a hawk from its nest in an oak tree onto the gate bender; A hare zigzagging right through the middle of camp; A bright yellow budgerigar (!) flitting from one structure to the other; awesome Awens in the sky… The crew now open and close the camps. Opening ceremonies I have been asked to facilitate usually involve attuning to the season, the spirit of the tribe, the guides of the Order, the spirit of place and the centre of oneself. We contemplate why we are here, now. We cast a circle of peace, power, protection and love around the camp, consecrate the place and/or people and open the four cardinal gateways asking for blessings and inspiration. The central sacred fire is then lit, sometimes by the ‘mabon’, the youngest present, then ash is added from past camps. Sometimes the Druid Prayer is recited, sometimes those present are asked to speak one word of power into the centre… something they wish to bless and instil the camp with. Then we sing the Awen and the camp is declared open! Cheers and hugs all round. Closing is similarly simple, sometimes ending with a song or dance. Always many hugs… maybe actually or symbolically allowing the central fire to subside. I always enjoy an ash bath at the end of a camp… sometimes the ground is still warm a whole day after the fire has gone. One can sit there bathing and cleansing and meditating whilst the heat of the earth warms you through. The central fire pit is the main gateway for the spirit of the camp… and usually the last ‘door’ to be closed before the gate to camp is finally packed away as the crew step through it. During planning meetings in the past I have been asked to facilitate attunement rites - attuning to the theme of the camp, inviting spirit and inspiration and blessings and guidance. You know that feeling of being completely connected, and of fulfilling a reason for being alive? My times as crew and as site manager have been infused with that. Like being with a lover. The land and the site became my lover. Whilst planning and building and designing sites it is such a blessing to be filled with and guided by such magic and spirit. A real initiation into building and working with sacred space, geometry and architecture. I became fascinated by the way people move within a space, by the religious/spiritual response to the landscape, to the built environment, and by the wonderful connection to the forces that were helping and guiding me, leaving clues, providing affirmations and inspiration. Thank you. Chris Park |
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