Desert Magic Festival 2005

This year's Desert Magic Festival was an incredible experience! Normally, the festival dates of May 5-8 are very hot, but this year we saw cool temperatures (and even cold ones on Friday night).

In addition to the classes we had this year, such as "The Magical Journal as a Tool for Self-Development" by Mark and Julian, "Chaos Magic" with Michael Dangler, "Beginning Practical Magic" with Ian Corrigan, "Heart Energy: Increasing Your Magical Effectivity" with Nan Martin and "Sensory Deprivation: Physical Means For Spiritual Ends" with Kirk Thomas and Steve Sampson, we also had a walk in the desert at the Saguaro National Monument East!

There were five rituals this year as well. We started on Thursday with our opening ritual dedicated to Math fab Mathonwy, the Welsh God of magic. Kirk led as Druid 1 with Julian as Druid 2. Nora was Seer, Arlene was Bard, Gordon was Warrior and Dennis was Sanctifier. We opened the Gates to the Otherworlds but left them open the entire weekend. They were only closed at the closing ritual held on Sunday afternoon. Friday say Jenni Hunt teach a class on Roman ritual which was capped by an actual rite used to dedicate the Diana temple by the pool of the main house. That night, Michael Dangler performed his ritual using the words of Jimmy Buffett, all with a tropical, beach-bum theme, including strawberry margharitas! A bardic evening followed, with Ian Corrigan and Liafal performing for us all.

Saturday saw an ADF Unity Rite in the Nemeton. Done in ADF Festival Style, lead celebrant Gannd gave out all the other parts to our guests. The ADF Unity Cauldron was used to asperse the blessing to the People, done by Gordon and Kirk.

In addition to such serious pursuits, there was fun in the pools and hot tubs and lots of fabulous socializing!

Click on any of the photos below to see a larger version.

Kirk welcomes the People for the Opening Ritual at the crossroads.	The People prepare to process to the Nemeton.	Julian and Kirk cense and asperse each other.	Gordon as the Warrior.	Nora and the folks from Sierra Vista.
More folks at the Opening Ritual.	The Opening Ritual altar.	Jenni Hunt teaches her Roman Ritual class.	In the Roman rite, Jenni and Meredith honor the Earth Mother.	Jenni Hunt.
Evoking the Bardic Deity.	Purpose and Precedent.	Eric offers to the Focus.	Julian and Jenni speak the Hymn to Diana in Latin and English, heads covered in the Roman fashion.	Jenni speaking the Hymn in English.
The Waters of Life!	Mark leads his Magical Journal class.	We had leg of lamb on Saturday night!	Nora is humiliated with glitter for her birthday!	Ian and Sue lead the working for their Gate Working class.
Michael Dangler opens his Jimmy Buffett ritual.	More Buffett rite.....	Here Michael gets the women to respond (as usual).	Meredith makes a Praise Offering at the Buffett rite.	Jenni makes a Praise Offering.
Even Tish made one!	Liafal and Ian Corrigan entertain the crowd.	Nora and Skip have a light moment.	Keeping warm by the fire....	Lovely ladies of the Grove! Leilani, Tish and Nan
The outdoor barbeque area.	Carmela, Mark and Julian of the Grove.	Avery and Linda of the Grove of the Rising Phoenix.	The Unity Cauldron on the main altar for Saturday night's ritual.	Michael evokes Eris to keep the Outdwellers away.
Jim of Awen's Breath Protogrove consecrates the Well.	Ian Corrigan consecrates the Fire.	Gannd, as lead celebrant, offers to the Well.	Meredith of Awen's Breath Protogrove.	Gordon and Kirk asperse the blessing.
Muin Mound Grove is represented by the Archdruid, Skip Ellison.	Stonecreed Grove is represented by Sue and Ian.	Three Cranes Grove's Michael Dangler and Jenni Hunt.	Jim, Randi, Meredith and Jack of Awen's Breath Protogrove.	Grove of the Rising Phoenix.
Sonoran Sunrise Grove!	Unaffiliated Attendees	Jenni Hunt awards Mark his Dedicant Certificate.	Nora gets her Dedicant Certificate from Jenni.	Dennis gets his Dedicant Certificate as well.
And Leah gets hers, too!	Sonoran Sunrise Grove's latest crop of ADF Dedicants!	The closing ritual on Sunday. Sarongs everywhere!	Jenni Hunt speaks about her experience of the weekend.	Michael Dangler puts in his 2 cents worth, too.
And Julian speaks as well.	Kirk pronounces the Prayer of Sacrifice.	The Final Sacrafice, a wreath which has been present for the entire Festival, goes to the Fire.	The wreath burns.	Julian closes the Gates.
"Let the Gates be closed!"	"Walk with wisdom, this rite and festival are ended!"

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