Lughnasadh 2005

Continuing our tradition, this year's Lughnasadh celebrated the men of the Grove, just as Imbolc had celebrated the
women. A special Warrior's Dance was created which was performed by the men of the Grove at the opening of the
Lughnasadh ritual. While slightly tongue-in-cheek, the dance celebrated masculinity and the warrior spirit. Click on
this link if you wish to view a low-resolution video of the dance (large file - 2 MB). The words to the chants are written out after the
photos below.

The celebrants also were men only, with Gannd as the Orator, Dennis as the Warrior/Sacrificer,
Mark as the Seer and Kirk as the Bard.

Using the Irish pantheon, Lugh Lamfada was invoked, along with Danu the Earth Mother, Brigit for inspiration and
Gatekeeper Manannan mac Lir.

The Grove's first Warrior Games were also held. These were open to all members of the Grove, male and female. Many of our men
used real woad to mark their bodies, but used blue paint for faces! Mark did the woading, and Medb did faces. Our first
Grove Champion would win the right to wear a special silver torc at all Grove events until next year's games.
The events held were archery, stone toss, stone and peg and caber toss.

The games were well attended. Our own Dennis, member of the ADF Warriors Guild, did the organizing.
Participating were Toad, Jon, Medb, Gannd, Mark, Dennis, Kirk, Arlene, Cassie, Robert and Jeff. Don was the judge.

Our first Grove Champion is Bert 'Spotted Toad' Kelher!

The winners of each event were as follows:

Click on any photo below to view a larger version.

Don gets a spot of warrior paint before judging the games.	Toad lets loose while Dennis looks on.	Jon shoots while Medb looks on.	Robert and Craig take their turns.	Mark lets loose while Jeff waits his turn.
Spectators cheer and jeer in the background.	Cassie and Arlene take their turns.	Kirk tries his hand at archery.	Now it's Gannd's turn!	Robert can really toss his rocks!
Gannd makes a mighty throw.	Mark has a lot of power in that small frame.	Craig really gets into it!	Medb gives her all.	Go, Arlene, go!
Toad and the stone & peg.	Jeff really throws his pole!	Gannd makes a good throw.	Toad hops to it.	The Warrior Dance begins!
The Warriors clash.	The Warriors join together.	Hurrah!	Dennis offers to Brigit for inspiration.	Mark consecrates the Well.
A scene from the Story.	Toad, our Grove Champion!

Chant 1 (at beginning of Warrior Dance)

We all come from the Hung God, HUH!
And to Him we shall return,
Like a drop of semen - HUH!
Flowing to the Sacred Well.
Hung God, Hung God, Hung God, HUH!

Chant 2 (at end of Warrior Dance)

Throbbing branch of knowledge - HUH!
Lugh of Many Skills - HUH!
Celebrate You now - HUH!
HUUUUUUUUUH!

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