Alban Arthan 2005

Alban Arthan 2005. Continuing in our new tradition of writing playlets to illustrate the myth of the occasion, we performed, "The Eagle is Reborn", the story of the God, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, and how he was betrayed by his wife, Blodeuwedd, and her lover, Gronw, and how he was rescued and restored by his uncle, Gwydion. Robert played Lleu, Arlene played Blodeuwedd, Mark was Gronw and Kirk was the narrator and Gwydion.

For the rite, this year Gannd was the Orator, Nora was Sacrificer, Julian was Seer, Arlene was Bard, Mark was Warrior, and the Sanctifiers were Robert and Jeff.

The Wedding of Cassie and Crisben

The Grove's Second Wedding. On November 19, 2005, Grove members Cassie and Crisben were married in the Stone Circle in a full ADF style rite. For many of the attendees, this would be their first exposure to Neopaganism and ADF ritual.

Kirk was Orator, Gannd was Sacrificer, Nora was Seer, Arlene was Bard and Dennis was the Warrior.

Samhain in Kuwait 2005

Samhain in Kuwait 2005. The Groves own Robert Levin, the only Distinctive Faith Group Leader for the Pagans serving there, led the Samhain rite for everyone in ADF style. Robert has worked hard, with the help of an Army Chaplain, to see that the Pagans in the US military in Kuwait have the opportunity to practice their religion.

Three Realms Festival 2005

Three Realms Festival 2005. This year the festival moved from the mountains overlooking Santa Barbara to Malibu Canyon, outside of Los Angeles. This is the place where much of the TV show, "MASH" was filmed, as well as scenes from the film, "The Planet of the Apes."

Alban Elfed 2005

Alban Elfed 2005. This year, Nora was Orator for the first time, and she did a fantastic job! We performed the tale of Manawydan and the Mouse as a real play, with the actors speaking their lines. We even had a mouse!

Summerland Festival 2005

Summerland 2005. This year, the festival ritual was performed entirely by ADF Clergy! Kirk Thomas led the rite, opening the Gates in SSG style! This was a fabulous festival, and one that we would highly recommend to all ADF members!

Lughnasadh 2005

Lughnasadh 2005. This time it was the men's turn to be the celebrants for a High Day (the ladies had Imbolc). In a celebration of masculinity and the warrior spirit, the men created a Warrior Dance which they performed at the beginning of the ritual.

This year, the Grove held its first Warrior Games, open to any Grove member, regardless of sex. And our first champion won the right to wear a new, silver torq!

Sirius Rising and Starwood 2005

Sirius Rising and Starwood 2005. For once we had a hot and sticky Sirius Rising and Starwood, though there was one big thunderstorm on the first Saturday. There were lots of classes and ADF potlucks and bands and rituals - lot of fun for all of us!

Gannd, Kirk, Nora, Dennis and Medb made the treck out to Brushwood this year.

Midsummer 2005

Midsummer 2005. We invoked Taranis, Gaulish God of Storms, and Epona, Gaulish Goddess of the Land and of Sovereignty. We also called on Taranis to bring on the Monsoon.

Wellspring 2005

Wellspring 2005. We had great weather (mostly) for this year's ADF Annual Meeting! Lots of fun was had.

There were great classes, a fabulous Bardic night, a new Earth Mother image was dedicated in the ADF Nemeton, lots of fellowship and great rituals! Woof!

Desert Magic Festival 2005

Desert Magic Festival 2005. This year's festival was really fabulous! Lots of fun classes and 5 rituals, from Welsh to Irish to Roman and even one with the words of Jimmy Buffett!

We also had an ADF Unity Rite on the Saturday held in ADF Festival Style. Lots of people participated. Have a look!

Beltane 2005

Beltane 2005. This year we held a special Dance of the Nature Spirits to honor them at their time of year. We evoked Bel and Danu as our Patrons of the Rite and we did a short play instead of just a story of the myth.

Mark was D1, Julian was D2, Kirk was Seer, Arlene was Bard, Dennis was Warrior and the Sanctifiers were Carmela and Lily.

Trillium Festival 2005

Trillium Festival 2005. Kirk attended this ADF festival in Virginia in April. It was cold, but kind people supplied a bed in a heated trailer and lots of hot coffee in the morning! There were Norse as well as Celtic rites, and lots of fun classes - and did we mention the Warrior Games?

Check it out!

Alban Eilir 2005  

Alban Eilir 2005 (Spring Equinox). Under a drematic evening sky, we celebrated the equinox in the Welsh fashion, evoking Rhiannon and Pwyll. It rained some during the ritual, but all went on as planned.

Kirk was Orator (D1), Gordon was Offeror (D2), Nora was Seer, Arlene was Bard, Dennis was Warrior, Lily was Sanctifier and Kirk was the Storyteller.

Imbolc 2005

Julian was Orator (D1), Fiona was Offeror (D2), Nora was Seer, Arlene was Bard, LeiLani was Warrior and Lily was the Sanctifier.