Beltane Ceremony

Beltane Ceremony

Join us in honouring Beltane! The midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. One of the most vibrant festivals in the Wheel of the Year. This this year it is coinciding with the Full Flower Moon! This is a time of peak growth, abundance and manifestation.  

Our experienced facilitators, vibrant community and talented guest performers hold a sacred, connecting and light-hearted space. This will be our twentieth ceremony at The Glade and our third Beltane event. We will explore the energies of Beltane through song, story, poetry, music, dialogue and prayer. What do these energies mean in nature, in myth, in our communities and our interior lives?

This Beltane ceremony will feature special guest and renowned local collaborative vocal improv singer Briony Greenhill!

Briony Greenhill

Briony Greenhill is “one of the world’s leading proponents of Collaborative Vocal Improvisation (CVI)” - The Guardian. She is at the forefront of improvisational artistry, fusing elements from folk, soul and jazz genres to create a sound described as “Joni Mitchell meets Gil Scott Heron, with a British accent”

Briony is enthusiastic about the Wheel of the Year. We are thrilled to have her joining and excited to see what she brings to celebrate Beltane with us! You can find her music on all major streaming platforms and see her website for her upcoming courses on CVI and her media. 
 

Where? We will be gathering in the beautiful setting of The Glade, a fairytale venue set with fairy lights amid the trees of the Dartington woods. For Beltane we will be outdoors beside an open fire under a canopy. There is also an indoor ‘Nest’ space, a bar space for interval refreshments. We suggest dressing with layers for warmth or coolness.

Food & Drink:  You may like to bring your own water-bottle and thermos of tea for self or sharing. Likewise it is nice to bring snacks like fruit and chocolate to proactively share with other guests outside of the ceremony time.

Vehicles and Parking: We have a Car Share document. Please  add your name if you are driving and have the space and inclination to take others. It makes a big difference, especially to those taking the train from neighbouring Exeter and Plymouth arriving into Totnes Station. It also helps with parking. Likewise, do not be put off coming if travel isn't simple for you, add yourself onto this document and reach out to us on our email address if you are still requiring transport closer to the ceremony. 

This event is suitable for children aged 12+. Please note dogs are not permitted at this venue. It is a sober event with natural ‘good vibes’. Pre-booking is required.

Parking is at the top of the trail by 'Earth-Wrights'. This link has the parking locations and some further narrative on the walk from the parking into the woods to the venue. Please allow enough time to walk the short woodland path from the car park.

We are sensitive to accommodating disabilities where it is within our means to do so. Email us for any requirements.

Flower Power - Beltane Mini Festival

We are collaborating with Nature Dance to bring you two excellent back to back events so that our community can experience them stand alone or in combination as a mini-festival!  

Come to the Glade in Dartington on Saturday 2nd May afternoon to feel the power of CurlyBard’s Nature Dance from 1-4pm, followed by the Wheel of the Year Collective’s Beltane Ceremony from 5-8pm. Here is the link to the Flower Power - Nature Dance. 

You can buy a ticket to one event independently, or both, and then spend the afternoon moving from dance into ceremony and song. 

We are securing refreshments and food for the interval between these events: if you have any leads please get in touch. 

Timings - planning to be with us? The Glade will be free and people will be mingling and (hopefully tbc) eating from about 3:30pm - 4pm. you are welcome to come along from this time and enjoy the ambience and company. There may be some acoustic music occurring. If you are not wishing to socialise or eat beforehand then we invite you to arrive in the space from 4:45pm ready for the ceremony to start at 5pm. Please allow enough time to walk the short woodland path from the car park. At the end of the ceremony you're welcome to stay and chat with fellow guests or to head home.

Tickets are offered on a sliding scale of £16 and £22 per person depending on your means. We also have a few £11 concessionary tickets available if these prices are out of reach for you at this time.

This event is not for children or dogs!

We hope to see you there and we look forward to welcoming you.

Adam and Madeleine,

The Totnes Wheel of the Year Collective

Totnes Wheel of the Year Collective

Madeleine Honor 

Madeleine is a mother, singer, performer, sound & energy facilitator, kundalini yoga teacher, and creative practitioner. Madeleine has spent years as a performer and running drama and singing workshops with groups of women, children and refugees.
 

In her performances she often includes song, movement and mantra. Her deep connection to the natural world and shamanic practices are woven into a mesmerising landscape to create a sacred ceremonial experience.

Adam Powell

Adam is a multi instrumentalist storyteller with a passion for bringing the indigenous British Isles to life. He has read a degree in Medieval History, is a member of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, is a menswork facilitator in the Mankind Project and is the current 'Grand Bard' of Totnes, inaugurated last year by Jackie Juno.

We also thank Phil Myles and Chris Yeo for being our fire-keepers, and Scott Hunter and Harry Huns for being our photographers. 

We are currently looking for assistance in promoting these events. If you are skilled at promotion and want to help in exchange please get in touch! 

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 Totnes Wheel of the Year Collective host events focused on the 8 festivals of the Celtic calendar. 

To date we have brought together over 450 people in ceremony and supported over 30 artists.

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