Fertile Ground 2008 - Activities

Renaissance Atmosphere

As this is a time of spring, when the tall trees and good creatures of the Earth awaken and greet the warming sun, we wish this celebration to remind us likewise of our own connection to nature. To that end, good people, we do state the following:

This celebration shall be one of ancient ways. We should to minimize our use of things modern, so that we can recall how things once were, and how things may someday be yet again.

In the spirit of the period, we invite any and all who wish to do so to wear clothing or garb that is appropriate to a simpler time. Anything that you might see at a renaissance faire (provided that it is not too risqué) is appropriate. Garb and period clothing is not a requirement, but it adds to the feeling of the festival and is thus highly encouraged. The wearing of bells is also encouraged that we may all together awaken the earth with our joyful sounds!

We begin at the hour of ten in the morning on Saturn's Day, 3rd of May, and our revels shall run into the night and the morning, whereupon all remaining stragglers will be summarily placed into their carriages at three of the clock in the afternoon, on Sun's Day, 4th of May.

Pray you remember that a programme will be provided to you upon your arrival at the Registration Gate wherein a schedule of events shall be included. For your convenience, a brief description of the activities is listed below as well.

Visit our schedule page, to make sure you don't miss a thing!

Maypole Dance

Celebrate the sacred union of God and Goddess in the traditional Maypole dance!

Opening Ritual

Join us on Saturday morning as we celebrate the return of Spring and the fertile energy of Beltane! Our opening ritual, led by MoonFire, will create sacred space for the weekend, celebrate the return of the warm weather and new growth, and feature the crowning of the King and Queen of the May!

Court of Common Pleas

The King and Queen shall preside over the events of the gathering, and have the capricious power and right to dispense punishment (of a suitably amusing nature) for any and all indecorous behaviour they witness. During the hour after their coronation, they shall preside over the Court of Common Pleas, wherein they shall hear the grievances of those present so that they may act as judges in these cases and make appropriate (or inappropriate) rulings as they see fit.

Children's Activity Area

Fertile Ground welcomes families of all types. Though children are welcome to join in all of the day's festivities, we do realize that some parents may wish to participate in some activities without their wee lads and lasses. To accommodate this, there will be a lodge cabin designated specifically for activities suitable for the younger ones within the community. There will be several types of crafts and games in which these children between the ages of 5 and 12 may participate. During the scheduled workshop hours, there will be children's workshops available for the wee ones as well. Because we wish to keep your younglings safe and happy, there are some rules set into place. Please refer to the FAQ for more information and rules regarding the Children's Activity Area.

Note that there will be activites for children ages 1 to 4 years old at the Children's Activity area, and those younger children are welcome to come visit and enjoy those activities while accompanied by a parent or guardian; this will allow parents to enjoy the activities with their children and the younglings will feel safe and well guided by someone they know and trust.

Main Ritual

SpiritHawk of ShadowGrove

Fertile Ground is about unity, and so the theme of the main ritual is unity among all of those attending, building a bond between us that will strengthen us each as individuals and as a spiritual community. We ask that each person or group that is going to participate in the ritual bring a small amount of soil from their own sacred space (wherever that may be). During the ritual, we will all add our soil to a large vessel, and mix it together, imbuing it with the energy of all those present, and all of the places they hold in sacred regard. Then we will each in turn take back part of the soil, and plant in it a seed or seedling, as a symbol of the growth that our newly-created unity will foster. We will ask each person or group to then take the new life home and nurture it, eventually planting it in their own sacred space if possible, to cement the bond.

ShadowGrove is blessed with an over-abundance of Oak saplings that will soon begin to die from competition. These saplings are the children of our Great Oak, that we lost in Hurricane Isabelle. Rather than see them die in competing with one another, we will be bringing a number of them to this ritual, to give to those groups and individuals with an outdoor place to plant them, so that the spirit of our Great Oak can live on throughout the community.

Medieval Capture-the-Flag

While some may be content to socialize, take workshops, and watch performances during the day, others may find it more to their liking to participate in something a little more active. If this is the case, then you'll probably enjoy Medieval Capture the Flag! Join the two armies as they fight battles, capture enemy soldiers, spy on the other army, and, most importantly, capture the opponent's hidden flag in order to take over their enemy's territory. Though this game is geared toward participants 13-18, adults are welcome to join in the fun as well. Children between the ages of 11 and 12 who wish to participate may do so, but only with parental consent and only to help other players with some of the safer tasks. However, be warned; there will be a limited amount of slots open for participants in this event. More rules and surprises will be explained at the beginning of the day at Fertile Ground, so don't be late!

Closing Ritual

Crystal Broomall

To give everyone an energy filled send off from Fertile Ground, during the closing ritual we will give thanks and celebrate our newfound unity, and prepare to take our shared knowledge back to the individual communities and groups that we came from.