SeaHeart

Jenn and I arrived home very late Wednesday night--home from the 21st annual Spoutwood Fairie Festival, and a few day visit afterwards with the amazing Kat and Corey. <3 We returned home rejuvenated, brimming with magic, and just so happy and grateful to be alive~ (Hint: spending time with some of your favorite people in the world, in one of the most magical places on earth tends to do that to you. <3)

This was one of the oddest festival experiences we've had yet, with a lot of mirth from the Universe folded into the cavorting. Nothing turned out as we planned it, and in a lot of ways, that was a good thing, because of all of the festival experiences in recent years, this may have been the oddest, but--for me--it was also the most surprisingly magic-filled, in ways I could never have expected.

So, let me tell you a story...it begins, as all good stories do, with faeries...


( Chapter One: Friday... )

( Chapter Two: Saturday... )

( Chapter Three: Sunday... )

Our visit to Kat and Corey (including pictures of my nose piercing that I FINALLY have that I have waited for since I was SIXTEEN, the Universe MAY implode since it has finally happened, DEAR GODS XD) will be regaled in another post! <3 Thanks for reading and sharing in the sparkle~

<3 <3 <3

*All of the photos in this post were taken by either us, or Shel and Ryan. <3

Bright, blessed, vibrant Beltane to everyone who celebrates this beautiful Wheel of the Year--and to everyone else, joyous May 1st~ <3

Jenn and I always postpone Beltane celebrations until we're at the Fairie Festival, but we did a little bit of cavorting on the lawn today while hanging clothes...it's just crazy, getting ready for the festival and trying to get an update all squared away. *laughing* You know, posting an update two days before we're leaving because we're obviously crazed. ;D

So, the Beltane update is happening in the Fable Tribe tomorrow at five! We are going to try something very different for this one--I'm going to put up the picture preview in the morning, around eleven. You'll be able to see the Glamourkins that are coming (BOOK GLAMOURKINS AHOY), and the many Grottos we created--this update is Glamourkin and Grotto focused. And then, at five, everything will go live in the shop at once, so everyone has a very fair shot of getting whatever it is they have their heart set on, as long as they are at their computers at five PM, EST. I hope that works for everyone--we've been trying to figure out new ways that are ever fairer than before, so I'm excited about this one! I want to see what you guys think of it once it's over. :) <3

I still have to finish a story for an anthology I was invited to (so excited about it! The story is SLIGHTLY TRAGIC or SLIGHTLY UPLIFTING, depending on how you look at the ending. ;D), finish sewing the belt for my Puck costume for Saturday at the festival, go to the post office five billion times (thank the GODS our PO lady is awesome to the moon and back! <3), and get several things for the craft fair squared away. Oh, you know, AND UPDATE OUR ETSY SHOP, all before six AM on Friday morning, when we cavort our blessed little feet all the way to magic. <3 <3 <3

Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, OMG I am so excited. XD XD XD You guys--we are WEARING OUR WEDDING DRESSES on Saturday at the Festival!!!!! Jenn and I were trying on all of the costumes pieces last night, making modifications and just basically doing a dress rehearsal of what we'll be wearing, and when the fabric of my wedding dress settled around my form, I had this intense surge of emotion. When I saw Jenn in that beautiful, divine gown again, I totally cried. ;-; ;-; ;-; I can't believe we're going to our fairy home, dressed in the same gowns we wore for our fairy wedding.

<3 <3 <3 Pretty effing happy~

What else? I feel that this is so word vomity--I've been wanting to make a post all day, but we had to finish the update, and then we had to package ELEVENTY BILLION THINGS, because we're currently selling everything we own on eBay to whittle things down to a more minimalist level. :D *laughing* We've been doing that for months, actually, but the BIGGEST eBay update got finished a few days ago. We have...fifty boxes? It's insane. ;-; AGAIN, THANK THE GODS FOR THE AMAZING POST OFFICE LADY FOR BEING AMAZING. And never getting cross when I bring in more packages than I can carry. XD

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, I found out late last night that The Dark Wife's episodes of The Way of the Buffalo were nominated for the Parsec Awards!!!! Hugh and Veronica are such incredible people, and I'm so excited and grateful that we're on the list! <3 This, coming VERY shortly before the audiobook version arrives online...it's just a dream come true. :) <3 SO HAPPY!!!!

I am FAIRLY certain that is ALL THE NEWS TO PRINT. ;D IN SHORT:

- OMG YAY FAIRIE FESTIVAL.
- The Fable Tribe is updating tomorrow!
- Packaging MANY THINGS take a LONG TIME.
- Parsec Awards nomination HOORAY!
- OMG YAY FAIRIE FESTIVAL.

Blessed Beltane! <3 <3 <3

Since we are faeries at heart, Jenn and I have been going to the Spoutwood Fairie Festival since 2004 (in 2004, after the first day at the festival together, I proposed to Jenn there--eight years ago today!). It is the happiest, most magical time of our year, and we look forward to it more than I could ever say~ :) I recommend it to EVERY single person who has even a pinch of magic in their hearts. It is the most community driven, joy filled event in the world--it is a dream come true~ <3 (You can go back through my Fairie Festival tag and see our story of the festival through our years there~ <3333 If you're wondering "what's the festival really like, and why should I go?" I wrote an entry last year that scratches the surface of what the festival means to me. <3)

The 21st annual May Day Spoutwood Fairie Festival is this weekend--come out and have a fabulous, magical time! If you're going to be there, we'd love to meet you! <3 :) Please tell me here in the comments if you think you're coming! :) <333 (WE WILL BE VERY EASY TO SPOT, if you want to say hello to us--I have pink hair, Jenn has purple hair, and on Saturday, we're wearing our wedding gowns!)

The Fairie Festival is my home in this world, and I am blessed beyond words at the magical, joy-and-love-filled weekend that awaits me--I have no words for my gratitude or my ecstaticness~ <3333333

Us, last year~



The 21st annual May Day Spoutwood Fairie Festival!

The May Day Fairie Festival is the brainchild of Rob and Lucy Wood, owners of Spoutwood Farm, an organic farm in the Community Supported Agriculture movement. It began as a party for about 100 friends, and has been celebrated by 16,000 “friends” of the little people from the local area, all across the US and across the Atlantic. Previously a one-day festival, a second and third day were added as a response to the festival’s rising popularity.

Me and a baby water fairy in 2004~


Once again, the festival will celebrate the beginning of spring and all of the nature spirits return to the warm world with 70 arts and crafts vendors (mostly featuring handmade art inspired by the little people), performances by musicians and dancers, storytellers, participatory maypole dancing, fairie craft activities such as wand and garland making (involves a small fee), food vendors, fairie and other nature spirit environments to explore, a Nature Place offering a place for environmental, health, animal interest and other groups to share their vision, fairie and gnome habitat tours, fairie tea parties, guest appearances by the Green Man, the Mossmen, Sweet Pea and others.

Jenn, 2009~


The fairie and May Day themes go back to ancient times in almost all cultures, especially to the Celts of the British Isles who had a festival on the first of May called Beltane. It was a time of great rejoicing at the return of the earth's abundance in spring and the impending bounty of summer. The Celts celebrated the spirits of nature by honoring not only the plants that they could see and smell but also the unseen beings of the fairie realm.

When: May 4 2012 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and May 5 & 6 2012 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day

Us, 2010~


Where: Spoutwood Farm Center 4255 Pierceville Rd Glen Rock PA 17327 717-235-6610

Admission: Admission is $15 for people over 12, $5 for people 12 and under, and free for those 2 and under. A three-day pass is available for a reduced price of $30...the three day pass can also be used to get through the gates quicker, even if you are only using it for two of the days. Those who decide to volunteer when they arrive at the festival can request a 2-hour job assignment; upon completion, the admission fee will be refunded.

Us, 2008~


About Spoutwood Farm: Nestled in the rolling landscape of York County is Spoutwood Farm - a family owned farm and part of the Community Supported Agriculture program, supports more than 100 families with organically grown food throughout the year. Spoutwood Farm supports sustainable living practices and offers workshops and classes in streamside ecology, mead making, medicinal herbalism and more. Spoutwood is a 501©(3) non-profit organization.



Kubiando is a Way of Living

Knowing that the Universe supports you
Understanding Life’s Lessons along the way
Believe in Yourself
Invent new ways of being and be an Inspiration
Always do your Best
Never, never, never, give up
Divine guidance surrounds you
One Love, One Circle of Life

(From Kubiando.com~)

I hope to see you there~ <3 <3 <3

(Originally posted at Muse Rising~)

When Jenn and I first began dating, we bonded over many things, but none were so strong as our mutual love of Shakespeare. We each had our favorite plays, sonnets, characters, and we each had gotten so much out of his plays, and would talk for hours about the metaphors and magic of the comedies and tragedies. When we were finally able to live together after a long (and heartbreaking!) long distance relationship, we began to go to see Shakespeare plays together as often as we could.

Years ago, we were walking home after a play put on by Shakespeare in Delaware Park (our absolute favorite production company~ <3), and we were laughing about something or other, and Jenn said "you know, you should write a TRULY LESBIAN 'Twelfth Night.'" We both love "Twelfth Night" together, but the gears in my head began to turn, and I replied: "but my favorite is 'A Midsummer Night's Dream...'"

When Jenn and I were married (in fairy wings, at a fairy wedding), much of the wedding ceremony was lines from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." So much of my life has been, in some way, shape or form, marked by that play...it holds incredibly deep meaning for me, and is my favorite of the Bard's work. The seed had been planted. I wanted to retell "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Years went by, and a very dear friend of mine, who is an incredible artist, Stephanie Blackwell (fizzystickss) approached me a few months ago. She wanted to collaborate, and I'm deeply in love with her work, and absolutely adore her. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and I eagerly said yes~ <3

"The Rose Cottage" by Stephanie Blackwell. YOU CAN SEE WHY I ADORE HER ART.


You see, many years ago, when The Dark Wife was in its original version--then called Hymns for Her (I KNOW YOU ARE GLAD I CHANGED THE TITLE), Stephanie did an exquisite piece of art for me, to encourage me to finish the story. <3 (It helped. <3 I did finish it, as you can probably tell. ;D)

Persephone and Hades~ <3


Well, one of Stephanie's obsessions in life is Titania. As we began to talk about collaborating, everything began to fall into place. <3 We talked over some ideas for a lesbianized version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" over a few months, and it is now official~ <3

The Dream Queen, written by me--Sarah Diemer--and illustrated by Stephanie Blackwell, is a lesbian retelling of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in comic format. It will be released as a free web comic beginning--fittingly enough!-- on Midsummer, June 20th, 2012, and will be updated twice (or more!) weekly, until the story is ended. It's a set story, so there will be a limited number of pages. Once done, we will also be offering it in book format, which should be released sometime this coming late autumn/winter.

I am so excited about this project, and can't WAIT to share it with you. <3 Stephanie is an exquisite artist, and I am so grateful and excited to be able to work with her to bring this story to life. <3

What's it about? Well, all I can tell you is that you are going to see Titania, Oberon and Puck as you have never seen them before. <3

Fairy Friday Random has been posted on The Fable Tribe! A veritable pixie feast of magical links to peruse and share! ♥

TheFableTribe.com


Also, the Fable Tribe‘s next update on Etsy will be this Wednesday, the evening of March 14th. It will include several new magical types of treasures, and some new-ish favorites–stay tuned for magic! ♥

To all the lovely fairies and glitter-folk we are blessed to call friends:

You know that, each year, Jenn and I host a bacchanalia of glitter and magic at our home entitled the Midsummer Faerie Celebration each Midsummer. We have put on two of these massive multiple-day festivities, and we have loved every minute of them, the friendships shared, the beautiful moments, the rituals, the fairy high-teas. It has been an exquisite and fabulous run, and we loved it dearly.

However, last year's celebration, though magnificent and magical, by its larger-than-expected scope was taxing in new ways we had not yet expected, and the response (before we've even mentioned that we might or might not be having it) to this year's possible festivities is more than overwhelming--it's downright massive! Last year's celebration was bigger than the previous year's, and this year's celebration was beginning to shape up to be even bigger yet.

Which is wonderful--but is not something we have the resources to manage this year.

These past few weeks especially, people have talked about the Midsummer Faerie Celebration--and Jenn and I knew we had to come to an absolute decision (we didn't want anyone to expect something that might not happen, and we knew that many people like to plan their travel plans far ahead of time, so wanted everyone to know far ahead of time if it was or wasn't going to happen). So, just this past weekend, Jenn and I finally had the last of our many, many talks on how to make this manageable or workable this year, and after hours of discussion weighing positives and negatives, we reached the very, very difficult decision, that I am placing here:

This year's Midsummer Faerie Celebration is canceled.

The theme of this year for Jenn and I is sustainability. The Faerie Celebration is many, many things, but at its current incarnation it is not sustainable for us to put on such a large endeavor, fund it (even with the donations garnered last year!), host it and pull it all off.

This leaves us heartbroken, but also (if I'm going to be perfectly honest), relieved. With trying to make The Fable Tribe the absolute best it can be and with the many, many publishing/writing projects coming up in the next few months, we would have drained every resource we possessed to put on the Midsummer Faerie Celebration.

And, obviously, this is very, very far from sustainable.

Jenn and I talked about this for hours upon hours upon hours over months. We tried to think of every way that we could make it sustainable this year without taxing us, and we could not, even with all of our resourcefulness, leading to the obvious conclusion of canceling it. We waited this long to announce it, because we were still trying to figure out a way to make it work. But we have to be honest and gentle with ourselves (I'm total crap about being gentle with myself :P), and not kill ourselves with the over-taxation-of-all-bodily-and-spiritual-resources this year.

This is not the end of the Midsummer Faerie Celebration. Next year, I will be self employed (meaning I WILL ACTUALLY HAVE TIME, WHAT IS THAT? :P) as is Jenn, and we will have many more resources than we have now. Hopefully, all debt will be paid off. Hopefully, all of our constant hard work will have brought us to the place we've striven for for years.

Thank you so much for understanding. <3 Here's to many faerie years to come!

I know I ALWAYS SAY each of the Sabbats is my favorite, but I'm going to do it again! :D Midsummer/Litha is one of my favorite Sabbats. <3 It's so filled with joy, the ultimate time of plenty, the gardens burgeoning with life, the herald of a time of no cold, no snow, the opposite of winter. Perhaps, having lived in western New York for most of my life, I'm more highly tuned to the farthest point away from treacherous ice and snows as possible. Perhaps because it's the Sabbat closest to my birthday, and I associate such happy times and joyous moments with my birthday that it all turns into this great big package of sparkling days. Whatever it is, I love these days and celebrations with all of my heart.

THERE SHALL BE MUCH CAVORTING UPON THIS DAY. *nods* Verily. :D <3

I hope your Litha is beautiful and bright, and if you aren't of a Pagan-ish persuasion, that your Midsummer is filled with happy moments and bright, golden afternoons and fresh strawberries and iced tea and all of the comforts summer brings~ <3



Four days will quickly steep themselves in nights;
Four nights will quickly dream away the time;
And then the moon, like to a silver bow
New bent in heaven, shall behold the night
Of our solemnities.

~ from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"~ <3

Since we are faeries at heart, Jenn and I have been going to the Spoutwood Fairie Festival since 2004 (in 2004, after the first day at the festival together, I proposed to Jenn there--seven years ago Sunday!). It is the happiest, most magical time of our year, and we look forward to it more than I could ever say~ :) I recommend it to EVERY single person who has even a pinch of magic in their hearts. It is the most community driven, joy filled event in the world--it is a dream come true~ <3 (You can go back through my Fairie Festival tag and see our story of the festival through our years there~ <3333)

The 20th annual May Day Spoutwood Fairie Festival is this weekend--come out and have a fabulous, magical time! If you're going to be there, we'd love to meet you! <3 :) Please tell me here in the comments if you think you're coming,--and, if'n ye feel like it, introduce yourself to others who are coming, too, in the comments! :) <333

I am so blessed in the fact that so many people of my soul and heart families will be there this year. Sharing my most sacred space, the festival, with them is one of the most beautiful and wonderful things I've ever experienced. I am blessed beyond words at the magical, joy-and-love-filled weekend that awaits me--I have no words for my gratitude or my ecstaticness~ <3333333

Us, last year~


The 20th annual May Day Spoutwood Fairie Festival!

The May Day Fairie Festival is the brainchild of Rob and Lucy Wood, owners of Spoutwood Farm, an organic farm in the Community Supported Agriculture movement. It began as a party for about 100 friends, and has been celebrated by 16,000 “friends” of the little people from the local area, all across the US and across the Atlantic. Previously a one-day festival, a second and third day were added as a response to the festival’s rising popularity.

Me and a baby water fairy in 2004~


Once again, the festival will celebrate the beginning of spring and all of the nature spirits return to the warm world with 70 arts and crafts vendors (mostly featuring handmade art inspired by the little people), performances by musicians and dancers, storytellers, participatory maypole dancing, fairie craft activities such as wand and garland making (involves a small fee), food vendors, fairie and other nature spirit environments to explore, a Nature Place offering a place for environmental, health, animal interest and other groups to share their vision, fairie and gnome habitat tours, fairie tea parties, guest appearances by the Green Man, the Mossmen, Sweet Pea and others.

Jenn, 2009~


The fairie and May Day themes go back to ancient times in almost all cultures, especially to the Celts of the British Isles who had a festival on the first of May called Beltane. It was a time of great rejoicing at the return of the earth's abundance in spring and the impending bounty of summer. The Celts celebrated the spirits of nature by honoring not only the plants that they could see and smell but also the unseen beings of the fairie realm.

When: April 29th from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and April 30th and May 1st from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day

Where: Spoutwood Farm Center 4255 Pierceville Rd Glen Rock PA 17327 717-235-6610

Admission: Admission is $15 for people over 12, $5 for people 12 and under, and free for those 2 and under. A three-day pass is available for a reduced price of $30...the three day pass can also be used to get through the gates quicker, even if you are only using it for two of the days. Those who decide to volunteer when they arrive at the festival can request a 2-hour job assignment; upon completion, the admission fee will be refunded.

Us, 2008~


About Spoutwood Farm: Nestled in the rolling landscape of York County is Spoutwood Farm - a family owned farm and part of the Community Supported Agriculture program, supports more than 100 families with organically grown food throughout the year. Spoutwood Farm supports sustainable living practices and offers workshops and classes in streamside ecology, mead making, medicinal herbalism and more. Spoutwood is a 501©(3) non-profit organization.



Kubiando is a Way of Living

Knowing that the Universe supports you
Understanding Life’s Lessons along the way
Believe in Yourself
Invent new ways of being and be an Inspiration
Always do your Best
Never, never, never, give up
Divine guidance surrounds you
One Love, One Circle of Life

(From Kubiando.com~)

I hope to see you there~ <3 <3 <3

we fairies, that do run...
from the presence of the sun,
following darkness like a dream,
now are frolic.

~ A Midsummer Night's Dream, V, 1

~*~

When people ask me to describe the Fairie Festival, I'm usually at a loss. "It's pure magic--you've never been any place like it. It's a community, a tribe of the heart..." I try, but it doesn't cover what it is, what it means, what it holds.

I'm a freak. No part of me is "normal." I'm a lesbian, Pagan, Witch, priestess, writer, vegetarian/vegan, heavily tattooed, pacifist, animal lover, organic gardener, I was raised homeschooled and on a macrobiotic diet and as a ridiculous sick child who went to countless doctors and could not be made well. I'm actively open about all of these things, and people ask me questions about the obvious every day--and, yes, sometimes invasive, hurtful questions. I laugh it off, I answer them, I continue on with my life. I've been threatened for what I am, but even on days when I'm not, I have to listen to people telling me why I'm wrong, and I have to explain who and what I am and why, as if it's their right to question me.

Based on my appearance or the fact that I'm holding my wife's hand, or I'm wearing a pentacle, I'm immediately judged.

I don't mind it. I enjoy being able to shed some light on some things people are afraid of, or completely don't understand, and some people have completely changed their minds about "insert subgenre here," because I'm open and kind and approachable. Most days, I'm totally fine with all of it...

But, some days, it gets tiring. If I'm having a terrible day, and I'm being particularly Cancerian and retreating into my shell, I don't want to deal with it. It's very rare, but there are those days where I don't want to be commented on, questioned, made to explain myself and be the good little ambassador into Normal Land for "my kind."

And, on those days where I find it almost unbearable...I have the Fairie Festival.

There is no place in the world for someone like me, unless I dig it out and build it myself. Most people have a place. I don't. Some of the things I am are my choices, others are simply who and what I am, and couldn't be changed, even if I wanted to. I'm a unique, rainbowed creature who has no home among people in the mall-going, everyone-wears-the-same-clothes, it-mustn't-do-to-be-different eco-system that our world has currently evolved into.

But...not at the Fairie Festival.

For three days and magical nights, I transform from a freak, from a single-glance-you're-obviously-strange person who has no society to hold her, who--by her very nature, must explain why and what she is--into...well...an accepted, loved and beautiful creature.

At the Fairie Festival, I am simply a fairy among fairies, nothing more and nothing less. I get to wear the wings I always know I have anyway--just on the outside, this time. I get to be among people who laugh and open their arms to me when I hold hands with my wife. In 2004, right after I proposed to Jenn, we left the Festival, hand in hand, and a little old man smiled at us and said: the fairies love it when you love each other! That comment, alone, personifies what the festival is.

It's acceptance and love and community and tribe and deep compassion and kindness and wonder and beauty and the exact opposite of cynicism and awe and joy and jubilation and everyone is equal and nobody gets hurt and everybody is beautiful and amazing and no matter who you are or what you profess or your creed or your religion or who you love and who you can't help but loving or who you want to become or who you've been, there's a place for you here, here, here, and there's always been a place here if you can find your way home. Because that's what this is: home.

When we get handed a tract about how we're going to hell because I have my hand at the small of my wife's back, when there are picketers who hold up signs that witches were made for burning, when someone hands me a piece of meat and laughs when I won't eat it, when I'm told repeatedly how it's almost impossible to get published and I shouldn't hold my breath and I probably never will be, when people tell me we'll never get out of debt or that having dreams is fucking stupid or there is nothing beautiful about this beautiful, mad and amazing world...I find the strength within me to act out of grace and compassion, and I remember--oh gods, how I remember--that there is a place that I can go and be.

Home.

To the Fairie Festival.

So...if you've ever wondered what it's like, why you should go, why we've been going since forever...that gives you a tiny, small scrap of an idea why the world needs it, why it's important, why I count every blessed star in luck that we have it. The Fairie Festival is something I can not explain, a living, breathing, magical entity like the fairies themselves who exist there. It is alive, it is beautiful, it is magic. It will hold you, no matter who you are, and it will never judge you--simply, at its very core, it will always love you. And there needs to be more of that, in this world. Simple, given love.

Come, whoever you are--be as thou wast wont to be, here, home, the Fairie Festival.