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

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.

Since we are faeries at heart, Jenn and I have been going to the Spoutwood Fairie Festival on May Day since 2004. 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, and a heart place and time for us~ <3 (You can go back through my Fairie Festival tag and see our story of the festival--this is the place where I proposed to Jenn in 2004. <3333)

Me and a baby water fairy in 2004~


I have watched the steady progress of Glen Rock Fae: The Spoutwood Fairie Festival Documentary with vast excitement--from the web site: "'Glen Rock Fae' is the story of the Spoutwood Fairie Festival, which is the largest and longest running May Day fairy festival in the world." The documentary is FINALLY finished, but the director needs our help!

Though the documentary may be finished, money is needed in order to get the DVDs pressed and created--that's where we come in! Over at their Kickstarter page, you can contribute as little as $1, and the funds will go to getting the DVD out into the world. More people need to know about the wonder and magic of this festival, and the DVD is the perfect way to do that!

If the festival has ever touched your heart, if you've ever experienced it, if you've loved reading my posts about our experiences there--please consider contributing. Though Jenn and I are incredibly strapped for cash, we found some somewhere, and gave it up so that this thing can live. :) We are so excited about it, are already gearing up our costuming ideas and excitement for the festival in general, and simply can't wait for its release.

Please consider donating--thank you so much~ <3

"You should not fill your head with foolish dreams. What are you reading?"

"How a Princess Edane,
A daughter of a King of Ireland, heard
A voice singing on a May Eve like this,
And followed half awake and half asleep,
Until she came into the Land of Faery,
Where nobody gets old and godly and grave,
Where nobody gets old and crafty and wise,
Where nobody gets old and bitter of tongue.
And she is still there, busied with a dance
Deep in the dewy shadow of a wood,
Or where stars walk upon a mountain-top..."

~ from The Land Of Heart's Desire by William Butler Yeats



~*~

We have returned from the Fairie Festival. Recap post coming soon--it's almost impossible to believe it's all over. I am a wee bit more than a little sad.

Because there's too much sadness and worry, I'm switching gears. Thank you so much for your prayers and good energies for Solstice...If you could please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, I'd greatly appreciate it...I'm going to try and focus on happy, hopeful things today to help raise her energy--and ours. :) <3 (Jenn didn't get picked for jury duty--so that's one happy thing~)

And, obviously, the Fairie Festival is almost ONE WEEK AWAY!!!

(To those new on my friends list, the Fairie Festival at Spoutwood Farm is the highlight of our year~ It was the first trip that Jenn and I went on when we became a couple, and it was where I proposed to my sweetheart~ The place holds so much magick and mirth and true, deep joy that we look forward to it more than any other time of the year...)

We put a lot of thought and planning into our costumes each year...thank the gods we have so many different costuming pieces, because we're going to try and construct most of our costuming this year from what we already have. I'll have to make a few wings and head pieces and hair falls, but other than that, it's fairy-closet-raiding-time!

Friday
Jenn: Pioneer Fairy
Sarah: Cowgirl Fairy

Jenn came up with this pair, actually...for Yule, I gave her bloomers and a (yet another to add to her collection) bonnet, and she has a vintage prairie dress...so all that needs to be added to this is LOTS OF SPARKLES (please don't ask me where prairie women got their sparkles, I probably don't want to know XD), and wings. All I need to make her wings is a quilt fabric and some time. For myself, I have a cowgirl skirt and hat (which should surprise no one) and a plaid shirt. All I need for myself are wings, which I'm going to make out of bandana fabric...which is the only thing (and time) I need to create them. Also, sparkles. I've been trying to find an old pair of cowboy boots at a thrift store with no luck...I usually go barefoot anyway (I'm immune to poison ivy!).

Saturday
Jenn: Pink Unicorn
Sarah: Purple Bellydancing Unicorn
Everyone (is invited to be in our): Glory of Unicorns

I had the outrageous idea to do a Glamourbomb right in the middle of the festival...lots of fabulous, wonderful people who I know and love are coming this year, and everyone is invited to be a unicorn on Saturday! Let me know if you can't find a horn or don't know how to make one, and I can help you~ A "Glory" is a herd of Unicorns...wouldn't it be fabulous if there were multiple unicorns roaming the festival? ;D Rachel and Kat and Corey are definitely (hopefully? *bats eyelashes*) going to be unicorns...it'll be fabulous together~ I have a beautiful purple flying skirt which I'll layer over black gauchos and purple and black striped high socks, my usual bellydance choli over a purple tank top, lots of purple hair falls and our sturdy purple wings...all I have to do is make the hairfalls and horn and flower encrusted headband. Jenn will be pink, wearing a floofy medieval style skirt and dusty-rose top, with beautiful cellophane wings and her awesome pink wig (with the antennae bent over to form ears). All I need to make for her is the flower and horn encrusted headband. I also need to make Rachel's headband for the excursion~ :D

Sunday
Jenn: Jellyfish Fairy
Sarah: Untamed Woodland Fairy

For years, I've wanted to do a very wild, raw, back-to-nature type fairy, and since that's what I'm invoking this year, I thought it'd be very powerful to aspect that in a costume at the festival. I'm going to need to make an outer skirt (there will be several layers of skirts), but I have the wings--I'll also need to make hair falls in the appropriate color. Now, Jenn's costume is the one I'm probably the most excited about over the weekend. She'll be wearing my Tribal Mermaid fringe belt, I'll make the appropriate color of hair falls (it's a very hair-fall-y kind of year), and then the WINGS. I can not adequately describe our plans for them. You'll just have to wait and see. ;)

So! I realize now, after the emails and private messages that I should have left comments open on my last Fairie Festival post...lots of people had questions, and so many people are coming!! What are your costume plans? Do you have anymore questions? Let's have happy times and discuss~ I can't wait to see you guys!!! ;-; It's going to be the most blissful and wonderful festival yet--and everyone is perfect, so that's saying so much~

Nine days!!!!