GPG - Beltaine featuring - The Raymond Buckland Museum of Witchcraft

Contact Information

Covenant of WISE, Church of Wicca – ATC, Inc.

2370 Ebenezer Rd., Conyers, GA 30094

EVENTS

The Raymond Buckland Museum

Come and see the personal collection of one of Witchcraft's greatest contributors. Personal affects, Items owned by Gerald Gardener, Ancient Inquisitional Torture Relics, and MUCH MORE come and witness this slice of history, before it moves on to parts unknown!  It will be open for the duration of the festival.

Main Ritual Beltaine May Pole

Dance a traditional Maypole, and experience the mystery of this ancient fertility rite.  This is an adult only ritual.  Children will have a separate event.

May Queen Contest

Enter in the May Queen Contest, and serve as our May Queen all year long. Hosted and facilitated by last year’s May Queen, Erika Weaver, this year will be the May Queen Pageant. Dress like your patron Goddess, and come show the panel what you have to offer! Swimsuits aren't necessary, but fun. Winner will have community responsibilities, which will be handed down to her from the previous May Queen at her coronation, and receives free admission to Georgia Pagan Gatherings for the 2008 season.

May King Tournament

Compete in a dagorhir “King of the Hill” Tournament, and win the favor of the May Queen. Serve at her side as May King, and lead our men as the embodiment of the Oak King for the 2007 gathering season. Winner received free admission to Georgia Pagan Gatherings for 2007. Hosted by last year’s “May King” – Geoff the Berserker. 

Women’s Ritual – “Preparing the Maiden”

Let us gather and prepare the circle for the Great Marriage. Bring offerings for the Main Altar, shovels, and post hole diggers, wear sturdy shoes, we have to dig a hole to receive the ……. Maypole.

 Men’s Ritual – “In Pursuit of an Oak King”

Join with the Men and seek out the symbolic Oak King that will fertilize our Maiden in the Saturday evening Maypole Dance. Bring Ax’s and chain saws.

Full Moon Ritual and Opening Circle

The moon is full and witches have their work to do!  We have spent many months preparing a place for all the new statuary that we received last August.  Now is the time for all of us to consecrate these statues in their new shrines.  We also have new church members to dedicate to service and study in the ranks of formal clergy.  We must bless and consecrate the land for the festival, and invite the elements, and the Lord and Lady to join us.  We invite you to lend your energy to this formal Full Moon Rite, to share your magic with ours and to create the atmosphere within which we shall celebrate and worship in the tradition of the Old Gods.  White Robes are appropriate but not necessary.

Drum Circle Ritual

Bring your dancing belt, drums, rattles, and fire spinning gear, and let's raise energy together.  If you'd like, please bring offerings to Chango, the patron deity of Drum Circles. You can find his altar in the Drum Circle. Bring him Rum, Cigars, tobacco, and coffee, to bless him with traditional offerings, and he will ensure good energy and good weather. He will also be happy with any bottled spirits, chocolates, fruit and just about any other gifts that can be shared with each other during the drum circle.  

Henna/Body Art Party

 If you were there last year, this is definitely an event worth repeating. Join us Friday evening after Drum Circle for a Henna/Body Art Party. It'll be dark so come as bare as you dare. Show off your tattoos, tell your sacred stories, look through the portfolios and even make an appointment to get some work done this weekend. Henna, woad and body paints will be available for you to play with.

Wolf Riders May Day Party

While you are at the Maypole, please send your children to Kellie's Kitchen for storytelling and other age appropriate activities.

Temple Dancer's Guild

Dancers, Drummers, Fire Spinners; Please plan to come to help organize the Drum Circle ritual for Friday evening. Let’s prepare for the drum circle as we bless it and prepare it to carry our energies. We would love to see some veil dancers, choreographed fire spinning and practiced new drum rhythms.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday

Noon - Gates open

7:00 p.m. - Full Moon Ritual and Opening Circle
8:00 pm - Drum Circle
11:00 pm  - Henna Party - Bella- Drum circle

Saturday

11:00 a.m. - Wicca - An Open Discussion - Daniel & Bella - Drum Circle

                     Japanese Energetics - 1 1/2 hrs w/John Hill - Aphrodite Shrine

12:00 a.m.  - May Queen and King Contestant Preparation Lunch - Bella

1:00 p.m. - May Queen Contest – Erika

2:00 p.m. - Dagorhir “King of the Hill” Tournament -  Geoff

4:00 p.m. - Male Folk Dancing - Hollie

                   Pagan Parenting – Bella

5:00 p.m. - Mead Making Workshop - Paul

                   Ritual Temple Dancer's Guild - Stacia - Drum circle
6:00 pm -  Men’s Ritual – “In Pursuit of an Oak King” - Main Ritual
                   Women’s Ritual – “Preparing the Maiden” - Drum Circle

Sunday

12:00 noon - Closing Ritual

PLEASE remember to take what ever trash you have with you. THANK YOU!

WORKSHOPS

 Wicca - An Open Discussion - Daniel & Bella - Drum Circle - Come, ask questions, share your ideas, and discuss Wiccan Philosophy.

Japanese Energetics - John Hill

 Male Folk Dancing - Hollie

Pagan Parenting – Bella - Raising a child on pagan principles is difficult when you're still learning them yourself.  Come and let's discuss some basic family skills that allows the pagan mindset to flourish in our children. 

Mead Making Workshop - Paul

Ritual Temple Dancer's Guild - Stacia - Drum circle

May Queen and May King Competitions

Sponsored by Woolston - Steen Theological Seminary

The May Queen and May King are an important part of our festivals.  They have featured roles in most of the rituals, drum circles and events.  We call upon them to set an example for our children by participating in kid's events.  We look to them to set the tone in our women's and men's rituals and rites of passages.  They minister to our community as the Maiden Goddess and Oak King for the year that they reign as our King and Queen.  The May King and Queen is a growing Archetype in our community and one's personal style and contribution enriches our community and pagan culture exponentially as they set the traditions for future Kings and Queens to follow.  Their duties at gathering are many.  Any candidate that wins a May crown must be informed of these duties; plus be willing AND able to carry them out.   Note - since this tradition is ever changing and growing, the rules and traditions may change from year to year.  

So, here are the rules.

Winnings:

King and Queen will receive free admission to each GPG event to which their presence is required. 
King and Queen will receive guidance and training in their responsibilities.

King and Queen will receive one year's paid tuition to Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary.

Personal Qualifications:

Must be a legal adult.
Must be single, or have full support of significant other.
Must attend GPG events (Lammas, Samhain, and Beltaine) from Opening to Closing Ritual during their reign.
May Queens must be female.   Men cannot compete in the May Queen Competition.
May Kings must be male.  Women cannot compete in the May King Tournament.
Must be willing to serve as a personal attendant, King's Champion or Lady in Waiting, should you not win the crown. 

Duties:

King and Queen must be prepared to reign for one calendar year, from one Beltaine to the following Beltaine.
Queen must determine the competition for the next Beltaine and choose the winner.
Queen must prepare a new crown for her successor.  Queen keeps her own crown.
King must attend and oversee the competition of his successor.
King must add an improvement or decoration to his crown and pass it to his successor.
King and Queen must arrive at gathering before Opening ritual, and remain onsite until after Closing.
King and Queen must attend all events  in which they have a featured roll.
King and Queen must participate with/host one children's activity per gathering.
King and Queen are responsible for the set up, decoration, attendance and take down of their shrines.

King and Queen are responsible for delegating to their Champions and Ladies in Waiting, and creating a inclusive environment.

King and Queen must be willing to participate in fund-raising events, and generally encourage warmth and hospitality throughout the community.

Personal Attendants

The first and second runner-ups will be appointed as the personal attendants to the May King and May Queen.  These persons shall hold the titles of King's Champions and Ladies in Waiting to the Queen respectively, and will be the Attendants during rituals, shrine scenes, etc.  If the King or Queen cannot fulfill his or her duties, for any reason, s/he will release their rule to the next runner-up, and when able continue to serve as a personal attendant.  The new crown will then assume the role for the remainder of the term.  Attendants will serve the King or Queen by assisting them in performing their duties.  The King and Queen carry a powerful God-force during gatherings and need much care, close supervision, and assistance in carrying out their duties.  The role of Attendant is vital to the success of the King and Queen.

Winnings:

Attendants will receive discounted admission of $15 to each GPG event to which their presence is requested. 

Attendants will receive instruction in the performance of their duties.

Duties:

Assist with the set-up, decoration and take down of May King and May Queen shrines.
Remind May Queen and King to eat and hydrate as needed. 
    The King and Queen may be focused on their schedules of duties and forget about the necessities such as eating, drinking and wearing sunscreen.
Be willing to run errands as needed
Discuss/Assist with on-site ritual preparations
    Be prepared to assist with details from physical setup to assistance with dressing for ritual.
Provide physical support and companionship during rituals, including wearing appropriate costuming.