Desert Magic Festival 2008

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This year we held Desert Magic at COD Ranch and Retreat in Oracle, AZ - up in the mountains at an elevation of 4500 feet! We were blessed with beautiful weather, wonderful attendees, and an incredible location. We shared laughter, wisdom, and renewed our spirits.

Nerthus was invited to join us and bless the land. A shrine was set in her honor. We had an Opening Rite, honoring Math, the Welsh God of Magic, and we left the Gates open for the weekend. Emerald hosted a Hellenic ADF Rite (where we threw barley), Rev. Michael J. Dangler led the Unity Rite which utilized the talents of our assembled guests, and Rev. Carrion Mann led a closing ritual which honored Mothers on Mother’s Day.

For our Bardic evening, Gareth McKenzie played the harp and told stories. Raven Mann and Bill Driver aka “Uncle Brother” led a fantastic auction - and raised more than $2000! Andrea and Kitty auctioned off a boobie hug purchased by Kirk for our esteemed Arch Druid - We raised $200 on that one!

Our presenters were many and various! Carrion Mann spoke about the Might and Magic of the Dead. Seamus presented on Warrior Spirituality. Nan and Jon lead a trance journey. Raven Mann, the preceptor of ADF, Led a roundtable on the future of ADF study programs and a workshop about Ceremonial Magic. Michael Dangler spoke to us about the Vedic Hearth Culture. Cei spoke about reconstructing PIE culture. Skip led a roundtable discussion about common IE Mythological Themes. Kirk started out weekend with a shamanic journey.

A special thanks to Jon Bollin and the kitchen elves who created wonderful meals.

Thank you everyone who attended for sharing your joy, your insights, and your energy. Please join us next year! May the Gods, Nature Spirits, and Ancestors continue to bless our event and the folk of ADF.

Our ritual site	Part of the COD Ranch	Our ritual weapons	The Nerthus Cart	Cei presenting
Raven in his workshop	Michael Dangler presenting	Seamus during his workshop	Emerald performing the Greek Rite	Kirk and Michael
Skip	Our beautiful auction items	Bill and Raven, the auctioneers	Our wonderful bard Gareth	Dee and her pipes
Julian performing	Dennis	Cassie and Michael	Some of our guests enjoying the fire	Michael giving a... geography lesson?
Orion and Seamus	Ian and Crisben	Our SW Regional Druid and his troupe	The celebrants at the unity rite	Michael and Jenni at the unity rite