In this our Tenth Anniversary year we make our Sacred Pilgrimage to the Goddess of Love, celebrating Her as the Queen of our hearts, the Radiant Lover, Lady of Sensuality and Sexuality, the Ecstatic Dancer and Singer. We honour Her as Rhiannon of the Birds, White Mare from the Sea, Blodeuwedd the Flower Goddess, Morgen Thetis of Avalon and Queen Medb the Inebriating One, whose Sacred Mead can transport us into ecstacy. We will be looking at many different aspects of the Wonder of Love, the Love between ourselves and the Goddess, and the Love between human beings. We will explore aspects of both the inner and the outer Sacred Marriage and for the first time we are inviting men to speak to the Conference of their love for the Goddess. Women’s Blood Mysteries will be part of the conference with workshops and ceremonies for women at different stages of life.
2005 will be Tyna Redpath’s final year as co-organiser of the Glastonbury Goddess Conference. She has been a wonderful vital partner to Kathy Jones in creating the Conference over the last ten years. We will celebrate all the beauty and practical organisation that Tyna has brought to the Conference and honour her in a special ceremony of thanksgiving and parting of the ways. You may like to bring her gifts of appreciation for all that she has done to serve the Goddess in the Conference over the years. We will also be celebrating Lydia Ruyle’s 70th birthday. Lydia is a fine Goddess artist from Colorado, USA, whose Goddess Icon banners have graced the conference for many years.
Once again Conference participants will be supported in Circles of Thirteen and we ask you to welcome Conference newcomers as well as old friends, so that everyone has companions on our journey of exploration into the Mysteries of Avalon. The Circles of 13 will this year create and contribute short ceremonies honouring the Goddess of Love.
The Goddess Conference is a wonderful opportunity to renew your commitment to the Goddess, to fully experience Her loving nature, to walk in Avalon’s sacred landscape, to enjoy yourself in the company of like-minded Goddess-loving people, to meet old friends and new. We look forward to seeing you here in Glastonbury and ask for Rhiannon’s blessings on our Conference.
Provisional Programme
The full final programme will be given to you on arrival at the Conference
Tuesday 26th July - Grand Opening for the first time anywhere!
THE NORTHERN SISTERHOOD OF DRUMS:
An Experience of Ancient Ice
An Exhibition by Carolyn Hillyer
Glastonbury Assembly Rooms 6.30-9.30pm.
Arctic berry drinks will be served.
Open to both conference participants and the public. All are welcome.
Wednesday 27th July - WELCOME & PREPARATION FOR THE GODDESS CONFERENCE
Morning 9.30am REGISTRATION for the Conference begins in Glastonbury Town Hall with apple juice & cider in celebration of Avalon, Isle of Apples, with magnificent Goddess wallhangings by Thalia Brown and Willow Rowe, and Lydia Ruyle’s beautiful Goddess Icon banners. Time to add your personal offering to the Goddess of Love specially created for the Conference by Sandra Brant, and to light prayer candles at the central altar.
Also time to view beautiful WOMANSPIRIT EXHIBITIONS in the Town Hall organised by Tyna Redpath and Karin Schluter with artwork from amongst others Annemarie Hopper, Morgana & Elfie, Ronnie Hudson, The Blessing Tree - Jan & Abby Fowler, and Wendty Andrew. In the Miracles Room of the Glastonbury Experience visit Sandra Brant’s Temple of Sensual Delights and in the Glastonbury Assembly Rooms you will find Foosiya Miller’s wonderful sculpture and paintings and Carolyn Hillyer’s amazing installation The Northern Sisterhood of Drums, based around nine very ancient grandmothers rooted from early in the last ice age, who represent nine clans of women born out of the earth from whom we are descended.
11.30am WELCOME CIRCLE for all Conference participants with Kathy Jones and Tyna Redpath - your Conference Organisers and Mystresses of Ceremony, introducing everyone and gathering in Circles of 13.
Afternoon 2.30pm PREPARATION RITUALS
Journeying in our Circles of 13, we prepare ourselves for participation in the Mysteries of the Goddess of Love using Her elements: Air - cleansing with incense, bathing in sound, Fire - feeling the heat of Her passionate flame, Water - blessing ourselves in Her waters, Earth - decorating ourselves, and Space - walking meditation, praying to receive Her blessings.
Evening 7.30pm OPENING CEREMONY: Invocation of the Goddesses on Britannia’s Sacred Wheel focused by the Conference Ceremonial Group which includes Aine Carey, Cheryl Straffon, Kathy Jones, Katinka Soetens, Koko Newport, Ren Chapman, Rose Flint and Sally Pullinger. With participation for all, story telling from Pamela Gaunt and Maggie Nicholls, music from Jana Runnalls, Lydia Lite & Oshia Drury, poetry from Rose Flint, circle dance with Anita-Cristina Calcaterra and Cathy Moore, belly dance with Katinka Soetens, songs from Eva van Nieuwburg from Holland, and Georgina Sirett Hardie and friends in Loving Yourself - In Celebration of my Beautiful Body.
Thursday 28th July -OPENING TO LOVE
Morning 9.30am Ceremony opening the day with trainee Priestesses of Avalon.
Presentations by Kathy Jones - The Wonder of Love
Annie Spencer - Opening the Heart to Love: Grief and Gratitude
Klara Adalena - The Age Old Path to Venus : An ancient re-membered Priestess path
Kellianna - Songs of the Goddess
Circles of 13 - Each circle to design a four minute ceremony to honour one of the many faces of the Goddess of Love from around the world, to be performed on Friday afternoon on Chalice Hill.
Afternoon 2.30-5.30pm Workshops
Annie Spencer - Balancing the Hetaira (Lover) with Mother, Amazon and Seer Annie shares her earth-based wisdom and provides the opportunity to bring the four inner archteypes into balance.
Brian Charles - Embodying the Goddess in a Male Body A workshop for men who serve the Goddess
Caitlín Matthews - The One Who Walks With You: Finding Your Soul's Friend.
The most potent spiritual allies are those who come naturally to us. In this workshop we will explore the role of the spiritual ally and discover the one who walks with you.
Carolyn Hillyer - Sacred Drum Songs from the Winter House Carolyn shares a taste of cold songs and northern drums, teaching chants from her new album, exploring ancient drum rituals, inside the circle of her new exhibition.
Clare Campbell - What’s Your Passion? Living a Sexy Sassy Wild Life Join a Creative Interactive Journey to knowing and then following your heart’s deepest passions in your work, life, relationships and play. Expect Glitter and Much Magic.
Hazel Loveridge & Katka Kramolisova - Yoni Mysteries Explore the well of our feminine power and reconnect with our goddess-given sexuality in a safe sacred space freeing our vital lifeforce through dance, breathwork, meditation and journeying.
Jaine Raine & Sophie Pullinger - Menstruation, Fertility and Sexuality for girls and young women from 8 to 18. With information, discussion and ceremony.
Klara Adalena - The Age Old Path to Venus An ancient Mediterranean Priestess path to Venus, with slides, information, meditation, music and movement Klara takes you to your inner Priestess and the Goddess Venus.
Liz Perkins and Helen Anthony - Moving through Menopause - Fairy Goddessmother or Crone in training? An opportunity to explore physical, emotional & spiritual issues around menopause with a special Menopause Ceremony.
Kay Allen & Vanessa Hedley - We are Connected in Body, Blood and Breath, Flesh, Form and Flow Explore your menstrual cycle in a creative way, in a safe and welcoming space and express your inner rhythm visually and in dance.
Evening 7.30pm OPENING THE HEART TO LOVE: CONCERT PERFORMANCE with the fabulous Julie Felix, Plus a performance of the Yoni Chronicles by Women of Avalon, arranged and directed by Aine Carey.
Friday 29th July THE DANCE OF LOVE AND SEXUALITY-
Morning 7.00am Chalice of Love Ceremony at Chalice Well with Lynne Orchard.
9.30am Ceremony opening the day with training Priestesses of Avalon.
Presentations by Catherine Blackledge - The Story of V: An eye-opening vaginal tour of the world!
Rita Hraiz - Love is a Fire: Right Relationships, Sacred Relationships
Caitlin Matthews - The Daimon Lover : Guardian of the Soul
Brian Charles, Michael Orchard & Mike Jones - Men and the Goddess Personal relationships to Her.
Circles of 13 - Make Lammas Bread Yonis In the footsteps of our foremothers we shape bread dough into Yoni images, which will be baked in the afternoon and eaten in the evening, focused by Tyna Redpath.
Afternoon 2.30-5.30pm PROCESSION to CHALICE HILL One of the sacred hills within the landscape body of the Goddess of Glastonbury/Avalon, where we will perform with ceremonies prepared earlier by the Circle of 13.
Evening 7.30pm THE HEART OF THE MYSTERIES OF THE GODDESS OF LOVE & ECSTATIC UNION
On this special evening we will ceremonially imbibe (if we choose) a Sacred Mead, which has brewed for a year and a day since the 2004 Goddess Conference, where participants stirred the honey and blessed it with their love. Mead is the sacred drink of Queen Mebh, the Inebriating One who takes us into Her ecstacy. This will be followed by Ecstatic Dance with Jewls Wingfield, in which we will surrender body, heart and soul, connecting to the deep ecstatic ocean of the Goddess. We will offer our bodies as a prayer to Her and journey together into truth and connection.
8pm-dawn All-night Vigil and Council with the Northern Sisterhood of Drums with Carolyn Hillyer. You are invited to participate in this vigil for the entire night or to come and join in just for a while.
Saturday 30th July LOVING GODDESS ALL AROUND THE WORLD
Morning 9.45am Ceremony to open the day in the Town Hall with the Priestesses of Avalon.
Presentations by Lydia Ruyle - Goddesses of Love from Around the World Slide presentation.
Clare Campbell - Being a full time Urban Goddess! A grounded humorous look.
Maria Gurule - The Goddess and Her Divine Plan for Pachamama-Mother Earth
Jana Runnalls - Songs for the Goddess of Love
Chocomama - Her Priestesses offer Her blessings.
Lady Olivia Durdin Robertson - Journeying to meet the Goddess of Love
Afternoon 2.00-4.00pm GODDESS ABUNDANCE FAYRE in theTown Hall
An opportunity to sell your gorgeous Goddess art and craftworks to Goddess-loving people or to offer Goddess readings. For further info. see website and you must prebook your stall with Tyna Redpath Tel 01458 834030
1.30-3.30pm Celebrating Lesbian Womens Spirituality focused by Clare Campbelland Cheryl Straffon
A safe inspiring healing circle space for Lesbian Women to gather and share their wisdom and experiences.
Evening 7.30pm GORGEOUS GODDESS GALA MASQUE & ORGANIC VEGETARIAN FINGER BUFFET
Come dressed as the Goddess or God you are, masked or veiled. Treat yourself to a delicious organic vegetarian Finger Buffet specially prepared for us by the Spiral Gate Organic Café. Listen, dance and make merry with Kelliana from the USA and Seize the Day, back by popular demand and especially for Tyna.
Sunday 31st July - GODDESS PROCESSION & THANKSGIVING
Morning 10.00am GODDESS PROCESSION through the streets of Glastonbury to Chalice Well and to the top of the Tor with a fabulous FRUIT FEAST. Please bring fruit to share.
Afternoon 2.30pm GIVE AWAY - Bring something lovely to give away to another person
Special Thanksgiving Ceremony for Tyna and Ceremonial Parting of the Ways.
CLOSING CEREMONY CLOSE OF CONFERENCE 4.00pm
