| Archive for Lighting the Path Less Taken A place to discuss and learn about alternative ideas & thoughts ie Reiki, healing techniques, past lives, astral projection, dreams, visions and more in this already difficult world |
| Time Traveler |
Traveling in TimeAh, just a week from today. Just a week.I will be awaking to an encampment of folks who travel back in time to the Middle Ages. We are a hearty group.....primative camping on 500 acres. There will be about 2000 of us this time. We will be preparing for the big event of the season that happens in late July and early August when there will be 12,000 to 15,000 of us there. We are all dressed to period and there are no spectators. Everyone is a participant in "the dream." At this time next Saturday morning, we will have visions of the night before still dancing in our heads. The night to come will contain the same. We will have spent the night listening to dumbeks, djembes, sitars, riqs, celtic flutes, bagpipes and perhaps a digeridoo or two. There will have been incredible belly dancers circling the campfires. We will have hugged old friends from far away places. Some we haven't seen for years. And Saturday next, I will go to the merchants at marketplace. As I carry my market basket, I will be searching thru clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, books, crystals, cloth, skins, perfumes, weapons, antlers, cooking caldrons and much much more. Then I'll attend classes -- maybe take the one on Horse Clothes or Barding Styles in the Middle Ages or Welsh Laws and Land Holding. So much more too. So much to do, so little Time. Then later in the day, attend court and see the King and Queen! Then feast & drink, laugh and sing. Ah, the good life. Homemade meade and wine, perhaps a cordial or two. Society for Creative Anachronism -- my passion and my life now. Ever wonder (she said egotistically) why I'm the Time Traveler? Yep, this is why. The Middle Ages -- as they Should have been. Of everything that goes on there, one of my fondest memories is just laying in my tent, napping in the afternoon. Drifting in & out of dreams. And hearing a single far-off bagpipe being played. It is the only sound besides the birds. I don't know who is playing it, but I do know that person is in the same place in time as me. Today, as I start packing my camping goods and wardrobe, my mind is there already. Waiting is the hardest part. No, leaving there is the hardest part. -- TT |
| mia |
That all sounds wonderful tt!
It's so good to be living what you dream of among others of the same dream. Have a wonderful time in the Middle Ages. Enjoy your dream. And when you return tell us all about it. It may be more than a dream xx |
| Sage/Debs |
I'll be with you in spirit, enjoy my lady! |
| BooBoo |
It sounds like a lot of work..........BUT tons of FUN!!! I always love seeing the photos you share. 
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| Haywire |
What a great way to travel in time. Sounds like you already are there....have a great trip and looking forward to your adventures. The market sounds like a neat place to shop.
Have fun, Jacquie |
| Time Traveler |
Here's a few photos from last year's big event, not the one I'm headed to next weekend.
This is in the market. They are more than 150 merchants annually. Don't forget......... this is all built every year. When we disappear, so does everything else. 
We are primative campers for current times, but not for our times. We call them the current Middle Ages: 
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| Sage/Debs |
Oh how I wish... |
| mia |
How my brother would love all that.
He makes all his own clothes for his work. And has to use authentic materiel, no nylon or polycotton etc. If you want a travelling storyteller .......... |
| woodnldy |
Ah man what I would give for a drum like that. Do they sell those also? |
| Time Traveler |
Woodnldy -- Try this site. I haven't seen that particular drum for sale at my events, but that doesn't mean they aren't there! I never feel that I have seen everything. And I've been going for years!
http://www.celticrenaissancemusic.com/medieval/renaissance/tabor/drums As I was drifting off to sleep last nite, I was seated at a feast table. I was missing something from what I should have had. I saw an arm, covered in a fine cloth with decoration, placing the dish gently in front of me. I said "Thank you, kind Sir." That was the whole dream. Am I there yet? 
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| Sage/Debs |
Pretty soon friend pretty soon |
| Time Traveler |
Ah, yes, soon...........but never soon enough! |
| mia |
How long does the 'festival/dream' last?
Weekend? Week? |
| herding cats |
Last weekend there was an SCA event about 4-5 miles from my house, drove by on my way to work last weekend....it looked like a small one and the weather was not ideal for tent living.....
I've always thought that looked like fun but not enough time in this lifetime to do everything that looks fun...sigh.... I look forward to your pictures it is still fun to go via internet
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| Time Traveler |
Mia - The event I'm going to this weekend is from Thursday thru Sunday afternoon. Pennsic, the big event, is for two weeks. Last year, I only left the site for about 5 hours the whole time!
Throughout the year, there are events that last different lengths of time. Some are just an evening with feast and medieval dancing. Others anywhere from 1-7 days. I've met folks from all around the US, Canada, England, Australia, Germany, Scotland and more. Amazing to me who was just a farm girl when this started for me. |
| woodnldy |
 TT you naughty girl.  I found one I liked,not quite as big as the one in the picture but a good size to carry and use. I ordered it to, LOL Wonder what hubby will say? You may hear him at your house but don't worry ,he has more bark than bite. Thank You Lady Lavendar 
Cheryl |
| mia |
Do you attend all of them?
I think it's lovely, exciting, that you can interact with others who share your dream. It's something to look forward to, to think about, to plan. I am looking forward to hearing all about it and seeing photos. ((hugs)) mia xx |
| Time Traveler |
Cheryl - I didn't know you are into drums. What do you do? I'm glad that you liked them so much & glad I could help you find something to make you happy.
Mia -- No, there are so many events that I could easily get to, but I certainly can't afford to go to them all. I'd love to, but ..... I do get to go to between 7-9 events each year. I have another in late May and two in June. Then the 2-weeker in July-August. Then some others I usually attend, but I'm lucky enough to have more around me than I can attend. I now live in the Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands in the Sylvan Kingdom of Aethelmearc. I just moved from the Shire of Rivenvale in the Oaken Region of the Middle Kingdom, but I am still a member of that shire. Sage has some idea of what I speak. She also lives in Aethelmearc, but I don't know what her local group is. I think she does. |
| Time Traveler |
Soooooooo...........I'm back from there. As usual -- nice time, nice people.
I only took a few pix because the weather was cruddy with a capital "C." We just pretend it's not raining except when it's pouring & wind is 50 MPH. Um, that kind of gets in the way. Anyhow, I forgot I even had a camera for the first 2 days. Here's a few pix of people just walking by. One pair is on their way to battle. The other couple on their way to market. 
And my goofy son cooking breakfast while wearing a ballcap, t-shirt and a kilt! That's my boy! Gees. 
Had fun, but was dampened for sure. My tent flooded as did many others. Went to market but very few coin of the realm in my pocket. But, as usual, old and dear friends to share misery with. Oh well, there's another event in 2 weeks. I'm sure it will be better, weather-wise. It's inside a castle. Fighting is outside the castle, but we can watch from atop inside. Inside will be feast, games and dancing. woohoo! I'm ready to go again. |
| Sage/Debs |
Well considering my week I wish, weather or no, I could've gone, glad you're home safe. Now where can I get a tent like that one in the 2nd pic, love that! Welcome home my lady. |
| Time Traveler |
I know it's just light-hearted asking, and this is light-hearted response. Check out these sites, but you had best have many coins, m'lady.
http://www.medieval-fightclub.com/category29_1.htm http://www.pantherprimitives.com/medieval.html |
| Sage/Debs |
Want one
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| Kathy |
Sorry about the weather! What a bummer, but I'm sure it was great to see old friends and make new ones.... |
| Sage/Debs |
These are nice and "only" $500 plus shipping! 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI....RK:MEWAX:IT&item=370041224661 |
| mia |
So sorry you had bad weather tt :(
And you were so looking forward to it. I'll order better weather for the next one for you lol Love mia xx |
| the hermit |
The weather can be like that
Its better not to take it personal Just enjoy the moment Its all part of the journey |
| Time Traveler |
Next destination:
(Photos from last year's seige at link below) The Siege of Harlech Castle II May 30th, 2009 All fighters and combat archers of these Sylvan Lands are called to the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands to besiege or defend the Castle! The year is 1409. Rebel Welsh forces under the command of Owen Glendower now hold Harlech Castle, which lies along the Western coast of Wales. If the Welsh rebellion is to be put down, the English must find a way to re-conquer this Edwardian stronghold. On May 30, 2009, heavy fighters and combat archers will once again choose sides as the English and the Welsh battle for dominance in Western Britain. In addition to a traditional heavy weapons tournament, a two-man spear tournament shall be held on the drawbridge. New this year will be rattan melee in a flat, hourglass-shaped meadow near the castle. From the parapets and windows above, combat archers will shoot at fighters below. There will be competition to see which heavy fighter can deflect the most combat arrows with great sword or katana. There will also be a formal combat archery competition. Space will be provided for the populace to watch the combat archery from the parapets or from below. http://www.pbase.com/darter02/shc01 |
| Sage/Debs |
Wow, just wow! Those were amazing and hard to believe it is just a re-enactment. Beautiful really, thank you for sharing my lady.
As a 134 picture slide show it is impressive http://www.pbase.com/darter02/shc01&view=slideshow get a cuppa. |
| Time Traveler |
And this castle is someone's private residence.........I told you these people are into it. The owners open it for events 2 times a year. This is the seige, but the other is a schola curia, a day of classes and lessons. |
| Sage/Debs |
no way!!! |
| Time Traveler |
Well, yesterday's event boasted fine weather & I took pix aplenty. For those who would like to see them, here's a slideshow click:
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/slideshow/22008671 BTW, the first one is a rare picture of myself as I anticipated the day's activities. I hope you enjoy traveling back in time with me. Welcome to the current middle ages.  - TT
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| Sage/Debs |
Oh Lady Lavender, you look so beautiful! Wondrous good photos thanks for sharing. I am glad you had such fair weather, not too hot or cold!
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