All Hallows Gathering 2017 – The Daytime Hours

Posted by cassandralathamjones on November 17, 2017
Posted in: Community, Interesting Events. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 8 Comments

I think it is fair to say that 2017 has been my most demanding year yet as organiser of the Dark Gathering.  Speaking now from the other side of the event I can safely say that this year has also been ultimately the most satisfying for all sorts of reasons.  There’s nothing like striving in the face of adversity and despite that, succeeding to give you a real buzz!  However, this most definitely could not have happened without the goodwill and co-operation of many good-hearted folks who seemed to go out of their way to help when unexpected problems occurred.  Peter, one of the Museum’s managers, said that it was a real pleasure to work with people on the Dark Gathering because there were no egos inferring with the work in hand.  Certainly it was refreshing for me to work with folk who worked well using their own initiative and flair for whatever role that they were performing.  Thank you guys and gals!  😀

The day kicked off to a fascinating start with the talented David Pitt holding a Mari Lwyd Workshop in Boscastle Village Hall.  Everyone who showed up during the day thoroughly enjoyed the experience and there was evidence of many Mari Lwyd rattles in the crowd later on!  🙂

David is a multi-talented artisan and a gifted storyteller.  Here is his website: David Pitt

Once again we were fortunate with the weather and it didn’t seem too long before people started to gather outside the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic, eager to get a good view of the afternoon’s performances.  The Salt Sisters, a duet who sang a cappella was a lovely warm-up act to listen to whilst waiting.

The air was full of the buzz of anticipation as performers and audience began to arrive.  There was even a raven called Branwen who had turned up for the occasion!  🙂

Plus a little owl who flew in for the experience!

Ravenswell

Finally it was time for our irrepressible MC Steve Podger to start off the proceedings and the All Hallows Gathering 2017 was under way!

Our local side this year was Wreckers, resplendent in Cornish gold and black who delighted the crowd with their light-hearted and fun entertainment.  It was very enjoyable playing in the band with them and I learnt very quickly to expect the unexpected!  😉

Wreckers Morris

Beltane Border Morris who are part of the backbone of the Dark Gathering were magnificent once again with some new faces spotted amongst them.  They never fail to thrill the audience with their theatrical dancing skills and raw vigour.

Beltane Border Morris

As a surprise component there was a visitation seawards of a young Sea Oss, Morvargh and a Mari Lwyd, Seren who moved amongst the watching crowd during the afternoon.  Young Morvargh was particularly entranced by the music and needed no further encouragement when ask by Wreckers to dance along to their music!  🙂

During the break in the afternoon’s Morris dancing we had the local male voice choir, The Boscastle Buoys giving us all lively renditions of many popular Cornish songs and shanties.  Rather wonderfully they raised a total of £160 for the Cornwall Hospice by passing a bucket around to the crowd.  😀

Meanwhile, making their way down the old part of Boscastle was another Mari Lwyd contingent complete with a set of talented musicians who had travelled from Penzance to play with the Maris.  This Mari Party was calling upon some of the inhabitants of Boscastle where they, once they had gained admittance, duly blessed their houses.  Needless to say following some generous hospitality, they were well fed and watered by the time they made their slightly unsteady way to the bottom of the hill – where they had a well-earned rest…in the Cobweb Inn!  😉

By this time the light was fading rapidly and it was time for the creatures of the night to emerge from the shadows!  Which I will relate to you in my next blog.  😉

And so the anticipation built…

 

 

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Further Dark Gathering information

Posted by cassandralathamjones on October 5, 2017
Posted in: Community, Interesting Events. Tagged: , , , , , . 2 Comments

Only a few weeks to go now and all sorts of exciting things are afoot…!

Responding to a need for more retail outlets to be available to folks after the festivities, many of the local establishments in Boscastle will be open later in the day.  Also we have secured the presence of Woody’s Pizza Van who are well known locally for delicious wood-fired pizzas.  They will be stationed outside the Spar shop from 5pm – 8 pm.  They come highly recommended!

Woody’s Pizza

I now have details of how those who can’t attend the Gathering for whatever reason can watch online or as good as.  You have the choice of two options on the day:

Option One – you can follow the proceedings via the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic’s YouTube channel here:

Museum of Witchcraft & Magic

There will be a slight delay on this option whilst the filming is uploaded to YouTube.

Option Two – follow live footage on our All Hallows Gathering Facebook group here:

All Hallows Gathering Boscastle

Both options require membership – there is no charge.  Of course if you’re an avid fan you could watch both!  😉

It’s startling to consider how our original spontaneous creation has now reached a global audience in just a few years.  Well done everyone!  😀

Lastly for now, on this night of the powerful Harvest Moon I send the call out to all of goodwill and merriment.  Come join with us at the All Hallows Gathering on Saturday 28th October 2017 to honour our ancestors and celebrate Summer’s end in the ancient village of Boscastle.  Help us a-conjure in the eldritch time of Halloween!

 

 

 

Nine and a Half Weeks … until All Hallows Gathering 2017

Posted by cassandralathamjones on August 22, 2017
Posted in: Community, Interesting Events. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 9 Comments

To say that organising the Dark Gathering this year has been challenging would be an understatement!  All sorts of spanners have been thrown into the works, but amazingly where a person or a side have departed, there have been folks who are only too eager to step into the breech and fill the void.  I thank you all!  🙂

As you can see from the poster, we have a very full line-up of activities and performers this year.  Whilst on the subject of the poster I want to personally thank Chris White who designed it at very short notice.  Even more amazing is the fact, and I hope he doesn’t mind me mentioning this, that Chris is disabled and is more or less housebound being a full time carer for his beloved wife.  Chris sadly will never be able to attend the Dark Gathering, but has given his full support to the event from it’s inception.  Chris is a unassuming, generous and talented guy who has a passion and curiosity for the absurdities of life  – who definitely has a soft spot for Osses, Maris and other assorted beasties.  Take a bow Chris White!  😀

This seems a good moment to state that provision will be made this year for a live recording of the Dark Gathering.  This means that the housebound and people abroad will be able to share in the atmosphere of the event as it happens.  So performers and audience be aware – you will be on camera most of the time!

The day will start early this year with a Mari Lwyd Workshop led by David Pitt.  In the workshop you can make and decorate your own mini Mari Lwyd shaker to join in with the festivities – and meet some Maris too.  It is open to all ages and I really hope I get the time and opportunity to attend myself.  If not, can someone make one for me please?  😉  There is no charge for this workshop, although donations are welcome to cover costs.  Here’s more information on David: The Crowman – Storyteller

Joining Beltane and Wreckers this year was going to be a new Dark Morris side, Emanon.  This happened through a chance remark at Teignmouth Folk festival and as a result, a new Dark Morris side was born.   Emanon were to be giving their debut performance at this year’s Gathering – I’m sure everyone would have welcomed their input with interest as they came with a great CV.  So new are they that they didn’t even have a photo I could have shown you yet!

I know that taking on a new untried and untested side who I haven’t even seen in action was a bit of a risk – but hey, it keeps things vital and interesting.  So much of the organising and arranging of the Dark Gathering is a risk, a gamble, but in a sense you have to accept that it’s all in the lap of the gods how well (or not) plans turn out.  So many times now there have been instances of realising that there are gods who care what happens at the Gathering and the community of Boscastle because of amazing interventions, just at the right time.  It is said that Fortune favours the brave – however, it doesn’t pay to be too blasé either!  All we can do is prepare for the worst and anticipate the best.  🙂

Risks

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk being called sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self
To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naïve
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken, because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love
Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom
Only the person who risks is truly free

Janet Rand

Ironically, and just to prove my point about the unpredictability of this year  I have been informed by Emanon that sadly, due to the ill health of one of their key members, they are unable to perform this year.  😦

We all hope that the person concerned recovers swiftly and we look forward to Emanon making their appearance another year.

Moving on, I am delighted to announce that we will have a local choir singing in the afternoon at the break (around 4 pm) – the Boscastle Buoys.  They collect for charity and this time it will be for Cornwall Hospice Care so make sure you have your change ready when the bucket comes round!

You may have heard that Wytchwood Morris have taken a sabbatical, but some individual members of Wytchwood will be attending the event in a supporting role – and given the collective talents of that side, it will be well worth looking forward to any input from them!  🙂

Finally regarding performers, we have the enigmatic Mr Fox.  When asked for a bio I was sent this – make of it what you will:

When eyes do see the naked flame
and ears do hear the brazen beat of drum
When two worlds meet
then twilight’s winding walk is begun…

Down from on high they come
skirting the undergrowth
and into the square…

The dancing ground is old as time
But before that time was bound
The black morass of earth was lit
And the shining star was found…

With smoking clouds and tendrils flare
Amid eternities brilliant glare
the hooded shadows flit…

They crouch and prowl, they run and fight,
They tend the braziers’ fiery heart
With flames that flash as bursts of light
And this is but the start…

As giant, feathered footsteps bound,
Seek to rule the dancing ground
Beneath a moonlit sky…

A blaze of flame, a fire flower
Wrought with magic for the task
Is summoned with unearthly power
By a silent, Silver mask….

Darkness and tears are cast aside
Shadows banished far to hide
Beyond the dancing glow…

A timeless story is evoked
Written in flame upon the night,
Blazing colour, curling  smoke…

A battle danced twixt dark and bright.
Hear the drums and seek the flame
The nameless ones who share a name…
The inimitable Mister Fox.

This year the Mari Lwyds will be visiting establishments and households throughout the village during late afternoon, culminating with some steeds joining the procession; and others making their own slow but steady progress to attend the ancient pwnco ceremony at the threshold of the Museum of Witchcraft & Magic.  There are a couple of new additions to our equine friends who may make an appearance – so keep alert as they may appear where you least expect them!

Given the growing popularity of the Dark Gathering it has become necessary to make some logistical decisions regarding crowd control and the like.  There will be volunteers who will act as marshals, moving folk around when necessary to avoid bottle-necks and to ensure that everyone has a fair chance of viewing the day’s activities.  Please try and co-operate with these necessary measures which have to be brought in for health and safety purposes.  Also parking became an issue last year so you need to know that there is also a car park at the top of Boscastle near the Napoleon Inn – see map for details.

That’s all for now folks and I look forward, as I hope you do, to this year’s All Hallow’s Gathering.  See you all there – here’s last year’s footage just to remind you of how brilliant it all is!

 

 

To Whom It May Concern

Posted by cassandralathamjones on July 21, 2017
Posted in: Community, Dawning Realisations, Telling It How It Is. Tagged: , , , . 8 Comments

The following article appeared in the New Statesman 17 – 23 February 2017.  It was handed to me the other day by friends who thought I might draw insight from what it said.  It had previous to that been displayed in their shop as a timely reminder about human nature and all it’s idiosyncrasies.  I was impressed by the clear and pragmatic presentation of what can be a complex situation and was for me very enlightening; and so I thought I’d share it with you.  Words within […] are my comments  🙂

I am special and I am worthless: inside the mind of a narcissist

“Since the rise of Donald Trump, the term ‘narcissistic’ has been cropping up with great regularity in certain sections of the media, including the pages of this journal.  I wouldn’t want to comment about an individual I’ve never met, but I thought it would be interesting to look at the troubling psychological health problem of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

People with NPD (which is estimated to affect about 1% of the population) have a characteristic set of personality traits.  First, they have a deeply held sense of specialness and entitlement.  Male NPD sufferers frequently present as highly egotistical, with an unshakeable sense of their superiority and importance; female sufferers commonly present as eternal victims on whom the world repeatedly inflicts terrible injustices.  [One would imagine a transgender person to have a blend of both]  In both cases, the affected person believes he or she is deserving of privileged treatment, and expects it as a right from those around them.

Second, NPD sufferers have little or no capacity for empathy, and usually relate to other people as objects (as opposed to thinking, feeling beings) whose sole function is to meet the narcissist’s need for special treatment and admiration – known as ‘supply’.  In order to recruit supply, NPD sufferers become highly skilled at manipulating people’s perceptions of them, acting out what is called a ‘false self’ – the glittering high achiever, the indefatigable do-gooder, the pitiable victim.  [To use magical parlance – glamour]

The third characteristic is termed ‘splitting’, where the world is experienced in terms of two rigid categories – either Good or Bad – with no areas of grey.  As long as others are meeting the narcissist’s need for supply, they are Good, and they find themselves idealised and showered with reciprocal positive affirmation – a process called ‘love-bombing’.  However, if someone criticises or questions the narcissist’s false self, that person becomes Bad, and is subjected to implacable hostility.

It is not known for certain what triggers the disorder.  There is likely to be a genetic component, but in many cases early life experiences are the primary cause.  Narcissism is a natural phase of child development (as the parents of many teenagers will testify) and its persistence as adult NPD frequently reflects chronic trauma during childhood.  Paradoxically for a condition that manifests as apparent egotism, all NPD sufferers have virtually non-existent self-esteem.  This may arise from ongoing emotional neglect on the part of parents or caregivers, or from sustained psychological or sexual abuse.  

The common factor is a failure in the development of a healthy sense of self-worth.  It is likely that narcissism becomes entrenched as a defence against the deep-seated shame associated with these experiences of being unworthy and valueless.

When surrounded by supply, the NPD sufferer can anaesthetise this horrible sense of shame with the waves of positive regard washing over them.  Equally, when another person destabilises that supply (by criticising or questioning the narcissist’s false self) this highly threatening, and the NPD sufferer will go to practically any lengths to prevent a destabiliser adversely influencing other people’s perceptions of the narcissist.

One of the many tragic aspects of NPD is the invariable lack of insight.  A narcissist’s experience of the world is essentially: “I am special; some people love me for this, and are Good; some people hate me for it, and are Bad.”  If people with NPD do present to health services, it is usually because of the negative impacts Bad people are having on their life, rather than because they are able to recognise that they have a psychological health problem.

Far more commonly, health professionals end up helping those who have had the misfortune to enter into a supply relationship with an NPD sufferer.  Narcissism is one of the most frequent factors in intimate partner and child abuse, as well as workplace bullying.  The narcissist depends on the positive affirmation of others to neutralise their own sense of unworthiness.  They use others to shore themselves up, and lash out at those who threaten this precarious balance.  And they leave a trail of damaged people in their wake.”

Dr Phil Whitaker

For the last 5 years (almost to the day) I have been targeted by a narcissist and it has been no surprise to find out that, according to the above article, I would be referred to by them as Bad.  However, this is part of my craft and nature, to point out glamour and falseness when it presents itself.

Articles like this are very handy to get things into their proper perspective and to have clarification of the roles folk play within these melodramas.

 

Lafrowda Impressions

Posted by cassandralathamjones on July 15, 2017
Posted in: Anecdotal Reminiscing, Community. Tagged: , . 2 Comments

Today has been an intensely charged day.  If you didn’t know better, you would have thought that there was a storm brewing.  It wasn’t until the local headlines via Facebook arrived that our community down here realised that one of their number, had quite suddenly departed.  Lafrowda is a community festival held in St Just which has grown from strength to strength over the years.  I didn’t personally know Paul, the landlord of a well known hostelry in St Just, but judging by the outpouring of shock and sadness that flooded my FB timeline, he was a well loved and respected member of his community.

For some reason it kept coming into my mind today how awful this morning must have been for Paul’s widow.  No husband to wake up with who was there just hours before…

When we reached St Just today to perform in the Golowan Band, it was overcast and misty –  typical West Cornwall weather most would think, but not typical of Lafrowda apparently, as I found when I talked with others I met there.  Then I noticed that the St Pirans flag was flying at half-mast from the church.  What a touching tribute to the man – and also his pub was ‘open for business’ as he would have wanted.  How poignant…

The day also seemed to be cursed by tiresome, melodramatic attention-seekers but, when put into context, was simply just irksome and annoying – not really of any importance or significance.

When finally we returned to our village I went to the village shop for supplies and found out that the proprietor was cousin to the previously mentioned widow.  She related to me details of a shocking tragedy that this woman had to endure earlier in her life.  How desperate she must be feeling right now, it doesn’t bear thinking about.  😦

I’m glad that the community has declared it’s respect and love for her husband so eloquently.  He was obviously someone of character and stature in his town.  In time, with this sort of quiet recognition, the family will heal and life will go on.  For tonight, even though I didn’t know you, I salute you Paul – you lived a life that mattered.

A Life That Matters

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours, days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won’t matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived.
At the end, whether you were beautiful or brilliant, male or female, even your skin colour won’t matter.

So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success, but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others.
What will matter is not your competence, but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.
What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you.
Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Choose to live a life that matters.

Michael Josephson

 

Evil Flourishes When Good Men Do Nothing

Posted by cassandralathamjones on July 6, 2017
Posted in: Community, Telling It How It Is. 15 Comments

I have been a whistle-blower for most of my life.  It’s something I feel compelled to do when I come across injustices and needless to say it has got me into hot water!  Whistle-blowing can be awfully lonely because often the very people who you believed would support you, either turn against you or keep their heads down and act embarrassed with the hope that you will go away or cease such behaviour.  Whether this happens within a private or a public situation, there is almost always retaliation and/or reprisals from the bully or abuser (whether system, company or person).  Often ‘gas lighting’ is aimed at the whistle-blower, not only to attempt to distract or silence the instigator, but also as a salutary lesson to other workers, team members or acquaintances not to do the same or support them in any way.  It makes one wonder why on earth people like myself risk such circumstances?  Well, I can let you know why I do it.

As a village wisewoman I strive to be honourable and altruistic in my dealings with folks, bearing in mind that I am human and can make mistakes. This however, is not just a role I play within my community – it is a lifestyle.  I have a conscience that is not at peace unless I do my best to try to aid others who I feel are being bullied, abused or otherwise treated unfairly.  I really do try to be diplomatic in my handling of this but sometimes even then, my plain speaking triggers an anger response from the person I’m confronting about their behaviour.  Most of the time I try to deal with this stoically as I recognise that, to an extent I am drawing their fire away from the object of their persecution or bullying and instead become their target.

However, this trait can also create enemies and even what I call ‘frenemies’ (enemies who used to be friends).  Occasionally you get a banding together of these types of individuals into a cabal of plotters who get fixated on revenge – and sadly that is what appears to have happened to me – and by association, my partner.

The last time I took someone to task about what I perceived to be unfair and dictatorial behaviour, it ended in both myself and my partner being ejected from the Morris side that we were members of.  There was a heated exchange when I realised that this person had contacted people known to be part of the previously mentioned ‘cabal’ behind our backs and was parroting their lies.  The meeting ended with me calling him “A silly little man” and that was the end of that…or so I thought.

Never underestimate the vindictiveness of a overblown, and therefore fragile, ego!  There then followed a series of attempts to sabotage the event that I organise that he and his team had been part of and had subsequently left.  These I dealt with as they happened and did my best to rise above these obstacles and annoyances.  My partner and myself anticipated that there would probably be gossip and rumour to deal with, as there often is when people fall out for whatever reason, but then it got really serious.  At the weekend it was brought to our attention that extremely offensive and malicious lies had been fabricated in order to blacken our names and characters.  So vile have these accusations been that I am considering taking legal advice on this matter.

Why am I airing all this on my blog when normally I would keep a dignified silence?  The answer lies in the title of this post.  There are times when it is more appropriate not to feed negativity and refrain from trying to justify yourselves or reason with the unreasonable.  However, a line must be drawn in the sand when boundaries of decency and integrity are breached and this is one such time.

The Morris community on the whole is a merry bunch of revellers and pranksters of varying abilities who like nothing better than to dance, play music and party.  Of course they have their differences and their fallouts but I would hate to see this community riven by this level of attempted victimisation.  It has to cease immediately.

The perpetrators of this slander know who they are, and so do I.  I choose not to name names at present and hope that this post will be warning enough.  If they do the honourable thing and desist for the sake of the Morris community I will say no more about this.

 

Book Signing of Village Witch 4th August 2017

Posted by cassandralathamjones on July 5, 2017
Posted in: Community, Interesting Events. Tagged: , , , . 2 Comments

Image – Mandrake of Oxford

Come along to this event and meet Author and Wise Woman of St Buryan, Cassandra Latham Jones. She will give a short talk about her book and life as a Wise Woman, answering any questions you may have. Cassandra will also sign a book for you on purchase. She and her partner Laetitia look forward to meeting you.

Venue:

Know Thy Self

7-8 St George’s Arcade

Falmouth

Cornwall TR11 3DH

01326 617073

Time 3pm