I've booked lots of speakers and entertainment already, with some old favourites and some new people.

I'm delighted that Rigantona will be coming to do two workshops, as well as performing:

Seasonal Songs and Chants with Kate and Corwen (Rigantona).
An informal and fun singing workshop with Kate and Corwen. Get in touch with your voice and the wheel of the year with traditional and modern songs and chants. No singing experience necessary.

Mumming and Folk Drama with Kate and Corwen (Rigantona).
A brief illustrated overview of Britain's rich tradition of Folk Drama with a chance to see some rare archive film. Then we'll open the dressing up box and all take part in an impromptu Mummer's Play. Kate and
Corwen organise the Dorset Knobs Mummers Group.

Rigantona's music is rooted in the British folk tradition, though a strong Nordic influence and an attraction to the ancient past adds a darker edge.
Never afraid to sing all the verses of a long ballad, or play newly composed material on long forgotten instruments, their music has been described as 'hypno folk'. In a world full of noise and machines, bright
lights and flickering images, it's easy to forget what music can do.

Stephanie [the Pale Empress] is going to do one of her brilliant belly dancing workshops, plus a workshop on using natural products for the home and body instead of expensive chemicals.

Kim Huggens will be doing two tarot workshops:

Tarot Reading workshop
Improve your reading techniques, style of delivery, ability to understand the cards in a reading, and learn some tips of the trade! Great for beginners: we will look at creating spreads on the spot and how to link cards together in a reading, and how to read the cards without any knowledge or books. For the advanced readers there will also be tips for reading professionally, tricks to get the most out of a reading, and methods of engaging the querent.

Tarot decks will be available to borrow/buy if people do not have their own.


Tarot talk: Tarot, the Mythological Journey.
To some, the tarot is a pack of 78 separate cards that each have distinct meanings. But the Tarot is also a single unit that tells a story – several stories in fact. Hundreds upon thousands of stories. This talk will explore the Tarot as a myth and as a journey, relating the cards to mythological concepts from around the world: descent into the underworld, yearning for the Beloved, lost souls, the Fool’s journey of initiation, and more. We will also look at individual cards and their relation to stories and mythical figures, and look for the myth that pervades the Tarot: the myth of the Journey.

Hey
I don't know if I am being blind or if it just has not been announced yet, but When will be able to know the dates this year?
thanks

www.merciangathering.co.uk

4th, 5th & 6th September 2009.

Yes, all the details are on the website www.merciangathering.co.uk , and tickets have been on sale [and selling well] since last September.

Thanks.
I knew tickets were on sale, i just couldn't see the dates anywhere hehe

Yes, there is so much on that page they would be easy to miss. Maybe I ought to make them more prominent?

I'm now fully booked for talks, workshops etc for the 2009 Gathering, so thanks to everyone who is taking part. There are some old favourites, as well as some exciting new speakers and lots of practical workshops you can get involved in, so it promises to be a great year.

For entertainment, we've got Damh the Bard, Gary Brienholt, Endless Knot and Laineda back again, and I'm looking forward to seeing newcomers Rigantona and Dragonfly Moon. Naturally, we've got Vikings too!

For full details, go to the website www.merciangathering.co.uk

Ticket sales have gone a bit mad the last few weeks, which is pretty amazing since it is only February. Looks like people don't want to risk us being sold out early again!