May Day-Beltane!

Another Sabbat !!! and we are very conscious that we have said nothing yet on Esbats!!! (more on those workings for a later post).

For this May Day Beltane celebration we had an outing planned to Cornwall, taking in the Alexandrian exhibition at The Museum of Witchcraft & Magic in Boscastle. The Ithell Colquhoun exhibition at the Tate St. Ives. Also the Obby Oss festival in the lovely village of Padstow on the northern coast of Cornwall.

All the Sun Gods were with us, as Helios smiled from the heavens during our whole trip. It was our second visit to Boscastle in as many years, great to be back to the gem of a museum that straddles the Cornish coast.

Although early in the season, tourists were out in force, from the UK & further afield, great to see a fair few from across the Atlantic.

The Museum of magic & witchcraft was fabulous as ever. The Alexandrian Exhibition beautifully curated in a very Alexandrianesque atmosphere. It was compact and yet full of magickal items one could only dream to see in such a setting, the like of which will probably not be seen together for many years to come, truly unforgettable!

Our second day lead us further down the Cornish peninsular to the gorgeous St.Ives, with its equally gorgeous beaches, steep narrow lanes, pasties & piratical Seagulls. Taking in the "Between two worlds" Ithell Colquhoun exhibition, which was also breath taking. Works from her early to later years, her published works & those that influenced her graced the display cases ( including Gerald Gardners Witchcraft Today ). Each section was extensive, magick permeating her paintings, tarot, qabbalistic diagrams, her art 7 these alike equally drew the viewer in. Like Alex Sanders, Ithell Colquhoun was such a fascinating person & fabulous artist too . (check out the book 'The Fern Loved Gully' by Amy Hale).

Our third and final full day was in the Harbour village of Padstow itself for the May Day celebrations. Wending our way down the hill to Padstow's streets following a growing throng, the locals evident by wearing white with a sash of red or blue for each Oss team.

The drums & accordions lead us to town, the atmosphere heightening. We waited in the crowd, drums booming to the refrains of the May song. Then the blue ribbon Oss appeared, through the streets, its teaser leading it on. We then took in the eerie antics of the Old Oss as it emerged from the Red Lion Pub, as its dizzying revolutions whirled through the lanes, dying down then rising forth, what a day! ... as again the drums boomed and Osses appeared as if by magick!! The locals United, togetherness apparent as their welcoming of tourists too!

What a fabulous, magickal few days we had in the Cornish Sun!!

Happy May Day- Happy Beltane!