Hey everyone! Thanks for following the progress of The Wyld Fire Hunt! We're so happy to finalize our schedule so you can see some of the amazing things happening at our event!
THURSDAY, APRIL 25TH, 2019
12PM
Gates Open
Front Gate
12:30PM
VOLUNTEER MEETING
Front Gate
Mandatory orientation for all volunteers who arrive on Thursday.
4:30PM
Attendee Meeting
Poolside
Mandatory meeting for all Thursday festival attendees
6:30PM
Community Potluck
Small Oak
This is a new addition to WFBH and an opportunity to break bread as one tribe. Attendees can use the indoor oven to heat their dishes, and we'll dine under the Meditation Oak. Start the weekend right by relaxing with good company at twilight!
8PM
Overcoming Fear: Fire-Walk Opening Ritual
Near Drum Circle
Fire purifies... it destroys what it can, and new life emerges from the ash. The fear of fire-walking is that the fire will hurt you, burn you, destroy you. Yet people have fire-walked for generations. Why? Because when you confront your fear, you can overcome it without being destroyed! Join us Thursday night as we open our hearts and confront ourselves through fire-walking. This is an optional event, of course. Attendees may watch if they desire.
8:30PM
Drumming Down the Moon
Drum Circle
Join us in the Drum Circle on Thursday night after our fire walk, as we sync with the rhythms of Gryphon's Nest and drum together around the fire. Novice and expert drummers welcome, and please bring drums and noisemakers if you have them. There will be a few extra drums available.
10PM
Gates Close
Front Gate
FRIDAY, APRIL 26TH, 2019
8:30AM
Coffee Bar Opens
Clubhouse
Coffee, coffee mugs, mimosas, and bloody mary’s on-sale! Buy a WFBH limited-edition coffee mug and get free coffee FOR LIFE!
9AM
Gates Open
Front Gate
9:30AM
Delicious Dishes of Beltane with Ty Siddiqui
Clubhouse
Beltane is the time to indulge in all the seasonal flavors that make your palate sing. Join Ty Siddiqui of New Orleans Lamplight Circle as she guides you on a kitchen witch's tasty exploration of traditional Beltane foods, modern dishes, aphrodisiacs, and naughty desserts. Recipe-swapping is encouraged, and there will be some baking. This is a hands-on workshop with plenty of magick baked in!
11AM
Community-Building Rituals with Alec Gibson
Small Oak
Community. Tribe. Kindred. Coven. No Matter what words you use to describe it, they all mean the same thing... family. Learn a way to honor what you believe, honor the past that made you, honor yourself, and in doing so, bring those in your life closer to your heart. A sumble is more than a drinking ritual; it is a catalyst for togetherness and a confirmation of confidence. Come learn how to use this ritual in everyday life, how it can bring together people from many different backgrounds and how it can even bring whole communities together. Join us! Take a seat of honor! Share with us your greatest deeds!
12PM
Coffee Bar Closes
Clubhouse
1PM
Embracing The Nest: Ritual for the Spirits of the Swamp
Swamp Dock
"The spirit of place" is a powerful entity at Gryphon's Nest, and after years of festivals, camping, and pool parties, she could use a little TLC! Join us on the swamp docks on Friday afternoon as we pour some loving energy into the place that has sheltered our wacky communities of weirdos, dreamers, singers, doers, drummers, and Pagans!
2PM
The Power of Sigil Magick with Vovin Lonshin
Drum Circle
In this workshop, Vovin Lonshin will discuss: the history of sigil magic, the roots of modern sigil magic, the important of writing a good "statement of intent," and how to turn that into a name/word of power! As a group, we will explore the practice of sigil-making and pour our energy into a ritual to empower each sigil! Vovin describes himself as a Thelemic Luciferian Koas Mystic and is a member of the OTO, the TOPH, the OA, and the ATh.
4:30PM
MANDATORY VOLUNTEER MEETING
Poolside
Mandatory orientation for volunteers who arrive on Friday.
5PM
Prey Assembly and Consent Discussion
Clubhouse
We will prepare for The Hunt, discuss our working and ever-evolving definition of consent and examples, and select our May Queen! Neither prey nor predators are gendered. Men, women, and gender-queer are welcome! Make sure you bring your Hunt outfit and accessories.
5PM
Predator Assembly and Consent Discussion
Great Oak
We will prepare for The Hunt through rites of initiation, discuss our working and ever-evolving definition of consent and examples, and prepare the predators with strategy for becoming Oak King! Neither prey nor predators are gendered. Men, women, and gender-queer are welcome! Make sure to bring your Hunt outfit and accessories.
6:30PM
Beltane Hunt Begins!
Centerfield
Predators are set loose to run after prey and discover which is the May Queen, but be forewarned… you will be stumped by esoteric riddles meant to reward the cunning and “color” those fooled!
7:30PM
Pyre Lighting
Labyrinth
Our May Queen and Oak King will perform their first act together… the lighting of the sacred Beltane pyre!
8PM
Bar Opens
Bandstand
8PM
Gates Close
Front Gate
8PM
Inferno performs!
Bandstand
Inferno is New Orleans’ first fully licensed team of fire spinners, bringing the heat to this Beltane hunt! We can’t wait to share performances with you from two of our most talented community leaders- Ana Sofia Vega and Lucy Quade. Ana Sofia Vega incorporates her training in belly dance and tribal fusion with burlesque, and multiple prop manipulation to create captivating moments onstage. Lucy Quade is a fire spinner of two years and a lifelong witch. She has a background in dance and professional theatre, and found flow arts 5 years ago as an outlet and deeply spiritual form of expression.
8:30PM
Haggis Rampant performs!
Bandstand
Haggis Rampant is a modern bag-piping and drum ensemble family that's been entertaining crowds at LRF and PPD since 2003! Part comedy, part rhythm, part Scottish Highlands, part drinking... Haggis Rampant will make anyone want to dance a Scottish jig!
1AM
Pool Closes
Poolside
SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH, 2019
8:30AM
Coffee Bar Opens
Clubhouse
Coffee, coffee mugs, mimosas, and bloody mary’s on-sale. Buy a WFBH limited-edition coffee mug and get free coffee FOR LIFE!
9AM
Gates Open
Front Gate
9AM
Magickal Incense Making with Clifton Eiken
Clubhouse
Trust a metaphysical shop-owner to teach you the basics of incense making! Clifton Eiken of The Nest, Gryphon's Nest Gifts, and Coven of the Gryphon will lead a hands-on workshop to teach you how to make your own incense for Sabbats, magickal workings, Esbats, and general pleasantness.
9:30AM
Yoga Flow: Opening the Anahata with Rachel Elizabeth
Small Oak
Join yoga instructor Rachel Elizabeth for a heart-opening flow to help open and heal the heart. Heart-opener poses allow us to release blockages in the heart chakra that inhibit us from loving ourselves and others, facing our fears, trusting others, and making new connections. In this all-levels yoga class, we will go through a series of yoga poses that open the shoulders and heart space. Make sure to bring a yoga mat and any props you would like to use.
10AM
Sensuality Through Dance: A Workshop with Katie G.
Drum Circle
Dance is a body artform, it is the instrument where self expression, sexuality, and personal identity originate. Our embodied identity is intimately present and explored through dance. Dance has been used for generations to attract partners, discover ourselves, provide entertainment, and explore sensuality. We will explore movements that embrace the divine feminine that have been used through the ages to develop creativity, muscle strengthening, confidence, and sexuality.
10:30AM
Seidr Craft with Alex Van Beber
Great Oak
Alex VanBeber of Academie Gnostique, Alombrados OTO, and GNO Pagan Pride is an occult scholar specializing in Norse magick, or Seiðr. Learn everything from the powers in Norse magic to Norse mythology and the Desir, sexual mysteries, and more!
11AM
Community Circle with Emily Snyder and Alec Gibson
Small Oak
This is an open forum to discuss the semantics of the language used regarding The Hunt, and an opportunity to generate some new ideas to make our festival feel more inclusive and inviting to everyone.
12PM
Mandatory Attendee Meeting
Poolside
Mandatory meeting for all WFBH attendees.
12PM
Coffee Bar Closes
Clubhouse
1:30PM
Sound Bath Meditation with Daizy Daigle
Poolside
This amazing journey into sacred sound begins with each attendee sitting or laying comfortable and then being "bathed" in sound waves and vibration from the various instruments including crystal singing bowls, & chimes, resulting in a deeply relaxing and healing meditative experience. This healing meditation, led by Daizy Daigle, is guaranteed to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, promote relaxation and a deep, restful sleep. Be sure to wear something comfortable and bring something to lay on. Daizy is a licensed massage therapist, Reiki master teacher, cupping therapist, and sound healing alchemist.
2PM
Promethius Arises: The Art of Fire Dancing with Katie G.
Drum Circle
Learn how to work with the element of fire as it exists within our own personal experience as well as how it externally relates to our environment and those around us. Fire dance is as much about our personal journey as it is our collective journey. Fire dance is a culmination of flow art technique, fire safety, and a dance or movement ability. Katie Gromlovits will guide you on this journey to bringing more fire into your life.
2:30PM
The Physio-Spiritual World with Emily Snyder
Small Oak
Different spiritual systems see different relationships between the spiritual and the physical. This class is about seeing them as being the same thing, feeding and affecting each other constantly. When we engage in physiospiritual acts, we use our bodies to strengthen our relationships with the divine, and with ourselves. Join Emily Snyder of New Orleans Lamplight Circle as she explores one of the most overlooked tenets of Paganism and magickal practice, and discusses some of the physical practices that individuals and cultures can use to enhance their spirituality.
3PM
Loving Your Inner Child with Debbie Jeffreys
Great Oak
We all have secrets, and most of us have had some wounding tied to our inner child. Perhaps our vulnerable and sensitive inner child needs healing. We can reconnect with some of the reasons for our adult fears, phobias and life patterns by establishing that connection to our vulnerable inner selves.. When we begin to understand them, then magic, healing, and transformation can occur. Debra Jeffries was the founder of Solitaries of New Orleans, NOLA Merry Meet, was a 4th Degree High Priestess of Covenant of the Pentacle Wiccan Church - ATC, and founded Bee Hive Coven in 2013.
3:30PM
Sex Magick in Western Occultism with Alex VanBeber
Clubhouse
Sex magick is practiced by numerous occultists in Western traditions because it is seen as a powerful way to use erotic energy for manifestation. Alex VanBeber of Ordo Templi Orientis and Academie Gnostique will discuss:
o A brief history of sex magic in the West (Brotherhood of Light, Golden Dawn, OTO, and Wicca)
o The mystery of love
o Setting intentions
o Doing your will
o Consecration
o Fetish
o Worship and invocation
o Drawing down the sacred marriage
o Bondage and purification of the soul
4PM
Witchcraft as Self-Care with Sanna Clark
Small Oak
Sanna believes that every person can benefit from magickal self-care, especially those that struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Explore the psychological benefits of ritual and spell work with Mental Health Counselor, Sanna Clark M.A. PLPC. Sanna is excited to share with you not only the psychology behind witchcraft but also practical ways to incorporate it into a wellness and self-care practice. Also, look forward to an in-class activity, and if time, a Q&A.
5PM
Community Discussion and Ritual Assembly
Clubhouse!
We will gather together before our Beltane ritual for a group discussion. Don't forget your ritual garb!
6PM
Gates Close
Front Gate
6:30PM
Beltane Rite
Meet at Clubhouse
Join Ty Siddiqui and Alec Gibson as they lead attendees to Centerfield to raise energy through dance and direct it to our May Queen and Oak King during the Great Rite!
8PM
Bar Opens
Poolside
8PM
Saturday Night Feast and Party
Poolside/Clubhouse
Settle into the pool and Jacuzzi as our entertainers delight you! Enjoy the power and sensuality of our performers: The Elemental Goddesses of the Hunt, Spooky LeStrange and her Billion Dollar Baby Dolls, and Reina Bee! Our cash bar will be poolside, serving the cheapest drinks in Louisiana, and the feast food is provided by GNO Pagan Pride Project, included in the ticket price for all attendees! Our Chill-Out Lounge will be inside the clubhouse, and vendors will be in the vicinity as well! We'll be raffling an assortment of prizes, and you can pay for additional entries!
2AM
Pool/Clubhouse Closes
Poolside
SUNDAY, APRIL 28TH, 2019
8:30AM
Coffee Bar Opens
Clubhouse
Coffee, coffee mugs, mimosas, and bloody mary’s on-sale. Buy a WFBH limited-edition coffee mug, and get free coffee FOR LIFE!
12PM
Coffee Bar Closes
Clubhouse
12PM
Closing Ritual: Dancing the Maypole
Band Stand
In our closing ritual, Ty Siddiqui and Alec Gibson will come together to bless and offer prosperity and fecundity to all those in the community who wish to take some of the potent energy from Gryphon's Nest home with them!
3PM
Campground Closes
Attendees are asked to leave the property by no later than 3PM, so volunteers can clean up!
