Samhain Newsletter, 2025

[Comyn]

Comyn arrived with Colin only a little while before Brogan. All three were soon busy setting up their wall tents of various sizes in their traditional spots. Valerian arrived while Brogan and Colin were offsite to get the wood. Arden and Solvarr were on site soon after and set up a mundane, but its brown and black proved ideal camouflage for the colors of Samhain at the traditional site so it was hardly noticed in the area we used to put the kitchen trailer outside of the main circle of tents. Since they could not stay for Saturday festivities, this space was later used by Harper and Lughaidh for their period Regent Pavilion. Guthrum, Dairmaid, and Grania camped in a canvas bell between Brogan and Comyn. Godric and Ogier, in the true martial spirit of Norseland set up two small military wedges just west of the path to the ceremonial site. Valarian and Robin camped in a larger wedge with Angus' red poles while Angus stayed in Comyn's tent. A special note to Sabha is that Angus reports that Comyn does not snore! Comyn reports the same cannot be said of Guthrum, Godric, or Angus however. Connor stayed in a mundane hidden behind Valerian's wedge and its position and brown shades made it invisible there from the fire pit hang out area. Bragg and Eliana set up their wall in a clearing Eliana made earlier in the day while waiting for Bragg to arrive, Slaine and Rua-ain set up Aonghus' immense wall in a clearing Valerian and Robin had worked on earlier before their decision to use the wedge and it was sort of a miracle in itself that it fit where it did. Eberwulf and Helska arrived after dark and managed to set up a sizable wall close to the exit path. Aideen and Renata set a comely wedge in a tiny space nearer the exit. Eóghann and Carolyn and their very well behaved pup stayed with a local tribe who live in their chariots.

There were many other members and guests in attendance who did not camp including Sabha, Vollund and son, Cian, Aoife, Faellon, Aislinn and the boys, Grimnir and guest, Fjord Vambrace, Braun who brought hot fresh zeppolies!, and three friends of Dairmaid. There were many others who were missed.

Guthrum and Dairmaid brought, set up, and operated a fantastic grill they had constructed as a father and son project with plans to convert it into a true smoker soon. As it was it worked exceedingly well to grill a succulent pig for the event producing meat that was moist and flavorful with a wonderful smoky taste. This method, while not producing cracklins like on a spit ensured a consistent product for feast for all and seemed to require less constant attention than the traditional spit.

Brogan hosted a bronze smithing where many items were cast by himself and others. Godric cast a copy of one of Angus' tippers, but otherwise Comyn did not keep an inventory of everything produced and requests an accounting from others.

There was much fiber craft of various forms around the fire during the day, of note was Arden's inkle-weaving which produced a considerable amount of trim in the short time they had. Mask making was also an activity during the day in preparation for the thinning of the veil as the sun set. Many and varied masks were to be donned at nightfall.

The feast was amazing and it would take too long to list all of the wonderful contributions to it though Comyn did exclaim quite loudly that Brogan's brussel sprouts were the best he had ever had and wanted everyone to know that for all of the hate he has given pottage over the years, Eberwulfs pottage this year was exceedingly good.

Election results will be noted in the members area, but of special note the meeting featured a presentation by Ogier of Norseland who gifted all members of the Clann period struck coins of wonderful design and mead in token of friendship and to express the deep connection between our two groups.

This year's ceremony did not feature a traditional wickerman but instead an effigy of Aonghus set on a pyre as per his wishes. The specifics of the ceremony led by the Druid Bragg will not be described here but featured the talking stick of old and many candles. The construction of the altar on which the pyre was lit was a feat of engineering in and of itself which ensured safety for both the gathered and the surrounding woods. A smaller private ceremony for Aonghus was performed on the day of pack out at the grove of Katrina led by Eberwulf.

There were two small incursions by neighboring tribes during the ceremony but both ended peacefully. The Druid also reported encountering a pair of youth on the ceremony trail but they fled at the sight of him.

Music being Comyn's primary interest, this event provided several wonderful experiences for him. He was so glad to spend some of the afternoon playing with and listening to Ogier who led Angus and Comyn in many great songs from memory as well as instrumentals excellently performed. Angus provided constant music entertainment both on tin whistle and guitar and performed several excellent poems around the fire at night. Comyn and Angus performed some Clann favorites both Friday and Saturday night and the voice of Momus was greatly missed. Aideen played a quiet mandolin around the fire pit several times but if they regaled the Clann with bardic song, Comyn sadly missed it and looks forward to a future event which may feature the skills of this great bard more prominently. Connor entertained around the fire accompanying Eberwulf on several songs and led the assembled in some seriously inebriated revelry. The absolute musical highlight of this event for Comyn was to sit quietly before his tent listening to one excellent piece after another performed on traditional Irish harp by the incomparable Harper! He is sure Aonghus would agree that her art provided the perfect musical sound track for this particular event and he would have given much to have had him there to enjoy it. The veil was thinning, so perhaps he was.

Comyn felt great guilt for not helping out around camp as much as he was wont in past and expresses gratitude to all those members who did so much to make this event a memorable one, and that includes those already mentioned above and others like Solvarr and Eóghann who helped with setting and gathering hoses, Renata who volunteered to clean the great cauldron on pack out day - no small feat! Lughaidh and Harper who broke down the kitchen sink and did a trash run at the end of the event (one of the least enjoyable tasks!), and Fjord who with magiks Comyn does not understand marked the ceremonial trail with fairy light to help guide the assembled through the dark wood.