Co-creation is the heart of any gathering. Individual Faeries offer up their skills to create a smorgasboard of events! Here are some of the traditional happenings at the Castle, or you can Put on your own event!
At the beginning of the gathering we set up the Altar. This is a space where you can place a special item that has significance for you. Please bring something with you – a favourite picture, something from nature, a piece of writing, or anything that has personal attachment for you.
At every gathering we hold a goods and services auction. Faerie gatherings are non-profit making and the money from the auction is used to support low-income Faeries through NOTAFLOF (No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds). We invite you to bring things to sell at the auction. Ideas might be clothes, crafts, plants, or services like massage or tarot readings. If you donate items with cultural significance (such as a tribal mask) please make sure you can accurately describe the origins of the item.
<aside> 💡 Faerie Currency - IFMUS Auctions use our own Faerie currency called IFMUs (International Faerie Monetary Units). Faeries purchase 100 IFMUs before the auction using cash, Paypal or bank transfer. The real-world cost of these 100 IFMUS is whatever you can afford. It could be £10, it could be £100. This way all Fae get a chance to take part and win items in the auction, no matter what their financial circumstances.
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This a fun, non-competitive evening where anyone gets the chance to perform to their community. You need absolutely zero talent to be in the show - all contributions get a warm welcome! If you need music for your act, please bring it with you as internet connections are unreliable at the Castle. If you need any support or equipment, please email the team.
A moot is a ‘town hall’ meeting for the Albion Faeries. It’s where we update on what is happening in the community, hear reports from the Finance, Gatherings and Communications circles, and discuss the future direction of the Faeries. As the Radical Faeries have no leaders, it’s important that we have a moot at every gathering to share the running of our community.
These circles are the foundation of Faerie communication, connection and self-exploration. These are co-created, confidential spaces in which Faeries are able to speak ‘from the heart’ about whatever feelings are coming up for them. Other Faeries in the circle do not reply to the speaker, or engage them in conversation, but simply witness the beautiful authenticity of their sharing & self-discovery. Joining a Heart Circle is optional, but they are great places to get a deeper understanding of what’s going on for other Faeries, or explore aspects of yourself.
For many Faeries, drag is an important part of a gathering - a place to experiment with clothing, costumes and self-expression, outside the norms of default society. There is a drag room at the castle that will be stocked with clothing & accessories from the Faerie Drag Bag. You are warmly invited to bring any fabulous unwanted costumes to add to the bag!
The drag room requires a team of Faeries to set it up, keep it tidy and take it down at the end of the event. You can volunteer for this team on the booking form, or find out more about it here
The Love Temple is a space in the castle for intimate connections. It is usually opened with a ceremony to raise sacred sexual energy, gently introduce the concept of boundaries and consent, and help break the ice if you’re feeling timid or nervous. The Love temple often hosts rituals and workshops throughout the week.
The Temple requires a team of Faeries to set it up, keep it tidy and take it down at the end of the event. You can volunteer for this team on the booking form, and find out more about volunteering here. Donations of cosy soft furnishings such as pillows, throws, wall hangings are also very welcome!
You are welcome to bring any event to the gathering, just scribble it on the schedule once you get to the castle. Ideas might be drum circles, drag balls, arts & crafts workshops, talks, gong baths, & walks. If you need any support or equipment for your event, try asking on the Gathering Signal Chat, or drop us an email.