PERSEID METEOR CAMPOUT
August 10, 11, 12
Year 2 Aquarius

Report by Rev. Don Lewis

Akasha Temple's annual Perseid Meteor Viewing Campout was a great success this year.

   I was very pleased to be able to attend the festivity and enjoyed it very much.

Right: The Green Man, cheerful Patron of the Meteor Campout, serenely watches over all. Draped across the Green Man is the colorful Maypole ribbon from the Akasha Beltaine ceremony -the ribbons were woven as with an ordinary Maypole, but with a secured ribbon at the center rather than a wooden pole, making it easily portable.

 
 Around 20-25 people participated or visited, and all enjoyed the nice weather and laid back atmosphere.

Rev. Ruthann Amarteifio and the Temple of Akasha have been hosting the Meteor campout for several years now. It provides a wonderful time for people to get to know each other in a friendly, low pressure social situation.

Above: A photo showing a few o the campout attendees. L to R: John Jay, Jim K., Lady Ruthann, Rev. Don Lewis, Gray Wolf, Meghan Thomson, and Basil Winterbourne.


Saturday night's Pinecone Ritual. Among those present are Meghan Thomson (left, in blue) and Basil Winterbourne of Akasha Temple (center).
 The weekend began Thursday night with a ceremonial cleansing and blessing of the campout area.

Friday was when most people began to arrive, and was a pleasant get-acquainted time. 

Saturday saw demonstrations of Tai Chi and various crafts, followed by a prosperity ritual in the evening using sweet smelling pine cones found onsite.

Basil Winterbourne of Akasha Temple conducts smudge ceremony to purify participants prior to a ritual.
Jim of Akasha served as chef for the weekend and provided wonderful feasts each night. It is no wonder the Akashas say that their nickname is "Not the Pritikins!"

Each day ended with late night Meteor viewing beneath the open sky.

The meteors were not as frequent as predicted, but the nights were clear and the stars beautiful. 		 Meghan Thomson of Akasha throws pine needles onto the campfire to raise a fragrant smoke.

Akasha Temple is proud to announce that, Meghan, a member of Akasha's Outer Court, will make her Clerical Dedication on 22 September, Year 2 Aquarius.



Lady Ruthann of Akasha and consort Jim lead the procession.
Sunday evening at dusk Lady Ruthann and Jim led a candlelit procession to the banks of the Kankakee river, where Rev. Don Led an Earth Healing ceremony.


The Procession reaches the rocky shore of the Kankakee river (obscured by darkness).




Left: Jason, Laura, and baby Michael enjoy the campout!

The campout was a great occasion to see old friends and meet new ones.

For information about next year's Perseid Meteor Viewing Campout (to be held August 8 - 10, Year 3 Aquarius) email akashatemple@yahoo.com or check our calendar page!