Amaterasu and Uzume

June 24 - 27, 2010

Join us this summer at Wild Ginger WitchCamp 2010, as we explore the story of

Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun & Uzume, Goddess of Mirth & Dance

Beauty, Compassion, and Sunshine;

Humour, Weaving, and Reflection;

Amaterasu and Uzume offer a profound story of action, healing, and humour.

We gather this year at the height of the Sun, and the fullness of the Moon.

Wild Ginger organizers heard the whispers of Amaterasu and Uzume, and decided to reweave threads of the story, tweaking this year’s camp theme from what was previously posted. Our camp story has much in common with the quarry story that is unfolding in the bioregion that provides a home to Unicamp and thus to Wild Ginger. There is potential that our beloved land will be devastated by the creation of a local quarry. As this land is part of the bioregion’s head waters, it affects all of the land down stream, and beyond.  Like Uzume trying to find ways to call Amaterasu out of the cave, local activists are developing strategies and actions to stop the quarry. For more information and ways to get involved before, or after, camp go to (http://www.ndact.com/NDACT/Welcome.html).

In the spirit of Uzume, we will drum, laugh, and offer a bawdy dance to seduce Amaterasu out of Her cave and back into life. With her, the sun returns.

Dance, drum, sing, march, and play under the Sun and under the Full Moon; we will gather in community to rediscover the healing nature of laughter, to explore the power of protest and discover the power of the people in creating change.

Songs and Chants

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone,
it's not warm when she's away.
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone,
and she's always gone too long
anytime she goes in the cave.

Wonder, this time where she's gone,
wonder if she's gonna stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone,
and this earth just ain't no home,
anytime she goes away.

And i know,i know, i know, i know, i know
i know,i know, i know, i know, i know
i know,i know, i know, i know, i know
i know,i know, i know, i know, i know
i know, hey i ought to leave the old one alone,

But ain't no sunshine when she's gone,
only darkness everyday.
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone,
and this earth just ain't no home,
anytime she goes away.

Anytime she goes away, anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away... (Bill Withers)

Paths 2010

Path descriptions will be presented at the camp meeting on the first evening.

Photos

The Paperbag Princess(es)

and the Dragon...

Calling the Wild Things...