Beltane open ritual

Beltane approaches and tonight I joined with others in an open Beltane ritual out in the New Forest hosted by the Clan of the Pheryllt. I've attended Pheryllt rituals, and the occasional moot, for some years now, though recently one thing and another had meant that I'd missed more than one or two. I've missed these gatherings. It was lovely to be back in the circle with so many familiar faces, as well as several new, it was as if no time has passed at all. Solitary practice is all well and good, and something I'm used to after years of shying away from groups having met some right chumps. The Clan of the Pheryllt and the people who congregate at their open rituals couldn't be more different though, good folk, friendly and open. The clans rituals are a joy, there was appropriate solemnity, though plenty of humour, a phallic Maypole, dancing, singing, and bardic offerings by way of music and poetry too. A lovely evening, a lovely ritual, with lovely people, in a lovely setting...lovely.