An Auspicious Dark Gathering in 2018

This year I took on extra responsibility in organizing The Dark Gathering as Cassandra needed help as the managers of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic informed us they were leaving. We worked closely with Simon Costin the Museum owner informing and updating him on all arrangements.

Many people enjoy this event each year, but have no idea how much work goes into it. As well as caring for the performers, Cassandra goes the ‘extra mile’ in caring for the community, ensuring they know where to find accommodation and refreshments. She also arranged with village residents a ‘park and ride’ scheme so disabled folk would find it easier to get to Boscastle. Cassandra has had huge support from the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, the Chamber of Commerce and other members of their local community.

When 2018 began, I sensed there would be significant changes in our lives and this has proved to be so.

At The Dark Gathering this year, our special guests were my former Morris team. I first joined them back in 1999 and looked forward to seeing them once again.

Image-Chris Hicks

The first dance is known as ‘Four Seasons’. A person or item of significance is often chosen to stand in the centre of the space while the men dance around them. I was delighted when the Squire chose me. It brought back fond memories of the last time this had occurred outside the King Arthurs Arms Tintagel in 2001.

Later that afternoon, I was invited me to join them in performing my favourite dance. It’s one I always remembered even though it had been fifteen years since I last performed with them. I heard that it is also a favourite dance that Beltane Border Morris like to watch.

I had no time to practice, so they performed the dance first and invited me to join them for a repeat performance. As soon it began, the fifteen years I had been apart from them seemed to disappear. I danced every move as precisely as I had all those years ago because I had received good training from the Vixen Foreman at that time.

Here is video footage of their dance and at the end, you can hear them invite me to join them.

They were amazed that I remembered it all and pleased with our performance together. It was wonderful to receive a hug from them all when the dance was over.

The last time I performed with the team in Boscastle outside the Museum was on the twelfth of June 2001 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Fraudulent Mediums Act and Witchcraft Repeal.

Participating in this dance again not only gave me a wonderful positive memory of my final Morris dance at The Dark Gathering, it completed the circle by beginning and ending my Morris life with them. It was the most satisfying Morris dance I have participated in at this event and I cannot thank them enough for that opportunity.

The Dark Gathering goes from strength to strength and has a protective energy that surrounds it. Long may it continue.