This was the 6th annual gathering since Sjamanistisk Forbund was founded in 2012, and this year we were once again at Bøflaten camping in beautiful Vang in Valdres. It was the third time we held the annual gathering there, so it is becoming a familiar and beloved place for many of us now.
We have had some challenges with the weather at earlier gatherings in Vang, but this year we really got a taste of the forces of nature, in the form of strong and abundant wind. It all started when the food tent, where all the cooking and dining was to take place, blew to pieces on Friday morning. At the same time the pole of the SF lavvu snapped.
The mood at the campsite was, to put it mildly, rather low for a while, but then people pulled themselves together and started thinking of solutions. And before the annual gathering had its official opening on Friday afternoon, an alternative venue was in place. We were fortunate enough to be able to use a former school located a bit further north in the village, and luckily the planned program for Friday could be carried out in the gymnasium there.
This year's gathering began with a powerful opening ceremony. We were cleansed outside the venue, and as we were about to enter the ceremony room, a few words were whispered to each one of us. The words were "open up your heart." I felt that this did something to me, and I saw that many others were moved by these words. And I believe it set the tone for the rest of the gathering, which became a close and warm-hearted gathering.
After the opening ceremony we had a visit from Ingrid Galadriel, who gave a talk about Viking life and the modern human in forest and mountain. It was exciting to hear about what she and several others do in order to stay in close contact with nature, among other things. It was an inspiring talk.
After this came the initiation ceremony, in which new ceremony leaders and those who wish to become ceremony leaders were welcomed into the "circle" by the leaders of SF. I myself was initiated as a ceremony leader that evening, and it was an emotional experience. Many who walk the shamanic path encounter challenges, for example in the form of others' negative reactions, great challenges in life, and an endless struggle against one's own fear of standing out and being "different and strange." Standing in the circle with the leaders and other ceremony leaders, I felt great pride and humility. Over what I know it has cost some to get there, over the fact that these wonderful people choose to walk this path in order to contribute something positive for others and for the world, and over the important work being done to preserve shamanic wisdom and to continue and develop this tradition. In addition to this, the ceremony itself was beautiful in its own right. So there were a few tears and a bit of sniffling along the way.
When the somewhat serious and emotional part of the program was over, it was good to move on to a concert with "Folket bortafor nordavinden." What an experience in energy and sound! And so much laughter. I had only seen them on YouTube before, and I was really looking forward to experiencing them live. And they truly delivered. They are not only musicians, but also energy workers. I recommend everyone who gets the chance to go to a concert with them.
From Saturday onward, everything took place at Bøflaten. Even though it was still quite windy, the weather gods were with us so that we could comfortably carry everything out outdoors. During the gathering you could start the day by joining the morning greeting down by the water. And there were many different ceremonies you could take part in, such as the sweat lodge, the women's circle, "Tree for world peace," "The Spirit Boat," "Wolf Wedding," the summer solstice ceremony and the chaga ceremony. We also had a wedding ceremony at this year's gathering, as two of SF's members wished to renew their marriage vows with a shamanic ceremony. It was very lovely and beautiful to be present at this ceremony, and to see someone celebrate love in this way.
This year too we had guests from abroad. Elaine Gregory, an English druid, was again a guest from England this year. And four wonderful women from "Urtrumman" in Sweden came to hold a ceremony for us on Saturday.
This year we started a new tradition in SF, namely the awarding of the Ailo Prize. This is done in collaboration with Ailo's daughter Sarakka, and it will be a travelling prize awarded to a person who, in a positive and inspiring way, has promoted shamanism in everyday life through a focus on compassion, nature and the environment. This year the prize went to Tom Nicolaisen.
An honorary membership was also awarded this year, and it went to our dear Knut Fuglesteg. He has been, and will continue to be, an important person for many of us and for SF. He now chooses to retire from his role as a leader, but continues as a member of the central board and as a teacher and mentor in SF.
This year I once again got to know several wonderful new people, while it is always good to meet old acquaintances. There is something special about meeting at these gatherings, where we have time for the good conversations, experience close and personal things together, laugh a lot, play a lot, dance, sing, drum, much healing takes place, and we can exchange experiences and knowledge.
In the evening there was a concert with the SF house band and an open mic. There are many musical and creative people who meet in a place like this. Both big and small. It is so wonderful to experience people express themselves in a natural and intuitive way.
When I went to bed in the cabin on Sunday evening, I felt whole and happy. I lay down with the smell of campfire in my hair and the rhythm of the drum in my body. I felt so fortunate.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to each and every one of you for these wonderful days together. I am already looking forward to the next time.
