In the Beginning...

The Balance is Shifting Ostara is a time of rebirth and renewal. The daffodils and crocus have begun to bloom, and the last of the winter’s snows have melted away. We are reminded that the wheel has once again brought us back to life and light. It is time for us to turn under last year’s soil and plant new seeds for a new year of growth. Enter our Bardic Olympics this year and tell us a story about new life, growth and the shifting of balance from darkness into light. Our judges will award those stories that best teach the lesson of the season and are the most entertaining. Once again the CoWs (Crafts of the Wise) are providing us with beautiful handcrafted items to celebrate and reward the craft of Storytelling. For lunch on Saturday, we'll be hosting an old fashioned spaghetti dinner. Tickets will be available for a few dollars, either at registration or in the Great Hall, and all proceeds will go to benefit SerpentStone. Saturday evening we've something wonderful planned for dinner. Grania and the cooks of the Coven of the Nine Woods will be providing a sumptuous feast. This site affords us the rare opportunity to eat as a family. Also, please bring your own feast gear, as SerpentStone no longer provides Styrofoam.

Special Site Information

DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 4PM MARCH 24. GATES CLOSE AT 12 NOON ON MARCH 26. There is another group before and after us, so please be considerate. This includes staff and merchants!

YI Ranch is a Christian Youth Camp that rents to other groups: it is NOT clothing optional. Alcohol is allowed as long as original containers are not used outside camp space (as usual, no alcohol is to be sold at the gathering). There is "open-air" cabin space for 130-180 people (bring your own bedding), but also tenting space, so take your choice. No personal fires are allowed at this site. There's a heated kitchen area seating 200, and plumbed bath and shower houses. The lake, pool, rock climbing and rappelling walls are off limits. A heated dorm has limited space on first-come reservation basis, for extra cost of $10 per person.

These are some of the changes each gathering participant should be aware of for the 2006 Gathering season:

• In the interest of Mother Earth, we are no longer providing Styrofoam. Please be sure to bring your own feast gear: we will have sinks set up for washing. We are hoping to have some feast gear available for sale (or at some sites, for rent). At sites with recycling available, we will set up appropriate bins.

• Newcomer's workshops will be available for those new to gatherings, or those who just wish to meet others. If you would like to host, please sign up at registration!

• Merchants will be asked to sign a contract that will be available from the Merchant Coordinator each gathering. SerpentStone will not be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items: please watch your goods carefully!

Let us know how we did! Please send us feedback about this gathering, so that we may continue to provide enriching, healing gatherings for the Community.

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