Have you felt the change in the air? I have felt its refreshing essence swirling around me over the past few months. Initially this created some feelings of unease, and maybe even some fears, not knowing what exactly was brewing. After frantically searching for a “why” or “what, I chose to embrace grace, and open my heart. I chose to let go and have faith that these changes would carry me where I need to be, and reveal my purpose. Being well connected to Spirit enhances and enriches my life on every level, yet sorting out what exactly the Gods intend for us and SOTEF has been quite a journey. Fox and I have embarked on an adventure of transition. Taking a step back to deeply reflect and dedicate the time to receiving these integral messages.
We shared this experience with our closest kindred, and it opened some empowering discussions. As it turns out they too have been feeling a definite surge/calling; We realized that our energies are in sync and it’s together that we must move forward. This got me to thinking, are you too feeling this huge shift in our current reality? Feeling like there is something more, but you can’t quite put your finger on it?
We decided to reflect on what means the most to us, and came to realize that YOU are our reason. With the way things have been going we have not had the time and energy during the event to give you the one on one attention we would like. It is the deep connections to our Tribe that fuels us to grow, support, and challenge not only ourselves but everyone else in our community. Being with our kindred, beautifying our surroundings, and enjoying creative activities, infuses each moment with an attitude of joy and awe. We sense that is what You, as our tribe is also craving more of.
When you take others into consideration while making decisions, you acknowledge that the people around you have needs and are worthy of respect. Today we consider the needs of our staff and the community, and anticipate that our new direction is one that fulfills everyone’s needs.
After much inner reflection and consideration, we collectively reached the decision that Spirits of the Earth must change along with us. It’s not time for Spirits of the Earth to sleep…in fact she is transforming; her energy frequency is elevating and growing. We have always known that “Spirits of the Earth” was not simply an event…but an ideal, a lifestyle, and a community that carries an energy all its own.
We are in a society that has fewer and fewer opportunities to really connect; to feel part of something greater; to be heard and understood. There is such an abundance of large festival events these days that there is no longer a ‘need’ to fulfill. We are being guided to create a gathering that cultivates a more intimate environment. One that offers intensive and practical style workshops. One that focuses on building and strengthening bonds. A place that will help shift our community into a higher level of understanding and empowerment, as we find the magick deep within ourselves.
Spirits of the Earth currently hosts multiple events a year, and the festival was the apex. We have heard the calling to deepen our connections with the earth, our guides, and our fellow kindred spirits. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, it has come time to make a transformation and spread our wings. The July festival will experience the most change in this shift.
What are the changes for the Festival?
It will now be hosted at OakHaven, verses renting a campground. This will give us greater continuity with future dates, and allow us to offer rates that are economical for both individuals and families. The first thing to note is that there will be a date change….this year the festival will be taking place on 13-16 JULY 2017. Our theme is “The Fire Within”, and will continue to host nightly revel fires complete live entertainment, drumming and dancing. This event will be limited to 50 attendees, allowing us to place a greater focus on individual experience.
It is said that everything we do is imprinted with our energy, which others can feel when they see or touch our work. Keeping this in mind helps us to understand how important our attitude can be when engaged in any activity we pursue. While a neutral mindset might help us create a positive outcome, a joyful mindset is more likely to create an amazing one. Simply by choosing to infuse everything we do with enthusiasm, we can create more beauty, love, abundance, and joy that will radiate out to enhance not only our lives, but the lives of all who encounter our work.
We are inspired to use our imaginations to create more beauty in our lives. To enhance our surroundings and better express our creativity. Since one of the most powerful emotions in the creative process is JOY, we plan to enhance our mindset by choosing to feel joyful and happy at every possible opportunity. With our new attitude of fun and enthusiasm, we set a positive example for others, and everyone ends up winning. We create a victory for ourselves and others by simply choosing to enjoy the time we spend together.
We Call all SOTEF Kindred & Like-Minded, Nature Lovers!
This is a very exciting time for the Spirits of the Earth community and we are beaming with the possibilities. We shall build lasting memories within sacred space that is judgment free, supportive, encouraging, and uplifting; We look forward to reinforcing our relationships and building a strong, energetic, unified community; One that places value in honour, loyalty, commitment, integrity, and personal growth. We welcome you to join us on this adventure, share in the experience, connect with others on a deep spiritual level, share your passions, and inspire others…as we laugh, dance and sing our way through this wonderful journey called life.
Love & Light,
Spirits of the Earth
Calling all Like-Minded, Nature Lovers
Sharon Knight and her longtime collaborator Winter are nationally touring musicians in the Mythic-Celtic vein. Their penchant for combining fierce an gutsy bravado with ethereal beauty, a hearty dose of fantastical lyrics, and an obvious love of storytelling has inspired their own style, “Neofolk Romantique”. They often sound less Celtic and more “Folktales that ran away with the Faeries at the turn of the century and took cover in an old trunk bound for the circus, which was then commandeered by pirates.” This suits them fine.
Kate Channer Band delivers an authentic, polished pop/rock sound. For almost a decade, Kate (lead singer and guitar) and Monica aka Moxy (drums) have been putting their own spice on cover tunes as well as composing originals. After an impromptu jam session with Adam (keyboards) one evening six years ago in the basement, they knew the three of them were a perfect fit. After having many talented musicians come and go from the band which has gone through many name changes, Ryan (bass) has completed the package. A year later we have added lead guitar by Mark and backup vocals by Mandy!
Rose has three visions she hopes to achieve as an artist: to inspire, to provoke thought, and to relate! She has been a performer since age four, and writer since age seven, and CEO of Record Label at 15. Rose Cora Perry is the former frontwoman of major label signed act Anti-Hero and has performed at some of the world’s most renowned music festivals. Bringing audiences of over 500,000 to tears with her emotional sound and sincere performances, Perry has been crowned a well-respected industry pro within Canada’s music landscape. In line with her efforts, in 2011, she was invited to attend the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles as a honourary special guest artist.
In two short years, Doghouse Rose has driven the rebel country sound many thousands of miles down the dusty road. Known for their captivating and engaging stage show, they don’t sit still for long. They’ve ventured across Canada and Europe several times over, touring in support of their debut, self-titled album, which charted on college radio for the better part of a year and earned a 2014 Jack Richardson Music Award. Playing every stage and venue they could reach, from music festivals to maximum-security state prisons, these natural entertainers find a home wherever they land.
Weaving a god’s eye. S’mores over a fire on a brisk autumn night. Tara Rice, Toronto-based vocalist, songwriter and guitarist, conjures gothic romanticism between layers of spirited storytelling. Though the majority of Rice’s latest EP, Panorama, was written, recorded and performed in her Bloor Street apartment, the mood of this alternative folk-rock album transcends the concrete city vibe.
Scott Brunelle is a 24 year old multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter and visual artist residing in London Ontario. Scott’s work focuses on retaining the hopeful feeling of reconciliation with the self, others, and nature. His music is ethereal in its jazz and experimental influence, yet grounded in country, folk and the blues. Scott’s rural upbringing and penchant for self-instruction have resulted in a free artistic spirit which reaches to seemingly disparate places to find connection.