In 2024, I became deeply interested in pinhole photography, and in the interplay of those holy things sacred in Druidry: the light of the sun, and the silver halide of the earth, as experienced through us as animals. These images provide a window into that process.
The Three Cranes Grove, ADF, Druid Moon Rite. f/231, 75mm, 45 sec. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
I chose the praise offerings section because I'm interested in exploring the motions of ritual: because we are a religion that describes ourselves as "orthopraxic" (or, "concerned with right practice"), I find the contrast between what is "fixed" in place and what is "movable" in ritual to be fascinating. With the praise offerings section, most of us are in movement the entire time, approaching the well on the altar, the fire, or the tree. f/231, 75mm, 9sec. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
Where I-68 and US-40 pass through the top of Sideling Hill, 810ft (250m) of rock strata is exposed; the finest example of geological strata thickness and exposure anywhere. f/231, 75mm, 24sec. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
Sideling Hill, seen here in color through a pinhole on a 35mm exposure. Taking this photo on 400-speed 35mm film with a larger aperture than my Lensless camera on 100 ISO 4x5 film brings out the difference in sharpness. f/167, 9sec. Kodak Gold 400, 35mm
Taken on a park bench at the Sideling Hill rest stop, looking out over the Mason-Dixon Line. f/231, 75mm, 20sec. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
While ill during a main High Day Rite for Three Cranes Grove, ADF, I stayed home and watched from Zoom. I lit my altar, worked along with the folk, and crafted my own experience in the space; separate, but together. f/231, 75mm, 45min. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
Offerings to Belenos made at three fires: a Fire of Community, a Fire of Inspiration, and a Fire of Sacrifice. The sun broke through the trees during the rite, flooding the space, while we moved about making our offerings. The only vaguely solid figure in the image is the Priest, standing with his stole defined but body ephemeral in the space. f/231, 75mm, 30min. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
The mound of a sort that has always been upon the land, where memory is bright. Those who have been buried within it are remembered by those who maintain the space. f/231, 75mm, 29sec. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
A shrine to the Spirits of Nature, with space for birds to nest in the trunk of the shrine, and carved faces and animals. Set into the treeline and out of normal vision, this shrine is set aside, but still honored. f/231, 75mm, 18min. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
During this shot, an offering was made by another festivalgoer, who spoke movingly about trees that had been cut down in their prime. Taking this photo on 400-speed 35mm film with a larger aperture than my Lensless camera on 100 ISO 4x5 film brings out the difference in sharpness. f/167, 1hr. Kodak Gold 400, 35mm
At the crossroads, a shot of the freshly-offered Hekate Shrine, built upon the land. f/231, 75mm, 40min. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
After Wellspring 2024, I stopped by Lake Erie, which is only about two miles from the site of the festival. I watched the rain and grabbed my pinhole camera, and captured a shot of the receeding rain off to the east. f/231, 75mm, 9sec. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
Honoring Nehelennia and blessing travel talismans. f/231, 75mm, 55min. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
ComFest Summer Solstice Rite 2024
Honoring Epona at the Earth Mother Shrine at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation East. f/231, 75mm, 55min. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
Opening Rite, Summerland 2024, by Happy Valley Golden Wheel. We shared waters in the central cauldron as one folk. The rite was part Druid, part Wiccan, and part Golden Dawn. A fascinating combination. The flames around the cauldron burn bright in the failing light of evening. f/231, 75mm, 46min., 37sec. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
Rev. Mike Kaan's Ordination. This is a double exposure: the first exposure was of Rev. Kaan's offerings to his allies, for approx. 5 min; the second exposure was of his stole traveling around the circle, receiving the Voice of the Folk. Rev. Kaan can be seen both stoled and unstoled before the altar, and though the exposures were roughly equal, the image with his stole on is much brighter and bolder. The Voice of the Folk is bright in our new Priest! f/231, 75mm, 10min. 38sec. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
We met to honor Nantosuelta, lady of rivers. We danced our omen into the blessing of the folk: an admonition to use our tools and blessings; a path of interconnectedness and interdependence; a focus on nkowing and showing our love to ourselves and others; and each individual was asked to find the calm in our center, and to share it with those who need it. We are stronger together. f/231, 75mm, 50min. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
First Day of School Blessing, 2024. Each year since our Cranelings have started school, Rev. Avende has led a ritual for the kids to protect & bless them as they go forth into the school year. Here, the backpacks sit in the sunlight, warmed bu the same rays that mark the film in the camera. Each child draws his/her/their own omen, and this year my children drew the same omen: "You've been doing a great job considering all you've been up against." f/231, 75mm, 5min. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
Our anniversary rite is the Autumnal Equinox, and we celebrate most years at the Mansion Shelter at Highbanks Metropark, near where it all began. Under a burn ban this year, we couldn't have a fire, so we lit an electric lantern atop the hearth. f/231, 75mm, 2 hour exposure. Arista EDU Ultra 100 B+W 4x5 film
