several years ago at Pennsic, a very dear friend of mine name Garwig started a tradition that has become a point of catharsis for multitudes of people every year.
in honour of the wife he had at the time recently lost, Garwig built, then burned, a norse funeral longship on Coopers Lake (with the Coopers and Pennsic Staff's complete endorsement). over the years, he has more than welcomed anyone who wishes to make donations to the boat burning, but as i have never done so, i don't know all the details. i can certainly find out if you'd like.
certainly all are welcome to come witness the burning. as the ship burns, those who have suffered a loss often shout the names of the loved ones to the skies. sometimes they sing. either way, it is an eerie and beautiful experience to share that grief and the catharsis of shared memories on the shores of the lake.
if you want to know more, i will find out whatever you want. the boat burning is the last night of Pennsic at dusk, followed by the Ealdormerean Kingdom Bardic Circle across the way in the kingdom encampment.
These days a great many people have already left Pennsic before the final night. I've told several people that they really ought to stay for the boat burning ceremony if for nothing else. The more so if they have someone to remember.
While the boat honours Garwig's wife first, but others are invited to write names on pieces of paper to be burned in the boat as well. This year, Cheryl's name will be on one of those slips of paper rolled up and tucked into the hold of the boat, and her name will be added to the others I call out during the ceremony.
"an eerie and beautiful experience"
For the benefit of anyone reading this who has not witnessed it: this is an understatement. The watchers are gathered all the way around the lake, not just near where the boat is launched, and there's something about knowing all those unseen people in the distance are a part of the solemnity of the event ... about hearing the shouts from across the lake as well as nearby.
I know Garwig fairly well. I'm sure if someone were to contact him, he'd be more than happy to do something special for her. E-mail him at garwig@home.com.
Do come to the boat-burning and the Ealdormere bardic afterward -- a long-standing Ealdormerian tradition...
boat burnings
in honour of the wife he had at the time recently lost, Garwig built, then burned, a norse funeral longship on Coopers Lake (with the Coopers and Pennsic Staff's complete endorsement). over the years, he has more than welcomed anyone who wishes to make donations to the boat burning, but as i have never done so, i don't know all the details. i can certainly find out if you'd like.
certainly all are welcome to come witness the burning. as the ship burns, those who have suffered a loss often shout the names of the loved ones to the skies. sometimes they sing. either way, it is an eerie and beautiful experience to share that grief and the catharsis of shared memories on the shores of the lake.
if you want to know more, i will find out whatever you want. the boat burning is the last night of Pennsic at dusk, followed by the Ealdormerean Kingdom Bardic Circle across the way in the kingdom encampment.
*hugs*
Re: boat burnings
While the boat honours Garwig's wife first, but others are invited to write names on pieces of paper to be burned in the boat as well. This year, Cheryl's name will be on one of those slips of paper rolled up and tucked into the hold of the boat, and her name will be added to the others I call out during the ceremony.
"an eerie and beautiful experience"
For the benefit of anyone reading this who has not witnessed it: this is an understatement. The watchers are gathered all the way around the lake, not just near where the boat is launched, and there's something about knowing all those unseen people in the distance are a part of the solemnity of the event ... about hearing the shouts from across the lake as well as nearby.
Re: boat burnings
Do come to the boat-burning and the Ealdormere bardic afterward -- a long-standing Ealdormerian tradition...