Beltane Conscious Dance at The Retreat

Beltane is the May Day Festival and is synonymous with dancing around the May Pole and marks the beginning of Summer. It is one of the eight sabbats of the Wheel of the Year, which takes place at the beginning of May. This festival is named after the Celtic Sun God, Belinos (or Belenus). The name Beltane means 'fire of Bel'. It is often associated with fertility, new growth, and longer, warmer days.

Fire is the center of most Beltane celebrations. People would dance around the fire for purification and fertility blessings. Couples would sometimes jump through a fire together to pledge themselves to each other. Traditionally, only the bonfire lit in honour of Bel would burn. After the celebration, members of the community would take a piece from the hearth fire and light the fire in their own homes.

The May Pole is indicative of old English village celebrations. It is adorned with a ring of flowers on the top which represents the fertility Goddess. Colourful ribbons, weaving through the dance, symbolise the spiral of life and the union of the Sun God and Earth Goddess.

Join SunFire Dance at The Retreat to celebrate the turning of the wheel at our Celtic Calendar Conscious Dance, Beltane, on Friday, 1 May, where we will meditate on the significance of this festival and season in our lives, dance as wildly or mildly as you wish to an eclectic mix of music and gather around the fire for a ceremony. release, poetry and song.

We bring our conscious dance to The Retreat in the New Forest, where we have opportunities of dancing in their beautiful Centre Studio, outside on the lawn, and later in the year at the walled garden, in the woods and around the lake. We will also be gathering around the fire at some of our events. So if you love dancing in nature under the glorious sky, then please join us in an immersive and free-flowing conscious dance.

Conscious Dance is an embodied practice of movement and free flowing dance that integrates emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing. We embark on a movement journey allowing moments of gentle flow, natural rhythm, release, playfulness, elation, stillness and reflection. When we move, we can quiet the mind and innately embody the rhythm of the music, freeing our selves and opening us to new perspectives. There are no steps to follow, just your own feet and your own heartbeat moving spontaneously to an eceltic array of music. There will be moments of guided meditation and others where you can deep dive into the music.

The event begins with an opening circle, setting intentions, followed by a meditation, an hour and a half dancewave, closing circle, then we gather and socialising around the fire. You are welcome to bring musical instruments for our gathering around the fire in song. You are invited to express youself freely through your unique dance and movement.

"We dance for laughter,

We dance for tears,

We dance for madness,

We dance for fears,

We dance for hopes,

We dance for screams,

We are the dancers,

We create the dreams."
- Albert Einstein

What to expect:

• A safe and sacred space where you are invited to connect to yourself and others in community.
• Dance around the Maypole.
• We gather at the Curved Wall adjacent to the overflow car park.
• A guided meditation and visualisation.
• Conscious Dance soundwave to get you moving spontaneously to the music where you can express yourself freely.
• Gathering around the fire after our dance in ceremony, release and celebration.

Music is an eclectic mix of world, tribal, African, Celtic, Latino, Indigenous, Trance, orchestral to get you expressing yourself in a variety of ways.

Who should attend:

Whether you are new to conscious dance or a seasoned dancer, you are very welcome. Whether you are coming alone or with a group, you are very welcome. Children are welcome.

Join us to celebrate the significance of Beltane, May Day Festival, connect with yourself and others in community.

Agreements:

• We keep the dance floor (or lawn) a so that you can immerse yourself in the process.
• We dance barefoot (or in non-slip socks) to connect us to the Earth.
• We dance sober - so please arrive sober and remain so for the duration of the event.
• This is a phone-free process (in other words we don't scroll on our devices through our dance, we embody our dance). However, we will be taking photos and videos for a 'posing' track, the Maypole dance and fire gathering as it is such a special venue and we realise that you may want a momento and some shots around the fire. We will use this to promote SunFireDance Events. Cameras are then to be put away for the majority of the dance, so that we can express ourselves freely without inhibitions.
• If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform our photographers. It is advisable stay behind the photographers too.
• We respect ourselves and others in the dance.
• If you would like to dance with another seek their non-verbal consent (a smile or nod) and thank them after your shared dance with your hands in prayer or Namaste position). If you would prefer not to dance with someone, place your hands on your heart as an indication that you prefer to dance solo in your process at that moment. You may accept or offer an invition as you feel called to.
• Our facilitarors may offer guidance. Everything is by invitation.

What should I bring:

• Water bottle
• Comfortable clothing that you can move in.
• Warm layers as it is still chilly this time of year.
• Warm coat if dancing outside or by the fire.
• Notebook if you wish to write any insights or intentions (optional).
• A log for the fire or offering you would like to release or give thanks for.
• A poem or song you would like to share by the fire (optional).
• Musical instruments for sharing songs around the fire (optional).

Refreshments: You can purchase refreshments at Colin Nash Restaurant.

Calendar Conscious Dance 'Turning of the Wheel' dates for 2025:
We will be gathering at The Retreat for some of the eight sabbats throughout the year. Litha will be celebrated dancing on the beach for the Summer Solstice.

Imbolc (Start of Spring) - Sunday, 1 Febrary 2026, The Retreat in the New Forest, 19:00 to 22:00

Ostara (Spring Equinox) - Saturday, 21 March 2026, The Retreat in the New Forest, 19:00 to 22:00

Beltane (Gaelic May Day, Festival Beginning of Summer) - Friday, 1 May 2026, Curved Wall at The Retreat in the New Forest, 19:00 to 22:00

Litha (Summer Solstice) - Sunday, 21 June 2026, Branksome Chine Beach, 07:00 to 09:00

Lughnasadh (Harvest Festival/First harvest of grain) - Saturday, 1 August 2026, TBA, 19:00 to 22:00

Mabon (Autumn Equinox/Second harvest of fruit and vegetables) - Satuday, 19 September 2026, TBA, 19:00 to 22:00

Samhain (Beginning of Winter/Halloween) - Saturday, 31 October 2026, TBA, 19:00 to 22:00

Yule (Winter Solstice) - Sunday, 20 December 2026, TBA, 19:00 to 22:00

Listen to Imbolc's playlist on Spotify by clicking the link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xr1VFZZiCLHMZO4m6lwjV?si=yqSv6nUcSsiTwWVFC5nFSA&pi=zUxUGqEATi2pc

Your ticket purchase contributes to the hire of the venue, firewood, insurance, equipment and running costs; and is very much appreciated so that we can continue to offer our events in so many beautiful locations in Dorset.

Refunds

Refunds are currently available 7 days prior to the event. You are also welcome to change your ticket to a different date or give your ticket to a friend or acquaintance. Please email Judez at [email protected] to inform us of any changes and queries you may have.

Venue

Address: The Retreat, Lyndhurst Road, Hinton, Christchurch, BH23 7EF
Telephone: The Retreat 01425 205524

Parking There is free parking at the venue.

Photographs: Please note that we will be taking photographs and videos of dancing around the Maypole and around the fire, plus a 'posing' track. Otherwise, the cameras will be stored away for the conscious dance section of our evening.

Crew: If you would like to crew at this event (in exchange for a ticket) and help us set up, tend to the fire and clear up at the end, then please contact us at [email protected].

Collaborations: If you hear the calling and would like to offer your gifts and collaborate with SunFire Dance at our events, then please get in touch with Judez ([email protected]).

We look forward to celebrating the Turning of the Wheel with you at The Retreat.

'Dance the change you choose to be - in yourself, your family, your community and in our world!'
- Judez Lancaster

www.sunfiredance.com

[email protected]

ABOUT JUDEZ LANCASTER Judez has a background in drama, dance, voice, and breathwork modalities. Conscious dance has been a vital part of her life and journey. Her vision is to create safe spaces where individuals can express themselves freely, without restrictions, and can utilise conscious movement to release, receive, embrace and heal, as well as revel in the joy of the dance.

She offers conscious dance both indoors and in nature - on the beach, in the forest and fields. She is an Ecstatic Dance Facilitator and DJ.

SUNFIRE DANCE

Sun - born in the place of the Sun. Invite a ray of sunshine and light into your life. No matter how dark, cold, frozen or bleak life may seem. Move and ignite your passions.

Fire - it only takes a spark to get the fire burning. Fire can also burn away the old, that which no longer serves us. Out of the embers, new shoots and regrowth can form to transmute it into new life, new hope, a new dawn for you. Fire for warmth, for life, for nourishment

Dance - dance to move energy, dance to energise, dance when filled with sorrow, dance when filled with joy, dance to connect with others, dance to connect with self, dance your journey, dance of life.

Looking forward to seeing you on the dance floor.

www.sunfiredance.com

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Retreat New Forest, A35, Christchurch, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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