Beacons In The Dark

Many thanks to OBOD member Liz Cruse for sending me this article written by Dodie Graham Mckay. It is about the wonderful Warrior’s Call event Beacons in the Dark that took place on the 26th September this year. The article originally appeared in The Wild Hunt Blog, an online Pagan news journal.

On September 26, 2015, an international group of Pagans banded together to perform a “rolling ritual.” As 8 pm arrived in every time zone, participants lit flames and encircled the Earth in a wave of fire, linking anti-fracking Pagan activists into one unified, global family.

From single candles lit by solitary individuals, to mighty bonfires attended by groups of singing and drumming people, the initiative did indeed span the globe. Participants were encouraged to place a pin on a world map, and contributions were recorded throughout Great Britain, Belgium, Poland, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada and the USA. The event page on Facebook filled with photos throughout the evening of the 26th, as people posted and commented on how they contributed to the wave of positive energy and lit fires of their own.

This initiative, known as Beacons in the Dark, was organized by the UK based group The Warrior’s Call (TWC). This international network of Pagans campaigns against hydraulic fracturing and other forms of extreme mineral extraction.

One of the many rituals held that night was organized by Derrick Burbidge, a Druid from Chester, England. The ritual was largely attended by non-Pagans and was held at the Upton Protection Camp, an anti-fracking protest site near Burbidge’s home. For this event, an effigy of “Mr. Fracking” was created as a representation of the industry.  His pockets were stuffed with scraps of paper on which were written things that the crowd wanted to be rid of – money, greed, materialism and fear.  Then, Mr. Fracking was beheaded, torn apart and committed to the fire. His head perched on a stake to witness his own destruction.

After watching this spectacle, Burbidge said, “This was not about love and light, nor was it about attack, it was about standing firm to defend your land and your family. Nothing was toned down to make it easily digestible, everything was turned up to 11, and the people who came – non pagans – really got it.”

The Warrior’s Call Sigil

Another UK Pagan activist, Janelle Rakow recorded her observations from the night of the Beacons in the Dark event:

As I write this beacons are still being lit. Before I left this evening to go up upon the Sussex Downs I had a phone call from a Warrior in Oregon. They are eight hours behind us. I woke this morning to FB messages from the Bently Blockade Warrior, Linda White, in Australia, their beacons had already been lit. Being Druids Jules and I held the ceremony with the blessings of Spirits of place and the inspiration of Awen. Many had not visited this beautiful location and were deeply moved by the energy of the land, the almost full moon and gently flowing river. As we held our ceremony, drumming, chanting, poems and deep words of hope and wisdom were shared. We toasted the Gods, Goddess and Warriors and feasted upon the wonderful offerings that had been provided. I’m glowing and humbled by the love of those I have had the privileged to share my day with. This night was one that memories are made of…

To read the complete article click here.