This information is an invitation from Alexandra Derwen at Sacred Circle Training Co CIC the hosting entity; a social enterprise dedicated to community grassroots care of the dying, dead and bereaved:
"This creative ceremonial gathering coming up on 22nd - 25th May 2026 has almost effortlessly taken shape; with some of the best storytellers, musicians, poets, artists, community death educators and lamenters we know. The phenomenon of collective grief and mourning; as part of collectively celebrating our humanness and our place within the unifying web of life; is calling out for all those who know that "community" embraces the more-than-human as well as our kindred folk. The late May bank holiday is the perfect time to camp on the gentle hills of Ruthlands Farm, Herefordshire; £295 gets you a catered camping / van ticket and £395 a glamping option if you don't want to bring your own tent!
Information about the line up and the links to register are here: www.journeywithdeath.com/ash-seed
Let me tell you something of the form of Ceremony, the schedule (if you want to be "linear" about it) - this is not a linear experience at all. Consider it multi dimensional and in the space beyond as well.
The term "ConFest" is a cross between a Conference and a Festival; so we have talks, film screenings and workshops interwoven with storytelling, poetry, live music in a ceremonial way. The arc of ceremony delves deepest on the Sunday... we gather on Friday to be welcomed by your MCs Tuomas Rounakari and Alexandra Derwen with Lies Verswijel the Creative Director for the event; then we will hear a telling of "Muddyfeet” by Kestrel Morton and songs for the land with Eilio.
The workshop leaders for the weekend include Dead Good Legacies CIC who will offer supported pilgrimage on the Land and creative projects, Willow Aislinn Ro tending to the integrative spaces, Rachel Hawthorn on the gentle power of shrouding and we will be building up on the Saturday to an evening Fire Ceremony.
The theme for the day on Saturday is "Fire" and will include a talk by AG Derwen on "Dragons, Death and Deep Decolonisation" as well as a screening of the Grief Astronomers film. The Evening will be a co-creative and collaborative soundscape facilitated by Tanja Zere and the wonderful Ailsa Mair.
Then Sunday will turn to "Ash"; the space after death but before re-birth. The in-between and the liminal. A space of shared silence and integration, talks by Merryn Tenalach on the "Hollow as Hearth: On Care, Inconvenience and what it means to Stay, in Community" and by Tuomas Rounakari "Global Story of Lament: from Flourishing Practice to Dust... and new Shoots"; a screening of the film Luddenden Shroud and time to rest together, to walk the land and to really dwell in the Ash. Before the inimitable storytelling of Gauri Raje starts to stir us back with a unique re-telling of Inanna and the heartbreakingly beautiful FireBird; followed by the exquisite lullaby tones of Eve Goodman bringing within us the stirring of the seeds.
Monday's closing ceremony is about the latent potential of the "Seed" that germinates even through the destruction and desolation. A celebration of the triumph of the human spirit and a rallying restoration of radical hope.
If you have read this and you feel stirred, moved, called and keen then please do sign up soon as tickets are limited: www.journeywithdeath.com/ash-seed
If you have any questions about accessibility or want to know anything further please contact sacredcirclecic@gmail.com at any time”
Follow us on instagram @ashseedconfest @journeywithdeath