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Symbolism

A unicorn (from Latin unus 'one' and cornu 'horn') is a mythological creature. Marianna Mayer has observed (The Unicorn and the Lake), "The unicorn is the only fabulous beast that does not seem to have been conceived out of human fears. In even the earliest references he is fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary, but always mysteriously beautiful. He could be captured only by unfair means, and his single horn was said to neutralize poison."
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The unicorn has symbolized many things throughout history, and it is depicted in many ways. Some descriptions include: a horse with a horn, a beast resembling a rhinoceros, an ass with a horn, a goat-like creature, a stag, and sometimes a combination of these and other animals. It has both secular and Christian significance. It represents various aspects of romantic love, magic, and providence, and it has also been seen as a symbol of Christ. The myth of the unicorn contains something for almost everyone.

When God commanded that Adam and Eve should name all of the animals of the Earth, the first one given a name was the unicorn. Because of that, God gave that creature a special blessing and touched it on the tip of its horn. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command and were banished from the Garden of Eden, the unicorn was given the choice to follow Adam and Eve into the world or remaining in paradise. The unicorn chose to follow them into the world of pestilence, war, pain, and death. The unicorn was blessed forever after for his compassion. The unicorn chose the difficult human path out of love.

An Eastern tradition says that the universe began like an egg. The shell cracked and chaos spewed forth in all directions. Out of the chaos of the five elements and the light and the dark, the first man created the universe; it took eighteen thousand years. Four animals assisted in this task: the dragon, the tortoise, the phoenix, and the unicorn. Upon completion of the task, the first man died and his body became the Earth, his blood the waters, and his breath the wind. His voice became thunder and his eyes became the sun and moon. His bones were stones and metals while his hair was vegetation, and his sweat became the rain. Each animal chose territory. The dragon went to the waters, the tortoise crawled into the swamp, and the phoenix flew to dry land. The unicorn, known as the K'i-lin in China, ran into the forests. These special animals rarely reveal themselves to humans. On two auspicious occasions does the unicorn choose to show itself: when the ruler is just and kind and when times are peaceful and prosperous, also, when a great leader is about to die, the unicorn appears.

The horn of the unicorn is said to have the ability to repel poison. Thus, the creature was hunted. It is a fierce creature which could best be captured with a virgin. One should place a virgin in the forest with her breast uncovered. The scent will be perceived by the unicorn who will come and kiss the breast and then fall asleep in her lap. The Christian tale of the virgin capture of the unicorn forms an allegory to the Incarnation of Christ.

The unicorn is a proud, noble, powerful, fiercely courageous creature who is also gentle, beneficent to his fellow creatures, and happily serene in the end. The unicorn can be seen in art throughout time and it has come to symbolize many things, both Christian and secular. This powerful, mystical beast is depicted in many ways, but it always retains its single magical horn, and the love that Medieval and Modern people hold for the creature.

Unicorn History

The story I’m telling has its roots in 1951, which was the year Jack Kerouac wrote his draft of the novel On The Road in a three-week period on taped-together sections of tracing paper, resulting in a single scroll of nearly 120 feet of paper. He was the first ever backpacker and began the process of making popular a new ethos in western consciousness centered around freedom of the individual.
More This new way found expression in music, fashion, speech patterns and attitudes to relationships, work and home that startled the conservative majorities in society. With Bob Dylan, The Doors and The Beatles, a million voices joined together in claiming the right to a new way live. Festivals were to be seen springing up everywhere and the richness of human experience bopping into a new dimension.

Twenty years after these first festivals, a newly conceived type of gathering was nudging its way into existence: camps. They had their background in festivals and green gatherings and yet were fundamentally different in their purpose, which was education and personal development, and in their approach, which required that people took an active part in what went on.

In 1983/1984 the first camps were introduced as weekend events whose purpose was to learn astrology and circle dance and were facilitated primarily (as I understand it) by Palden Jenkins and Colin Harrison in the garden of author and playwright Jeremy Sandford. From these came the Glastonbury Camps, the first major weeklong events of this type.

Around this time the expansion was really quite vibrant with a strong feeling of excitement and expectancy in the air. Dance Camps were developed - Marion Violets in France, Dance Camp Wales, a bit later Dance Camp East and the Oak Dragon’s first season that featured the unbelievably influential Nanteos Camp that coincided with the Harmonic Convergence. A small yet important addition to this list was the first UK Dances of Universal Peace Camp in Bristol, led by Amida Harvey.

A few months later, also in Bristol, the first Unicorn events took place - a weekly group of people sharing a wide range of healing and teaching techniques as a way of developing a wider awareness of the wealth of new perspectives and also as a training in group facilitation. Still interested?  
The following year, in 1988 this theme was taken into the format of a camp and the first Unicorn Solstice Camp was held at Sancreed, which lies in the most south-westerly tip of England, at the heart of a fistful of ancient monuments that make this a truly remarkable area for students of the subtle forces of the earth. A few years later the Unicorn Land Trust was created to buy our site and so be able to plant a small tree-sanctuary and learn how to care for the Land.

Celebrations of the Celtic/pagan festivals at Beltane, Solstice and Lammas became key features of the programme as the years unfolded and today the Lammas Family Camp remains one of the most joyful and wholesome ways for kids and parents to spend time living in an outdoor community near the beaches and cliffs of Cornwall. The DUP camp began in a millionaire’s back garden in '93 and, on outgrowing that, moved to its current location at Child Okeford where we feel truly blessed to have a lovely organic farm and nearby swimmable river.

In ’96, a revisioning of the Unicorn Camps took place, after which the various camps no longer came under one umbrella of management. While Raaja Fischer was a couple of years away from his German camps - and with Jilly and Mark focusing on Sancreed - Nickomo, James, Bob and Jenny became the core-group for the DUP and Voice camps.

Nickomo was at that time a member of the acappella group ‘The Beachpersons’, which included Chrys Blanchard, Jackie Roxborough, Nick Petts, Rasullah Clarke and Tony Wrench, each of whom were also workshop leaders in their own right. All the members were very experienced with camps, and had often spoken of running a camp together with Voice as its main focus. The other Unicorn core-group members were keen to make this idea a reality, and so Unicorn Natural Voice Camp was born.

It began in ’97 as a four-day event, built around the teaching and performing talents of the Beachpersons, with the help of some of their friends and contacts from the newly established Natural Voice Practitioners Network. Although the Beachpersons stopped performing together in ’00, they still contribute individually to the quality of the camp, which has grown to become the phenomenally successful event that has become the regular summer holiday for so many singing friends each year.
James Burgess

Think Globally

On a camp and over the years, we feel a deep sense that if we work together with a real spirit of openness, reasonableness, and cooperation, we can find ways to live in harmony, to interact with sensitivity and awareness and to deal responsibly with issues that come up.
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The camp process can be rather self-reflective – individually and communally – and we can become a little engrossed in our own affairs. One way to get us looking outward is to allocate time, resources and attention to the outer world.

Such outreach begins locally. We are keenly aware of the effect we have on local village life and do as much as possible to mitigate any inconvenience that our presence may cause; for example we occasionally contribute a little to local funds and each year offer an open evening of heart-song in the village church. Mostly, we are welcomed, and we are in constant dialogue with local dignitaries to address complaints about noise and litter and such like.

On a wider canvas, we have supported projects abroad – in India, Africa and certain of the ex-soviet states. Our input to these charities is much more than just a gesture to relieve conscience about haves and have-nots. Unicorn Camps funded many spiritual outreach trips to the Baltic States bringing the Sufi message of Hazrat Inayat Khan to the region beginning even while it was still part of the Soviet bloc.

Each year we expect to raise over £5000 to help fund the vision of the WaterAid to bring clean drinking water and hygienic sanitation to villages in Africa. We allocate a percentage of our camps income to compensate for our carbon footprint and provide for sustainability. Unicorn is not merely a fanciful idea, it’s an effective tool to bring light into dark places – inside and out. We work hard and long with clear intent to make a difference. Trees have been planted; wells have been dug; minds have been freed.

Climate Change

It is now clear that humankind must massively reduce our impact on the planet and especially the amount of carbon fuels we use. Choosing to camp in the UK, rather than travel abroad, is a great start.
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By using the farm shop, café and bulk foods many of us never leave the site….. We encourage you to bring only what you need and to build furniture from wood on site, recycling is available for where it’s essential: (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle… in that order…). But inevitably we use energy and emit carbon in setting up the camp and in getting there and back home.

We need to recognise that climate change is already very seriously affecting livelihoods of many of the world’s poorest people. Over the last two years the camp organisers have made significant donations to a project in India – with additional sums collected from people who have driven to camp. These donations are not to “offset” the damage of our activity, but to recognise the damage being done and to go some small way towards compensating those most affected.

The money has gone to plant and maintain Neem trees, which are highly valued for their wood, fruit, leaves and bark at a place called Timbaktu Collective - www.timbaktu.org. And as long lasting trees, they lock up carbon during their lives. The Collective is in an area where all the forests were felled for railway sleepers in the early 1900s and massive erosion destroyed the soils. The Collective has steadily been rebuilding the ecology and the trees are the last stage in this process.

It’s very hard to put a sensible value on how much each of us might wish to contribute to such a scheme – there are plenty of calculators that relate miles travelled to a world carbon price – but they don’t take into account the real hardships that people are suffering now because of our lifestyles….. Better to think about what you can afford – be it only a few quid – to recognise that out carbon rich lifestyle does damage. I will be available at the gate circle of Voice Camp to receive contributions and discuss any issues, ideas or concerns you have.

Peter Macfadyen

Greener Camps

We want to continue the process of walking our talk about making the camps as ecologically sustainable as we can. This doesn’t mean imposing a bunch of rules that make it hard to relax and enjoy ourselves, it just means being mindful. As organisers we see our role as providing what we need to help us achieve together the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality, and we’re open to suggestions. Our aim is to make Unicorn Camps completely ‘carbon neutral’.

It’s true that we’ve not been completely ecologically unaware in our camping habits, we recycle fairly efficiently, and although we burn a lot of wood, that’s easily offset by the effect of removing ourselves en masse from the National Grid. However, our cars produce harmful emissions just in getting to camp, and taking trips out, and there is always a skipful of rubbish at the end which presumably ends up in a land-fill somewhere. So let’s begin by removing the skip from the equation. Let’s work towards creating no unrecyclable waste by being more conscious of the packaging aspect of the stuff we bring on site – knowing that we’ll have to take it away again ourselves at the end!

providing an on-site store of essential items in the hope that eventually we can plan our meals in such a way that we won’t need to use a vehicle at all during the camp. The list of ‘essential items’ is likely to become refined as we get more experience. We’re hoping to provide this service on both camps, but at the moment it’s only definitely on for the Voice Camp. Don’t forget there’s also the excellent organic farm shop just up the lane.

providing an opportunity for carbon-offsetting It’s not obligatory, we do understand that carbon-offsetting is a poor substitute for actually cutting our omissions, and that a lot of the carbon-offsetting charities aren’t really very effective. However, if you want to offset your travel emissions by donating to a really good organisation there will be a stall at the market where you can do it, and the Core-group will offset the setting up and taking down of the camps in this way.

Carbon offsetting with trees has been (rightly) criticised where it involves inappropriate species, or destroys local environments. However with Neem trees, every part can be used. Described as "the village pharmacy" it also provides food, fertiliser and firewood (as well as locking up carbon). Unicorn Camps will of course be paying the cost of setting up the camp, and the firewood that we burn collectively.

providing skiplessness We are of course providing a complete recycling service, but there will be no skip for general waste. This does mean we need to think a bit more about what we bring on site, especially in terms of packaging, and being prepared to take away with us anything that can’t be recycled. This is a big ask, and one we’re unlikely to get the hang of straight away, so there will be site-crew assistance to deal with problematic unrecyclables.


Unicorn sustainability

I just thought I'd offer some websites where one can buy eco friendlier torches, in order to get rid of toxic batteries
www.coopersofstortfold.co.uk
LED kinetic shake torches with handy wrist-strap (BOGOF offer!) £14.99 for two 2 minutes shaking = 4-6 hours of light
wind-up 12 LED lantern with 3 brightness settings, handle with hook for hanging up 1 minute winding = 35 mins light, £19.99
wind-up dynamo LED torches (with mobile phone charger) (BOGOF!) £14.99 for two
www.woolworths.co.uk and in store
wind-up LED torch (with mobile phone charger) £7.99
www.amazon.co.uk
string of super LED fairylights with small solar stake, £19.99, to adorn gazebo or tent
 (from Rina Vergano)

Travelling light and reducing our carbon footprint - a Frome initiative

As part of our overall aim to reduce our carbon footprint within camp I have been investigating possibilities for reducing the number of cars travelling there.

This would require an adjustment on our all parts but in a way, that is what is needed - a shift away from our reliance on our cars and our need for absolute independence. As I live in Frome I have been looking at the possibility of doing it from here but I would invite others in other towns to do something similar.

It can't be that difficult and would make a difference I'm sure. So far, I have come up with the idea of one van taking all our supplies and then our travelling together either by minibus or train. If any people have other ideas it would be great to hear them.
(from Barbara Morgan)
Contact Barbara:

Young Wisdom

At a Catholic elementary school, kids were asked questions about History and Religion. (With thanks to Kiara)

Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before they do one to you. He also explained, a man doth not live by sweat alone.

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Core Group

Unicorn Voice Camps and Peace Through The Arts Camps are organised by a core group of four people: Bob, James, Jenny and Nickomo. On a day to day level the camp is run by teams led by co-ordinators working in and supervising the Creativity Area, Site Crew, Gate Team, Well Being, Teenage Activities and Café.
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Unicorn Camps have been running since 1988. Over this time an ethos and policy has developed through shared experience, discussion and observation. Our hope is that everyone will feel accepted as an individual, and as a part of the community. A central aspect of Unicorn Camps is that of living together in community and it is this that can often bring the greatest challenges and the deepest rewards.

Jenny Thomas has been involved with Unicorn camps for many years. She has worked in all the key areas and participated in every aspect of camp life. Jenny’s belief in, and experience of, personal transformation and of heart-felt community at camp informs and enhances her role as a core group member.

Nickomo is a composer and arranger of acappella singing. He leads natural voice workshops and community choirs and is the creator of the inspirational and uplifting Harmonic Temple. Nickomo has been a central figure on the camp scene for many years as a musician and voice workshop leader.

Bob Horner is a greatly experienced site manager and camp participant. He brings his expertise to the physical organisation and management of camps with resourcefulness and ingenuity. For Bob, being surrounded by nature and living outdoors is a central aspect of the camp experience.

James Burgess was the originator of unicorn camps back in 1987. He has maintained the Unicorn vision and expanded the scope of the camps with tremendous dedication. James is an international teacher of Dances of Universal Peace and a leader of Sufi groups, bringing a depth of understanding from his own Sufi practice.

Unicorn Ethos

Unicorn Camps have been running since 1988. Over this time our ethos and policies have developed through shared experience, discussion and observation. Our hope is that everyone will feel accepted as an individual, and as a part of the community. A central aspect of Unicorn Camps is that of living together in community and it is this that can often bring the greatest challenges and the deepest rewards.
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In order to preserve and improve upon the particular quality of Unicorn Camps we have always asked for full co-operation with our core rules concerning noise, alcohol and drugs, and vehicles on the site. The result of this is that increasing numbers of campers have appreciated the benefits of these boundaries and are prepared to insist that others respect them. We are ready to defend these boundaries to the extent of banning offenders from future camps, and in extreme cases requiring them to leave. You are required to sign your ticket indicating that you have read, and are happy to comply with these boundaries; if you're not, please return your ticket now, and the full amount will be refunded.

Psychology We recognise that each of us is in a continual process of personal development, and that this can be intensified by the camp experience. We aim to create a safe space where we can allow personal growth in a supportive environment. We can experience a greater sense of connectedness as our defences soften allowing us to be more sensitive to each other.

Ecology In living simply on the land we have an opportunity to attune to the rhythms of the natural world around us. We become more aware of our impact on the natural environment and learn to respond with sensitivity and appreciation. Experiencing ourselves as part of the land, we treat it with respect and seek ways to minimise the impact of our presence upon it.

Spirituality We honour all spiritual paths and affirm the right of all individuals to find their own way according to their own inner guidance. Through our everyday encounters we feel the presence of Spirit as a heart-opening experience and we celebrate our connection to it in many ways and forms such as song, dance, meditation and simple inclusive ritual.

Community together in circles brings many opportunities for sharing and co-operation, leading to the possibility of creating community. The size of the camp is such that this intimacy can be felt by the camp as a whole, and can be experienced in the whole-camp activities such as the morning gatherings and special celebrations. There are opportunities for everyone to contribute and every voice to be heard, creating a sense of ownership in everyone.

are you as happy as a unicorn?

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 solution: tmo & homemade        associated sites: nickomo and rasullah / james burgess / 7words / campscene directory for family camping holidays