Beltane Fireside Community Gathering & Concert

Beltane marks a potent moment in the wheel of the year. It’s a time when the energy of the Earth reaches its peak, with new life being born and also the opportunity to see what’s holding us back. Time to shed old skins for good and step into our potential!

Glennie Kindred writes in Sacred Earth Celebrations:

“Beltain, like its opposite of the wheel of the year, Samhain, marks a particularly potent transition in the yearly cycle. At dawn and dusk especially, the boundaries between the worlds are thin, and we may find ourselves ‘spellbound’ by the power of the moment, and experience the paranormal. This will bring insights and understanding which will greatly expand our consciousness.” 🌹

This is a fertile time for transformation and ripening. As we welcome the bright light of the Summer, the shadow is also easier to see and confront. Traditionally, Beltane was a time of purification, when livestock was guided in between two bonfires to cleanse them of disease and parasites, giving them the highest chance to live their healthiest lives.

We invite you to do the same. Around this fire 🔥, we will connect with the energy of the season and take advantage of this potent moment. Whatever you want to invite more of – or leave behind – this ceremonial space can hold it.

🔥 Ceremonial Fire & Intentions – We will gather around the fire in reverence, making offerings, setting intentions, and honoring the shift of the seasons.

🌀 Authentic Connection Practices & Yarning Circle – Through simple yet profound exercises, we will deepen our presence with each other, exploring the wisdom of listening, storytelling, and shared reflection.

🎶 Community Singing & Sound Weaving – No experience needed! Whether through simple chants, polyphonic melodies, or spontaneous vocal exploration, we will create sound together, tapping into the power of music as a bridge between us.

🌱 Seasonal Offerings to the Fire – Bring a small offering—herbs, flowers, a written prayer—to symbolize what you wish to nurture in this new cycle.

🌟 Fireside Space to “Just Be” – The schedule for the evening is optional and you can participate in the ways that feel good and nourishing to you. But if you want to just sit around the fire and be, your presence is so welcome!

🎸Community Sharings: there will be an opportunity for people to share a song, poem, art. Feel free to bring something to share. Beauty lies in all the flavours o fa diverse community!

💰Exchange – This event is on a suggested sliding scale. Please see the suggested Sliding Scale below (Green Bottle System) to help you decide what to contribute. Suggested is £16 -£13 - £10 - £8. If you can't afford but would like to participate or/and support us on the day to deliver a beautiful evening for everyone, please get in touch: aGVsbG8gfCBtYXJ0YWJyem9za28gISBjb20=. Everyone Welcome!

🤝Volunteering

We always need a few extra pairs of hands to prepare and hold these events! If you’d like to help out, please email aGVsbG8gfCBtYXJ0YWJyem9za28gISBjb20= for more information.

We usually need help with:

• Opening the door and guiding people to the fire
• Setting up the space (chairs, benches, tea station)
• Help with firekeeping
• Clearing and tidying after the event
• Asking people to fill out a feedback form.

♿ Accessibility – The garden is wheelchair accessible - please let us know about any access needs beforehand.

👶 Child-Friendly? –Yes, children are welcome! However, parents are responsible for their supervision, especially during connection practices that may be more suited for adults. The gathering will have a flexible, open structure, allowing families to engage as feels right, with space around the fire to be together

📍 Location – The Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Road, EH16 5AB

⏳ Time & Date – 10th May, 18:00 - 21:00, with some time to hang out around the fire afterwards.

🌦️ Dress for the Weather – This event will be outdoors; bring warm layers and anything to put on the benches to protect you from moisture/cold.

❓ Questions are welcome! - Please email Marta at aGVsbG8gfCBtYXJ0YWJyem9za28gISBjb20= if you need more information.

💰 Refunds - We will issue automatic refunds if you cancel at least 5 days before the event via Eventbrite (minus the booking fee). After that, we can’t guarantee refunds.

(Note: Both Francesco and Marta are members of staff at The Salisbury Centre. However, we are organising this in our capacity as freelance facilitators; in other words, this is NOT an event organised by The Salisbury Centre.)

Photo © by Cinema Chef UK Film & Photography

I've been facilitating Authentic Relating and connection events in Edinburgh and online since 2020. I've completed the Authentic Facilitator Training from Authentic Revolution, as well as other relational and mindfulness courses, including a post-grad diploma in Mindfulness & Compassion studies.

Day-to-day, I live, work, and volunteer at The Salisbury Centre, one of the oldest community hubs in Edinburgh. I think of it as my spiritual home that deeply nurtures me, but also a playground for learning about group dynamics and community building.

I'm also a published author with a newsletter called Connection Hub. There, I share stories, tools, and ideas around creating authentic human connection and communities. One day, I want to move out of the city and start (or join) a tribe of people committed to deep communion with Nature and each other.

Francesco is a firekeeper, ceremonialist, singer, and community weaver, devoted to rekindling our ancient connection to voice, ritual, and the primal spirit of Fire. With over a decade of experience in ceremonial facilitation, Georgian polyphonic singing and community song leadership, he creates safe and welcoming spaces where people can access and explore their most authentic, embodied voice—whether through sing-along chanting, deep vibrational soundscapes, or raw, heartfelt harmony.

Having lived and worked across the World in conservation, social activism, and community building, Francesco’s journey has always been rooted in a deep reverence for nature, song, and the unseen forces that weave us together. He continues to craft transformative spaces of connection, where fire, music, and shared presence guide us into deeper alignment with ourselves and the living world.

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