A CD of importance to the Faerie community was released in 2008 by Shane Hill (Shaynala, from Santa Cruz) and Heron (from San Francisco). Spirit Dancing: Radical Faerie Ritual Chants was the fruit of 3 years labor by these two brothersisters who are devoted to the collection, preservation and teaching of chants to both current and future Faerie communities. Shaynala’s original inspiration to create this CD came from Faeries in the Santa Cruz area asking him to teach them chants, as well as from his realization that many newer Faeries are unfamiliar with our earlier chants. As they have had a major nurturing and transformative impact on his own life, he felt it necessary that they be passed on to others. Heron and Shane had been meeting monthly to sing together for over a year when Shaynala told Heron of his vision for the project. The two then focused upon it until the CD was born.
Even though many of these chants are shared by other, mainly pagan, communities, Shaynala himself learned all of them through his relationship with Radical Faeries. He learned We All Come From the Goddess at his first Faerie gathering. Dear Friends was a personal favorite of Harry Hay, who himself researched the chant and traced its melody to a traditional English round. The Ocean is the Beginning of the World was given to Shaynala by White Ash during a Shaman Gathering at Zuni Mountain Sanctuary where he had a transformative experience that allowed him to connect with the ancient ones. He once used the Moon Chant during a full moon ritual he facilitated with Hammer at Wolf Creek. That night the clouds cleared at the culmination of the ritual just long enough for the chant. Heron learned The Faggot God is Here at his very first Faerie gathering (at Kawashaway in the summer of 1992), where singing about god in faggot form with other gay men had a huge impact on his life.
Heron points out that these chants are part of a living tradition that is ongoing. While arranging chants for the CD, he himself wrote a new harmony part for Wearing Our Long Green Feathers, and believes that it is important that we are open to revitalizing old songs by changing some of the lyrics or by performing them in drag, etc. For him, the best parts of being involved with the CD project were trusting in Faerie magic as part of a collective Faerie effort, singing regularly, cultivating friendship with Shane, and learning about arranging songs. This collaboration included the blending of Shaynala's and Heron’s musical skills, Kwai’s talent as photographer, Bella’s gift as the cover designer and Silver Fang’s as a song researcher and magical supporter. Heron is also fascinated by where the CD has traveled, mentioning that he has had heard about it being played in a remote barn in Vermont, on Faerie cross-country road trips, and in various Faerie homes. He loves to ride his bicycle around San Francisco singing these chants and other songs.
Shaynala emphasizes that these chants are not simply songs; they are vessels for powerful energies. For example, Listen Listen Listen is specifically for opening the heart charka. Likewise, he cautions that the Seven Goddess Chant is a powerful invocation that should be used intentionally and with care. For example, invoking the goddess Kali, one can be invoking either creation or destruction. A group of Faeries once used Seven Goddess Chant on a beach to protect themselves from homophobes who were harassing them. As a Faerie chant keeper, Shaynala learns chants, allows their vibrational essence to speak to him, and then holds them as a resource to be used with other Faeries during ritual, say, for creating sacred space or for inviting healing. He hopes that the chants on the CD will be used both for healing on a personal level, as well as on the level of community. Many chants were not included in the CD. They selected chants used early in the Faerie movement, and chants which bring strength in ritual. In fact, the order of the chants is reflective of how one might use them in a large ritual or gathering. Shaynala insists that the Faeries, his spiritual community, have healed him and literally saved his life. This CD is an expression of his and Heron’s gratitude, and is one way of giving back to community. It is not being sold, but rather exchanged. Donations to cover their costs are appreciated.
If you want to obtain a Spirit Dancing CD, please contact Shaynala or Heron.
Heron Saline: 415-706-9794 heron@fullattention.com
Shane Hill (Shaynala): 831-345-2412 foresthill77@yahoo.com
If contacting them by email, please put “chant cd” in the subject line.
Jim e Sparkle Pants can be reached at sparklej@earthlink.net
Jim e is a queer, postmodern singer-songwriter. His second CD, "Dancing on Sage Leaves," was released this year. He can be found on the web at www.myspace.com/jimesparklepants
