How to Go on the Wild Hunt

By Lucifera

I remember it well...

Before I came to live in the mortal world, my Hunts always took place over Avebury Stone Circle in England, where even this Winter Solstice, my entourage will be waiting for me to mount the NightMare and join the Wild Ride. We chase the Horned One, Cernunnos, across the sky behind stag-antlered Herne and Wild Odin who, with his one eye, sees twice as far as we... To the splendid barking of the red eared hounds, the honking of the snow geese, the cawing of the ravens, and the howling of the winds -- through the tumbling snowflakes, we travel the straight trackways, the ghostways, out of the Underworld, and over the land of England.... If you wish to join us, take heart, be brave, and a little bit foolish... This is for Samhain, a harvest of wine, of nuts, of wisdom, and of souls...

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging Things You’ll Need:

• A plane ticket to England
• A train ticket to Avebury
• A few pints to give you courage
• A few more pints to make you foolish enough to want to come along

Step 1
Avebury stone circle
On the night of All Hallows Eve,stand in the midst of the circle of stones. Look to the North. North is the direction of winter and starry nights, magic and mystery,and the Netherworld of Elfhame. Open your senses, take in smells, sounds, and shadows of the night.
Step 2
fire
A bonfire is always nice, but you will have to light it in a cauldron. It will keep you warm when the frost falls. Wear warm clothes. I always wear my dark green velvet gown with six petticoats, pointy red shoes and a black cape. I also wear my crown of antlers. But I am the Queen of Elfhame!
Step 3
Cernunnos
Listen for the Hunting Horn winding from the far horizon.Prepare to meet the Horned One. He will be first to appear. If he frightens you out of your wits (as he first did me) get out of there and into the closest pub. Get drunk with all the other 'fraidy cats! If not -- remain for the Ride of Your Life!
Step4
The wild ride
Listen! you will hear the Hunting Horns and the baying of spectral hounds. Snow geese fly over, ravens, crows,blast the air with their dark cries. Suddenly, a vast wind howls amidst the ringing of a thousand bells...You see them coming! Flying overhead -- a great stag leaping , frenzied horses thundering, dogs racing, howling, and the people of the Faery gazing down at you with bright eyes. Let them take you. Run with them! Though you run on the ground, you will feel as though you are flying through the air! Effortlessly! Suddenly they will swarm over you and vanish into the forest. You will find yourself slowing down and ...wondering where the ___ you are!

Tips & Warnings

• Since this is about the scariest thing that you could ever do, I want to reassure you that I have lived through it and have never been the same since.
• Though midnight is the traditional witching hour, we of Elfhame prefer to come out in the pre-dawn light, so plan to wait until 3AM. The pubs will be closed so you will have time reconsider...
• Check with your doctor before you go on the Wild Ride. Say "Hey Doc, I'm thinking of going on the Wild Ride. What do you think?"
• If you do go, be aware you may get lost, dragged through a hedge, fall into a well, or find your coat in a tree. All of this is NORMAL. Don't worry!