Desert Magic Camp Jordan is a unique and enchanting experience for those seeking to immerse themselves in the mystique of the desert. Located in the breathtaking Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, this camp offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to witness the beauty and magic of the desert. Upon arrival at the camp, guests are greeted by the warm and friendly staff who are dedicated to making their stay unforgettable. The camp itself is a marvel, with traditional Bedouin-style tents blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Each tent is equipped with essential amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay in this rugged setting. The activities offered at Desert Magic Camp Jordan are designed to showcase the rich history and culture of the region.
“Because we’re eclectic — my partner is Jewish and my in-laws are Christians — I give the gift of light to everyone who comes to my Winter Solstice. It’s a fun accessible ritual that feels safe to a wide range of people and that’s the goal. I want everyone at my table to be comfortable and I also want to celebrate my spirituality and my framing of the world.”
During the ritual, Kalu, the coven s High Priest, said that in Wicca, Yule is simultaneously the end and the beginning of the Wheel of the Year, a calendar that marks the eight holidays called sabbats that tie-in with the solstices, equinoxes and other markers of the seasons. These are practices that are also often associated with Christmas, but both traditions can be traced back to the winter holidays of Saturnalia and Kalends.
The activities offered at Desert Magic Camp Jordan are designed to showcase the rich history and culture of the region. Guests can embark on guided tours to explore the stunning landscape and learn about the Bedouin way of life. The camp offers camel rides, giving visitors a chance to experience the desert like a true nomad.
Winter Solstice 2019: Witches Offer a Look Into Their Yule Rituals
Witches in the Northern Hemisphere will celebrate the Winter Solstice 2019 on December 21. Witches following the Wheel of The Year will also start their Midwinter, or Yule, celebrations on this date. The Wheel of the Year is the cyclical calendar of festivals that modern pagans celebrate. The Wheel symbolizes the continuous turning of time and mirrors nature’s cycles of death and rebirth. The origin of the name ‘Yule’, some say, comes courtesy the Norse god Odin. Traditionally, the festivities began on the longest night of the year and celebrated the lengthening days and return of light. The Yule festivities stretched 12 days while its celebrants feasted and burned yule logs.
While most modern witches don’t take a whole 12 days to celebrate the season — the witches that I talked to usually limit their celebrations to December 21st — many of them still derive great meaning from the holiday and have their own rituals to celebrate lengthening days. “I observe the Solstice to honour rebirth, to observe stillness between the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new cycle,” Tess Giberson told Teen Vogue. “I take all of the wisdom, thoughts, and feelings that have been growing in the dark, and bring them out into the light to share them, name them, speak them aloud.”
Giberson, also known as City Witch, is a folk tarot reader, zine maker, and witch. For Giberson, who is gender non-conforming and identifies as trans, creating ceremonies and rituals allow them to celebrate things that are meaningful — whether that be festivals tied to the Wheel of the Year and secular rites of passage, like recognizing accomplishments, or taking on a new name. “Ceremonies and ritual allow me to celebrate aspects of my life that aren’t within the cis-hetero-patriarchal definition of success,” Giberson said. “Ceremony is an act of love (for myself and my community) and an act of defiance against the state. In creating ceremony I am celebrating my being in a world that is trying to deny and erase the existence of trans and gender nonconforming folk. Ceremony brings power to the present moment, it’s how we celebrate being alive and initiate change.”
Michael Cardenas, head brujo at Olde Ways, is an initiated witch and trained clairvoyant/medium whose practice encompasses many different kinds of witchcraft. As a child, the season marked a literal and figurative return to the light for him. “[What] really drew me to witchcraft is that there were a lot of dark things happening with my family,” Cardenas said. The impetus to protect his family and an intuitive understanding of the need to bring lightness to the situation is what Cardenas credits with being the beginning of his witchcraft journey.
Cardenas was initiated to and practiced with a local coven as a teenager. It was through them that he participated in traditional Wiccan Yule celebrations, like heading to the forest to pick out and eventually decorate a Yule tree — a tradition that Cardenas recounts as his favourite. The evergreen represented everlasting life and was decorated with white candles, items that symbolized the things they wanted to bring into their lives, and garlands of seasonal berries.
Solstice took on new meaning for Cardenas once he started to research solstice celebrations around the world, “I’m Mexican and I came to [witchcraft through] a European path first,” Cardenas said. “ All of the images that I saw were of European people celebrating Solstice. So, there’s always this part of me that was second guessing myself or trying to figure out if this was right for me.” Once Cardenas dove into his heritage — Cardenas’ grandmother is Indigenous to Guadalajara — he had a revelation. “When I started to explore and investigate other cultures, I found that within my own culture, in ancient times, we were doing the same thing.”
For witch and feminist creator Eden America, the Solstice also connects her with her ancestry. “It is important to me to acknowledge seasonal change. Like nature, there are similar shifts and rebirths that occur inside of me. Growing up I shared [these] rituals with my Gram,” she said. “I identify as a witch and I learned it all from my Gram. I just recently found out my great, great grandmother was a healer.”
For those of you celebrating Yule, Cardenas said that it’s imperative to research all of the different ways that the Winter Solstice is observed around the world and to do work to spiritually connect with your ancestors. “They’re the first spirits you should work with, I think,” said Cardenas. He advised setting out an offering of some flowers and a simple glass of water. “Water represents life and also represents a portal between worlds. Call to your ancestors: ‘To my ancestors, known and unknown, I come forward today to create a vivid connection between us.’”
For Cardenas, one of the most profound rituals is simple and free — you don’t even have to go outside. Light some incense and grab a warm drink. With your footsteps, create a spiral in a clockwise direction. “As you’re doing that, you’re literally aligning yourself with the pattern that the universe is creating. Aligning yourself with that and aligning yourself with the time of the season is very, very empowering and I really recommend that for anyone on the path to becoming a witch or exploring witchcraft,” Cardenas said. “It’s really important to empower yourself as a witch and that’s one of the ways you can align yourself with nature.”
Giberson had some suggestions for rituals for beginners, but also stressed that Solstice celebrations needn’t be overly complicated. “You also don’t have to spend money to observe the Solstice, if I wanted to do my ritual without spending any money I’d use the free app #SelfCare because it has a candle you can light, an altar, and a tarot deck, which are the main components of my ritual,” they said.
Here’s a ritual you can do to utilize some of Giberson’s favorite practices:
- Cleanse yourself by taking a salt bath and burn rosemary to cleanse the air
- Build an altar (theirs will be in the Celtic tradition)
- Burn a candle and as your candle burns, release the old energy/thoughts/feelings/ways of being and name the new intentions that come to the surface
- Use their favorite three-card tarot spread to do a reading for yourself: ask the cards what you’re supposed to leave in 2019, a gift hidden in plain sight, and an intention to set or something to grow in the new year
“If it’s your first time ever celebrating solstice, know that your first time is your rebirth,” Cardenas said. “You are stepping onto the wheel, and you’re stepping into that liminal space between time, between worlds. Let that be the beginning of your rebirth and let it be meaningful.”
This article has been updated to be relevant to the current year's solstice.
“More than just a synonym for Christmas, Yule has reclaimed its place at the holiday table as a distinct and valuable religious and spiritual tradition,” wrote Jason Mankey in “Llewllyn’s Little Book of Yule.”
For those seeking a thrill, adventurous activities such as rock climbing and desert hiking are also available. One of the highlights of the camp is the opportunity to witness the mesmerizing sunset over the desert. As the sun paints the sky in vivid hues of orange and purple, guests can sit back and marvel at the beauty of nature. This magical experience is further enhanced by traditional Bedouin music and dance performances that take place around a campfire under the starry night sky. Aside from its natural beauty, Desert Magic Camp Jordan also prides itself on its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness. The camp operates on solar power, minimizing its impact on the environment. Additionally, the camp supports the local community by employing Bedouin guides and showcasing their traditions. In conclusion, a visit to Desert Magic Camp Jordan is an experience that combines the allure of the desert with the warmth of Bedouin hospitality. Whether you are seeking adventure, cultural immersion, or simply a peaceful retreat, this camp offers it all. The memories created here will surely last a lifetime, leaving visitors with a lasting sense of awe and wonder..
Reviews for "A Hauntingly Beautiful Experience at Desert Magic Camp in Jordan"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to attend the Desert Magic Camp in Jordan, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The campsite was quite underwhelming, with very basic amenities and outdated cabins. The staff seemed disinterested and didn't provide much guidance or support during the activities. Additionally, the food options were limited and not very appetizing. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and wouldn't recommend this camp to others.
2. David - 1 star - My experience at the Desert Magic Camp in Jordan was incredibly disappointing. The organization was lacking, with miscommunications about the schedule and activities. The desert excursion promised breathtaking views, but it was rushed and didn't allow us to fully enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. The accommodations were uncomfortable, and the bathrooms were in poor condition. The lack of proper maintenance made me feel like the camp didn't care about our experience. I would not recommend this camp to anyone looking for a magical desert experience.
3. Samantha - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Desert Magic Camp in Jordan, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The activities offered were repetitive and didn't provide enough variety to keep us engaged. The staff seemed unenthusiastic and unprofessional, which affected the overall atmosphere of the camp. The food quality was below average, and there were limited options for those with dietary restrictions. I was really hoping for a memorable and exciting experience, but unfortunately, this camp didn't deliver. I would advise others to explore alternative options instead.