Tumulus is a cyclical weed-woad restoration project in 5 parts:
1. Vegetative State (June - mid July)
2. Growth Imperative (mid July - October, with a dedication ceremony on September
13, 2019)
3. Dormant Lot (November - February)
4. Healing Property (March - August)
5. Blue Monday (Closing ceremony/celebration of autumnal equinox, September 21st, 2020)
On September 13th 2019, the artist, assisted by male witches, Vis and Walthert will perform a dedication ceremony inaugurating Phase 2 of the project. Visitors will be offered a libation made from weeds harvested from the Tumulus mound.
On September 21st, 2020 (Autumnal Equinox/Blue Monday) Noorda will perform a closing
ceremony using extracts from the planted woad. Woad has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a cure for the common cold and liver complaints as well as ancient Western and Southern European tribal cultures as a clothing dye and war paint (Gaulish: glastium; Latin: Isatis tinctoria). According to Classical legend, the Picts, a confederation of Northern British Celtic language speaking people, went into battle against the Romans naked, “dressed in woad ”.
This page will be updated with new information about Tumulus.
