I woke up this morning, opened the bedroom curtains, and beheld my first snow of the year. You can see it just starting to frost the Earth in the photo below.
I find it appropriate, somehow. The ancient Celts saw Samhain as the end of the light half of the year - the summer months - and the beginning of the dark half of the year - the winter. Although Samhain comes with the promise of new life, it is full of death. The leaves are dying. The creatures that cannot find shelter, hibernate, or migrate are dying. Our ancestral spirits wander the Earth. The pooka is about, waiting for his share of the harvest. Anything left on the vine tomorrow will be his. They will assume the shape of death and no longer be good for humans to eat. The snow is the final touch. To me, it is the Earth Mother snuffing out the flame of summer for good. It burned brightly this year, but now it is time for the green world excepting (of course, the strong and magical evergreens) to rest until next year.
The wheel of life turns.
My Samhain plans?
I used a rotting pumpkin to create ZOMBIE PUMPKIN! The nails just make it for me. :)
On a more serious note, I moved my altar - including my ancestor shrine. I hung photos of various ancestors on the wall (Weretoad's grandfather was wobbly until Weretoad himself fixed the frame). I included a wall sconce on which I can light candles and leave small offerings. I would like to make or find a small shelf on which I could place larger offerings. I will probably move items on my main altar to create a dumb supper for our ancestral spirits tonight.
Last night I attended Muin Mound Grove's celebration. We cleaned the nemeton, put our jack-o-lanterns around the hedges, and honored the ancestors, as well as Dagda and the Morigan, through fire, song, libation, and sacrifice. The omens were good. They spoke of building community and protection from the spirits.
Inside we had a wonderful feast of corn and black bean salad, red beans and rice, lasagna, pumpkin bread, cranberry and orange bread, carrots, pumpkin seeds, and apple pie. A portion of each was given to the ancestors first.
Blessed Samhain to you and yours!
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
Life has been so busy recently. Since Pagan Pride Day, I feel like my schedule has been full of non-stop action. Work, two equinox celebrations, Pagan meetings, more work, car hunting, grocery shopping, cleaning, pot lucks, Dungeons and Dragons ... I feel like, even when I have a spare moment, I don't have the energy for artistry or meditation. I still do my devotional every evening, though, and that helps keep me connected. Last weekend saw me at Muin Mound for the Equinox ritual, and that counted as my weekly formal rite. This weekend I will make time for another on my own and I'm thinking about using it to meditate. I really need to stop and do nothing but focus on my breath.
The lack of art depresses me. I bought some materials to use for wildcrafting and sewing - I just have to have the time and energy. I'm also trying to decide what I want to do for a Samhain costume. Muin Mound is having a contest and, while I have no particular need to win, I think it's a wonderful excuse to make a new outfit. I'm thinking about being a fairy. It's not particularly original, but I want something whimsical and nice enough to wear to work.
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
Last night, I celebrated the Autumn Equinox with my grove. I had a lovely time and, as always, am grateful to the grove organizer and his wife for their hospitality. Every time I go I feel closer to my grovies. It feels more and more like family.
We started off harvesting some grape vines for wreathes. This was the first time I ever made a wreath so it was a fun learning experience. My mum used to make them with vines from our forest; she made it look so easy and, while I suppose it really is, I think I was a bit too anal about it. The plan is for the wreathes to dry until Imbolc, when we'll make "wheel of the year" wreathes for our homes. We must find representations for each high day to attach to our wreath. As the wheel turns, so will our wreathes so that the top of it will correspond to the high day we celebrate. I think it's a lovely idea and can't wait to finish mine!
I also collected some vine for magical purposes. Skip and I talked a bit about ogham. He suggested that I make mine out of disks or else I could subconsciously choose the omen I want based on the feel of individual tree staves. He gave me a thick piece of vine that I can saw into disks. Doing this may mean that the energy of the individual trees represented in the ogham wouldn't be as strong in my set, but using a vine/muin to make them would strengthen my connection to my spiritual family of Muin Mound Grove. I think it's fitting. I can still use the rowan and oak ogham staves I made for charms. Rowan, or luis, is especially good for protection magic whereas oak, or dair, helps with strength and wisdom.
The business meeting was productive. I took over the secretarial duties and once more volunteered to help with the website. This basically means I need to get a web editing tool such as Dreamweaver. My occupation allows me to get a pretty hefty discount on the software so I wouldn't really mind. I think of it as a good investment towards my own websites and as a sacrifice to the grove. I'm excited to help out and hope I can meet everyone's expectations.
This ritual was the first since Imbolc that started after the sun set. The year is growing older and the days have become shorter. It was chilly and it felt nice to stand around the fire. The mosquitos were noticeably absent. The moon smiled down on our rite.
I'm already excited for Samhain!
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
Yesterday I talked about what the Autumn Equinox means to me. Now I'm going to share with you some of what I've been doing to celebrate it!
I've started to collect twigs from specific trees to create small ogham staves. So far I've started luis/rowan and dair/oak. I'm proud of them so far! Here they are with some festive mini pumpkin gourds.
Some of the last summer flowers cut, bound, and ready to offer at a gathering I attended last night. They turned into the table centerpiece!
My personal altar with an autumn-colored altar cloth and harvest offerings.
Here's a closeup of the cornhusk doll I made. She's probably the third one I've ever finished so... she's not as impressive as some others out there! I'm proud of her all the same. I actually grew the corn that she's made out of! Granted, because only two spouted and were grown in containers, they didn't produce large ears. Still, I was able to grow my own offering and autumn decor (the stalks have been cut and tied to an iron post outside). This dolly is going to be part of the main offering at Muin Mound Grove tomorrow. Everyone was encouraged to make a corn dolly to place in the fire.
More harvest offerings! Everything except the gourds were from my own garden. I included the tiny ears of corn. Behind all the flowers, fruit, and vegetables is a harvest Earth Mother doll I crocheted. She's my planned personal offering for the big ritual tomorrow.
I'm looking forward to seeing my grovies tomorrow and celebrating the harvest. On the actual Equinox I went to Better Farm for a potluck dinner, casual "ritual," and bonfire! What an amazing place! I met so many wonderful people. Everyone was so hospitable. Sharing a meal with local gardeners, artisans, and free-thinkers; listening to a fiddler and guitarist tweak out an acoustic "Knocking on Heaven's Door;" standing in a candlelit barn; and sitting around a smokey fire while crying "I hate rabbits!" every time the smoke hit my eyes - now that was a great way to spend the Equinox!
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
1) Here's an interesting if brief article on "spiritual blockage."
2) The incessant coughing I have is apparently caused by seasonal allergies - something that I've never officially been diagnosed with until now. Bugger all. I was always so happy to be in the minority of adults who didn't have to deal with allergies. Why do I suddenly have them? Did I not spend enough time outside? Now I have all these bills and a nasal spray... Bugger all. I'm happy that I should find relief but I'm displeased with yet another medicine. I'm really motivated to get a neti pot and make my father's infamous but effective tincture now. I don't want to be part of the drugged up majority... As it is, I would love to get off birth control but am uncertain of the medical implications that would have on me (I was put on it for medical reasons to begin with). Too much environmental damage from the packaging alone!
3) I found a toad-shaped button to represent my husband on the grove's quilt patch. For those out of the know, the Artisan Guild is encouraging all groves, proto-groves, guilds, SIGs, and Kins to create a quilt patch that will be added to a larger piece. The point is to have something representative of ADF to display at festivals. I found a cat button to represent me weeks ago.
4) Tailtiu, the doll and main offering I'm making for the Lughnasadh ritual at Muin Mound tomorrow, is nearly done. I'm finishing the details. To be honest, I don't think she's the best doll I've ever made, but she's also not the worst. I'm not using any metal armatures because she will, I believe, but placed in the bonfire. She's stuffed with fabric scraps which gives a lot more weight. This is what's allowing her to sit properly without the armatures. Her fingers, however, are not the same without them. Also, her head is longer than most of the dolls I've made. I'm not sure how that happened but oh well. Expect photos at some point.
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
Four or five years ago, when I was feeling my way through Wicca and eclectic Paganism, I was feeling "chant envy." Several of my Pagan friends knew more chants than me. They could all spontaneously break out in chant and everyone knew the words... I felt left out so I went on a chant hunt and found some classics as well as some things that I don't often hear people use.
One of them went like this (more or less):
The Earth she is singing Oh ma ma ma The Earth she is laughing Oh ma ma ma The Earth she is dancing Oh ma ma ma The Earth is our mother Oh ma ma ma
Oh ma ma ma hey oh ma ma ma Oh ma ma ma hey oh ma ma ma
I fell in love with it and was lucky enough to find an mp3 of it. It's one of my favorites and I often sing it around the house.
Almost a year ago, some of my grovies came back from a festival where they had learned it and it was incorporated into our rituals when we honor the Earth Mother. I was really surprised but delighted all the same. The only problem was/is... people don't really know it. Last week, during Summer Solstice, there was an embarrassing moment when we started the chant and the bard didn't know it and everyone was mixed up. I was singing the version I learned, but even before the ritual there was a minor dispute between the grove organizer and the senior Druid as to what the actual order of the lyrics were. It pains me to admit it, but it sounded horrible and the energy just wasn't there for me during that part of the rite...
I was searching around for the lyrics or even the mp3 I used to have but I can't find it anywhere! Can anyone help? My grove likes to sing and dance to it but we really need to be on the same page. It's one of my most favorite chants and it's really embarrassing when the grove flounders so...
Help!
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
1) As stated earlier, I'm an official member of Muin Mound Grove. That means I can plan rituals and run for office. So, I am running for grove secretary - unopposed. LOL Our current secretary is going to be the new Senior Druid since the old one is MIA. Some of you who know me may remember that I was MVPN's secretary. I had a laptop at the time but have since converted back to a desktop. I will have to take notes the old fashioned way.
2) I volunteered to make the main offering for Lughnasadh - a doll of Tailtiu. I'm really excited! Part of my oath to Muin Mound Grove at my welcoming ceremony was that I would bring my art to help the grove. I already have ideas! It's so exciting. She will be minimally armatured. I will probably use a stick or dowel for her spine so that she sits up, but otherwise... Everything has to be flammable and safe for the fire. The front hem of her skirt will be stitched to her hands so that everyone can place small harvest items in it.
3) I'm officially a Dedicant Program reviewer! I have my first DP to look at and am impressed thus far! The individual is an excellent writer. I've only read one essay but it's left a very good taste in my mouth.
4) Slowly but surely, I'm delving into Janson's History of Art: The Western Tradition. I'm very much engaged with it, in part because I've always been motivated to take a history of art class but never had the time or maneuverability in my college scheduling. I finished the first chapter which was a brief explanation about why art is important and how one should take a varied approach when judging its worth. I'm getting into the second which is all about prehistoric art. In the meantime, I'm waiting for judgement on my muse essay...
So, yes. I'm getting more and more involved with ADF. I love it and it makes me happy. :)
From Friday to Saturday, I underwent the vigil to become an official "folk" of Muin Mound Grove along with Candee. What this means is that, along with having a history of attending the grove and a good relationship with everyone there, I am taking on more responsibility. If need be, I could be asked to lead a significant part of a ritual. I'm expected to do more for the grove. It's really exciting for me. I love everyone there and I'm proud to be a part of it. I want to do more for my Grovies of my religion in general.
Muin Mound has various traditions that are part of becoming a folk. Along with staying up until just after sunrise, we made Muin Mound pins to wear at ritual, underwent a long guided meditation, participated in a ritual, were formally welcomed during the main worship service, and watched the Wicker Man.
Now, I'd never seen the Wicker Man before. It's not the sort of film my parents would have had around the house. It also has the reputation as a horror film and, for all my recent posts about ghosts and zombies, I don't often watch such things. When I found out what becoming a folk entailed, I decided to put off watching it until my vigil.
Why is the Wicker Man part of our vigil tradition? Well, it's a hugely popular movie in the Neo-Pagan community. Everyone seems to rave about it. Groups are even organizing Rocky Horror-like parties where people watch the movie and sing along to the beautiful songs. I suppose we watch it because it's become such a huge part of our Pagan culture and to become so involved in said culture is to experience its art*.
So what did I think of it?
Let me just get it out right now and say that I didn't enjoy the end. If you've never seen the movie, look away right now. Did the uninitiated leave? Ok, good. Now, the movie is called The Wicker Man because, at the end, the investigator, who also happens to be a virgin Christian, is sacrificed to the Gods by being burned alive (along with various animals) to ensure the fertility of the land. The residents of the all-Pagan island of Summer Isle, known for their apples, had a poor harvest the year before and wanted to give a really large sacrifice to aid them. Now, I always knew this was going to happen because of the movie's reputation and my background knowledge. Julius Caesar wrote about the Gauls use of wicker men but, other than that literary blurb, no other evidence for the practice exists. We know that the Celts did sacrifice people and animals, but the wicker man method was either incredibly rare, a one-time event, or a rumor that Caesar noted/created.
The film, over all, did not meet my definition of a horror film. It simply did not "horrify" me until the very end. I'm sure it's more horrible to Christians who are easily offended by nudity, sex, and polytheism. I spent most of the film giggling at the protagonist's discomfort (or growling at his rudeness) and wishing that I lived on an island of Pagans.
And this brings me to why I didn't like the end. As stated, I know our ancestors sacrificed animals and people to the Gods. I don't feel that we have to do that any more. Our society has evolved and, while I know some people still maintain such practices, I feel that we are in an age that requires less killing and destruction. We ravage our environment enough. We kill too many factory farmed animals. We have too many hungry humans in the world to justify killing animals to use up other important resources like grain and water. Human sacrifice is now murder and animal sacrifice is now arguably unsustainable. A better sacrifice to the Gods in this day and age would be to give up something you worked hard on, or, better yet, an environmentally damaging practice that is convenient to you (I could do more of this). There's also giving up time for community service. There are many types of sacrifice and all are appropriate, in my opinion. If you really feel that the Gods desire blood, put a razor to your own fingers. If you must offer an animal, buy an animal to feed an unfortunate family in the name of your Gods.
Some people giggle at the sacrifice of the Christian at the end. Me... I was uncomfortable with it. In the modern sense, it was a murder. The Pagans of Summer Isle claim that he was a willing sacrifice because he came to the island by his own free will, but that isn't so. They tricked him and then sabotaged his means of escape. I worry that many Pagans love the film because of their own bitterness towards Christianity. As much as the religion makes me uncomfortable, I know too many good Christian people.
Now, I know that most Pagans wouldn't dream of doing an actual wicker man. Most are level-headed enough to know that such practices are best left to ancient history. Hopefully most are aware that The Wicker Man is fictitious and that modern groups just don't do that (knock on wood).** After watching it with some of my grove mates, we had a brief conversation about how it was fictitious. I think the key to Pagans watching and enjoying the movie is that it must be followed by discussion because it can be educational and inspirational. When showing it to new Pagans or the highly impressionable, it should be prefaced in some way so as to cushion the blow.
Ending aside, I actually really liked the movie. A level-headed person should know that it's all fiction and that it's not an accurate portrayal of modern Pagans (Are any movies?). The music was beautiful. I was familiar with a majority of it. Damh the Bard does an excellent cover of "Gently Johnny," and Mediaeval Baebes produced a playfully melodic "Maypole Song." Also present was the traditional "Sumer is a Cummin In" that I so loved from MVPN's Beltaine rituals.
Mediaeval Baebes' "Summer Isle (The Maypole Song)."
In the end, and after a night to think about it, I really did enjoy "The Wicker Man." The ending made me uncomfortable, but that is the point of horror films, I suppose. Even though the movie wasn't much of a horror film otherwise, it gave me something to reflect upon. "The Wicker Man" can be a useful educational tool, is fun to watch as a fictional piece***, and has a lovely soundtrack. I think I would like to add it to my DVD collection.
*I say this is Pagan art because I've read that the crew consulted with Pagans for ideas and traditions.
** My brain would explode if someone showed up for a Beltaine rite with an animal to put in a wicker man. "But I thought that's what you guys did!" Oh that would be so weird...
*** ...as opposed to a basis for practice or belief.
My sweet peppers have been eaten by something. This makes me sad. I shouldn't have put them out without a milk jug over them... They were so little... Everything else seems to be doing ok. My hot peppers have flowers!
I was reading up on the vigil/welcoming ceremony Muin Mound does for people becoming a Folk of the Grove. I'm going to undergo the ritual in a couple weeks. I'm really excited but also a little nervous about staying up all night! I won't be alone. My grovie Candee will be going through it as well!
Today I also sent an apologetic email to someone. I was bothered by something and felt guilty so I wanted to get it off my chest and be honest. I hope I did the right thing and that I didn't make things worse. I did an ogham and animal deck reading shortly after because I was nervous about doing it. The Kindreds seem to be telling me that it was a necessary step in the right direction and that it will mark a new beginning. I'm hoping it means I will be closer to that person and think more carefully about what I say and do in the future.
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
Like many, I don't really know how to describe my time at Wellspring. The word that keeps popping up in my head is transformative. I had a wonderful time and learned a lot about myself. I feel closer to my grove, the ADF community, and the friends I've made there.
It was great to finally meet so many people who I've only known online. I spent some time with the Daws and Lesley who I know through Facebook and the ADF chats. I also met my lj friends athenamsb and Thread_of_Song. It was amazing to spend time with them. I briefly spoke with Michael Dangler, Seamus, and Jamie. I also saw Robb for the first time in a year or so! I wish we could have talked more but such is the nature of a festival I guess!
Weretoad and I spent a lot of time with our friend Parallax who moved out to Albany earlier this year. We've not been able to see her as often as we'd like to, so having her at Wellspring was great! Her husband wasn't able to come but we're already plotting plans for next year!
I feel that Wellspring was transformative for me because not only did it increase my bonds with ADF as a whole, but it helped me to better understand my own insecurities and then deal with them/move past them. I thought that being in a clothing optional campground would be hugely stressful. In the end, it became very normal and even relaxing! I felt more at ease and secure in my own beauty and worth than I ever have. Like Michele said to me in the hot tub, eventually a switch goes off and you realize that there's a definite difference between nudity and sexuality. This was also my first time camping so I learned a lot and know better what I do and don't need next year.
The rituals I attended were wonderful. Kirk's installation as Arch Druid was moving and powerful. I've never seen so many Druids in one place! The symbel on Sunday was a lot of fun and different from any ritual I've ever been to. My husband's favorite was the closing ritual on Monday. He liked that it was more relaxed and that he could sit (he liked that about the symbel as well).
Goodness... What else happened?
- I attended several helpful workshops including the Daws' lecture on Stoicism and Kirk's basic ritual skills. I got a lot out of them!
- Several of my dolls were for sale in the ADF Store. I even sold six of them! I hope that everyone enjoys them!
- I entered the doll at right, Manannan mac Lir, into the Artisan Competition and won first place in the Sacred Art category! Woo!
- Weretoad and I fell in love with sarongs. I think they're now our favorite form of clothing.
- I bought several sarongs, a dragon statue for my garden, and the book Real Magic by Isaac Bonewits.
- I enjoyed the annual meeting. I especially liked Kirk's idea to honor some of the most helpful people with certificates and rewards at the end. It's good to acknowledge the many dedicated volunteers!
- I did a LOT of dancing and it felt wonderful! My grovies want me to do a workshop on dance sometime.
- Candee and I spoke a bit about reiki and she did some on my face because I was feeling so sick on Sunday. It really helped and I am so grateful to her!
All in all, I had such a spectacular time and am so amazed with the hospitality of everyone from Stone Creed Grove to the solitaries! I am honored to be a part of ADF and I cannot wait until next year! Congratulations to everyones accomplishments! Hail to the folk and our Kindreds!
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
I felt really ill yesterday due to hormonal issues. I accomplished nothing after work.
I don't feel fully restored tonight, but I've already been more productive than yesterday! I did some work on a doll and did a quick ritual to promote healing in the areas surrounding the oil spill. CedarLight Grove is encouraging everyone to take part, even if it's just through meditation.
Speaking of CedarLight Grove, do they not have an amazing website? I hate to say this, because I'm very proud of my grove otherwise, but I totally have website envy. Ours looks really out of date... Heck, even some of the information is old. I don't even want to link to it right now because it's kind of embarrassing... I really want to offer Skip a hand but, at the same time, I don't want to step on any toes... Maybe he's just been really, really busy with ArchDruid business and, now that he's "retired," he'll have more time for that? I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
In other news, I'm trying to clean the house. My family is visiting this weekend and hubby and I have been so lazy! Despite the existence of a designated "art room," we tend to bring most of our projects into the living room. I think the problem is a lack of surface area in the art room. I'm going to be keeping my eyes open for a table to put in there. Maybe that will help?
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
My Beltaine was wonderful. After a delightfully amorous morning, hubby and I went to The Mustard Seed in Watertown to enjoy their Earth Day celebration. We got to try a plethora of products, including some eco-friendly perfume, organic cat treats (which our babies really enjoyed), soaps, and a micro-brewed kombucha. My husband is not a fan of the drink in general, but it was probably the best batch I ever had! We also had some delicious local baked goods and a grilled portobello sandwich. Yummy!
We headed to Syracuse to attend Muin Mound's Beltaine celebration. Yesterday was actually my three year anniversary of going to Muin Mound. I made a point to make it to a business meeting. I want to be more involved, especially as I'm going to become an official Folk of the Grove next month. My grove mates have become such a spiritual family to me. It's so easy to talk to them now, and I have so much fun.
The men went into the woods to find a tree for the maypole. My husband went reluctantly at first but ended up having a lot of fun finding, sawing, and constructing it with Skip. Hubby is one of those men who almost always has a knife on him and it was quite handy yesterday! Muin Mound's tradition is to attach last year's Yule tree to the top of the maypole. We dance around it to celebrate the fertility all around us and leave it standing in the yard to fill the land with more creative energy. Come Samhain, when the harvest is over, the maypole is chopped up and placed in our bonfire. It's a lovely tradition that really connects us to the land. I wish we brought the camera to get a photo of our maypole this year. It's probably the best I've ever seen!
The ritual was beautiful. The usual nemeton was already infested with mosquitos so we opted to use the area closer to the home. We've been using it a lot, actually, and the larger nemeton is generally bug free for Samhain. It's sad, in a way, because the nemeton is so visually striking with the large central bonfire and bridge lit by torch-light, but the newer, less-infested nemeton is also lovely and is growing on me. The second bile (sacred tree) looks quite proud with some offerings hanging from it. There's also a lovely pond which works as the well!
As the ritual began, the sky lit up a few times and thunder rolled around us. It was really something to acknowledge the three realms and chant "may the sky not fall down upon us" in such weather. I took two larger roles in the ritual this time. We have a member who always welcomes the Nature Spirits, but she wasn't there last night, so I took the part. I felt so confident and just said what was in my heart. It was an amazing feeling! I also welcomed and honored the Goddess of the rite, BláithÃne. I had an idea of what I could say, but in the end I read something prepared ahead of time. I usually don't like to do that, but I've really never worked with BláithÃne before and didn't want to stumble or get her story wrong, even though I'm fairly sure I know the basics of it. I felt a lot of wonderful things while calling to her. I felt the strength of an independent woman who knows what she wants. I felt the awe and joy of the plants all around me. I also felt compelled to learn more about her and make a doll inspired by her to give to the grove next Beltaine.
At the end of the rite, the sky could no longer hold and it began to rain. It felt cool after a humid day dancing around the maypole. We were finishing our right so it didn't spoil our fiery fun at all. We went inside and had a wonderful potluck feast.
It was such an enjoyable day and I hope everyone did something as wonderful!
May the Kindreds bless you this season!
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
Sunday, January 31, 2010
My husband and I went to Muin Mound last night to celebrate Imbolc with the grove. The ritual was held outside in negative three degrees weather! Now I feel like a hardcore Pagan! Last year we did a lot of rituals inside because of the snow/cold and then a surplus of water and mosquitos in the nemeton. A lot of people were feeling disconnected so we vowed to go outside for ritual more. Thank the Gods it wasn't windy. My poor toes, even in my new cozy boots, were so red by the time we got inside. The ritual was definitely faster than usual, but it was somehow powerful and meaningful at the same time. Huddling close to the fire, I felt a more intense gratefulness for Brighid and her fire. I also felt the blessing of community, which was interesting because the omens reflected this.
Before and after the rite, actually, I felt better bonded with my grovies. We made Brighid crosses and chatted before the ritual. I'll have to take and post photos later. (My husband made a triforce from the Legend of Zelda Games out of wheat.) After the ritual was the potluck and more socializing. Phoenix showed me her new art studio and we talked for some time about arts and crafts. Skip and I talked about training programs. He's happy that I'm becoming more active on the forums and chats. He also showed me a photo of he and the other previous Arch Druids naked (backside only) and covered in body paint. LOL! Jen, Candy, Skip, and I talked excitedly about Wellspring this year. Jen seems quite excited that we'll be there and in the Muin Mound camp this year. I am stoked.
Community is important to me. That's part of why ADF speaks to me so. It's about family and coming together to learn and worship. Muin Mound is starting to feel like a spiritual family to me. They are so welcoming and inclusive of both myself and my husband. Such reassurance couldn't have come at a better time now that MVPN has gone through such a change.
Today the snow falls thick and fast. Another winter day in the North Country. I am grateful to my own resourcefulness and Brighid's protection for the shelter and warmth I have. I pray that my husband makes it home from work safe. I think our grocery shopping and laundry chores will have to be put on hold today,,,
I find it appropriate, somehow. The ancient Celts saw Samhain as the end of the light half of the year - the summer months - and the beginning of the dark half of the year - the winter. Although Samhain comes with the promise of new life, it is full of death. The leaves are dying. The creatures that cannot find shelter, hibernate, or migrate are dying. Our ancestral spirits wander the Earth. The pooka is about, waiting for his share of the harvest. Anything left on the vine tomorrow will be his. They will assume the shape of death and no longer be good for humans to eat. The snow is the final touch. To me, it is the Earth Mother snuffing out the flame of summer for good. It burned brightly this year, but now it is time for the green world excepting (of course, the strong and magical evergreens) to rest until next year. 
