from Equinox to almost Beltane we have ridden the waves of Spring.
We did our ritual just after the 5th grade play and it was just our family of 3 and 4 members of a school friend’s family. It was not rainy but it was not sunny either. So much is lost from the immediate moment, only the smiles, the bird calls, the clarity of the children remain.
We gathered and the kids played a bit and we talked about ritual and the holiday.
We were going to work with the nine virtues and pick random ones.
We were looking towards balance and Spring and we talked about balancing poses.
We layered up and processed to the 5 circle fire pit.
I love the children energy at ritual even when it is difficult.
But we hold each other and settle in.
Hudson was already out there, sitting in a chair with a cane because he had earlier slipped.
Offerings set in the platter, bento-box style. Wine glasses in a basket for the waters. Small colored glass vials of oils and hulls of sunflower-heads for sacrifice. The end of the apples and indoor grasses. We had other offerings of chicken backs, fat and bread.
We had a good fire small and strong. We found our places around it.
We had it set up to wash our hands as we went into the circle but it was too cold. Instead of washing I honored the Directions and the Earth Mother tossing bird seed.
Our beautiful well, recently cleared of winter- Bryan had the Vervain Stalks and sprinkled us with water. When he honored our fine willow tree the kids went to touch it. And our magical warm sparkling fire lit all our hearts.
Oils sizzled: sparks and flashes of sacrifice.
The focus of the children framing ritual, not necessarily knowing what would happen next but open & trusting.
Our Omens for the seasons were as follows;
for the Ancestors we got Kinwaz – torch, can also be a wound or sore, can be to illuminate or to cut.
for the Spirits we got Thuriz or thorn- defense or protection, boundary
for the Gods and Goddesses- Eihwaz or the horse- the bond between the rider and the ridden
for the holiday we got Nathuz or need- the friction or the need fire, it is about knowing what you need
The Ogham we pulled was Yew – meaning the inevitable or unavoidable fate, lots of times it means death.
This was all about creating the boundaries and protection we need and our relationship between the Gods and Godesses in dealing with the inevitable.
None of this seemed foreboding however, but strengthened us though awareness. We gladly drank our fill of the refreshing waters, leaving some to spare.
When we pulled out the virtue cards. Bryan got 2 stuck together and then everyone picked 2 - one to keep, one to offer to the fire. Like poetry, the virtues filled each of us with our needs and direction.
What did you get?
Putting it all together, gathering, giving thanks, the last items burned, stirring the fire.
This ritual was held a week after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. We prayed for healing for the earth.
We feasted like the family we are, brought together though our children for holiday.
Since then the weather has been strange at best- snow, ice, thunder storms, and perfect spring sun. Peepers and bugs and all sorts of birds appear. Buds and leaflets are now everywhere, daffodils bloom in profusion, the forsythia is brilliant down the mountain and just blooming here. Trees promise flowers and the grass almost needs cutting. Weeding the garden beds and creating new fences. Need to plant our seeds.
It seems of the upmost importance to be able to grow our food and to take better care of ourselves.
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