honoring the sun
oh we could have sung and chanted but we laughed
This longest day dawned as all days with the return of the sun, great giver that asks for nothing in return.
The same sun that shined upon our ancestors, on ancient times, on pre-historic times.
This same sun that has grown all of Earth’s life, that body we orbit, our center, our heart.
I am one with the infinite sun, compassion and love flow from me.
That day I went to work and Bryan got the tire from Tetta’s and wrote circles in circles of the sun and light on the blackboard wall while there were bits of rain.
there were the two fires and the walkway between them which is delineated by the garden filled with flowers
Susan called to say she couldn’t make it and then Kevin arrived and then Katrina and ZJ and Opie and thus it began. With more folks and families and children and multiple dogs with names that began with the letter “O”
magically found blessings, treats and gifts of gratitude- always the starting place
the dancing fire
small but true
smoky simmer of petals
dying down to thick smoke
suddenly come to life
scented fire
black smoke dance of the oils
gathering sticks and wood & building the fire with my 9 year old friend, each of us guiding the other simply and gently. Then joined by her 11 year old sister, my sweet quiet friend and friend to my son. We wandered the woods and broke up sticks and finally breathed life into the flame with smiles. “yay Susan” she says.
all worry for naught, everything works out exactly right.
We are here to honor the Gods, Gods who give meaning to life
processing half march half dance always the birds guide us
our hand wash of fresh rose petals
clearing, welcoming, grounding
stomping around the circle laughing until we each found our place
We offered farm milk for the Earth Mother, foamy Ommegang for our gates and gatekeeper, flaming scented oils again for the Kindreds, and so many other special and extra offerings of sacrifice to each of the gates and our Kindreds.
tea for our well and old cloth for our tree and melon in our fire and a crystal down deep to light the darkness for those on the other side
our sacrifice quiet and shy or quiet and strong or loud and clear. the fire smokes and sparks and flares.
flowers ‘o’ flowers
first harvests
giving thanks in a circle
our omens:
from the Ancestors:Eihwaz –the rune for the yew or the cosmic axis
from the Spirits of nature&place: Berkano- birch, births beginnings
from the Gods & Goddesses:Ingwaz- fertility, seed growing expansion, doing, being, active ing
for the Season:Ehwaz the horse, the relationship between horse & rider
and the Ogham was the Yew-rebirth
potluck of salads and deserts and noodles
more deserts of every kind
water and coffee and watermelon
family games and conversation
bubbles and candles
circles
