bright fire and directed arrows in flight

flames higher than the wild lettuce

Now 2 weeks since ritual and the overwhelming nature of summer has infused our spirits.

Even as the days grow slowly shorter
and the nights blissfully cooler,
we are more involved and lost in work and languid with afternoon naps and also so very busy in a slow motion way.
before the autumn arrives.

This season as non-stop as solstice,
as precipice-like as Imbolc,
full of evolutionary change at microscopic levels.
Notes from just after Lughnasad ritual:
sparks of learning and expanding knowledge
    the apple tree down towards the east
after the unity riders,
days of activity, meals with friends,
many people gathering at different times. 
a different kind of prep, ongoing hosting,
cleaning and cooking
for a variety of worldly and otherworldly guests.
  the assembly of the skeletal form of fire to be
  

waiting for family, meeting new family,
dealing with family, looking at the sky
Hudson River School clouds overhead

When the intent fails,
that is to be acknowledged too.
Even with embers from the harvested fire,
only the new fire was able to ignite.
Struggling with the spirit,
children and camera lenses,
new and old,
growing up and finding space,
harbinger of autumn,
bright light Lugh.
           

3 gongs to start,
sage smoke and water aspersions and find space among the knot work of the land.

what’s for the Earth Mother?
ah beer, mother’s milk . ok.


the directions from standing still, the clouds and the trees and the wind.
 
our well, our tree,
our fire to be
what would not light but only smolder from the maintained flame.
  
Cameras whirr and energy drifts,
remembering other fires and patience.
A log from the other fire,
also embered from the Beltane fire
but really lit from paper,
was brought into this one  
and then its brilliance riveted focus.
 

Liqueur for Mananan and oils for Bridget,
neither of which flamed as expected but created a more intensely bright part of the fire.

Good to always have a variety of sacrifice. White sage and our kitchen herbs and corn for the gods. Our last cherries for Lugh.
It always feels fast paced or like a dream.
And suddenly it is time.
                  

feel the air around us and passing through us
children offering intent and silent, or adult children exuberant.
the moss under feet,
spirals of grasses,
no flare ups just more intent fire,
the strange bird cackles, the women offering,
all the cauldron as small beings of flame,
the bacon sacrifice
   
 
Our omens
of joy and luck and shaping and disruption.
Look for the opportunity, the new seed.
         

from the Ancestors:Kenaz, the torch- our ability to illuminate and shape
from the Spirits of Nature & Place:Wunjo, Joy- particularly the joy of the company of friends
from the Gods & Goddesses:Perth, Chance, the Lottery Cup-chance and luck
from Lugh and for the season:Hagal, Hail- disruption of the old order with seed of the new.
waters in our own glasses each pouring for themselves and the children.

thanks with enough for all.

wistful wholeness.
chill in the air August.
acceptance.