And the darkest hour is just before the Dawn

We had made offerings and suppers for maybe a month before the holiday,

you could feel the disruption, the wyrrd and the uncertainty,
the thinning of the veil and the restlessness.

And now it is imperative every day to connect to love and the land just tor survival,
to support the breath rather than any fear.

There aren't too many pictures from that ritual cause the phone was full and it was important 

to be present.
And afterward we burned sacrifice in the five-circle fire-pit, too far to go to in the dark of ritual night, vivid and alive in the dusk of the next day.

 Once again the many to come became the few who did.

 Each of us worked to light the fire, each of us made offerings.

We were just here together praying.
Praying for the year past, for healing to come, for our hopes and dreams,
to ward off evil and fear, to support the waters and the water protectors,
to support each other and our selves, for the harvest and prayers for enough.

Not sure if sacrifice burned or did not, but I know it all smelled sweet.
Not sure if we spoke out loud or only in our hearts, but we had one voice.
The other worldly veil was strong and shadows full.

I can't remember what we ate, I can't remember what we talked about,
I can't remember much
but I do remember the caws of birds, the enveloping smoke
lingering in my hair and clothes for days, like a whisper of magic,
the brightness of the center, the draw of the light.

 Gratitude

Our Sacrifice

Our Omens 

From the Ancestors: Berkana -Beginnings, new or continued growth, birth and rebirth, renewal and becoming 

From the Spirits of Nature and Place: Ansuz or Os- the Voice, it relates to wind and inspiration, listen-it's telling us something

From the Gods & Goddesses: Raido-which we think of as communication but seems to be described more often as a journey or progression that is communication and the understanding at the conclusion of the journey

For the Season: Mannaz- the Self

So all those seemed strong and positive and we had hope.
But maybe we do not yet understand or see all that is actually happening
slowly, beneath the surface.

Our fire the next day, to close the doors, to say thanks once again, to make sure all was offered.

   

 

 

 

 

 rekindling resurgence sparks into the night
quickly returns to center

let your light shine from your heart into the darkness.