Snow falls sideways as the temperature drops
10 degrees an hour.
Our Yule was just after a snow storm
that wasn't as bad as it could have been
and days before this one
where it snowed all day
until it rained hard all night
with high winds knocking out power
until it was on again
and now the flash freeze
arctic blast
directly from the North Pole.
Nothing we can do
except feed the fire,
cook food,
send out love and let go.
Quite a few of our grove family
had to miss ritual
ill or quarantined
and their absence was felt.
But we were here
building a fire in the snow
as we do.
Snacking on mostly sweets
conversations in different spaces
until everyone was here.
A blessed gift to have the time to share slowly.
This post has sat unfinished through the storms,
the holidays,
the new year.
Now with Springlike weather I continue.
The stress of Winter and Darkness
and the ease of Winter and Darkness
permeate our spirit
to bring us to Spring
like good compost.
And now another week later,
cold creeps back though the sun is stronger
and the day is noticeably
a bit longer.
Notes and pics from then possibly in a random order:
Several days of prep is best.
A table full of sweets, cookies, chocolates, pies and cakes.
Fortunately some brought real food.
Coffee and Tea for all.
Missing some
but generating
light & warmth & joy
for everyone.
relaxing while waiting for others
all good
all in good time.
at 12:00pm we lit the fire
at 12:12pm the wind whipped the flames
and ignited the greens in our sacred tree
at 2:30pm we started ritual
at 5:00pm we lit our Solstice Wheel.
Such good friends:
her and her partner, her and her daughter,
him, them
and us.
Nicely hanging out like old times.
Filling all the rooms.
Bryan calmed by the fire
and a good sandwich.
Me zipping on chocolate.
That feeling as if there's not enough
but there is enough.
Always enough.
Marinade for the Earth Mother
running inside for Bird Seed for the directions
Flowers and more Flowers
Garlic and Sage
and holiday greens
The initial fire in the snow
so perfect and warm
and defined
birds chirping
after the directions
mingling their voices
with our sacrifice
I carefully go through the snow
to toss an apple for the outdwellers,
she joined me
with a giant hug
Blankets for all who needed them,
the blessing of smoke tears.
intention * inspiration
planning * projection
wish fulfillment
all good dreams come true
shake shake shake
pulling runes
mirthfully
Our Omens
from our Beloved Ancestors: Thuriz or Thorn,
defensive protection
from the Kind Spirits of Nature and Place: Kenaz the Torch,
shaping/illuminating/crafting
from the Shining Gods and Goddesses: Os/Ansuz the Voice,
what you hear, the wind
listen up for the messages
for the Blessed Season of Yule: Eiwaz the Yew,
inter-generational continuity,
the turning spindle of the world tree
Protecting/Illuminating/Listening/Transforming
the catechism of the waters
laughing at the bungles
the light of the sky
and unintentionally
sending them out my nose
joyfully
the slop of liquid
gratitude
for the Earth Mother
and thanks
intent
inspiration
present
acknowledging what is
so full of sweets
lighting the fourth directional candle
lighting Hanukkah candles
on zoom
with Mom
in makeup
sharing gifts
family
the dark
and darkening
loving the darkness
the emptying
and sharing
dreamtime
let's jump right in
everything worked out fine
everyone looked really well
press the reset
luminescence
illumination
inspiration
settling down
letting it go
planning it forward
collaboration
Sacred Space
and Time
the circulation of sharing
