First day of a new year
revolutions
of calendars
stories woven again.
The sun barely shows herself
from the grey clouds
dropping into the horizon incrementally later
but still so quickly
and though there was a dusting of snow this morning
all is green
some trees and shrubs are budding
bulbs coming up
in this not even false spring.
We trust that Winter will come,
though what was real winter
seems now forever changed.
Grateful to remember
and to be here now.
Only two weeks ago,
yet so much life has been since our Grove ritual.
MidWinter Solstice to New Year's,
a gentle return of the light
amid a panoply of sweets
and sparkle.
Notes and pics from then with some extra comments:
SONIC SOULSTICE
metaphysical elementals
awareness
gratitude
tuning fork on the gong
as the rain became more than mist
holding bowls
full of pink roses
and red peony petals
MAAAAAA
the sound of the chimes
the sound of your heartbeat
the fire within each of us
what is your highest goal
what is your intention
what is your prayer
they arrived first and on-time
with sirens in the distance
and everyone else was later
with Ellizabeth driving herself in her new car!
let us know you are coming and we will wait for you
of course
Gathered were
eight living humans,
one living and meat-offering-seeking good dog
countless ancestors, spirits and gods
the light you see when you close your eyes
starlight
the sun
Earth First!
Breathe In
Breathe Out
there was one snowflake
and even though it was raining lightly
everyone stood or sat around the fire
rather that under the cover
of the porch
Corn Meal for the Earth Mother
Apples for the Directions
(and one for the good dog)
jingling change for the Well
slid under the layer of ice
bright orange for the Tree
flaming powder for the Fire
old turkey for the Outsiders
(none for the good dog)
flowers flowers flowers
built from bonsai cuttings
found in the shed
when the clearing for the windows began,
fed with sage and good sticks
and several armloads
of wood
and prayers
and sweetgrass
and the good poking stick
extra petals
of dried ranunculus
for those recently dead
by natural causes
or otherwise
the many dried layers
of final sacrifice
Garlic and Yarrow and St. Johnswort and Wormwood
PEACE
ice in the Well
orange in the Tree
Prayers for Peace
Justice/Compassion/Healing
Peace
prayers & more prayers
It's not for us to say how long the day will be
but it will be
our homegrown sage harvest for Mananan
a whole gallon of sage
for peace & love
for care & self-care
for all beings
this earthly plane
Directions
our Easterly inspiration
(our good dog appeasement)
our Southerly lessons
and prayers for the environment
our Westerly endings
setting sun and apple in the hole
our Northerly winter
and deep healing
up and down
and center
tonal place
astral plane/ether/spirit
multi-dimensions
-close your eyes-
breathe in breathe out
in whatever order and rhythm
from our Beloved Dead- Eiwaz - the spindle, the ewe tree, the connection
backwards and in the future
axial function of the cosmic tree
Duir- the Oak, strength, continuity, protection, nobility, endurance
being blessed by a stroke of good luck
connect to it and listen to the divine
the situation is stabilizing,
as long as you stay honest all is good
from the Spirits of Nature and Place- Thurisaz- thorn, protection
Luis-Rowan, protection/enchantment protection/inspiration
psychic activity
Nature protects naturally
acknowledge and use wisely
from the Gods and Goddesses- Sowelu, the Sun,
the great gift of the sun and it's path
Ur-Heather, the moist Earth
enchantingly attractive/the Summer/Bees
the Sun will return
have faith
for the Season of Yule- Gibor, generosity,
the giver and giving, the gifting and receiving
Coll-Hazel, wisdom and judgement
share your gifts freely
participate
see your light behind your eyes
be grounded and centered
and whole
