This post was written in pieces
over time,
just like our lives. 
Now is the longest dark.
Trusting always
that the light returns,
we are always
changed by this season
of endings.
Snow now as our constant landscape,
the endless white blankness
of silence.
only the oaks and the willow still have leaves
strong and flexible
seem to be the message
releasing
what is no longer needed
or wanted
whether we want to or not
it will happen
and we have to let go
there are not enough tears for this season
and yet
the beauty
of the dawn,
the first snows and frozen well,
the gardens bare
except for some seed pods and golden grasses,
the shriveled pumpkins and dried stalks,
robins feasting on holly berries in the waning sunlight,
the glowing wood stove
fill the silent spirit of Winter.
deep slow breaths
it was a wonderful ritual
that neither words nor pictures can capture
but here are some of each from then:
Samantha
Elaine, Francis, & Ruby
Carol
Elizabeth & Katrina
Mary Jane
Emmallyea & Catherine
Lily
Cal
and after everyone left Nicci & Bruce
for days/weeks/months/years
but this past week
these days home
or not traveling
but so filled
like each of the days
layered and tumbled together
plates for those who travel through
wanderers from the other side
may none go hungry
as they go home
as we allow
that energy to pass by
akido-style
cat pumpkin
carve outs
for the directions
Sun rises no longer due East
but the Moon does
for New Energy & Inspiration
Sun light in the West
for the introspective time
Triskelion carved pumpkin in the South
all the emotions
the flooding & flow
environmental lessons & pain
sorrow & grief
welcome
in the North
place of Healing &Winter Winds
please be gentle with us
the Earthly Plane
Triskelion up & down
Cat figure for the center
the Interdimensional Plane
Many flowers
so many flowers
Summer's end
a good season
a good year
even with so much strife
so good to see
each other
still here
ginger leaf wreath
for the tree
Katrina going around
so hung on a branch
and then it balancing
and bending into the fire
catching onto metal
and then the corn plant
bending down to that
praying for days
ritual as closing the door
bone-fire
how to maintain the sacred
the silence
the stillness
of balance
not addressing directly
the global devastation
the sadness and grief and loss
the manufactured tragedy
generating gratitude
but never enough
this life is fragile
but we are strong
staying in community
growing potatoes for the outsiders
greed & lawlessness & ill-health & fear
trouble us not
transitional sprites passing through
the energy down deep
down below
coming up/drawing up
and mixing with
the energy from the sky
from above
mixing together in our body
strength
better than a didgeridoo
better than a shruti box
-good laughter-
om
parking lot & bathroom
potential
congestion
making sure everyone feels welcome
and safe
and stays reverently focused
gratitude for all our ancestors
I can only name
as far back
as my grandparents
but there are so many more
unknown yet acknowledged
prayers for safety and security
may all who are hungry
be fed
allow us to feel our sorrow & grief
without collapse
let us not be destroyed by the disruption
our ancestors were strong
which is why
we are here
let us, too, be strong
full moon now
2 days later
we have passed thru
somewhat
is a bit easier
when the ancestors
are at your back
our Omens
From the Spirits of Nature & Place we receive the gift of Fehu- fee/what things cost/honest wealth
From the Gods & Goddesses we receive the gift of Ehwaz- the horse and rider/partnership
For the Season we receive the gift of Hagal- hail/disruption/transformation
