Autumnal Equinox-Harvest Balance

 autumn is speeding quickly towards winter
the beauty of color gone from the garden
ablaze with the leaves
rapidly now blowing off the trees
 covering the green of the land
for us to crunch through and rake.

cycles of seasons flying by,
nature reminding us to be present
in a world gone mad

distracted by devices

and divisiveness, 
everything returns to the Earth.

we've been maintaining our joyfulness
and compassionate loving
as best we can,
knowing that is truly the antidote,
keeping that alive for the future,
but it often pales 
to the destruction
which is so disheartening.

gathering together to pray,
to mourn and grieve,
to honor and witness,
doesn't feel enough
though it is.

endless tears
like leaves 
fall,
breathing slow and strong
is always good.

some brief disjointed notes and pics from our ritual day:

poop processional
hummingbirds
little dog with the stick and the log
mid-size dog with the bone 
flowers
and bacon fat
and everything

Lily, Eric & Biscuit the dog
Nicci, Katrina & Elizabeth 
Elaine, Francis & Ruby the dog  
Cal
JTM
& us

lots of hummingbirds

the magical volunteer 
corn and pumpkin
claiming the close to the house fire circle

never enough time
to connect deeply enough with each other

but the thread of connections
and interconnections
randomness
being whole
and together
laughing
good laughter
blooming honeysuckle


being neutral/balanced

watermelon guts thanks
beer thanks
gum thanks

it's been a good season
we are so grateful

energy shift of collecting people
into ritual

the energy of the Earth
and the energy of the Sky
the equinox energy pivot

so dry
so very dry
leaves fading fast
giving thanks for this good weather
praying for good rain

Earth Mother
before meditation
so we never forget

leftover salami crackers
for the outsiders
consumed after ritual
when no one was looking
by Ruby the dog
a tiny massive goddess of energy

armloads of flowers 
consumed in a small fire

zinnias from Elizabeth for all
heart communication 
between everything
laughter/vertebrae

 

ear of corn 
whistling
in the fire
while we were doing 
the waters

 trying to find balance
right now

obscuring emotional attention
attached to what is now
digital content

this whole weekend
dark moon to new moon

connections & interconnecting
a strong web of love
flexibility is essential

release and let go
to be stronger

peaches and more peaches
no deer interrupting us

silence when rune casting 

Our Omens:

from our Honored Dead: Perthro, the Lottery Cup, Chance
from the Nature Spirits: Ingwaz, Expanding Seed Concept, Growing/Being/Doing
from the Gods & Goddesses: Sowelu, the Sun, Illumination
for the Season:Tir, the Spiritual Warrior, Directionality

PINGST

joyously fragmented
spur of the moment is always
when it comes true from the heart
thoughtful and specific
is also important
especially
when it comes true from the heart

energetics
energies
yogic balance
tolerance/intolerance
releasing into the equilibrium of silence
stillness within
and the whole
feel your form

3 beautiful women with grey hair
looking at each other's
spiral earrings
before heading home

 

Samhain notes as we approach the longest nights

Already almost MidWinter Solstice,
the shortest of days,
and yet I sense the renewal to come.

These dark times
of everything breaking open
remind us of that strong wisdom
carried within;
like the tree and mountain
we are still here.

Crying out for eternity
there is only this moment.

The leaves are all now gone,
there is still no snow.
So many more dead
this season now almost past.

Notes and pics from then in a mixed up order:

Roses
rose color/spirit/flavor/petals/image
sacrifice
opening our hearts

ritual candle in the nemeton
magic prayer in the house
lighting the central fire
sharp edged stone
laying on the cold ground
coming back to life
by the small fire

Slowing down
and focusing

 Mullein leaves for Peace.
peace in our hearts
peace in our minds and spirits
peace in our lives
and the lives of all beings
everywhere

 

Like being in a trance
Samhain as this between time

 of what do we know of the continual renewal of life?
-the waters of life-
and from whence do those waters come?
-from the bosom of the Earth Mother,
the Ever-Changing All Mother-
and has she given of her bounty?
-OH YES!-

 Behold the waters of life!

laying out the last dumb supper-some of all our feast
3 women walking to the Mananan shrine
sending the spirits home
grateful for their love and support

 meeting a neighbor and their dog on wheels
"chicken on wheels"

opportunity of a fairly
random nature

the joyful loving of our ancestors

burning the last flower harvests
prayers for the recent dead
so many, too many, to fathom
prayers for our beloved dead 
always remembered with love and blessing
prayers for this great summer now past
and for a bearable winter to come
 

 

opening our hearts
connecting to the earth

the tree like our spine
that which goes up and connects
the well so clear and reflective
let this fire be a good fire

 

 

 

the gift is the gathering
this liminal space
of now

12 of us
interconnected family
how we all come together
2 women who suffered
the same broken limb this past year
healed by the same doctor
meeting sitting
next to each other
here

a full and wonderful day

 oak leaves falling through the blue sky
like flying ashes
or stars

 a good rebalancing

full plates
full hearts

circles

       

wisdom & attachment
to be accepting of what you have
more than seeking what you want

random coordination 
of the rose
unconsciously interwoven
through us all

 core/connections
intention

plans & prayer

flash cards
herbalism studies
memory stories
interrelations and distances
honoring boundaries

Our Omens
from the Ancestors:
Gorse-scrappy/dignity/strength/perseverance
Perth-the lottery cup, the unknown chance

from the Spirits of Nature and Place:
Black Thorn-warning of boundary/transitional space & time
Algiz- the Elk's sedge, Be Alert

from the Gods and Goddesses:
Heather-fertile and attractive/enchanting/magical love
Hagal- hail, disruption, transition of one order to another

for the Season:
Holly-joy/be patient/slow progress & hard work
Raido- communication, the traveling cart, completion of
the circuit

Joyful Vigorous Resilient Prickly
Song

the way we touch
community,
the slanted light,
the chiming thud against the full well,
the nature of order and chaos
is this constant
revolution

 I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.
I love you.