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

 

Imbolc -Harbinger of Spring

It was a bright sunny day
with only a little snow
ushering in an early Spring,
Bears even in February
and flowers.

 Clearing and clearing
and clearing
preparing for Bridget.

When Winter doesn't come
with the endless snow and cold
of blank landscapes,
it's disorienting.
But our longing
for the return of the light
and of waking to birdsong
is no less.

flowers from all of the flowers
that bloomed here last year
saved with gratitude
and offered to Bridget

 From the photos and our journals
and thinking about this season past,
I remember that ritual was a familial gathering
reconnecting delightfully
in the newly found sunlight,
grateful that we have gotten this far,
and how important is a mindfulness
of the sacred nature and time
of our assembling.
Sacrifice
from the heart
-even from the pantry-
is so much more.
Our intent and focus elevates.

The sound has been the essential thing.

Without fear we welcomed February,
special time to honor and acknowledge
Bridget's blessings,
leap year transition time.

There's been some minor snow events
loads of serious wind
and much discovery
this season.

Now less than two weeks until
Vernal Equinox,
it's been hard not to do
too soon garden work.
Speeding time and climate
belie the need to remain slow.

How do you move through
Bridget's girdle-
dancing, leaping, shimmying,
stepping,
with assistance or not,
with laughter,
with your feet or arms
or mind
or heart?

Words and Pics from then and some other Words from now

fun fun fun
gentle
the time to do

lighting ice lanterns
one placed in each direction
around the circle


be yourself absolutely

Bridget's voice
and touch
in your head and heart

anti-fear
love love love

lighting the fire
lighting the Bridget's candle

 

 just being
you

feel yourself on this earth

 10 plus us
then two more later.
SHASHUKA!

 

following the sun
honoring the sun
loving the warmth
of this great star

may this be one of the last rituals
where we are mourning
unfathomable dead

Angels are here and they're all around
if you give them an ear you will hear their sound
coming through
me and you
and we're in heaven-
Perry Robinson "Angelology"

 

  simple healing of everyday
barefoot in the sun
cloaked in the shade

 

 

water on the well of ice
underneath which is water
Water Ice Oreo.

 just being
home

 

just being

everyone
with so much praise
for Bridget

can we ever be done with
praise offerings
for her

photo by Nicci

being ok
with not doing everything
helping everyone
help yourself

  Omens

from our Honored Dead
the Runes: Uruz- the Auroch, primordial Ox, strength of life force,
the proto-ancient
the sound ur

the Ogham: Iodhadh- the Yew tree, the most ancient, associated with age and Permanence
the letter i

from the Spirits of Nature and Place
the Runes: Raido- communication or journey or circuit
going all the way around
the sound of r

the Ogham: Coll- the Hazel, wisdom and judgement
it also has to do with second sight and inspiration
the letter k

from the Gods and Goddesses

the Runes: Ansuz- the wind and the Voice
(Odin's cape flapping around),
qualities of wind and voice and direction

the sound of Oss

the Ogham: Onn- the Gorse, related to wheel and the sound, gathering abundance and a foundation
vitality and gratitude
the letter o

for the Season

the Runes: Isa- Ice which is not fire,
dense and hard, clear and still
the sound of silence

the Ogham: Fearn- the Alder Tree, protection, emotional shelter and guidance
confidence in times of challenge
the letter f

 

ice
destruction
or anti-destruction
solidity and slick
beautiful stillness
without fear
but wonder
respect & love 

going thrice
thru Bridget's girdle
transformed
Spring's a-coming.

 

keeping humble

Bridget's inspiration/compassion/love
forging our fire

allowing
the embers in our belly
to go to flame

inspire our hearts 
and our spirits
and our joy

 
sometimes we do another fire
after everyone has gone home
or the next day
to make sure all sacrifice is consumed
to make sure we clear energies
to make sure we feel whole.