Lughnasah-Trials & Tribulations

this season has been so full,
there is not enough laughter nor enough tears
to describe or understand
it all.

the late season colors
of tawny burnt orange grasses,
goldenrod and asters,
purple thistles gone to seed,
fading green leaves
as they begin to turn
autumnal.

days notably shorter 
and cooler
already where did the summer go?

we are never ready
and yet
somehow
always here.

change is in the air,
breathe deeply 
and slowly.
please and thank you
and 
I am sorry
are powerful spirits,
listen to your heart
and the trees
connect.

Some notes and pics and memories
from our fine Lughnasah ritual 

hummingbirds & woodpecker
Max meowing & meowing
baby mouse
all the flowers in bloom
everything alive
turquoise & greens
all dressed up

 Lughnasa 

 people's passions & life obsessions
let's talk about death
cause we are all going to become
ancestors

 

LUCCP- the original Ancestor

if you're looking for forgiveness
Lugh is not your guy

safe and productive harvest

smudge & our cherries
directionally

cicadas & presence

connections

crying with the mullein

let it go 

 Lughnasadh 

Magical Synchronicities
the frogs & the crickets
& the lightening bugs
are working on the same timing

rhythmic panting dog
putting his whole head
into the waters

to be free

to breathe clean air
to be safe and to have clean water
and proper rain

sharing our food harvests

lots of garlic
last year's heads 
for the Ancestors
stalks for the Spirits
(and flowers & a pluot)
flowerhead seeds for the Gods & Goddesses
nest of stalks for the Season

Protection
Healing
Strength

Lughnasah

tell us the stories of Lugh
dark clouds threaten Lugh and the Lightning 
and honoring Tlaitu

endless stories of Lugh
before getting to Lugh
but what about Lugh?

sitting down ease
settle in
we start now

 people were cancelling
 and it seemed like
it would only be a few of us
but folks did come
11 humans, some older some younger, 
1 very silly medium sized dog
full but gentle & easy
no busy or stressed

 

3 stunned or dead mice
fresh & dried flowers

yummy breads
fruits & sweets/cheeses & salads
& flower chicken & foraged mushroom risotto
not a full table
but a most delicious feast

bring what you can
keep it simple & slow
"all is as it is"
focused balanced
straight back

an untended fire can burn
the house down
strong and gentle
everything is love

ancestors as everyone
that deceased human force
spirits are everything-living and not human
the Gods & Goddesses with their great gifts,
shining ones some of whom
we worship

 

the Well
then the Fire
then the Tree

the assembly
everyone was nice
& dressed up nice
& looked nice
& seemed well

there was a calmness
timelessness
the no space or time 
of being honorific and respectful

short opening and closing 
meditation
in ritual you are not just doing
the actions 
let go

knowing what you need
allowing what you need
doing it.

Humility & Peace
who's the Champ
pushed into contests of our own choosing
Time & Space
are the inbreath and outbreath

putting out there what you mean
what you dream about
what you want and need
creates a quantum wave

dropping the ripe peach
letting go
the release of samsara 
through the fully ripe cucumber

THE FIRE HAD ITS OWN ENERGY
beyond what we were
feeding it

 

our Omens: 

from our Beloved Dead: Daguz- day, high noon, 
vantage point, to be able to see all around,
Awakening

from the Spirits of Nature & Place: Thuriz- thorn, protection, guarding, challenges,
Courage

from the Gods & Goddesses: Ehwaz- the horse (and rider), vehicle, how we get where we are going,
Partnership

for the Season and for Lugh and Tlaitu: Uruz- the Aurochs, the Primordial Ox, primal strength,
Vitality
 

remembering Lughansahs past
not fearing what is
doing what you can
big hugs

there is a force that is beyond time & space
and it is all of us

EARTH ON WHICH EVERYTHING GROWS
QUIET REVERENCE

the kids' table is no table
cause the elders' claimed the table first

family trauma transforming
for good compost
directional
cycle
guided by prayer
supported through breath
without fear

REAP WHAT YOU SOW 

 

Vernal Equinox Springing

 

 

this slow Spring interrupted by a very hot week
making everything rush
to bloom

Balance so needed
yet not necessarily accessible
except in the inbreath
and outbreath.

over the last several days
trees have gone from the blush of first bud
to leafing,
bulbs from sprouting to flowering
and the pollinators are busy. 

Trying to catch up to the energy of Nature,
I want to nap.

This Equinox Season
carrying us through Spring 
to the start of Summer,
is an explosion.
Riding that opening
and opening our hearts
to the return of the garden,
early mornings and late slow dusk.

Good faith action,
one day at a time,
being here now.

Notes and Pics from our Ritual:

enthusiastic/
small dog with a giant stick/
spinning in circles

tending the fire for hours
built in the rain
the syncopated rhythm
of the drain pipe
stream rushing

feeding that fire
for hours
all those sticks
a lot of small sticks
built up and layered
endlessly
the cranberries from the ice candles
of Yule
in the wood frame
of Fire

 

noon and lightly raining
when we started the fire
the quality of the air
cold, but not Winter cold

|
cast iron pan oiled paper towel
(no need for the NYT or the last of the fat wood)
to start the fire
an easy fire in the rain
from small sticks and herbs
and attention.

the balancing logs
leftover from Imbolc
gently fell twice to the East
and twice to the West

crushed corn chips & stout 
for our Beloved Earth Mother
the gift of the Druidic Peace Prayer
as invocation and song for the seven directions
peas and PEACE
for the directions
-mind blown-

Long winded acknowledgement
of presence and space
of self and not self
interconnected

extended non-traditional yet centering meditation

 

shell & seed pod
egg & seed
when inspiration meets fertility
pop corn popped
laying out seed
the balancing
burning eye-poker

Roses for our Honored Dead
(Unity Ritual waters condensed and coming down on us!)
Herb stalks for the Nature Spirits
Bouquet of bright dried flowers from the Summer
from our entryway
for the Gods & Godesses

flowers and stalks from the cauldron for all
and many petals
and 2 circles of sweetgrass
as a figure 8
for the Season
 

Folks coming late!
Eric in the West!
Shining Sun!

We've got Joy and Laughter,
Fuck YOU!

We have to be prepared to be shielded

Prayers to release 
what needs to go
prayers for good balance
slow Spring
prayers that the guns stop working
that the bombing stops
prayers for peace
prayers for our safety
and domestic wellness

Our Omens

From our Beloved Dead: Mannaz- Man/Self
From the Spirits of Nature & Place:Nauthiz- Need/Constraint
From the Gods & Goddesses:Uruz- Primordial Ox/Strength
For the Season: Jera- Year/Harvest

MNUY!

a good smelling fire 
a good feeling ritual
a good company feast

Vegan Caesar Salad/Beet Walnut Radish Salad/Cabbage Mango Cilantro Hot Pepper Salad
Potato Dill Egg Salad
Sprouts
Lion's Mane "Crab" Cakes
Deviled Eggs
Purple Sweet Potato Hummus
Salmon & Kale
Gluten-Free Lemon Cookies
Apple Date Babyfood Cake

Yum Yum Yum