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.

Moving through the Darkness-Samhain Ritual Recollections on the Approach to Yule

It is grey and often cold, though any temperature above 45 seems springlike.
Snow is in the futurecast and the days are so short.

I remember the spark of the Hallowe'en full moon and of the passing of our ancestors
at this past summer's end.
I know I had put out suppers every night for a month.
In this unbalanced time of ever increasing daily death tolls, fear and loathing, misguided anger and rage,
our gratitude and love and care is especially necessary.

All those humans now gone, like summer,
but never forgotten.

It is good that we can still gather together outside around a fire.
We have become accustomed to the distance. 

I remember the fear of the impending election, like a collective holding of the breath,
Briefly exhaled at ritual, burning hate, letting go of anger,
as if that could be permanent.

Praying for good health and safety.
Each day finding ways to keep on, to push through into the unknown,
as if anything was ever known.

Our intimate spontaneous ritual on Hallowe'en,
just Bryan & I & the full Moon,
a much needed grounding after the first hard frost.
Just to be and to pray and to offer simple sacrifice
and love.

This current time of disassociated time
and space
makes then seem so long ago and also like a dream.
As if the time that was is the same as the time to be,
memory and reverie.

Since I am often writing this as the season ends,
I am often already ahead of myself
while attempting to look back.

We have been through more adjustments and re-calibrations than we would have liked,
but still moving forward.
Finishing anything whenever the weather allowed,
walking more, conscious breathing,
mindful news consumption,
appropriate boundaries,
drinking tea.

Over
whelmed
but still moving forward.

This apartness and isolation
settling or unsettling.
Making sure we have enough,
we will have enough,
we are enough.

As if we ever knew the future, as if there was ever anything more than now.
Rejoicing in each moment as best we can,
still moving forward
in this magnificent life spiral.

Notes and pics with notes from then:

10/31/20

 a fire of all the sacred woods in a cauldron

dance

worlds

light

11/8/20

the fire here
lit with a receipt
fed with dead
echinacea stems
and dried seed heads and elecampane leaves
adding more sticks from the recently filled pile.

Elizabeth arrives, YAY!
Actual hugs, masked but full.
Katrina & Eric and Muji the dog
bring cocktails for all, Freedom Cocktails!
Banging on pot lids and making joyful noise.
Feasting together safely apart.
Ann and Wally the dog!
More feasting and talking,
joyfully free.
Then surprise arrivals, Nicci & Sophie!

This evolution of family, growing up, expanding, filling out, combining and recombining
hopefully gives peace to our ancestors and meaning to this life.

We are here to honor the Gods and the Not-Gods.

Solid calming meditation-sacred safe space
smokey fire

 

special oils for Bridget & Mananan
moldy cheese sought after by dogs for the outsiders
kind words for directions
beer for the Earth Mother
Mother of us all
everyone making gentle offerings
meat substitutes

 

lift up our voice loud and in relief
much work to be done
but moving forward
once again
it seems.

Thanks to all the Ancestors
those we know and those we don't know.

Alex Trebec.
Elizabeth's cat.
Out with what we no longer need.

Our Omens:

Clusters of runes in the different worlds,
Hagal, Sowelu, Dagaz, Isa, Berkanu, Laguz, Uruz.
There was a lot to it and it rang true,
though the words explaining the meanings are forgotten.

burning hate

 
Even more sacrifice, one more big fire, we can't offer enough
to those who have gone on before.

 

The sound of one door closing,
the new doors opening,
not slamming closed but gently released.
So much smoke, tears pouring.

Talking loud.
Breathing.
Burning flowers, the last of the flowers.

So much gratitude
we would not be here without the work
of our Honored Dead.

 

Liquid spicy mustard and bbq sauce,
salt and peppers 

as thanks.

 

Frozen marigolds.
Banging on the well.
Good Feelings.

Coals from our sacred fire
light the next fire
as night falls

old cured pork
as flaming log
in the dark

Make a wish