Yuletide Greetings & Best Wishes of the New Year- part 2

First day of a new year
revolutions
of calendars
stories woven again.

The sun barely shows herself
from the grey clouds
dropping into the horizon incrementally later
but still so quickly
and though there was a dusting of snow this morning
all is green
some trees and shrubs are budding
bulbs coming up
in this not even false spring.

We trust that Winter will come,
though what was real winter
seems now forever changed.
Grateful to remember
and to be here now.

Only two weeks ago,
yet so much life has been since our Grove ritual.
MidWinter Solstice to New Year's,
a gentle return of the light
amid a panoply of sweets
and sparkle.

 Notes and pics from then with some extra comments:

SONIC SOULSTICE

metaphysical elementals
awareness
gratitude
tuning fork on the gong
as the rain became more than mist
holding bowls
full of pink roses
and red peony petals

MAAAAAA

 Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do

 the sound of silence
the sound of the chimes
the sound of your heartbeat
the fire within each of us

what is your highest goal
what is your intention
what is your prayer

 the unexpected slowness of arrival
they arrived first and on-time
with sirens in the distance
and everyone else was later 
with Ellizabeth driving herself in her new car!
let us know you are coming and we will wait for you
of course

Gathered were
eight living humans, 
one living and meat-offering-seeking good dog
countless ancestors, spirits and gods

 

the light you see when you close your eyes
starlight
the sun
Earth First!

Breathe In
Breathe Out

 there was one snowflake
and even though it was raining lightly
everyone stood or sat around the fire
rather that under the cover
of the porch

Corn Meal for the Earth Mother
Apples for the Directions
(and one for the good dog)
jingling change for the Well
slid under the layer of ice
bright orange for the Tree
flaming powder for the Fire
old turkey for the Outsiders
(none for the good dog)
flowers flowers flowers

 

 

built from bonsai cuttings
found in the shed
when the clearing for the windows began,
fed with sage and good sticks
and several armloads
of wood
and prayers
and sweetgrass
and the good poking stick

extra petals
of dried ranunculus
for those recently dead
by natural causes
or otherwise

the many dried layers
of final sacrifice
Garlic and Yarrow and St. Johnswort and Wormwood

PEACE

ice in the Well
orange in the Tree

Prayers for Peace
Justice/Compassion/Healing
Peace

 

sage & more sage
prayers & more prayers

It's not for us to say how long the day will be
but it will be

our homegrown sage harvest for Mananan
a whole gallon of sage
for peace & love
for  care & self-care
for all beings

this earthly plane
Directions
our Easterly inspiration
(our good dog appeasement)
our Southerly lessons
and prayers for the environment
our Westerly endings
setting sun and apple in the hole
our Northerly winter
and deep healing

up and down
and center

tonal place
astral plane/ether/spirit
multi-dimensions

-close your eyes-
breathe in breathe out
in whatever order and rhythm

Our Omens of Runes and Ogham

from our Beloved Dead- Eiwaz - the spindle, the ewe tree, the connection
backwards and in the future
axial function of the cosmic tree

Duir- the Oak, strength, continuity, protection, nobility, endurance
being blessed by a stroke of good luck
connect to it and listen to the divine

the situation is stabilizing,
as long as you stay honest all is good

from the Spirits of Nature and Place- Thurisaz- thorn, protection

Luis-Rowan, protection/enchantment protection/inspiration
psychic activity

Nature protects naturally
acknowledge and use wisely

from the Gods and Goddesses- Sowelu, the Sun,
the great gift of the sun and it's path

Ur-Heather, the moist Earth
enchantingly attractive/the Summer/Bees

the Sun will return
have faith

for the Season of Yule- Gibor, generosity,
the giver and giving, the gifting and receiving

Coll-Hazel, wisdom and judgement

share your gifts freely
participate

 feel your heart beating
see your light behind your eyes
be grounded and centered
and whole

Samhain/Summer's End- Overview/Part One

We've had a light snow since then but now
preparing for the time of upended plans due to weather.
Even with the unpredictable Summer storms,
this season of Winter is not to be underestimated.
We err on the side of caution always.

Is that the difference between these darkest days
and those brightest?


Slower, more focused and thoughtful,
we try to get it all done
before the day is done
at 4pm.

Take each ray of sunshine where and whenever,
as we move towards the light
the darkness is less heavy.

Snow falls constantly
Everywhere is coated thick
So quiet and still.

 

Documenting our rituals
in pictures from the day
and words written usually late at night,
after everyone is gone
and the dishes are done and leftovers stored,
or the morning after having digested those blessings
can be random.
Our fires always speak volumes
but the memory is never the same
as the moment.

The following is some of that from then:

 

What a beautiful day.
Warm but damp

 

enough time
being ahead is good
enough time
when possible is amazing.

Just us
sitting together
deciding to make a fire
as soon as the rain stopped.
Just us,
have it ready.
So peaceful.

 

 

 

 

 enough time to greet folks,
to tend to their beverage and snack needs,
even in a misty rain.

Us & Elizabeth, Ann & Lily, Nicci, Sophie & her friend,
Johnny True Mirror,
Katrina, Eric, Leah

 

Such a relaxed ritual.
May we be able to withstand
what comes our way
in balanced,
caring & kind ways.

 More bird visitations
chickadee in the now leafless pink dogwood
blue jays all around.

Sparkling infused water from Bryan's Mom
for the Earth Mother.
Popcorn and fried chicken edges
for the Directions.
Grounded meditation
relaxing into our body.
Coins for the Well
flew out of my pocket
and only one made it in
with the rest
going to the Gods.
Oil for our tree
and tree-like centers,
our spine
reaching up
but
centering us.

 many flowers,
flowers and seeds
and last year's herbs.
it was so peaceful,
maybe it will work.

Sparkly cake
two beef stews
lentils and rice and tofu and veggies
and sushi and breads and pie

no photos of all the food
all the gathering
in all the rooms and outside

radish divination

Warm night
hanging out
early darkness

are our prayers and gratitude
ever enough?

always things forgotten
but never lost,
our dear departed
never forgotten

candles in the Nemeton
fire above and below
worlds of cinders
flying embers
weeping from the smoke
transformed

it's ok,
we're going to be ok,
each of us provide
in our hearts and bodies
for each other.

KYDG
Crafts and shaping
the torch the sharp edge
Year's harvest
the time needed for completion
High Noon
vantage point of midday
Giving/Receiving