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 

 

Yuletide Greetings

 Sharing our light
especially in this darkest of times.

Greyness pervades all,
clouded sky and melting snow.

Spring will come,
says nature.
Branches color slightly;
where buds will be,
raised bumps form.
When we see the ground,
it is green.

The endless blank landscape,
shimmering when there is sun
or glowing when a full moon,
is a meditation. 
 Reset through rest,
through silence or tone,
dreams and action
from the heart. 

sacred silence
unified voice
blessed dreamtime
healing spirit

Some very random notes and pictures from ritual, 
maybe some remembrances evoked:

 

May we always feast exuberantly in full color,
well balanced and rounded,
together.

 

Joyous Yule.
so much good colorful food
big giant hugs 

 

spending a whole day
simply being
with the season
allows ease for gathering

 smooth and fluid
a gentle movement
accepting and asking for
what is needed
and calmly letting go
of everything else

    

the space between breaths

the cold dark of the darkest night

enhances the brilliance

of stars

 

grateful for resting
for the time to sleep

to be within

drumming Bryan's drum
in the sun
Sacred Fire
lots of platters on the stove

 

 

  

popcorn sacrifice popping 

 everyone making offerings

to each of the Kindred Spirits

Awareness

 

the Earthly plane of the cardinal directions
the Transdimensional plane of the well/fire/tree

last year's gingerbread still good,
 good enough for the Earthly plane

wishing & dreams

 

 

single leaf of mistletoe
on the table

a good consuming fire

focus

 

Bryan out barefoot
at first
then properly shod
cold cold cold
but seasonal

 

jingle bells

 

stick breaking
in the morning
in silence
on the phone
with Bryan's Mom 

 

 

simple cooking & chores
easily done

take your time

finish & follow through,

step by step

 

 

this is the time
we would be processing

feet stomp

 

the elves & gnomes
-freedom-
-peace-

ease of transition

the sun the Sun the SUN!

 

Cal in the East! The new day and the creative spark.
Cal in the South! Where the sun rises now, our flowing energy and emotions.
And Lily arriving in the West! With the sun, the setting sun,
the end of the day, rest.
And Bryan in the North! Place of Winter and good healing.

Welcome all and Up&Down and Center.

 

Elizabeth's magical ice candles  

 

10 humans of a wide range of ages
 and one small 3-legged dog
and me & Bryan

 

  

Good Omens

 

making it easy

 

smoke/evaporation mist/wind

 

invoking the Norns 
when pulling the runes 

 From Our Beloved Ancestors: Ansuz- the Voice 
Listen to the Wind

From the Spirits of Nature & Place: Elwaz- the Elksedge 
Protection/Be Alert/Stay Aware

From the Gods & Goddesses: Daguz-the Day
Vantage Point 

For the Season: Wunjo- Joy! 

 

cognac for the well-no silver 
cognac for each of the omen gifts
cognac for Thanks

FOOM!

 

lots of the flames
look like griffons

or dragons

Woosh!  

the triangle Yule log
fitting just in place
solid

Fire completely burnt

jolly old elf

 

one flower for each of the reindeer by name
even Rudolf
shining his light
our light within

shining our light
to our selves and to each other
sharing our smiles 

 

may we get to where we are going safely
may we be remembered with song
may we laugh together 

the new moon
just past Solstice
held
dreamlike time between time
the space after the outbreath

 

now approaching the next new moon
letting go freely
clearing for Springtime
praying for good healing
and justice
giving the space after the inbreath

 

a time of gathering and busy
and maybe also sorrow and loss

making sacred time and space
recalibrates

 

 

so much good food

so much good conversation

so much love

JOY

 

we are all just visitors
to this body
and time

thus the paradox
of reality