May
wonder ever illumine your souls as the candle
does a room on a long, winter night,

May
joy blow through your heart with the
intensity of the north wind in a blizzard,

May
peace cover your lives like a blanket of
fresh fallen snow.

The Festival of Samhain begins the Winter half of the year. It was believed that the Cailleach – the aspect of the Goddess who appeared as an old crone – hit the ground with her hammer, making it iron hard until Imbolc…

The month of October-November is called Samonios, or Seed-Fall, referring to the falling nuts and seed-cases of Autumn…

Samhain is traditionally the quarter when the elders and ancestors are honoured and remembered. In many parts of the Celtic world, the ancestors and the faeries are one and the same. Scrupulous observance of faery pathways, dancing and gathering places is still upheld in Celtic lands by those who wish to stay in good relations with the unseen inhabitants of the Otherworld who live about us. It is considered the height of bad manners to build houses on such pathways or to remove faery trees, such as hawthorns…

This Irish poem laconically evokes the stark beginning of Winter:

My tidings for you: the stag bells,
Winter snows, Summer is gone.

Wind
high and cold, low the sun,
Short his course, sea running high.

Deep-red
the bracken, its shape all gone,
The wild goose has raised his wonted cry.

Cold
has caught the wings of birds.
Season of ice – these are my tidings.

The (Welsh) Red Book of Hergest speaks of Winter:

The calends of Winter,
The time of pleasant gossiping.
The gale and the storm keep equal pace;
It is the work of the wise to keep a secret.

The death-watch was a Celtic method of divination still upheld in the West of England until the last century: to watch in the church porch at midnight, usually during Midsummer, New Year’s Eve or Hallow’een, to see the apparitions of those who would die in the parish in the next year…

The poems of the tenth-century (Welsh) poet, Llywarch Hen, lament
the death of his twenty-four sons and his lonely old age:

White are the hilltops,
wet the streams,
Midnight towers.
Every wise-one draws honour.
I deserve sleep in old age.

Loud are the birds,
wet the gravel,
Leaves fall, the shelterless unsouled.
I do not deny that I am ill tonight.

Loud are the birds,
wet the shore,
Bright the sky, wide the wave.
Heart withered from longing.

The FRITH, or Augury, was practiced in the Western Highlands of Scotland.
The Seer, fasting, bare-foot and with closed eyes, took an augury of the coming season by standing upon the threshold on the first day of the quarter, with one hand upon either doorjamb. When she opened her eyes, she took her augury from what kinds of animals met her gaze: their colour, movement and kind foretold the Frith…

From the Irish Colloquy of the Two Sages, this ritual statement exemplifies the identity of the true Celtic poet:

I am the child of Poetry,
Poetry, the child of Reflection,
Reflection, the child of Mediation,
Mediation, the child of Lore,
Lore, the child of Research,
Research, the child of Great Knowledge,
Great knowledge, the child of Intelligence,
Intelligence, the child of Understanding,
Understanding, the child of Wisdom,
Wisdom, the child of the three gods of Danu.

The three gods of Danu are possibly Brian, Iuchar and Uar – the sons of the Goddess of Muses, Bridhid. Brighid is frequently associated with the Danaan ancestral Goddess Danu, or Anu – the ancestress of the Tuatha
de Danaan…

The Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, were called the Fir-chlisne,
or “Men of the Tricks” by the Scottish Gaels;
they were called the “Merry Dancers” as well. Their dance is rarely seen in Southern Britain…

During the period of Samhain with its long nights, communal entertainment enriched the cold and dark with fresh enchantment. Noson Lawen, or “a merry evening” is the Welsh equivalent of the Gaelic ceilidh, where neighbours assemble at day’s end to tell stories and sing songs until the wee hours of the morning…

Ganeida, Myrddin’s sister, is the priestess-sibyl who continues his prophetic work. She creates his Otherworldly retreat from which he watches the
world. She was conflated, in later medieval tradition, with Nimue – a Lady of the Lake – who is said to have purposely enclosed Merlin, having gained his magical secrets. But Ganeida/Nimue is an echo of the ancient Celtic Goddess of the Doorway, who guards the gates of time and occurrence. She appears as the Goddess Ariadne in Merlin’s prophetic vision…

The Luideag, or “Washer at the Ford”, was an apparition that most warriors wished never to meet, as she was encountered on the eve of battle, washin out the bloody shirts of those to be slain the next day. Although
she was feared, her action was a kindly one for, as an aspect
of the Cailleach, she washed out the blood of one life into the
river, making the garment of flesh pure once again, ready to assume
a new life…

Cadair Idris is a mountain and natural boundary between Gwynedd and Powys. It is said that whoever spends a night alone on the summit will come down mad, blind or a great poet. The summits of many such eminences may well have been used in initiatory Bardic and Druidic rites as places of power…

Druids and Witches and Pagans, oh my!

They came from as far north as Oregon and as far south as Los Angeles
– numbering in the mid-20’s – to gather in the majestic beauty of a secluded Redwood Grove in the Avenue of the Giants in Weott, California.

It was a warm, sunny Friday afternoon and spirits were high as people
began to arrive and hunt for the best camping spots in which to settle for the weekend. Many had never been to this particular area before, and there were many “oooohs” and “aaahhhs” as they would look up and see the amazing verdant canopies above their heads. In fact, there are so many redwoods in this park that – everywhere you stand – you are beneath a canopy of green…

…and the trunks of the trees are so large that it takes many people
holding hands to surround them. These magnificent beings seemed to welcome our quiet and reverent presence – as if they could sense that – although we came in all shades of Druid, Pagan and Witch – we were all joined by a common bond…the honouring of Nature…

There were at least three kinds of Druids present: OMS/RDG, ADF and
OBOD. There were also Witches and other types of Pagans from our
local networking group – Sequoia Pagan Alliance – and some of their friends and families. It was quite an eclectic mixture for sure!

There was a full itinerary planned for the weekend, and much preparation
to do, so we wasted no time getting started. The ritual area was marked off, as was an area for the next day’s labyrinth workshop, and firewood was brought to the big barrels where one could have a safe fire – an important consideration for this time of year. The food tables were also cleaned off and loaded with the beginnings of the night’s shared feast. Much gaiety and joy abounded, as old friends reconnected and new friends were finally able to put  a face to their online connections.

Friday night’s planned activity was a Bardic Circle after the meal, and
we asked our resident “pyro afficionado” and favourite “firebrand”, Wade, to stoke up the source of heat and light for the evening, which he started just before dusk and continued to feed well into the night…

…and we had some live music by our dear friend and the “Official Bard of OMS”, Chris from Oregon – who played his mandolin and bouzouki while a couple of our “crone” friends belly danced for our entertainment…

After the “show”, everyone sauntered off to their tents to rest up for the next day’s many activities…

Saturday morning, after breakfast, we held a meeting to schedule the workshops and assign some of the roles for the “Formal Ritual” to be held later that night (bear in mind that many of the folks were not even up yet, so this meeting mostly consisted of the “early birds”)…

It was decided that the first workshop of the day would be “How to Build a Labyrinth” by Gillian Brown ( http://www.mithrilstar.org/MysticalRecommendations.htm). She lives in Redway, CA, but travels back to her native Britain each year, where she leads her Mystical Tours. She was kind enough to take time out of her very busy schedule to share her wisdom and experience with this fascinating subject.

While a large portion of the group decided it was too early to leave their coffee pots and breakfasts, the more ambitious of us gathered in the clearing. After some historical background and instruction, Gillian had us gather all the downed redwood sticks of a certain size that we could find and then proceeded to show us how to lay out the 7-layer pattern – starting with a cross in the very center. From there each circuit took shape, and when it was finished, we slowly and meditatively “walked” the labyrinthine
path – which was incredibly moving and fulfilling! We left the labyrinth together for the rest of the weekend – in fact, we decided to leave it there for the park rangers to find and ponder over…

After a bit of lunch, a number of us gathered for an “Aromatherapy”
workshop presented by Aigeann Lus – the Archdruid of the Triple Horses Grove (co-sponsors of the Gathering). She brought many fine samples of various oils and scents for us to play with and learn about their various uses, and some were sold, with the money being donated to the OMS/RDG to help cover expenses. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot…

Next those of us studious types who were taking in all the workshops
decided we needed some socializing time, so we hung out with each
other for a while…many new bonds were formed, and many old ones
were strengthened and renewed…and some of us just rested!

Before we knew it, it was time to set up for the Formal Ritual, which would be lead by the main officers from both OMS/RDG and ADF (Aigeann and Richard are also RDG’s Medford Branch). This is the one time we actually use scripts, as we had virtually no time before hand to memorize all the lines, once we blended the different ideas into a cohesive whole.

Many people made new robes for this occasion, and brought items to
place on the altar. We figured out where we’d have to start from for the procession down to the clearing and ritual space, and we had everyone practice the OMS/RDG hymn, ” Sequoia Sempervirons “, which would be sung during the procession.

In the meantime, WL stoked up another fine blaze for the ritual, and those of us with “roles” went over them with each other, while others meditated and grounded themselves…

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Then, finally, the ritual was performed…the procession was walked, the anthem was sung, the deities were invoked, the waters of life were shared, the holiday was honoured…

…ending with our traditional Reiki healing session for those who felt the need for it…

El Arseneau – our Archdruid – looking relaxed and happy after the ritual…

Saturday night was the main feast – and interestingly, there are no pictures
of this, as everyone was busy warming up food and stuffing our faces! But then, we stoked up the fire once again, and hung out while the musicians were setting up for the final event of the evening…

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

…THE CONCERT!! Our friends – Anwyn & George Leverett from Oregon
– who are also the “Official Bards of the RDG” – put on an amazing and magickal show for us, lit only by fire and candlelight, which consisted of Medieval and Celtic music on harp, hurdy gurdy, guitar, bodhran and wind instruments; and there was the telling of ribald stories and amusing anecdotes. We were even taught the chorus and invited to sing along with some of the songs!

There were moments when more than a few of us saw some faeries and devas in amongst the trees and lurking around the shadows at the edge
of the fire-lit circle…in fact, some of the pictures have “orbs” visible on them if you look closely! It was certainly an awesome and memorable experience for all…

Click on thumbnailsto enlarge

After the concert, the crowd gradually melted away to their sleeping
places – remembered strains of music playing in our heads as we
settled down for the night…to dream…

Early the next morning – after a shared breakfast and the beginnings
of packing up our stuff (we would need to leave by mid-day), some
of us followed George down to a secluded grove for his Harp Workshop.
George was generous with his time, and answered all our questions
– and taught us all the basics of playing the harp.

He brought many harps that he made himself, so we each had one to
practice on – and he also brought a bowed psaltry he also made.
After some instruction, he passed around some sheet music and
had us all pick out a song to practice. Soon we were making beautiful
music…

He even ended up selling a harp to Sarah, who has been wanting one
of his harps for years! He gave her a special discount, and she
was blissfully floating around after that – having had her dream
come true! This was the last activity of the weekend, and we just
didn’t want it to end…

Some took one more walk down the hill to the Eel River (and a couple
brave souls went skinny-dipping)…and on the way they found these
critter tracks…

The beautiful Eel River…

Alas, all too soon, it was time to go. May tearful farewells were said,
and there was much hugging and promising to stay in touch. We all agreed that it was really nice to have experienced such a fine example of what a Pagan Community can be like – there was complete harmony and enjoyment – with none of the “drama” that sometimes accompanies this type of event.

This was only our 2nd Gathering, and already we can see much improvement – with limitless potential for more as years go by! The Archdruid and I discussed the event on the way home, and got lots of great
feedback from others over the ensuing weeks (perhaps I’ll post them in the next Druid’s Egg once I get them all in writing). We decided that – weatherwise – it seemed to work out much better to have the Gathering at Lughnasadh instead of Mabon, so we’ll probably do the 2008 Gathering in early August as well…

Will YOU be there next year? Help us turn this into the best festival ever. After seeing all the above pictures, how can you resist? 🙂

Special thanks to those who sent me your pictures!!!

White
against an obsidian sky,
Darkness punctuated by iridescent points of light
Shapes superimposed on the heavens above
Corners upturned like a bowl to be filled

The
earliest crescent,
The maiden in the sky
I see that light, the Goddess’ eye
And my thoughts go out to you

Just
beneath the shining curve,
A beacon bright and brilliant
Looking up from underneath
I feel me standing there

Some
would call it “Venus”,
Basking in an orbit
Full of light and visibility
Consort of the sun

Yet
I know, in my world,
It is me, seeing you this night
With each darkening sky
I find a different perspective

To watch
from afar, is not enough;
To see you in radiance
Is to hold you in awe and wanting
I lift my desire up to you

My arms
mimic your shape,
As I hold them aloft into the night
The planet and the crescent
Merge to become one

I pull my shoulders back,
Like drawing oars through space
And pull you into my sphere
And call you close to me

And
from that orb you descend,
Silken and alabaster
The tip of your foot
Slides into my upturned hands

You
glide onto me, weightlessly,
My arms become a cradle
I feel every inch of your body
As it settles, gently, from above

You
are the crescent I uphold,
Our lips touch in passing
My mouth caresses your nipples
And I gaze at you in awe

Two
bodies on black satin,
The sky tucked in around the edges
The lights glow sharper now
Against the heavens soft as time

Two
bodies embrace and join,
The world goes on unknowing and silent
The breeze turns the sky so slowly
Blowing like a curtain in the stars

25 April 2007
©2007 by The Ogmic Press
All Rights Reserved

The innermost part of the sigil is the seven pointed star, what we call the “Mithril Star” or the “Seren Derwydd,” but also known as a “septagram” or “heptagram.”

*The acute heptagram is known among Wiccans as the Elven Star or Faery
Star, a sacred symbol to those who follow the Faery tradition. In recent years, it has been adopted as an identifier by members of the Otherkin subculture (and some believe that the three founders of OMS are of the Sidhe). Blue Star Wicca also uses the symbol, where it is referred to simply as a septagram. The acute heptagram is also a symbol of magickal power in other Pagan religions.

*The obtuse heptagram was used as a symbol in the Kabbalah, and later by Aleister Crowley and the Ordo Templi Orientis where it was known as the
Star (or Seal) of Babylon.

*The heptagram is also used in Christianity to symbolize the seven
days of creation and became a traditional symbol for warding off
evil, thus the reason that most sheriff’s badges are obtuse heptagonal
shaped. The heptagram is also the symbol of perfection (or God)
in many Christian religions.

*In alchemy, a seven-sided star can refer to the seven planets which were known to ancient alchemists.

In the second age of Reformed Druidism, we interpret the symbol by the Welsh word “Derwydd” (Druid) with each point standing for one of the seven attributes of a Druid:

Point #1: Doethiweb – Wisdom
Pont #2: Eluseugan – – Compassion
Point #3: Rhyddfrydwr – Liberal
Point #4: Wmbredd – Abundance
Point #5: Ymnellltuaeth – Noncomformity
Point #6: Dysg – Learning
Point #7: Delfrydwr – Idealist

(Note: I intend to expound on these attributes in later essays).

Around the septagram is a snake swallowing it’s own tail, also known
as Ouroborus. This snake symbolizes a circle, and is one element
that transforms the OMS sigil into a Reformed Druid sigil.

*The snake itself is an old symbol of the Druids (St. Patrick was said
to have driven the snakes out of Ireland. Since snakes have never
been indigenous to the island, we know the legend is referring
to the Druids). The Ouroboros is one of the oldest mystical symbols
in the world. The serpent or dragon appears in Aztec, Chinese,
Celtic, and Native American mythologies, among others.

*The serpent or dragon eating its own tail can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, circa 1600 BC. However the pig dragons of the Hongshan culture (4700–2200 BC) of China are older. From ancient Egypt it passed to Phoenicia and then to the Greek philosophers, who gave it the name Ouroboros (“self-devourer”).

*In Norse mythology it appears as the serpent Jörmungandr, one of the
three children of Loki, who grew so large that it could encircle the world and grasp its tail in its teeth. In the legends of Ragnar Lodbrok, such as Ragnarssona þáttr, the Geatish king Herraud gives a small lindorm as a gift to his daughter Þóra Town-Hart after which it grows into a large serpent which encircles the girl’s bower and bites itself in the tail. The serpent is
slain by Ragnar Lodbrok who marries Þóra. Ragnar later has a son with another woman named Kráka and this son is born with the image of a white snake in one eye. This snake encircled the iris and bit itself in the tail, and the son was named Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye.

*In Gnosticism, this serpent symbolized eternity and the soul of the world.

*It is also present in some Hindu folk-myths, as the dragon circling the tortoise that supports the four elephants which support the world on their
backs.

*The god Quetzalcoatl is sometimes portrayed as an ouroboros on Aztec and Toltec ruins.

*In alchemy, the ouroboros is a purifying sigil. Swiss psychologist
Carl Jung saw the ourobouros as an archetype and the basic mandala
of alchemy. Jung also defined the relationship of the ouroboros
to alchemy:

The alchemists, who in their own way knew more about the nature
of the individuation process than we moderns do, expressed this
paradox through the symbol of the uroboros, the snake that eats
its own tail. ouroboros, has been said to have a meaning of infinity
or wholeness. In the age-old image of the uroboros lies the thought
of devouring oneself and turning oneself into a circulatory process,
for it was clear to the more astute alchemists that the prima
materia of the art was man himself. The uroboros is a dramatic
symbol for the integration and assimilation of the opposite, i.e.
of the shadow. This ‘feed-back’ process is at the same time a
symbol of immortality, since it is said of the uroboros that he
slays himself and brings himself to life, fertilises himself and
gives birth to himself. He symbolises the One, who proceeds from
the clash of opposites, and he therefore constitutes the secret
of the prima materia which […] unquestionably stems from man’s
unconscious.
– [3]

*The famous ouroboros drawing from the early alchemical text The Chrysopoeia of Cleopatra dating to 2nd century Alexandria encloses the words hen to pan, “one, the all”, i.e. “All is One”. Its black-and-white halves represent the Gnostic duality of existence.

*As a symbol of the eternal unity of all things, the cycle of birth
and death from which the alchemist sought release and liberation,
it was familiar to the alchemist/physician Sir Thomas Browne.
In his A letter to a friend, a medical treatise full of case-histories
and witty speculations upon the human condition, he wrote of it:

[…] that the first day should make the last, that the Tail of the Snake should return into its Mouth precisely at that time, and they should wind up upon the day of their Nativity, is indeed a remarkable Coincidence.

It is also alluded to at the conclusion of Browne’s The Garden of Cyrus (1658) as a symbol of the circular nature and Unity of the two Discourses,

All things began in order so shall they end, so shall they begin again according to the Ordainer of Order and the mystical mathematics of the City of Heaven.

Behind the Seren Derwydd and Ourobourus are two Coast Redwood trees. These symbolize the two upright lines of the Druid sigil, completing the picture. The Coast Redwood is sacred to the OMS, and also symbolizes eternity, due to their long lifespan (some being over2,000 years old).

*Note: This reference was drawn from Wikipedia.

The night was very dark, with a Full Moon hanging in the cloud-filled
sky above. The air was crisp with the feel of late Autumn and
the doorway between the worlds was wide open. Carved pumpkins
sat on the porches of the houses in the little town, and the laughter
of children dressed in costumes could be heard from the streets.

It was a sad time for Beth as she climbed the hill behind her house. In her
arms was her cat and friend Smoky, carefully wrapped in his favorite
blanket. A little grave was already dug on the hill, waiting,
for Smoky had died that day.

“Do you want me to go with you?” Beth’s father had asked. “I dug his
grave beside MacDougal’s at the top of the hill.” Beth clearly
remembered when their dog MacDougal had died after being hit by
a car.

“No, I want to go by myself,” she answered.

Beth stopped at the top of the hill and knelt beside the little grave. She
carefully laid Smoky’s blanket-wrapped form in the earth and covered
it with dirt, laying several large rocks on the top. Then she
cried and cried.

“Oh, Smoky, I miss you so much?” Beth looked up at the Moon, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Why did you die?”

“It was his time to rejoin the Mother,” said a deep, gentle voice in the darkness.

“Who said that?” Beth looked around but saw no one.

“Dying is part of the cycle of life, you know.” One of the boulders on the
hill stirred into life.

“Who are you?” The moonlight shone down on the little woman, and
Beth could see she was not human.

“I’m a troll-wife,” said the creature as she came to sit across from Beth. “This is a sad night for both of us, girl. I, too, came to this hill to bury a friend.” The troll-wife wiped a crystal tear from her cheek. “The squirrel was very old. Still it makes me sad.”

Beth stared at the troll-wife. The little woman was the color of rock in the
moonlight, her hair like long strands of moss, her bright eyes like shining crystals. She wore a dress woven of oak leaves and tree bark.

“The squirrel and I lived together for a long time,” the troll-wife said. “We often talked to your cat when he was hunting here on the hill. Smoky and I were friends. I shall miss him, too.” The little woman patted Smoky’s grave gently, ” Sleep well, little friend. When you are rested, we shall talk together again.”

“But he’s dead,” Beth said, her voice choked with tears.

“Child, this is Samhain. Don’t you know the ancient secrets of this sacred time of year?’ The troll-wife motioned for Beth to come and sit beside
her. “It is true that our friends have gone into a world where we can no longer physically touch them, but the Mother has given us other ways of communicating with them. We can do this any time, but the time of Samhain is the easiest.”

“I don’t understand how this can be done,” Beth said, “or why Samhain makes it easier.”

“At this time of year,” the troll-wife answered, “the walls between this world and the world of souls and spirits are very thin. If we are quiet and listen, we can hear our loved ones and they can hear us. We talk, not with spoken words, but with the heart and mind.”

“Isn’t that just imagination?” Beth looked down at Smoky’s grave,
tears once more coming into her eyes. “Like my thinking I
can feel MacDougal get up on my bed at night like he used to?”

“Sometimes it is, but mostly it is not imagination, only our friends come to
see us in their spirit bodies.” The troll-wife reached up her hand and patted something Beth couldn’t see on her shoulder, “Like my friend the raven. He is here now.”

Beth looked hard and saw a thin form of hazy moonlight on the troll-wife’s shoulder. “I’ve seen something like that at the foot of my bed where
MacDougal used to sleep.” She whispered. “I thought I was dreaming.” She jumped as something nudged her arm. When she looked down, nothing was there.

The troll-wife smiled, “Close you eyes and think of MacDougal,” she
said. “He has been waiting a long time for you to see him.”

Beth closed her eyes and, at once, the form of her little dog came into her
mind. His tail wagged with happiness. She felt a wave of love
come from him, and she sent her love back. Then she felt the dog
lie down against her leg.

“Can I do this with Smoky?” Beth asked.

“Not yet,” the troll-wife answered. “He needs to sleep a while and rest.
Then he will come to you. This gives Smoky time to adjust to his
new world, and you time to grieve for him. It is not wrong to
grieve, but we must not grieve forever.”

“I never thought of it that way,” Beth said. “It’s kind of like they
moved away, and we can only talk to them on the phone.”

“It is this way with all creatures, not just animals.” The troll-wife stood
up and held out a hand to Beth. “Will you join me, human
girl? Although I buried my friend squirrel this night, I still
must dance and sing to all my friends and ancestors who have gone
on their journey into the other world. For this is a time to honor
the ancestors.”

Beth joined the troll-wife in the ancient slow troll dances around the top of the little hill in the moonlight. She watched quietly while the troll-wife called out troll-words to the four directions, words Beth couldn’t understand. Deep in her heart the girl felt the power of the strange words and knew they were given in honor
and love by the little troll-wife.

When the troll-wife was finished with her ritual, she hugged Beth. “Go in peace,human child” she said, “And remember what I have told you about the ancient secret of Samhain.”

“I will,” Beth answered. “Will I ever see you again?”

“Whenever the Moon is Full, I will be here,” the little troll-wife said.
“And especially at Samhain.”

“I wish I had something to give you.” Beth hugged the little woman.
“You have taught me so much.” She felt the tears come to her eyes again.

“Let us exchange tears for our lost friends.” The troll-wife reached
up a rough finger and caught a tear as if fell from Beth’s eye.
The tear glistened on her finger. The troll-wife gently touched
her finger to her cloak, and Beth’s tear shone there like a diamond
in the moonlight. Beth reached up carefully and caught one of
the troll-wife’s tears as it slid down her rough cheek. It turned
into a real crystal in her hand. “Remember the secret of
Samhain, and remember me,” the troll-wife said softly as
she disappeared into the darkness.

Beth walked back down the hill, the crystal clutched in her hand. Her father was waiting on her on the porch.

“Are you all right?” her father asked as he gave Beth a hug.

“I will be,” she answered. She opened her hand under the porch light
and saw a perfect, tear-shaped crystal lying there.

“Did you find something?” her father asked.

“A troll-tear,” Beth answered, and her father smiled. For he also knew the little troll-wife and the secret of Samhain.

This ceremony is designed to honor the spirits of the animals – both
wild and domestic. Man’s relationship with animals goes back thousands
and thousands of years. They have been a source of food and clothing.
They have protected us from the things that lurk in the darkness.
They have provided comfort and warmth. In some cases, they have
even raised and nurtured our discarded children, as in the case
of Romulus and Remus.

If you have animals in your home — pets or livestock — this is their night. Feed them before you feed the humans in your family. Put some food
out for any wild animals that may happen by as well.

Here’s How:

1. If you have a pet that has passed away during this last year, you may want to include a photo or keepsake of them on your table during this rite.

Prepare a stew for your family that includes small amounts of as many
different meats as you may have available – beef, pork, game,
chicken, etc. If your family is vegetarian or vegan, designate
a non-meat ingredient to represent each animal and adapt the ritual
as needed, eliminating lines that reference the eating of animals.
When your stew is ready, gather the family around the altar table
you prepared during the previous night’s Harvest End Ritual.

2. Place the stew pot in the center of the table, with a large serving spoon or ladle. Make sure you have some good dark bread to eat as well. Each member  of the family should have a bowl and spoon handy. Say:

Samhain has come, and it is the end of the Harvest.
The crops are in from the fields,
And the animals are preparing for the coming winter.
Tonight, we honor the animals in our lives.
Some have died that we may eat.
Some have provided us with love.
Some have protected us from that which would do us harm.
Tonight, we thank them all.

3. Go around the family in a circle. Each person should take a scoop of stew from the pot and place it in their bowl. Younger children may need an adult’s
help with this. As each person gets their helping, say:

Blessed are the animals,
Those who die that we may eat.
Blessed are the animals,
Those we love and who love us in return.

When every family member has their stew, each takes a piece of bread. As they do, say:

As the Wheel of the
Year continues to turn,
The harvest has ended, and the grain has been threshed.
The animals sleep for the winter.
We thank them for their gifts.

4. Take your time finishing your meal. If you have pets, don’t be surprised if they come visit while you’re eating your stew tonight — animals tend to be very aware of the spiritual plane! If there is any stew left over, leave some out for the spirits. Any extra bread can be thrown outside for the wild animals and birds.

Source
for this and other good info about the holidays:
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/samhainoctober31/ht/Animals_Samhain.htm

Cauldrons are the major feature of many Celtic stories. They figure as objects of quest, like the Cauldron of Annwn, which grants its food only
to worthy warriors, or the Cauldron of Rebirth, into which dead
men can be put and revived, or the Cauldron of Knowledge, which
confers all wisdom.

Many cauldrons are said to emerge from lakes in legend, and archaeology bears out the fact that many votive cauldrons have been found deposited
in lakes as part of ritual or funerary customs.

Three Cauldrons of Inspiration are said to reside within the body, according
to an Irish poetic text; the position of which are reflected by each person’s vitality, emotional responsiveness and intellectual capacity.

Using a cauldron, symbol of inspiration and rebirth, has brought new
dimensions to both group and solitary work. A cauldron decorates
the center of the Circle during Lesser Sabbats. An air cauldron
at a spring rite creates a misty, magical quality for the ceremony.
In summer, the cauldron will flash and spark. A blue flame burns
mysteriously within the Water cauldron during the autumn festival.
Throughout Yule, the Earth cauldron burns steadfast and constant.
During moon rites, when magick is done, we write the purpose of
our working on flash papers and toss them into the burning cauldron
while chanting.

A working cauldron should be of cast iron, with a tight-fitting lid, three sturdy legs, and a strong handle. Season your cauldron before using it for the first time. Pour in generous helping of salt and lighter fluid, slosh it up to the rim and wipe dry. For indoor use it MUST have a fireproof base or your workings will summon up yellow-coated salamander spirits from the fire department.

EARTH
Cauldron

Layer salt, wax shavings, three powdered or ground herbs, lighter fluid
and ivy leaves in the cauldron while focus and chanting. Use a
candle to light it. When the smoke starts to roll, extinguish
the cauldron by putting the lid on.

AIR
Cauldron

Using tongs, put a chunk of dry ice is a small glass or ceramic bowl
and place the bowl on a cloth in the bottom of the cauldron. Allow
the cauldron to smoke as long as the ice lasts. The mists create
excellent images for scrying.

FIRE
Cauldron

Cover the inside bottom with dirt or sand to dissipate heat. Light incense
charcoal and add either saltpeter for flame and spark or flash
powder for a different but spectacular effect. To assist in releasing
or firing off peak energy, try using flash “bombs”.
Make a small pocket in a piece of flash paper, fill with flash
powder and tie with thread. The “bomb” should be about
the size of your smallest fingernail. The results are spectacularly
bright, so use the powder sparingly. Don’t look directly at the
flash as you drop the “bomb” in the cauldron.

WATER
Cauldron

At least seven days before the ritual, place equal quantities of
three appropriate herbs in a pint glass jar. Fill the rest of
the jar with Everclear (200 proof alcohol), cap tightly, and shake
gently while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Add a
chant if its feels right. Let the jar rest in a dark, warm spot
and shake twice daily, charging with purpose. Before the ritual,
place a fireproof ceramic or glass bowl in the cauldron. Pour
in the herb mixture, being careful none spills into the cauldron.
Light with a candle to produce a beautiful blue flame.

The CAULDRON, as the fifth elemental spirit, symbolizes inspiration,
rebirth, illumination and rejuvenation. Use a Fire cauldron with
saltpeter to cast a Circle. Use the mists of an Air cauldron for
an initiation. Burn away hate, prejudice and negative self-images,
with a Water cauldron. The Earth cauldron is ideal for indoor
Holiday rites.

Remember to place a burning cauldron on a fireproof surface. Practice safety when using any volatile materials and you will enjoy your cauldron
for many rites.
 

Quiet
friend who has come so far,
feel how your breathing makes more space around you.
Let this darkness be a bell tower
and you the bell. As you ring,

What batters you becomes your strength.
Move back and forth into the change.
What is it like, such intensity of pain?
If the drink is bitter, turn yourself to wine.

In this uncontainable night,
be the mystery at the crossroads of your senses,
the meaning discovered there.

And if the world has ceased to hear you,
say to the silent earth: I flow.
To the rushing water, speak: I am.

~~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~~

(In Praise of Mortality, translated and edited by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy)

Opening meditation: Up the Tree.
Photo: the stairway to the tree. Keep onscreen throughout meditation.
When finished, fade to black.

LET’S START IN A SOMEWHAT TRADITIONAL MANNER…

IMAGINE YOU’RE A TREE… WITH ITS ROOTS DIGGING DEEP INTO THE EARTH, HOLDING YOU UP FIRMLY, ABSORBING MOISTURE AND NUTRIENTS.

YOUR BRANCHES REACH UP AND OUT INTO THE BRILLIANT SKY, YOUR LIMBS STRONG AND SUPPLE, AND YOUR LEAVES PLENTY AS THEY RUSTLE IN THE BREEZE AND SOAK UP SUNLIGHT TO PROVIDE MORE OF THE NOURISHMENT YOU NEED TO KEEP YOU STRONG.

NOW STARTING AT THE BASE OF THE TREE AND CLIMBING LITTLE BY LITTLE, WE THINK OF ALL THE THINGS THAT MAKE UP A FULL LIFE…

EVERYTHING SOLID THAT WE ARE MADE OF… OUR BLOOD AND BONES; THE ELEMENTS EARTH, AIR, FIRE, AND WATER;

UP THE TRUNK WE GO…ALL THAT WE DREAM OF AND ENVISION;

ALL THAT WE REVERE, ALL OF OUR KNOWLEDGE;

INTO THE BRANCHES NOW… ALL THAT WE LOVE AND ENJOY, THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR SENSES;

ALL OF OUR SELFLESS ACTS FOR THE GREATER GOOD;

HIGHER AND HIGHER… OUR DECISIONS AND DETERMINATION;

OUR THOUGHTS AND PLANS;

THE GODDESSES AND GODS THAT WE NAME AND CALL ON,

AND THE UNKNOWABLE SOURCE, BREATHING LIFE INTO EVERY GALAXY AND EVERY ATOM.

YOU ARE AT THE VERY TOP OF THE TREE NOW, AND THERE WE FIND SOMEONE AT THE BEGINNING OF A JOURNEY. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHO HE IS, BUT LET US JOIN HIM NOW AS HE STEPS ONTO THE ROAD…
OR RATHER, THE RATHER STEEP CLIFF LOOKING OUT OVER THE ROAD, OF DISCOVERY, FAR BELOW.

FOOL
Photo: the tree on the precipice. After 10 seconds, the photo fades to black.

The Fool speaks:

WHO AM I, AND WHERE AM I GOING? WHO WILL I BE? I KNEW NOTHING OF THE AFFAIRS AND WAYS OF MORTALS, SO I DECIDED TO STEP INTO THE VOID, AS A FOOL. YOU’D THINK THAT FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT, ALL WOULD BE CLEAR, BUT NOT SO, MY FRIENDS.
CURIOSITY HAS MOST CERTAINLY GOTTEN THE BETTER OF ME.

JOIN ME ON THIS EXCURSION INTO THE UNKNOWN.
BRING A COMPANION IF YOU WILL,
THOUGH YOU ARE LIKELY TO FIND OTHERS ON THE WAY.

OH, WAIT, DON’T I NEED TO PACK SOME SUPPLIES FOR THE TRIP?

(Packs bag, from items arrayed around him: a key, a compass, a leash,
a carpenter’s level, a red rose, a large Eye pendant.)
Ties the bag onto a stick and puts it over his shoulder.

OH, AND ONE THING TO REMEMBER: I TRUST.
(To everyone in the room) DO YOU ALL TRUST?
YOU MUST, IN ORDER TO TAKE THIS TRIP. SOME THINGS JUST CAN’T
BE PLANNED OR CONTROLLED.

(Steps out of center, to south, waits just out of sight.)

EMPRESS
Photo: the Gateway. After 10 seconds, the photo fades to black.

The Empress seats herself in the chair, and the Fool approaches.

Empress: BY WHAT SIGN DO YOU ENTER?

The Fool presents her with the key, and she greets him.

HERE YOU ARE AT LAST! DEEP IN MY HEART, I FELT A SPARK, AND KNEW YOU WOULD SOON BE HERE, JUST AS I DO FOR EVERY LIVING BEING THAT TRAVELS THIS WAY.

EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE AS MY CHILDREN, AND I CHERISH YOUR COMING…
I FEEL JOY IN ANTICIPATION OF YOUR TRIUMPHS, AND GRIEF AT THE
HARDSHIPS YOU WILL ENDURE.

YOU ARE ABOUT TO JOIN INTO THE GREAT STREAM OF BEING. BY PASSING OVER THIS THRESHOLD, YOU WILL FIND MANY LIKE YOURSELF WITH WHOM TO SHARE YOUR LIFE. YOU CAN AND SHOULD CARE MUCH FOR YOURSELF…

BUT SINCE YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE, YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT OTHERS WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO ASSIST AND GUIDE YOU – DEPENDING UPON YOUR ACTIONS AND YOUR ATTITUDES. SO BE MINDFUL OF YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH ALL.

KEEP THIS (hands key back to the Fool).

CHARGE IT WITH ALL OF YOUR BEST BEGINNINGS, AND IT WILL SERVE YOU WELL.

ALSO REMEMBER THAT THE STARS WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR COMPANIONS… FOR INDEED, YOUR VERY BONES ARE MADE OF THEM.

NOW – BEFORE YOU WOULD CROSS OVER FROM THIS PLACE OF IMAGINING INTO THE LAND OF THE LIVING. I MUST ASK, WHO ARE YOU? FOR THIS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE YOU CAN STAND, FULLY FORMED, IN THE WORLD OF THE LIVING.
(Pause, looks around to all people as if asking them, “Who are you?“)

WHAT YOU ARE TO RECEIVE AND LEARN, ACCEPT AS A GIFT AND A BLESSING.

She sends Fool into the Abyss, and she departs in the opposite direction.
The lights go off and a changing colored spotlight
is projected from above. The Abyss music is played (4:24). Here is the first meeting of the Four Archangels of the Cardinal Points (Eagle, Bull, Lion, and Man), who become his guides:

The Fool is wandering in and out of the circle, bewildered. The Cardinal Points each appear at intervals and play “cat and mouse” with him, different ones at different times, passing in and out of the center circle area. After all have had a chance to chase the Fool, he ends up in the center and the Cardinal Points form a ring around him and dance/circle around him until he pulls out his compass and “orients” himself.

Eagle:
WHERE ARE YOU?

Fool:
I THOUGHT I SHOULD ASK YOU WHERE I AM.

Bull:
NO, THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE. YOU, NOT ANYONE ELSE.

Fool:
AREN’T YOU HERE WITH ME?

Lion:
WE ARE NEAR; WE WILL ALWAYS BE NEAR. BUT WE ARE NOT YOU. YOU HAVE A PATH THAT IS YOUR OWN.

Fool:
I KNOW THAT’S WHY I CAME HERE…
BUT WHERE DO I START?

Man:
FIND THE COMPASS POINTS AND SEE THE PLAN LAID OUT BEFORE YOU.

Bull:
LOOK AT IT OBJECTIVELY, AS IF IT’S A LANDSCAPE LYING BEFORE
YOU.

Lion:
BUT ALSO SEEK OUT WHERE EACH COORDINATE LIES WITHIN YOURSELF.

Eagle:
AND DON’T WORRY… WE’LL BE BACK.

The Cardinal Points depart in different directions. The Fool steps back from the center a little, looking thoughtful.

STRENGTH
Strength tree photo on screen (leopard in tree) . After 10 seconds,
the photo fades to black.

Strength enters, looking determined:
I WILL FIND HER, NO MATTER WHAT!

Fool:
HAVE YOU LOST SOMETHING?

Strength:
YES, MY LION. I’VE MISPLACED HER TEMPORARILY.

Fool:
YOU HAVE A LION? WHAT A STRANGE AND WONDERFUL THING!

Strength:
YES, AND YOU HAVE ONE, TOO.

Fool:
OH. THEN MAYBE THAT’S WHAT THIS IS FOR? (pulls out the leash)

Strength:
EXACTLY. YOU ARE TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT, OR MORE PRECISELY, WHAT YOU WILL, AND THIS (touches leash) IS THE PASSION THAT LINKS YOU TO IT. YOUR INSTINCTS ARE SOUND.

Fool:
I’M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND WILL.

Strength:
WELL, IT ISN’T ALWAYS EASY, OR ELSE MY LION WOULDN’T
WANDER OFF FROM TIME TO TIME.

IT’S
NOT JUST ABOUT HAVING ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST WHENEVER YOU WANT TO, OR THINKING YOU SHOULD BE FAMOUS… ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE NOT GOOD AT THAT!

BUT – IT IS DESIRE, THOUGH NOT JUST DESIRE. IT’S A HEARTFELT SENSE OF WHERE YOU BELONG, WHAT YOU ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU SHOULD DO AND HAVE ALWAYS YEARNED TO DO… AND THE THINGS THAT YOU DO BEST. YOU GET A SATISFACTION FROM FINDING YOUR WILL — COMING FROM A SENSE OF DOING THE THINGS YOU WANT TO BE DOING, THAT INDEED YOU SHOULD BE DOING IN ORDER FOR YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD TO WORK OUT RIGHT. AND THE WHOLE WORLD, TOO, FOR IF EVERYONE FINDS THEIR TRUE WILL, AS THE STORY GOES, HARMONY IS ACHIEVED.

YOU MAY BE FULL OF IDEAS, AND INDEED, IT’S BEST TO START OUT
FULL OF IDEAS. THE FIELD IS WIDE OPEN, AND FROM THERE WE NAVIGATE, USING OUR INSTINCTS – AND OUR PASSION – TO FIND OUR WILL.

(Looking into the distance)
I THINK I JUST SAW MY LION, SO I’VE GOTTA RUN. PLEASED TO
MEET YOU — AND GOOD LUCK!
(she exits, and Fool smiles)

JUSTICE:
Justice tree photo on screen (pruning) . After 10 seconds, the
photo fades to black.

Justice enters, with sword and scales.

Fool
(who is still standing there):
HELLO! ARE YOU SEEKING YOUR WILL, TOO?

Justice:
WILL IS ONLY ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. I AM ON A MORE DELICATE QUEST – FOR EQUILIBRIUM.
(holds up scales)

Fool:
BALANCE.
(reaches into pack and brings out the level)
I THINK I HAVE A TOOL FOR THAT. BUT IT SEEMS SO SIMPLE – EITHER YOU LEAN TO ONE SIDE, OR TO THE OTHER.

Justice:
AS YOUR LAST VISITOR SAID, THERE’S NAVIGATION INVOLVED….
BUT THERE ARE SO MANY SMALL ADJUSTMENTS ALONG THE WAY. THE WIND CAN LIFT THE SAILS WITH GUSTO OR NOT AT ALL, OR ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN.

DO YOU AVOID THE OBSTACLES? DO YOU RUN DOWN ANYONE IN YOUR PATH? DOES THE PLACEMENT OF EVEN ONE NAIL OF YOUR CRAFT, OR YOUR VERY THOUGHTS STAND IN THE WAY OF YOUR PROGRESS? HOW IMPORTANT, HOW STRONG IS ANY ONE FACTOR AGAINST THE OTHERS? YOU MUST LEARN TO TEMPER YOUR WILL WITH DISCERNMENT.

Fool:
TO ADJUST.

JUSTICE:
YES. AND – (holding up the sword) THERE’S ANOTHER PIECE.

FIRST, JUSTICE IS NOT ONLY SOMETHING METED OUT AMONG MEMBERS OF A SOCIETY; IT IS A NATURAL LAW OF SORTS. EVERY ACTION, EVEN THE SMALLEST, HAS ITS CONSEQUENCES, WHETHER ANYONE IS WATCHING OR NOT. 

SECOND, ONCE YOU CHOOSE A PATH, YOU WILL FIND THAT THERE ARE OTHER POSSIBILITIES YOU HAVE PRUNED AWAY. ANOTHER CONSEQUENCE TO BE ACCEPTED.

The Cardinal Points enter and say:
GOOD EVENING, YOUR HONOR.

Justice (departing): GOOD EVENING.

Lion (to Fool):
THERE’S A LOT TO ABSORB, ISN’T THERE?

Eagle:
WHY DON’T YOU JOIN US IN A CHANT. (To all assembled) YOU, TOO!

Man:
LET’S BEGIN. POWERS OF THE MIND, BE WITH US. REPEAT AFTER
ME, SO MOTE IT BE! (waits for them to repeat)

Bull:
OPENNESS AND FLEXIBILITY, BE WITH US. SO MOTE IT BE!

Lion:
DISCERNMENT AND INTELLIGENCE, BE WITH US. SO MOTE IT BE!

Eagle:
CLARITY AND SANITY, BE WITH US. SO MOTE IT BE!

Man:
CREATIVITY AND INSIGHT, BE WITH US. SO MOTE IT BE!

Bull:
ALL THAT WE MAY MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT COME OUR WAY. SO MOTE IT BE!

The Cardinal points say “THANK YOU”, take a bow, and depart.

DEATH
Death tree photo (willow carved gravestone). After 10 seconds,
the photo fades to black.

Death:
THE POWERS OF THE MIND ARE INDEED WONDERFUL! SO MANY THOUGHTS AND PLANS AND DECISIONS… BUT DAY BY DAY, YOUR BODY BEGINS TO CLAIM YOUR ATTENTION –

AT FIRST QUIETLY, AS YOUR STRENGTH GROWS, THEN THE AWAKENING OF THE SENSES, DAY BY DAY, LOUDER AND MORE DEMANDING, AS CONTROL OF YOUR PHYSICAL NATURE BECOMES A STRUGGLE, TO CONFOUND AND OVERWHELM YOU.

THEN ONE DAY, YOU FIND THAT ALL THE PIECES START TO FIT TOGETHER, AND TO LIVE INSIDE THIS SKIN AND TO OWN THAT EXPANSIVE MIND – IT ALL COMES TOGETHER IN HARMONY,
AND IT IS A JOY TO BE FULLY ALIVE.

CHOCOLATE! STRAWBERRIES! SEX! THE SIGHT OF MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS, OF SPARKLING WATERS; THE SCENT OF ROSES…
THE EXERTIONS OF MOVING, IN WORK AND PLAY, THE ACHE OF HUNGER AND THE JOY OF ITS SATISFACTION; THE COMPLEX DELIGHTS OF FRIENDSHIP, AND LOVE… ALL THINGS AND ALL BEINGS ON A VAST PALETTE OF EXPERIENCE… ALL IS TRULY YOUR “OYSTER.”

Fool:
THAT’S WONDERFUL! (brings out the rose and smells it)

Death:
BUT WAIT – I’M NOT FINISHED. THE DOWNSIDE OF THIS
IS THAT BODIES WEAR OUT. EVERYONE’S. THAT’S MORTALITY.
AND NO, YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT BE PREPARED FOR IT.

YOUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES WILL BE TAKEN BY SICKNESS AND DEATH. AND SO WILL YOU. SO MANY SIGNS ALONG THE WAY… SO MANY DAYS WHEN THE PATH IS SET WITH THORNS. THE FLOWER IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT THE SEEDS OF ITS DESTRUCTION ARE BUILT RIGHT INSIDE OF IT, AS IT LURES THE BEE TO HELP IT CREATE ANOTHER GENERATION TO TAKE ITS PLACE. I’M SORRY, BUT NO ONE WILL LIVE FOREVER, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU WILL WANT THEM TO.

WHAT DO YOU MOST FEAR LOSING? HOW WILL YOU STAND THE PAIN AND THE SEPARATION THAT WILL COME? I SAY, YOU MUST LET GO. YOU CAN KEEP MEMORIES, BUT LET GO OF YOUR DESIRE FOR THINGS TO NEVER CHANGE, FOR CHANGE THEY ALWAYS WILL.
Death departs, leaving the Fool in the center.

TOWER
Tower tree : lightning-blasted tree. After 10 seconds, the photo
fades to black.

Fool:
ALL THESE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING
ARE TOO MUCH FOR ME. THEY ALL COMES RUSHING IN AND I HAVE NO CONTROL. AND SOMEHOW, I’VE BEEN WRONG ABOUT SO MANY THINGS ALL ALONG
AND I CAN’T FIX ANY OF IT. HOW CAN THIS BE? WHY CAN THIS BE? WHO AM I NOW?

Tower enters and says:
YOU HAVE SEEN SADNESS AND HORROR, YOUR HOPES HAVE FALLEN ON ROCKY GROUND, YOUR DREAMS HAVE WITHERED, YOUR ILLUSIONS HAVE BEEN STRIPPED AWAY. GRIEF HAS BEEN YOUR SOLE COMPANION. AND NOW, IT SEEMS, THE UNIVERSE KNOWS THAT YOU ARE READY.

Fool (incredulous):
READY!? NO…… READY FOR WHAT?

Tower:
DO YOU CHOOSE TO KNOW WHAT IS TRUE? DO YOU OPEN YOUR EYES AND MIND, AND RIDE THE FIRE, OR WILL YOU HIDE AND EVADE, AND BE DESTROYED?

THE LIGHTNING’S FIRE DISSOLVES YOU. ITS BRILLIANCE CAN BE PAINFUL, BUT PURIFYING. IN THE LIGHT, YOU WILL REALIZE WHAT IS,
AND FROM THE ASHES YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD AGAIN.

Fool:
AH, NOW I SEE. (brings out eye pendant from kerchief).

Tower departs.

The Fool sits down and takes the rest of the items out of his bag,
realizing that he has no more tools left unused. He crumples the
kerchief in his hands and looks down at it.

Lights dim halfway down. Silence for ~30 seconds, then a voice sings:

A BIG STORM CAME THROUGH THE OTHER DAY I NEVER SAW IT COMING FROM WHERE I STOOD. THE HEAVENS SHUDDERED AND THE BIG TREES SWAYED IT CAME DOWN HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT COULD.

SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE REDEEMED IF YOU CAN’T BE BOUGHT OR SOLD? YOU’VE GOT TO BUY YOURSELF BACK WITH ALL THE LOVE YOU CAN HOLD.

A BOLT OF LIGHTNING BLEW THE TOP AWAY SO STRONG THAT IT OPENED MY EYES TOO WIDE. THE STORM TOOK MY ILLUSIONS THAT DAY, LEAVING SOMEONE ELSE, BUT STILL ME, INSIDE.

SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE REDEEMED IF YOU CAN’T BE BOUGHT OR SOLD? YOU’VE GOT TO BUY YOURSELF BACK WITH ALL THE LOVE YOU CAN HOLD.

OH, WHERE IS THE GOLD IN THAT PILE OF STONES LEFT LYING ALL AROUND ME WHEN THE STORM IS DONE? THE REMAINS OF THAT VIOLENT NIGHT ATONED FOR IN THE SWEET, SHINING DROPS OF THE MORNING SUN.

All goes dark. A bell is rung, x 8, at 10 second intervals. (Meanwhile, the Sun takes his place lying on the bier, lays his cap upon his chest, and covers himself with the shroud.)

The “stars” come out: people distributed around the room with small candles light them, one by one. Fool is in the center with his kerchief in his hands.

The Fool opens his kerchief slowly, and the lights come up:
Fool:
OH, THERE IS ONE MORE THING!

SUN
Sun photo (tree laden with blossoms) . After 10 seconds, the photo
fades to black.

The Fool walks over to the shrouded bier, contemplates for a moment,
then turns back the shroud to find the Sun, who is lying there,
eyes closed, with his feathered cap upon his chest, his hands
over the cap. After a moment, the Sun blinks his eyes, then sits
up and puts on the cap.

Fool:
WHO ARE YOU?

Sun:
I AM THE CHILD, SON OF THE MOTHER; THE SOLUTION TO THE PUZZLE, HARD WON.

THE NEW GROWTH OF SPRINGTIME, A SPROUT FROM A TREE THOUGHT DESTROYED, AND THE BRIGHTNESS THAT EMERGES AFTER A STORM, WHEREBY IS REVEALED THE SPECTRUM OF COLORS THAT MAKE UP ALL THINGS.

(Sun dismounts from bier and stands beside Fool)

I’M THE EGG AMONG THE ASHES, FROM WHICH RISES TRIUMPH OVER DESOLATION, NEW HOPE READY TO SOAR OVER THE DEBRIS OF WHAT WENT BEFORE.

I, LIKE YOU, HAVE BEEN THROUGH MANY TRIALS – HARROWED BY ILL FORTUNE AND SICKNESS, BROKEN IN SORROW AND LAID LOW,
BUT I HAVE RETURNED, AND FOR REAL. AS YOU ARE MY WITNESS, I CAN NOT, WILL NOT BE TAKEN. I ENDURE. AND HERE, NOW, I WILL CELEBRATE. I INVITE YOU TO CELEBRATE WITH ME:

(Leads the following call and response chant:)

I CELEBRATE MY LIFE AND ALL THAT I AM.
I CELEBRATE THE DEPTHS AND HEIGHTS OF MY EMOTIONS.
I CELEBRATE THE WILD EXPANSES OF MY MIND.
I CELEBRATE MY DECISIONS,
I CELEBRATE MY MISTAKES, AND EVERYTHING I LEARN FROM THEM.
I CELEBRATE MY STRENGTHS, AND MY WEAKNESSES;
I CELEBRATE ALL OTHERS WHO LIVE, AND ALL OF THEIR COMPLEXITIES.
I CELEBRATE THE SOURCE FROM WHICH I CAME!

NOW, YOU MAY GO FORWARD TO A PLACE WHERE ALL COMES FULL CIRCLE, AND IS MADE FULLY MANIFEST, WHERE YOU WILL FIND COMPLETION.

WORLD
World tree photo (children around a tree). After 10 seconds, the
photo fades to black.

The Cardinal Points enter from various directions.

Eagle:
WELCOME, TRAVELER, TO THE LIVING EARTH.

Bull:
JOIN IN THE COMPANIONSHIP OF ALL EARTH’S DENIZENS, FOR YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Lion:
HER PLENTY IS ARRAYED BEFORE YOU, SO YOU MAY COUNT YOURSELF RICH BEYOND MEASURE.

Man:
ALL KNOWLEDGE AND MYSTERIES ARE AT YOUR HAND.

World:
HERE YOU ARE AT LAST! DEEP IN MY HEART, I FELT A SPARK, AND KNEW YOU WOULD SOON BE HERE, JUST AS I DO FOR EVERY LIVING BEING THAT TRAVELS THIS WAY.

YOU AND ALL LIKE YOU ARE AS MY CHILDREN, AND I CHERISH YOUR COMING. I FEEL JOY FOR YOUR TRIUMPHS, AND GRIEF AT THE HARDSHIPS YOU HAVE ENDURED. WITHIN THE CIRCLE OF EARTH, YOU ARE COMPLETE.

NOW, BECAUSE YOU HAVE MASTERED THE WAYS OF LIFE IN YOUR JOURNEY, I GRANT YOU THE WANDS OF THE MAGICIAN.

(Gives Fool the two wands. In exchange, he gives her the foursquare red
kerchief belt he’s wearing.)

DRINK DEEPLY OF THE WATERS OF EARTH, EAT OF MY BOUNTY IN ALL ITS FORMS. PARTAKE AND FILL YOUR SENSES WHILE YOU CAN.

The World dances a scarf dance/spinning dance (about 4 minutes); and
kerchiefs for everyone are handed out by the Cardinal Points from
baskets.

As winter approaches, nature begins her annual process of closing
down for the year. Trees shed leaves, plants die and animals retreat
for long periods of rest. During the winter solstice (December
22 through March 21), we humans also have an innate urge to hibernate.
As the planet tilts away from the sun, the days grow shorter and
darkness blankets our part of the earth. We hole up in our cozy
lairs, wrap ourselves in blankets and cuddle up for the long cold
season; but staying warm on a winter’s night is just a part of
our annual desire to retreat. Winter is a perfect time to let
our bodies rest while we focus on our spiritual health.

Our 21st century lifestyles, especially here in the western world,
seem far removed from the intimate connection that
our ancestors once shared with the earth and its forces of nature;
and we have stopped nurturing what once was considered a blessed
union. However, the passing of the seasons and their elements still affect us as powerfully as they did ages ago. We are part of nature, and so it follows that the power of our sun – the light and life-giving force that creates the seasonal changes around us – must also be present within us. According to metaphysics, at the equinox and solstices a “solar seed” travels to specific energy centers within our beings, activating the very qualities we see manifested in nature. At the winter solstice this solar seed travels to our second chakra, just below
the navel, the seat of our emotions and sexuality. For 90 days it is housed in this “winter womb” where our spirit is nurtured in preparation for spring’s rebirth.

For the other nine months of the year, we actively create, grow and
harvest our yearly ambitions. But during the months of winter,
our bodies instinctively seek time to rejuvenate. This period
of rest offers us the opportunity to look within and take spiritual
stock of our lives. Some questions we might ask ourselves during
this time of introspection may include: What progress have I made
this year? What important personal issues are still unresolved,
and why? Have I honored my beliefs and followed my dreams? Do
I exhibit the traits of the person I believe myself to be? What
type of person do I wish to become? Such a thorough and honest
assessment can be daunting but is ultimately empowering. Sometimes
the internal forces of nature will activate life experiences to
reveal our hidden patterns and subconscious limitations, but these
hidden patterns and subconscious limitations must rise to the
surface before they can be recognized and moved out of the way.

There are a number of ways to journey within and reflect upon the above
questions, as well as your own, during winter’s many dark nights.
Just 15 minutes of daily silence and contemplation is a great
start. In prayer we talk to our higher power, whereas in meditation
we listen. Devoted meditators know that this life-changing practice
leads to profound spiritual awareness. You can choose to meditate
in the warmth and comfort of a special spot in your home or head
outdoors to commune with nature. A walk in the snow can put you
in touch with the earth’s energy and offer a deep sense of peace.

Stream of consciousness writing is both cleansing and enlightening. Choose
an issue in your life (or perhaps one of the above questions) and start writing – without editing or judgment – until you have exhausted all your thoughts on the topic. Not only does this process release pent-up energy by getting it out of your mind and onto the page, reading it back can offer important new insights.

Another powerful aide to self-awareness is a practice called “self-observation.” Imagine that you are outside of yourself, watching your actions as an objective observer. Just as we pay attention to others’ actions and reactions, it is essential that we look at our own.
If you have never tried this before, you will be amazed at what you can learn about yourself. It is equally important to make note of both your thoughts and your emotional responses to them.
Because the mind tends to run rampant, it is easy to lose touch
with the control you have over what goes on in your head. Your
thoughts create your reality, so you should practice getting to
know what thoughts pass through your mind. It is not easy to pay
attention to this mental process, but doing so can reveal, for
example, negative remarks you make to yourself throughout the
day, feelings of anger or mistrust you may be harboring for yourself
and others, as well as old patterns that still may be running
the show, your life and you. Such mindful awareness can bring
you closer to who you are (your essence) and what you would like
to change about the way you think and act.

The limiting beliefs and patterns that control many of our thoughts,
behaviors and emotions may have been tucked away in our subconscious since we were small children. If emotions come up, resist the urge to stuff them back down. Find a safe space where you can allow yourself to let them flow out of you. Discussing your findings with a trusted friend or counselor can lead to deeper understandings. Often, simply recognizing a pattern is enough to get you started on the path to change, but remember that this is the season to sift through the shadows. The process of self-discovery does not happen overnight, so be patient and diligent on your journey within. As winter turns to spring, light will be cast onto the darkness, and you can start
to break through your blockages. When the solar seed moves to the mind at the spring equinox, you will not only have a better understanding of why you have been stuck in fear or doubt, you also will be ready to take action toward positive change.

So, when the north winds forecast the last season of the year and you burrow into your bed for the duration of the long, cold winter, embrace the enlightening exploration that lay ahead. To grow spiritually you must turn within, so use this time and its energy to do just that. Discover what is no longer necessary so you can create inner space for healthier beliefs and patterns to be born into your life. When the light of spring dawns bright in the east, your spirit can emerge from winter’s womb renewed and ready to start a new cycle of life.

Annette Keys is Cleveland’s resident “Minister of Metaphysics” and has been a dedicated spiritual teacher and seeker for more than 20 years. She is an ordained minister, Mystery School graduate, and an initiate of the Kabbala who has facilitated numerous lectures and workshops, and recently founded Pathways Esoteric Education, a comprehensive course in metaphysical spirituality for personal and spiritual advancement. For more information on Rev. Keys and Pathways, call (216) 381-5606. 

~~ Patricia Monaghan ~~

In the Gaulish Calendrical Tablet, the Coligny Calendar, the month
of November-December is called Dumanios, or “The Darkest
Depths”, as the year turns towards the shortest days and
longest nights…

Yule – a variation of the Scandinavian word Jul, meaning “wheel”
– is observed on the first day of winter, the shortest day
of the year. One of the common themes during this celebration
comes from the Celts. It’s the battle between the aging
Holly King (representing the darkness of the old year) and the
young Oak King (symbolizing the light of the new year). Sometimes
the battle is reenacted during ritual. More often than not, though,
the tale is simply told while lighting the Yule log in an effort
to welcome the Sun, to encourage its easy birth, and to persuade
it to cast its warming, healing rays upon our bodies, hearts and
spirits.

Although Solstice traditions vary around the world, all of them include
light and fire. In Iran, for example, a Solstice celebration called
Yalda, or Sada, involves keeping vigils through the night as seaside
fires burn to encourage the Sun to defeat its alter ego, Darkness.
Some Germanic peoples still light a fire on this night to honor
Bertha – sometimes called “Hertha” – a
Sun goddess who tends to home and hearth…

Midwinter’s Day is called Alban Arthuan, or “the Light of Arthur”
in modern Druidism. Midwinter is traditionally reckoned as the
birthday of Arthur and the beginning of his fosterage and apprenticeship
with Merlin. In the darkest depths of Winter, the spark of the
new year’s light is understood to be rekindled…

Charge of the Sun Gods I am the Light that burns through the Darkness And the smile on the young child’s face I am the warmth that melts the winter chill And the sparks that dance from the old fireplace I am the smell of oranges and apples And the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove I am the holly, the ivy, the mistletoe ball, And the jocularity of the Great God, Jove I am found in the twinkling of an aged eye And in the hope of children everywhere Yes, joy and love and warmth am I Where kindness abounds, I, too, am there I am your brother, your father, the wise one And I warm you gently in the light of my love I lighten your worries, bring good health and speed growth By shedding my rays down on you from above But remember, my children, be grateful For my brother, the Darkness, and winter’s deep chill For without them, there would be little reason For this holiday season of peace and good will ~~ Dorothy Morrison ~~

Epona is a Pan-Celtic Goddess to whom inscriptions and dedications are
found throughout Europe. She is depicted either riding a horse
about her or with foals eating from her lap. She was the only
Celtic deity officially venerated in Rome, her feast being celebrated
on this day between the festivals of Consualia (15 Dec.) and Opalia
(19 Dec.) when the deities of the deep earth were honoured.
On this day, draft animals, such as horses, oxen and donkeys were
rested.

Epona is the matron of the life’s circuit from cradle to grave
and beyond, and is often depicted holding the napkin that starts
the race and the key that opens the gates of the Underworld…

Guising and mumming are celebrated throughout Britain and Ireland at this
time of year. An array of archetypal characters include the Fool,
the Royal Hero, the Foreign Opponent, the Giant, the Doctor, the
He-She and the Wise Man. The play is performed outdoors and goes
from village to village; it usually involves the Royal Hero’s
death and resurrection. In Ireland and Scotland, the players are
sometimes known as the Hogmanay Men or Christmas Rhymers…

Legend has it that animals can speak on Christmas Eve. Don’t listen
for them though – the same legend says it’s unlucky to hear them!

If the stars shine brightly on Christmas Eve, hens will lay well
during the coming year.

In Greece, it’s customary to burn all old shoes; this will
supposedly ward off misfortune in the new year. The shoe-burning
custom is most likely a throwback to the ancient Greek family
bonfires used to frighten the Kallikantzaroi (roaming monsters,
like werewolves) away.

In Germany, it’s customary to eat lots of greasy pancakes on
Winter Solstice, then leave a few on the table to feed the Winter
Hag. What if you forget to leave them? Legend has it that the
oversight insults the Hag and makes her very angry – so
angry, in fact, that She’ll hunt you down, slice open your
belly, and take the cakes right out. Why all the grease? There’s
a reason for that, too. Apparently, it makes the belly so slick
that the Hag’s knife slides right off – and no matter
how hard She tries, She can’t harm you or take your pancakes
away!

If you’re planning to give clothing as a holiday gift, take
care not to wash and iron it first. Doing so washes away good
luck and presses in bad.

To bring harmony to the home, some Scandinavian families place all
their shoes together side by side on Christmas Eve.

To determine the kind of luck you’ll have in the coming year, place
a cherry tree branch in water two weeks before Christmas. Good
luck is yours if the branch blossoms by Christmas Day.

On Christmas Eve in England, it’s common practice for unmarried girls
to knock on the hen house door. She’ll be married within the next
twelve months if a rooster answers her by crowing.

The Dawning of Solstice

T’was
the dawning of Solstice
The shortest day of the year
And we sheered on the Mother
For Her delivery was near
And as we watched the pink streaks
That flashed bright in the sky
We know He was coming
In the flash of an eye
Then the Mother groaned once
And an orange streak appeared
Then yellow, then white
And we all laughed and cheered
Then the first ray of sunshine
Bathed us all with its light
And we knew that the Sun
Had been born of the Night
And He rose in the sky – just a tiny bright ball –

To warm our hearts and our planet…
Happy Solstice to all!

~~
Adapted by Dorothy Morrison from the 1823 poem,
A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore ~~

In the Gaulish Calendrical Tablet, the Coligny Calendar, the month
of December-January was called Riuros, “the Cold Time”,
when the ice bites deep…

The Eve of New Year or Hogmanay is celebrated with greater enthusiasm
than Christmas in Scotland, mainly due to the diminution of Christian
festivals under Presbyterianism and Calvinism. Toasting the New
Year with Het Pint – a bowl of ale spiked with whiskey,
the eating of Black Bun or the Hogmanay Bannock, and the first
footing of a dark-haired individual carrying fuel (traditionally
coal) and uttering a blessing – these were traditionally
preceded by the “redding up” or tidying of the house
and its ritual cleansing by brands of smoking juniper. The following
blessing was said on Hogmanay in the Western Highlands of Scotland:

The blessing of God upon this house,
The blessing of Jesus upon this house,
The blessing of the Spirit upon this house,
The blessing of Brighid upon this house,
The blessing of Michael upon this house,
The blessing of Mary upon this house
The blessing of Columba upon this house…
On man and woman, on spouse and child,
On old and young, on maiden and youth,
With plenty of food and plenty of drink,
With plenty of beds and plenty of ale,
With many riches and much cheer,
With many kin and length of life,
Ever upon it.

..and as a Christmas entertainment, something Mistress Guernen Cimarguid this did for the Colorado Welsh Society the week after she finished the Long Poem….

[language note: Welsh “ch” is pronounced as in Scots “loch”; “te bach” = “tay ahk”]…(Dedicated
to Autocrats Everywhere)

King Arthur’s Christmas Tea

‘Twas long ago in Camelot, one snowy winter’s day,
King Arthur had been thinking, and to Merlin he did say,
“What shall we do for Christmas, bach, to celebrate this year?
December’s hard upon us, and the day is drawing near.

“This year I don’t want any wars, or green men with an ax,
I don’t want any dragons, or anything to tax
Myself or my Round Table.”, “Well,” said Merlin with a grin,
“Let’s have a good old Welsh te bach, and ask the neighbors in.”

“I like the idea,” Arthur said. “I’ll leave it up to you,
You’re the Welshest man among us, and I know you love a ‘do’.”
“All right,” said Merlin, “if you wish, I think I can contrive.
Just leave the whole thing up to me until the guests arrive.”

Merlin sat and made a list of debts he had to pay.
He looked in all his address books, the cards went out that day,
And in the country round about there soon began to be
A great anticipation of King Arthur’s Christmas Tea.

Then Merlin made arrangements, and recruited helpers, too,
Queen Guenevere and half her maids signed up for kitchen crew.
And half of the Round Table soon were helping them as well,
A Christmas application of a very special spell!

Camelot got house-cleaned from the bottom to the top,
Sir Lancelot turned out to be a dab hand with a mop.
Sir Lionel and Dinodan then polished up the floors,
While Percival and Galahad hung holly on the doors.

Sir Modred and Sir Tristram soon set up the Christmas tree
Right in the center of the hall, a fine fair sight to see.
Then Lamarok and Sagamore hung paper-chains and balls
And lastly Merlin lit the lights that twinkled through the hall.

Meanwhile, in the kitchens they were baking up a storm,
Teisennau bach and crempog, and Welsh cakes fresh and warm,
Pwdin Mynwy, Bara Brith, and tons of gingerbread,
They made them all by bushels so the guests could all be fed.

Then everyone dispersed to change into their Christmas best,
And Merlin went to Arthur, telling him he’d soon have guests.
Then he himself went off as well to tidy up a bit,
And draw a breath or two in peace before the panic hit.

Of course some guests came early, there always are a few
Who must anticipate the start of almost any ‘do’!
So Merlin set them all to work to help and make the tea
Which as usual wasn’t ready by the time that it should be!

Merlin poured the sherry, he had made it all himself,
And let it set to age at least three hours on the shelf,
Then added just a pinch of bat, he wanted it to be
The very best of beverages for Arthur’s Christmas tea.

King Melwas arrived early with the Lady of the Lake,
And Niniane not far behind, they each had brought a cake!
King Mark and Queen Iseult came late, Cornwall was quite a drive,
But they wouldn’t want to miss it, not while Tristram was alive.

King Lot came down from Orkney on the wings of the North Wind

With his Queen and sons and servants,
it was clear they meant to spend
The holidays at Camelot, invited they were not,
But that’s the way with relatives, some put you on the spot!

Kings Urien and Charlemagne and Maelgwyn Gwynedd came
And several hundred others who I won’t attempt to name.
There was tea and cakes a-plenty, there was sherry, port and rum,
And whatever you can think of, why, I’m sure the guests had some!

They ate and drank and laughed and talked,
the children had a ball
When they found the Christmas crackers Merlin hid about the hall.

There was music, too, the harpers played until their strings wore out!
And conversation filled the place until you had to shout.

The party lasted half that day and half the night as well,
If the food and drink had not run out I think they’d be there still.
And when at last the guests had gone Arthur surveyed the hall
And said to Merlin, “Merlin, bach, you really gave your all.”

“It’s a special magic,” Merlin said,
and sighed, for he was tired
And Arthur nodded. “Yes, it is, and one you’ve well acquired.
I’ve never seen a party that was so full of Christmas cheer,
Let’s have another like it, please, but not before next year!”

Recipes from stanza #8: http://home.comcast.net/%7Eariannx/Food/tea_recipes.html

Poem Source:
http://home.comcast.net/%7Eariannx/Stories/arthur.html

White candle
Pine incense
Salt
Small dish of water

Once the tree is placed and ready for decorating, light the incense
and the candle. Hold the incense and, beginning in the East, walk
around the tree clockwise and say something like:

With Air, I bless this tree of life
And blow away all stress and strife

Hold the candle and, beginning in the South, walk around the tree and
say something like:

I bless this tree by warmth of Fire
From which passion flows, and heart’s desire

Hold the water dish and, beginning in the West, walk around the tree
and sprinkle it while you say something like:

A gift of Water now I give
The cleansing flow by which we live

Take a handful of salt and, beginning in the North, circle the tree
and sprinkle it while you say something like:

I give you now the gift of Earth
The grounding force of love and mirth

Finally, circle the tree once more and say:

I cast this loving blessing fast
So peace and good will here shall last
I honor you, my friend, the tree
And bring you thanks now – blessed be

Source: Yule – A Celebration of Warmth & Light

An undying leafy rider
that seems to live on
when even its branching wind horse sapsucklemother
has surrendered it’s green and its life to Winter
along with the rest
of the creaking, groaning, soughing, sighing
herd of vegetable beasts.
That rider sits smug and secure
like a smiling dwarfish jockey
on a thundering brown leggy thing
and like a stylish topknot
on a dancing goddess
bobs:
the trickster who hides in abundance
but loudly declaims in paucity
“Here is abundance still!
Here is dark green dense full round microcosmic abundance still!
Here is leathery green symmetrical brittle abundance still!
Here is where abundance clusters:
cluster with me and abundance will cluster
with you!”
So we do,
and bring it inside
to place strategically
so that its cluster encourages intimate clustering.
This globular herb,
the pineal gland of the forest,
the window
the witness,
to the sustaining spirit of nature
that has elsewhere fled but here declares
its constancy;
the testament,
that says “here it is” “take this”
(to remember me by).

~~ From The Golden Bough by Frazier ~~