The
One Power that moves the Moon
Moves through you.
The Power that lights the Sun
Lights your life.
It is female and It is male,
It is clouds and rain,
It lives in the damp earth,
In root and in bud.
It moves the wind.
It is all life, born and unborn,
On this Plane, and in the next,
Visible and Invisible,
In planet and star.
It is infinite, It blesses and protects,
Heals and creates;
It moves backwards and forwards in Time,
Through all of Space –
In this life, and in myriad others yet to come,
And in the past as well.
This Power is yours,
As It is mine;
It is Goddess, and It is God.
Use It, for the good of all,
And according to the free will of all,
With ease and with joy –
To bless your life.
And so mote it be.

~~ Marion Weinstein ~~
(Positive Magic – Occult Self-Help)

Mabon is one of the eight solar holidays or sabbats of American Neopaganism. It is celebrated on the autumn equinox, which in the northern
hemisphere is circa September 21 and in the southern hemisphere is circa March 21.

Also called Harvest Home, this holiday is a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the Earth and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and God during the winter months.

Among the sabbats, it is the second of the three harvest festivals, preceded by Lammas and followed by Samhain.

Mabon was not an authentic ancient festival either in name or
date. The autumn equinox was not celebrated in Celtic countries,
while all that is known about Anglo-Saxon customs of that time
was that September was known as haleg-monath or ‘holy month’.

The name Mabon has only been applied to the neopagan festival of the autumn equinox very recently; the term was invented by Aidan Kelly in the 1970s as part of a religious studies project. (The use of Litha for the Summer Solstice is also attributed to Kelly).

Previously, in Gardnerian Wicca the festival was simply known as the ‘Autumnal Equinox’, and many neopagans still refer to it as such, or use alternative titles such as the neo-Druidical Aban Efed, a term invented by Iolo Morgannwg.

The name Mabon was chosen to impart a more authentic-sounding “Celtic” feel to the event, since all the other festivals either had names deriving from genuine tradition, or had had names grafted on to them. The Spring Equinox had already been misleadingly termed ‘Ostara’, and so only the Autumn Equinox was left with a technical rather than an evocative title. Accordingly, the name Mabon was given to it, having been drawn (seemingly at random) from Welsh mythology.

The use of the name Mabon is much more prevalent in America than Britain, where many neopagans are scornfully dismissive of it as a blatantly inauthentic practice. The increasing number of American Neopagan publications sold in Britain by such publishers as Llewellyn has however resulted in some British neopagans
adopting the term.

The Druids call this celebration, Mea’n Fo’mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.

Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter’s Night, which is the Norse New Year.

At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.

Mabon is considered a time of the Mysteries. It is a time to honor Aging Deities and the Spirit World. Considered a time of balance, it is when we stop and relax and enjoy the fruits of our personal harvests, whether they be from toiling in our gardens, working at our jobs, raising our families, or just
coping with the hussle-bussle of everyday life.

There are those who believe the equinox solar affect produces a reduction in the magnetic field of the Earth, providing easier access to other dimensions beginning around 24 hours before, and ending around 24 hours after the exact Equinox point.

Doorways or thresholds into the mysteries are more easily accessed during equinoxes and when we consciously engage this timing we are taking advantage of the opportunity to further activate our own experience of these sacred timings and what they have to offer us. This is a great time to be on the land, in a power spot that calls to you, whether that is in a forest, near a
body of water, on a mountain, in a sacred site or in your back yard. What is important is to create the time and space that supports a direct experience of the mysteries that are ready to reveal themselves to you.

Symbolism of Mabon:
Second Harvest, the Mysteries, Equality and Balance.

Symbols of Mabon:
wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates,
vines such as ivy, dried seeds, and horns of plenty.

Herbs of Mabon:
Acorn, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed,
myrrh, passion flower, rose, sage, solomon’s seal, tobacco,
thistle, and vegetables.

Foods of Mabon:
Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, and vegetables such as potatoes,
carrots, and onions.

Incense of Mabon:
Autumn Blend-benzoin, myrrh, and sage.

Colors of Mabon:
Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, and gold.

Stones of Mabon:
Sapphire, lapis lazuli, and yellow agates.

Activities of Mabon:
Making wine, gathering dried herbs, plants, seeds and seed pods,
walking in the woods, scattering offerings in harvested fields,
offering libations to trees, adorning burial sites with leaves,
acorns, and pine cones to honor those who have passed over.

Spellworkings of Mabon:
Protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence. Also
those of harmony and balance.

Deities of Mabon:
Goddesses: Modron, Morgan, Epona, Persephone, Demeter, Pamona
and the Muses.
Gods: Thoth, Thor, Hermes, and The Green Man.

Source: Crystalinks

This tale is found in one of the younger tales of the Mabinogi, the great tales of Wales. The tale takes place during the time of Arthur and is called “How Culthwch won Olwen.” The tale itself is long but to summarize it, Culthwch fell in love with Olwen who was the daughter of the giant, Ysbaddaden.
Ysbaddaden didn’t want her to marry for it had been foretold that on the day she was wed, he would die.

To prevent Culthwch from wedding her, Ysbaddadengave Culthwch a long list of deeds to be done before the wedding could take place. One of the deeds was to get the comb and shears that lie between the ears of the giant boar, Twrch Trwyth). Twrch Trwyth could only be brought to ground by Drudwyn , the pup of Greid, son of Eri. But there is no leash that will hold Drudwyn, save for the leash of Cors Hundred Claws, so Culthwch must get that as well. And there was no collar save that of Canhastry Hundred Hands that would hold the leash, so Culthwch must get that as well. And to attach the leash to the collar, only the chain of Kilydd Hundred Holds would do. And the only houndsman that could control Drudwyn was Mabon, son of Modron, who was abducted from his mother when he was three days old. And so begins our tale of Mabon.

After Arthur and the warriors of Britain had found some of the other things that Ysbaddaden required, they went looking for Mabon. The party looking for Mabon consisted of Gwrhyr , who could speak the languages of all people, birds and animals, Eiddoel, cousin of Mabon, Kei and Bedwyr.

They went first to the Ousel Of Kilgwri (an ousel is a mountain blackbird) and Gwrhyr, asked the Ousel, “Do you know anything of Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen away from between him mother and the wall when he was three days old?” The Ousel answered, “When I first came here, there was a smith’s anvil over there. No work has been done on that anvil save by me sharpening my beak on it every night. There is not so much as a nut of that anvil left and in all that time I have never heard of the man you seek. But I do know of one older that I and I will take you to him.”

The Ousel then took them to the Stag of Rhedenvre. Gwrhyr asked the Stag, “Do you know anything of Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen away from his mother when he was three days old?” The Stag answered, “When I first came here there was only a single antler on either side of my head and no tree grew here save a single oak tree. That oak tree grew into a large tree with a hundred branches. Long ago that tree fell and now nothing of it is left except for that stump. In all that time I have never heard of the man you seek. But I do know of one older
that I and I will take you to him.”

The Stag took them to Owl of glen Cawlwyd. Gwrhyr asked the Owl, “Do you know anything of Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen away from his mother when he was three days old?” The Owl answered, “When I first came here, this great valley you see before you was just a wooded glen. Then the race of man came and destroyed it. Then a second forest grew up. This forest you see today is the third such forest. As for me, my
wings have worn down to nothing but stumps. In all that time I have never heard of the man you seek. But I do know of the oldest creature in the world and the one who has traveled the most and I will take you to him.”

The Owl then took them to the Eagle of Gwernabwy. Gwrhyr asked the Eagle, “Do you know anything of Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen away from his mother when he was three days old?”The Eagle answered, “I came here long ago and when I first came I had a stone that I would stand on and peck at the starts. Today that stone is less than a hand’s-breath in height. In all that time I haven’t heard of the man you seek, except when I went hunting for food in lake Llyw. There I sank my claws into a large salmon, expecting it would feed me for several
days. Instead, it dragged me down into the water and I just barely escaped. I went back with all my relatives to destroy it, but it asked for peace and came to us to have fifty tridents pulled out of it’s back. Unless that salmon knows something of the man you seek, I know of none that can help you.”

The Eagle then took them to the Salmon of Lake Llyw. Gwrhyr asked the Eagle, “Do you know anything of Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen away from his mother when he was three days old?” The Salmon answered, “I swim upstream on every tide to feed near Gloucester, where I found such evil as I never heard before. If you would not believe me, let one of you ride on my shoulders up there.”

So Kei and Gwrhyr, both rode on the salmon’s shoulders until they came to an enclosure. There they heard a terrible moaning and lament coming from inside the walls. Gwrhyr, asked, “Who is doing this terrible moaning?” He was answered, “Alas, there is reason for this terrible lament. Mabon, son of Modron is here and no man has every been so horribly imprisoned.” Gwrhyr, asked, “Is there any hope of ransoming you from there?” and was answered, “No, only by force shall I escape.”

Kei and Gwrhyr went back to Arthur and told him of this. Arthur gathered his men and went back and freed Mabon. Thus ends this part of the tale of “How Culthwch won Olwen.”

In the beginning there was an island off the coast of Europe. It had no name, for the natives had no language, only a collection of grunts and gestures that roughly translated to “Hey!”, “Gimme!”, and “Pardon me, but would you happen to have any woad?”

Then the Romans invaded it and called it Britain, because the natives were “blue, nasty, br(u->i)tish and short.” This was the start of the importance of u (and its mispronounciation) to the language. After building some roads, killing off some of the nasty little blue people and walling up the rest, the Romans left, taking the language instruction manual with them.

The British were bored so they invited the barbarians to come over (under Hengist) and “Horsa” ’round a bit. The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes brought slightly more refined vocal noises.

All of the vocal sounds of this primitive language were onomatapoeic, being derived from the sounds of battle. Consonants were derivedfrom the sounds of weapons striking a foe. “Sss” and “th” for example are the sounds of a draw cut, “k” is the sound of a solidly landed axe blow, “b”, “d”, are the sounds of a head dropping onto rock and sod respectively, and “gl” is the sound of a body splashing into a bog. Vowels (which were either gargles in the back of the throat or sharp exhalations) were derived from the sounds the foe himself made when struck.

The barbarians had so much fun that decided to stay for post-revel. The British, finding that they had lost future use of the site, moved into the hills to the west and called themselves Welsh.

The Irish, having heard about language from Patrick, came over to investigate. When they saw the shiny vowels, they pried them  loose and took them home. They then raided Wales and stole both their cattle and their vowels, so the poor Welsh had to make do with sheep and consonants. (“Old Ap Ivor hadde a farm, L Y L Y W! And on that farm he hadde somme gees. With a dd dd here and a dd dd there…”)

To prevent future raids, the Welsh started calling themselves “Cymry” and gave even longer names to their villages. They figured if no one could pronounce the name of their people or the names of their towns, then no one would visit them. (The success of the tactic is demonstrated still today. How many travel agents have YOU heard suggest a visit to scenic Llyddumlmunnyddthllywddu?)

Meantime, the Irish brought all the shiny new vowels home to Erin. But of course they didn’t know that there was once an instruction manual for them, so they scattered the vowels throughout the language purely as ornaments. Most of the new vowels were not pronounced, and those that were were pronounced differently depending on which kind of consonant they were either preceding or following.

The Danes came over and saw the pretty vowels bedecking all the Irish words. “Ooooh!” they said. They raided Ireland and brought the vowels back home with them. But the Vikings couldn’t keep track of all the Irish rules so they simply pronounced all the vowels “oouuoo.”

In the meantime, the French had invaded Britain, which was populated by descendants of the Germanic Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. After a generation or two, the people were speaking German with a French accent and calling it English. Then the Danes invaded again, crying “Oouuoo! Oouuoo!,” burning abbeys, and trading with the townspeople.

The Britons that the Romans hadn’t killed intermarried with visiting Irish and became Scots. Against the advice of their travel agents, they descided to visit Wales. (The Scots couldn’t read the signposts that said, “This way to LLyddyllwwyddymmllwylldd,” but they could smell sheep a league away.) The Scots took the sheep home with them and made some of them into haggis. What they made with the others we won’t say, but Scots are known
to this day for having hairy legs.

The former Welsh, being totally bereft, moved down out of the hills and into London. Because they were the only people in the Islands who played flutes instead of bagpipes, they were called Tooters. This made them very popular. In short order, Henry Tooter got elected King and begin popularizing ornate, unflattering clothing.

Soon, everybody was wearing ornate, unflattering clothing, playing the flute, speaking German with a French accent, pronouncing all their vowels “oouuoo” (which was fairly easy given the French accent), and making lots of money in the wool trade. Because they were rich, people smiled more (remember, at this time, “Beowulf” and “Canterbury Tales” were the only tabloids, and gave generally favorable reviews even to Danes). And since it is next to impossible to keep your vowels in the back of your throat (even if you do speak German with a French accent) while smiling and saying “oouuoo” (try it, you’ll see what I mean), the Great Vowel Shift came about and transformed the English language. The very richest had their vowels shifted right out in front of their teeth. They settled in Manchester and later in Boston.

There were a few poor souls who, cut off from the economic prosperity of the wool trade, continued to swallow their vowels. They wandered the countryside in misery and despair until they came to the docks of London, where their dialect devolved into the incomprehensible language known as Cockney. Later, it was taken overseas and further brutalized by merging it with Dutch and Italian to create Brooklynese.

That’s what happened, you can check for yourself. But I advise you to just take our word for it.

Copyright (c) 1994 Corrie Bergeron and Ben Tucker all rights reserved

Permissions: This may be reproduced in SCA and Pagan newsletters for non- commercial purposes only. (i.e., If you make any money off of it, send us a cut. (g)

Owen Alun is a wandering Cornish poet and harper whose travels have taken him to EVERY group in the Northshield. Ben Tucker helps keep the St. Paul School District moving into the Information Age. (He recently wired his elementary school into the Internet so the kids can get on-line!)

Brendan O’ Corraidhe is a wandering Irish singer and storyteller. Corrie Bergeron is the design coordinator for the next generation of PLATO educational software.

More and more I have come to admire resilience.
Not the simple resistance of a pillow, whose foam
returns over and over to the same shape, but the sinuous
tenacity of a tree: finding the light newly blocked on one side,
it turns in another. A blind intelligence, true.
But out of such persistence arose turtles, rivers,
mitochondria, figs — all this resinous, unretractable earth.

~~ Jane Hirshfield ~~
(Given Sugar, Given Salt)

Trees have long been regarded as one of our nation’s greatest resources. In recognition of their importance, Arbor Day was established in Nebraska in 1872 to encourage pioneers and settlers to plant trees for shade, fuel,
shelter, and fruit.

These days, each state chooses its own date to observe Arbor Day, but the last Friday in April has been set aside as National Arbor Day. So why not carry on the tradition and plant a tree in your yard?

Before you select a tree, take note of the area where you want to plant it. Is the location in sun or shade? What type of soil does it have? Is the area soggy or well drained? Your tree will grow and thrive if make sure the site matches the tree’s optimum growing conditions.

Another important consideration is to compare the site to the expected size of the tree. Large trees like oaks can over power a small garden while smaller ornamental trees such as a dogwood will be lost in a great expanse of lawn. You will also need to consider proximity to buildings, sidewalks and other hardscape features. Tree canopies and root growth can be troublesome if planted in the wrong spot.

Don’t forget to look up to make sure that when the tree reaches its mature height it won’t interfere with any above ground wiring. It is also very important that you know where are the buried power, gas, and water lines are on your property. Utility companies will help you mark the lines before you dig. If you have a septic system in your yard, you’ll also want to avoid planting a tree where roots might grow into the laterals.

After selecting a site for your new tree, dig a hole. A good rule of thumb is to make it at least twice the size of the root ball, container or root spread. Mix the soil you’ve taken out of the ground with compost at a fifty-fifty ratio. Add this mixture to the bottom of the hole. This gives the roots a good home and raises the tree to the proper grade. You always want to try to match the original soil line with the existing grade of your lawn or garden. If your tree is container grown or bare root spread the roots out in the bottom of the hole.

Once you’ve positioned the tree, make sure any nylon cording is removed. Leaving it will girdle the tree and eventually kill it. Also, if your tree is balled and burlapped fold back the burlap from the top of the ball. This is biodegradable and will break down in just a few months. It’s important to note that these days some trees are balled and burlapped with a synthetic
material. In such instances the covering should be removed completely.

Now, just layer in the soil mixture. As you do this occasionally add water to displace any air pockets.

Once the tree is planted feed it with an all purpose liquid fertilizer and spread about three inches of mulch around the base.

Four Trees for Four Seasons of Color

Redbud ‘Forest Pansy’
Cercis canadensis

This is an incredible ornamental tree that is perfect for the small garden. The large heart-shaped leaves and deep burgundy color help it stand out in the garden. And of course its bloom, for many of us, is a favorite harbinger of spring, second only to the daffodil.

Fast Facts:
Zones: 5 – 9
Mature Height: 30’ wide by 30’ tall
Type: Deciduous
Growth Rate: Medium to Fast
Soil: Fertile, Loamy, Consistently Moist, and Well-Drained
Light: Full Sun to Dappled Shade
Bloom: Early Spring Before Leaves Emerge
Design Contribution: Good ornamental for a small garden. Purple blooms provide color and texture in early spring. Deep burgundy, heart shaped foliage continue color and pattern contribution through summer.

Red Maple ‘Red Sunset’
Acer rubrum

After seeing ‘Red Sunset’ ablaze in mid November, I knew I had to have at least one. The reds in the leaves are
bold and striking. These trees are the last fiery explosion of color in my garden before it nods off to sleep.

Fast Facts:
Zones: 3 – 9
Mature Height: 35’ wide by 50’ tall
Type: Deciduous
Growth Rate:Medium to Fast
Soil: Average to Acidic, Consistently Moist and Well-Drained
Light: Full Sun to Light Shade
Design Contribution: Beautiful red foliage in fall. Emerging leaf buds are also red, which provides color and texture in early spring. Dense green canopy in summer.

Smoke Tree
Cotinus coggygria

The purple leaves of the smoke tree are an excellent combination with the pink and lavender flowers in my garden. It gets its name from the fine drifts of bloom that resemble puffs smoke.

Fast Facts:
Zones: 4 – 8
Mature Height: 12’ wide by 10’ to 15’ tall
Type: Deciduous
Growth Rate: Medium
Soil: Loamy, Well-Drained
Light: Full Sun
Bloom: Summer
Design Contribution: Purple-pink ”puffs” of bloom create color and texture through the summer. Dark purple foliage adds color to garden design as well. Small size makes it perfect for borders or small space gardens. Drought resistant. Deer resistant.

Blue Atlantic Cedar
Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’

I am quite taken with this tree. Although I have not yet found a home for the Blue Atlantic cedar in my own garden, I use it whenever possible in gardens I design for clients. They make superb focal points in the garden year round and its silver-blue color contrasted with the browns and grays of a winter garden is exceptional.

Fast Facts:
Zones: 3 – 9
Mature Height: 40’ wide by 50’ tall
Type: Evergreen
Growth Rate: Slow
Soil: Average, Well-Drained
Light: Full Sun
Design Contribution: Conical shape and evergreen foliage makes this a good focal point tree. Silver-blue color provides winter interest. Medium to Fast
Soil: Average to Acidic, Consistently Moist and Well-Drained
Light: Full Sun to Light Shade
Design Contribution: Beautiful red foliage in fall. Emerging leaf buds are also red, which provides color and texture in early spring. Dense green canopy in summer.

~~ Source Unknown ~~

Go inside a stone
That would be my way.
Let somebody else become a dove
Or gnash with a tiger’s tooth.
I am happy to be a stone.

From the outside the stone is a riddle:
No one knows how to answer it.
Yet within, it must be cool and quiet
Even though a cow steps on it full weight,
Even though a child throws it in a river;
The stone sinks, slow, unperturbed
To the river bottom
Where the fishes come to knock on it
And listen.

I have seen sparks fly out
When two stones are rubbed,
So perhaps it is not dark inside after all;
Perhaps there is a moon shining
From somewhere, as though behind a hill—
Just enough light to make out
The strange writings, the star-charts
On the inner walls.

~~ Charles Simic ~~
(The Voice at 3 A.M.)

Every autumn a change washes over the area. The greens of summer begin to dwindle and are replaced by brilliant oranges and reds and yellows. It is as if some mysterious painter, tired of summer’s green, uses his entire
palette to create a world of colors.

Deciduous trees do this leafy color change act every year just before the leaves fall to decorate our lawns and cover up that fading green too. Interestingly, the word “deciduous” comes from a Latin root meaning “to fall off.”

The Algonquin Native Americans of this area had a legend which explained just why the leaves changes color. The legend tells of a mighty bear which roamed the countryside wreaking havoc among the Native Villages. The bear obviously had an attitude. He would charge into their village, eat all their food, destroy their homes, chase away their animals and like as not munch on a few women and children while he was at it.

Not surprisingly, the natives decided they had to do something about the bear. They had a meeting and selected the bravest hunters from each village to put an end to the bear. The hunters set out with their dogs and soon found the bear.

Now the bear was no fool, and when he saw the entourage sent after him, he decided on a change of residence, quickly. The bear began to run and the hunters and their dogs gave chase. On and on the bear ran and the hunters followed. Sometimes they would gain a little and then they would shoot some arrows. On one of these occasions an arrow nicked the bear. It was not a very big injury, but the bear howled with rage and fear and ran so fast he went up into the sky. The hunters, so bent on their pursuit, ran up into the sky after the bear.

The bear is represented by the 4 stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper. The three stars in the handle of the dipper represent the hunters chasing the bear. And the dimmer stars around the three hunters are their dogs. The hunters and bear go round and round in the north sky. But every fall, the Big Dipper comes low to the horizon. It is then, according to the legend, that
the bear’s wound leaks a few drops of blood, and this blood changes the colors of the leaves on the trees. It is a fanciful story, and if you look in the north sky you will indeed see that at this time of year the Big Dipper is almost touching the horizon.

Those beautiful orange and yellow colors we look forward to in fall have been in tree leaves since last spring. Leaves contain carotenoids – the substance that makes carrots orange — and xanthophylls, which make egg yolks yellow. In spring or summer, these colors are masked by the green pigment chlorophyll — needed for photosynthesis — the chemical reaction that works with water, air and sunlight to make food for a tree.

Photosynthesis takes place in the leaves of trees. And the leaves also let excess moisture evaporate from the tree. But during the winter, when the ground is frozen, a tree can’t absorb water through its roots. If it kept losing moisture through its leaves, the tree would die of thirst.

So the leaves have to go. When the tree senses the shorter days, less intense sun, and cooler temperatures of autumn, it begins to form a layer of new cells at the place where leaves attach to their stems. These cell layers ultimately completely plug up the tubes that carry water and minerals to the leaves. No water — no photosynthesis — so the green pigment chlorophyll
in the leaf is no longer needed. When it goes, you see the other colors that were hidden in the leaves all along.

Less romantic, I know, but impressive nonetheless…

~~ Source Unknown ~~

Crisp
and cool is the deepening night
Yet still soft and sweet is the morning dew
Blood red berries drip from old green yew
Chilly winds blowing in a sky still bright

Red and
yellow and bronze and brown
Fields and forests are no longer greening
The land prepares for its great sleeping
Drowsy trees wait for last leaf to fall down

The good
earth bursts with fruit and life
Shining apples, heavy vines and golden corn
The last birds sing farewell to a frosty morn
With ritual and rite, shovel, sickle and knife

We all play
a part in the great wheel of life

~~ Juniper  ~~

I use this type of meditation whenever I need to “recharge” and when beginning astral projection practice and sometimes when beginning psychic readings. More commonly I used a grounding meditation when performing readings. Both are effective and powerful.

Lie or sit in a relaxed and comfortable position, as you would for any meditation. Your spine should be straight and your head in alignment with your body. This meditation is in script mode, should one want to tape it and listen to it while performing the meditation. It is preferable to learn about energy and the methods of balancing, cleansing and charging the chakras and allow one’s own inner voice to lead the meditation. The following is just one way of performing this balancing. Allow your meditations to evolve and to reflect your individual values and beliefs. If taped, a slow, deliberate pace should be used with a mild voice and the appropriate pauses. The body should already be relaxed and the mind tranquil when beginning this meditation. Eyes are closed.

“Now that you are relaxed and feeling very much at peace, take a moment to ground yourself here in this moment, in this body, in this place, in this time……Take some deep breaths….In…. and out….In….and out….Follow the breath as it flows toward your nostrils, as it enters your nose, as it fills your lungs and then as it is expelled. That’s it, just relax into this quiet moment. Breathe in…follow your breath… and out. In….and out.

Feel where your body meets the (chair/bed/floor). Become aware of your body from head to toe, of your weight, of the heaviness of your limbs. Now focus on the area at the base of the spine, the area between your legs. This is the root chakra. It’s energy is red, and it governs your physical body, your physical health and vitality. In your mind, study the appearance of this chakra…note it’s color and vitality. Mentally envision the chakra and note any symbolic symptoms of dis/ease. Have you been caring well for your body? If your chakra is dusty, dirty, torn, or otherwise less than a perfectly brilliant red whirling vortex, imagine your hands (or those of a guide) working on the chakra. If it is dirty, clean away the dirt and throw it into an imaginary pail with a lid. Allow those hands to repair any imperfections, and when the chakra is clean, mentally take the pail and hurl it into the sun. Watch it as it travels through space and then bursts into a zillion bits of energy upon solar contact. Allow the sun to recycle this energy back into the universe.

Now turn your attention back to the root chakra. It is a clean and red. You are surrounded by infinite root energy. Imagine the room glowing red with this energy, feel it’s strength and power. See red swirls of energy flowing to your root chakra. You can feel this as a tingling as the energy fills your root chakra. As the energy swirls in your chakra grows large and deep red and strong. Allow the energy to fill your chakra until it is so vital that it extends several feet out from your body. In your mind you can see your root chakra, a brilliant red swirling vortex of physical energy.

Now turn your focus up to your abdomen, to the area of the “womb.” (Or where the womb would be if you’re a man). This is the orange chakra, that which controls clear thinking and creativity. Take a moment to observe the chakra. Note it’s color, it’s vitality. Is it clean and strong? Or is there work to be done here? Allow those invisible hands to cleanse the chakra, to repair or heal it. Discard any imperfections in the pail, and send the pail to the sun to recycle the energy. Now focus on the orange chakra again. It is now clean and whole, and a bright orange. Call out to the universe for orange creative energy and feel the space around you begin to glow orange. With a tingle you feel the energy begin to swirl into your chakra, charging it with
vitality, with creativity, with clear-thought. Watch as your orange chakra grows and whirls, until it extends out from your body for several feet, just as the red root chakra is still whirling and strong.

Now, turn from the red chakra, up through the orange chakra, to the solar plexus. This is the heart of the yellow chakra, that which governs will and ambition. Take a few moments to examine this chakra. Note it’s color and appearance. Have you been lazy of late, or perhaps too driven? Examine your will through this chakra. Allow the invisible hands to cleanse the chakra and heal it, discarding any imperfections or impurities in the pail. Send the pail to the sun for recycling.

Now return your attention to the yellow chakra, that of will. It is now clean and a bright yellow. ‘Universe, send me yellow energy, will energy, energy to achieve my goals, to work for that which I value and desire.’ Feel the yellow energy surrounding your body, and with a tingle feel the energy swirl into your solar plexus. In your mind you can see your red/root chakra glowing, whirling, your orange/womb chakra pulsing brilliantly, and your yellow/solar plexus chakra glowing strongly, extending several feet out from your body.

Now turn your attention to the middle of your chest, to the heart chakra, the green chakra. You may feel an instant wave of emotion. This chakra governs your feelings, your emotional connections to others and to the universe, to life itself. Examine this chakra. Note it’s color, vitality, any impurities. Gently allow those invisible hands to cleanse and purify the chakra. Reflect a moment on how you’ve been feeling emotionally lately. Are
there bindings holding in pain? Or is the chakra tight and hard with anger? Release any tensions, imperfections or impurities to the pail. Send them to the sun for recycling. They are still yours if you choose to hold them, but for now, release any pain or anger.

Now focus back on the heart chakra. It is clean and a beautiful green color. It whirls strongly and evenly. ‘Universe, send me green energy for my heart! Open my heart to the world, to all beings big and small, with compassion for our shared experiences and journey. Fill my heart with love energy, that I may in turn give love to others.’ Feel the green energy whirling into your heart. Watch the chakra grow and glow and spin with this new energy. From the red chakra through the orange chakra through the yellow chakra through the green chakra, your chakras are cleansed and charged and huge with energy.

Now focus on the throat, center of the blue chakra which governs communication and personal magnetism. Examine the chakra, noting
the color and any imperfections… Perhaps you haven’t been honoring your own beliefs and speaking out when you should. Or perhaps you’ve been talking over others, or not listening well. Perhaps you’ve been feeling shy and afraid to extend your energy in communication. Allow the hands to heal and cleanse the chakra and when finished, send the impurities to the sun
for recycling. Now the chakra is clean and strong and bright blue. Feel the air fill with blue universal energy. Feel the throat open as this energy swirls into the throat chakra. This energy charges your aura with magnetism, drawing others to you. Feel your throat open with this swirling, strong blue energy.

Now focus on the middle of your forehead, the third eye. This chakra is indigo and governs psychic vision and intuition. Examine the chakra for imperfections. Perhaps it is locked up due to fear. Perhaps it no longer spins out of neglect/stagnation. Allow the hands to cleanse the chakra, to heal any imperfections and recycle them in the sun. Now look at the chakra. It is a
beautiful deep indigo, clean and whirling. There is psychic energy available to you beyond measure. Feel it charge the air, swirl in and around and fill your third eye chakra with deep, vital indigo energy. Feel the third eye open, and note any mental visions as this occurs. Now is a good time to pray for increased psychic power. Note the red/root chakra, the orange/womb chakra, bright, strong, big! Move your attention up to the yellow/solar plexus chakra, to the green/heart chakra, open and brilliant, to the blue/throat chakra and the indigo/third eye chakra. Your chakras are huge, whirling, and fully charged.

Now focus your attention at the crown of your head. This chakra is violet near the body, fading to white further away. This chakra governs your connection to the universe/God/Goddess/The Creator, etc… This chakra is like an umbilical cord to “home.” Reflect on your spirituality of late, examine the chakra and allow any healing needed. In my experience this chakra generally needs much less work than the others. Allow the hands to heal, to cleanse, and recycle the discarded energy in the sun. Now examine the chakra. It is brilliantly violet, glowing white around the outside. Mentally reach out to that which you consider your “source…” to “God” or the Universe. Feel the response, the energy flowing back to you. Pray for the peace and joy of a strong crown chakra connection. Feel the violet energy flowing in, a loving embrace of your whole self, of your soul. See the crown chakra grow enormous, and the white energy surround your body.

All  your chakras are now clean, charged and in balance. From the red/root chakra, to the orange/womb chakra, to the yellow/solar plexus chakra, to the green/heart chakra, to the blue/throat chakra, to the deep purple/third eye to the violet/crown, your chakras are spinning and whirling, full of energy and vitality. See the white energy that extends up and out from the crown chakra enveloping your whole body in a egg of white energy. You are completely refreshed, calm, and peaceful. Your energy is balanced. You are full of vitality.

Copyright Julia-Melges Brenner, 1998 – 2007. Please feel free to share this meditation with others so long as this copyright notice remains intact. Blessed be, my kindred spirits!

Geiriau Ymadael

Eu llefaru
yw ein hatebion
Ac ie, eu distawrwydd –
Cipolwg trwy gymynrodd
O’r hen feirdd mawr ond dienw sydd eto’n aflonydd,
A’u tafodau â luniodd chwedl ein bywyd.
Crebachu wnaeth y bryniau a’r dyffryn â dyfodd,
Eu traed wisgasant y graig yn ddim
Yn eu teithio diddiwedd
I ail-ddarganfod yr odl sydd ynom ninnau (heno),
Oblegid yr un gân sydd yn dringo’r gwynt (heno)
Dros lethrau y byd gwyrdd
Ar un gân sydd ym machder prancio’r ceffylau,
Ac yng nghuro eu carnau mae mesur pur yr ail-adrodd hwn.

Parting Words

Their sayings
our explanations,
Their silences even –
Glimpses bequeathed us
Of those great and nameless singers unstilled,
Whose tongues have shaped the song that sings us.
Hills have shrunk, the valleys grown,
Their feet have worn the very rock away
In their journeying ages long
To find again the rhyme in us,
For the same song still rises in the wind,
Across the slopes of the green world,
And the same is in the pride of horses cantering,
And their hooves beat the pure meter of this recounting.

And next year in Dryad’s Realm!

In Gaia,
Ceridwen Seren-Ddaear, Senior Archdruid RDG &
Sybok Pendderwydd, Senior Clerk, RDG / Patriarch, OMS

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The Mother Grove is the home of the Senior Archdruid of RDG and of the Patriarch of the Order of the Mithril Star.

Colorado Springs, CO:
This autumn brings change. Our beloved preceptor Rev. Lloyd Pauli is going into retirement and at the age of 83 we wish him well on his golden voyage towards home. Things have slowed down in the grove tremendously therefore the Season of Harvest is also a season towards slumber.

We wish each and every one of you a wonderful harvest of love and goodness and of course ritual!

Dyddgu /|\
Arch Druid Circle of Stones

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RDG ProtoGrove, Agoura Hills, CA:
Rabbit in the Moon grove presented a hybrid ritual and UU Sunday service on July 31. It was well received by a total of 78 people attending.

We are planning to be at Pagan Pride L A with Raven’s Cry Grove, ADF and will celebrate the Fall Equinox with RCG as a Roman rite honoring Pomona, led by Michael and Jonathan of Rabbit in the Moon.

Our activities are listed on Witchvox and the L.A. Pagan Examiner.

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MYNT,
AD Michael

Swansea, Wales, U.K.
We did nothing ourselves for Lughnasadh but joined in with the swansea pagans for a joint ritualdown on the Gower Perninsular. Mabon will not be happening as most of us are away. We have a new member John L Davies also from swansea area.Have managed to get a local farmer to let us use his land in exchange for keeping an eye open for sheep rustlers (yes it does happen). We hope to have samhain on his land. As 2 members of the grove have no pc I am making hard copies of lessons for them. No election this year as am only 3rd in grove lol, have still to see who can be scribe
etc.

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Spokane, WA
For Lughnasadh, we paricipated with the local chapter of CUUPS in a celebration of the day. There was stone tossing (I came in second, beat out by a younger man), bocci, a picnic and lots of fellowship. We did a fun ritual where before food we smudged, did intentions and decorated a “wicker” man (actually made out of sticks with a wicker head). The decorations were bits from our home gardens, flowers, herbs and/or fruits and veges. Then we made straw men and went to eat. The return was done after meal cleanup and comprised of a thoughtful return to the fire area led by one of our local witches. After that, we had a short meditation and then lit the fire. One by one, we consigned our individual straw men to the fire. There was a very reverant silence that naturally fell for about 10 full minutes after that. Then we settled near the fire and had fellowship. Every person that came to the event mentioned what a special time it was and how much they enjoyed it.

For Mabon, we will probably do something similar to Lughnasadh, though the event will be different. Right now, since there are only three of us, we have a tendency to participate with the larger pagan community (our Lughnasadh celebration was about 20 people).

Right now, however, the three members of our grove are all moving toward 3rd Order ordinations and working up the grove in size. We each have candidates in mind and have elected to do a single candidate method of expansion. Each can bring one person until that person decides to stay or go. Then they can bring another. But before we begin that, we wanted to get to 3rd.

That’s the news from Polaris Grove in lovely Eastern Washington!

MYNT,
Wayne Stewart, AD

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Bullhead City, AZ
The Circle of Flowing Truth Grove unfortunately did not perform any ceremony for Lughnasadh though it’s members attended a local open circle to which they are also members. Currently there are no plans for a Mabon ceremony though if we decide to do one it will be posted to the various other lists and pages for everyone to see. We are currently reaching to other local pagan practitioners testing the waters & attempt to see if there are others interested in Druidry. Also we are working on our group dynamic and requirements for personal elevation as well as those for our grove’s elevation.

mynt- jeffrey / dykarzy, AD /|\

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RDG ProtoGrove, Crossville, TN:
No news this season…

Our online Family
Make a free account with runboard, then apply the link.

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Middleburg, FL:
No news this season…

Till next time,
Penda, Archdruid

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Anderson, CA:
No news this season…we are on hiatus…

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Blessings of Summer,
Tiffiny /|\
ArchDruid, Grove of the Manzanita, RDG

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Although it’s not a “Grove”, the NoDaL still qualifies as an “autonomous collective” of the Reformed Druids of Gaia, and consists of all the 3rd Order Druids therein. The purpose of the NoDaL is to provide a space for Archdruids of the RDG Groves and Proto-Groves to discuss the many aspects of running a group of Druids, and provide advice and support for each other. They also act as the “legislative” branch of the RDG – creating policy as needed.

In January 2011, the NoDaL voted to make some changes to the degree
system used by RDG. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degrees will henceforth be called “Orders.” In regard to members of the 3rd Order, it is henceforth a requirement that members of the 3rd Order participate in the NoDaL debates and votes, which are done in within an internet group.

Philadelphia, PA:
Currently meeting in the lush emerald woods of Fairmount Park in the city of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection (commonly know as Philadelphia), Aelvenstar Grove honors Mother Earth. The grove was formally founded Beltaine, 2004 and is a proto grove of the Reformed Druids of Gaia/Order
of the Mithril Star and the Reformed Druids Of North America. In addition, we are associated with other pagan organizations such as Per NTR Sesen and Temple Harakhte.

Looking to our ancestors and the ancients, Aelvenstar Druids respect all life and receive inspiration from Nature and the heavens. We believe it is the natural state of Mankind to live in harmony with Nature. and that it is our responsibility to respect and protect the Earth. As activists, it is our responsibility to do our part collectively and individually to heal the environment.

Emphasizing development through the practice of Druidcraft, focus is placed upon personal growth through the development of body, mind, and spirit. Through study, discussions, rituals, retreats, fellowship, and meditation, a spiritual framework is provided through which Druids may further develop themselves.

Aelvenstar Grove holds eight celebrations a year, on the solstices, equinoxes, and cross quarter festivals. We sometimes meet on other occasions for outings and initiations. Online meetings and initiations are held too, as some members live a distance away.

We welcome new members of all backgrounds who love nature and seek
spirituality permeated in the divine beauty and wonder that surrounds us. Nature is groovy!

Courses available: Reformed Druidism 101

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Live Oak , FL:
Greetings!
White Horse ProtoGrove is sorta in idle mode at the moment………….I am back at college working on my LPN & doing pre-requisites for my RN at the moment & have been very busy……..

Blessings,
Ann Feather

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Roots Rocks and Stars
RDG “Proto-Grove”

Albany, OR:
Roots Rocks and Stars currently consists of three humans and two canine companions. We people are all college students, one in natural resources, one in Literature, and one in history. We live together in a small apartment in Corvallis Oregon’s north end. We are all ethnically descended from British Isle and French folks (some Native Canadian/American ancestry as well) and this colors our rituals. We are primarily dedicated to Cernunnos, Epona, Brigid, and Cerridwen but actually tend toward an abiding devotion to nature and spirit without too much investment in names and images. Our rituals tend to involve home-cooking and plenty of beer.

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