Wealdburganiht / May Day
I held my observance of Wealdburganiht last night. Pre-ritual, I spent an hour or so sitting out on the rocks along the harbor waiting for dusk. (The city closes this little neighborhood park just after dusk, so I figured I'd sit 'til then and then return home for the ritual). It was windy, and I watched as several banks of clouds blew in as I sat. Just before dusk, the winds really started to gust. I could really feel that the Wild Hunt's ride was on the way. Before leaving the park, I made an offering to the local wights and thanked them for allowing me to sit and share their space for a time.
I readied the items I would use in the ritual. The wéofod was hallowed with flame and récels, as were the gifts I would give. I then carried the récelsfæt throughout the flat as I opened the windows. Returning to the wéofod, I recited the leóþ I'd written for Wealdburg (see LJ post at http://bardawulf.livejournal.com/10268.html ).
Wealdburg was hailed. I thanked her for past favor and asked for her continued good will. I then toasted Wealdburg with a horn of a nice Kentish red wine from Tenterden. Gifts of Red Windsor cheese, homemade Melba toast and some dried apricots were offered along with the remainder of the wine. After closing the ritual, the gifts were left near an open window to await Wealdburg's arrival. After rising this morning, and after enjoying a large mug of coffee(!), the gifts from last night's ritual were taken and left at my usual spot near the edge of the water.
Today being May Day, and I being the rather political type that I am, I'm off later this morning to take part in a May Day March. The march will begin in Central Square, here in East Boston, and end in a park in the neighboring city of Chelsea. Following the march there will be music, and the remainder of the afternoon will be spent picnicing and playing in the park. Sounds like a perfectly Heathen way to celebrate May Day, to me!
I readied the items I would use in the ritual. The wéofod was hallowed with flame and récels, as were the gifts I would give. I then carried the récelsfæt throughout the flat as I opened the windows. Returning to the wéofod, I recited the leóþ I'd written for Wealdburg (see LJ post at http://bardawulf.livejournal.com/10268.html ).
Wealdburg was hailed. I thanked her for past favor and asked for her continued good will. I then toasted Wealdburg with a horn of a nice Kentish red wine from Tenterden. Gifts of Red Windsor cheese, homemade Melba toast and some dried apricots were offered along with the remainder of the wine. After closing the ritual, the gifts were left near an open window to await Wealdburg's arrival. After rising this morning, and after enjoying a large mug of coffee(!), the gifts from last night's ritual were taken and left at my usual spot near the edge of the water.
Today being May Day, and I being the rather political type that I am, I'm off later this morning to take part in a May Day March. The march will begin in Central Square, here in East Boston, and end in a park in the neighboring city of Chelsea. Following the march there will be music, and the remainder of the afternoon will be spent picnicing and playing in the park. Sounds like a perfectly Heathen way to celebrate May Day, to me!