Rites of Spring Have Sprung
Silver Falls Grove celebrated our Rites of Spring today focusing on the story of Persephone and Demeter (with those two as our key offerings).
It was a lovely rite. KC bought a bunch of flowers to decorate the altar and it just "worked". It looked like spring. We were indoors, despite the nice weather it is still pretty marshy back at the medicine wheel and the church asked us to hold off on holding rites outdoors, but with the sliding doors open and all the flowers around it was just beautiful.
We had 24 attendees today, including at least 5 first time visitors, some UUs and some visiting local pagans, 2 Cranes up from Columbus, and our local transplanted Black Bear. It was so nice seeing everyone, I am so glad they made it!
I was a bit nervous about the rite today because the two people with very pivotal roles had never had speaking parts in our rites before. I shouldn't have been. They did an awesome job, I am really proud of them and really proud of the rite we offered today. For the first time I can honestly say that I feel like rites at Silver Falls are starting to "gel" we are starting to work together well and cultivating a much clearer ritual voice. I have always been proud of our rites but I am even more proud of the way we just continue to get better and better.
I'll admit it, I have been struggling a lot lately. Some of that, of course, has to do with the time of year. The end of winter is always a rough time for me. And some of that, of course, has to do with the stress of not having a job despite trying my damndest. It has been a stressful time and I have really wondered lately if the Grove is the right path. I don't think that is a bad thing. I think really thinking deeply about something is a good thing. And struggle is a part of life. I would be more worried if I did not struggle from time to time.
Anywho ... the rite today was awesome, and the omen really meaningful to me. KC called it the George W. Bush omen "stay the course" but there was also an idea of "yeah, it will be rough sometimes, stick with it" which I needed to hear. As I said, i really feel we are getting a good (or better) grasp on ritual as a group and it makes me happy.
After the rite we did a healing circle for a local girl who has ran away/been abducted and been missing for several days. It was done at the request of her father. We don't know all the details exactly so Missy called on Demeter to give her (and her family) strength and keep her safe and Hecate to light the way for her to return home and we toned our desire for her safety and safe return while anointing an image with her with amber oil. It was really powerful and I am proud that we could offer it to her and her family.
The ritual today was just what I needed, can't wait for May Day and our upcoming Fools rite!
It was a lovely rite. KC bought a bunch of flowers to decorate the altar and it just "worked". It looked like spring. We were indoors, despite the nice weather it is still pretty marshy back at the medicine wheel and the church asked us to hold off on holding rites outdoors, but with the sliding doors open and all the flowers around it was just beautiful.
We had 24 attendees today, including at least 5 first time visitors, some UUs and some visiting local pagans, 2 Cranes up from Columbus, and our local transplanted Black Bear. It was so nice seeing everyone, I am so glad they made it!
I was a bit nervous about the rite today because the two people with very pivotal roles had never had speaking parts in our rites before. I shouldn't have been. They did an awesome job, I am really proud of them and really proud of the rite we offered today. For the first time I can honestly say that I feel like rites at Silver Falls are starting to "gel" we are starting to work together well and cultivating a much clearer ritual voice. I have always been proud of our rites but I am even more proud of the way we just continue to get better and better.
I'll admit it, I have been struggling a lot lately. Some of that, of course, has to do with the time of year. The end of winter is always a rough time for me. And some of that, of course, has to do with the stress of not having a job despite trying my damndest. It has been a stressful time and I have really wondered lately if the Grove is the right path. I don't think that is a bad thing. I think really thinking deeply about something is a good thing. And struggle is a part of life. I would be more worried if I did not struggle from time to time.
Anywho ... the rite today was awesome, and the omen really meaningful to me. KC called it the George W. Bush omen "stay the course" but there was also an idea of "yeah, it will be rough sometimes, stick with it" which I needed to hear. As I said, i really feel we are getting a good (or better) grasp on ritual as a group and it makes me happy.
After the rite we did a healing circle for a local girl who has ran away/been abducted and been missing for several days. It was done at the request of her father. We don't know all the details exactly so Missy called on Demeter to give her (and her family) strength and keep her safe and Hecate to light the way for her to return home and we toned our desire for her safety and safe return while anointing an image with her with amber oil. It was really powerful and I am proud that we could offer it to her and her family.
The ritual today was just what I needed, can't wait for May Day and our upcoming Fools rite!