Bring Back the Light
Fifteen years ago tonight I attended my very first Circle at the newly-public Ravenscry Temple. Todd and Andy accompanied me because Todd was a seeker like myself at the time and Andy was just curious. While a man with very large teeth and an even larger personality (I found out later he was Lord Ariel Morgan) smudged the circle in preparation for the ritual, I was introduced to Lord Lugh and Lady Bedaya, and became very chatty with a priest by the name of Lord Eblin. Lord Eblin examined the lines in my palms and pointed out that I had a star in my left palm, noting that such a sign was encouraging and a mark of a special person. I'm still pretty skeptical about that, but it made me feel very good.
At one point, I had to withdraw from everyone and get my bearings. I walked around the side of the house and saw a cat rush into the high weeds of a nearby field. Being the crazy cat lady, I was compelled to go to the edge of the field and try to talk the cat out of hiding. I heard rustling nearby and stepped up my cajoling. "Heeeere, pretty kitty, c'mon I won't hurt you. Kittykittykitty!" It was not a cat that emerged from the weeds, but the biggest rat I've ever seen. This rat could have worn a saddle and hauled around a cowboy. Dismayed, I backed away and returned to the group at the back of the house, finding Todd and Andy.
One by one we were smudged and anointed before entering the Circle. The Quarters were called and Lord Lugh and Lady Bedaya drew down the Moon and the Sun. The ritual itself focused strongly on renewal and rebirth, allowing us all to participate in the celebration. My heart was pounding. Here within this Circle, I found a new purpose for myself, a new path. I felt as though I'd come home after years of wandering lost.
After Circle, I spoke again with Lord Eblin and considered becoming a dedicant to Ravenscry. I ended up not doing that; instead, I was taken on as a student by Lady Layla, who was at that time the High Priestess of Hecate Triskele. She worked with Lord Ariel during those days and, as a result, I became a dedicant to Hecate Triskele and the Caledonii Tradition. Despite the drama and disappointment at times during my affiliation with the Caledonii, I am still convinced that I made the right choice in opting to go with them instead of Ravenscry. I don't have anything against Ravenscry at all! I just think that the path I took was the right one for me. I would never have met Lady Neith or Lord Gwydion had I not taken this path. It's on nights like tonight I miss them the most.
So on this night, so called Alban Arthan in my Tradition, I always revisit my first Circle and I can hear that song by Gypsy rippling through my mind. I really need to get her album on CD....
BRING BACK THE LIGHT
Sing Merry Meet, Merry Meet in the Circle.
Come on along as you join in the song.
Bring back the Light.
Light never ending.
Through dark of night, this call we are sending.
With all our might.
Bring back the Light.
Bring back the Light.
Our hearts are open.
On Solstice night
We are invoking
The Lord of Light.
Bring back the Light Queen of the Stars,
Queen of the Moon,
Queen of the Horns and Queen of Fire.
Lord of Life, Seed of Light
Flame that warms the coldest night.
Queen of the Stars, Queen of the Moon,
Queen of the Horns and Queen of Fire.
Hearken to the Witches' Rune,
Work our will as we desire.
Lord of Life, Seed of Light
Flame that warms the coldest night.
Bring to us the Waxing Light,
Be with us on Solstice night.
Bring back the Light.
Light is descending.
To Earth tonight,
Light never ending.
To Earth tonight
Bring back the Light.
So to whomever reads this and celebrates the Winter Solstice, I bid you a Happy Yule! May the blessings of the new light illuminate your world and your life.
At one point, I had to withdraw from everyone and get my bearings. I walked around the side of the house and saw a cat rush into the high weeds of a nearby field. Being the crazy cat lady, I was compelled to go to the edge of the field and try to talk the cat out of hiding. I heard rustling nearby and stepped up my cajoling. "Heeeere, pretty kitty, c'mon I won't hurt you. Kittykittykitty!" It was not a cat that emerged from the weeds, but the biggest rat I've ever seen. This rat could have worn a saddle and hauled around a cowboy. Dismayed, I backed away and returned to the group at the back of the house, finding Todd and Andy.
One by one we were smudged and anointed before entering the Circle. The Quarters were called and Lord Lugh and Lady Bedaya drew down the Moon and the Sun. The ritual itself focused strongly on renewal and rebirth, allowing us all to participate in the celebration. My heart was pounding. Here within this Circle, I found a new purpose for myself, a new path. I felt as though I'd come home after years of wandering lost.
After Circle, I spoke again with Lord Eblin and considered becoming a dedicant to Ravenscry. I ended up not doing that; instead, I was taken on as a student by Lady Layla, who was at that time the High Priestess of Hecate Triskele. She worked with Lord Ariel during those days and, as a result, I became a dedicant to Hecate Triskele and the Caledonii Tradition. Despite the drama and disappointment at times during my affiliation with the Caledonii, I am still convinced that I made the right choice in opting to go with them instead of Ravenscry. I don't have anything against Ravenscry at all! I just think that the path I took was the right one for me. I would never have met Lady Neith or Lord Gwydion had I not taken this path. It's on nights like tonight I miss them the most.
So on this night, so called Alban Arthan in my Tradition, I always revisit my first Circle and I can hear that song by Gypsy rippling through my mind. I really need to get her album on CD....
BRING BACK THE LIGHT
Sing Merry Meet, Merry Meet in the Circle.
Come on along as you join in the song.
Bring back the Light.
Light never ending.
Through dark of night, this call we are sending.
With all our might.
Bring back the Light.
Bring back the Light.
Our hearts are open.
On Solstice night
We are invoking
The Lord of Light.
Bring back the Light Queen of the Stars,
Queen of the Moon,
Queen of the Horns and Queen of Fire.
Lord of Life, Seed of Light
Flame that warms the coldest night.
Queen of the Stars, Queen of the Moon,
Queen of the Horns and Queen of Fire.
Hearken to the Witches' Rune,
Work our will as we desire.
Lord of Life, Seed of Light
Flame that warms the coldest night.
Bring to us the Waxing Light,
Be with us on Solstice night.
Bring back the Light.
Light is descending.
To Earth tonight,
Light never ending.
To Earth tonight
Bring back the Light.
So to whomever reads this and celebrates the Winter Solstice, I bid you a Happy Yule! May the blessings of the new light illuminate your world and your life.