2012 HOG calendar
Throughout the year, our grove hosts a number of events. There are usually many new faces alongside the old ones. These events always include a lot of fellowship and a goodly amount of food. Fellowship is the foundation of our grove, and feasting — sharing a meal with others — is a key part. It also illustrates a major tenet in ADF druidry: Hospitality. Opening our rituals, our campfires, and often our own homes to others, for me, is one of the great joys in following this path.
With the influx of new participants into our after-event celebrations – the potluck feast and/or the campfire – comes trash. No, not people who don’t know how to behave in polite company. Real trash, garbage. Some increase in trash is to be expected. More people means simply more stuff. However, this doesn’t have to mean more waste.
Providing containers for recyclables and encouraging attendees to use recyclable items is a big step in the right direction. In our grove, we try to take a step further. When event announcements are sent out, we include reminders and guidelines about what to bring. A dish to share, your own beverages, firewood for the sacred fire and campfire, camp chairs, and feast gear. Most who have been around a while understand feast gear to be your own plates, cups, and utensils. Bringing one’s own feast gear benefits the host group by solving the dilemma of having more people show up than anticipated and having to scramble to make sure there are enough plates and forks, etc, to go around. It can also significantly reduce the amount of trash and waste when the feast gear is nondisposable and reusable or at least recyclable.
Disposable plates and plastic utensils are very convenient, and convenience has its place, However, they take up a lot space in landfills and contribute to the overall environmental waste problem, and we encourage that extra effort it takes to reduce that sort of waste.
We approach the sacred grove,
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone,
Join us now in ways of old,
We have come home.
(Words by Sean Miller, music “an Old English plainsong” traditional)
Earth Mother, we sing to your body,
Earth Mother, we sing to your bones,
Earth Mother, we honor your spirit,
Earth Mother, we honor your stones.
(Author Unknown)
CHORUS
By Fire and by Water, between the Earth and Sky
We stand like the World-Tree rooted deep, crowned high.Come we now to the Well, the eye and the mouth of Earth,
Come we now to the Well, and silver we bring,
Come we now to the Well, the waters of rebirth,
Come we now to the Well, together we sing:CHORUS
We will kindle a Fire, Bless all, and with harm to none,
We will kindle a Fire, and offering pour,
We will kindle a Fire, A light ‘neath the Moon & Sun,
We will kindle a fire, our spirits will soar.CHORUS
Gather we at the Tree, the root & the crown of all,
Gather we at the Tree, Below & above,
Gather we at the Tree, Together we make our call,
Gather we at the Tree, In wisdom & love.CHORUS (with gusto)
(Words and music by Ian Corrigan ©Stonecreed Grove, ADF)
Gatekeeper open the portals,
Between the Gods and mortals,
Power freely flows,
As our magic grows.(Words and music by Liafal)
Power of the Spirits
Repeating: Power of the spirits…Alternating response:
Flowing through me…
Shining in me…
Growing with me…
(repeat as desired)(Words and music by Ian Corrigan, ©StoneCreed Grove 1998.)
MABON 2011
Pre-ritual briefing (at the front porch)
Musical signal (3 x 3)
Procession/gathering
Cense & asperge (individually as we pass the altar, proceeding into ritual space)
Group meditation
Offering to the Earth Mother, Nerthus
Offering/Bribe to the Outdwellers
Presiding Druid — Statement of purpose and historical precedent
Re-creating the sacred cosmos and offerings to the Well, Fire, and Tree (The Portal Song sung by all as offerings are made)
Opening the gates and call to Heimdall
Inviting the Kindreds {Gods, Spirit of the Folk, Landvettir}
Presiding Druid– Prayers and offerings to Freyr and Sif
Omen
Blessing cup
Hallowing the Waters of Life
Affirmation of the Blessings (the valkyrie will carry the horn around the circle to each participant)
Personal workings
Presiding Druid– Thanking Freyr and Sif
Thanking the Kindreds (in reverse order)
Closing the gates and thanking Heimdall & unwinding the cosmos
Thanking the Earth Mother
Presiding Druid– Closing the rite
MIDSUMMER/SUMMER SOLSTICE 2011
Pre-ritual briefing
Procession/gathering – All singing:
We approach the sacred grove
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone.
Join us now in ways of old.
We have come home.
Cense & asperge – Each participant stops at the altar to cense & asperge and meditate briefly as they enter sacred space.
Senior Druid: We are gathered today to celebrate the old ways, to honor the gods, our ancestors, and the spirits of this land. Let us pray with a good fire.
Group meditation
Offering to the Earth Mother, Nerthus:
Druid — We invite Nerthus, mighty Earth Mother, to join us today as we celebrate her reawakening.
All –Welcome, Nerthus!
Offering/Bribe to the Outdwellers (offering ale)
Prayer to Bragi for bardic inspiration
Statement of purpose, historical precedent, and introduction of Sunna, the Deity of the Occasion:
Presiding Druid:
Re-creating the cosmos and offering to the Well, Fire, and Tree – All sing while offerings of silver to the Well, oil to the Fire, and cornmeal to the Tree are made:
The Portal Song
CHORUS
By Fire and by Water, between the Earth and Sky
We stand like the World-Tree rooted deep, crowned high.
Come we now to the Well, the eye and the mouth of Earth,
Come we now to the Well, and silver we bring,
Come we now to the Well, the waters of rebirth,
Come we now to the Well, together we sing:
CHORUS
We will kindle a Fire, Bless all, and with harm to none,
We will kindle a Fire, and offering pour,
We will kindle a Fire, A light ‘neath the Moon & Sun,
We will kindle a fire, our spirits will soar.
CHORUS
Gather we at the Tree, the root & the crown of all,
Gather we at the Tree, Below & above,
Gather we at the Tree, Together we make our call,
Gather we at the Tree, In wisdom & love.
CHORUS (with gusto)
(Words and music by Ian Corrigan ©Stonecreed Grove, ADF)
Opening the gates and call to Heimdall: [All begin chanting, “Open the gates,” and continues throughout the call.]
Druid (offering wine or ale) – Mighty Heimdall, Guardian of Asgard.
Bifrost’s Watchman,
Far of sight, keen of hearing.
We ask that you open the gates between the worlds
That we may interact freely with the Gods
And that offerings and blessings may flow without obstruction.
Heimdall! Open the gates!
All (shouting) – Open the gates!
Inviting the Kindreds –
Druid (offering wine)—Shining Ones, might Aesir and Vanir, we invite you to join us today.
All – Shining Ones, accept our sacrifice!
Druid (offering wine) – Honored Ancestors – Disir, Ancient Mothers; Alfir, Fathers of our Fathers, we invite you to join us today.
All – Ancestors, accept our sacrifice!
Druid (offering wine)—Landvettir, spirits and wights that inhabit this land, we invite you to join us today.
All – Landvettir, accept our sacrifice!
Prayer and offerings to Sunna: tbd
Presiding Druid –
Blessing cup – (Druid holds up the pitcher of juice)
Druid – As is our custom, in our tradition, a gift calls for a gift. We have made sacrifice and offerings to the gods. Now, we as for their blessings in return. We, the Children of the Earth, call out for the Waters of Life. Shining Ones, give us the Waters of life!
All – Shining Ones, give us the Waters of Life!
Druid (pours juice into the horn and raises the horn for all to see) –Behold! The Waters of Life!
Valkyrie (taking the horn and presenting it to each participant, asking each) –Do you accept the Blessings of the gods?
Omen
Praise offerings/Personal workings
Thanking Sunna –
Presiding Druid –
Thanking the Kindreds –
Druid — We thank the Kindreds for joining us today – Shining Ones; beloved Ancestors; respected Landvettir – thank you for your presence and participation in our rite.
Thanking Heimdall and closing the gates –
Druid — We thank you, Heimdall, for opening the gates and allowing us to move freely between the worlds. Heimdall, let the gates now be closed.
Closing the gates and Un-winding the sacred cosmos: Tree, Fire, Well –
Druid — Now, the gates between the worlds are closed and once again the portals return to their everyday functions – the Sacred World Tree is once again simply our tree; the Sacred Fire is once again simply our fire; and the Sacred Well is once again simply our well.
Thanking the Earth Mother and grounding –
Druid — We thank the Earth Mother Nerthus for joining us today. You who were here before us and will remain long after we are gone, the foundation that we build upon. To you, we return the remaining portions of our offerings and energies from our workings here today.
Closing the rite
Senior Druid –
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Join Hallowed Oaks as we celebrate Midsummer.
Gates open at 6 pm Friday This will be a camping weekend. I have space for about 10 to 12 medium-sized tents. If you’re camping, you will need your typical camping gear. Meals are on your own except for Saturday’s Feast and Sunday brunch. Be sure to bring plenty of water and coolers. Don’t forget your camp chairs, feast gear, or sunscreen. Contact Brenda @ nix1963@gmail.com |
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Join Hallowed Oaks for Beltaine 2011. Saturday, April 30, in Madison, AL. Doors open at 6 pm. Ritual begins promptly at 7 pm. Feast/potluck to follow.
Don’t forget a dish to share, your own beverages, your feast gear, wood for the sacred fire, and canned goods for our ongoing donations to Alabama Food Bank.
Directions will be sent out closer to the actual date, as confirmation of attendance comes in.
We’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible!
Brenda
SPRING EQUNOX/OSTARA 2011
Pre-ritual briefing
Procession/gathering – All singing:
We approach the sacred grove
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone.
Join us now in ways of old.
We have come home.
Cense & asperge – Each participant stops at the altar to cense & asperge and meditate briefly as they enter sacred space.
Opening prayer: We are gathered today to celebrate the old ways, to honor the gods, our ancestors, and the spirits of this land. Let us pray with a good fire.
Group meditation
Offering to the Earth Mother, Nerthus:
Druid — We invite Nerthus, mighty Earth Mother, to join us today as we celebrate her reawakening.
All –Welcome, Nerthus!
Offering/Bribe to the Outdwellers
Prayer to Bragi for bardic inspiration
Statement of purpose, historical precedent, and introduction of Eostre, the Deities of the Occasion:
Re-creating the cosmos and offering to the Well, Fire, and Tree – All sing while offerings of silver to the Well, oil to the Fire, and cornmeal to the Tree are made:
The Portal Song
CHORUS
By Fire and by Water, between the Earth and Sky
We stand like the World-Tree rooted deep, crowned high.
Come we now to the Well, the eye and the mouth of Earth,
Come we now to the Well, and silver we bring,
Come we now to the Well, the waters of rebirth,
Come we now to the Well, together we sing:
CHORUS
We will kindle a Fire, Bless all, and with harm to none,
We will kindle a Fire, and offering pour,
We will kindle a Fire, A light ‘neath the Moon & Sun,
We will kindle a fire, our spirits will soar.
CHORUS
Gather we at the Tree, the root & the crown of all,
Gather we at the Tree, Below & above,
Gather we at the Tree, Together we make our call,
Gather we at the Tree, In wisdom & love.
CHORUS (with gusto)
(Words and music by Ian Corrigan ©Stonecreed Grove, ADF)
Opening the gates and call to Heimdall: [All begin chanting, “Open the gates,” and continues throughout the call.]
Druid – Mighty Heimdall, Guardian of Asgard.
Bifrost’s Watchman,
Far of sight, keen of hearing.
We ask that you open the gates between the worlds
That we may interact freely with the Gods
And that offerings and blessings may flow without obstruction.
Heimdall! Open the gates!
All (shouting) – Open the gates!
Inviting the Kindreds –
Druid —Shining Ones, might Aesir and Vanir, we invite you to join us today.
All – Shining Ones, accept our sacrifice!
Druid – Honored Ancestors – Disir, Ancient Mothers; Alfir, Fathers of our Fathers, we invite you to join us today.
All – Ancestors, accept our sacrifice!
Druid —Landvettir, spirits and wights that inhabit this land, we invite you to join us today.
All – Landvettir, accept our sacrifice!
Prayer and offerings to Eostre: Flowers and seeds will be carried around the circle so that each participant to take some and meditate on what they want to be reawakened and reborn in their lives. Then each will come up to the altar and place the flowers and seed in the papier-mâché egg, after which the egg will be given to the fire.
Blessing cup – (Druid holds up the pitcher)
Druid – As is our custom, in our tradition, a gift calls for a gift. We have made sacrifice and offerings to the gods. Now, we as for their blessings in return. We, the Children of the Earth, call out for the Waters of Life. Shining Ones, give us the Waters of life!
All – Shining Ones, give us the Waters of Life!
Druid (pours juice into the horn and raises the horn for all to see) –Behold! The Waters of Life!
Valkyrie (taking the horn and presenting it to each participant, asking each) –Do you accept the Blessings of the gods?
Omen
Praise offerings/Personal workings
Thanking Eostre
Thanking the Kindreds –
Druid — We thank the Kindreds for joining us today – Shining Ones; beloved Ancestors; respected Landvettir – thank you for your presence and participation in our rite.
Thanking Heimdall and closing the gates –
Druid — We thank you, Heimdall, for opening the gates and allowing us to move freely between the worlds. Heimdall, let the gates now be closed.
Closing the gates and Un-winding the sacred cosmos: Tree, Fire, Well –
Druid — Now, the gates between the worlds are closed and once again the portals return to their everyday functions – the Sacred World Tree is once again simply our tree; the Sacred Fire is once again simply our fire; and the Sacred Well is once again simply our well.
Thanking the Earth Mother and grounding –
Druid — We thank the Earth Mother Nerthus for joining us today. You who were here before us and will remain long after we are gone, the foundation that we build upon. To you, we return the remaining portions of our offerings and energies from our workings here today.
Closing the rite
Here is our calendar for the upcoming year through Yule 2011. Go ahead and mark your calendars and plan on celebrating the High Days with us.
Imbolc — January 29, 2011 — Huntsville, AL
Spring Equinox/Ostara — March 26, 2011 — Birmingham, AL
Beltaine — April 30, 2011 — Huntsville, AL
Midsummer — June 18, 2011 — Birmingham, AL
Lughnassadh — August 6, 2011 — Birmingham, AL
Autumn Equinox/Mabon — September 17, 2011 — Birmingham, AL
Samhain — October 29, 2011 — Birmingham, AL
Yule — December 17, 2011 — Huntsville, AL
What a fabulous weekend! I apologize for taking so long to post; it’s taken a while to get everything set in my mnd.
First, to those of you who couldn’t be with us, you were missed. Second, to those of you who made it out, it was wonderful to see you! Thank you to all who camped and/or stayed up all night around the fire. This is a large part of what Hallowed Oaks is all about: fellowship. (I especially enjoyed our four-legged campers!)
The ritual was powerful. I personally had some unexpected but welcome responses to the offereings. There were wreaths made from kudzu gathered from the field next door that we tied with black ribbons to represent our loved ones that had passed over. These were offered to the fire. An offering was also made to the Ancient Wise to honor Isaac Bonewits. The fellowship around the fire afterward lasted until near dawn (from what I understand, since I went to bed a good bit prior to that).
The food as always was wonderful! (BTW, I have several bits-n-pieces of feast gear to be claimed.) The fellowship was warm and comforting, like our hearth fire. And like our hearth fire, may the fellowship we have found burn steady throughout the year.
So be it.
Brenda
