Autumn Equinox to Samhain

The weather was very pleasant for our gathering for the Autumn Equinox and we chatted while waiting for the stars of the day to arrive.

Our Lucy arrived first with her mum.  It's not often you find a young woman barely out of girlhood with the poise of our young Lucy and there's not meany youngsters that would not only feel able to offer to write a ritual but also carry it through.  Many of us in the group have watched our Lucy grow and taken pride in her accomplishments and I don't think many of us are much less proud than I know her mum is with her achievements this equinox.

The next star was little Soleil who was joining us with her family for her naming day.  Her parents were handfasted with us and brought their daughter Amelie for her naming and now it was little Soleil's turn and what a star she was.

Once we had all gathered we walked through the park and woods to the ring fort site that we have used for rituals for many years.  There were a few already waiting at the site as is usual now and more greetings were exchanged as the rest of us arrived.   

This that had arrived first had already begun setting up the altar area and as we joined them more items were added.  Apples gathered by others, plums from my own plum tree picked just before we left for the ritual and a wonderful hand made loaf with the Awen symbol on the top made by our Vicki.  It was a wonderful autumnal display.

The ritual went well, Soleil was adorable and it was wonderful to have the priviledge of carrying her round the circle to be introduced to the directions.  I gazed into her eyes as we stood at each point and she gazed into mine.  I'm not sure what our souls communicated to each other in those timeless moments but she smiled with me.

As is always our practice we gathered in the Burrel Collection cafe afterwards and were delighted to see other young members of our group with their parents.  Baby Ailsa has yet to join us being only four weeks old but her big brother is a regular with his parents and he shares the most lovely hugs with all of us.  

And so we move on from a wonderful gathering of our community where new life was celebrated with harvests of fruit being shared among us. Balance of growth and decay.

Our next gathering will be for Samhain and will take place on Sunday 27th October meeting at 1 pm as always.  

Summer Solstice

For the Summer Solstice Tuatha de Bridget will be joining our friends of the Druids of Caledon at Rouken Glen Park, Glasgow and celebrating with them on Sunday 23rd June.

Please contact them for details.

Beltane feelings

Those of us that could gathered in Pollok Park on Sunday 5 May for our Beltane celebration.  It was a joyous gathering although I think most of agreed that it didn't quite feel like Beltane yet, close but not quite.

For many of us the most significant sign that the year has really turned and Beltane in here is the blooming of the hawthorn blossom and none of us had seen any in our home areas.  Leaves were out now and there were plenty of flower buds but none even on the cusp of opening that I saw.  It's been a long winter and a late spring so our celebration was more about encouraging summer to fully arrive.  We had a light hearted ritual infused with a feeling of caring and respect for one another as well as for those who were not able to join us.

Several of those that would normally be there with us were unable to attend for various health reasons, some had other commitments.  Those who were absent were much missed and toasts were raised in their honour.

The year turns and out next gathering will be for the Summer Solstice.  The date planned for that is 23rd June.

The Song of Imbolc

photo by Viralbus on Flickr.com

I am the unopened bud, and I the blossom,

I am the life-force gathering to a crest,

I am the still companion of the silence,

I am the far-flung seeker of the quest.

I am the daughter gathering in wisdom,

I am the son whose questions never cease,

I am the dawn-light searching out glad justice,

I am the centre where all souls find peace.

From the Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthews

Samhain

Song of Samhain

 

I am the hallow-tide of all souls passing,
I am the bright releaser of all pain,
I am the quickener of the fallen seed-case,

I am the glance of snow, the strike of rain.
I am the hollow of the winter twilight,
I am the hearth-fire and the welcome bread,
I am the curtained awning of the pillow,
I am unending wisdom's golden thread.

- Caitlin Matthews, Celtic Devotional



Photo by PaulSteinJC on Flickr.com



Autumn Equinox

Our next ritual for the Autumn Equinox will take place on Sunday 23rd September in Pollock Park. Arrive1 pm to meet in the Burrell Car Park. Click on Ceremonies for full details.

Druid Ritual - The Paralympics 2012 Closing Ceremony