Always behind....

  I went with a very dear friend recently to a lovely little place near her home, a rather weedy and lily pad covered small lake. She wanted to do a guided shamanic journey, and this was a quiet (if you ignored the cars on Hwy 100 some distance away) natural sort of place. A heron flew above us twice. I watched fish eat water bugs, saw tiny fish near the shore, and listened to the wind rustling the leaves above our bench.
  I was very upset by the cigarette butts and beer cans strewn about. I am going to go back this week and clean it up, and work on breathing in a natural setting. There are maybe more quiet places in the city where I could be, but the water there, all murky and weedy, teeming with life, with the lily pads floating serenely on top, just seemed to speak to me. I hadn't found a real water feature near me that spoke to me, until this past Saturday. When I was part of a group called Nigheanan Brighde, we were to find a water/natural area to take care of and get to know. I was never able to do that, either because of time, family situation, or just plain not sure of what to do.
  Now that I am not in a 9-5 job, I have time to do such things (if you don't count all the family duties I have!), and slowly, but surely, I am getting around. Which in a way is sad, since in December we are moving to the east coast area, and I will have to do this all over again. I found my Grove these past 2 years, and other Druid things have fallen into place, and now I must uproot... I am profoundly sad about all of this. I understand the necessity behind what we are doing, and in the long run it is good for our family. But I am sad that I have my roots here, and I will be forced to try to grow them in unfamiliar soil. Luckily my Grove family is going to keep me from losing touch with them, and with the study group I will have that tie back.
  So, part of this past weeks homework was to find a natural spot and commune with it. I will now be able to do that on a weekly basis, and will be content with what I have for now. It is good.

Week 2: First Oathing

The First Oath: what a pesky thing to think of!

  I have been reading First Oaths as given by the ADF... I like them, but they are much too ...much? I already have a daily practice, and to Oath so formally feels like it is too much. However, I also see the necessity of it for some who need that particular way of Oathing, to make it through that step onto the Path.
  After re-reading the homework, I understand better the First Oath, and what it stands for. I will, most likely, use the format offered, and the wording as well. I haven't felt any particular Imbas on this homework. I will probably hold off on the Oath for awhile, and after I find the right "time" to perform it, I will post it up here. I am trying very hard to not get behind, as I tend to get overwhelmed, and it triggers depression episodes. Being a woman in her 40's can be a very interesting time...

Week 3: High Holy Days

Appendix 2: Ritual Write-up Template

We have provided a template that you can expand on for writing up rituals. Feel free

to re-write it, edit it, or make copies of it. The template here is derived from Sonoran Sunrise

Grove, ADF's, Ritual Service Record. Special thanks to Rev. Kirk Thomas for providing it.

High Day Celebrated: ___________________ Location: _____________________

Date Celebrated: _______________________ Time Celebrated: ______________

Who Led the Rite: ______________________ Grove Name: __________________

Other ritual officers: ______________________________________________________

Number of Attendees: ________ Gatekeeper: ___________________

Deities of the Occasion (Patrons): __________________________________________

Omen Method (i.e. runes, ogham, tarot): ____________________________________

Omen (as read, with interpretation):

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Any Magical Workings Done or Oaths Given:

________________________________________________________________________

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Impressions/Other Comments/Notes:

________________________________________________________________________

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This is the write up that I will be using when we finally get to celebrate ritual together. This year has been particularly hard for get togethers, with bad weather, scheduling, etc. Our next Grove ritual is on Lughnasadh. Looking forward to a full ADF ritual, as well as rededicating myself to Northern Roots. 

  The pace offered by the Wheel of the Year book is a bit overwhelming; but, if I just get into good habits, which I can do (yes I can, stop laughing!!), it won't feel so bad. I will post this write up, and then answer the questions from the WotY week after the Lughnasadh ritual. I think it will be better than trying to remember old rituals, etc.