Dispatches
from RDG's
|
Medford,
OR: We honored Manannan mac Lir, God of the Tides; and Demeter, Earth Mother and Goddess of the Harvest, then walked the Labyrinth with offerings of thanks for what we have manifested through the season of growth. We asked that our harvest be fruitful and that we enjoy a time of peace and rest in the Earth Mother’s womb during the season of darkness. Our Clan next celebrated Samhain October 24 in the backyard sacred space of Grove founders Aigeann and Seven Tines in Medford.
A special altar held tokens of our Ancestors. We journeyed, accompanied by drumming, to the Otherworld where we listened to our Ancestors and told them it was all right for them to go to their rest.
Highlighting the ritual, we constructed a Wickerman, tied prayer rags and offerings to it, then burned it in sacrifice to the Shining Ones to chants of “Burn! Burn! Burn!” We then toasted our Ancestors and wished one another blessings for the New Year. A delicious potluck featuring spaghetti and baked applies provided by Aigeann and Seven Tines helped us ground after our journey. We relaxed and watched an educational DVD regarding the Ryder Waite Tarot and its meanings.
Our contact info:
Mother
Grove of the Reformed Druids of Gaia ELECTIONS: The MG held elections for grove officers for YGR 04 on October 20th. Ceridwen was elected Archdruid for another year. Ellis was affirmed as Scribe and Shauna was selected to be our server. It was also decided to hold our Samhain / New Years meeting on the Druish Samhain, Saturday, November 7th. THE DRUID PATH: The NoDaL has finished making suggestions for revisions to The Druid Path self-study course, and now the Mother Grove is working on implementing those changes. We are expecting to be finished with Version14.0 around Yule. THE 2010 GATHERING: The MG is also beginning to plan this year's Druid Gathering and is now collecting donations so that we can make our reservations in time to secure our spot. Next year's gathering will be free to all members of the RDG. PROCLAMATIONS OF THE SENIOR ARCHDRUID & OMS PATRIARCH: Bori
Gormod Dwrci Ddiwrnod: The
Mother Grove in session on the Feast of Samhain, Dydd Sadwrn,
7 Geimredh, Year of the Gaian Reform 04, by unanimous vote,
does hereby proclaim that hence forward, and for all time,
that all Druids
shall observe the 4th Dydd Lau of the season
of Geimredh
to be celebrated as a feast day, with
much drinking, eating and carrying on, and shall be a festival
of the harvest, and shall be called in the olde tongue, Bori
Gormod Dwrci Ddiwrnod.
(As is usual and customary, our autonomous collectives
may do whatever they like). CONCERNING
THE "SEASON OF SLEEP":
It is traditional in the RDNA that the period beginning today
and ending on Beltane be observed as the "Season
of Sleep." This is because in Minnesota, where the
RDNA was founded, winter is now setting in, and the Earth
Mother appears to be going to sleep. During this period, water,
not whiskey is consumed during the Waters of Life rite, and
no ordinations may be held. OTHER NEWS: The MG will be gathering for a Feast on Bori Gormod Dwrci Ddiwrnod, held traditionally on the 4th Dydd Lau of Geimredh. This is a day of drinking, eating, eating and drinking, and sleeping off the affects of alcohol and tryptophan. The holiday kicks off the Yule feasting season. An attempt to put on an even bigger feast is the MG's task for the Winter Solstice festival of Alban Arthuan, which this year will fall on a Dydd Llun, in this case the 51st day of Geimredh. "Keep coming back it works!" and "Next year at Dryad's Realm!" In
Gaia,
Colorado
Springs, CO: In the past few months we have been working Rhiannon and her gifts of abundance/prosperity and we look forward to winters deep healing with Morgaine. http://www.circleofstone.ning.com
Additional
links:
Middleburg,
FL: To mark the holiday, our ritual was based on our departed ones that had an impact upon us. We remembered family members and those that passed over within 2009. Many wonderful memories were mentioned and talked about. Mareth gave gifts to members that somehow stuck with it for our first year. The highlight was the giving the 1st degree oath to Mike, Kelly and Daniel. It is on to bigger things for them all. We also had "elections" for the coming year and i am pleased to announce that Mareth will be our Arch Druid for 2010. Our new Bard is Mike,our scribe is Kelly, our minister of propaganda "web person" is Daniel. I will make sure everyone feels welcome and try to plan and teach a pagan related craft at our meetings. Corn dollies is planned for November. We made it a point to make sure we as a Grove will always have fun while honoring our Earth Mother. Till
next time,
Redding,
CA: Samhain will be celebrated with all the children invading the neighborhood and overloading themselves on sugar immediately following. Tiffiny will be serving her traditional Jell-o brain and homemade pretzels. Our fledging web presence is at: http://www.myspace.com/manzanita_druids Blessings,
Although it's not a "Grove", the NoDaL still qualifies as an "autonomous collective" of the Reformed Druids of Gaia, and consists of all the 3rd Degree Druids therein. The purpose of the NoDaL is to provide a space for Archdruids of the RDG Groves and Proto-Groves to discuss the many aspects of running a group of Druids, and provide advice and support for each other. They also act as the "legislative" branch of the RDG - creating policy as needed. The Nemeton has finished it's process of reviewing and revising "The Druid Path" cdrom self-study course and has made it's recomendations to the MG, which has begun implementing them, Nemeton members request that anyone interested in having input in RDG policy, please share their concerns or suggestions. You may write the NoDaL at scribe@reformed-druids.org
Philadelphia,
PA: Looking to our ancestors and the ancients, Aelvenstar Druids respect all life and receive inspiration from Nature and the heavens. We believe it is the natural state of Mankind to live in harmony with Nature. and that it is our responsibility to respect and protect the Earth. As activists, it is our responsibility to do our part collectively and individually to heal the environment. Emphasizing development through the practice of Druidcraft, focus is placed upon personal growth through the development of body, mind, and spirit. Through study, discussions, rituals, retreats, fellowship, and meditation, a spiritual framework is provided through which Druids may further develop themselves. Aelvenstar Grove holds eight celebrations a year, on the solstices, equinoxes, and cross quarter festivals. We sometimes meet on other occasions for outings and initiations. Online meetings and initiations are held too, as some members live a distance away. We welcome new members of all backgrounds who love nature and seek spirituality permeated in the divine beauty and wonder that surrounds us. Nature is groovy! Courses available: Reformed Druidism 101 Website:
http://www.aelvenstargrove.org
For more information about Reformed Druidism, visit http://reformed-druids.org
Live
Oak , FL:
Roots
Rocks and Stars Albany,
OR: Contact: albany.grove@reformed-druids.org
No news this season from: Thorn
& Rose |
