Grey's Blog...

Experiment #2.. wordpress

2011-07-20T16:44:00.004-04:00

Yes, thats right, I said wordpress... Continue following me here: http://www.gr3yw0lf.com
(Thats a Three and a Zero in the domain name #grin#)

Experiment... Reduction of Personal Facebook use

2011-06-29T12:30:00.000-04:00

Social networks are vitally important to us, especially with us all being so far apart. For some people, it might actually be the only place for sanity, or the ability to get help.

However, I've a blog (this one), and I've been slowing moving away from it and moving towards Facebook. I've been thinking about this for quite some time, and I've been noticing a trend that people don't want to use blogs, or emails to get in touch with me (not to mention that my little laptop doesn't really like a lot of the facebook stuff, and the email system they have is terrible for the way I work).

So, in a swift act of hitting the "x" against Facebook friends, I've reduced the page to a login only as an experiment. There will no doubt be a number of people worried that they have been de-friended. There might even be a number of people frightened that their friend counter reduced by one. Although, all of those on Facebook I was friends with seem to have a much better grasp of the fact that just because you were de-friended, doesn't mean I'm no longer a friend (right?)

I'll be honest; I think Facebook is really good. It helps people stay connected, allows problems to be shared and resolved, aids in understanding, and has collections of tolerant (for the most part) people communicating...

But ... (and here's my issue) ... only if you read and post statuses, links, and pictures.

I found that I don't read statuses, and I don't think that's good for my friends. If I'm your friend, I should be reading the statuses. I should notice when you post good things and reply "Good job, well done!", or you have a birthday and I should reply "congrats". I should notice when you say you're feeling down, and upset. But you post it, and me, as your friend, says nothing (or worst, you see me post something elsewhere, and wonder "sheesh, thanks a lot").

Personally, I don't think Facebook cares about you keeping up to date with your friends, as it's all about the recent posts.. It'd be nice to see "here are the posts since the last time you logged on" button... Funnily enough, that's what Blogs are for. Alright, there might be RSS feeds in Facebook, but hey, I've enough to keep tabs on. But that's just me and my opinion..

I'm struggling finding things to say on a blog, yet alone stating that "I'm feeling crappy" on Facebook (I have to force myself to do that, and I'm not liking that feeling).

Why not delete my account? Because I use it as a login for the Grove, and I think the amount of people who look for us on Facebook should get info, and events (which is where I'm going to start concentrating on).

Maybe I'll post more here.

ps. Email's on my blogger profile ...

Working with the Feathered Nature Spirits

2011-04-22T17:23:00.004-04:00

Earth day. Hail the Earth, and all her Children, and what a day its been for many of her children.

As a Druid I honour the Nature Spirits in rites, and at home. The creatures of this world, trees, plants, rocks, streams. Home has a collection of furred four legged friends, and a little bit of garden and trees, and rocks keeping me in touch with Earth Mother. The Nemeton out at the Land has aided my connection to Earth Mother in many and various ways.

Today I got a chance to actually work with a branch of the nature spirits, specifically Birds.

I got the chance to volunteer time at Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Saegertown, PA.

I was greeted by other Volunteers, Staff, and interns of the center, making it a wonderful welcome. I donned surgical gloves, and was put to work (happily by choice).

Currently they have an eagle being rehabilitated, passed to them by the Game Commission (there are pictures on Facebook of Him). I got a chance to see him briefly before his appointment with a clinic for a much needed X-Ray.

It was great to catch a glimpse, but as I explained, I wasn't there just to see the Eagle, I was there to help all of the patients. However, there cannot be very many people that can say "I cleaned up Eagle excrement" (ok, I doubt it'll be a t-shirt at any point, but hey, I was happy).

One Bluejay patient had ideas about checking out early before getting him to his new room, but we managed to safely recapture him.

I helped the group clean and redo water dishes, and feed the "seasoned" mice and rats to the wild red tail hawks and collection of owls. I got the chance to help clean the cages of the Education birds, where I was greeted with a very happy chipping Barred Owl (its not something I've heard before), a Great Horned Owl whom flew around to get a better look at me, hooting in response to one of the interns, and a a beady eye was given from the Cooper Hawk.

I also got the chance to help feed a Merlin Falcon pieces of mice guts (or rat guts.. sorry, not good with the anatomy). He was quite happy with a stranger at that point, but wasn't ready to jump to a glove. I was still honoured to be in the presence of this bird at such close proximity.

A fantastic day, that I hope I get to do again when time allows. Talk about helping out the community, and having fun.

Hail Freyja, lady of feathered cloak.
I saw a glint of you in the eyes of a bird,
An echo of you in a screech, a call
Closer than I ever thought,
and for that I am thankful and blessed.

Psst.. Wellspring is aproaching...

2011-04-20T14:40:00.003-04:00

It's getting closer to that point in the year where ADF holds it's annual yearly meeting known as Wellspring at Brushwood Folklore Center, starting on May 26th, and going into Memorial Day Weekend.

For pre-Booking, have a look at Stone Creed Grove's site, and you don't have to be a member of ADF to come.

For those not following on Facebook, if you're wondering about some of the things we get up to, have a look at the following Videos:

Drumming By the Fireside:

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsB-fYaSqI0

ADF Warrior Memorial Dedication Ceremony:

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv3hE8RmHk4

Wellspring 2010 Video
(including The Bardic Chair Winning song by Missy!!)

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP_CKl-Dfjo

Class: The Way of the Magician

2011-03-26T11:06:00.003-04:00

I had a fantastic Friday evening up at Aradia’s Garden in Eastlake, Ohio, to go to Ian Corrigan's Class called: "The Way of the Magician - Beyond Spellcasting, to Living a Magical Life". In fact, if it wasn't for him posting it on his blog, Into the Mound, I would not have known about it.

Although the class was small it actually worked out really well, Ian was able to go off at tangents and small incitful talks (he calls them rants, but if you've heard Ian speak before, you know what I mean; He has a way of making you know where his opinions are, and speaks from experience).

This wasn't specifically an ADF/Druid talk, but with him spending so much time within that system, a lot of examples and ideas come from the experience of being in ADF.

I'm still processing a lot of the notes I took, and sorting through the different ideas, so perhaps I'll post a bit about that at a later date.

Ian spent time on talking about the collecting and building personal power, for personal gain (and thus using it for the betterment of self and others). Before some noses get bent out of shape, he went over some excellent pieces on Ethics, which the most prominent that I remember (and this is before my coffee this morning) is "Be nice, don't be Nasty", and "If you wouldn't do something without the use of magic, then you shouldn't do it WITH the use of magic". This isn't the complete collection of advice, and info he gave, but it was a great down to earth section, including where some of the ideas came from (again, if you know ADF and Ian, he's done his homework!).

On another note, Lindy and her group at Aradia's Garden was a gracious host, providing food and refreshment for all, and good directions for someone how's never been before (thank you!!). I felt bad that I didn't get the chance to look around the store (next time, I hope to have that chance). Blog Readers; If you're in the area, stop by!

A Druid Dialog, a Segment of Video about ADF

2011-03-21T21:53:00.005-04:00

Bit of a cross post between Facebook and I've just added it to the Grove's website, but I know there's people who follow this blog and might be curious to go have a look with what I'm doing these days, especially being involved with ADF;

James M. Myers of Buccaneer Pictures is working on an ADF Documentary, following a lot of filming at the 2010 annual Wellspring. Looks like he's been hard at work to put some of the material in segments out for people to see as he works on them.

A sit down interview session with three Arch-Druids of ADF on "What is ADF?"

YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScoKy5ICr8k

Buccaneer Pictures Facebook Link

Interested? Want to know more? Have a look at ADF's Website. Or, if you're in the Meadville, PA area, drop us a note at Snow Water Grove. Not in the Meadville, PA, area? There might be a Grove, or Protogrove, in your region, go have a look ;-)

Education for your Local Community

2011-01-22T13:23:00.003-05:00

I was considering a quote the other day from the Wild-Hunt Blog.

I'll say this up front, the article is about the Tuscon, Arizona shooting reporting last week, a horrible thing to happen, and my heart and prayers go out to all those affected, as well as to those potentially using the situation for their own ends. It's not specifically about that incident.

It's the item of Police education in the Occult that caught my eye:

"Self-proclaimed “experts” in “occult crime” are dangerous. They peddle fear and misinformation. They inflate problems, and classify things in manners that support their view of the world. That they continue to have influence over local police forces is troubling, to say the least."

- http://wildhunt.org/blog/2011/01/quick-notes-dr-carlos-gonzales-michael-savage-and-don-rimer.html

Erie, and surrounding areas have a very active Pagan community. I doubt there are many that have had to discuss details with Law Enforcement due to an issue, but if you have, there's a little bit of stereotype/misinformation that you have to get over first (and perhaps we've been lucky on who we get).

But, is there a way to open a dialog with the police that says "we're here", and that these are the misconceptions that sometimes you have to consider (ie. A skull may not equal a satanic altar, it depends on context of other objects, and the person; Like being a connection to the Ancestors of blood and bone. Not saying it excuses a person, but it's not a simple as look and decide).

Not saying that everyone needs to put their name on a something, but we've a number of public people and groups in the community, who could be in an organizational position to say "these are the people, and some of their beliefs, that you may encounter in your community, and it doesn't mean Evil, that's down to the individual, not the generalization!". Not saying we have to tell the press that there are "experts" to drag into the limelight, or paint a target on our backs.

I may not have much knowledge of school visits, and police work here in the US (I recall back in England the anti-drug talks from the police). But I don't know if they know, or even have an idea on where to look for resources, on the difference between "items found in the woods" or "a dangerous cult" and, say, a Coven, Grove, solitary practitioner, etc... .

And if you don't know of this, have a look at the late Isaac Bonewits' The Advanced Bonewits’ Cult Danger Evaluation Frame: http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html (it's good for people to gauge how any sort of religious organization before they get involved)

I just wondered about peoples thoughts on the matter.

Yggdrasill Two Powers

2011-01-16T21:11:00.003-05:00

For those of you that have been to an ADF rite you will have most likely been through a Two Powers meditation near the start of a rite. A way of bringing you in line with the earth and sky powers, to get you balanced, centered and grounded (always a good thing before doing anything magical too). It's a good starting point for bringing each person to the same state, to then do ritual in a relaxed, calm state.

I use the two powers in many different situations (even to reduce stress), but I wanted to put a slight Norse bend to the meditation, to help me visualize more. It's all part of giving me more tools to do meditation (something I have a hard time with).

I won't say I "Wrote" this, it's a collection of many meditations that I've pulled together from ADF members that I've had the pleasure of being in ritual with, also from Ian Corrigan's written and spoken work (actually, as I read his writing, I hear his voice in my head), and following a Rite from The Covenant of Brighid's Haven here in Erie.

So, here's what I have. Comments appreciated.

Sit, or stand as you are able.

Close your Eyes. Relax your shoulders …Take 3 long deep breaths …settle into a breathing pattern that’s comfortable for you.

See before you a great tree, an Ash tree, spanning left and right as far as the eye can see.
Touch it, feel the bark against your hands, the lines, the roughness.
Smell it, earthy and raw. In your mind, whisper if you want, call its name; Yggdrasill.

Feel its pulse, slow and steady ... beneath the bark, within its veins, feel its spirit, slow and steady.

Feel Yggdrasill’s roots, spanning out beneath you in all directions.

See them pulsing, pushing down … down through the ground …down through the rocks and soil … down deep into the earth.

Feel them touch the waters below, nourishing, tingling, invigorating you.

With each breath feel these waters come up …up through the earth …up through the soil & rocks …. up through the ground.

Feel it tingling, flowing … through your body …through your heart …through your head.

With the waters flowing through you, with your minds eye look up, see Yggdrasill’s branches spanning out above you in all directions.

See them reaching, growing upwards, its leaves, reaching ever higher …

Stretch your arms out, reach up … up through the clouds … up through the air …. up into the dark sky above all.

See above you a light, be it sun, moon, a star shining brightly, illuminating you.

With with each deep breath, draw down that light … down through the sky … down through the air … down through the clouds.

Feel the light strike your head, mingling, lighting the flowing waters within, igniting them, illuminating them.

Feel it as it travels through you, feeding, warming, …lighting up your head … lighting up your heart …lighting up your body,

With the light flowing through you, feel past Yggdrasill's form, past its roots, and branches …past its bark …

Feel the weight of the worlds it feeds, supports, the sky and the earth joined.

Breath deep …you are rooted deep …standing tall …with these two powers balanced within you.

Breath deep …See before you a great tree, spanning left and right as far as the eye can see.

With the earth and sky power feeding and flowing, lighting and warming, passing through you both, balanced.

Breath deep … And when you are ready, open your eyes.

Thoughts on Ethics and Magic

2010-12-30T14:51:00.004-05:00

Following on from a post on the Erie pagans mailing list, I got thinking about Ethics and Magic during my drive to work. I might have an analogy that fits fairly well (it’s not by any means perfect, I’d like to hear peoples thoughts, so comment/email away).

Magic is a lot like driving; We are all trying to get from one place to another, be it from where we think we are now to somewhere that has more hope, or healing, trying to alter the self to achieve a goal, making ourselves better. These are like mini destinations that we want to travel to, in the greater journey that is our life.

For those that actually drive (and I admit, some of this might be lost on non-drivers, sorry, but bear with me), there are laws, rules and guidelines to follow. On top of those, are things we do out of courtesy, or enhances our safety. You could let someone out of a side road to the road you’re on, because its a good thing to do, other times it might not be safe to do so. Merging in construction lanes. You use your indicators, and try to read the road conditions best you can.

You could try and get to the destination in fastest way possible; brake the speed limit, travel on the other side of the road, cut people up in traffic, jump red lights. However, putting yourself and others in danger (by your own hand, your “driving style”) isn’t a very clever, or safe way of going about the task. Mistakes can happen, people can get hurt, and in some instances, loose their life.

You can drive aggressively, or defensively; try to read the other drivers, try to see multiple cars ahead, or that one person not paying attention to the lights, or traffic, etc. But when you think about it, you really can only effect your own vehicle, the device (or tool) you’re in control of.

There is a large amount of trust placed on others that they will stay on the correct side, follow the changing of the lights, not rush in wet or icy conditions. Sometimes we have a lapse of judgement, we don’t pay attention, sometimes it turns out alright, sometimes not.

After some time doing small “journeys”, we venture out, that can be tiring (and we wonder if the journey was really worth the destination). Sometimes we go out when it’s not advisable, in blizzard conditions, because we think we can make it just fine, or because we have no choice. Somethings become habit, and a skill, actions dealt by the subconscious, perhaps only through learning the hard way (unfortunately).

There are also moments where you hit road blocks, construction, unforeseen circumstances. You can run out of gas, suffer failure of the tool you’re using. But someone else on the same road might lend you a hand, a ride, help in times of need. Perhaps at some point you are given the chance to help someone else stranded.

There might be points were you have a passenger, someone to assist in the Magical workings. Perhaps you share the “driving”, the work, accept the help, even if they take a slightly different route to get there. Perhaps a group ritual then could be considered as being on a bus, with a driver or drivers sharing the load. If you jostle your passengers around too much, I doubt they’ll want to go with you on a journey next time. Also, who do you decide to let on the bus, and what happens if someone wants to get off? Also, something to consider when you go to a public ritual, its like public transport, you can’t choose to say no if the persons doing nothing wrong or dangerous, and try and be courteous to your fellow passengers.

There have been some drivers where I have to pay attention when being a passenger, there are some I just don’t drive with (and there are some drivers who dislike me as a passenger)

Sometimes we try and rush to our destination, and forget to notice the traveling, or the learning that occurs, as well as in magic.

We might be on the same road, but the way we drive and the tools we use might be very different from one another.

Stop once in a while, look back, and see how far you’ve come. Drive, and “Magic” Safely, don’t forget to buckle up.

Snow Water Grove, ADF Winter Solstice Ritual Announcement

2010-12-13T23:08:00.000-05:00

The ADF Druids of Snow Water Grove invite all members of the community to our next public high day ritual: Winter Solstice on Sunday December 19th at 3pm.

This will be a Norse style ADF Rite, and will be indoors at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville in the Parish House Living Room (the building to the left of the Sanctuary) located at:
346 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335,
(Directions available from:http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm)

Near the Longest night of the year we will honor Skaði, the snowshoe goddess as our Deity of Occasion, as well looking forward to Sol rising higher in the sky, to chase away this cold snow, and ice.

Pre-ritual briefing will be at 3pm, and ritual to start at 3:30pm. Potluck feast to follow, since this is an indoor rite, we will have access to the kitchen, so bring a dish to share.

We will be collecting non-perishable canned and boxed goods for the Salvation Army food pantry efforts in Meadville. Donations welcomed, which helps us pay for rental space during the winter time for us to provide open to the public rites.

If you have questions about the event, or need directions to the rite please contact us by phone on 814 406 9794 or email at info@snowwatergrove.org.

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Imbolc - Sunday January 30th 2011 @3pm
* Spring Equinox - Sunday March 20th 2011 @3pm

Bright Blessings,
~ Grey Whittney,
Senior Druid
Snow Water Grove, ADF
Web: www.snowwatergrove.org
Tel: (814) 406-9794

Engineering, Technology, Math, Lego = Happy Techno-pagan

2010-12-10T08:24:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I think my Engineering/Computer work is totally opposite to my Druidry path. Something I've been thinking about recently. However, it's when I find a news item that sees these worlds together at the same time..

The Antikythera Mechanism. In Lego...!

Article from Hack A Day: http://hackaday.com/2010/12/09/lego-machine-predicts-future-eclipses/

To watch the Lego Device running, and quick explanation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLPVCJjTNgk

Thinking about it from a Druid perspective:

"..Once Greek astronomers realized how well epicyclic gearing in devices such as the Antikythera mechanism replicated the cyclic variations of celestial bodies, they could have incorporated the concept into their own geometrical models of the cosmos."

[From Nature.com Article: Ancient Astronomy]

Hmm.. A mechanical representation of the Cosmos.. Makes me wonder how such an item constructed was received by the clergy of the society. All that work, the heavens patterns; observed, detailed, pondered, estimated. All those proofs, and most likely failures, all summed up in "A Magic Wooden Box". I Wonder if it was called heresy, or if they felt they solved this riddle, and could move onto something else?

Even with the calculations "reduced" to gears, and wheels, [I say reduced, I don't think it's the right word, there's still an air of magic and wonder to this analogue engine] someone still needed to make it work in the first place. Someone had to have the calculations, and saw the patterns, felt there was a mystery in the apparent chaos, and saw order in the nature of the heavens. Perhaps, just perhaps, that gave them hope....

ps. Also makes me wonder why I ever got rid of all that Logo all those moons ago..

Snow Water Grove Announcement: Samhain 2010

2010-10-07T10:57:00.002-04:00

The ADF Druids of Snow Water Grove invite all members of the community to our next public high day ritual: Samhain on Sunday October 31st 2010 at 3pm.

This will be a Celtic style ADF Rite, and will be indoors at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville in the Parish House Living Room (the building to the left of the Sanctuary) located at:
346 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335,
(Directions available from:http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm)

We will honor the Ancestors, of Blood and Spirit, and the Final Harvest of the year.
A time to raise a glass to our Ancestors, as well as say goodbye to this year, and welcome the coming in of a new spiritual year.

Join us on this high day where we set a place at our table for all our Ancestors, and offer them praise for helping us be where we are right now, to show that we remember them, and to offer them blessings by saying we have not forgotten them and their teachings.

Pre-ritual briefing will be at 3pm, and ritual to start at 3:30pm. Potluck feast to follow, since this is an indoor rite, we will have access to the kitchen, so bring a dish to share.

We will be collecting non-perishable canned and boxed goods for the Salvation Army food pantry efforts in Meadville. Donations welcomed, which helps us pay for rental space during the winter time for us to provide open to the public rites.

If you have questions about the event, or need directions to the rite please contact us by phone on 814 406 9794 or email at info@snowwatergrove.org.

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Winter Solstice - Sunday December 19th 2010 @3pm
* Imbolc - Sunday January 30th 2011 @3pm
* Spring Equinox - Sunday March 20th 2011 @3pm

Bright Blessings,
~ Grey Whittney,
Senior Druid
Snow Water Grove, ADF
Web: www.snowwatergrove.org
Email: grey@snowwatergrove.org
Tel: (814) 406-9794

Meadville Earth Based Religion Study Group

2010-10-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

When: Friday October 8th 2010 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville Parish House.
(Building to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
346 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA, 16335
Directions: Please See: http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

This is our Monthly Study Group at the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Parish House (the building to the left of the sanctuary) centering around Earth based religions, and run by the Druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF.

The days are getting shorter, colder, and Samhain is quickly approaching. We will be talking about The Ancestors, ways we honour, celebrate, and of personal traditions. Along with questions and some small topics if time allows.

This is an open to the public group, be you a member of the UU Church or not, or be you pagan or non-pagan, without any rituals to follow, nor any participation or prior background needed.

Bring yourselves, your curiosity, and your questions.

Contact us by phone on 814 406 9794 or info@snowWaterGrove.org for further details.

Bright Blessings,
~ Grey Whittney
(Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Announcement: Snow Water Grove Autumnal Equinox

2010-09-12T13:57:00.000-04:00

The ADF Druids of Snow Water Grove invite all members of the community to our next public high day ritual: Autumnal Equinox on Sunday September 19th 2010 at 3pm.

This will be a Norse style ADF Rite, and will be at our outside Nemeton on the Quinet Mothers Land out on Route 27 at the Crawford/Venango County line (between Fauncetown Road and Lesh Road on the North side). Come dressed for the weather, and prepared for primitive facilities (the land has no electricity, running water, or structures). If you need a chair, please bring one along (we run out fast).

We will be honoring the Goddess Nerthus as our Deity Of Occasion at this transition from summer to fall, as a prelude for the cold winter blowing in.

Join us on this high day where we shall see her safely to her winters’ rest, by song and praise.

Pre-ritual briefing will be at 3pm, and ritual to start at 3:30pm. A camp fire style potluck will follow the rite.

We will be collecting non-perishable canned and boxed goods for the Salvation Army food pantry efforts in Meadville. Donations welcomed, which helps us pay for rental space during the winter time for us to provide open to the public rites.

If you have questions about the event, or need directions to the rite please contact us by phone on 814 406 9794 or email at info@snowwatergrove.org.

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Samhain - Sunday October 31st 2010 @3pm
* Winter Solstice - Sunday December 19th 2010 @3pm
* Imbolc - Sunday January 30th 2011 @3pm

Bright Blessings,
~ Grey Whittney,
Senior Druid
Snow Water Grove, ADF
Web: www.snowwatergrove.org
Email: grey@snowwatergrove.org
Tel: (814) 406-9794

Hail Isaac Bonewits, Hail the Elder Wise, Hail the Ancestors

2010-08-12T12:21:00.004-04:00

I've just heard that Isaac Bonewits, founder (amongst many things) of Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF) passed away this morning.

From Views from the Cyberhenge - Isaac Bonewits 1949-2010

Hail Isaac, Hail the Elder Wise, Hail the Ancestors. May your passage from here to the Summerlands be a joyous occasion. May you continue to seek the mysteries, find those that have passed over before you.

Tribute to Isaac Bonewits, Founder of Ár nDraíocht Féin - Created by James "Seamus" Dillard

Maybe we'll be blessed by a visit from you to our Hearths Fire one day.

May that which you created, go from strength to strength.
May those which you loved, know that you loved them,
May that which you taught, be taught to others, and grow.

Praise and Blessings to you, good sir. Thank you for all you've done; for many, for ADF, for me.

Birthday Note and Wolf (neo)Totemism

2010-08-05T13:41:00.005-04:00

First, this is not a "I will guilt you into wishing me a happy birthday" post. Although, if you want to, that's fine... I can't even keep track of all the best wishes I've had off of Facebook. Had an Edible Arrangements sent to my office by my wonderful and loving partner - #nose nuzzles# Thanks Rachael - (sorry, all the chocolate covered strawberry's have magically vanished already), and a card from work (I blame Shawn for that... Thank you, though ;-)

Duamuteffe forwarded a very funny, and apt picture: (from: www.cartoonstock.com)

But with me thinking more about Neo-Pagan Totemism, or (for me) Therianthropy in my spiritual and religious practice, I thought to add that not only do I still continue to live and breath in this world, but so does that side of the Wolf. So in light of that, if there's something you want to do for this noticeable day of celebrating a whole integer number of years in my life (because, after all, I am only one day older than I was yesterday), then you could go and have a look at the following sites, and if able, donate or purchase something from them:

WolfPark.org - based in Battle Ground, Indiana. You can buy items, and even adopt a wolf.
Monty Sloans - Wolf Photography - Excellent photos, and for the Tech's out there, you can get your hands (and paws) on nearly-old hard drives that he recycles (way before mean-time-before-failure limits) and usually leaves on there a large number of wolf photographs.
NY Wolf Conservation Society - They even have their own traveling ambassador Wolf (If the grove was bigger, and had the funds, I'd so request a visit ;-).

Some of us have pets or work with animals, many of us like animals, and Pagans (esp. ADF Druids) are no exception. I might not be able to personally save one of the manifestations of Nature Spirits that are near and dear to me, but I can try and help those that are doing great work. Support those organizations!

I send forth a Howl to the Nature Spirits,
Wolf and your Kin through the ages past, and into the future.
Accept my Sacrifice.

Lughnasadh Coming up, this Sunday

2010-07-30T14:11:00.002-04:00

That's right, July is nearly over, and with that, many Pagans will be celebrating Lughnasadh, the ADF Druids all around will too!

Yes, format of title and style has changed a tad, that's because this isn't really the Snow Water Grove blog, I just post a lot of items here, and wanted to see how a less formal ritual write up will look.

The announcements went out to the usual channels, but I've been a tad slow on the blog uptake (been fighting illness this last week.. I know, excuses, excuses ;-)

I, and the members of Snow Water Grove, ADF, will be having a Celtic style ADF Rite, out at our outside Nemeton on the Quinet Mothers Land out on Route 27 at the Crawford/Venango County line (between Fauncetown Road and Lesh Road on the North side).

As usual, come dressed for the weather, and prepared for primitive facilities (the land has no electricity, running water, or structures). If you need a chair, please bring one along. Even though the reclaimed downed tree trunks are doing well as chairs, bring your own if you want a little more comfort.

Last I read, there was a 40% chance of showers, if not lightning forecast for the area.

This will be the celebrating the first harvest of the year, and the Lady of Sovereignty, who we are still looking to connect with for the land. Come help us bless the land and feel our connection to the land around us at this time of bounty.

Pre-ritual briefing will be at 3pm, and ritual to start at 3:30pm. A camp fire style potluck will follow the rite, and we usually stay for as long as weather holds after the rite.

For more information, contact us by phone on 814 406 9794 or by email at info@snowwatergrove.org

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Autumnal Equinox - Sunday September 19th 2010 @3pm
* Samhain - Sunday October 31st 2010 @3pm
* Winter Solstice - Sunday December 19th 2010 @3pm

Projects, and taking notes

2010-07-21T12:01:00.005-04:00

I've been looking into ways to keep my thoughts, and ideas on multiple subjects ranging from the Spiritual, all the way through to Electronics and (shudder) Work.

I think I've finally settled on a way that works best for me (as they say; your millage may vary).

I have multiple machines and can be at any number of them when I get a free moment, or the spark of thought finally reaches my brain on a subject, and I either need to note it down, add a link (or 10 links), and be able to return to it later to fully explore it, or keep track of it.

* TiddlyWiki (Home Page: http://www.tiddlywiki.com)
* Dropbox (Home Page: http://www.dropbox.com)
* [ and for the paranoid: Truecrypt (Home page: http://www.truecrypt.org) ]

Tiddly Wiki is a great little piece of java script. It can be a bit disconcerting on downloading it that you're left with a file called "empty.html" (I think I got it multiple times till I figured out that I had got all that I need).

To put it simply, and quickly;

* Download the empty.html file, and put it in a decent location.
* Rename it to whatever you want (perhaps call it something that matches it's goal: 'Electronics.html', or 'MeditationNotes.html')
* Open it in any browserClick "SiteTitle" in the "GettingStarted" entry, and Edit it, click Done.

Depending on your browser, you might get told that a script is trying to write to disk. This is the script attempting to overwrite itself with the new data (including your changes). I actually keep telling Firefox to Allow, and to remember, but it never does. However, it does show me that auto saving is operating, and I'm okay with knowing that.

Now it's a case of, having a new link from someone in Facebook; open the Druid.html file, 'new tiddler', add it in.. Or perhaps hit the "ThingsToLookAt" Tiddler, and add it to the bottom of that entry. Actually need a journal entry, click the new Journal, and add the data (CTRL-Enter to save without needing a mouse click). With Auto-Save activated, the file is updated, as well as tagged. Capitalize a word, or add [[ ]] around a word, or phrase, then once saved, click on the word to open a new entry called that. Instant Wiki, no server needed.

Next, is to place it where Dropbox can see it, and once the script writes itself, Dropbox syncs it to all other connected computers. If it's sensitive info, then perhaps creating a Truecrypt volume of 20MB, within Dropbox, and storing the html file in that volume will give you enough (don;t forget to dismount the Truecrypt volume to have Dropbox sync it to the cloud though... thankfully, Dropbox only syncs the binary changes of the Truecrypt volume file).

Maybe just keep the TiddlyWiki on your USB key fob, and sync it another way.

It might not be foolproof, but I'm finding keeping multiple files on different topics in a TiddlyWiki directory in Dropbox a quick way to keep my ideas from leaking over multiple txt/bookmark files, emails, or even paper).

Meadville Earth Based Religion Study Group

2010-07-06T08:59:00.000-04:00

Meadville Earth Based Religion Study Group

When: Friday July 9th 2010 7:00pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville Parish House.
(Building to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
346 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA, 16335
Directions: Please See: http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

This is our Monthly Study Group at the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Parish House (the building to the left of the sanctuary) centering around Earth based religions, and run by the Druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF.

We'll be discussing the 3 realms; Land, Sea and Sky, and if we have time talk about the different representations of Earth Mother, and how different people see her.

This is an open to the public group, be you a member of the UU Church or not, or be you pagan or non-pagan, without any rituals to follow, nor any participation or prior background needed.

Bring yourselves, your curiosity, and your questions.

Contact us on 814 406 9794 or info@snowWaterGrove.org for further details.

Bright Blessings,
Grey (Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Song For Norse Midsummer

2010-06-26T13:47:00.002-04:00

The following is for a praise offering for the Norse Goddess Sol.

Song: Why does Sol shine?
(Taken From: Why Does the Sun Shine)

Fair Sol is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where hydrogen is built into helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees

Yo ho, it's hot, the sun is not
A place where we could live
But Nature kin would have no life
Without the light she gives

We need her light
We need her heat
We need her energy
Without fair Sol, without a doubt
There'd be no Druidry

Fair Sol is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where hydrogen is built into helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees

Her name is Sol

Spoken: Sol is the sun goddess, daughter of Mundilfari.

Fair Sol is hot

Spoken: It is so hot that the Goddess Svalin has to shield us from her heat.

Fair Sol moves fast,

Spoken: she rides through the sky in a chariot pulled by the horses Alsvid ("all swift") and Arvak ("early riser").

Fair Sol she goes away

Spoken: As she is chased across the sky by the Wolf Skoll.

so before shes out of our sight
Hail Fair Sol this day!!

Fair Sol gives heat
Bright Sol gives light
The sunlight that we see
This fire comes from deep within,
Shining on well, and sacred Tree.

Spoken: So, here, on this day, Midsummer, where she stands still giving us the longest day, shining down upon all of us. To you Sol we sing our praise.

Fair Sol is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where hydrogen is built into helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees

(for music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me06I9GDM_k
original lyrics: http://www.lyricsdepot.com/they-might-be-giants/why-does-the-sun-shine.html)

[Silly] Why a Coffee Machine is Druidic....

2010-06-11T11:43:00.003-04:00

Yes, I marked this post silly, you've been warned #grin# It is meant as humor, as the gods know, we need to laugh once in a while!

So, whilst pouring my coffee at work, I noticed I was whistling "By fire and By Water", specifically ".. and offerings we pour .. " as I was filling my coffee cup.
And thinking about the "Waters of life" which I've joked as being coffee sometimes (I need a mug that says that... there's an idea)

The Coffee maker we have is a large business insulated thermal carafe device, already plugged to the water (you add grounds and push the "Brew" button... what could be simpler...)

So, a Coffee Machine is Druidic because...

It's got the 2-powers contained within; It's got the water and the 'Electric' all merging to do great things: make Coffee!
It can represent fire, well, and tree!! It heats up the water, has it's own 'eco-system', 'rains' through the grounds, and ends in the well (carafe) ... ok, the Tree is a stretch.. but hey..
To some, it blesses you with the "Waters of Life" (I can hear some reading this not notice their reaction by saying: "Behold the Waters of Life"). Sometimes the omen is bad, and there is no blessings #grumble#
It's central to a strange 'Tribe' known as 'employees'; much gets discussed and solved by the warmth it provides. (can you imagine the Norse with a Coffee Maker...)
Coffee time, for some, can be a ritual itself. (think of all those SD's who are Caffeen powered)
Bad coffee is not permitted (called: Outdweller coffee)

I could make a joke about sacrifice... But that's pushing it (or the time taken to push the button, that is).

#cough# Um... Yes, well..

Brushwood Nemeton: Fallen Warriors Shrine + Ritual

2010-06-05T13:03:00.004-04:00

Talk about coming together to bring forth someones vision. This was a wonderful experience for me.

Jessie "Medb" Olson had a vision of building a Fallen Warriors Shrine in the Brushwood Nemeton. I don't know if she has been the only one, so for those who helped with that vision, or had the same thought, I can say only two words "Thank You!".

I had the chance to help out a little bit in bringing that vision to life (I also saw the invoices of some items, so thanks again to Jessie for putting forth the money to start this shrine). Once again we see the work of hospitality of different people coming out when they could to dig holes, mix and pour concrete, and cope with the little issues that occur with building, as will as the engineering, ingenuity and quick thinking at the time.

Jessie and I traded off in digging enough of a hole.
Craig and Shawneen made quick work of mixing concrete in 80F+ weather, in a wheelbarrow (especially when I was getting low on energy).

We had some passer-by's offer encouragement (without hitting the too many "cooks spoil the broth" issue ;-), and we made it though the construction without any major setbacks (see Jessie, you *did* have enough concrete).

[Fallen Warriors Shrine: Missing Spears because I forgot to take camera on the day]

The last section of building the Shrine was to mound up the dirt around the column set below ground level, and that was left until the Ritual, to allow each person present to get their hands dirty and add in dirt (again, we are an *Earth Based Religion* after all).

Jessie, like anyone undertaking such items of vision wanted it really finished with the column stained, the plaque attached, and the spear shafts stained, but I don't consider it 'unfinished', I see it as a fantastic start, and as time goes on will gain it's own look as people add more to that area.

The ritual to consecrate the Shrine was as powerful too. I was honoured to be able to help with the invocation of the Ancestors. People said it was good, but even now I don't recall what I said, but I know I was comfortable with it, and felt the smiles of the Ancestors during the offering, and I'm learning that it's not what people think about how you did, but in *your* own connection and intent to the section of the ritual you're participating in.

The praise offerings to the Fallen Warriors, of both blood and spirit, was extremely emotional. It was even international, and had a wonderful feeling to.

The Omen, taken by Leesa, was: Nauthiz, Tiwaz, Anzus.

There have been times where I question myself being in the Warriors Guild, but this ritual really has shown the need of what I see as the Warrior in the Spiritual sense. I was able to offer my praise to my ancestors of blood, as well as all those from distant near forgotten wars, to those who have not made it back in the present time, those who have died for where I, where we stand now.

To those Warriors that have Fallen,
To those with the Great Majority,
To those who sacrificed for our freedom,
I honour you, ancestors of blood and spirit,
You are not forgotten, your deeds live on,
The shrine may have it's flame extinguished,
But the light which emanates, burns on.
Hail the Fallen Warriors!

Wellspring 2010

2010-06-04T06:48:00.003-04:00

The Annual ADF Meeting for 2010, Wellspring, was held over memorial Day Weekend (plus Thursday and Friday, making a wonderful long weekend) at the Brushwood folklore center in Sherman NY. Yes, it's taken me this long to post about it. I blame that on 'Missing Brushwood Syndrome' that I usually get once I leave. Seems to be a common Druid ailment.

Symptoms include;
* Staying up late at home and nearly forgetting to go to work the next day
* Thinking that you can wear anything to said work place (I doubt work would approve of me in a sarong ;-)
* Finding anyway possible to talk to fellow ADF'ers (IRC, Facebook chat, IM...)
* Posting LOTS to the ADF lists (not saying its a bad thing, just kinda loose track on whats going on)
* Wishing that Wellspring was still going on.
* Wishing you recorded many wonderful things that you're now forgetting
* Wishing you took more pictures when you see people posting pictures.

Anyhow.. To all those suffering from MBS, I know that we'll meet again, and that we'll keep in touch.

Stone Creed Grove, our hosts, did a fantastic job!!! Hail Stone Creed Grove, and the virtue of Hospitality.

We had a couple of Grove members there, as well as a guest with us (who we managed to get signed up for a years ADF membership). Daytime weather was absolutely wonderful (if, sometimes for me, a tad bit too warm), and the evenings didn't get too cold. Although on leaving the site, a massive thunder storm went through the area. Hail Taranus for that, and those who made offerings.

Been trying to figure out if I should blog everything into one post, but that's going to take too long to do, so I'm hoping to get through a number of different items in separate posts.

I tried to get more involved with things this time around; This was my 3rd Wellspring, and it amazes me how much I can push my limits and learn from all sorts of people. This year I was less nervous.. Yes, that's right, being around so many people is hard for me, can you believe I'm not always comfortable about being social.

To those that couldn't make Wellspring, even from members and friends of Snow Water Grove, you were missed, but remembered fondly during the rituals.

There will be some posts I make that name some people (in a good way), but I do want to make clear that there are so many that do so much that I'll forget or not name them... Don't take that badly, know that you're all making ADF what it is, a fellowship, by the fire, well, and tree.

May the blessing that come back from Wellspring, in each person, reach all the ADF members, in way of stories, ideas, memories, and discussions.

Long Live the Tradition.

Meadville Earth Based Religion Study Group

2010-05-13T15:35:00.003-04:00

When: Tuesday May 18th 2010 7:00pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist of Meadville Parish House.
(Building to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
Directions: Please See: http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

This is our Monthly Study Group at the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Parish House centering around Earth based religions, and run by the Druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF.

!! NOTE: This is not on our usual Friday evening, but on Tuesday Evening !!
We should be back to the normal schedule next month.

We'll be discussing what the fire, well, and Tree mean to us, and the practices and rituals associated with it.

This is an open to the public group, be you a member of the UU Church or not, or be you pagan or non-pagan, without any rituals to follow,nor any participation or prior background needed.

Bring yourselves, your curiosity, and your questions.

Contact us on 814 406 9794 or info@snowWaterGrove.org for further details.

Bright Blessings,
Grey Whittney (Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Spiritual Weapons

2010-04-29T18:46:00.001-04:00

I have a weapon on me,
One you will not take away.
One as strong as the Great Tree,
One that in the fire embers will play,
One that sits in the water deep,
One most deadly weapon I keep,
One the Kindred's help train,
and you have it too, a brain!

Earth Day

2010-04-23T12:20:00.002-04:00

Earth day is celebrated across the land,
maybe you did something, made a stand.
Some people heard the call, made a change,
but the day will end, isn't that strange?

Because it was just 24 hours, but just a day,
all these fancy banners have now been put away.
Will you forget it, till next year, do nothing more?
or think all these changes are too much of a chore.

Have you not noticed the Earth is still here,
she is in need of our efforts, praise and cheer.
so each and every day, a rite, before all I do;
I'll start small, saying "Earth Mother I honour you!"

(c) Grey Whittney | 4/23/2010

Being Foolish for a Fools Rite?

2010-04-16T12:18:00.003-04:00

Before these events start to get the better of my memory, I'd better start writing them down.

Last Sunday I had the pleasure to make a trip to see Silver Falls Grove, ADF, and attend their Fools Rite at the Sand Run MetroPark (I'd never been before.. Was quite happy to look around and travel the ford, although all the other drivers seemed to be in a rush to get somewhere.. #grin#).

As Jamie stated in his blog post about the rite:

Our Fools Rite and after ritual dinner was a great deal of fun, thank you all who came (especially Grey who came an hour and a half, foolish indeed!).

(From: http://dubhlainn.livejournal.com/361063.html)

Foolish? Perhaps. Enjoyable, very much so! And before he has to email, yes, he did warn me that it'd be a short rite. But then, I'm slowly figuring out that the rituals, although the reason we come together and pray by the same fire as a people, the time following the ritual is equally as important. I feel bad that some Rites in Erie I can't stay afterward as it gets a little late in traveling, but I've only so much energy.

I had a great time eating and conversing at the Winking Lizard (dammed if I know where, I was worried I'd started following the wrong truck on the way there).

The ritual was, not a "call all those things that are the outdwellers" (as there is a fine line between foolish, and stupid after all), but more of a nod-of-the-head that those elements exist, as well as letting people be foolish and dropping the idea of things have to be perfect in ritual.
If the Kindred aren't having a smile, and a laugh at some of our antics, then I think we've gone somewhere. We're not perfect, why do our rites have to be?

All in all, the rite was great to have seen, and been a part of.
I'm too serious most of the time, so it was really hard letting go of some of the ideas I had.

The hallows on the spot with whatever was at hand was a great idea; Granted, I had my backpack with me, which has anything I'd need for basic Druid "Stuff" (my other box has anything I'd need for public ritual, but I left that at home, on purpose), but the battery powered candle finally got a use.

With the kids running around, and adding to the feel of the place, I kinda wished we could remember how to be like that.. So, to the Wolf pups; those where play, and being silly, not needing to care about the things that need to happen, did I make offerings to.

Each journey starts with the Fool. But, really, in the end, are they really a fool?

Even though the Rite was short, it gave me a lot to think about (especially that a public ritual need not be 2 hours long!! #cough#)

The hospitality of those from Silver Falls Grove was fantastic (I fear they were on best behavior because another ADF'er was around... they'd deny it of course #grin#). It's not often that I get the chance to go to other ADF rites (mainly because we all kinda pick the same Sunday for our own items).

Yeah, so I'm a Fool.. But better than not being one hehehehe.

Long live the Tradition, may we embrace the new as the Fool does, without fear of where the road will lead.

Announcement: Snow Water Grove, ADF Beltane Ritual

2010-04-16T11:54:00.001-04:00

When: Sunday May 2nd 2010 3pm
Where: Quinet Mothers land, Route 27, Titusville, PA.
Directions:Please contact info@snowwatergorve.org for details.

The ADF Druids of Snow Water Grove invite all members of the community to our next public high day ritual: Beltane on Sunday May 2nd 2010 at 3pm.

This will be a Celtic style ADF Rite, and will be at our outside Nemeton on the Quinet Mothers Land out on Route 27 at the Crawford/Venango County line (between Fauncetown Road and Lesh Road on the North side). Come dressed for the weather, and prepared for primitive facilities (the land has no electricity, running water, or structures). If you need a chair, please bring one along (we run out fast).

We will be honouring the Local Land and Nature spirits with our first public high day rite since the snow covered the land. Pre-ritual briefing will be at 3pm, and ritual to start at 3:30pm. A camp fire style potluck will follow the rite.

For more information, Contact us by phone at 814 406 9794 or email at info@snowwatergrove.org

Bright Blessings,

Grey Whittney
Senior Druid
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org
Tel: 814 406 9794

Meadville Earth Based Religion Study Group

2010-04-05T10:23:00.002-04:00

When: Friday April 9th 2010 7:00pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist of Meadville Parish House.
(Building to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
Directions: Please See: http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

This is our Monthly Study Group at the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Parish House centering around Earth based religions, and run by the Druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF.

We will be talking about Beltane, it's traditions, and what means to different people. We'll also be continuing our look at (and maybe finishing) the 9 ADF virtues.

This is an open to the public group, be you a member of the UU Church or not, or be you pagan or non-pagan, without any rituals to follow,nor any participation or prior background needed.

Bring yourselves, your curiosity, and your questions.

Contact us on 814 406 9794 or info@snowWaterGrove.org for further details.

Bright Blessings,
Grey Whittney (Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Land Oath Ritual - Ostara '10

2010-04-03T21:25:00.004-04:00

What a fantastic day. Sun shining, no rain, next to no wind. Well, there was no wind until we ended the rite and struck the chime 3 times, then the wind came into the Nematon clearing.

I had company and some great help for this one. Thanks go out to Daumuteffe and Owlvark for coming along with Rach and I. We were able to get the dead wood out of the driveway section of the land, repositioned the wooden steps down the side, and rebuilt the fire pit. I forget to break the rake, so a lot of leaves got left lying around (removal by hand made it look like a hungry wolf digging for some lost bone).

In fact the Nematon looks ready for us having our public rite for Beltane out at the land (#psst# Sunday May 2nd... ;-). I took Nerthus along with us (that is one well, and far traveled Deity-of-Occasion... Although, the heifers are replaced by one cart with more than 2 bull-power... ).

As our final sacrifice, we'd spent time putting a number of seeds together (great idea Rach to get those!! And as I've said in the past, Earth based religion, getting our hands *in* the Earth is a good thing!!) and planting around the new Sacred Tree cairn stones for the trees (We have 3 main trees that become the Sacred Tree in the Nematon, so as not to place favorites to a certain Tree, we use all three), as well as other locations out of foot traffic. We'll see how they fare as time goes on (and Land willing).

We got a good Omen from the rite, with the Nature Spirits in need, which is about right for what we still need to do to help the land, and we've got an upcoming clean up weekend for that, as well as possibly taking fire around the perimeter of the land (would love to do it for a rite, but even I have trouble navigating the boundaries).

Was great to get out there, the land is happy to see us, and I'm looking forward to spending more time out there.

Long live the Tradition.

Additional: Imbolc Land Oath Ritual

Seems I forgot to post about the Imbolc Land Oath Ritual.
I will say that I went out to the land, and did an AdHoc ADF Core Order ritual, which always amazes me that I can do these things off the top of my head.

Just found the pictures of it, here's a snowy fire picture:

Druid Math: Grove Meeting + Pizza = Success

2010-03-31T11:54:00.002-04:00

The title says it all really; Last night was the monthly meeting for Snow Water Grove, and with it being during the week and early evening, I thought to supply pizza for the few able to come out.. Managed to get a few friends-of-the-grove to come out (thanks for turning up guys, I really appreciate it).

It's good to know that it wasn't just the Pizza that got people to come (although, I'm sure it helped #grin#), and all in all I think we had a good productive meeting that brought people up to speed, got a fantastic grasp on the current money situation (thanks to the Treasurer!! You're doing a great job, don't sell yourself short!), heard of potential things coming up for the future, got some land cleanup details in the works, and most importantly, had a good time.

Maybe, as the weather gets better, this could start a trend.

Not everyone was able to make it out, and to those; we hope that you're doing well, and that life isn't getting you down. Hope to see you next time, or perhaps at the major land cleanup (Weekend of the 22nd/23rd of May), or even at Wellspring (27th to 31st May). Also, if you want a visit from Me along with Nerthus (if you were unable to make it to Ostara) drop me a line.

My Summer Oath Ostara ritual out at the land is coming up this Saturday, around 4pm. We'll be installing the Ostara Sunwheel, and passing offerings to the Land. Come and join me as we pass coffee to Nerthus on what's looking like a wonderful sunny day (yeah, I know, if it rains, you can blame me ;-)

Announcement: Snow Water Grove, ADF Ostara Ritual

2010-03-10T19:05:00.002-05:00

We would like to invite all folks of the community to join in celebration of Ostara on Sunday March 21st 2010 at 5pm at the Parish House of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville

The time of year where the light and dark are balanced at the Spring Equinox, with the snow melting all around us, and our minds turn to celebrating the end of the cold winter months.

The open to the public ritual will be a Norse style ADF Rite, with Nerthus being the Deity of the occasion. Pre-Ritual briefing will be at 5:00pm, and ritual to be held at 5:30pm.

A Potluck Dinner will follow the rite.

If you have questions about the event please feel free to contact us at info@snowWaterGrove.org, or by phone on 814 406 9794.

When: Sunday March 21st 2010 5pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville,
346 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA
(in the Parish house to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
Directions: See http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Beltane - Sunday May 2nd 2010
* Summer Solstice - Sunday June 20th 2010
* Lughnasadh - Sunday August 1st 2010

Bright Blessings,
Grey, Senior Druid of
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org
Tel: 814 406 9794

Off to College, for a small part of a day

2010-03-04T20:10:00.002-05:00

Quick update (better than no update ;-)

Well, funny how networking for the Grove works out sometimes. I've been invited to a student discussion panel at Allegheny College concerning different religions, and commonalities with beliefs and ideas from indigenous cultures.

I'll admit, I'm worried about what I can add to it, but won't know till I try.

Going to take next Tuesday off work to go. Looking forward to this, and learning more. We'll see what happens.

Quarter Moon Healings

2010-02-19T10:25:00.003-05:00

This coming Sunday is the first Quarter Moon of the month.

For me, I've always had a fascination with the Moon (in any phase), and I've seen documents saying that some of the ancestors celebrated the First Quarter, and I've read about some celebrating the Full Moon, and I've finally come to the decision to do something with the phase of the moon.

I've chosen the First Quarter....

Why? Because I've spent so much time trying to decide what was the best time, so I never satisfactorily got to a conclusive phase, meaning I've still not done anything about it. So the decision, I suppose, is just "because it's something I can stick to", and being Neo-Pagan, I'm *not* qualifying this with "It's what the ancestors did".

So, I'm going to do a personal rite, in ADF core order ritual style, as an experiment. In the workings section, I'm going to do some requests and sacrifice to the Kindred for healing and help.

And on that note;
If anyone out there is interested in asking for healing requests for themselves drop me an email at grey [at] SnowWaterGrove.org (or comment, if you don't mind it being public), and I'll add you to the list.

Perhaps I can expand this to the Grove if people are interested.

This should also get me thinking about regular items of meditation (which is required for the ADF Dedicants Path), as well as regular ADF ritual work.

(As for actual dates and times of Moon phases, see the United States Naval Observatory Site which shows the First Quarter as Feb 22nd 0042h UTC, so that would make it 1942h EST on the 21st)

Announcement: Snow Water Grove, ADF Imbolc Ritual

2010-01-19T10:02:00.002-05:00

We would like to invite all folks of the community to join in celebration of Imbolc on Sunday January 31st 2010 at 5pm at the Parish House of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville.

The time of year when we honor the returning daylight and the first hints of Spring, when the animals in the fields start to show signs of the coming birthing season.

The public ritual will be a Celtic style ADF Rite, with Brighid being the Deity of the occasion. Pre-Ritual briefing will be at 5:00pm, and ritual to be held at 5:30pm.

A pot luck feast will follow the ritual.

Donations to cover the cost of space rental would be very much welcomed, as well as household items, toys, work uniforms and cleaning supplies for Women's services. They very much appreciate our efforts.

If you have questions about the event please feel free to contact us at info@snowwatergrove.org, or by phone on 814 406 9794.

When: Sunday January 31st 2010 5pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville,
346 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA
(in the Parish house to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
Directions: See http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Spring Equinox - Sunday March 21st 2010
* Beltane - Sunday May 2nd 2010
* Summer Solstice - Sunday June 20th 2010

Bright Blessings,
Grey, Senior Druid of
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Land Oath Ritual - Yule '09

2010-01-09T12:33:00.003-05:00

There are many discussions, on the web, in the email lists, from fellow pagans, about Oaths. They will usually boil down to a warning; "Be careful what you Oath". It's true. Now, I'm not saying don't make oaths, but if you're ever hesitant about something, or you've not fully thought about it, there's nothing wrong by not making an oath.

As a heathen friend recently said:

For those not as familiar with Heathen customs (or as a reminder to impress this on the younglings), oaths are a Big Deal - there is no getting released from them, no "oh well I tried."

Personally, I feel the same goes for anyone. Perhaps I'm still fired up from last nights Study Group where we talked about the virtue Integrity, but that's just the tip of the iceberg; what about Wyrd, what about the consequences, what about those in the grove that witnessed my Oath. But these, although great questions and themselves could make great blog posts, I'm straying from what I wanted to write.

For those that don't know; Back at Midsummer '09 we, as a Grove, made praise offerings to the 3 Kindred, and Sol (the Sun) as the deity of occasion. The Omen obtained was not as expected, and following a little discussion at the time, we agreed that the Land itself was unhappy or had a feeling of "heard it before, nothing changes" and showing a blockage (Isa came up in both readings).

So, I made an Oath to the Land (yes, I can hear a quick intake of breath through clenched teeth from some of you right now).. I'm not in the habit of doing this, so don't think this is normal day-to-day practice. I made an oath to hold a high day rite at the land, in the Nematon, through to Midsummer 2010, in addition (if needs be) to our normal rites. This is because during the Winter months we rent out the dining room at the Meadville UU Church so that people will be able to get there, and stay warm.

The Land was going to see me (alone if needs be) around each of the 8 High Days regardless of weather or illness and be witness to (and help with) a full ADF core order ritual. Well done to one of our group challenging me on my Oath (our group rocks, simple as that!!). But still, I went ahead with it.

So, this was my second outing to the land for this oath. Samhain was the first additional Oath rite I did, with the help of Rachael. The weather was good, the sun was shining, and we dealt with the praise offerings from our indoor rite at the UU we had held the previous week.

In fact, it was getting a little late in the season considering we did our Yule ritual on the 20th. I was defiantly feeling the pressure of the Oath a few days prior to going out there. I'd been Ill, and other priorities kept creeping up, so I decided to take a stand and booked time off work on a weekday to go.

I think the weather must have heard me, as the snow fell hard those days prior. Each time I stepped outside I swear I could hear "You said whatever the weather...". The morning came around, and I'd just about decided that the time constraints I had were cutting things too close, as the roads were dreadful around home. But, something made me want to try; a sense of "dammit, this will happen, no matter what!!".

I collected all the things I would need for 'remote druid work', wrapped up warm preparing for below 20F temperatures, found my orange hunter gear (funny, it'd not been there before... huh, couldn't help thinking I was being helped), sheepskin covering, and Yule's collection of praise offerings for the land, a dry log in order to have a fire and set off.

Yes, the weather was bad, but the car kept it's 4 feet firmly planted on the roads, through snow and ice, and past cars not happy with the conditions (times like this make me wonder if there should be blue and red emergency type flashing lights with "Druid" lit up on the roof..). Somehow I managed home to the land in excellent time.

I must have been 5 minutes away when the internal inventory system in the back of my head went ".. incense: Check. Log for fire: Check. something to make fire: ........". Crap... No matches in this bag, no flint, no lighter... Looked across the passenger seat, and there sat in the door handle tray was a lighter! (Must have been there all the time, must be where Rachael put it the other day, or week..... yeah, right... hmmm..... See, explained...). After a quick thank you to whomever, I continued up the hill.

No way could I pull into the land, snow was far too high, and the plows must have compacted it into ice by now. So, top of the hill I parked the car, collected up all my gear, and walked to the land through the snow and ice (don't know how many drivers I scared round the hill's top bend).

Nothing had set foot in the Nematon, and looks like one deer had gone up the access road. Firebowl was dug out (wolfy style ;-), fire setup, bowl for the well. Offerings prepared, and the wind died down following the Two Powers meditation... Silence (expectation, surprise?).

Got my song sheets for the songs I still don't know by heart, and went through the ritual.

Went really well. Took me about 50 minutes to an hour. I asked for some Snow Water as waters of life from the land, and had a fairly good omen (again with the Isa at the end, but on asking about a modifier, got Berkano). Just after I closed the gates, the trees moved, and snow fell from each branch one after the other, it sounded like many people softly clapping.

Only after I finished, I found my hands were freezing!

the morning ended with my trek out from the land with a rendition of Walk with Wisdom (in the slippy snow, and up hill, it was the "grunt" version, however).

All in all a great time in fact. As much as I know it was for an Oath that I'd made, I was happy to actually do it, and I get the feeling that the Land enjoyed it too.

Long live the Tradition!!

This winter....

2010-01-05T08:58:00.001-05:00

To the Three Kindred, this winter, Grant me:

The light of a hearths fire to warm me and those around me.
The calmness of the water in the sacred well to help me reflect and learn.
The connection through the mighty tree between the earth and sky, to help me be balanced on my path.

Meadville Earth Based Religion Study Group

2010-01-04T21:00:00.003-05:00

When: Friday January 8th 2010 7:00pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist of Meadville Parish House.
(Building to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
Directions: Please See: http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

This is our Monthly Study Group at the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Parish House centering around Earth based religions, and run by the Druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF.

We will be talking about Imbolc, and what means to different people. We'll also be continuing our look at the 9 ADF virtues

This is an open to the public group, be you a member of the UU Church or not, or be you pagan or non-pagan, without any rituals to follow,nor any participation or prior background needed.

Bring yourselves, your curiosity, and your questions.

Contact us on 814 406 9794 or info@snowWaterGrove.org for further details.

Bright Blessings,
Grey (Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

(Update: put the correct year!!)

Twelve nights of Yuletide - Norse style!

2009-12-22T09:46:00.004-05:00

Sometimes a good laugh is what we need at this time of year, and I'm not opposed to having laughter in our Snow Water Grove rituals. Can even be a form of praise offerings in it's own light (Look at the myth of Loki making Skadi laugh #grin#).

Most will know the style of the song, the lyrics are written in full here rather than per line from 1 to 12.

Twelve nights of Yuletide

On the [twelfth] night of Yuletide a grey wolf gave to me;

Half a bag of runes,
Eleven hero's fighting,
Ten dreams of Sól,
Nine worlds rejoicing,
Eight used horse leggings,
Seven bridging colors,
Six Valkyries singing,
Five pitchers of mead,
Four cow teats gushing,
Three Norns a tending,
Two large snow shoes,
[And] a bag full of praise offerings!

(c) Grey Whittney / December 2009

Now, if you're looking to make the most hardened ritual goer laugh, I found that "looking" for the bag of praise offerings helped..

Also, with the guise of a wolf being worn and seeing this as a group of wolves around a camp fire means that the snow shoes eventually broke (Cos, you know, wolves aren't the easiest on such items), so that changes to: Two broken snow shoes.

Make sure that the pitchers of mead are counted, and pick on someone if you only get 4 (and everyone should at least be able to get into the spirit of this line)

Six Valkyries singing becomes Six Valkyries mumbling, then to Six Valkyries snoring (now you see where the mead went ;-)

And Half a bag of runes could be played out with a "Oh, very funny guys..."

It seemed to work very well.

What is the Winter Solstice

2009-12-07T08:46:00.003-05:00

Following a question from a reporter for the Titusville Herald, I thought I'd post the document here as well, especially for some of my non-pagan friends.

Enjoy!!

-Grey

What is the Winter Solstice?

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is when the sun is at it's lowest point in the sky giving us less sunlight and the shortest day since the Summer Solstice, as well the longest night. Following this point in time the days start to get longer.

The Winter Solstice is the last of the 8 High Days in a calendar year that we, as ADF Druids (Ár nDraíocht Féin: Irish translated as Our Own Druidry) celebrate, along with other Pagan, or Neo-Pagan groups around December 21st. We have seen the days grow shorter, the nights grow
longer and colder and the sun reaching lower in the sky, a lower course. Winter is here, a part of the wheel of life.

This is also known as Yule, or Midwinter for us.

We celebrate the Winter Solstice as time of community, of being together in the harshness of cold times, and for many, a large amount of snow fall. A completely different scene from Midsummer, and all it's fertility, warmth and light. This is the time that the Earth Mother sleeps, of nature hibernating, and living off those items gathered throughout the harvest season.

We celebrate the deeds completed in our previous year, and keep ourselves warm with stories, laughter, and camaraderie. Some use it as a time of reflection, a time that change occurs slowly.

As ADF Druids, being Polytheistic, we give praise, and offerings to our Three Kindred; those of the Ancestors of blood and spirit, the Nature Spirits in which we share the land, and the Shining Ones (the Gods and Goddesses), and specifically those groups that help us in
Winter.

Even as we all know that the Sun will rise again in the sky, and days get longer as science states, we still ask that Winter will pass without incident, and that the Sun slows down it's speed of travel, to allow the Autumn to come and revitalize the fields, the animals, and ourselves.

Some times the belief that because we do this makes the sun come up can seem to sound true.

Especially with people struggling with the home, and their health at this time of year, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, we spend time to remind ourselves that even though the outside may be bleak, there is still warmth, story, food, light, and laughter available. In a way, this helps us all out.

As a Grove we concentrate on Celtic and Norse Hearth cultures from an Indo-European background, and deal with it in a modern context. For our open to the public rite we pick a date around the actual date of the Winter Solstice as people have other priorities in their lives,
and we'll be celebrating it on Sunday December 20th 2009 at 5pm at the Parish House of the Unitarian Universalist church of Meadville so that we can offer facilities and shelter from the cold.

Thanks to our community, we also have access to land on the Venango/Crawford county line by Route 27 towards Titusville. Here we've been able to work with the land, and local land owners, to try a preserve the area, do clean-up, and provide a place to hold public, and invite style rites to honour Earth Mother, and the Three Kindred, as well as camping weekends.

Announcement: Snow Water Grove, ADF Winter Solstice Ritual

2009-12-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

When: Sunday December 20th 2009 5:00pm
Where: Meadville UU Parish House (Indoors)
(Building to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
Directions: Please See: http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

We would like to invite all folks of the community to join in celebration of the Winter Solstice on Sunday December 20th at 5pm.

This will be a Norse style rite, and will honor Skaði, the snowshoe goddess, and the longest night of the year.

The ADF Rite will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville in the Parish House Living Room and will be indoors.

Pre-Ritual briefing will be at 5:00pm, and ritual to be held at 5:30pm.

If you have questions about the event please feel free to contact us at info@snowwatergrove.org, or by phone on 814 406 9794.

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Imbolc – Sunday January 31st 2010
* Spring Equinox – Sunday March 21st 2010
* Beltane – Sunday May 2nd 2010

Bright Blessings,
Grey, Senior Druid of
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Announcement: Meadville Earth Based Religion Study Group

2009-12-07T08:42:00.000-05:00

When: Friday December 11th 2009 7:00pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist of Meadville Parish House.
(Building to the left of the Church Sanctuary)
Directions: Please See: http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm

This is our Monthly Study Group at the Meadville Unitarian
Universalist Parish House centering around Earth based religions, and
run by the Druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF.

We will be talking about Yule and the Winter Solstice, and what means to different people. We'll also be continuing our look at the 9 ADF virtues (we got through Vision last time, so Integrity and Courage are next).

This is an open to the public group, be you a member of the UU Church or not, or be you pagan or non-pagan, without any rituals to follow, nor any participation or prior background needed.

Bring yourselves, your curiosity, and your questions.

Contact us on 814 406 9794 or info@snowWaterGrove.org for further details.

Bright Blessings,
Grey (Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Event Announcement for Earth Based Religion Study Group

2009-11-10T16:24:00.000-05:00

When: Friday November 13th 2009 7:00pm till 8:30pm
Where: Meadville Unitarian Universalist Parish House
(Building to the left of the Church)
Directions: 346 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335 (See
http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm)

Come join the Druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF at the Meadville UU Parish House for the Earth Based Religion Study Group. We'll be meeting in the Arthur Room of the Parish House on Friday November 13th 2009 at 7:00pm.

This is open to the public, be you a member of the Church or not, or be you pagan or non-pagan.

In this meeting we will be focusing on....

* 2 out of the 9 ADF Druid Virtues: Vision and Integrity.
* Different Forms of Divination

Our secondary goal is to bring some of the Meadville/Crawford County pagan community out, to show that the Meadville UU Church is an accepting, religiously diverse and friendly congregation with an atmosphere of mutual respect for different faiths. To show that, as we all know, "Church" is not a bad word.

Bring yourselves, your curiosity and your questions, or just come out to see who we are, and what we'll be doing.

Contact us on 814 406 9794 or info@snowWaterGrove.org for further details.

* Advance Notice: The December Meeting will be Friday December 11th 2009 (second Friday of the month) at 7pm *

Bright Blessings,
Grey Whittney (Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Samhain is quickly approaching..

2009-10-27T10:27:00.004-04:00

Samhain is quickly approaching, and I've got a number of things yet to do. But I was also asked by a news reporter about Samhain, and I thought to post my response here as well (just before the article comes out at the end of the week).

Um, need to post an announcement to the blog too... Sorry, nearly forgot that.

What is Samhain?

Samhain is regarded as the one of the 8 High Days that we, as ADF Druids (Ár nDraíocht Féin: Irish translated as Our Own Druidry ) celebrate, as well as a number of other Pagan and Neo-Pagan groups in the Northern Hemisphere around October 31st/November 1st as the End of Summer (folk tradition has references to the Old Irish meaning sam-fain being summers-end). A time to stock up for the coming winter months, a time of plenty and feasting for the community.

What does is celebrate?

In a Celtic hearth culture, it's a time to celebrate the third and final harvest of the year. The end of one year, and the start of another, and is usually thought of as the Celtic New Year (although, this too may be a folk custom, as the supporting sources such as the Coligny Calendar did not state how it matches with the Roman Calendar around the 1st Century CE). For many pagans it's a time to remember the honoured dead, the ancestors of blood and spirit of a person, group, tribe or family. Some light bonfires, and reference it as a fire festival (much like it's counterpart holiday, Beltane).

Is it related to Halloween (other than being the same date)? If so, how?

Halloween, the secular holiday, has roots in Samhain. A time where children dress up as spooks and ghouls and go 'trick or treating' in the neighborhood, a time of harmless fun that families have enjoyed for years (from my own point, seen from going door to door, and handing out candy). Some refer to it a All Saints day (which you could argue are ancestors themselves from a religious standpoint).

Why do you observe it? / How do you celebrate it?

I, personally, observe it because I feel it is the best time to give praise to my Ancestors, those gone from this world, of both those related to me and those hero's, people and animals no longer amongst us. I feel that it is a time where the barrier between our world and the otherworld is thinner. To those who have passed away this past year I have the chance to praise, and toast them, and use it as part of the grieving process.

As a member of Snow Water Grove, ADF, we spend time honouring the Ancestors at this time of year, as they are one of the three Kindred (the others being the Nature Spirits, and Shining Ones) we routinely praise, and have a reciprocal relationship with not only in our rituals, but our lives too, and gives the Grove and the community it supports, the chance to offer praise; be it old songs family members enjoyed, stories and memories, or their favorite food, drink, even tobacco.

We set out an additional place at the table for the Ancestors too, and invite them to join us for our rite at this time. As in all our public rites, we send gifts and praise to the Ancestors at Samhain, and ask for their blessings, wisdom, and help in the coming winter months, as we have a belief in reciprocity, a belief of a Gift calls for a Gift.

I saw on your Web site that you have a public ritual scheduled for Nov. 1. I just wanted to make sure that the time listed there is correct. (The U.N.C.L.E. Web site says 5 p.m.)

Alas, I had made a mistake and not updated our website. The public ritual is to start at 5pm on Sunday November the 1st at the Meadville UU Church, in the Parish House dining room.

Anything else you'd care to add?

Some say it's the time of both good and bad ghosts, hence the dressing up as spooks to scare the bad ones away, to others it's a way to make the spirits feel more at home by seeing those like themselves, and help them to their old places, to see their families once again. Some say it's an evil time, and the practice should be banned, which doesn't promote tolerance in the community at all. I fear that some don't think about it at all.

"We whisper words as the wheel and the world turn,
I take a minute, a moment for those missing,
Hail the Ancestors, Hail the hero's we learn,
To the Ancestors: I remember your deeds."

Your name and title (if you have one) with Snow Water Grove.

- Grey Paul Whittney, Snow Water Grove, ADF (Senior Druid)
Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) is an international fellowship devoted to creating a public tradition of Neopagan Druidry. See www.adf.org for more information.

See: www.snowwatergrove.org for more information about the grove.

Announcement for Earth Based Religion Study Group

2009-10-05T10:53:00.000-04:00

When: Friday October 9th 2009 7:00pm till 9:00pm
Where: Meadville Unitarian Universalist Church
Directions: 346 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335 (See http://www.uumeadville.org/directions.htm)

Come join the Druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF at the Meadville UU Parish House for the Earth Based Religion Study Group. We'll be meeting in the Arthur Room of the Parish House on Friday October 9th 2009 at 7:00pm.

This is open to the public, be you a member of the Church or not, or be you pagan or non-pagan.

In this meeting we will be focusing on....

* Samhain/Halloween, and what it means to people
* 3 out of the 9 ADF Druid Virtues: Wisdom, Piety, and Vision.

Our secondary goal is to bring some of the Meadville/Crawford County pagan community out, to show that the Meadville UU Church is an accepting, religiously diverse, and friendly congregation with an atmosphere of mutual respect for different faiths. To show that, as we all know, "Church" is not a bad word.

Bring yourselves, your curiosity and your questions, or just come out to see who we are, and what we'll be doing.

Contact us on 814 406 9794 or info@snowWaterGrove.org for further details.

Bright Blessings,
Grey Whittney (Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org

Land update

2009-09-29T20:26:00.004-04:00

Quick update on where we are with the land..

The Police left us a voicemail with an adjacent land owners number, as he had some questions. The converstation went civil, and without problems, and he's told us that it's not him. We seem to be working towards the same goal, protecting the land. So we're no closer to finding those responsible, but we do know that the Police have been asking around. In a small community, I suspect news will travel fast, so this in itself helps in one way.

We've put up a quick posted sign with the Grove number (it was raining really hard, and had already gone dark), as well as a hand written sign in the forest with land owner details, stating that the Police have been notified and that trespassing and vandalism will not be tolerated.

We're also awaiting some details from the surveyor (as we'd hate to post the wrong parts).

Seem that after so long without anyone being on the land, people have gotten used to using the land, so this is perhaps a backlash, or kids thinking it's their turf. Sadly, though, the place will get posted and everyone who worked with the land will loose access (that'll be an interesting backlash against the vandals, too).

So far, we've not put the land back to rights, as weather and time has been against us. However, leaving it as it is and stating that the Police are involved with a few new signs, shows those who will most likely come back that we're not leaving anytime soon.

I did want to say a big thank you to all those who have shown their support, and asked how they can help us; from the local Meadville community, Erie Pagan community, ADF members and complete Groves. Snow Water Grove, and the Land owner really appreciate the support, offers of time and protection, more so than can be expressed in a few lines here. Best I can do is keep everyone informed on what's going on, and if anything changes.

Our next check of the land should be later this week and will be to see if there's any subtle changes; Signs ripped down, etc... We've also got plans to check Nerthus' bed, just in case they dug her up (we'll make offerings to apologize for the disruption), and place more posted signs down the road (weather and light permitting)

Sad Land News

2009-09-28T11:55:00.003-04:00

I'm both angry and upset about items that have transpired.

Between September 21st and 28th someone decided that our presence as Snow Water Grove at the land near Titusville is not welcome. Having made significant effort to block the driveway, tried breaking the steps, they destroyed the fire circles, removed the gate stones, and spent time to write profanity with sticks into the ground with a large arrow pointing west. They also beat the fire-bowl repeatedly with rocks, stole tools and tiki torches, as well as the ceramic pot we use for the sacred well. Not sure they fully understand that the tiki torch liquid is poisonous to the ground if not burnt.

The land rights belong to J.Quinet, and we have permission to use it for camping and ritual. A surveyor has mapped out the land, the police were called, and we have a case number for "Theft and Criminal Mischief" (contact us if want the details). Again, thanks to the Corry station State Police for their time and understanding.

We've put this on our website for now because we think someone visited our site and saw who we are, and took dislike, although we've not trespassed into others land. We've heard that some know we're a religious group, but not causing any problems. We're prepared to work with those in the area.

This is also to say that we are not leaving, not giving up. We will work with the land and return it to it's former state. To those friends of the Grove, we are not looking for revenge, even if we ever find those responsible.

May the kindred help us rebuild, find those responsible, and allow us to continue working with the land.

Snow Water Grove, ADF, Autumnal Equinox Announcement

2009-09-16T11:43:00.002-04:00

Greeting,

It's with great pleasure that the druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF would like to invite all folks of the community to join in celebration of the Autumnal Equinox on Sunday September 20th.

This will be our Norse style rite, and will honor Nerthus as our Deity of occasion by preparing her bed in the ground at this transition from summer to fall, as a prelude for the cold winter blowing in.

Join us on this high day where we shall see her safely to her winters’ rest.

The ADF Rite will be held at the Quinet Family Lands by Route 27 at the Crawford County/Venango County line out by Titusville, PA. Pre-Ritual briefing will be at 3:00pm, and ritual to be held at 4:00pm.

For detailed directions to the land, drop us an email or call us and we’d be happy to give further information. Parking is limited and if we know you are coming we can help provide space.

This is a primitive camp space, with little facilities, so come prepared, there are no structures or power on the property. The only heat source will be a fire. Be prepared for rain or shine, and bring a chair or blanket if you would like.

A fire will be available after the rite for camp/picnic food, and general camaraderie.

Donations welcomed, which helps us pay for rental space during the winter time for us to provide open to the public rites. We will also be collecting used re-chargeable batteries for recycling.

If you have questions about the event, or need directions to the rite please feel free to contact us at info@snowwatergrove.org, or by phone on 814 406 9794.

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Samhain – Sunday November 1st
* Winter Solstice – Sunday December 20th
* Imbolc – Sunday January 31st

Bright Blessings,
Grey, Senior Druid of
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.snowwatergrove.org
grey@snowwatergrove.org
Tel: (814) 406-9794

Prayer for the Ancestors of 9/11

2009-09-11T12:29:00.004-04:00

To those whose troubles left only truth,
Of the honored helpers, who heard the howl,
their purpose or pledge no longer need proof,
To those Ancestors: I remember your deeds.

So much loss and longing, of both love and life,
from deeds which lack distinction, bringing disgust,
To those sad, still struggling with Strife,
To their Ancestors: I remember your deeds.

We whisper words as the wheel and the world turn,
I take a minute, a moment for those missing,
Hail the Ancestors, Hail the hero's we learn,
To the Ancestors: I remember your deeds.

(c) Grey Whittney | 9/11/2009

Not only a task list made, but items getting checked off!

2009-08-31T19:51:00.004-04:00

As the subject states, I have a task list... Yes, I know, I usually have the first task as "Finish the damn Task List", but for once I'm actually getting through my tasks.. There are a number of check marks on this task list (alas, task list is not yet completed #grin#), which I'm quite happy about.

(Lets see... Write a blog post... "In Progress")

Got a little bit of work done in the basement sorting out some boxes of computer equipment onto some form of shelving - It's still a mess, but there's hope now. Quite amazed at the amount of junk there is, unfinished projects and the like. Now I can get a handle on some of that.

Managed getting a desk in the Sunroom so I can scatter papers all over it, bury it, throw my netbook on it, and actually do some Grove stuff (perhaps this could move towards starting the Dedicants Program with the ADF, we'll see).

But first things first.. Grove meeting on Friday night was a great success, including the Pizza (although, Big J did state "I came anyway, even not *knowing* there was pizza to be had. Alas the Wine has all but gone... ;-). We got through a lot of open-ended topics, and not getting hung up on actual dates (that's what the minutes are for .... um, still need those... add it to the task list)

Rachael's got the UU Service finished for Sunday, now we can pick at it all week and see if it can be made better, rather than the Grey-leaving-it-to-the-last-minute(tm) #cough#. Order of service submitted to the Office, and a number of people looking forward to the service (that's the service this coming Sunday, at the Meadville UU Church.. You're coming? Right? #grin# Good, it's at 10:30am).

I've a section being written for it, and it's coming along nicely (sometimes, I'm really amazed where some of my inspiration comes from).

We've got a little-bit-past-tentative date for the Snow Water Grove Study Group at Meadville UU Parish House, that'll be on Friday September 11th starting at 7:00pm, I'll be posting better details once I've submitted something for the UU Office.

Um, September's filling up... I'm progressing a little too slowly on the Autumnal Equinox Public Ritual on September 20th, but it's starting to take shape.

Okays, next on the list... FB Announcement for the Grove, and ... Food!! Ahh yes!!

Grove meeting tonight

2009-08-28T08:38:00.003-04:00

Monthly Grove meeting tonight, and I've just figured out that I have no agenda set up yet (so, guess what I'll be doing at lunch at work #grin#). Actually, we've a fair amount to discuss, and some planning to do, with nothing bad needing to be brought up (which is always good).

I also hope I have time to cook and not burn the Pizza this time (bit of a miscalculation earlier in the week.... Ok, so the TV distracted me...), although based on current number of people and that Ty will want to hang around a little more (as pizza is his favorite food) I think I need to get another pizza (which, to be honest, isn't a bad thing).

Yes that's right, enticing members to the boring Grove meeting with pizza (see what happens if you become a member of Snow Water Grove #laugh#)... maybe that's not the best thing to do, but based on how long it takes us, and starting in the evening, food does start to become a problem.

Great..... now I'm hungry, and it's only 8am (and yes, I've had breakfast).

Yes, kind of a boring blog post, but it should get me to a point of posting more often.

Got some web work done too. Oh, for those who don't know the upcoming Events for Snow Water Grove, ADF, have a look at the Events Listings page.

Meadville UU Service and Snow Water Grove, ADF

2009-08-24T12:15:00.002-04:00

Follow the great success that Sassafras Grove had with their Unitarian Universalist church ritual celebrating Midsummer that Snow Water was able to help with, and being able to use the idea to promote ADF in our own area, it seems we've spoken just at the right time.

The kind congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville has asked us to put on a small ADF ritual for their actual Sunday Service on September the 6th, 2009. Yes, that's right, they want us to do the service, not just a part of it..

This, for me, is wonderful, exciting, and has me a little bit nervous (and that's just because that's the way I always get ;-)

Rachael has been putting together the complete service, basing it on the work Sassafras have done, and she's going with an ADF Core order, using a number of the songs that the UU congregation know, and going to make it a simple blessing rite to honour the Ancestors of the Meadville UU Church.

This will be taking place at the Meadville UU Church;
346 Chestnut Street
Meadville, PA
16335

Starting at 10:30am on the 6th September, and (fingers crossed) ending at 11:30am.

This is our chance to show those in the congregation about what we do, and how grateful we are at being able to rent space for our winter rites, and attend their Sunday services. It'll also show them a good insight into the ADF style of liturgy, without confusing them, or making them have to do anything.

So, if you're someone who supports the grove, or just wants to see what we do, come and join us for this event, we'd love to see you, as would the wonderful Meadville Congregation (remember; Church isn't a bad word #smile#).

There will be a Coffee hour after the event, and I'm hoping a small feedback session in the parish house.

Google Voice and the Grove

2009-07-24T15:26:00.004-04:00

Well, after much waiting (and as my work colleague will attest; much grumbling) I now have 2 operational Google Voice numbers. In fact, the first day at brushwood, I got an email with the Google Voice invite in it... So, after all that waiting, I couldn't sign up, as I was in a tent with my computer at home (you can't sign up with a mobile device I found).

So, now starts the experiment. Since it doesn't integrate into Google Apps, which is what we run the SnowWaterGrove.org domain on, I set up a new email account and attached a Google Voice number to it: (814) 406-9794 (or with characters: 406-9-SWG).
Attached a cell phone to it (note; you can only have one phone classified as mobile in the system, which makes it a little awkward if you want two numbers to ring your cell), a land line, and recorded a basic Voicemail greeting.

Now the Grove has a telephone number; This is where the testing begins, as I have found One Communications doesn't recognize the number in it's routing system, so I suspect there's some growing pains to get calls to Google's numbers.

But, should this actually work out, it'd be possible to have a single telephone number for the Grove, it's own Voicemail (catered to per-contact/per-group greetings: New callers get a quick message about the Grove, members could get "the next meeting will be at" type of message). The Voicemail gets transcribed (ok, quality might be an issues here, but the mp3 gets attached) and sent to the info email address, which then gets distributed to the info group of the grove; along with the Caller ID number.

This way, multiple people can keep track of incoming calls, deal with them (esp. if they are in the Google Voice settings as a phone, and can respond FROM the Grove's Google Voice number, therefore not exposing their normal phone), and when the officers change, and the membership alters, the settings, and forwards get rerouted without effecting a single individual (the whole; it's owned by such-and-such) meaning published numbers stay the same.

So, we'll see how it goes. I'll keep people posted with updates.

Snow Water Grove Annoucement: Lughnassadh

2009-07-24T12:40:00.002-04:00

Greetings,

It's with great pleasure that the druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF
would like to invite all folks of the community to join in celebration
of Lughnassadh on Sunday August 9th.

This will be our Celtic based ritual, honoring the first Harvest of
the year, and all are welcome to attend be you Pagan, pagan-friendly,
or just curious, and there’s no age restriction.

The ADF Rite will be held at the Quinet Lands by Route 27 at the
Crawford County/Venango County line out by Titusville, PA. Pre-Ritual
briefing will be at 3:00pm, and ritual to be held at 4:00pm.

For detailed directions to the land, drop us an email or call us and
we’d be happy to give further information. Parking is limited and if
we know you are coming we can help provide space.

This is a primitive camp space, with little facilities, so come
prepared, there are no structures or power on the property. The only
heat source will be a fire. Be prepared for rain or shine, and bring a
chair or blanket if you would like.

A fire will be available after the rite for camp/picnic food, and
general camaraderie.

Donations welcomed, which helps us provide rite in the winter. We will
also be collecting used re-chargeable batteries for recycling.

If you have questions about the event, or need directions to the rite
please feel free to contact us at info@SnowWaterGrove.org, or by phone
on 814 406 9794.

For those that like to plan ahead:
* Autumn Equinox – Sunday September 20th
* Samhain – Sunday November 1st
* Winter Solstice – Sunday December 20th

Bright Blessings,
Grey, (Senior Druid)
Snow Water Grove, ADF
www.SnowWaterGrove.org
grey@SnowWaterGrove.org
Tel: (814) 406-9794

Stay Secure whilst on te'Net

2009-06-30T11:00:00.005-04:00

With a number of issues I've seen recently (sorry to say it's at work), and the massive amount of web pages and games that we end up using on a day to day basis, I think it's safe to say that people need to be a bit more careful out there, and the simplest way to do that is with choosing passwords, and not giving out too much personal information.

Yes, there's other ways, especially for the tech savvy (like: noscript and adblock plus for firefox, Comodo firewall, running an anti virus program like Avast... and all of those I've just mentioned are free for home use).

Consider things that you plug into your computer as potentially unsafe too, don't let people change their iPod on your computer unless you trust them.. Is this being overly paranoid? Maybe, but you don;t actually know where that iPod's been (the friends I know seem to be practicing safe sex, perhaps you should start treating your computer the same way too!)

Take personal information on places like myspace and facebook (yes, I'm guilty here too). You've seen the "find friends by typing in your email username and password, and we don't store your password"... It sounds great, but don't, really, don't. No, they're not lying, they don't store your password, they just take all of the people you've ever emailed, and been emailed by, and keep them, so they can suggest friends later. Now, maybe you want to be friends with 100% of your contacts (really?, you do... wow, go you...). OK, perhaps facebook and myspace do a good job of safeguarding your info (ummm.... ok, I'll drop some of my paranoia and try and get to that..), but anywhere else, it's not worth the time you save, really.

Hell, wait till those friends invite you, rather than being the one to add all your friends first. This is like kids and cell phones, isn't it? "Must have the most friends to be cool". My response to that, from the Cub is "Cool: Constipated Overrated Out-of-style Looser".

We don't have one key for the house, car, work, mailbox, etc... So why do people still use the same password for everything. Think about the worst case here; there could be a tech guy who can see that password (yes, they should be encrypted on their database, but you are still trusting your data to a third party individual).

"But passwords are hard to remember". OK, I agree, they can get out of hand (I lost count of the amount I have, I suspect for work its 400+). There is no way *I* can remember them all. Thats why there are programs like Keepass: http://keepass.info/ you protect a database you own, on your computer, with a password (a GOOD password), and then can access any password. It can even generate passwords for you.

Yes, it's a little more work to get into paypal now (which you have attached to your bank account, right? don't you think it should be difficult to guess that one?).

Some people (and I've run into this at work too) think that their password for their email isn't important: "Peh, I don't have too much in there, whatever...". But, wait, where is the "reset my password" button going to send an email to on your paypal account?. They are all important. I have no problem someone reading my email, if I'm there, and as such, my email password stays with me. There should never be a need where you need to give someone your password.

I have seen occasions where someone posting from someone's account is funny, but it usually ends up causing someone pain.

If you also use different passwords for different systems, then someone finding out one password, doesn't give them the keys to your kingdom.

Also, watch out for the twitters, and the facebook/myspace pages that ask about "whats your favorite teacher", or "post your porn name by typing in your pets name, and the first street you lived on". These questions can be used to get the answers to those secret questions in order to reset your password.

So how *do* you choose a good password. If you use keepass, then after that initial password you could say all others are random with collections of A-Z, a-z, 0-9 with some of %$#@! in it.. I've heard people use song lyrics with different case, replacing letters.

And, if you must MUST write it down, and keep it in your wallet (along with the social security number card you've got there), try to leave the start off it, or the end, or add something to the start or end, with other words. Just don't make it easy for people.

Last thing is to know that if you think there's a slight chance that someone has seen you type your password, change it; Every system gives you the ability to change your password. Its not a bad idea to change passwords after you've been on a public computer (as you don't know what software is logging your key strokes), or if the application does the ol' "password: ********" in the box (don't think that this protects you, there IS software that takes away those stars.. If it's your home computer, I wouldn't worry, but a works or library computer is different).

I had a sales guy ask me if the techs could see what he was doing. The simple answer is to assume YES, that way you're not going to enter passwords you're not prepared to loose control of.

If you've used a password for more than 6 months, think about changing it. This goes for your Wireless/wired routers, and the wireless keys as well (wouldn't you choose to change your locks if you lost the key to your house?)

Prayer for Sól

2009-06-23T11:23:00.002-04:00

Hail Sól, Bright Lady of the Day,
Hold your journey today, we prey.
Do not fear the wolfs bite,
and let us see you, and your loving light.
You who bring warmth to all,
lifted to the sky by the roosters call.
Help the people and crop grow,
the light that our Ancestors know.
The longest day we celebrate here,
Stand sill with us at this time of year.

By Grey Whittney - For Snow Water Grove, ADF, Midsummer Ritual

Snow Water Grove Midsummer Announcement

2009-06-15T12:40:00.001-04:00

Greetings

It's with great pleasure that the druids of Snow Water Grove, ADF
would like to invite all folks of the community to join in celebration
of Midsummer on Sunday June 21st.

The time of year when we honor the height of the Sun in all Her glory,
and her standing still if but for a brief time, within a Norse style
ritual.

The celebration will be held at private property on route 27 at the
Crawford County/Venango County line with pre-ritual briefing for song
learning and what to expect during ritual at 3pm, and ritual to commence
at 4:00pm. For detailed directions to the site, please email or call us, and
we'd be happy to give further information. Parking is limited and if we
know you are coming we can help provide safe parking.

This is a primitive camp space, with little facilities, so come
prepared, there are no structures or power on the property. The only
heat source will be a fire.

A pot luck feast will follow the ritual, as usual (think camp food)

Donations welcomed, but not required, which helps us plan for rental
space in the winter months and improvements to the land for future
use. Donations of non-perishable food will also be collected to
bolster the Unitarian Universalists food pantry efforts, as well as
rechargeable batteries (including old cell phone or computer
batteries, as long as they're under 11lbs). We very much appreciate
any efforts. If you have questions about the event, or need directions
to the rite please feel free to contact us at info@snowwatergrove.org.

safe journeys and blessings
www.snowwatergrove.org
info@snowwatergrove.org

Snow Water Grove, ADF
For more information about the ADF organization: www.adf.org

Camping Weekend

2009-06-09T13:00:00.004-04:00

So, this weekend, weather permitting, will be camping out by Titusville, PA, for the Grove Camping Weekend.

Hopefully we'll have a Grove members meeting as well, depends if we can get all the officers in one place.

This'll also give us the chance to get some form of space setup for the Nematon for the upcoming ritual on the 21st (blog announcement to follow), as well as camping trip, maybe some work on some staff's, ritual gear, and maybe, just maybe, work on the Dedicant's Path program of the ADF #fingers crossed#.

Was hoping to have a study group sorted out for this Friday evening at the Meadville UU, but I've not heard anything back from the BoD about it (which is fine, it's only been a week or so), I'd really like to bring out some pagan, and pagan friendlies to the Meadville UU, I think it'd work out for everyone involved.

Yes, consider this a form of "Grey's return to the Blog-O-Sphere"... I know, you'll believe it when you see it.

Back from Wellspring '09

2009-05-25T19:24:00.002-04:00

I'm back from the annual ADF meeting at Brushwood; Wellspring, INTACT! That's right, I didn't break anything (and I took part in the warrior games too).

Had an absolutely great time; met old friends, and new people, made some friends and some great connections on how best to move the grove along (suppose you could call it cat herding 101 #grin#). Some very interesting workshops, as well as a fantastic Sunday ritual.

And what great weather (hail Taranis!) too (nights weren't too cold)

Okays, need to unpack, and doze.

Beltane Rite went great!!!

2009-05-04T11:29:00.003-04:00

Just a quick note, and like to put more here.

Had a great Beltane with Snow Water Grove out at Chucks. We couldn't have asked for better weather, and the hospitality was fantastic. Had a great fire (went through a lot of wood... more so than anticipated), and managed to put some last minute quick additions to the Sky Father song to go with the Earth Mother song (I'll post it when I find the notes, they're still in my bag). Go last-ditch-efforts at song writing (day like it was, I really didn't want to leave the invocation of Sky Father out #grin#)

We didn't get home till 8pm (and rite started at 4 ;-), but I think the Heathens sharing a horn of Mead helped that fact (Oh, that was excellent Mead... They're not always used to long rituals, but the pot luck went really well). Omen was very good (yes, i know, write it up ;-), and we got some great feedback.

Thanks to everyone who came and made it a great rite!!!

Hope to see you again at the next Rite, Midsummer... Eeek, gotta figure out when we're doing that.

Snow Water Grove, ADF Beltane Announcement

2009-04-22T09:12:00.004-04:00

Greetings

It's with great pleasure, the members of Snow Water Grove, ADF would like to invite all folks of the community to join in celebration of Beltane on May 3rd. The celebration will honor the passage of Spring to the blessing, planting and cultivating of the growing fertility of the land. The celebration will be held at a private residence in Meadville (it's still a public event), please email the below address for directions and parking instructions. Preparation and meeting at 3pm, pre-ritual briefing and garland making by 3:30 and ritual to start at 4pm. The shining God Bel and the Goddess Danu will be the honored Deities of occasion as well as the Kindred your hearth may follow. Spring Flowers, songs, stories, poetry and music are encouraged to be brought for the offerings of this blessed time of year.

A pot luck feast will follow the ritual, as usual. This is primitive outdoor space, so please come dressed for the weather. Donations not required, but welcomed. Donations of non-perishable food will also be collected to bolster the Unitarian Universalists of Meadville food pantry efforts. They very much appreciate our efforts. If you have questions about the event,or need directions please feel free to contact us.

safe journeys and blessings
Rachael
info@snowwatergrove.org
Snow Water Grove, ADF
Check out our new website at www.snowwatergrove.org (improvements made almost daily as we are building it, so bookmark the site and check back often!)
for more information about the ADF organization: www.adf.org

Prayer for (or from) the Ancestors

2009-04-20T19:46:00.003-04:00

This was actually written for someone in a time of need, and the ancestors gave me a little helping hand, but I thought to put it out there too.

The Ancestors shape our way forward,
   By leaving us maps from their past,
   allowing us to see that we can move forward.
The Ancestors shape our thoughts,
   By leaving us ideas, and images, objects
   and visions of time gone by, our history.
The Ancestors shape who we have become,
   By merely being with us all those times where,
   without them, we’d have fallen.
The Ancestors shape how we move on,
   For the hardest part is them becoming the ancestors that
   we honor, in our hearts, and in our thoughts, and in our souls.
Hail the Ancestors,
   of those newly departed, and those
   who welcome them in the otherworld.
Hail the Ancestors,
   for they remember us, and we remember them.
Hail the Ancestors,
   While they teach us what we know till we meet again.

Edit: It was liked and well received #blush# (let me know if I can put your name as for who it's for... I don't have an email, sorry)

The suns out

2009-04-11T18:09:00.002-04:00

Yep, actually sat in the sun Room, with the sun flooding into the room. No doubt I'll be freezing my tail off when the sun goes down.

The Suns out illuminating the room, myself, and my spirit. Yeah, sounds like mumbo-jumbo, but it really is blowing out the cobwebs of my mind.

So much going on, going to be a really busy summer.

Snow Water Grove items are moving faster than I could have imagined, and I'm both nervous and looking forward to helping out more for the grove.

In that vain, have a look at the new pages: www.snowwatergrove.org
You can even email me at: Grey [AT] snowwatergrove.org
(by all means, any suggestions or thoughts, drop me an email)

We've also got a Cafe Press site under construction: www.cafepress.com/snowwatergrove
There's not much there at present, but we've got some expert help on the graphics side helping us out (thank the Kindreds, otherwise we'd having nothing but a wolf paw print #grin#)

Going to be looking at a possible new ritual site this next couple of days, and then the grove can send out an announcement for Beltane.

Incidentally, for anyone who's been to one of Snow Water's Rituals, if you know of any land we can hold a public ritual at, drop the grove, or myself a quick note.

Bright Blessings,
-Grey

prayer against gossip

2009-02-13T14:21:00.003-05:00

Was reading a blog post on Chronarchy (LJ) and wondered if I could do the same... then, I came up with the following..

Prayer against Gossip

Ratatoskr, stop your running, and quiet your teeth,
I know your task, but not your words, nor do I want to
For now, pause, take a moment on your ill duty,

Ratatoskr, stop your running, and quiet your teeth,
May your slurs, and vicious words become muddled,
May you see the sun shining, and your tongue soften

Ratatoskr, stop your running, and quiet your teeth,
May you see the hawk having knowledge
May you see the dragon having strength

Ratatoskr, stop your running, and quiet your teeth,
Stop fueling the fire between these,
If only for a few moments

Animals casting the Runes

2009-01-18T13:38:00.002-05:00

A few posts ago I put forward animal companions being familiars, and asked about stories of what animals have done. Well, got one of my own now.

Upon waking up I found my bag of Popsicle Stick runes on the floor, which were wrapped in a plastic ziplock bag so they didnt get wet. From this bag, and the chewed hole in one corner three sticks had been, dare I say "chosen", and placed in a pattern resembling Tiwaz.

The three, unchewed, sticks in past, present and "could be" were:

Hagalaz - Hail; Disruption, destruction and blight. Watch out change has been brewing.

Isa - Ice; No change, stasis or an inner stillness. Care must be taken when crossing ice (but it can still be crossed).

Laguz - Lake; Deep depths of water, dark pools flowing. High emotion, and not letting the current remove us (All water references relating to emotion in this spread)

As for the pattern being Tiwaz - Victory, brightness. Movement with sacrifice, perhaps all of this referring to a fight.

Not always one for believing omens, but always have eyes open for pointers..

Now, as for my Tarot deck getting chewed up... was just unfortunate placing of them on the low level of the table.

Snow Water Grove Info

2009-01-17T20:06:00.003-05:00

Just to those who follow my blog, and it being the only info you get;

Due to personal reasons I have resigned my position as Assistant Senior Druid, and temporary Secretary for Snow Water Grove. I wish my successors the best of luck, and hope that the Grove grows from strength to strength.

I believe in Snow Water Grove, and will continue lending my support where I can, as well as attend and participate in rituals.

This is upsetting, as I'd hoped to keep a seperation between personal and grove items, but I am unable to do so. For now I'm unable to lend my support to an officer position.

Regardless of position in a group, we are all "sales men and women" of that group, we all represent it, and promote it.

Next Snow Water ritual is at Meadville UU in the parish house on Sunday the 1st of February at 5pm.

certifiy your items lead-free, or 5 years in jail?

2009-01-09T16:25:00.003-05:00

It's not often I do this (perhaps I should start), but this caught my eye from http://rosies.homeschooljournal.net/2009/01/08/help/

As of February 10th, the sale of all books intended for children ages 12 and under will be prohibited. Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in production are required to include a “lead-free” certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale. New books will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale. No books at Goodwill. No local used book shops. No library discard racks. No eBay. Amazon has already notified it’s sellers that they must comply or be fined. CDs and toys will be subject to this rule, too. No more boxes of random Lego from eBay. No more handmade cloth diapers from eBay

I see what they're trying to do, taking lead away from young kids. Well done, but this doesn't grandfather anything else in.... Think, congress... PLEASE.

http://www.coolmompicks.com/savehandmade/

Can "insert animal here" be a familiar?

2009-01-09T14:38:00.004-05:00

This was a question on the Erie Pagans mailing list, but thought that some of you blog readers #tap tap... anyone?# might enjoy this too.

I suppose, if familiar comes from "family", then I think everyone on this list [Erie Pagans] who has pets, or close animals (deer, turkey, etc..), have no issues with saying that an animal is part of a family.

(Erm, I've also seen that a familiar can refer to an officer of the Roman Catholic Church, in reference to the Inquisition.... kind of odd, and makes me wonder how they came up with that - anyone better upto speed on the root of the word?)

I think Margret Murry wrote a fair bit about a witches familiar in regards to the animal in question holding a spirit that could assist and/or protect a witch. Most references state that its a cat, but I think that comes from superstition more than anything else.

So, if we say that instead of "can be a familiar", we say "can be a spirit that helps in magic, or assists in magical protection", then i think the answer is that any animal can lend it's spiritual strength to the witch, or magical practitioner.

However, personally, I don't think every animal chooses to do so, or can do so. I had a cat that would always come look for me when I was doing magical work, however, I've had a number of animals that couldn't care less, or have no clue. Fish? Sorry, no connection to them #shrugs# but others might have better connections with water based animals.

Comes down to ethics, I suppose. If you have an animal that you have a bond with, a part of your family (those here wouldn't consider a pet i don't think), do a short meditation, see yourself and your animal companion in a glade, (or any space thats protective), and actually ask the spirit of the animal if you may draw on it's skills, strengths, in return for something ( a gift for a gift
... extra food after doing magical things, there own meal on high days, etc... ;-).

Also, there are many new pagans out there who think they need a familiar to work magic. It's easy to get wrapped up in that. Remember, there are people on the list looking for homes for "pets", there are also [friends and pagans] who work for organizations that can help you adopt animals, or have good places to get pets from, as well as people in the vet industry, so always think of asking about adopting before you go buying, and do your research.

Sometimes it's just not possible to own and care for an animal based on your lifestyle, space (lack of), allergies (that one always sucks), cashflow or location (rental agreements). Don't fret. This is where Totem, or animal spirits, might be able to help you.

Have an animal spirit, or nature spirit shine on a shelf somewhere, a favorite animal, pictures, poems, stories. Yes, this is kinda "druid" based, but take notice to the animal, make it part of your daily devotionals. During your meditations, think of talking to an animal spirit for help or protection. Yes, there are many in community that might be able to help you focus better on certain forms; Badger,
Racoon, Otter, Dragon, Wolf (I'm missing lots of other out, sorry..).

Just take the books that have a dictionary of animals and skills with a pinch of salt, they may not always be accurate, nor are you limited to the large (sorry here) common animals; A mouse or a squirrel have qualities too.

Sometimes finding the animal that best suits you is different from having an animal help you. Just remember, "please can you help", and "thank you for helping" go a long way here. There's many charities that deal with animals, so it might be easier than you think to help them.

Hmmm.. kinda pushes me to thinking about Moot having the Fur Form discussion, better get on that some day....need to add totems, and therianthropy to the same discussion.

perhaps others have stories about their familiars, and would care to post them?

Winter Solstice Update, and Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T12:03:00.006-05:00

Well, seems I missed the posting of Snow Water's Winter Solstice Ritual, so for those of you you waiting me me to post an announcement, sorry..

Incidentally, the ritual itself went very well, and thankfully we had it inside at the Meadville UU church. We had a few bumps, like the liturgist of the ritual was unable to come due to weather, and more bad weather building. So thanks to email, we managed to pull it together, and not many noticed. I don't think i was quite as prepared as i could have been, so some of the sections came off clunky, and having to sing and hold a tune for people to follow is not one of my strong points (thank the Kindred that my voice held out, as I've been getting over a cough).

As soon as I get details of our next public ritual, I'll blog the announcement.

Yule seems to have crept up on me, and now is in full swing, and I'm left wondering where the time went... This is my way to excuse the fact that so many people don't have cards, or gifts for the season... Feel kinda bad about that, and hope to make up that loss in the new year.

Lots of things going on personally, none which are blogable (Hmmm... Is that a word... English majors and Izzard fans; anyone help here: My blog; To blog; he blogged; they bloggeded? They made is blogabled? #shrugs#).

So;
May the Kindred shine on you and yours on this season, and this night.
May you see good cheer, smiles and joy in the coming, growing light.
May your hearth be warmed with loved friends and family with hearts bright.
And May all your problems, worries and fears, disappear without a fight.

Ahhh... when spirit, magic, and engineers collide ;-)

2008-12-05T09:06:00.003-05:00

Ok, I was wondering if I'd like the Girl Genius comic sub story (cos I normally want to know whats going to happen in the normal timeframe), but today's comic really did make me smile.

http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20081205

"Jeez, you had toad eyes slotted into your newt eye grid - and that was throwing off your Aeteric Vibrations"

"Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science!"

- Kaja Foglio

behold, a post... (dont bang your head)

2008-12-01T13:28:00.002-05:00

Okays, I know, I know, not been posting much. But I have a reason (or rather, it feels like a reason). I've been moving house, and had a heck of a lot to sort through, get sorted, and get figured out.

I've not completely finished as yet, but I did want to extend a great big thank you to all of those that have helped in the transition, couldn't have done it without you.

Once I've got CAT5 through the house, I'll see about posting more often (TehKid, don't hold your breath...)

Snow Water Grove, ADF Samhain Announcement

2008-10-20T15:44:00.002-04:00

For those not on the Snow Water Grove email List:

Greetings and Blessings to all.

It's with great pleasure, the members of Snow Water Grove, ADF would like to invite all folks of the community to join us in celebration of the Feast of Samhain on SATURDAY, November 1st, 2008 at 2:00pm. Join us early for meeting each other and sharing in some of the fruits of the final harvest of the year

If you can't join us for the feast, take time to consider the veil between the worlds is at it's thinnest. It is the turning of the wheel where we take time to honor our ancestors of blood and spirit, and all those that have passed from us during the past year. It is also the time of new beginnings, It's going to be a whole new year!

The celebration will be held at Snow Water Farm on November 1st (Saturday), as we sing our praises to the Kindred in their ever changing forms. We will start the pre-ritual briefing at 3pm, with the ritual starting approximately at 3:30. This will be a Celtic style ritual with offerings to our Ancestors. There will be a specific table set up for ancestors, and everyone is more than welcome to bring a picture or item to represent their own ancestors.

For directions to the farm or questions about the ritual please email or call us and we would be happy to help.

The pot luck feast will follow the ritual, but please remember that this is an outdoor ritual and plan for the weather accordingly. Donations welcomed to cover the cost of Nemeton improvements, and future ritual space rental. Donations of non-perishable food will also be collected to bolster the Meadville Unitarian Universalists food pantry efforts, they very much appreciate our efforts.

Again, If you have questions about the event, or need directions to the farm please feel free to contact us. Also, please feel free to pass this announcement on to those you feel may be interested!

safe journeys and blessings
Rachael, Senior Druid
snowwateradf@yahoo.com
(814) 398-2593
Snow Water Grove, ADF
for more information about the ADF organization: www.adf.org

location: Snow Water Farm, Conneautville, PA
time:2pm gathering, 3pm pre-ritual briefing, 3:30 ritual, potluck to follow.
what else?: come dressed for the weather and "primitive" ritual space.

Public Ritual service at Raven's festival

2008-10-06T15:05:00.003-04:00

For those keeping an eye on my comments, I thought I'd post it in it's own little blog post, and might aid some of the readers as to what it was pertaining. no, this isn't Ego stroking, and there might be a few readers out there wondering what I've got myself into #laugh#

This past weekend Snow Water Grove was asked to come do a Druid 101 class and put together a land blessing ritual by our good Friend Raven (M) down and around Stoneboro. Raven's event was for the gay and lesbian groups around the area, and he has his own little methods of introducing groups to Paganism. Last time he had a Wiccan blessing, this time he wanted a Druid one for the land.

So 3 of us went down there, helped him out during the day, and were able to put on a Norse style blessing for the land, and his guests. We're still a little new at the public ritual, and was worried about getting things right, but the comments we got back were great. People even took a look at the ADF handouts we had.

On my return, my blog had the following:

Thanks for the ritual Gray today at Raven's.

I was fascinated watching you all day, then more so while you did the ritual.
The poetry was captivating. I also had my first taste of mead which was lovely.
I come from the Radical Faerie "tradition."
Perhaps someday you will be dipped in honey, (or mead,) and dropped amongst us. I'm sure you would enjoy it!
Hugs,
Jim

Faeries...

We have been a SEPARATE PEOPLE . . . drifting together in a parallel existence, not always conscious of each other . . . yet recognizing one another by eyelock when we meet . . . here and there as outcasts…Spirit-people…in the service to the Great Mother . . . Shamans…rhapsodes, poets and playwrights, healers and nurturers . . . VISIONARIES…REBELS."

A web link...

http://www.heathenharvest.com/index.php?topic=Radical_Faeries

Jim, thank you for the fine complement, it's not often I hear them (or perhaps I just hide my head in the sand, or just fail to recognize them). Alas, my sexual preference doesn't go in that direction, but I'll admit, the visual image was quite stunning (and for the regular readers; no, TehKid, dont even think it!!!).

The ritual was a collective effort between Rachael (our Senior Druid) and myself, and assisted by Pat (whom, without, there would have been no fire!!).

Long time no update

2008-09-23T16:18:00.003-04:00

Yes, a post .. and I see some of you jumping with joy, and stopping what you're doing to come and read what I've put, but it's not going to be all that insightful I'm afraid. This is usually the part where I apologise for not blogging since June, but not today.

I would like to say thank you to those checking, and letting me know that I need to update... The problem is, I've no clue what to say.

I think I need to figure out what I want to put here, and also to keep moving forward in the things I enjoy. Been spending a lot of time trying to figure the "Self" part of me, and things are getting a lot better.

Quick update

2008-07-11T15:15:00.002-04:00

Wow... busy couple of weeks, and next week is Sirius Rising at Brushwood for 9 days. So if you're going, have a look for the Snow Water Grove flag. This also means I'll be out of touch with anything electronic (not, IMO, a bad thing).

Lets see... since last update..

* Snow Water Summer Ritual; Went really well. Had 15 or so people. Next date will be Sunday August 3rd. More details following our Brushwood meeting.

* Work; Still the same.... had some broken POTS (plain old telephone system) to deal with following a storm (took out our 16 port analogue system... #grumble# then the replacement didn't work due to the isolators being installed wrong). Also, might actually get a review some time this month, first since I stated, as well as seeing my job description for the first time ever.

* Collar Bone: Still detached, but calcium is forming and it's starting to hurt a lot less. Doctors are keeping an eye on things and I've no complications. I've been given some exercises to help recovery as well, so started into them.

Okay, a fast update, but better than nothing

Snow Water Camping Weekend

2008-06-15T16:31:00.003-04:00

Yes, not updated much, and announcements don't count, I know. But, you're not going to get a "sorry" out of me for that (besides, I don't want to waste my "sorry quota" for the day ;-).

So, this weekend was Snow Water Grove, ADF, Members meeting and camping weekend. Yes, thats right, in that rain we had on Friday night. Actually, we heard on Saturday that the electric went out in a number of places, except around Conneautville.. Ironic really, since we have no electricity needs bar some portable lights ;-).
Actually, we only got 1 1/2 inches of rain that night, and the thunder and lighting passed us by. Not sure if the horses of the thunder decided to play elsewhere, or if the offering we made in the fire that night to the Dragons made them go easy on us. Either way, thanks and praise was given for a great weekend.

Only real downside was the mosquito's, but I only got bit a small number of times.

Saturday was our Unity Ritual for the Grove. This is our first meeting as a grove, and we wanted a way to formally welcome members. Sadly there where a few missing faces, but we sent our thoughts out to them. Next chance we get we'll welcome them into the grove formally (as they're already members to us ;-). It was a great night. Alas my current pain meds made me go to bed way too early, but seemed everyone else had fun. No tents got washed away in the rains (there was a bit of water collecting in places, but no major problems).

Had a lot more connection to some of the ritual parts this time, and got a fair amount of energy out of the meditation that our Senior Druid did.

Got some interesting feedback from a dual praise offering to Tyr and the Wolves, need to sort out a better offing for them next time.

Summer Solstice with Snow Water Grove, ADF, Announcement

2008-06-15T16:20:00.002-04:00

Snow Water Grove, ADF Summer Solstice

The ritual will be a Germanic/Norse style ritual celebrating the summer with offerings to the Kindred and The Radiant Sunna.

This is the turning of the wheel that celebrates the longest day, a time of power and activity, the height of summer, as Sunna slows her passage across the sky.

Even if you can't join us take time to look around and observe the changes in the land around us as it’s at it's height of growth and fullness.

The celebration will be held at
Snow Water Farm, Conneautville, PA on
Sunday June 22nd
Pre-ritual briefing at 3:00pm,
ritual approximately at 3:30pm.
come dressed for the weather and "primitive" ritual space.

The ever popular pot luck feast will follow the ritual (so don't forget to bring something to share), but this is an outdoor ritual and plan for the weather accordingly. We have some simple outdoor protection from the elements. Also, you're more than welcome to bring chairs to sit in the Nemeton space (depending on people and praise offerings, you could be looking at a couple of hours).

Donations of non-perishable food will also be collected to bolster the Meadville Unitarian Universalists food pantry efforts.

For directions to the farm or questions about the ritual please email or call us:

snowwateradf@yahoo.com
(814)-398-2593 – Rachael
(814)-460-3822 - Grey

Back from Wellspring

2008-05-28T09:39:00.004-04:00

Yes, I'm back from Brushwood, following the ADF Wellspring event.

Had a great time, even if the nights hit 35F.

And, for those that don't know, and those that might have heard rumors, yes I broke my left collar bone during the last round of events for the Warrior Games that took place.

It was during the fight between myself and our Senior Druid, and I just fell wrong trying to stay in the circle.

So, based on the strongest should lead, she deserves the Senior Druid position #laugh# Although, she's feeling very guilty at the moment, so try not to give her too hard a time. I'll heal, no worries.

I want to extend my thanks and gratitude to my Grove mates, and the ADF Warriors Guild for their strength, kindness, and nobility both during and after this incident.

As Seamus said, Hail Tyr!

Edit: War wounds picture: X-Ray from Sunday (Bone(s) outlined...)

Snow Water Annoucement

2008-05-28T09:30:00.003-04:00

It's official!!!

On May 22nd Snow Water Protogrove was official recognized as an ADF (www.adf.org) Grove (Provisional, mind you). But this means we are now

Snow Water Grove, ADF

For those that don't know, this is a big step, and can take years to sort out normally. We managed it in 6 months!!!

Hail to the pack, hail to the Grove, and thank you to everyone for their support!

More details later (due to other things going on...)

Snow Water Annouce list

2008-04-28T15:53:00.002-04:00

Ahhh, nearly forgot. If my blog postings are all the warning you get for Snow Water events (sorry #grin#). There is a yahoo group setup for receiving events. It's pretty low traffic, mainly because we use for events only, and most of the people that come to the ritual's hear about it from other mailing lists.

If you want to get subscribed, send an email to: SW_adf_announce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, and I'll add you in.

Alternatively, use your Yahoo email address and point your browser at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SW_adf_announce/

Or, you could email me...

Beltaine with Snow Water Protogrove, ADF

2008-04-28T15:09:00.002-04:00

Come one, come all, this event is open for all,
Bring some food, a chair, or just yourselves standing tall
Come one, come all, and celebrate this Beltaine season.
Come offer praise, or just sit and watch, you don't need a reason.
Come one, come all, sit by our fire on this fine night.
Read on, drop us a line and perhaps even pass round the invite.
(c) Grey ;-)

Snow Water Protogrove, ADF will be celebrating Beltaine

The ritual will be a Hellenic type ritual celebrating the spring with offerings of flowers being encouraged. This is the turning of the wheel that celebrates the freshness of the Spring, the growing and planting times, and the happiness of the warmth of the growing sun and light.

The public is welcome to join as we awaken the outdoor Nemeton and sing our praises to the Kindred in their ever changing forms.

The celebration will be held at:

Snow Water Farm, Conneautville, PA on
Sunday May 4th
Pre ritual briefing at 3:00pm, ritual approximately at 3:30p.
Come dressed for the weather and "primitive" ritual space.

The ever popular pot luck feast will follow the ritual, but this is an outdoor ritual and plan for the weather accordingly. Donations of non-perishable food will also be collected to bolster the Unitarian Universalists food pantry efforts.

For directions to the farm or questions about the ritual please email or call us.

snowwateradf@yahoo.com
(814)-398-2593 – Rachael
(814)-460-3822 - Grey

Weekend update

2008-04-26T15:18:00.002-04:00

An update post (yes, unique for me). Currently watching Firefly in Cambridge Springs.

Actually, I've volunteered to house and dog watch this weekend for P and R, which gives me reading and writing time. Now, not that I can't do thinking, reading, and writing at home, far from it. But I've found a change of scenery can help me dislodge ideas, and focus on things. Also gives me chance to figure out what I'm going to do for Beltaine next week.... Oo that reminds me, I should post the announcement on my blog.

Communication... and Anger (bad mix)

2008-04-18T14:12:00.005-04:00

I know how important communication is, I've stood on my soap box too many times talking about it; a community without communication doesn't work, or if it does, contains a lot of silence and people waving at each other #shrugs#. So, based on this bit of information, why do I get so angry communicating?

Work seems to be the common place for this, and it's not due to others (well, not usually). I start trying to discuss something, miss a word which either gets corrected (I don't have an issue with being corrected), or left till I finish, and then people get confused, and a discussion starts on a section of the conversation that has nothing to do with the original topic, leads no-where, and if the information is wrong, I for some reason lash out trying to correct the bad thinking, or information that they're trying to shove down my neck.

I shouldn't react the way I do. If I paused, thought, and let them finish the discussion saying nothing, I'd be able to stay calm, but I don't. I have to say something, then get more annoyed when my view point isn't understood. Perhaps I've a "I know everything" attitude, and in which case I need to dump it, FAST. I know enough to know that I know very little, but I know enough to get me into trouble.

Just need to work on communicating, being less stressed, and being less argumentative. Perhaps doing that, causes less of the inverse.

Ostara Ritual recap (late ;-)

2008-04-16T18:32:00.007-04:00

Yes, I know, that was ages ago. Look, do you want two posts in one day, or not.

As a bit of background, Ostara was Snow Water Protogrove's Ritual, put together by myself (I was going to put written, but I used different things from different books, and texts, that written doesn't seem to be the right word.. Had I been thinking, I'd have copied down all my sources, so my thanks to those places that provided documents, and my sincere apologies to not stating who you are). I had a lot of help from all the members of Snow Water:

The wheel turns once more, and we still feel a chill in our bones. We gather here at the Equinox to honor the Goddess Ostara, the Goddess of Spring and the Morning Redness in the East. She who is commonly depicted with Spring's flowers and vines, holding an egg in Her hand. Around Her feet the hares play joyfully in the Spring grass and birds fly above Her. Her head is crowned with Spring's flowers.
She comes to us in the Dawn, She comes to us as the Dawn. She is the rising light, She is the rising life. Light and dark today are balanced, but soon the light will lengthen and hold sway. Let us keep the rites of our Ancestors! Hail Ostara!

This was the Equinox, and performed at the Meadville UU.
I had a lot of fun putting together the ritual, but I left far too many things to the last minute, including the sun wheel for the Goddess that was to be used as the final sacrifice:

(thanks for the picture R #grin#)

For some reason, I wasn't cold enough to need my furs (although I think that was because I was so nervous running a public ritual). Considering how much I managed to do on that Saturday, along with A helping me out (thank you for the eggs!!!!), I've no idea how I had time. There were a few little miscalculations, and errors, but nothing distracted the people and intent, so I'll just make sure I consider those items in the future. I think S was right when she said it was a little rough around the edges.

It was a lot of fun to do, the Rune omen we got back from Ostara was wonderful, and people even enjoyed the working section with the jelly beans and peeps (yes, fun can be had in Ritual... and there's a place for Peeps, who knew #laugh#). I was utterly worn out for the next 2 days. I never considered the amount of energy used for things like this.

The Vernal Equinox also reminds us that there will be times in which achieving balance is easier than at other times in our lives. As the seasons of nature are cyclical so are our lives; we individually mirror the movement of the whole. The Vernal Equinox also serves to remind us that there are times when we must individually "clean house" in order to maintain fertile ground, clear out our outdated conceptions and misconceptions, our grievances and hurts, our self-perceived many times self-inflicted wounds, regrets of our past actions and inactions, our grudges and resentments, our inability to forgive others and ourselves. By clearing house we create the room for new experiences, new understandings, new hope and new joy that would elude us had we not cleared the way and made room for them to occur.

(From: http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usma&c=holidays&id=4050)

Thank you to all who attended!!

Next ritual is Beltaine, on the 4th of May. This time we'll be out at the Nemeton at Snow Water Farm, Conneautville. Looking forward to being outside again.

I'll get the announcement sorted out for my blog here shortly.

Figuring out how to deal with calls

2008-04-16T17:19:00.003-04:00

Those that know me also know that I'm pretty terrible when it comes to talking over the phone (yes, and blogging... Thats not quite what I'm going on about here, as I've not had a lot of time to do the blogging). This is both at work, at home, and on the cell phone. I don't know, maybe it's a fear of whats going to be said or that it interrupts my current thought pattern. Maybe I struggle talking without looking at someone. Sometimes I miss points where I shouldn't talk due to the lack of finding good pause points, and end up interrupting (more so than usual) the other person.

So, as someone who is a an organizer of the Erie Witches/Pagan Moot, and a member of Snow Water Protogrove, ADF, I actually have my phone number plastered around a number of locations (always a little surprising). I still have the ability to transfer it to voicemail, then decide if I call people back (so yes, it's kinda of screening process... sorry).

It's always good to have a number to call for events, or to actually talk to someone. Perhaps I'm wondering if I'm the right person. The reason I bring this up is because I've had a number of calls from people looking for assistance with problems, and I've hopefully passed them information that assists them, by putting them in touch with people, or passing on the Erie Pagans yahoo group email address. But I don't know, as they never call back. Maybe they've found what they've been looking for.

I think I'm a little concerned that when complete strangers ask for some spiritual help with an issue, they expect some sort of fix I can give them. Thankfully, I've been able to pass them info on people better equipped to deal with these issues, and I take things seriously enough that I'm not going to talk about their issues, or problems, because that doesn't seem ethical (I really, really, need to finish reading 'A Practicle guide to Ethics in Energy Therapies').

It does highlight some areas I need to get better at.

Ostara with Snow Water Protogrove, ADF

2008-03-17T16:07:00.006-04:00

Greeting to all those still looking at my blog.

Come one, come all, there's an ADF ritual coming up, you don't need to be Druid,
Bring a cup, a horn, or wait for one to passed to you for the blessed fluid.
join our open to the public ritual, and celebrate this wonderful season.
Some come to offer praise, but you can just sit and watch, you don't need a reason.
So, read on, good kind reader, light a fire and pass round the invite,
If you choose to see us, we'd be happy to show you hospitality that fine night.

(c) - Grey ;-)

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: snowwateradf@yahoo.com

Greetings and Blessings to those who wish to fight off the doldrums of Winter. It's with great pleasure, the members of Snow Water Protogrove, ADF would like to invite all folks of the community to join in celebration of the Ostara. The turning of the wheel that represents equal times of daylight and night and the birds are signing harkening the return of the green times to come.

Even if you can't join us for this wonderful festival take time to look around, and listen to the birds calling in the morning. The first shoots of green from the tulips and daffodils blooming. The first of the babies being born in the fields. Spring IS coming and soon the bleak winter will soon be gone.

The celebration will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville (346 Chestnut St, Meadville) , Pennsylvania in the Parish house on March 22, 2008. Doors open at 6,pre-ritual briefing at 6:15, ritual approximately at 6:30. The ritual will be done with a Nordic flair, with Ostara being the Goddess of Occasion.

The ever popular pot luck feast will follow the ritual. Donations not required, but welcomed to cover the cost of space rental. Donations of non-perishable food will also be collected to bolster the Unitarian Universalists food pantry efforts, they very much appreciate our efforts. If you have questions about the event, or need directions to the church please feel free to contact us. Also, please feel free to pass this announcement on to those you feel may be interested in a celebration of Spring!

safe journeys and blessings
Rachael, grove organizer
snowwateradf@ yahoo.com
(814)398-2593
Snow Water Protogrove, ADF
for more information about the ADF organization: www.adf.org

no, your RSS feeds are correct....

2008-02-06T21:05:00.001-05:00

Yep, your RSS feeds are correct, its a post... No, not a figment of your imagination, not some web-ajax-soap-flash-"drive-by-download"-infection.

Yes, been a tad quiet on the blog front. Sorry about that. Been trying to do too much, with too little food, sleep and time. Yes, I'm doing better, thanks to my friends, protogrove members, and pack (thanks to all of you, I really appreciate it).

So, whats new, whats changed... Well, not all that much. Life is still plodding on. Had my issues with a bit of depression, and spending way too much time on work things, and getting very little done, causing a type of downward spiral.

Had a bit of re-aligning in my views of Winter following some work with the Norse Goddess Skaldi, which led to an interesting workings at Snow Water Protogrove Yule ritual, ending in a rendition of the Hokey-Pokey. Was also a time of having my name in the Erie Times newspaper Faith section with regards to the Winter Solstice, Druids, and Snow Water Protogrove, ADF. They used my real name (so my secrets out #grin#), as well as our Grove Organizer, but I wasn't as bothered as I thought I'd be.

For our Yule Ritual we must have had about 22 people #happy yips#. John and Maggie did a fantastic job, and invited Skaldi as the deity of honor.

This last weekend we had our Imbolc Ritual, dedicated to the Goddess Brighid. We had 23 people, with a couple of variations of people. It's really great to see those in and around Meadville come out for us. I don't know, guess I was expecting to start very small attendance wise. Don't get me wrong, this is wonderful.

For those interested our next ritual is on the 22nd of March. This'll be for Ostara. If anyone wants to be added to the distribution list for Snow Water Protogrove, ADF, drop me a note.

Lets see (second beer, so brain's starting to slow down), work wise has been getting better. I seem to have found a little more purpose in what I do by dealing with the systems of the BioDiesel plant, which has been immense, but really interesting. The company I work for had shrunk to 2 people (we were 9, excluding interns less than a year ago), but now we're up to 3, which is making things a little easier. No pay raise at this point #shrugs# I've kinda given up hope of that. It's not worth getting my depressed.

Home life is going well. I need to spend more time there, to be honest. I don't really give myself all that much time with Jes, but she's still putting up with me.
Starting to get my head around some electronic projects, and some craft projects. Love to have some pictures here at some point.

This is all for now, not much of an update, I'll see what else I can come up with this week for a post.

Till then, KthxBai

Erie Unitarian Universalist Event

2007-12-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

Since I'm a little behind in posts and events, I thought to at least note the event today.

As part of a collection of events put together by the Erie UU Church, this mornings Order of Worship was "Spiritual Teachings of Earth Centered Religions". Prior events were a talk from the coven of Brighid's Haven on Wicca, Whispering Lake Grove on their work and the ADF, Witches (by yours truly #grin#), and the Seneca Native American Indian Tribe (hope I got that one right, it's a pity I missed that one).

This service was, shall we say, brought to my attention on Tuesday, and Brighid's Haven were kind enough to offer planning hospitality to me, because I had a part in this. Yes, was news to me, and a little bit scary too. Let's just say that with their assistance I was able to fit in something today that had a "witchy" sort of feel to it. So yet again I got to learn from the coven, and for that I'm extremely greatful and happy for.

The Erie UU service began with a smudging in the local Native American Tribe Tradition, a number of announcements and introductions. Then there was Whispering Lake Grove, ADF, offer thanks and sacrifice to the Local land spirits, the Ancestors and the Shining Ones (I wonder if the UU members saw the apples as a sacrifice, or thought of it as an offering, it was a very cleaver use of words I thought).
Brighid's Haven then put forward a circle and quarter calls for the service, then it was to me for "banishing the Outdwellers". Since I was here in a capacity of representing the Witches/Pagan Moot and not a Druid standpoint, I was (on Saturday at least) a little lost on what to do. I'll give credit to Maggie from Snow Water Protogrove for the idea of the s*$t-stone idea, but instead of a stone, I used the local UU water, and asked people to visualize and imagine dropping a small pebble containing their negativity into it, then banishing the water (by means of pouring it) into a lidded cauldron (thanks Rich for holding that up... I forgot how long I rambled on for). Then removing the cauldron into the snow and away from the circle.

I'll admit, I had the idea in fuzzy form, and didn't have all the kinks worked out, but with encouragement from T.J. and grounding from Cindy, I somehow managed to pull it off. I was kinda surprised to be approached by a number of people thanking me for that part, and had some of the feelings they had explained to me, that made it all the more special.

The rest of the service had notable mentions of A.I.D.S. Awareness, and Darfor, which were delivered carefully, and to the point, so my hat off to those people for that.

All in all a very good learning experience, and again let me help out my community. People ask me why I'm in and around Erie. Come to one of the Pagan high days, and it'll answer all your questions.

To all who participated today, keep up the great work.

A post, shock horror...

2007-11-17T09:23:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's been a while. I sometimes have these great ideas for blog posts, but they end up being long, and also end up unfinished. Maybe I need to start smaller for now.

Wow, lots of things being going on. To quote J.R. at Brighid's Haven

"If you're Pagan in the Erie area, and think there's noting to do, you're not looking hard enough!"

Lets see, well Samhain came and went, Celtic new year, and Snow Water Protogrove, ADF had it's first, open to the public ritual, which went very well indeed. For those that have never tried to put a ritual together, it's not easy, and has it's share of last minute issues, stress, but at the end of the day, works out great. For those reading this that have done ritual design, and public rituals, yes, I'm downplaying this a little #grin#.

Following this I was asked by J.R. to assist in Brighid's Haven New Moon Rite, or "Dark of the Moon" meditation ritual. I got to work with T.J. and J.R. in putting together the protection of the circle. I was the caller of the Wolves, to add protection along with the Raptors above and Mustelids below. I consider myself lucky to have worked with two great ritual workers and performers, as well as teachers. I'm also sure that many have to spend time and effort to get to work with them in this capacity, so I've very honored they asked and let me work with them. I was pretty much given a blank page to work with and come up with something, and I think it fit quiet nicely to what they had in mind. I learnt a lot from them, and would encourage anyone who has the chance to work with them.

Now I've got to start thinking of the Yule Ritual for Snow Water Protogrove, ADF, before it's too late #grin# Really looking forward to this one. I'll add more details as to where, and when shortly, drop me a line if you're interested.
(Oh, and Dagdamor, I'll try and explain a little more about what I'm talking about too, your comments don't go unread ;-)

A new hearth Fire: Snow Water Protogrove, ADF

2007-10-05T12:20:00.001-04:00

Good news... No, wait... ^H^H^H^H^H^H Great News!!!!

On September 10, 2007, a Grove Organizer's Survey was received from [NoctWolf] of the proposed Snow Water Protogrove,
ADF, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403

After carefully reviewing the application in accordance with our
current policies, we are pleased to announce that:

~~~ Snow Water Protogrove, ADF ~~~

is hereby recognized by Ar nDraiocht Fein: A Druid Fellowship.

Protogrove name: Snow Water Protogrove
GO Name: [NoctWolf]
PG Address: P. O. Box 58, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403
Email for contacting protogrove: SnowwaterADF@yahoo.com
Date founded: October 3, 2007
Congratulations and Blessings,

We've now got our own ProtoGrove. This is a wonderful development, and I thank NoctWolf for all her hard work in making this happen, as well to the other members of the Snow Water ProtoGrove who make it what it is.

Now, for those trying to get a grip on what the heck I'm talking about (I know a have a number of pagany, and non-pagany friends put there). The ADF designate a protogrove as:

"A Protogrove should be thought of as a probationary congregation of ADF. A Protogrove may be formed by one or two voting members in a given location who are attempting to build a Grove. Protogrove status is given to most who request it, provided one member has belonged to ADF for at least six months and there is a publishable (secular or religious) name and a box number (either post office or mailing service) to use as their official mailing address. [...] As a probationary group, Protogroves have fewer required activities than Groves, but also slightly less autonomy to designate officers or approve and amend bylaws."

(From: The ADF Members pages)

"# Protogroves must perform a minimum of eight open to the public events per year to maintain approved Protogrove status. These events may be ADF rituals, discussion groups, or study groups."

"# Protogroves must show that they are actively attempting to recruit new members through community outreach activities, with the intent of eventually organizing a Provisionally Chartered Grove of ADF."

( From the ADF Grove Organizer Handbook )

In fact, whilst we were ADF-Pending (i.e. paperwork had been submitted, and we were waiting for the review and go ahead from the ADF) we had our own Fall Equinox Ritual, (non-ADF, but following their example, and methods). This was our first run with the new Nemeton area, and we managed to fit 13 adults into it. Praise offerings were given and praise returned from the Kindred. A wonderful time. We've ways in which to improve, but that'll come with time.

Hopefully, there will be more announcements as time goes on, especially on the 8 public items. If you're interested in knowing more about Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF), A Druid Fellowship or our Protogrove, just drop me a comment. I'm hoping we'll have an announcement email list set up here in the next couple of days.

ADF Membership

2007-09-12T17:46:00.000-04:00

Well, after some thinking, reading, more thinking, I've finally decided and become a member of the ADF: Ár nDraíocht Féin:. From the site:

"A Druid Fellowship (ADF) is an international fellowship devoted to creating a public tradition of Neopagan Druidry."

For those struggling with the Irish, it's pronounced: "arn ree-ocht fane". For more help, they have the spoken version too.

After spending some time with both Brighid's Haven, and Whispering Lake Grove for nearly a year, in fact Pagan Pride day on the 8th of September was my year marker for being in the pagan community, I have been contemplating how best to learn, and move on with some spiritual work, as well trying to remove myself from spending far too much time in the work place. I also bumped into Skip Ellison, and listened and chatted (briefly, he's a busy guy) whilst at brushwood, which got me thinking again about something like the ADF.

I'm happy the direction I'm going, and the structure the ADF offers gives me something to aim at (especially with the people, resources, and dedicant program available). I spent some time talking to people at Pagan Pride Day, and I was looking at starting this journey as a solitary druid, but there might be some other interesting developments getting worked out at the moment, so watch this space as I get more details. There might be an opportunity at assisting in growing a Protogrove, which would be a fantastic way to learn (by plunging straight into the deep end).

Wow... Been offline for a while...

2007-09-11T16:15:00.000-04:00

Hmmm, so much to still blog about, and it's not getting done. Seems that each time I think "ooo, I want to blog about ", it turns into a long document, and I never finish it. So perhaps I should move back to dealing with short, to the point, not-a-lot-of-thinking-required(tm) sort of posts.

We'll see how this goes...

The 5th of August...

2007-08-05T10:33:00.000-04:00

I need to post more, I will, at some point, honest...
But not today, as it's my Birthday, and I've way too much to do.... ;-D

We're back in Edinboro...

2007-07-22T17:02:00.001-04:00

Just got back from Brushwood. Lots more to blog about, but thought to let people know we're back. Toasted and Tired, but doing well.

Vacation time...

2007-07-18T13:15:00.000-04:00

Yes, that's right, it's nearly vacation time. In fact, tomorrow is first day of my vacation all the way till next Monday.. hey, at least I'm taking time off, even if its short.

I doubt I'll blog much, as we (Jessika and myself) are going to Brushwood for Sirius Rising. Hope to people there (might have a flag sorted out if anyone's looking for us... look for paw marks in a moon #grin#).

Sometimes closed minded people suck...

2007-07-13T09:49:00.000-04:00

I was thinking about posting on revbadger's comment from my last post, which I've been thinking about for a while (in fact, it's something I rethink about periodically).
But in thinking about that, I read another post which I just want to bring to people's attention.

Yesterday the US Senate's session opened with a prayer from a Hindu Chaplain. This is a pleasant surprise, and I think a fantastic idea. It's the fact that there were a number of complaints in the Senate (and I hear online too) that really sucks! Here's the Senate of the United States of America, someone did a wonderful act of interfaith work, and for that I thank Harry Reid and Rajan Zed. That took courage. The best I can say is I'm sorry for the closed minded people.

Have a read of the post I read: Executive Pagan // a-good-day-for-religious-pluralism

Thinking out loud

2007-07-09T19:05:00.000-04:00

Found this on one of the blogs I follow:
Executive Pagan // commonplace-book-4:

"…just because it’s sacred, doesn’t mean we humans have any business inviting it in and letting it make our decisions for us without applying a moral test to our acts. Just because it’s a god doesn’t mean it’s right, or just, or kind… we are responsible for the gods we choose to worship."
- Cat Chapin-Bishop (via Executive Pagan)

Its not pagan specific, it's very broad, but I think it's well worth thinking about.

Hmmm, need to post more, yes?

2007-07-08T11:25:00.000-04:00

Okay, okay, I hear the collective voices in the ether (and other places, but I think that's a post for a different time).

Someone in the Pagan circles I travel in told me Summer is a busy time. I laughed, and I think Loki and collective forces heard me.. It's been so busy ;-)

The 2nd of July was the Erie Pagan/Witches Moot at the UU Church on Meditation. A new member turned up, and JR was kind enough to take us all through relaxation, and a guided meditation. The discussion on meditation, when we each do it, the reasons behind them was very eye opening. I'm seeing some parallels between some parts of meditation and the way of Mental shifting (reminds me, I should find the Survey I did for Lupa for the Otherkin book). For those that don't know, the next Meetup, or "EatUP", is at July 16th of July at Eat'N'Park out on Peach by I-90.

The 4th of July was spent at JR's back garden, with Jason (Dragon, not Turtle, if the number of Jason's are confusing you, and I hate saying which lady their with...;-) providing firework entertainment (great job, good Sir). Maggie was there putting together her hair ties, and on request made me a tail version (#happy yips#). Happy Howls and thanks to all those there on that night.

Yesterday was my first trip to the Medieval Faire in Ohio with Jessika. Lots of vendors, and a very funny opening based on Robin Hood (and no, none of them had a good Nottingham accent... but I think thats for the better). It was amusing to see the sheriff of Nottingham (for those that don't know, that's 20 minutes away from where I lived in England). I took my staff and tail, and my new rabbit skinned belt pouch.. And yes, the wolf T-Shirt was replaced with a new shirt... Enjoy the pictures.

Viking Game: Kubb

2007-06-28T12:04:00.000-04:00

Not had too much time recently to be blogging, sorry about that.
Last weekend was a fantastic Midsummer ritual weekend, both for Brighid's haven's Presque Isle afternoon, and Whispering Lake Grove's outside ritual.

But I can't help thinking about the game that TJ set up on Saturday (sorry if others were involved): Kubb (pronounced K-OO-B.. and I think an umlaut is needed above the U). More info here.

I've got to make a set of these... This was a great game to play, and watch.

Friends, Groups, Circles ... ~!!! Pack !!!~

2007-05-18T21:57:00.001-04:00

After all this time, after the good times gone through, the help I've received during some dark times, and the attempt at shining light towards others struggling with their own darkness, I've suddenly been hit with a major fact:

These aren't just friends, this is pack, the pack I have. There might be some little in-fighting some times, there may be times where we don't talk, and other times where all we should do is talk but never get the time. This is a community. It's a flowing thing, unable to be bolted down.

All I can do is howl a thanks to all of you.