This Beltaine saw 30 people descending on Nebo. We arrived at Lunch time, and started the day’s activities by making a labyrinth – each of us had brought a kilo of cooked rise. After our creation took shape, we walked the labyrinth, accompanied by some very enthusiastic drumming – with the aim of tying a ribbon onto a pole in the middle. Then being lead out by the next person coming into the labyrinth – a lovely act of balance, and a very powerful thing!

Beltaine Labyrinth

After this the group was divided into men and women, each group with a set of tasks to perform to lead into the main ritual.

The main part of the ritual consisted of us coming back from our separate preparations and starting the main part of the ritual. The quarters were opened and Caryl lead us into the spirit of the day. The pattern being that men were on the outer ring of the circle, the ladies on the inner ring. The men then went outside of this circle to perform their feats of masculine prowess and general noisiness. Upon returning the the circle, the ladies suddenly burst into angelic waves of singing and turned round and presented the menfolk with flowers – that was unexpected for us guys, and completely de-fused the outpouring of masculine action and stomping that had gone before! Then one of the other activities was that we each came forward to the May King and May Queen (who each had their parts of the ritual to read also) and be presented with a pebble from a basket – presented by the May King to the ladies and the May Queen to the menfolk. This was followed by more readings and the circle being closed.

We then went inside to dry out and enjoy a lovely feast that everyone had contributed to.

Then Caryl lead us through a mummer’s play for the time of beltaine with some very colourful characters indeed; the winter dragon, pan, jack the green, st george -a very diverse collection. All acted out with masterful drama and superb props… despite hardly being able to move as we were all crammed into Caryl’s kitchen at this point!

After this came a little more food, and a little wine also. Singing and generally having a good time. Then as dusk approached, we went outside to light the Beltaine fires that the men had built previously. Those who felt adventurous jumped over the fires of course! More singing followed and then the evening started to wind down with people chatting, discussing and generally coming together as a community after a great celebration – a magic way to end a lovely day!

Beltaine Fires

Happy Beltaine to all/Calan Mai Hapus i Bawb!!!

Videos of some of the day’s events are available here: http://druidicdawn.org/node/1971 – membership of Druidic Dawn is required as these aren’t really public.

We gathered for noon and opened the ritual at Christine’s Tree. It was still sunny then! As I stood leaning against the craggy bark, it came to me that the tree is always there for us… doesn’t matter when we come, or how we are feeling, it stands firm, offering us shelter, protection, wood and essence, wisdom and strength. I came away in awe and admiration…. praying that I can grow to be more like the tree… steadfast, dependable…. always there for my friends…. indeed, for anyone who wants/needs me. It was a remarkably humbling experience.

Christine had made some absolutely delicious vegetable soup for lunch, and while we ate, we discussed the various ideas that we had all brought to contribute to the ritual. It never ceases to amaze me that people find such an infinate variety of ways to express and celebrate the same topic or theme. And this Equinox was certaily no exception! Rather than try to orchestrate a “ritual”, we decided to write down all the various activities on pieces of paper, put them all together in a bowl, and select one at a time. Because it was by now so very wet, and because most of the activities could not have been performed in the rain, even if we had been willing to do so, we stayed inside. Christine and Merfyn are in the process of transforming their large “back room” into a very comfortable living space, with lots of room for all manner of ritual activities, and, perhaps best of all, a large wood-burning stove that throws off a glorious amount of heat!!!

Our activities were numerous and varied, starting with egg painting and decorating… some to keep and take home…. others of the hard-boiled variety to “roll” outside later. Alison led us in some dancing, working through the life-cycle of a seed, from plant to flowering, seed-forming and back to “death” and rebirth as another plant… and Merfyn’s “bee” was possitively hysterical!!!  (This was relatively simple but remarkably profound!)  We also brought the whole idea of “balance” into our lives as Holger encouraged us to each attempt to find our balance on a small seasaw, reflecting the equinoxs’ focus of balance between equal light and darkness (and a lot of other things besides, if one thinks about it!) Christine led us all in some mirror gazing, which was deeply and surprisingly revealing as we keenly observed our own faces and the hidden secrets deep within our own eyes…. incredibly moving! Holger helped us to re-enact the old welsh custom of the maid servant returning her wax candle to her mistress and being given a wooden replica in it’s place. This portrays the time when the household could rise and go to bed by daylight, without the need for lighting a candle, etc.. Dafydd brought the wherewithall to plant seeds (in this case, Earthwalker sunflowers)  Merfyn did actually write “wine and cake” twice on the papers that went into the bowl, but he was foiled as they were the last two papers to be drawn out anyway! Ah! ha! But we did enjoy Carraway Seed Cake and Gorse Wine before playing a game around the fire (which Merfyn introduced us to) and which involved a lot of winking!

Later, we walked back to Christine’s Tree. ( Having a wild episode of rolling our decorated boiled eggs down one of Christine’s very steep slopes on the way! This tradition in Christianity symbolises the rolling away of the stone from the mouth of Christs’ tomb after His death at Easter, but actually belongs to much older beliefs and represents the turning wheel of the year) In the gently pattering rain and the failing light, we all closed the ritual together, and returned through the dripping shadows to the warm and inviting cottage where we thoroughly enjoyed an excellent feast of food!

It was a hugely enjoyable day for all of us, and the whole concept of bringing activities and democratically sharing the execution and organisation of the whole day worked really well! It is certainly an approach that I shall repeat in the future!

So the idea struck me… why not do the same with Groves? Wouldn’t it be nice for groves to have a “Sister Grove” in another country? One, or maybe two at most – keep it personal. How this could work in the real world is simple… the two Sister Groves could write to each other (or email/whatever) and share ideas, practices, recipes, little bardic offerings and generally share what it means to be a druidic group, celebrating and honouring, working and helping as the wheel of the year turns.

Cylch Blodeuwedd actively supports this idea, and would be happy to share such a dialogue/relationship with another grove somewhere else in the world… If you are interested in this, please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

This idea has also been mentioned on Druidic Dawn, from where we hope other groves can also make their own arrangements for such an exchange.

Blessings to you all,

Dafydd

The Grove has decided on our two charities for this year: Freshfields and Coed Cymru. We will be collecting donations for them at every ritual event. This ritual we collected £4.50! Gill also asked everyone how their spiritual gardens were getting on.

We then briefly discussed Calan Mai before heading outside to start the ritual proceedings. There were bells and windchimes hanging in the trees, so all day there were lovely tinkling sounds as the wind blew through. Gareth started us off with some wonderful Chi Qong exercises, balancing and moving our energy about and bringing us all together. Then Alison taught us a little bit of Mongolian chanting/throat-singing using vowels and the chakras, and when we all came together it sounded pretty good!!!

Finally, standing in a circle, Jenn gave everyone ribbons of pink, purple and red to wear on their wrists. These not only looked good and brought the energies together again but also felt very festive as people danced, the ribbons swayed and blew too! It was great too that everyone wore reds, purple and pinks! Then Jenn took may water and a little hawthorn branch and blessed the space between us with the water and blessed each of us as we then began the task of unwinding the May Pole! It was a bit tricky at first, but then as people got used to it, it got better! At each of the four quarters, while the May Pole was being unwound, one of the grove members would stop and greet the directions before continuing with the May Pole. It worked very well and was lovely as Ros played her harmonica. There was an air of simple joys and old times that seemed to (for me) fill the little spot.

Finally, it was time to find out who would be the May King and Queen. Drawing lots, Caryl was chosen as the May Queen and Holger found himself the May/Hawthorn King!!! Gareth drew his lot and found out that he was the Blackthorn King! So we divided up into teams of 7 people … and in traditional style, we had the Battle of Hawthorn versus Blackthorn. The Hawthorn side was armed with birch branches and fern leaves–for they represented the resilient powers of Summer. The Hawthorn King of course had a beautiful Hawthorn staff. The Blackthorn side was given lots of old grass, dead thistles and branches, etc to fight with for they were the powers of Winter. The Blackthorn King was given a blackthorn branch (with thorns still on it!) and a shield covered in cotton wool (snow) and dead grasses, rushes, etc to represent Winter. Then at Jenn’s signal, the two sides went at it for an epic battle!!! Grass, leaves and branches went flying everywhere as general scuffing and one-on-one fighting broke out. The Hawthorn and Blackthorn Kings struggled in the midst of it, taking to the ground to wrestle it out. But the poor Blackthorn King was outdone this time and the forces of Summer and the Whitethorn/Hawthorn triumped! Holger was crowned the May King and he and his May Queen led everyone down for a celebratory feasting lunch!

For lunch we had delicious tomato soup (thank you Gill) with oat cakes (thank you Lynne), oaty breads, a beautiful and absolutely amazing flower salad (thank you Ros and Eileen). Gill also provided dark chocolate covered flapjacks which went down a treat.

After sating our hunger (for as Eleri said, it’s hungry work!) … we headed outside to sit in the warm (verging on hot) sunshine to digest our foods and listen to our budding bard, Holger recount the tale of Taliesin. This was not the oft-told story of how Gwion Bach became Taliesin, but the rarer account of Taliesin being found by Elfin and in turn him rescuing him from the haughty hands of Maelgwyn Gwynedd. Holger did a WONDERFUL job with his bells and singing bringing the story to life … as well as bringing others into it by having them read little bits of it at the appropriate times. This was a good story too! Of course, it was appropriate because Taliesin was found by Elfin on May Eve.

Then after that, we got on our feet for Caryl, who led us in a hoot of a mummer’s play. Well scripted, we were all involved and given parts, from birds, a brook, Mother Earth, St George and the Dragon, Robin Hood and Maid Marion, trees, Pan, Jack-in-the-Green, and the May King and Queen. With such a cast of fun characters, you can just imagine what antics we got up to, courtesy of Caryl’s rhymed directions! haha!

After this, we settled down to have the Ritual Cake (a yummy yummy parkin thank you Elaine) and Ritual Drink (lemon balm brewed with honey, thank you Gill) to refresh ourselves before proceeding with the more thoughtful, meditative part of the afternoon.

Lynne then led us in a tree meditation where we found a tree in our minds that spoke to us and she brought us close to it, observing it and experiencing it. When we came back then, she handed out paper and provided colouring pens/pencils/crayons and she had us all draw the tree we saw! What a wonderful idea! And the trees everyone came up with, from the most basic to the most detailed were truly astounding and insightful into each other and the group.

Jenn then led a longer part, first about the power of Blessing, reading bits from John O’Donohue’s book “Benedictus” before handing out paper again. Everyone then wrote their own blessing and going round to each person, looked one another in the eyes and shared their blessings. This was also meaningful and felt like an opening of the heart to the rest of the group.

Then we settled down as she introduced the Buddhist idea of Metta or Lovingkindness before leading us in a Metta meditation where we first blessed ourselves and then gradually worked through parents, partners, loved ones, friends, teachers, coworkers, energies and spirits around us, animals and living things, world leaders and workers, enemies and those who are perpetuating hurt, all the way to the earth herself, the solar system, the universe! This was a very grounding and healing meditation.

Then Jenn briefly discussed with us John O’Donohue’s idea of the Anam Cara or Soul Friend before leading a short discussion on soul friendship. She also pointed out that if anyone in the group felt drawn to other people in the grove, to approach them and perhaps try to have a sort of anam cara relationship, sharing and discussing spiritual things together. This idea was received by some and others didn’t feel drawn towards it.

Finally, folks were starting to get a bit antsy so we headed back up to the May Pole and circle to light our Beltaine Fire. Each person had one or two pieces of wood and after offering something to the grove (either song, poem, or wise thought) placed their wood on the fire. We had some really beautiful Welsh songs thanks to Gareth and Elaine, Holger, and Eleri … and Keith sang us an old Quaker favourite! There were a few poems read too, all evocative and beautiful.

Then we began to wind up the May Pole, weaving in and out and at the same time farewelling the directions. The mood this time was more festive and celebratory and everyone did a very good job! Ros played her harmonica again with Jenn clanging on little bellydancing cymbals and running round setting all the bells and windchimes to ring out! Keith had worn his Morris dancing leg bells and they sounded wonderful as everyone danced around the May Pole!

We then each took a running leap over the Beltaine fire with another blessing of May water before Jenn went round and gave out ‘sweet blessings‘ with honey over the third eye or lips or nose, etc.

To then release the energy of the day and ground again, Gareth led us in a couple simple Chi Qong exercises before with shouts, we headed down to Alison’s house for a huge spread of food! Wow!

Everyone brought plenty of food for our Feast which was perfect and we had all sorts of things to choose from and each dish was delicious. We had fun talking, eating and getting to know one another better before it finally came time to start packing up and leaving.

The day finally came to an end but it was certainly a good ritual day and it was so because of all the good people we had with us, despite a number of our beloved grove members missing because of previous engagements/arrangements.

A big thank you to everyone who came and contributed and especially a thank you to our new people (there were 4 new faces) as well as a happy welcome. We hope that you’ll join us again some time!

So my blessing for you all: May this Summer be sweet and kind to you!

The Vernal Equinox in 2009, I think, brought us all much closer together in both mind and spirit. There seemed to be an overpowering sensation of peace, positivity and general pleasure for each person who attended.

This Ritual Day was also particularly refreshing because Sioned led and coordinated the entire day, a feat in itself! And very well she did too! Sioned struck the perfect balance because she allowed enough freedom so the day could unfold as it wanted to, but at the same time, there was enough direction and structure so that the day was also able to flow seamlessly.

We met at Eileen and Ros’ house, which we have been at a couple times before, but each time we all remark again and again on the lovely atmosphere and the beauty of their home. It was an uplifting place and full of Spring and light! Although we were a bit disappointed by the weather, (we’ve had nearly a week of perfect sunshine and warmth, and today has been the first day to turn out grey, foggy and cold), the mist and fog continued to descend down on us from the sea and the mountainsides.

One of the themes for the day was yellow or golden colours. Almost everyone managed to wear at least one item of yellow or gold, and also almost all the food that people brought was yellow or gold! The colour theme was a good idea of Sioned’s and it really perpetuated the harmonious feelings of the day.

People who attended today were Sioned, Sandy, Alison, Jean Lynch, Gareth and Elaine, Eileen and Ros, Gillian and Holger, Dafydd and Jenn, and much to all our delight, Gwyn brought with him his wife Lynn. We hope that she will return again too!

Warming Up

Before things got started, everyone who had brought things placed items that depicted to them this Spring and the Equinox–on a little table as our Altar. There was an abundance of the colour yellow and there were gorgeous spring flowers, mostly daffodils, lots of hare and chicken themes, various Easter eggs, candles and incense, and whatever struck people as embodying balance and renewal.

So the day started with everyone gathering in the sitting room with their teas and hot drinks, as Sioned welcomed us, made apologies for those of you who couldn’t make it, and also she outlined the day for us and briefly talked about the Spring Equinox and what this time of year means to her.

This led into an excellent contemplative meditation which Sioned did with us, using the breath as our focal point, as we allowed our thoughts to consider the past six months through the winter, and also the next six months now through the summer. This exercise did well at the beginning of the day because it focused our minds on NOW, exactly where we are and who we are.

The Ritual

Then in silence, we went out into Eileen and Ros’ beautiful, beautiful garden where all the plants were just starting to bud or poke their heads through the soil, and the grass was beginning to tinge green.

Sioned opened the circle and Holger did the Call for Peace before the directions. Alison welcomed the East and Air, Gareth welcomed the South and Fire and Sun, and Sioned welcomed the West/Water and the North/Earth. Then Jenn greeted the Land, Sea and Sky, before Gillian called the Ancestors of place and blood … and Gwyn recited the Druid’s Prayer in Welsh, which felt so appropriate. We each then personally and silently called to whatever deities or spirits we privately love and work with. We each then went round and said what Spring meant to us, which was insightful as our expressions and feelings often mirrored, complimented or elucidated on one another’s. Also, instead of chanting the Awen like we usually do, we gave three great shouts of joy for Spring!!! YIIIPPPEEEE!!!!! hahaha! Then we had a really lovely fruit cordial courtesy of Sioned’s husband–this was a delicious golden yellow. With the “wine”, we had the “cake” as per usual–but this wasn’t just any cake, but a Venetian Easter Cake (although more of a bread) diligently made by Jenn over a period of 11 hours on the day before! Although it was a huge loaf full of spices, rum and candied orange peeling–the cake quickly disappeared and must have been well-received because everyone kept having seconds and thirds (and in a couple cases, fourths and fifths!–ehem, Dafydd).

Lunch

By this time we were all feeling rather ravenous so we went inside for a homemade soup from Sioned and a yummy seedy bread from Sandy. This time was spent happily chatting away about various things.

Bardic Session

Once we were all satisfied and our bellies full, hot drinks in hand, we made our way back to the sitting room where we’d started out. There we spent a good part of the early afternoon singing songs about Spring and listening/reading Spring-themed poetry. Gillian started us off with a true hymn to Spring that she had written herself and she taught us all the tune. Alison also had brought a song from her childhood about Spring,which was hauntingly beautiful and bittersweet. Gareth sang for us an old traditional in Welsh which kept us laughing and reminded us of the cyclical nature of life, and Sioned also had a Welsh song to the tune of Kum-bah-yah, about Spring. Holger wrote a really upbeat song about “Robin Goch” to the tune of “Robin Hood”–it worked well! Ros shared with us one of her own poems that expressed the feelings of “waking up” and joining into the deeper nature of Life, in Spring. Alison shared some of her poetry which is always good, and these also had us laughing! Lynn shared with us an RS Thomas poem about the Blackbird, and Gwyn read 3 of his poems in true bardic style, about the Earth, the Equinox and also about the Hare. Jenn shared a poem in Welsh/English about the Daffodil. (If I’ve forgotten to mention anyone else’s contributions, please forgive me! There was so many I can’t really remember it all!)

Hare Workshop

After the readings and singing, we all stretched and woke ourselves up before settling down to for Jenn’s “workshop” on the Hare. She read an article she’d written about Hares, various facts and how these tie into mythological and symbolic signficance, especially the Hare as a symbol of the Spring Equinox. Then following this, she led everyone in a guided visualization first involving the five senses before befriending a hare and receiving an actual “egg” of potential from the Easter hare (Jenn had blown hen and duck eggs).

Discussions and Business

After this everyone needed a bit of stirring up so we had more hot drinks while we began the Seed/Plant Swap that Gillian had instigated back at Imbolc with planting our spiritual gardens.

Then we gathered again to discuss business like Charities. Should Cylch Bloduwedd support a charity, and if so–which one? for how long or how often? and other various questions. It was suggested by Jenn that we adopt one charity a year and that at the end of the year, we can decide if we want to keep that charity or support another one. Some people voiced a liking of this idea. But if you have any other ideas, we will be voicing our opinions and voting/choosing at the Beltaine ritual next. You will find the list of charities on our “Links” page, by the way.

Another thing that was agreed was that every full member of the Grove will be sent a list of everyone else’s emails, or in some cases, where permitted, addresses and phone numbers. This is to aid ease of communication and community between Grove Members! If you for any reason don’t want your email address sharing, just ask and it will be removed from the “list”. We also agreed though that this information must be guarded carefully so that members are not infringed upon–if there is someone new to the group, we must agree to give them our personal details, and it is not automatic.

Following on from the Midsummer ritual that Gareth and Elaine had done, it had been suggested by various Members that we have a kind of “guide book” of information for Cylch Blodeuwedd. Gillian and Jenn have now worked hard to produce something like this in its elementary form (to be added to and evolved over time) which includes guidelines for Ritual Days (very useful if you are leading a Ritual Day yourself) and what will be expected of you when you attend our rituals, as well as a section of FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) about the Grove, which would be useful to give to other people who aren’t familiar with what we do or who are interested in coming to one of our events. There is also a section on the Wheel of the Year and each of the Festivals with customs, associations, etc to give people a bit of inspiration when planning personal and group rituals, ritual days, altars, etc.

Sioned and Jenn also announced that there is now a Cylch Blodeuwedd group on Facebook for those of us who have a Facebook account. It is by invite only and kept private, so if you’d like to join, please let Jenn know.

We also arranged the next ritual (for Beltaine), which will be at Alison’s house (of course), the date yet to be confirmed. Jenn has a number of ideas for the day on the theme of ‘anam cara’ or soul friends. If you have any ideas or contributions along those lines or that you think are appropriate for Beltaine, let Jenn know.

Closing Ritual

After all this work we’d all worked up an appetite!!! But we went outside first to close the ritual, this time in reverse of the way how we’d opened it. Nature had a surprise for us though outside. By the time we got out into the early evening dusk, the clouds and mist had all cleared. We could see Tre’r Ceiri on its mountaintop and a brilliant sunset streaked across the sky setting over the western sea. Everyone felt that the day had embodied the very nature of the Equinox .. as a doorway between Winter (the cold, grey morning) and Spring (the mild, glorious evening).

Feasting and Farewells

Once we’d paid our respects, there was a happy rush indoors to set out the laden table with a huge feast of golden and yellow foods. Everything was particularly delicious this time, although the men were rather disappointed because Wales last to Ireland in the rugby match for the Triple Crown. Fair play to Ireland though who haven’t won in a very long time–and at least we can be grateful it was a Celtic country that won the title!

Delicious food after delicious food came out and we each had a very full plate. Conversation was as varied as the people present. Finally before people started going, a few more seeds/plants were exchanged. Gill had brought her “Druid” see potatoes, and Dafydd had brought St John’s Wort and Comfrey.  Alison had also brought seed potatoes and some various other vegetable seeds. Eileen, Ros and Jenn all had various flower seeds that they were offering … and I’m not sure if anyone brought anything else? Sioned also had some alfalfa seeds–yummy in salads those.

Eileen also kindly gave any of us who wanted some goose eggs from their geese.

By the time everyone was packing up to go, the general mood was a happy although tired one, and I think we are each looking forward to the next Ritual Day when we can all meet again.

Thank Yous

A particular thank you then to Sioned for being so brave to take on the whole Ritual Day, and also a big thank you and hug to Eileen and Ros for opening their home to us and being such gracious and generous hostesses.

Thank you to everyone who was present today. Without your particular personal energies, the day would have not been like it was and it was a very GOOD day, the kind of goodness that I think is rare to find in groups of people. We’re very lucky–and I wonder, do we know it?

Make sure you are comfortable.

Sink into the feelings of your body … the softness of your animal body … earthy … permeable to the world around you … intelligent in its intuitions … Acknowledge your body.

Cup your hands over your eyes, feeling the same dark rest that your body feels in sleep. Do you see anything, even in the dark?

Cup your hands over your ears, listening to the quiet muffle of your own inner ear. Can you hear anything?

Place your fingers under your nostrils, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Feel the life-giving flow of air, moist and warm, hit your fingers. Does the air smell of anything?

Touch your tongue with a finger, wiggling your tongue about. Feel your taste buds, rough in texture but refined in taste. Can you taste anything on your finger?

Now caress some part of your skin. Feel it well. Is it smooth or rough? … Dry or greasy? … Wrinkled or young?

All of these senses you possess, the senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching are not merely human–they belong to the animal kingdom too.

Turn your mind to the Spring. Feel yourself at the very centre of it. You are surrounded by Life. See yourself standing in a great open meadow …..full of daisies, dandelions, bluebells, all sorts of spring wildflowers …..The moon is shining over the grass, tinting its green to bluey-grey. ………On the edges of the meadow is a woodland. ….Birch trees are rosy with sap. …….Every branch is bursting forth into bud…….The woods are full of shadows but you feel only deep happiness…..Look around the meadow………….an owl hoots from the woods and suddenly many little heads pop up out of the grass….. You are surrounded by hares, their soft dark figures silhouetted by the full moon …. head erect ….long ears rigid …. nose quivering …. haunches poised for escape….The moon is reflected in their glassy eyes.

Arianrhod: (distressed) I am a woman in chains. Alone in my tower I sit day after day, being hospitality to poor souls who wander through spiral waters to me, and I a mother of twins. Dylan, my first-born, he was my joy, but he loved the sea far more than me, although sometimes I saw him about my fort, a seal on the wave, now a youth in the grave, for Gofannon his uncle murdered him. Bitter my heart to lose that lad. And now Gwydion uses his cruel cunning and knowledge to get from me what I do not want to give! He uses my curse—my second son—against me, this son of my defilement, the son who came because Gwydion and Math lay with me … … my own brother and uncle! … Gwydion!!! His knowledge is nothing like the wisdom that I know, a mother’s heart overpowered by fate. I swear by all the gods, Gwydion, that you are a wicked man!!!! Now I have put a taboo on our son, on Lleu Llaw Gyffes, the Golden One of the Agile Hand, that he will never get a wife from any race that is on this earth now!

Gwydion: (furious) That wicked woman Arianrhod!!! who refuses her own son name and weapons, even wife. What good is a man without name to declare or weapons to make warfare, not even a woman to share his blanket with? But I am the Great Knower, my knowledge is not a little. I have stolen the Pigs of Annwn from Pryderi in the South. I have the ability to change shape and fly up the Great Tree into Gwynfryd, the Bright Sky World. Nothing is beyond me. Nothing is hidden. Come, Math, King of Gwynedd! Come with me, mightiest magician of them all, and we will put things right for Lleu.

Math (agreeing, resolute): Lleu is my son as he is yours. He is to be my heir when I become impotent, to rule these old lands far and wide. What good is a king without a wife? She is his power hidden in her womb. On Midsummer we will make her, at the height of our power, our power that comes from the ancient oaks, our power that comes from the sun long in the sky. We must fashion a woman fit for the Oak King, by wands and wills to break all curses, to force even Nature herself to comply!

*rest and bell rings before continuing*

Blodeuedd (innocent, cautious): Not from mother or father was I made. As for creation I was made from the essence of soils. From the blooms of broom and oak and meadowsweet, gathered at the fortuitous hour, Midsummer turned to molten gold. Math enchanted me before I was mobile; Gwydion created me, great magic from the staff of enchantment. The Lord of Gwynedd and his Druid produced me when he was inflamed with the zenith of inspiration. They gave me to a handsome man to offer him the womanly friendship of my thighs each night. I was given without a mother’s consent, a place I find—unfriendly. Wild earth behind this mask of a woman, I am trapped into form and face without release! My soul is panting like the little birds caught in a net, their beautiful songs a plea of frustration, fear on the lips … fluttering …. fluttering. What is this world of men and their laws? I am told I must act like this and like that, but what are boundaries to the boundless nature of the heart?

Lleu (admiringly, in love): Her beauty is beyond imagining. My uncles fashioned her out of the earth’s fruits. Broom blossoms for her hair, long, golden, full of the Solstice Sun. And her skin is meadowsweet! Milky white, captivating, fragrant. Green eyes a pool of oak leaves submerged in the cauldron of magic, passion smoldering in the depths. She is fertility itself, maddening to smell, encircled here in my marriage bed with my oaken staff to please herself on. I would do anything for her! She is my Flower Face, my wide-eyed beauty. She is my Blodeuedd. Surely I am made more a man with her by my side. But even now I must leave her for battle. My lance is long and keen, and Math requires his chosen heir to his court. Duty weighs more than love.

Blodeuedd (unhappy): He has left me!!! The protection of his arms leaves the marriage bed too large and empty, a coldness in the night that I never felt as flowers. He said duty weighs more than love. But what am I to know of these things? I am mistress to a strange house, full of maidens for companions who love me not for me, but because I am their lady. And Lleu? I am his companion too, with open legs all night to satisfy his manhood’s pride. … if he can last that long! Pah. Who am I to him but lust and beauty without fault?

*rest and bell rings before continuing*

Gronw (reflecting): I am the ruler of Penllyn, ‘the Stout One’ they call me. A mighty hunter of swift things, stag and roe! That was how I met her, the sweetness of my heart. I was out a-hunting in the woods, hard upon my quarry, so close behind that I lost sight of where I was until I strayed as if into the gates of the Otherworld, where I met her, my Lady of the Night. I entered another man’s territory. I fell in love with what was not mine. She opened her doors to me on the feign of hospitality, that famous Cymric hospitality that cannot allow a traveler by without some kind of refreshment. And oh, did I get refreshment!!! It was love at first sight and by the middle of the night we showed with touch and desire the very fire of our souls! She is not a frail beauty, Blodeuedd. Flower-Face they call her, but beneath the mask is a howling midnight, flowers scattered to the four winds and her love is wild, like no mortal woman, beyond taming or claiming. She can never belong to me. No, in truth, I belong to her.

Blodeuedd (scheming): Ah me. My might hunter knows me well. There is no veil of pretense between us, only the intensity of one wild spirit to another, and now I can think of nothing else! We made love three nights, three long and heady nights into the glowing embers of dawn. And on the third night, we knew without a word, there was no going back to the old life, far out-worn beyond repairing. No. No! I have a plan, a plan my heart quivers at the thought of—but I fear the old cage even more! Gronw’s love could set me free.

Lleu (bemused): My poor Flower-Face. She is so good to me. So considerate—and beautiful. In her sweet perfection, she frets over me! And of all things, she fears I will die. Haha!!! I cannot die! I am immortal, enchanted by the power of Math and Gwydion. It is not easy to kill me with a cast. One would have to spend a year and a day making the spear that was thrown at me, working on it only at sacred festivals. I cannot be killed in a house, nor outside; neither on a horse nor on foot. You must make a bath for me on the river bank, and construct a roof-frame above the tub; after that, roof it so as to make it a good shelter. Then bring along a billy-goat and station him beside the tub; I put my one foot on the billy’s back and the other on the edge of the tub. Whoever should pierce me in that position will surely kill me.

Blodeuedd (ironically): Thank the gods for that! That can be avoided easily. (aside in a loud whisper) …. I must send word immediately to Gronw, so that we may bring about Lleu’s demise! The magical spear must be made! The impossible place must be arranged!

*rest and bell rings before continuing*

Gwydion (distressed, agitated): Who could believe the tale? Yet I tell you it is true! Blodeuedd, that woman of flowers, falsehood in the face of beauty, has somehow schemed with another man and made him lord of Lleu’s lands! The betrayal to us is beyond me. WE made her who she is! How could she turn on us like this? That creature must suffer for her unfaithfulness, and for all that, Lleu has gone missing! Missing! Where can he be? I have searched far and wide, from Harlech to Aber Conwy and yet he is not there. What should I do, Math, whose ears are in the wind?

Math (perplexed): Lleu is not the only one gone into hiding. I have heard from the wind that there is a fierce black sow who goes missing every day. But I know where she snuffles and digs, it is at the foot of the Old Oak between two lakes in the valley of Nantlle. But where Lleu is I do not know. Perhaps the two are connected.

Gwydion: It is as Math said. I followed the great black mother sow all the way to Nantlle where the Oldest Oak in Cymru grows. Beneath these great boughs are maggots and rotting flesh, which she devours greedily without thought. And look! There is an eagle, the saddest eagle I ever saw. His golden feathers are black with blood, his voice unregal, and all his flesh turned putrid with disease. Could that possibly be my Lleu? My Golden One of the Agile Hand? He will not come down for any other, but I who am his true father and the one who loved him all along. Now I must do the office of a Druid. I must chant the Sun back into the Sky, Life back into Spirit. *brief pause*

Chanting:

There is an oak that grows along a slope;

Stately prince in his temple.

If I speak no lie,

Lleu will come to my lap.

And Lleu’s Flowers will wilt before my wrath!!!

*rest and bell rings before continuing*

Blodeuwedd (slowly, sadly): Gronw, my lover, is dead. Not even a stone shield could protect him from the revenge of Lleu the Agile Hand. But even more cruel were my makers. My foster-kin cast me aside, like winter-peat to be burned, like flowers parched in the heat. And now, who will mourn for me? They threw me out to the wind! Gwydion and his hateful wand have turned me into an Owl. No less than I could be, a wild bird unleashed on the dark. My wings are shadow strong, my talons as fierce as ice. I am made a creature of the night so that I am exiled from the face of the Sun, the face of Lleu who became king of this land I haunt, hunting for peace. Ages beyond remembering have passed since then, and yet the people still remember.

Long have I flown the mountains,
outcast, spying, edged in night’s cloak.
Long have I mourned the dawning,
forced to murder, a wandering brigand.

Flowers I once was, dancing and sweet,
Cheerful smiles under the summer heat.
But your wrath and honour wilted my youth,
Eager to judge, blot out the heart’s truth.

Smitten by these people,
a brutal whip, your tripping tongues:
“What more can you expect of flowers?”
“Unfaithfulness, aye, no more.”

Stripped of my beauty,
you mock this poor owl-form,
a shadow forlorn,
a penance outworn.

Can you continue to shut
your ears like a door to my cries?
Can you continue to strut
your fears like feathers, though they’re lies?

Listen to my shrieks in the dark.
They will remind you of the stark
meaning of the word “unfaithful”.

Long have I sought for shelter,
trembling, weary, robed in bitter’s cold.
Long have I sent for succor,
bending my maiden pride to life’s winter.

Return to free, my kinsmen,
know me as part of your heart,
and for that, I always remain,
haunting and hunting that part
of you that is me—our pain.

Copyright 20th September 2008 by Jennifer MacCormack

This year, our celebration for Gwyl Ffraid was invigorating, inspirational and joyful! We all met at Trigonos in the Nantlle Valley. The mountains were moodily veiled in cloud and a bitter wind swept keenly down from the frozen heights of Snowdon. Before we ventured out, we fortified ourselves with hot beverages and donned many warm layers of clothing. As the saying goes; it was a “lazy wind”… didn’t bother to go around you but cut clean through you like a knife! Twentythree of us intrepid souls sallied out to meet the onslaught of the elements and we marched off down to the edge of the lake, (Llyn Nantlle Uchaf), to gather round and officially begin our ritual day of celebration

Asking the elements to be with us was not hard… the element of air was all but blowing us away!.. and seeking the witness and strength of the ancestors of the valley, and of our own personal tribes and genetic lines was simple and very moving. I think that each one of us felt a particular connection to time and place as the wheel of the year rolled from winter into very early spring.

Back inside the warm and comfortable Meeting Room, we continued by calling “peace in the quarters”, especially needed at this time, I think, and then progressed on to the group reading of a dramatic poem: “Hymn to Sant Ffraid” by Ruth Bidgood. It covers all the main aspects of Ffraid/Brigid: her centre of Hearth, (and consequently “home”), her healing and her inspiration of bards and poets; her midwifery skills of birthing spring from winter and bringing all the young animals forth… all the shoots and flowers of the months and seasons to come. The whole grove joined in and read various parts in turn. This helped to bring the sentiments alive and it was remarkably powerful.

Next, a welcome break and lunch! Delicious soup made by Alison, (two steaming pans; carrot, butternut squash and ginger, etc., and leek and potato!), and bread; loaves homemade by Jenn and Dafydd, and a most unusual plaited loaf which Carol had made using three different colours of dough to represent the Maiden, Mother and Crone.

In the afternoon, we began by talking about the significance of the hearth as an icon, the importance and relevance of food, (apart from the obvious!) and of what exactly “home” means to us all.

We looked at the concept of darkness, without which we could not have light; that comforting, nurturing “safe” place… the darkness of the womb of all creation… and we took a little time to step back into it and see what we could find there… what came to us unbidden. Some shared really interesting experiences and it was obvious that when we closed our eyes and shut out the light, there was a great deal of worth to be found, just waiting for us, if only we care to feel, listen and wait. Instead of “looking” all the time.

I Suggested we use this particular time to plant the seeds of self-knowledge, and I asked everyone to think what qualities they would like to develop within themselves. We made lists – not too long, or else, like new year’s resolutions, they become impossible to sensibly stick to, and do anything about. Many seemed to find it quite difficult to begin, but once done, the floodgates opened! My own list changed dramatically as I took note of my own words and changed “action” to “stillness” and “strength” to “listening”.

I then suggested that everyone plan a “spiritual garden” – choose plants (flower, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, whatever) to represent each quality that they wished to nurture and grow within themselves, and this spring, go home and purchase the seeds and literally plant it. It can be a special bed within one’s garden, or a large container, or a series of pots on a windowsill. Whatever! The main thing is to bring into reality what one seeks to be – to see it grow and prosper – and hopefully, simultaneously, grow and prosper within one’s self. And if a plant withers or dies, then that quality obviously needs extra attention, and one must redouble one’s efforts!

This was not just a mental excerscise. I really did, and do want everybody to go home, buy seeds, and plant a garden! And I shall be checking up as the year progresses, to see how each one is getting on!

I also suggested that after everyone has brought their seeds – and in view of the large numbers of seed that one often gets in packets – that at the Spring Equinox we could bring the surplus seeds that we don’t need and have a general seed-swap.

Caryl got us off to a marvellous start by gifting everyone a little blue satin bag (colour representative of water) of woad seeds. Lovely plants these, with frothy abundance of little yellow flowers on strong stems, two to three feet tall in May and June. Just what every Celt, young or old should have.

Later, we made paper snowflakes with Christine, each cutting our own individually amazing patterns, just like I did many years ago as a child at school. They still fascinate and enchant me. Christine said that they were to represent the last snows of winter… Somebody should have informed the weather, judging by the huge countrywide fall that we have all experienced today! We are to signal the definite end of winter at the Spring Equinox by burning them.

The cloud of morning had soon dissipated, and by Noon the sun had flooded the valley, smiling indulgently on mountain slopes, woods and water alike. Unfortunately, by the time we came to go outside again to close the ritual the sun was just setting and the world was turning grey and icy cold again. Once more, we plodded down the field to the lakeside, to bid farewell to the boisterous elements and the ancestors of land, tribe, and blood.

By now we were all very ready to eat, and from generous contributions made by everyone, we assembled a veritable feast, which we all heartily enjoyed!

Later, there was storytelling from Ruth, more stories, singing, and music from Eric, and beautiful poetry from Gwyn – fitting end to a day dedicated to … Among many other things… Inspiration and the bardic arts!

Anyone who would like to add their thoughts, impressions or  observations and memories of our time together (at Gwyl Ffraid) are warmly invited to comment using the form below.

To some, Celtic Spirituality is about a pantheon of colourful characters who, long ago forsook all morals and conscience; and the practices of a priesthood and people of some couple thousand years ago. To me, Celtic Spirituality is the thread which still runs through the fibre of our Celtic culture and life today, which is still as fresh as it was for our ancient forefathers with perhaps more relevance for us in the light of our wider scientific knowledge. The number 3 holds a highly significant position, and there are three ways in which many people of Celtic descent still evince their (sometimes far-distant) roots.

All religions, all spiritual traditions, have sacred orientations . . . in Celtic Spirituality one of the most important is the Hearth, the heart of the Celtic home. This represents the nurturing, sheltering, material focus of the tribe, group or family, the place where  everyone comes to be warmed and fed, and also where that food is prepared. but the Hearth is also where, certainly in the past, people began and ended their day; talked and sang, dreamed round it. It houses the element of fire and its smoke drifting up the chimney provides an ever open doorway to “otherworlds”. The outward trappings of modern life may appear to have altered out of all recognition, but humanity moves far more slowly. How many people meet and chat at the washroom door, or congregate around the office coffee machine or electric kettle? Perhaps with the centrally-heated home, a lit candle placed in the centre of the dining table is the closest many may get to a Hearth–but do make sure that all the family gathers around that table at least once each day!

Another deeply ingrained Celtic character trait is that of Hospitality. In the Celtic household, the guest, their needs and wishes, reign supreme. In the past, it was a massively unforgivable transgression to break this deeply honoured belief, which is what made so many unworthy actions perpetrated by various Celtic deities, and traitorous activities brought about by erring mortals so particularly heinous and heart-breaking. Taken to its deepest, fullest interpretation, “Hospitality to all who travel” becomes unstinting and unconditional love, for we are all “travellers” along our various Paths and all in need of succour, tolerance and friendship. Further, it encourages us to really listen for the heartbeat of the Divine which we then recognise in both ourselves and everyone else.

This brings us to the third point in this spiritual triad, perhaps the most important, which informs and colours the other two so deeply, and which effects the whole fabric of Celtic belief. The primal Celtic way of seeing the world is that the domains of seen and unseen realities are not separated or locked off from each other. Rather, these domains of energy and information are interrelated interfused. Furthermore, Divine Life permeates every thing about us, animate and inanimate. Not just humanity, or animals or plants even, but the rocks, the water; each breath of air that we breath, each molecule of clay that our houses stand upon or are built from … the plastic coating of our various appliances .. the pulses of electricity that run through our cables.

Certain places; boulders, trees, hills, streams,have always held special energies for humanity as a whole, not simply the Celtic sector, but the Divine perceived in these areas of spiritual abundance can also be traced to and through everything. As Celtic spirituality is rooted in a deep love of life, and that life is seen to emanate from everything. It offers the profound view of the world as sacred, rooted in hard physical experience, not just conceptualisation. For authentic spiritual practice requires a practical spiritual framework. This is based on fostering an empowered spiritual cosmos within the human being which seeks to support the emergent spiritual reality that frequently lies dormant within each of us.

At the end of the day, no form of spirituality worth its salt is going to provide you with all the answers in a neat little package. This is especially true of the Celtic world; others may share their wisdom and experience, but after all the talking is done, you have to go out yourself and learn, experience, come into contact with both your inner self and all the living realities surrounding you. Celtic Spirituality actively encourages and supports this. The Path lies before you . . . !