Cylch Blodeuwedd

Druidic Grove in North-West Wales

Rituals

Group rituals are perhaps one of the central turning-points on which Cylch Blodeuwedd, like any other druidic grove, turns. On this Ritual Page, you will find detailed information about the Eight Festivals (around which the majority of our rituals are focused), as well as how we typically run our Ritual Days, what sort of things you can do to prepare in advance for a ritual or Ritual Day, and also there is a link to our Ritual Archive, where you can see short summaries of past rituals. Hopefully this will in turn give everyone a MUCH clearer idea of what goes on, what is expected, and what they can do to participate, both in the group as well as solitarily, on their own path.

THE EIGHT FESTIVALS OF THE YEAR–

a fully detailed page on customs, associations, activities and more for each of the Eight Festivals throughout the Wheel of the Year–a great resource for personal and ritual use! Particular attention has been paid to the Welsh customs and associations.

GROVE RITUAL DAYS–

Guidelines for what Grove Ritual Days are like, as proposed by Gillian, the Grove Mother. This is the closest you will come to any kind of outline on the website. Really is a MUST read.

PREPARATION FOR RITUALS–

Advice on what to do before coming to one of Cylch Blodeuwedd’s rituals, so that you are fully prepared and in the right mindset.

PAST RITUALS

An interactive archive of our past rituals, so that you can see what happened if you miss a ritual, or if you want to have a say. Comment function available so you can share what you think!

GROVE RITUAL DAYS

It has been agreed …

  1. That on the days we meet to celebrate the eight main festivals,, we do so, starting at 11 am, unless for other special reasons.
  2. That Ritual Days are as organic as possible, depending on what is most appropriate first and when. The Ritual actually starts with everyone arriving, and the entire day including its various activities, is taken as the “ritual’–this means that all parts of the day are as meaningful and sacred as the actual “ritualised” part. This encourages everyone to spend the day in mindfulness.
  3. That typical parts of a Ritual Day can include things like crafts and creative activities, storytelling and poetry, guided meditation/journeys, silent meditations, time in nature, group discussion and debate, games and entertainment, singing, things done mindfully like cooking, washing up, as well as eating.
  4. That for food, lunch usually consists of hearty soup and bread; then in the “ritual” alignment with the season’s energies, there is usually a bread/cake and water/wine; and at the end of the day, around 5 pm usually, there is a big feast, which is contributed to by everyone, with something sweet and something savoury. Some of us are vegan and vegetarian, some of us are neither, so if you are vegetarian or vegan, try and bring something that at least you know you can eat.
  5. That with group discussion and debate, the subject matter will have been previously decided and advertised by email and on the website to give everyone time to make their own prior research; although prior knowledge isn’t at all necessary as a short talk or reading will start the debate off.
  6. That any new enquirers previously unknown to us only attend the parts of the Ritual Day [for a minimum of four separate occasions] before they become eligible to join the rest of us for the main rituals. This enables interested parties to gather some background knowledge about this type of Celtic Spirituality and get to know the Grove members—and perhaps more importantly, allow the Grove members to get to know the new comers—before they are confronted with a full ritual, by which time they will hopefully feel more comfortable and have a reasonable grasp of the principles behind what we are doing.
  7. That there is a much greater involvement of individuals in the formulation and working of the rituals. Although Gillian as Grove Mother coordinates things, this does not mean that she actually does everything! … All members should attempt to lead at least one ritual, and should also attempt to lead or initiate other parts of the Ritual Days on separate occasions. This gives them a deeper understanding and connection to the purpose and energy behind Cylch Blodeuwedd. When leading the ritual part of a Ritual Day, it is not expected that the individual take on ALL aspects of that day …. these can be met by other members, as and when is possible or necessary. The individual can take responsibility for as much or little of the day as he/she feels comfortable with.
  8. That we have a “book pool”. Any relevant volumes that members feel that they can spare for a few weeks and which they don’t mind lending to someone else to read. All books temporarily “donated” to be clearly marked with owner’s name and a list to be kept of what has been lent to whom and when. Books only to be kept until the next major ritual, to avoid their disappearing for months on end, the borrowers having forgotten that they have even got them!
  9. That we regularly have a “plant” or “seed swap” to operate through the spring and summer months especially. Anyone who has any plants to share, bring them along. This is especially important for those of us who are planting our “spiritual gardens”.
  10. That we also hold impromptu gatherings occasionally as and when someone expresses a desire to do so. These do not necessarily need to involve a ritual, and can even be a discussion group or general celebration.
  11. That we organise occasional outings, [perhaps once or twice a year] to places of specific relevant interest. For example, Iron-Age forts like Tre’r Ceri, stone circles, burial mounds, sacred wells, or other sites of historical or mythical value. Or others of related topics: herbalism, environmental issues, alternative technology, horticulture, forestry. [Wide range of topics that embrace the moral and spiritual values of our spiritual path]. Apart from anything else, this would help to both extend our knowledge and appreciation of our own area and deepen our understanding and confidence in each other. All suggestions gratefully appreciated.
  12. That there should be greater general use of the Grove website:
  • to circulate information
  • to carry on debates and discussions started at meetings, or generated at any other time
  • to stimulate a growth of knowledge, ideas and opinions, and to be able to more freely express and share for the benefit of all.

YOUR OPINIONS, IDEAS AND GENERAL IMPUT, NOW AND AT ANY TIME, IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE

REMEMBER, THIS IS YOUR GROVE!

PREPARATION FOR RITUALS

  1. Have a good meal to fortify you before you set out.
  2. WRAP UP WARMLY with spare clothes/waterproofs that can be taken off or added. Strong warm waterproof footware as well.
  3. Take something to sit on if you need or want to
  4. HARDEST PART OF RITUAL: before it begins! Clarify your intention, your need or desire to perform ritual.
  5. On the day of the ritual, as you wash, dress, eat before setting out, gradually immerse yourself into thoughts and considerations of the time of year and the aims of the ritual in which you are about to partake.
  6. If possible, try and walk a short distance before you actually arrive at the place where the ritual is to be held, so that you can fully immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Decide beforehand:

  • “What will this ritual do for me?”
  • “What will this ritual do for my community?
  • “What will this ritual do for the local environment?”
  • “What will this ritual do for the planet?”