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    • Little Druid on the Prairie (Rev. Lauren's Blog)
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Mountain Ancestors Grove, ADF

Prairie Tidings: Our Church's Blog

Winning the Waters: An Avestan Water Blessing

1/21/2016

 
by Rev. Melissa Burchfield, ADF Master Bard

All Waters come from Anahita and all Waters are Anahita.
All Waters, by essence of their nature, are sacred.

Hold up vessel of water at chest level

These Waters before us have been won, 
By virtue of our sacrifices and devotion to She who is the Waters. 
The Waters are strong and bright, and so they give us strength and brilliance.
The Waters are tall and beautiful, and so they aid is in reaching new heights and surround us with beauty.
The Waters flow from on high in a tempest as vast as the whole of the waters of the Earth, 
The Motherly Flow of Waters—if only we beseech them to come to us!
We stand before her, Ardvi Sura Anahita, 
Wide-expanding and health-giving,
Who is worthy of sacrifice in the material world,
Worthy of prayer in the material world,
Life-increasing and holy, 
Who makes the seed of man pure and the womb of woman bring forth life.
She asks of us, “Who will praise me?”
I ask you, (Raise vessel) Will you praise her?

All: We will! (lower to chest level)

She asks of us, “Who will offer me a sacrifice, with libations cleanly prepared and well-strained in three pours?”
I ask you, (Raise vessel) Will you offer her sacrifice?

All: We Will! (lower to chest level)
She asks of us, “To whom shall I cleave, who cleaves unto me, and thinks with me, and bestows gifts unto me and is of good will unto me?”
I ask you, (Raise vessel) Will you cleave unto her and bestow her with gifts?

All: We will! (lower to chest level)

For her brightness and glory, we offer her a sacrifice in three pours.

Anahita, Waters of Life!
Grant us our boons! (pour out small amount of water)
Heed our call and our devotion! (pour out small amount of water)
And grant us Blessings this day!  (pour out small amount of water)
We offer to you in three streams that you may bless us with the Waters of Life!
Anahita, Give us the Waters!

All: Anahita, Give us the Waters!

Anahita, Give us the Waters!

All: Anahita, Give us the Waters!

Anahita, Give us the Waters!

All: Anahita, Give us the Waters!

(Raise vessel high)

​
Behold, the Waters of Life!

All: Behold! The Waters of Life!

American Hearth-Culture: Badger-y Answers to a Folk Question

1/4/2016

 
American Hearth-Culture is mostly undefined, but some pockets of this practice now looks like national heroes, shared cultural experience… essentially the Uncle-Sam-as-deity, Liberty-as-Deity, Paul-Bunyan-as-American Hercules sort of thing.  While this kind of practice has value, if not skillfully presented, it can come off as a little hokey (ex: spirit of winter as “Santa”).

Unfortunately, there aren’t consistent themes, because Americans don’t really have consistent themes. We might have days when we sit about and tell American folk-tales and “tall-tale” stories, but most Americans only identify as Americans if there is national crisis.  Otherwise, they identify by state (Texans, etc.), and so, to have a more local, place-specific identity in terms of practice is a more useful approach.  

Deities in Colorado would be different than in Louisiana (not a lot of Swamp Gods out here in the Rocky Mountains).  Our hope with an American paganism is that a  place-specific consciousness would be born, and through skillful relationship building, a more present, true-to-life polytheist practice can arise.

​
One part that we’ve found valuable in connecting to a place-centric American paganism is exploring what right-relationship looks like to the First Nations folk… as they are in many of our individual, ancestral stories. This practice is growing, and constantly developing in our Outdwellers Ministries.

    About the Name: Prairie Tidings

    One of the many names for a group of Magpies is "a tiding" of magpies. In 2015 this blog was used as a place for Rev. William, and Rev. Missy to share their experiences as church leaders, as well as goings on at the grove, opinions, and essays. After we got some dedicants trained in our unique work, it was unanimously decided by our board of directors to open the blog to all members of our church. So, we're a group of "MAGpies" (a tiding) sharing news, happenings, and our thoughts (tidings) with you all. 

    Thank you all for your continued support and interest in our work!

    ​MAGpies, please make all blog submissions to Rev. William, as he's managing the website. 

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