• About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our Leadership
    • ADF: A Druid Fellowship
    • Photos
  • Services
  • Calendar
  • Resources & Social Justice
  • Membership
  • Blogs
    • Prairie Tidings (Church Blog)
    • Rev. Badger's 2019 Stoic Blog
    • The Practical Bard (Rev. Missy's Blog)
    • Little Druid on the Prairie (Rev. Lauren's Blog)
  • Policies
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our Leadership
    • ADF: A Druid Fellowship
    • Photos
  • Services
  • Calendar
  • Resources & Social Justice
  • Membership
  • Blogs
    • Prairie Tidings (Church Blog)
    • Rev. Badger's 2019 Stoic Blog
    • The Practical Bard (Rev. Missy's Blog)
    • Little Druid on the Prairie (Rev. Lauren's Blog)
  • Policies
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
Mountain Ancestors Grove, ADF

Prairie Tidings: Our Church's Blog

At our Center, There is Reciprocity: Reflections on the Omens from Solstice/Full-Moon Rites

6/20/2016

 
On Saturday, June 18th, our grove held our annual Summer Solstice rites, and for those who came, I'm impressed that we all made it through our rite... since thermometers were reading 100 degrees (f), May your piety not be rewarded with sunburns. 

As is our custom, we asked for an omen after we all made our offerings at the triple center. The omen is the blessing offered to the folk from the Kindred, after proper sacrifice has been made. When we afford the Kindred their own identities and individuality, we must also allow for an honest conversation to take place.

Mechanically speaking, if the proper offerings have been made, correct markers noted in ritual, and appropriate relationship affirmed, we have done our part in the *ghosti (being in reciprocal relationship) with the Kindred. Ritually, we have said, ‘we offer these things so we may be blessed from You.’ The omen is their response to our offerings and petitions.

I’ve explained this process to my friend’s daughter by equating the omen to someone’s response to asking them a favor. If I ask a friend to help me move, and I have mowed his lawn, watched his home while he was away, and changed the oil in his car, he is more likely to respond yes; however, as an individual, he could respond in ANY way… including denying my request. If we see the Kindred as real things, and not aspects of a larger, universalized whole, then it is the most beautiful expression in the relationship we have with them to interpret their answer through the omen… good, ill, or anywhere else on the spectrum. 

I absolutely LOVE the omens parts of our rites. I’m most grateful to be able to have a direct response from the Kindred Three in relation to the work just performed. Even if the omen is to wait and not know right now… I at least KNOW that I’m expected to not know. The relationships built with the Three could not last without their offering omens (and other blessings), and is as necessary as me making my offerings to them. You know… reciprocity, and all that. 

It's during this time we receive a blessing in return for our offerings, for reciprocal hospitality-practice is at the heart of what we do. 

For both the Solstice rite, and for the full-moon rites that followed later in the evening, in the middle position of both readings was the rune-stave for gift giving/reciprocity/hospitality... the stave, Gebo. At the heart of who we are, there is reciprocal-hospitality. 

It's common to hear it said around our Fire, that "... it's all about hospitality." This idea of right-relationship with hosting, as well as guest-ing, is everywhere. It's in how we pray, how we listen, and how we offer to another. It's in how we build relationships, how we approach the unknown, and how we engage humanity. 

When practicing hospitality and reciprocity with the Kindreds, we have to interpret what they're trying to tell us sometimes... with humanity, we don't need to interpret arcane symbols or uncover hidden meanings. We simply need to offer and listen, and that requires mindfulness. 

Be present. Be in right-relationship. Be the vessel for the blessings of the Kindreds. 

May our Omens shine through us all. 

Comments are closed.

    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. 

    Archives

    September 2022
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    June 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All
    Hearth & Home
    Religious Life

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.