My AODA Online Study Journal

Fall Equinox, a beautiful sky, and Apprenticeship

2007-09-23T17:56:00.000-07:00

This is actually looking due west this morning, not towards the sunrise as it appears. High clouds raced by the deep blue of the early fall morning sky today and a bit of rain pattered now and then.

It's the Autumnal Equinox, a year and a day since I performed my AODA Candidate Initiation.

Now, I have completed my Apprentice Initiation and wear the Red Cord with pride and humility as an AODA First Degree. I've received approval from The Grand Archdruid on my Second Degree Studies, and in essence, have already begun them (actually when I received notice that my First Degree exam was accepted and began formulating my study plan)...so, now begins my next phase and (hopefully) within the "two years and two days" (bringing me to the Fall Equinox of 2009) I will be performing my Second Degree Initiation.

Later this evening will be a small ritual to mark the Equinox. I believe (and felt) Tarannis was pleased...

Not exactly Sustainability, but, hey, it's a start!

2007-06-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

Some of our garden on Canol Haf (midsummers)

The flowers on the corn are fascinating! Just behind the corn, you can see the corner of the raised bed where we have squash, parsley (a LOT of it too! ) thyme, bell pepper, string bean, and basil. It's a trial and error (mostly error) to find out what can grow in the micro-climate up here. Tomatoes have to stay pretty well shaded, melons can't be "full sun" as they say, and several other plants just didn't want to grow at all, even with conditioning the soil.

I see leaves of green...

2007-05-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well, two of the ten trees are actually trying to grow! The Sargeant Crabapple (in the foreground) and the Arrowwood Virbinium (nearest the fence).

We shall see with the others. They're still pliable and haven't died completely, so we shall give them as much time as they need to start growing.

Tiny Trees!

2007-04-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

A few actually have buds already forming. The Candaian Hemlocks and the Arrowwood are the smallest.

Now we say the long time family prayer whenever we plant anything...

"Okay, now grow...dammit!"

This has been a running family joke after my mother planted some Zucchinni one year, said that to the seeds, and even the neighbors were tired of the things by winter. Mega bumper crop. Zucchinni bread, pickles, canned, fried, sautee'd, in salads...it's amazing I still like them...

Trees!

2007-04-24T17:40:00.001-07:00

My Arbor Day Foundation 10 free trees just arrived today! Well, I know what my weekend plans are now! (couldn't think of anything I'd rather be doing instead, that's for sure).
My wife and I are now proud "parents" of;
1 Arrowwood Viburnum
1 Bur Oak
2 Canadian Hemlock
1 Grey Dogwood
1 Northern Red Oak
1 River Birch
1 Sargent Crabapple
1 Tuliptree
1 Washington Hawthorn
Now comes the fun part of trying to figure out where to put ten treeson an eighth of an acre lot...

A gift to my wife

2007-04-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

I'm a tricky 'ol Druid at times. I had a piece of Willow that was just screaming at me to use it for something. So, I made a wand for my wife out of it...making her think all along that I was crafting it for myself...lol...

It's hard to tell in the picture, but that's a band of silver spiraling along the shaft and terminating at the tip.

Now on to my next project...

2007-04-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

I was asked some time ago to post some pics of my practice Ogham Staves...and I finally got around to it.

They're simply enscribed with a wood burner on birch discs that I purchased at the craft store. On the back is the english name of the tree, the Bricriu Number Ogham, the sound, the color, and the elemental association.

Perhaps one day I will gather woods from all the trees and construct a set, but these are good as a start for divination and a study aide.

2007-04-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

" ...But Cormac shook the branch amongst them, and when they heard the soft sweet music of the branch they forgot ill care and sorrow and went forth to meet the youth, and he and they took their departure and were seen no more. Loud cries of weeping and mourning were made throughout Erin when this was known; but Cormac shook the branch so that there was no longer any grief or heaviness of heart upon any one."

From More Celtic Fairy Tales, collected by John Jacobs (originally published 1894).

The Craebh Ciuil, one of the three treasures of Cormac. The "apple branch", silver branch with it's tiny, musical, apples...

I figured I'd post a picture of my own "Apple Branch"

Finally!!

2007-03-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

The garden is in the ground, the herbs are transplanted to their hanging baskets, and all is well!

We placed the "Little Bride" corn doll I made on Imbolc in the garden, for her assistance in our harvest, said a silent blessing, and went to planting. When we harvest the corn from our own garden this year, we'll save husks to make a "Cailleach", which will then go in next year's planting, completing the cycle.

At the water's edge

2007-03-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Spent a wonderful afternoon yesterday. The wife and I went out to Clear Creek for the afternoon, she fished, I sat working on Ogham Meditation (kind of ironic and backward in a way, but I've got to be "in the mood" to fish, and yesterday the Ogham was calling me).

Some Ogham sources use Broom for Ngetal, but I actually prefer Reed. I was pondering yesterday how reeds live in all three "realms" at once, their roots secure in the mud, their stems coming up through the water (yet not harmed by the prolonged submersion), and breaking forth out of the water into the air. Shouldn't this be what we, as Druids, aspire to do as well? To live in all aspects to the best of our ability and adapt to them?

Just another of my thoughts to ponder on...

A 'day off'..sort of...

2007-02-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't get to prepping the garden bed yesterday, but got quite a few other things done. Finally got Anna's sewing room situated, made some candles (some for ritual use, some for just the pleasure of having a nicely scented candle lit), and decided I was tired of marking out a circle to hold a ritual in every single time...so I marked out and consecrated a permanent one in the yard.

As Anna and I make our trips out into the woods, we intend on picking up some stones here and there to mark the perimeter with. Right now it's merely some rope staked down, some bricks to set candles on in the quarters, and a chunk of stone in the middle. But, hey, it's a start.

Signs of life

2007-02-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

Well, it's now time to get out and actually prep the garden bed, as we have our first shoots sprouting in the starter beds, sooner than expected of course. The canteloupe and the lavendar are the first to sprout, I'm sure the mint and parsley will not be far behind. They all seem eager to grow, I've seen it take several weeks before for canteloupe to sprout. Brid must've definitely been paying attention to our ritual! I intend to thank her later today when I'm out working the soil.

Out is In...(outside is indoors, that is)

2007-02-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

We went and got a a couple of starter flats for some of our garden seeds today. With fun, love, and meticulous care, we've now got Italian Parsley, Sage, Spearmint, Lavendar, and Canteloupe (actually musk melon) seeds planted in the starters, watered, and a blessing said over them for bountiful growth. I've seen spearmint plants many times, but never knew their seeds were so fine! We probably sewed way too many in each starter! The herbs, once the weather turns and they're ready for transplant, are going to be placed in some hanging baskets on our porch. The Melons will join the string beans and corn in the rest of the garden plot.

Imbolc and a late winter's day

2007-02-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

Friday;
Imbolc was quiet, just Anna and myself. We did a small ritual at our indoor altar, blessing some seeds that we're going to make a garden with when the weather is right. Had taken some corn husks prior and made a "corn doll" to symbolize the Cailleach that we're going to place in the garden patch, and constructed a Bridget's Cross to have on the altar as well. Left some of my usual homemade oat scones out at the "well" (actually just a small circle of bricks, but it serves the purpose).

Saturday;
(my only day off work)
We decided to take a drive out to the woods, both to refresh our own spirits and to let our Jack Russell get some outdoor time. (Jack Russell Terriers=caged lightning). It was wonderful to see how much snow the Rim Area had received during that last storm, at least a foot if not more (found out the hard way as I tried to walk across a spot and sunk rather deep). Quite typical for this time of year, it usually has 1 to 4 feet of snow (last time with 4 foot was about nine years ago, though). It'll really help the drought conditions and hopefully stay off the dryness until the spring rains roll in.

So beautiful, so peaceful. Sunlight from among the trees glinting off the snow, ice crystals sending out their radiance in little rainbow dots here and there. Most of the snow had neither man nor animal tracks, although we did see PLENTY of rabbit tracks (must be a heavy population year for them), some elk track, fox, and some REALLY BIG cat tracks. We hated to have to head home, but it was late in the day, the dog was cold, and I had snow in my shoes!

Fading

2007-01-28T16:39:00.000-08:00

Winter is slowly losing it's grip, inch by inch, one ice crystal at a time. The almost-full ice sheet covering the creek is melting away. The ducks and geese are now enjoying much more swimming room. Sunlit areas either have a mere veneer of ice or are free water. The shaded areas are becoming slush and what my dad used to call "rubber ice", not fully frozen. I don't think one of the pintail ducks could even walk across it.

Granted, it's all part of the Wheel of the Year, and the Callieach must soon transform into the Maiden, but I will say that I will miss the beauty of the ice and snow (just not the bitter cold that accompanies it). The wind-blown ripples across the ice surface, sunlight glinting off them as it peeks through grey winter clouds. The pristine fresh fallen snow before human or animal has left a single track. The peaceful quiet during a snowfall, curtailing even the bustling city noise.

Yet, soon, the days will warm even more, new growth will be seen on the trees, the earth will aawken from her slumber, the wheel will continue it's turning...

Icicles and Druids...

2007-01-25T18:07:00.000-08:00

As our snowfall gradually melts off, sending it's well needed moisture back to the Mother, and our nights stay frigidly cold, icicles have formed in some of the shaded areas of buildings. Some of these crystalline wonders are right outside the back door of my work, where I do my morning practices. I attempted to get pictures with my phone's camera, but alas they were too dark to be visible.

I've had the distinct pleasure over the past few days to see them form, grow, and change. The melt on the roof through the day and into the evening has never left them the same from day to day. Some have clarified to crystalline perfection, rivaling the most perfect diamond. Others have occlusions from errant matter being frozen within them, adding unique dimensions on how the light plays on and within them. One has been steadfast and grown every day, causing it to be almost as thick as a broom handle and nearly a foot and a half long. Some grow in the evenings and then recede to almost nothing by the next afternoon. A few have already disappeared completely. A most unique one has forked about two thirds of the way down, it's offshoot at an almost physically impossible looking angle. One has shattered near the roof edge and is gradually building itself back up. Smooth surfaces, wavy, twisted, jagged. Blunt tips, needle-fine tips, straight down or skewed at an angle. Straight columns or almost free-form sculpts.

No two are even close to identical. Why? They've all been subjected to nearly identical climate, temperature, wind, the flow of snow-melt. They're all merely water being held at the freezing point with a few bits of errant mater mixed in. Naught more than frozen water, hydrogen and oxygen molecules aligned in a crystalline structure. Surely not rocket science on the why-for's and what-how's of their being. Yet, each one with characteristics and flaws that no other one has. Some will be on their way back into the water cycle before others, some will hold steadfast until nature says it's time to go.

As individual as their minute cousins, the snowflake.

As quirky as Druids that watch such things and ponder...

Ducks, Geese, and Ice!

2007-01-16T15:36:00.000-08:00

It's been a bit since I posted here, so I thought it about time.

We've still been getting out and spending time among the wild during these colder times, just not for much of a long stint at a time. Seen some beautiful sites with the light frosting of snow on the wonderful rock formations and mesas around town. This past week it's barely warmed to 32 degrees (Fahrenheit, that is) outside during the day, and been in the low teens at night.

Well, today was a nice sunny day, and a balmy 34 mid afternoon, so we decided to take our Jack Russell (he's the perfect Druid's dog...loves to get outdoors and play) out to Clear Creek just south of town. To our surprise, it's frozen over with a good sheet of ice! There was an open spot of water in one area of direct sunlight, and a flock of ducks (pintail, I think, weren't close enough to really tell) were enjoying themselves. As well, some Canadian Geese were sunning themselves on the ice sheet.

Had some fun skipping some good, flat, rocks across the ice. our JRT was fascinated by the "tin roof" sound when they struck. He was so anxious to get out there and chase them, but not knowing just how thick the ice really was, to his dismay, we kept him on the shore

Along the Path...

2006-12-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

A Pheasant with its resplendent long tail takes flight into the morning sky.
I decide to follow, to see where this path may lead…
A field mouse darts onto the path, following it with me for a spell.
I must remember to make notes on all that I perceive here,
The stuff of Bardic Poetry it could well be.
I’m moving with the flow of things, taking faith in my personal views
A difficult night it has been,
But the long-burning oak fire has illuminated the moonless night.
Yet, I have achieved victory against the odds.
Hazels from above the well have sustained my strength.
Days are more fulfilling.
Soldiering my spirit and flowing as water, I tread on,
Admiring the blue sky as I go.
My work is far from finished, but I am healing as I go.
Smoke still rises from the fire I kindled so long ago.
As one path ends, yet a new one begins.
Fierceness I will have in the gentlest of works, I vow silently to myself.
Shine, I will, as freshly polished brass.
Rust red leaves are forming on the trees,
Newfallen snow will soon be at hand.
I’ve reached the grove, what a wondrous place.
Lightning flashes and He is there with me, the God of the Grove.
“You have lifted the Fog,” he states matter-of-factly, “Some is now revealed”.
“Let the Past guide you along the Future”…and we part company but do not part ways.
The Future is a vast unexplored Ocean, and I, the mariner.
A Pheasant with its resplendent long tail takes flight into the new morning sky…
I shall see where he goes along this jagged-edged and spiraling path...

T.G. Reill
2006

Nos Calan Gaeaf

2006-11-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

May the New Year find those well who read this.

I decided to post more today, November 5th, due to my wife and I celebrating Samhain on the first full moon during Scorpio. Actually, it's usually our second celebration as we do participate in the stream of energy that is formed on October 31st by all the celebrants that night. Our neighbors probably thought us a tad on the strange side for leaving our Jack-o-Lanterns up so long past Halloween, but hey...

Both nights the Ritual has been rather simplistic, as my wife has had to work both nights, very informal in nature. But, whether merely lighting a candle, offering a soft-spoken prayer to the Gods and Ancestors, and leaving the traditional Meal for the Departed, or a full-regalia ritual, I feel they're equally important and effective. I'm a firm believer in that it's most important that you "do", not necessarily how elaborate (although, I do like the formality of full-regalia Rituals at times, the symbolism, the bond with others).

October 31st... was quite nice, my wife and I sharing each other's comapnionship in the afternoon and evening, until she had to go to work, the few trick-or-treaters we received, a simple meal, a simple meditation at our indoor altar, leaving a plate for the Departed, and then she went to work & I called it a night. With my usually hectic work schedule, I treasure the times that she and I get to spend simply in each other's company.

November 5th...Well, my wife had to work a longer shift tonight, so less time together. I've lit a black candle on the home altar to represent the passing year, and a white for the new, lit off of the black candle. Did some Discursive Meditation to some New Age Celtic Music (song called The Circle of Stones, a favorite of mine, don't know the artist off-hand) in front of the altar, follwed by the SoP...extremely moving is how I'll describe the practices.

Some lines from the song that strike me:

"Winds across Salisbury plain, Ancient Stones stand in the rain, shilouettes against a stormy night..."

"I see shadows form and disappear, in shades of grey, the ficker of a thousand lives. Voices are calling from another time and place...the name that echoes here is mine."

"The Milky Way seems to wink at me as if to say "we know exactly where you are" ..."

Blessed are those that have gone before us, giving us support and guidance in our lives. May we hold their memory, love, and deeds in our hearts. May they not be forgotten!

Bendigedig Nos Calan Gaeaf...

The veil is thin

2006-10-31T16:43:00.000-08:00

Ancestors, departed friends, loved ones long since gone, hear my words on this night as the veil between us parts but brief...

We honor you,
You are forever in our thoughts,
You have helped shape who and what we are,
We welcome your wise council,
We thank you...

Blessed Samhain to all
(and Happy New Year)

Afternoon tea with a Matriarch in the forest...

2006-10-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

She is a grand and elderly lady, my best guess would be at least 100 years old if not more. A beautiful Gambel Oak, resplendent in her fall colors of amber, we discovered on our afternoon trek through the forest. All the others around her (her children, it appears) have trunks no thicker than my forearm or leg, but her girth was nearly more than I could reach around with my arms, and no others matching her regal majesty nearby. On the south face of her trunk, from ages ago damage of some sort, is a little cave, a safe-haven perchance for weary, cold or frightened animals, safe in this loving matriarch's embrace.

So, after spending a little time in this Grand Dame's company, we left a bit of "thanks" to her with what we had, a carrot muffin and a splash of green tea... afternoon tea with a Grand Lady of the forest, a wonderful way to spend an autumn afternoon.

During our excursion, we managed to catch glimpse of not just one, but two, grey foxes, several elk, my wife caught sight of some white tail deer, and the rare sight of a raccoon.

Ogham staves

2006-10-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I've completed my hand made set of staves, made from birch (fortunately that's what the craft store had) disks about the size of a half-dollar and inscribed with a wood-burner. I placed the Ogham Letter and the Gaelic Name for the tree on the front. On the back, I decided to place a few "study aides", so I inscribed the English tree name, the Number Ogham, the modern alphabet correspondence, the color association, and the Elemental correspondence, all based out of JMG's "Druid Handbook". It was about six hours of solid work, but I think well worth it, they turned out just as I had envisioned them. I'm still debating if I want to get some enamel paints and put colors around the edge on the front, for the Element Associations and the Color Associations (kind of like the Element colors around the AODA symbol, but three instead of four). Ah well, perchance at a future time. For now, they are done and I can start using them. I'll probably type up a "reference chart" for the symbolism, to use while I'm memorizing the meanings, so I don't have to keep flipping through the book.

I feel it's important to construct one's own magical tools, when you can. I know that in our busy daily lives, this can't always happen. But it does give one a good feeling of accomplishment, as well as fully bonding these tools directly to you. Thus far, besides the Staves, I've constructed my own Creabh Cuilil (spelling? "talking branch" such as the one King Cormac was gifted with) and Crane Bag. Although this might not be a "necessary" thing to do in Modern Druidism, I feel it's right for me, and would encourage others to try it. It has it's rewards.

Oh, and a side note, while inscribing the Staves, I noticed some patterns that I'm going to ask JMG about...got my curiosity piqued...

Clack-bill the Raven

2006-10-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

I wish I could get a picture of him with my phone's camera...but he just won't allow it!

I call him Clack-bill (probably couldn't pronounce his raven-name anyhow), because that seems to be his morning greeting for me as I step out behind the store for my morning practices...two sharp snaps of his bill...Clack-clack. He's a big, old, fellow...probably weighing a good 15 pounds at least, about a 4 to 4.5ft wingspan, and at least 2ft tall while walking. Although you can tell he's the Alpha in the area, he's rather relaxed about it until one of the younger males gets cocky, then, look out! Loud? Oh yes! He'll croak and caw loud enough to drown out a full freight train only two blocks away! When he takes to the air from his favorite utility pole, you plainly hear (and sometimes feel) the whispery whoof-whoof of his wings lifting that immense glossy blue-jet body aloft.

He seems to get a kick out of my imitating his guttural clicks, often cawing wildly if I "mispronounce" a series, as if I've just made a raven-language fauxpaux and he's laughing his feathery butt off. Other times he'll repeat a certain series until I get it right, then switch to another series. Kind of understanding this old bird a bit, I wouldn't doubt it that he's teaching me every insult there is in Raven, I'll try them on some other raven one day, and my car will become a target for "bombing runs"...it would be just this character's speed, I think.

Anyhow, he's a confort in the mornings. Rain, shine, snow, he's around. Sometimes just to say hello, other times to chat or watch me do my daily practices.

Quality time, relaxation, and spirituality...all rolled into one

2006-10-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day!

My wife was actually feeling up to getting out of the house after being sick for over a week, the store actually left me alone to have a real "day off", so we drove to Flagstaff merely to enjoy ourselves and be in each other's company.

In the process, we stopped at two different metaphysical shops, picking up some insence charcoal at one and two small elestrial quartz crystals at another (oooh! They had some elestrials at one of the shops that had yellow topaz in it! Talk about beautiful!...but well out of price-range). We also patroned two of the used bookstores (found a fiction novel in a series we've been reading, but nothing worthwhile in the metaphysical sections). As well, stopped by the craft store and picked up some birchwood blanks and a woodburner etching tool so I can begin work on my Ogham Stave set that I want to craft for my divination work.

The drive back to Winslow was uneventful, save for the wonderful light show from the storms moving through the high country here. I've always enjoyed the ephemeral beauty of the clouds being lit by lightning against a stark-black night sky. Fleeting, illuminated sculptures against the jet velvet of night...

Yes, all in all, a really good day...

Nature Spots

2006-10-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

A Kiva (spirit house) at Homolovi (Hopi-place of the little hills) Ruins, just a little ways from Winslow on the banks of the Little Colorado River at Midsummers. We (my wife and I) went out to the Ruins at Midsummerst to "connect" with the local "energies". This is one of the largest and most well preserved Kivas in the region. You can still plainly see the fire-pit at the far end.

Bear Canyon Lake, late afternoon, just before Midsummers. There are qite a few lakes up on the Molgiollon Rim (a huge tectonic shelf rising up to 7500ft in elevation), but I think this one has to be my favorite.

Of Paths and Spirals

2006-09-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

Now, onto my Candidate Year's Work...

Time to have fun!

Yes, that's the way I'm looking at all of this...as fun, not work.

I've been a practicing Modern Pagan Druid for many years now and am well past the point where I "wake up in the morning and ask myself if I AM a Druid." and am at the point where I "wake up in the morning and ask myself what can I do to be a more effective Druid" (I believe that was John Gilbert that said that at the AODA list, but if mistaken I apologize to whomever it is I did just quote). That was my whole point to joining the AODA and proceeding with its workings...to be a more effective Druid, to learn, to grow, to experience new and wonderous things...to live life.

I've followed the Celtic Festivals for so long, they're an integral part of me, so the Sun Path will merely be documenting my experiences through the year and writing my essay.

The Earth Path, well, again a smooth path to begin with. I get "out into nature" as often as possible (minimum of once a week), so I'll just need to start journaling some observations and thoughts while outdoors. I'll have to check with the landlord about planting any trees, but I'm sure they won't mind (in a rental house). As to the reading...it's books! It's reading! I loive to read! Bring 'em on! I'll just have to find ones that call to me. Changes in lifestyle to be less of an impact on the Earth...well, not hard to say...Winslow's starting a recycling program (finally!!!) and I'm going to have everyone at the store I manage include the store's recyclables in the program (businesses are not going to be made to participate...but MY store WILL!!), even if I have to bring the stuff home and put it inmy own bin!

The Moon Path, already begun there. I practice the SoP daily now, meditate nightly (have for a long time) and am currently reading Gray's "Qabalistic Concepts" which has aided greatly with the SoP and Ring Pass Not.

Going to work on Divination as a "minor" for my Spiral Work. I've a set of Runes that I would on occation do some casting, but since my Candidate Ritual, I've been doing a one Rune Draw every morning to see how the day may go and then comparing it to how the day went. As example, this morning I drew "IS" and I got the impression of "average, standard". That is how the day did proceed, nothing earth-shattering, all status-quo. Now I just need to start keeping up on journal entries for this.

As soon as I decide on at least one book to get to start with, I want to make Earth Mysteries my "major" Spiral. Heck! I live near Sedona! What better focal point for this Spiral?!

Quite an experience

2006-09-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

I did indeed perform my Candidate Self-Initiation Ritual on the eve of the Equinox. I found it a wonderful experience. I could "feel" the tenuous threads connecting to the energy that is within the AODA, threads waiting to join in the warp and weft that is the beautiful tapestry of the AODA.

I won't go into detals (therefore not spoil the Ritual for anyone reading this who has not gone through it), but during one specific part, I actually felt my abcessed tooth return to normal and the swelling in my face subside. Since then, the tooth problem has rapidly abated, not completely normal yet, but a far cry better.

Testing, testing...Can you Droo-id now? Good!

2006-09-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well, if the Gods don't see my commitment to this path now, I don't know how else to prove to them...lol...

Thursday evening, I developed an abscessed tooth. Friday morning I looked as if I could be a stand-in for DeNiro in the Godfather my face was that swollen. Couldn't get into the dentist (half aren't open on Friday here and the other half are booked solid), so went to the ER for antibiotics.

Yet, through all this, my anticipation of performing my Solitary Initiation Ritual saturday (today) kept building and building. I've been almost counting down the minutes (that is, if I had set a specific time for it today). Something in me keeps saying "you need to do this...today" .

Then, it turns out that there isn't even an inch of yellow cord of any type in this little town! Our Wal-Mart is closing so the new Supercenter can open up, and they're not stocking the shelves or ordering.

Well, either Revival Druids or Paleo-Druids didn't have Wal-Marts! So, I grabbed an appropriate length of good 'ol cotton clothesline...and DYED it with some herbs I had! I've always felt it was best to construct one's magical tools anyhow. It turned out a pale, sunny, yellow (should have left it soak longer, but what the heck).

So, all necessary items in hand, I am prepared (chipmunk-cheek and all) to do this...Just Droo-id! LOL!

Off to enjoy the rest of the day with my wife, and then the Initiation towards evening!

Initiation Ritual plans

2006-09-16T19:19:00.000-07:00

Well, with suggestions from the AODA board and from a very dear friend, I've decided on when to do my Initiation Ritual. Fortuitously, the waxing crescent moon falls on Canol Hydref (the fall equinox), so I'll be performing the Ritual on the 23rd of September.

It is now official!

2006-09-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to the AODA"...it said in the letter I received 9-9-2006. I suppose I looked like a kid opening a birthday card...grinning from ear to ear as I read it!

Now, once I have myself prepared, I'll perform the Candidate Ritual for Initiation.

This should be quite interesting!

I think I've actually narrowed down between two of the Spirals for my First Year work, but have yet to determine which I want to focus on for the year as a "major"... Earth Mysteries and Divination. Being in Arizona as I am, and the state having such wonderful "mysteries" spots such as Sedona's vortices and many others, I think this just might be the logical choice. Divination seems like it would go hand-in-hand well with this (using it as a "minor" in studies, then expounding on it my Second Year Studies...perchance along with Magic). Yes, I'm looking ahead in all of this, planning as I go, yet going to remain flexible to the changes I'm sure to encounter along this path... and not spread myself too thin in the process.

All of this has a deep-set meaning for me which it's full intent is at this point unknown to me. I'm sure as I progress along this path that things will become clear. I just have to have the patience for things to unfold as they're supposed to.

Spirals, Spirals, Spirals...hmmm......

2006-09-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

The question...which one?

I'm not concerned about following the Earth, Sun, or Moon Paths, not in the least. The Earth Path...Well, I do my best to (at least) get out into nature at least once a week, I've lived a minimal ecological impact lifestyle when we had our quite remote property up here in northern AZ, so, some portions of this path are "already in the works". The Sun Path...Well, I already observe (and have for may years) the eight holy days (and usually the lunar cycles as well), so, that part of the path will be familiar. The Moon Path...Ok, been practicing much of the material from "The Druidry Handbook" since I began reading it, so this portion of the path will be smooth as well I do hope.

BUT! Which Spiral?

All are appealing, and I've dabbled a bit in all of them through the years (some more than others). Yet, to pin it down to one to focus on for my Initiatory Year is going to take some deep thought.

Well, plenty of time to consider the options...

Now, I wait

2006-09-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I mailed off my Letter of Acceptance and my initiatory fee to the AODA (Ancient Order of Druids in America) Grand Grove yesterday. Now I anxiously await notification from Grand ArchDruid John Michael Greer that it has been received and accepted, so that I may officially begin my Initiatory Year.

I've not been this anxious and excited about something in quite awhile. Having read (and actually re-read) JMG's "The Druidry Handbook", having read the material at the AODA website, and participated in discussions for awhile now at the AODA Public Yahoo Group, it just "feels" as if this is the correct path to take. Kind of like walking into a long-time friend's house and immediately feeling comfortable, knowing that you're welcome there and there are honest people of like-mind that you can relate to.

Perhaps it is a "homecoming" of sorts. Perchance in a prior incarnation I was involved in a Druidic Revival group. Now, I'm definitely not saying I was Stuckeley or Toland in a past life (I'm sure there's enough claimants to that already), but I do feel that there is a possibility that I might have been involved in such. It's an interesting thought, nothing more, and it really doesn't matter either way. I'm in the "here and now" ,that is the past, and I'm looking towards the future.

Sure, it's not going to be an easy path to venture. But what achievement worth doing is easy?

It's also a long path in front of me. Yet, it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. At one point while I was deciding whether to join the AODA or not (not really that long of a decisive moment, really), I did consider challenging the First Order. I'd probably pass the challenge with relative ease with what I've done in the past as a "solitary". But, the more I thought on it, the more one question kept cropping up in my mind..."why?". What sights would I miss along the path by "running" instead of taking my time? What beautiful scenery would I miss? What important tidbits of information would I not have a chance to learn by "jumping ahead"? Nope, I want to see the dragonflies flitting silently from rock to rock. I want to hear the birds singing, see the color of the sky around me change in it's shades of blue, watch the clouds meander by as I stroll along this newfound trail. Like I said, the journey IS the destination...and I'm going to make the best of it!