Stonehenge, initiation, wonderful gifts and rainbows

Saturday saw me at Stonehenge with my sisters in the Craft and the lovely Dorset Grove

It also saw me initiate into the Dorset Grove...at last...

I have been a part of the Dorset Grove for a couple of years now and did intend to initiate last year but things got in the way, so it all happened on Saturday and at the wonderful Stonehenge too.

We were lucky with the weather for the most part, it was a bit chilly but the rain held off until the end...when it turned into hailstones LOL

It is lovely being in amongst the stones and we were joined as usual by plenty of crows.

I do believe initiation should be taken very seriously and should be something that you don't take on lightly.  Initiation is a death of the old 'you' and replaced by your new 'life', a death and rebirth.  For a lot of initiates it is a dedication to follow the path whether it be druidry, witchcraft or whatever, a promise to be open to learn the ways and secrets of that tradition.

I think for me, my initiation Saturday was more of a dedication to the Grove, a promise to give them my continued loyalty, support and friendship not only to the Grove as a whole but to each and every member.

Whilst it was a very uncomfortable feeling to be led around the outside of the henge with my head covered and my hands bound (both symbolically) I was guided by my two Guardians - Raven and Sunchylde.  The girls did cackle quite a lot and apologise for warning me about the pot hole...after I fell into it... ;-) I was relieved when we got back into the circle.     I did notice that as I was saying my oath a huge crow started to caw...the Cailleach letting me know she was there watching me.

I am blessed to have been gifted after my initiation was complete with the most beautiful carved Yew staff and an amazing blue cloak.  I am indeed pampered.

And afterwards as we walked back to the car park one of the attendees stopped me and said "do you know when you knelt for your initiation and gave your oath a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky behind you?"  -  how wonderful :-)

A city witch's driving rituals...

I spent the day yesterday with my sisters in the Craft, we looked at Christmas decorations, wandering around a witchy shop and then spent most of the time sitting in a little cafe eating cake and drinking hot chocolate - fabulous!  I am blessed that two of my close friends live within driving distance.  It's not as nice as being just round the corner when I could pop in for a cuppa but it takes me just under an hour to get to them which isn't too bad.

The Dorset Grove group that I belong to hold their rituals at Knowlton which is just over an hours drive from me and the Kitchen Witch rituals are held at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park which is a twenty minute drive from me.

I live on the edge of a big city and I do love where I live, everything is within easy reach - family, friends, shops, ten minutes drive in one direction takes me to the ocean and ten minutes drive in the other direction takes me to the woods...oh and all the takeaways deliver ;-)

But do you notice the theme here?  The word 'drive'.   I can walk into the local village and get most bits I need, the library and schools are also within walking distance but pretty much everything else involves driving.

But that's OK...because I realised yesterday on my drive back from Basingstoke that I incorporate the drive to and from my social visits and the rituals into the whole experience.

When I drive to Knowlton for a ritual I usually listen to something like ACDC, Fleetwood Mac or Meatloaf, something that builds up my energy and puts me into the right frame of mind for the ritual.  Yesterday when I went to meet the girls I listened to festive music to 'set the scene'.  The drive allows me to get into the right mindset and to go over the ritual in my head before I arrive.

I drive to the Knowlton rituals eight times a year (sometimes more if we have extra rituals at Stonehenge) but each journey is a few weeks apart and allows me to watch as the Wheel turns, I can observe the changing of the seasons, the trees turning colour, the leaves falling, the frost, the snow, the sunshine.  Yesterday afternoon I happened to be driving home as dusk settled in, I got to watch as the sky started to turn beautiful colours as the sun began to set.

These journeys help me to connect with the season, to see nature unfolding in front of me (whilst watching the road as well of course).

So although I might be a city Kitchen Witch I think I am very lucky to be situated where I am - for me I have the best of both worlds, or all worlds...



The image above is by www.ronbyrum.com

Purging, releasing, clearing out...

The Winter Solstice that approaches us is a wonderful time to purge...to get rid of all that you no longer need, to release all that no longer serves you and to basically clear out all your old baggage.

It can be on the physical level, in fact I plan to sort through my wardrobe today, it has been a long time coming and it desperately needs it, everything I turn out will be sent on its way to charity.

Mentally and emotionally a good clear out is a good idea too, and there is a perfect purging ritual in the Yule book by Dorothy Morrison which I have adapted slightly and include below:

Purging Ritual

Metal cauldron
Matches or cigarette lighter
Scraps of paper and writing tools*

If there are a few of you gather round the cauldron (the transformative void of the mother) and talk about the aspects of darkness and all that they signify. If you are on your own just reflect on the same. Then think about the dead weight in your life – any negative aspects that you wish to transform into something more positive. During this process, remember that banished aspects are often replaced with their exact opposites, so it is a good idea to consider whether you are ready to admit those into your life.

Once you have decided what needs to go, write the objectives on scraps of paper and place them in the cauldron with purpose and concentration. Know that by releasing them into the cauldron, you are pulling them out of your own darkness to make way for the gifts of light.

Concentrate on the transformative qualities of the cauldron, light the paper knowing that all that is released into darkness is transformed by light. Let the papers burn to ash, then release them to the wind.

*The type of paper and colour of ink used can be highly significant. If your intent is to purge yourself of poverty, for example, you might write your message on an old bank statement in large, bold letters. On the other hand, red lettering on the photo of an ex love might be appropriate if you wish to release the passion you still feel for the person and transform it into energy of a more positive nature. Co-ordinate your intent with the colour it associates with.

I shall be performing this ritual at some point in the next few days as well.

Clear out, clean up, sort out, chuck out and release...get rid of all your unwanted trash before the winter solstice to make way for new and wonderful things :-)