Welcome back to my Learning Ogham series. This week we continue with the left hand Ogham and explore Tinne.
Tinne is the symbol of the holly tree. It represents finding balance. It could show a battle between two opposing forces, or the moment when things may begin to change. It also symbolizes determination and the ability to overcome odds. Below are a few attributes of this symbol:
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Happy Monday everyone! It's time once again for our weekly divination, this time going back to Runes.This week's omen is one of the most "on the nose" that I've experienced in quite a while...at least in my opinion. What are your thoughts?
Algiz - Protection - While there are other protection runes, Algiz shows defensive actions and guarding yourself against attack. Peorth - Fate - This rune represents your path in life, but it can also represent socialization and meeting together in social spaces. Othala - Home - This rune speaks of home and those things that we know are safe and comfortable. _______________ Right now, we are still under self-quarantine, but we're starting to see things beginning to re-open, which is both exciting and scary. Algiz is the protection that we feel by staying home and avoiding the public. It's the blessing of being able to work from home and having groceries, etc. delivered. It's defending ourselves from this virus. However, Peorth speaks of fate and the path forward. It can represent socialization, which is an important thing going forward, but still super intimidating. And Othala is home...the space we know we are safe. Ultimately, I think this omen is telling us that it's good to protect ourselves and take defensive measures. However, we need to remember that society still exists so try to make efforts to socialize in other ways, such as video calls. Use the technology we have to not be isolated. However, right now it's ok to stay home...the place we know we are safe. If you have other interpretations, I'd love to hear them. Have a wonderful week. Last week, I finished reading For Praying Out Loud by L. Annie Foerster and I have to say that I was very, very pleased with the content. The book is fairly short at only 150is pages in a non-standard sized book, but it is packed full of ideas and examples of truly interfaith work, and ideas on how to approach it successfully. It covers numerous topics including how to welcome a whole community through prayer, and the importance of creating a (non-specific) holy space for those moments. The author expresses things that are done in public prayers that may make others uncomfortable, and gives great examples on how to open your prayers to a wider community.
The book explores how to write prayers, and ways too pray together by eliminating specific deity names, genders, etc. It also gives options for ways to end prayers that aren't specific to a single faith, which is definitely something that I have struggled with in my own interfaith work. The book talks about unity and diversity, and shares prayers that emphasize and honor that diversity. It shares prayers of peace and justice, healing and remembrance, gratitude and praise, and dedications all in ways that could be open to interfaith communities. I think my only complaint is that I wish there were more of this book. It really is a wonderful resource, and I look forward to utilizing it in my work as Clergy. Welcome back to my Learning Ogham series. This week we continue with the left hand Ogham and explore Duir.
Duir is the symbol of the oak tree. It represents protection and strength. Duir is said to be a door, or a gateway to knowledge and the mysteries of the world. While Saille represented femininity, Duir is an image of masculine energy. It speaks of slow, steady growth and perseverance. Below are a few attributes of this symbol:
This week, I finished reading The Pagan Book of Living and Dying by Starhawk and M. Macha Nightmare. I genuinely appreciate having resources for working with those who have passed away, and the loved ones they live behind. I don't think there is ever enough training to help you heal others hurt from losing a loved one, but resources like this at least give you some ideas on things you can do to help.
The book begins with a section about Pagan Tradition, including descriptions of the sacred cycle of life > death > rebirth. It also describes the history of the author's goddess tradition, including several different practices and meditation options. While I appreciate the effort put into this information, it is does feel very Wiccan, so keep that in mind if you're working with people in other traditions. This section of the book also explores several different myths of descent and return, like that of Persephone, or the myths of Lugh's crossing, or Venus and Adonis. I appreciate that they shared myths from many different pantheons and cultures. Part Two of the book is dedicated to Pagan Views on death. This is an area that I feel is very difficult to write about because there is no Pagan Dogma, so each person can have their own very different beliefs and still consider themselves Pagan. They share some descriptions of lessons that can be learned from death, and ways death and consciousness relate. They also describe different takes on the land of the dead and the idea of reincarnation. Meditations on different ideas are also scattered throughout this section of the book. I think it's interesting to see perceptions on how some Pagans view death, but once again please don't expect that these ideas will represent everyone the same way. Part Three describes the dying process, including preparing for death, working with the dying, working with the living, and hygiene. I think this was my favorite section of the book by far. The book gives some examples on interactions and practices you can do to someone who is preparing for death. They also give suggestions for working with the living during this time, including some simple things like feeding their pets or making them an amulet. The reminder that health and hygiene needs to be maintained after dealing with a death was simple and important as well. This section includes mineral, herb, oil, and teas that could be useful, as well as chants, prayers, and ritual examples. Next it explores the items both at the moment of death, and shortly after, including information on washing the dead and example funeral and memorial rituals. While none of the rituals could be "plug and play" having at least some templates to use is very helpful in writing a funeral for someone. Part Four of the book dives into different "types" of deaths that may be more challenging to deal with, including the AIDS pandemic, the death of children, and violent deaths. It then moves on to describe, not moving on, but CARRYING on, including discussions on making room to grieve, and making altars or offerings to the dead. This section closes with a list of practical work you can do to prepare for death, including the creation of a living will, communicating your wishes for your death, etc. The book closes with 4 appendixes: How to Make a Mask, Books on Death and Dying (including books for children), Example of a Living Will, Example of a Power of Attorney form. These additional resources are very valuable and I think the book is worth its price simply for those! Ultimately, I think this book is a fantastic resources. Some of the personal stories are sad, but it's important to understand the perspective shared in them. The book doesn't shy away from difficult topics and, even though it isn't from my specific tradition, if needed I know I will refer to this book for funeral work in the future. Welcome back to my Learning Ogham series. This week we move on to the left hand Ogham, starting with Uath.
Uath, or Huath, is the symbol of the hawthorn tree. It speaks of patience and purity, indicating a need for thought instead of action. It's a time of waiting and planning. Hawthorrns are a type of thorny shrubs with small flowers. While beautiful, the thorns can be damaging, so approach with thought and caution. Below are a few attributes of this symbol:
We are now almost 2 months into quarantine, and the world still feels like a scary place for me. We aren't sure what the future holds and that brings a lot of anxiety. However, the omen this week gave me a reminder that I need to at least try to relax a bit.
The first card I pulled was Hera - Commitment. It's a reminder that relationships aren't always easy, and that we need to remember our commitment and strengthen those relationship around us. Right now, most people are either spending all day every day with our immediate family, and being separated from them long term. Neither of those are easy, and it's important to put the extra effort into our loved ones. Next was Bast - Play. I know I am very anxious and stressed right now, and this felt like a reminder to relax. Bast is a reminder of playfulness and finding a work/fun balance. It also hints at a level of curiosity and cheerful energy. While we're also often working from home, or working on the front line of those mandatory industries, it's important to find time to play and to separate our work life from our home and family time, and just have some fun. The final card drawn tonight was Boudicca - Unity. Boudicca speaks of teamwork, and success. It's a message of revolution, and the need to stand up for yourself. While times are hard right now, we're all in this together. We're doing what we have to do to beat this fight and to be successful. It isn't easy, but it's necessary. I hope you all find some comfort in this weeks message and take a moment to have a little fun. This week's omen came from the Goddesses & Sirens Deck by Stacey Demarco & Jimmy Manton. Hello everyone,
My name is Rev. Amber Doty and I am honored to be your new Vice ArchDruid. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, and for trusting me enough to hold this position. This is a responsibility that I take very seriously and I am excited to continue serving the organization as a member of the Mother Grove. I joined ADF in 2008, and knew I had found my spiritual home. I am a Senior Priest and Initiate. I have completed several of the Study Programs offered through our subgroups, each allowing me to explore my personal practice. I have spent time both as a member of a Grove and as a solitary practitioner, and know the importance and value of both options. ADF has given me many gifts. In an effort to give back to the organization, I have held a number of leadership roles. These roles have allowed me to take part in projects like handbook creation, bylaw revisions, and subgroup reclassifications. I take on these tasks to try to improve internal processes and clarify expectations for members and future leaders. While change is hard, I’m willing to put in the time and effort needed to make improvements where necessary. I see ADF as an organization that encourages right practice and reciprocity. My vision is that we can be a safe space for all of our members, and move toward effective communication without hostility or animosity. I won’t write this essay and make promises that I can change things but I want to see our focus return to building reciprocal relationships based upon hospitality. I want us move away from the perceived divisions within members and the related feeling that people have to “choose sides.” I hope from here to be able to move forward and to continue to make improvements as we go. I know that there are still processes we can improve and changes that we need to make. I also recognize that those items will take time. This spring was unlike anything any of us had ever experienced. Typically, this is the time of year where we are beginning to plan for festivals, outdoor spaces, and spending more quality time in nature and with our peers, but this year definitely looked a little bit different. With social distancing and quarantines in place, each of us had to find new ways to communicate and celebrate together. We may not know what the future holds, but I’m proud of the perseverance and hospitality that I have witnessed throughout our membership. I’ve seen people reaching out to each other, building relationships, opening their hearts, and lending a helping hand whenever they could. The members truly are what make ADF special, and I’m proud to be a part of it. Rev. Amber Doty |
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