Shining Lakes News

A Newsletter for Shining Lakes Grove, A.D.F.

Yule 2002 - Vol. 10, No. 1

Another Year Around the Hearth

Editor's note: Following is an updated version of an article Rob wrote for SLN two years ago. The dates and phone numbers may change, but the traditions live on!

One of the most eagerly anticipated High Days of our year is coming up next: Imbolc. This is the holiday when we honor Bríd, our Grove's hearth goddess. This holiday has many traditions associated with it, from the ancient Celts to the modern-day Irish. I thought I'd share some of those traditions with you, so you'll be ready to welcome Bríd into your home and into our rite in February.

One of the traditional ways to honor Bríd at this time of year is to clean your home. The concept of "spring cleaning" has its origins in this practice-but really, when would you rather be doing your annual indoor cleaning? When there are several feet of snow on the ground, or when the flowers are blooming and the birds singing? You may want to use a birch branch to symbolically sweep the floors, as birch is a tree associated with new beginnings. And if you still have Yule decorations up, you should definitely be putting them away now (in some traditions, the evergreens left from Yule were burned in the hearth on Imbolc eve).

Another Imbolc tradition is the making of Bríd Crosses, which we use during the Brídeog (see below). Bríd Crosses are woven out of straw, in much the same way that a Native American "God's Eye" is made. The crosses are traditionally hung over the doors of the home and protect the home from fire. We'll be making our Bríd Crosses, along with the Bríd dolly, at our Dedicant Program Study Group session on January 8.

One of my favorite Grove traditions for Imbolc is the Brídeog, which we've been doing since 1997. It will be held on January 25 this year. Based on a more modern Irish tradition, it consists of traveling from home to home with our Bríd dolly, called a "brídeog" (BREEJ-oag) in Irish Gaelic. The traveling party (a.k.a the Biddies) enters the home carrying the dolly, along with several hand puppets, and singing loudly. One Biddy carries the dolly through the house as others recite blessings. The Biddies then ask for an offering of food to help the needy-we accept non-perishable food for Food Gatherers. They then give the household a Bríd Cross (see above) and depart on their merry way to the next home. (If you'd like the Biddies to visit your home this year, contact us at 734-998-1029 or robh@cyberspace.org.)

The night before each High Day rite, we will hold a Fire Kindling Ceremony at dusk. We will come together as a community to rekindle our Grove's sacred flame, and everyone may take the flame home with them that night. (If you come, bring a candle or two to take the flame home!) The night before Imbolc is particularly significant, because Bríd was believed to travel the world on the night before her holiday, accompanied by the cow that nursed her when she was an infant. During the Fire Kindling, we hang two cloths from a bush near the fire. This gives Bríd a chance to visit us during the night and bless them. One of the cloths is cut up into pieces, and the pieces are distributed to the women and children of the community, to bring Bríd's protection. The other cloth, called the Bratach Bríd, is one of our Grove relics, and kept from year to year to accumulate Bríd's blessings. The Bratach Bríd was a traditional tool of midwives, used during the birthing process to ensure a safe delivery for both mother and child. Our own Bratach has been present at two births so far.

Finally, the Imbolc rite itself will be held on February 1 this year. I can't give many details on the ritual, since we haven't created it yet! Our Liturgists' Roundtable will be held on January 21 and 28, and everyone (Grove member or not) is encouraged to attend and help us plan our rite.

I hope these ideas help you to celebrate Imbolc in your own household, and I hope you all have a chance to join us in our community celebration as well! For the dates, times, and locations of the meetings mentioned in this article, see the calendar in this newsletter, or call 734-998-1029 or e-mail robh@cyberspace.org. Also, for more information on Bríd and Imbolc, Fox has written a few articles about them, which you can see at: http://www.msen.com/~robh/slg/deities/bridol.html

Yours in service to the Kindreds and the Grove,
Rev. Rob Henderson, Senior Druid

Should I Be Committed?

By Jude Howison

OK, don't be agreeing so fast. I'm not talking about sending me to the home for hopelessly weird old women. I'm referring to commitment to a cause or dedication to a purpose. We make commitments every day. Some commitments are minor, such as a lunch meeting. Other commitments are more serious, such as having a baby or caring for a loved one who is ill. The major commitments require thought and planning before we enter into them, because once we start there should be no turning back.

As pagans we have chosen to commit ourselves to a spiritual journey different from the mainstream. I believe that most everyone reading this has given thought as to why they have chosen this path. You each have probably run into roadblocks along the way and have had to examine your commitment in order to overcome them. It's because of this common struggle that we have come together as a Grove to offer support and guidance to each other.

At this time of a new year and the installation of our new Grove officers I would like to take the time to thank those people who have asked themselves "Should I be committed?" and have found that the answer is YES.

• Rob Henderson-You have committed your time, energy and talents to becoming an ordained Druid Priest and you have graciously agreed to three more years as our Senior Druid. The dedication you have shown to our Grove and ADF, even as you struggle with challenges in your personal life, is very truly appreciated.
• Gen Stoyak-Aside from your considerable contributions as Grove Chronicler you perform so many "small" functions that make our Grove a warm, friendly, and beautiful place. Most people probably don't notice these things because you do them quietly and make it all look so easy. Of course I don't want to miss thanking you for your biggest "Mother" role, that of supporting Rob in all that he does.
• Rod Cox-As our Pursewarden your dedication and prudence are a great comfort. It's reassuring to know that our Grove's financial resources are being watched over by someone with good solid morals. As Guild Master of the Magicians', Warriors', and Healers' Guilds, your guidance has been most valuable.
• Liz Benson-Cox-Thank you for opening your home to the monthly Guild meeting. Your warmth and hospitality are greatly appreciated and your gentle good humor always makes me smile.
• Fred Wark and Laurel Beyer-You've both shown great dedication to caring for our Mother Earth. I know it's been frustrating trying to get participation for the Naturalists' Guild, but please don't give up. Your hard work to make our environment a better place for all of us will not go unrewarded.
• Michael McClennen-You have graciously offered to give of your time and writing talents to be our Grove Scribe. Also, your musical talents have added lightness and joy to our rituals.
• Fred and Bethanne Paepke-Although you are relatively new members, you have jumped right in with both feet. Fred, I wish you well as our new Grove Administrator; your fresh energy should serve well in that office. And you are both much appreciated for opening your home and acting as leaders for our Dedicant Program study group. Bethanne, your delightful sense of humor should make our year of learning fun as well as enlightening.

I'd also like to thank all of the people who regularly participate in our Grove's rituals and events. All of you add to the richness and depth of meaning of Shining Lakes Grove. May you all receive the blessings of your Gods and Goddesses.

Namaste,
Jude Howison

Leadership Council Election Results

The following officers for Shining Lakes Grove were sworn in at Samhain 2002:

• Senior Druid: Rev. Robert Henderson (Three-year term)
• Grove Administrator: Fred Paepke (One-year term)
• Scribe: Michael McClennen (One-year term)
• Chronicler: Genevieve Stoyak (One-year term)
• Pursewarden: Rodney Cox (currently serving second year of a two-year term)

My thanks to Don Clayton and Deanna Justice for having served on the Grove's Leadership Council. May the gods be with you in whatever you do! - Rob

SLG Leadership Council

Senior Druid
Rob Henderson robh@cyberspace.org

Assistant Senior Druid
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Administrator
Fred Paepke

Scribe
Michael McClennenen

Pursewarden
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Chronicler
Genevieve Stoyak gstoyak@hotmail.com

Outreach Coordinator
(position open)

Youth Activities Coordinator
(position open)

SLG Guild Leaders

Magicians' Guild
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Warriors' Guild
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Healers' Guild
Rodney Cox UberRod@aol.com

Naturalists' Guild
Fred Wark fllwark@htonline.com

Producers' Guild (unofficial)
Gen Stoyak gstoyak@hotmail.com

No e-mail access? Contact our officers at our snail-mail address or phone number.

Shining Lakes News (©2002) is published by Shining Lakes Grove, A.D.F., P.O. Box 1732, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106, (734) 998-1029. For information about SLN, contact the Chronicler at gstoyak@hotmail.comor call the Senior Druid at the number below. For information about Shining Lakes Grove, contact the Senior Druid at (734) 427-0282 or robh@cyberspace.org, or visit www.shininglakes.org.

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