The Ditzy Druid

Progress on the Patio

greycatsidhe — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:31:36 +0000

Although leaving the fun, learning, companionship, and liberal social mores of Wellspring is often difficult, I was glad to come home to my cats, ferrets, and garden. I feel awful leaving my plants, even if it’s only for a few days. A couple days of intense heat can be all it takes to bring about a garden’s demise – especially container gardens. One of the biggest stumbling blocks I see people around me make with containers is assuming they don’t need to be watered that often because they’re outside and getting moisture through rain and dew. The truth is, unless it’s raining a ton or your garden is full of drought -hardy vegetation, container gardens especially need to be watered often. When the heat picks up, I make a point to water most of my pots twice a day – especially the hanging ones as they dry out faster. Self-watering containers are a huge help and I encourage all the would-be gardeners out there to start adding them to your arsenal (except for herbs – they tend to drown in self-watering containers and prefer periods of brief dryness in clay pots). You can make them, though they are often not very pretty and landlords may complain. You can purchase self-watering containers or converters for regular pots but this can all become expensive. My advice is to make a point to purchase one or two each year and build your collection in baby steps. People keep telling me I have a green thumb, which is a huge compliment. Working with plants has become a central part of my spiritual practice. Keeping the plant spirits happy isn’t only good for your food/herb production – it does wonders for your relationship and understanding of the natural world.

Here’s what’s been happening on my patio as of late!

I started several plants inside in March. As a result, I already have some food forming! Beans ahoy!

I have a few lemons on my wee lemon tree!

The little people are watching over the little trees.

The cucumbers are flowering! Some even have little baby fruits growing! My food preservation goal for this year is to try making pickles!

My bigger chive plants are flowering. I’ve been snipping the blossoms and putting them in vinegar to make a beautiful pink, chive-infused concoction! It smells divine thus far!

Out of the five or six woad plants that sprouted, two really strong specimens have emerged and they’re growing strong!

I finally did more work on my moon garden. I don’t anticipate the lily of the valley to show any growth until next year. The white cosmos, moonflowers, and woodland tobacco are starting to sprout. I pray they grow well and that I can have some lovely-scented lunar flowers this year! Supposedly the woodland tobacco is good pest management with regards to mosquitos – something that is always welcomed!

A favorite sight of mine are the pollinators. We’ve seen many swallowtails and a swarm of red admiral butterflies so far! I’ve seen a couple hummingbirds and intend to purchase a special feeder for them before the season’s out. Bees, of course, often visit my garden. I love watching them work. Great job pollinators!

Wellspring 2012

greycatsidhe — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:50:54 +0000

I recently posted about how I was anticipating Wellspring as a way to rejuvenate my Druidic studies and practice. Weretoad and I were able to attend from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. For those of you who don’t know, Wellspring is a major ADF Druid festival held at the Brushwood Folklore Center in Sherman, NY. There are large rituals, initiations, consecrations, workshops, competitions, concerts, and potlucks. Always a good time! This year was a busy and sometimes frustrating weekend, but it’s all worth it for the learning, fellowship, and reinvigoration that occurs. I also got to meet fellow blogger Inahawksi! I took a few photos to share but am quickly realizing that I much prefer a digital SLR to the built-in camera on my iphone. It works well but it’s so hard to hold still and focus – especially in the sun. I apologize for the blurry ones!

Stonecreed Grove, the hosts of the event, have been making improvements to the old nemeton. They’ve replaced the rotting, wooden idols of the Earth Mother and Gatekeeper with new stone versions made by an ADF artisan. They’re visually striking as you approach! At night, when the flames shine upon them, they are truly breathtaking.

The Gatekeeper with offerings.

The Earth Mother with offerings.

A major activity I helped to organize was weekend-long flametending through the Brighid special interest group (SIG). Fellow member, Bonnie, was absolutely amazing at coordinating with Stonecreed Grove, providing incense for people to give as offerings when needed, and working with The Magical Druid to obtain special Brighid tokens as thank-yous for people who took part. This kept me very busy as I made a point to tend to the shrine three to four times a day, sometimes meeting with other members. It was wonderful to put faces to names and join them in such a sacred act. We learned much from our first year of this and want to continue, possibly expanding to other ADF festivals. It was interesting and moving to watch the shrine grow with offerings over the weekend. Brighid is very much adored by many Druids.

As I said, there were competitions. The Warriors Guild showed their physical prowess on the field but I did not get an opportunity to attend what with all the other activities. I participated in the Artisan Competition (I submitted the doll Blodeuwedd I’ve shown before). That was a really stunning art show. So many beautiful pieces in different mediums! Meeting with my fellow Artisans was fun and we came up with a lot of great ideas for the next year. Finally, Wellspring is known for its bardic competition. Adults and children alike competed and there were some excellent examples of voice, composition, poetry, and storytelling. Ian Corrigan won in the end so congrats to him! He’s got such an impressive voice and personality. Truly, ADF has so many talented folk. I am very proud of us!

Near the nemeton is the Runestead – an area Heathens use to worship the Norse Gods. I just love the runic fence! Hubby and I made a visit to pay our respects to the Gods of the rest of our bloodline. We especially wanted to say hello to Thor.

In a shaded area, towards the back of the forest, is a dark, ghostly figure – a crone-like Goddess with sagging breasts and decaying limbs. She is an impressive, powerful idol. I always feel a bit apprehensive approaching her. I half suspect she’ll suddenly look up or reach out…!

Because of timing, I was only able to attend one workshop this year – but it was an interesting one for both me and my husband – brewing! Robb (far left) lead the workshop, demonstrating how to make beer but also discussing the methods used to make wine and mead. Robb is certified to judge brewing and actually handles yet another ADF competition – the Brewers’ Guild competition! (I sampled a few entries – delish!) He was very encouraging and knowledgable. I really want to try my hand at mead soon! Weretoad is interested in making beers.

A special, commemorative pin everyone received! I was sad for a bit… I thought I lost it in the mad rush to change from ritual garb so I could dance around the bonfire in the drum circle! I found it this morning mixed in with my makeup. Figures!

It was a wonderful weekend. I’m so happy we had a chance to go. I feel a stronger bond with my grove, better connections with fellow ADF Druids from all over, a deeper relationship with Brighid, and a greater drive to study, practice, and worship. I’m pumped to dive back into the Initiate study program! If you live near Sherman, NY and have an interest in Druidism, I strongly encourage you to consider attending! If not, I invite you to look into other Pagan festivals or conferences. They are great sources of fun, education, inspiration, and friendship.

A Flowering Aloe Vera is a Happy Aloe Vera!

greycatsidhe — Mon, 28 May 2012 16:07:31 +0000

I’m a very proud gardener right now!

Fire Earrings for Tending the Flame

greycatsidhe — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:38:32 +0000

I’m working with Bonnie to organize flame tending activities for those of us in that group during Wellspring this weekend. I asked for flame keepers to wear a bit of orange which inspired me to make these felt earrings. Just finished tonight! Now, off to work on the doll for the artisan competition!

First Radish Harvest!

greycatsidhe — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:33:53 +0000

Lookie! My first radish harvest of the year! Thank you, Nature Spirits! Small but perfect for a salad today.

Bone Gift

greycatsidhe — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:49:55 +0000

A friend gifted me with this lovely deer skull complete with antlers. Seems like it belonged to a young male. I am truly grateful to receive this gift. I must make a home for it. I’m thinking a special shelf/altar for my spirit guides of the deer tribe.

Looking Forward

greycatsidhe — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:43:50 +0000

I am not ashamed to admit that I very much look forward to, and even feel a need, for Wellspring. Graduate classes and graduation are done, yet getting back into my spiritual discipline has been difficult. There’s always so much going on… The fellowship with my fellow Druids in ritual, art, song, dance, and play always rejuvenates me in a big way. Then I will have the whole summer to throw myself back into my studies and deeper practice. Exciting!

Dragon Tea Cozy

greycatsidhe — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:39:12 +0000

My latest creation- dragon tea cozies! This is actually my second and came out better than the first. These are for smaller teapots. I need to enlarge my pattern a bit to accommodate larger pots.

Cleansing Spirit Animals and Tools During the Waning Moon

greycatsidhe — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:46:35 +0000

The beautiful, pregnant moon was a welcomed sight over the fields and forests during Beltaine this past weekend. Now that the moon grows thin once more, it is a time for cleansing. I’ve been working on a couple of very practical yet spiritual cleaning projects.

First, I’ve been cleaning a deer skull. The deer is a spirit animal very near to me right now. I’m nearly done preparing this lovely skull I found in the forest. Next I’ll need to figure out where to put her. She has been in that blue bucket for what seems like ages.

Finally, there’s the herb chopper I purchased from an antique store back in February. It’s been sitting on my altar waiting to be physically cleansed for awhile now. Graduate classes (which are now complete, yay!) really kept me busy so I’m only now just catching up with all these little projects. I started to soak the blade in vinegar which naturally removes rust. Since the blade wasn’t heavily encrusted, I figured it would be the best first approach. Indeed, as you can see in the photo, a good deal of grime has already come off. It’s rather impressive! I hope to have the tool cleaned up and ready for the traditional herbal harvest around the Summer Solstice next month.

Flirting, Fire, and Full Moons for Beltaine 2012

greycatsidhe — Sun, 06 May 2012 18:09:49 +0000

After business and lunch, the grove set to work. The men folk went into the forest to find a suitable tree. Skip knows what to look for. They poured offerings and thanked the spirit. Meanwhile the women collected grape vines and wove them into a ring. Some grovemates wanted to make it look like a star so we collected more sticks and used twine to secure it. The girls collected flowers to decorate it further. When the men brought the tree back, a slender but long and sturdy shagbark hickory, we giggled about length and girth. Realization about what we meant dawned on the older girls who giggled knowingly. The men held the tree trunk as we slid the wreath up the shaft then secured it with twine. Skip attached the remains of your Yule tree, explaining to the newcomers our tradition. Each Yule, Skip harvests the top of a pine tree for the grove festivities. For Imbolc, we made a wreath using some of the tree and gave it as an offering. At Beltaine, we add the top to our Maypole. There it stands until Samhain, when we take the whole thing down, chop it, and put it into the Samhain bonfire. In this way, we honor the cycles of nature and symbolically spread fertility throughout the land. For the five years I’ve been attending the grove, this tradition has become very special to me. It somehow seems more intimate and meaningful than using a pvc pipe, a dowel purchased at the hardware store, or a lamppost. We attached ribbons made of recycled bedsheets and carefully erected the Maypole, symbol of the sacred phallus of the Gods – Cernunnos, An Dagda, and, to some, the Green Man.

Photo by Weretoad

Then came the dance. Barefoot, bedecked in flowers, flowing skirts, face paint, bells, and colorful clothing, we wove the ribbons. It is always chaotic. We laugh, rub against each other, sweat, and squeal. My husband and I always make a point to kiss at least once when we pass. My hip scarf jingle-jangled as Skip drummed – faster and faster! Around we went, intoxicated by the fun, the scent of flowers in the air, the growing heat of the sun, and the butterflies chasing each other. Ladybug had the longest ribbon. We gave her kisses as a prize except for her little brother who thought it would be disgusting! Little Eve laughed and said, “More! More!” Oh, if only. We love the Maypole!

Photo by Weretoad

Before ritual, we lazed about chatting and enjoying nature. Candee and Skip found some spearmint on the land for us to taste. The Fox family played with their daughter and lounged in the grass. Weretoad tossed a football around. Young lovers held hands. Women spoke of babies and life changes. Weretoad, Skip, and I gathered nine sacred woods for the Beltaine bonfire – oak, fir, ash, grapevine, birch, alder, heather, gorse, and holy.

Photo by Grey Catsidhe

The altar before nightfall . Photo by Grey Catsidhe

A doll version of Blodeuwedd I’ve been working on as a commission for a friend. She was a Goddess of the rite so I brought her to soak in the energies. Photo by Grey Catsidhe

When all was ready, we processed into the ritual area – closer to the house due to dampness and mosquitos. We hung banners with bonfires so we could symbolically pass between the flames for luck. Each took a large match and lit the sacred bonfire, consecrating the ritual space together. We called to and welcomed the Nature spirits, Ancestors, and Gods. We named the May Queen and King, the Goddess and God of the occasion. A beautiful, full moon rose above the trees, filling us with inspiration and magic. We sang around the fire and gave offerings of alcohol, flowers, art, crowns, and bardcraft. We blessed and welcomed a new tree onto the land – the old tree sacrificed and the new taking its place.

The night ended with feasting and more fellowship before we returned home smelling like the bonfire.