Tag Archives: Northern Rivers

Eggs in the Making

In preparation for the upcoming Spring Equinox gathering next month, I’m experimenting with making paper mâché eggs for an egg hunt the little ones can enjoy. I would rather do something a little more sustainable than using cheap plastic eggs. The Spring Equinox is a strange high day for me. It’s historically not very Celtic,Continue reading “Eggs in the Making”

Imbolc Tutorial: Mini Brighid Mantles

As a pre-ritual workshop this Imbolc, Northern Rivers Protogrove made Brighid crosses and, also, mini Brighid mantles.  In Ireland, it’s traditional to put out a bit of cloth (the brat or Brighid’s mantle), on Imbolc eve for it is believed that Brighid is visiting.  She imbues her blessings upon the cloth and thus it becomes a healing tool.Continue reading “Imbolc Tutorial: Mini Brighid Mantles”

Chillin’ in Clayton with My Grovies

“Chillin’” probably isn’t the right word since the North Country, only just recently recovering from a huge snow storm, is experiencing a bit of a heatwave.  It was a rainy day, but several people from Northern Rivers took advantage of the break in winter weather and met up at a coffee house in Clayton, NY.Continue reading “Chillin’ in Clayton with My Grovies”

Finishing Up the 12 Days of Yule

Although well into the New Year, I wanted to take a moment and conclude writing about my experience with Three Crane Grove’s Yule Along. My family spent some time honoring our Goddess of the hearth, Brighid, and the Shining Ones. I became a little mixed up at the end.  Three Cranes said they had miscountedContinue reading “Finishing Up the 12 Days of Yule”

Samhain with Northern Rivers, 2013

On Saturday night, Northern Rivers Protogrove gathered to celebrate Samhain and honor the Ancestors. We decided to have the rite indoors as the rain and cold were quite intense. We are aiming to be more family-friendly and we wanted the little ones to be safe and comfortable.  I used to look down my nose atContinue reading “Samhain with Northern Rivers, 2013”

Samhain Harmony

I keep seeing or hearing people discuss how they feel Samhain and/or  Halloween should be celebrated.  Some say it’s too scary; others that it isn’t scary enough.  Some call for more reverence for the ancestors; others feel the holiday has become too somber in Pagan culture.  Those later folk embrace the carnival nature that secularContinue reading “Samhain Harmony”

Druid in Progress: My Struggles with Hospitality

This post has been a long time coming.  It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot… ADF Druids spend a lot of time examining things in light of the Nine Virtues, of which hospitality is one.  It’s always been a quality I struggled with.  Not that I don’t want to be hospitable.  It’s just difficult forContinue reading “Druid in Progress: My Struggles with Hospitality”