prayers – Author M. A. Phillips

Earth Prayer

I felt inspired to write this prayer as I relaxed outside while my daughter played. I took the photo of my daughter a year or so ago as she put her feet in the St. Lawrence River. I miss it so much.

Last weekend, my husband and I performed an annual ritual: cleaning the heaters and turning on the heat. We were extra thorough this year. He dismantled and even removed them from the wall to perform additional maintenance. I cleaned the inside, wiping the metallic vertebrae that distributes heat. I used this time to reflect onContinue reading “Turning on the Heat”

An Herbal Cleanse

In what seems like a never-ending quest to better organize our small home, I decided an herbal cleanse was in order. I mean that very literally in that it was time go through my old trunk of herbs and sundry. I’ve learned over the years that there is an optimal way to store dried plants.Continue reading “An Herbal Cleanse”

A Winter Travel Prayer

An Cailleach, I call to you On this wintry, snowy day. Please be gentle with my kin As we drive from work or play. By Grey Catsidhe

A Pre-Ritual Prayer

Ah, that crazy time leading up to a ritual. As Senior Druid of Northern Rivers Grove, organizing the celebrations is often my responsibility. I embrace it, though it is quite an offering of time and energy. There was recently a conversation on one of the ADF groups about how ritual leaders feel following ceremonies. ManyContinue reading “A Pre-Ritual Prayer”

A Harvest Prayer

My work through the Initiate Path of ADF has been slow but steady this past year. I may not always be “studying” in the traditional sense, and I may not be as prolific as others in ADF, but I’m always doing something. Writing prayers for my practice is one such something. The very practical prayersContinue reading “A Harvest Prayer”

Persevering

My spiritual community was recently rocked with news on allegations of sexual misconduct by our late founder, Isaac Bonewits. While the initial accusations occurred before ADF was founded, others have come forth with more experiences. Like others in ADF, I’ve felt a mixed bag of emotions. Mostly, disappointment, sadness for the victims, confusion, listlessness, andContinue reading “Persevering”

Traveling Prayer

Reflecting on Liturgy Practicum 1

I am very nearly finished with one of the advanced ADF study programs – Liturgy Practicum 1. I lost track of time, and when I saw that I had journaled for over the required four months, I was surprised to see that it’s time to submit! What once seemed daunting is now nearly over! Liturgy practicum 1Continue reading “Reflecting on Liturgy Practicum 1”

Fast as an Oak Tree

When life gets busy, I tend to feel that my spirituality comes out of focus. Socializing, driving from place to place, and my day job all distract me from my studies. Being a mother and keeping my home is exhausting. So often, I find myself snuggled in a bathrobe, on the couch, watching something on Netflix.Continue reading “Fast as an Oak Tree”