Networking Groups & Groves Newsletter Yule 2010

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1 The Druid Network PO Box 3533 Whichford Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire. CV36 5YB, England Networking Groups & Groves Newsletter Yule 2010 Urban Druidry is a term I am hearing more and more often. For several years I have referred to my own druid practice as such and like the fact that other people too are realising we don t have to live out in the country or hold ritual on the top of mountains to be close to nature or communicate with the earth we live on. Granted you probably get more strange looks when talking to a tree growing at the side of the road than when sat in the park watching the ducks swimming in the pond but that s just part of the package! This is my local bowling green, a small green oasis in summer but recently transformed by a carpet of sparkling snow diamonds and exquisite lace shadows cast by the winter sun lighting up the branches of a tree. Lynda

News From The Groves People of the Enchantment Grove Amsterdam Dear friends On behalf of the tree-planting project of the People of Enchantment we wish you an enlightened solstice celebration and a

2 News From The Groves People of the Enchantment Grove Amsterdam Dear friends On behalf of the tree-planting project of the People of Enchantment we wish you an enlightened solstice celebration and a fruitful cycle to come! Today (the 22 nd ) the Ogams indicated with the letter B birch the beginning of the new cycle, birth! The last days it was the letter A, fir/pine. which means endings and new beginnings, evergreen. Its colour piebald (black and white) for dark and light. The 21 st showed the Q letter quert, a difficult one but assume it was apple (or holly) for otherworldly energies, the in between stadium! It is the Cock that is calling when the Sun appears. Isn't it great how the Ogams speak! We are working to realize a goal this year to plant more trees and as most of you have noticed, the weather is really changing! -10 c in Amsterdam on the first of December! The winters are getting more harsh every year, lasting longer and colder than ever. In my 50 year life I have never encountered so much snow! I am sure it is the climate change we were all fearing and talking about. It is calling for action! Serve the Goddess and,,,,, Please,,,,,,plant tree's!! Happy Solstice and blessed be!!

We were recently invited back to plant some more trees that had been donated by the Woodland Trust, an apple and a pear both about 1.

3 The Oak and Feather Grove East Lancashire, England In last year s Yule Newsletter I wrote of our planting a sweet chestnut tree at our local school, shown in the photo here. I m happy to say that the planting was a success and the tree is thriving. We were recently invited back to plant some more trees that had been donated by the Woodland Trust, an apple and a pear both about 1.5 metres high, together with an assortment of plug grown hedgerow trees. The majority of the hedgerow trees could not be planted as they are unsuitable for the layout of the school. I don t think blackthorns would be appreciated if some young child fell or was pushed into them but I will find somewhere else to plant them so they won t just be discarded. However, there were dog rose and beech included in the packs and we managed to find suitable spots to plant those. Once again we involved some of the children in the planting ranging in age from 6 to 11 and at the same time carried out an environmental clean-up of the planting area it is an enclosed area known as the secret garden. The kids loved it! My only concern is that just a couple of days later we had the start of the really cold weather, we ll know in spring if they survived. Phil There are mountain slope druids and hilltop druids. There are druids of the moor and the valley and riverbank druids There are druids who contemplate the enigmatic waters of a lake or sit respectfully within stone circles. There are druids of the meadow, wide flat spaces of shimmying grass, and off-the beaten-track druids who keep their path secret. And some druids who walk the tarmac road into the forest and then back again, bringing home with them the blessings of the Green Man; back-yard druids. Cloudberry

4 Genesis Druid Order Portsmouth, England The Shortest Day The day is short, the night is long, Darkness rules, as the Oak King returns to take up his reign o er the earth. Yule logs alight, mistletoe is cut from sombre tree bough. Winter s white, cleansing the land in anticipation of returning life. Wine is mulled, chestnuts roasted and mead is quaffed, Celebrating the rebirth of light. This Winter Solstice morn. People scurrying in commercial haste, Plastic, electric, tons of waste. Shiny gifts under pointy tree from white bearded uncle. Homes decorated, twinkling lights, a glittery grotto. Celebrating with family and friends. Fires burn in homely hearth, crackling orange glow, The woodsmoke curls from the frosted rooftops. Robin Redbreast in prickly Holly bush, blown by the chill winter s wind. Creatures searching for food on the snow covered land. Jack in the Green takes the Goddess s hand Preparing for the warm days to come. Remember the reason, rejoice in the season. This Winter Solstice night. Stormwatch - 28/11/2009 Blessings Steve(Stormwatch) Archdruid - Genesis Order Of Druids -

5 The Anderida Gorsedd Wilmington Sussex This is the Anderida Gorsedd Winter Solstice 2010 Open Ritual from the Long Man of Wilmington. Peace Damh Holly king waits outside of the circle to walk up as the sunrise when we sing the Awen. The participants form the Chambered Tomb of Newgrange, and the Oak King kneels, waiting at its centre. Herald: Cold and bright the solstice dawn breaks through the doorway of the passage graves, Time out of mind the stones have stood marking the nadir of the sun s journey across the sky. Placed by our ancient hands, with stone on stone they were shaped and pulled from the earth s embrace, And with magic raised upon sacred land. And at this time of the Solstice, A figure waits within the Tomb. He waits in darkness, and stillness, For the coming of the dawn, The rising of the Sun, And the footsteps of his brother. Whilst the Awen is sung. Colloquy of the Oak and Holly King The Oak King turns to greet the Holly King and asks: Brother, what is your name? Holly King Replies: I am Arawn, Lord of the Waning Year, I am the King of Holly, I strip bare the leaf-ridden trees, I bring darkness to this land, and peace, I banish the warmth of Summer And welcome the iciness of Winter. And you my brother, what is your name? The Oak King replies: I am Hafgan, Lord of the Waxing Year, I am the King of Oak, I bring bud to leaf,

6 Bring life to the Earth, I banish the cold of Winter, And welcome the warmth of Spring, Brother, where do you come from? Holly King Replies: I come from Annwn, the Otherworld, And at the time of your greatest power I am born into this world of Abred, I ride on Rhiannon s horse to claim my throne, Laughing with the Wild Hunt I ride through the night sky, My cold breath makes way for the coming of the Cailleach, And the land is bathed in the beauty of ice and darkness, Whilst Annwn blossoms, in your heat, So Abred has peace, reflection, and renewal, Guarded by Orion of the Silver Belt. And you my brother, where do you come from? The Oak King replies: I come from Annwn, the Otherworld. And at the time of your greatest power I am born into this world of Abred, Called by the singing of the Birds of Rhiannon, The warmth of my breath, and my seed, awakens the life within my Queen, And the land is bathed in the beauty of our love, Whilst Annwn is ruled by Winter and Ice, So Abred blossoms, caressed by the heat of my gazing eye. Brother, what art do you perform? Holly King Replies: I give space to thought, Bring renewal from death, Bring rest to life, transformation to your crown of green, I light the inner fire, and the hearth, And quicken the heart of the beast, My Bards are the stillness of the winter sky, The reflection on the water, The tears of the ice, Life returns to that place where dreams as forgathered, Lovers lie before the flickering fires in their homes, And new life is nourished as my Lady strips bare the branches, And lays her cloak across the land. And you my Brother, what art do you perform? The Oak King replies: I lift the saddened heart, Bring life to death, Shape the hidden green, Give flight to birds and insects, My Bards sing upon their wing, My orchestra plays music within the wind, Life returns, and in that space where thought becomes dream, Lovers walk upon the warm earth, And lay under the stars, and the Sun, together. And I am here my Brother, to take my crown. Holly King places crown on Oak King s head and says: Then take this crown, but know this

7 Even though you begin your rule, My frost will form, My touch will turn leaf to earth, Turn the fields to hardened mud, And I will cool the oceans. For although you take the power of light. I retain the power of Winter, Until your Lady joins you, at Beltane. The Kings embrace, and the Holly King walks out of the circle and back down the hill. Fleshhenge desolves and returns to outer circle Damh: Borne from the Oak of Eternity I bring the herb of the Druids - the Mistletoe. Sacred to the Sky Father, the Father of all, it has been sown by the creatures of the air, and its fertilizing berries have yet to touch the fecund skin of the awaiting Earth Mother Cerri: The Earth Mother stands as the dark cauldron of renewal and rebirth. She holds herself open to the Sky Fathers offering and welcomes the new potential. Both: As we join as one, the seed begins its journey. Ground mistletoe. Distribute mistletoe, drink and bread. Close circle. Hope you all had a beautiful Solstice, be it Winter or Summer wherever you are, and that 2011 brings you good health and happiness. Previous issues are available to members of TDN here: Please don t forget to share this newsletter with the fellow members of your grove. This issue sent by is of a lower resolution than that available on the website to keep download time to a minimum. Solstice Blessings Lynda

The Druid Network Box 3533 Whichford Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire. CV36 5YB, England

The Druid Network Box 3533 Whichford Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire. CV36 5YB, England The Druid Network PO Box 3533 Whichford Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire. CV36 5YB, England Networking Groups and Groves Newsletter Autumn Equinox 2011 Autumn Greetings! Apologies for the delay of this