March 20, 2005
We celebrated our one-year anniversary together in the morning with a very moving ritual and some delicious chocolate cake.
Here's to many more years of magick!!
Ostara was a beautiful ritual and a special one for us because it was also our one year anniversary. A lot of people (about 17) attended ritual and we all barely managed to squeeze into the parlor at the covenstead. The "Friends of the Coven" received their stoles during this ritual and wore them proudly for the rest of the gathering. Again, we had yummy treats to eat before and after ritual. Now if only there wasn't snow outside...
Our first Green Party ever! The event went so well that we might make it an annual thing! Everyone wore as much green as possible, and brought green foods to eat (normal and dyed with food coloring)...in order to usher in Spring! Aside from eating tons of green goodies and green beverages, we played a couple of games...one of which was Cranium that lasted for hours. Magic was used to cheat...I mean play, and none of us were too surprised at who won. *grin*
Three days of learning, bonding and fun! Camping out was a bit more rainy and cold than we would have liked, but the workshops were all amazing. Classes included: Yoga, Spell Collages, Ancient Languages, Totem Animals, Tarot, The Dark Moon, Past Lives, Breathing & Chakras, Candle Making, Potions & Spells, Reiki, Massage & Reflexology, Zen Concepts, Feng Shui, Zen Garden-making, Crystal Grids, Tai Chi, and Group Divination. Of course we also has a wonderful Earth Day Healing Ritual on Friday and celebrated the Esbat on Sunday.
March 20, 2005
Nicknamed the "Gathering of the Tribes", members of four area groups joined us in celebrating Beltane in our newly consecrated outdoor circle. There were 40+ people in sacred space as stormclouds loomed overhead and one member from each group played a part in the ritual lesson. The rainclouds dissapated as the ritual came to a close and the feasting began. (Yum!)
23 people gathered to celebrate Litha in an outdoor ritual in Henrietta. The main activity was walking the 24 ft. labyrinth to the center and back out while others whispered soft blessings. Although it seemed like it would rain before the ritual, it held off and the entire night was nice and dry. After ritual, people were encouraged to walk the labyrinth again at their leisure (actually being able to SEE the lights). Snacks, social time and mosquito swatting followed until 9:30pm.
Our annual coven campout was wonderful! No rain this year; the weather was perfect! These three days were a time to kick back, relax and grow closer as a coven. The theme of the weekend was Stillness Connects. We did early morning yoga on the beach, a melodic toning exercise, chakra-connecting hugs, and meditation on the beach. Did I mention the S'mores?! Yummy!
Can you spot the fire salamander below??
July 30, 2005
Lammas was celebrated outside on the beach on Saturday evening. 18 people gathered to celebrate the first of the three Harvest Sabbats.
The theme was removing remaining obstacles that have been preventing us from accoplishing the things we desire. Everyone wrote their obstacles on stones which were cast back into the lake. An inspirational message was then given to each person and meditation followed.
Following ritual, we all traveled to the main campsite and had a wonderful cookout, wine and S'mores!
After a little rain-cloud banishing earlier in the day, our Mabon ritual was a wonderful success.
Thankfulness was the theme, as we wrote down words of gratefulness to those who have touched our lives the most. We also received a flower bulb representing ourselves/our potential and ability to go within and emerge later with ideas and knowledge. Lastly, we were given the gift of an acorn to remind us of our inner strength.
After ritual, tables were arranged in the circle in the form of a giant solar cross. We all feasted on a wide assorment of delicious food and desserts while dodging the bees! A wonderful time of thankful togetherness!
A yard full of candles and a circle full of family, both blood and spiritual, the Handfasting was a beautiful experience. I think we were all awed at the amount of love our bride and groom displayed not only during this ritual, but also in their everyday lives. We wish them continued happiness, love and spiritual growth together. May the Sho Blessings Be Upon You Both!
November 26, 2005
We braved the cold and met up at the Covenstead to have our 2nd Annual Craft Party! This year's theme was "Decorate Your Thang" and each person brought either a project they wanted to finish up, or something they wanted to decorate from scratch. After things were painted, we played a handful of rounds of Catch Phrase (which always results in hysterical laughter). Did I mention the yummy treats we indulged in? Cookies, Cheese & Crackers, Carmel-Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Chips and Cashews. We all had a great time making our 'thangs' pretty!
We're proud to say that just about everyone that attended our annual Halloween Party, came in costume! We had a great time, chatting, eating yummy halloween goodies and participating in a scavenger hunt! Our Samhain cake looks a little beat up, but only because a dab of orange frosting was required for the scavenger hunt.
Our second time making our stone soup and it turned out great! We also had some pretty yummy breads, crackers and cheeses to munch on while the soups simmered. And for dessert - The Goddess Mountain of Chocolatey Goodness!
After we ate, we played a great game of Cranium. It was pretty close near the end and with all these witchy people using magic, it was anybody's guess who would come out on top!
December 21, 2005
We celebrated Yule at our Honorary Elder's House with nearly 30 people!
The ritual was beautiful, reminding us to go within ourselves as well as to stay immersed in our spiritual community for strength and encouragement during the dark nights of winter.
After ritual, we feasted on lots of delicious foods, followed by a gift and ornament exchange!
December 31, 2005
Usually, people celebrate the New Year with expensive appetizers and bubbly champange, not us! We celebrated with a chocolate fountain, creme puffs, waffles, marshmellows and bananas. And for our main party dish? Crepes with ham & cheese. Hey, it was a "Whatever" Party!