Alban Hefin

[tinhuviel]

Late last night, Llew and I went into the backyard and, by the light of the altar candle, conducted a simple and heartfelt Solstice ritual. Although Llew is not by any means an initiated priest, his openness to the spirit world and his willingness to experience that Otherness that connects us all, makes him a wonderful partner, perhaps moreso than a "Circle Veteran". The newness of it all to him rubs off on me because I get to experience it though his eyes and heart up to a point.

Anyway, the ritual was completely "off the cuff", using only about half the tools most High Magickians use, the rest gathered out of the kitchen, which I guess makes me in part now a kitchen witch (hell, I'm a little bit of everything I guess...a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll). We had only the one altar candle, which gave the event quite an intimate feel. I placed the altar in the South and worked out from there. I spoke from memory about what Solstice means and what it's come to mean for me. Afterwards, Llew spoke from his heart about the celebration. We stood feeling the zig-zaggy energy around us, connecting us to this great big world, and then we shared Cakes and Ale and closed the circle, leaving the wine and bread for the Little Folks.

This morning, Aunt Tudi and I attented the Litha service at the Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. It was a Lay-led service, led by ealdthryth in her inimitable fashion and the chants were led by the formidable Nan. I forgot to take my bodhran, but ealdthryth thrust her African drum into my arms shortly after Aunt Tudi and I arrived, so I was well taken care of in the percussion department, and thankful for it! The service was lovely and wonderfully educational. ealdthryth spoke about customs and deities from cultrues around the globe. I was impressed with the diversity of the ritual practice, yet there was a thread of similarity that connected them all too. We humans have such a rich spiritual history...why does it seem we disregard it so flagrantly? The music, drumming, and chants were all quite wonderful and uplifting. I could tell Aunt Tudi enjoyed it too.

We got home around 2 PM, after running a couple of errands. Llew was planning on going to the flight club meeting near Table Rock, so I expect he's still there, flying his planes like a homesick angel. He wanted to come to church to hear me sing, but he also really wanted to fly. He asked if I'd be upset if he went to fly instead. Of course not! His flying is like a spiritual experience...he's said so himself many times. If we ever feel we're connected at the hip and must do everything together, then we're in bad trouble, methinks. So, godspeed to Llew and his flying angels! As for me and Aunt Tudi, we had spaghetti for Sunday dinner and then we both immediately passed out. I just got up a few minutes ago and decided to update the journal.

As we're both still baggy-eyed, it wouldn't surprise me if we turned in early tonight. What louts we are! But we're happy louts and one has to grab happiness and enjoy it while it lasts....such a rare creature it is.

Comments

[aki-dreaming.livejournal.com]

That sounds wonderful!
I need to look into the local unitarian church. It's like 10 blocks away and I've never been there.

[ealdthryth.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for being there. It really means a lot to me. I don't think I could do these services without you and Nan.

[falkenna.livejournal.com]

How beautiful, T! Perhaps we both had particular lessons to learn this year, about how to be in the world. You modestly don't actually say how your singing went, I envy you being able to add this to your public celebrations, and I hope you were pleased with it.