You're invited to Imbolc!

You're invited to Imbolc! Notice that we have had to reschedule from our original time and date. Daniella, Jon, and Steph now work this Saturday, and are unavailable on Sunday morning... Ah well... :)

Anyway, here's the link. :)

Enjoy!

With love and blessings,
BrightWater (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Get Your Pickle On

We are having a pickling day, making jams, jellies, and pickles over at Steph and Joe's house.  The link is up above, and the invitation is below.  :)  For more details, check with Steph!

With love and blessings,
BrightWater (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Silent Night, Holy Night

Silent Night, Holy Night

 Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 7:40am

This poem was provided to us by @Charles Edmonson, who found it on http://www.blackheartferi.com/madpoetics

 

Silent Night, Holy Night was read aloud as part of this year's Yule Ritual. Enjoy! If you were unable to make it to this ritual, but plan on coming to Imbolc, please meditate on this poem and think of what you are calling into being at Yule this year. Make that thing a part of you for the next 6 weeks. At Imbolc, we will write down what you have created and send it into the cosmos. What you created will then return to you at Ostara.

If you have any questions, please contact BrightWater (512.989.0539 or 512.567.1465).

With love and blessings,
BrightWater (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Silent, Holy Night.

From the Depths of Darkness come Wisdom, Power, Surrender
From the Depths of Her Womb come Innocence, Power, Will

Ssssshhhhh. Be still

And hear Her calling in the silence
The birth cries ring through the longest hours
Across the generations of Time
The wide starlit expanse of heaven
The density of earth

Ssshhhhh. Hold on.

The womb/world/skies contract
Rippling
Rigid
Unbearable

Ssshhhhh. Breathe. Open.

And puuuuuuuuuuusssssssshhhhhh hhh

Through
Into the arms of Darkness.
Slippery, innocent, blinded by our own light.
We are Her hand-maidens
And Birth Givers ourselves.
We mid-wife the coming of the Light Bearer.
And we too, are Bearers of Light.
The Darkness of Night
Endings into Beginnings
The brightness of Noon
Silence and Song
Laughter into tears
Lover and Beloved
Mother and Child.

Ssssssshhhhhhhh.

Sleep.
In heavenly
Peace.

Rise up

And greet the Newborn Dawn
Light
Lugh
Lu
Luscious

Sila.

Yule Vigil and Ritual

Mothers' Night

Circle Meeting

We are having a circle meeting tomorrow night at 8 PM at my house.  Let me know if you can make it.

Monica, if you are available tomorrow night, we can do the speaker phone thing if you like. :)

If you have any questions, please contact BrightWater (512.989.0539 or 512.567.1465).

With love and blessings,
BrightWater (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Einherjar?

A thought...

I was researching some Asatru rituals, and came across this.  This might be something we want to add or adapt to our own "wheel of the year."  Hey Jay, how do you pronounce this?

Einherjar

The other major holiday celebrated by virtually every Asatru group around the world is Einjerhar, or the feast of the fallen. This is held on November 11, Armistice or Veterans Day, and honors those who have fallen in battle and joined Odin's warriors in Valhalla. We generally hold a quiet ritual and honor our ancestors and relatives who have died in war or served. We also honor those who have given their lives for our country. Our kindred is making a practice of leaving an offering at the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall") of a small decorated drinking horn. The Ring of Troth's Our Troth lists American Memorial Day as Einjerhar, but they are virtually singular in using that date.

Magick 101: Correspondences, Correspondences, Correspondences...

So, currently, we have the 3rd class in our series TENTATIVELY scheduled for Friday, October 9th at 8PM.  Please let me know if this is good for you guys, and if it remains good for you, Danielle.  This class is simply titled, "Correspondences, Correspondences, Correspondences", and as you can probably tell is full of wonderful facts like which mundane items/symbols/ideas/qualities/energies correspond to (or associate with) which magickal/spiritual/religious realms. 

For instance:  The East (i.e. eastern quarter in a circle) corresponds to new beginnings, spring, sunrise, the colors pink and yellow, air and wind, various air elementals, intellect, communication, incense, insight, innocence, etc.  There are many many other correspondences, including specific plants, animals, symbols, tools, spirits, draconic and other sentient forms, archangels.  The list can go on and on.  The class will introduce you to these ideas, and show you how you can figure out what corresponds to what, and how to use the information in your growth path and in your spell work.

There will be notes for this class, available just like for class 1.  Please let me know if you can attend or if you will need a makeup.

If you have any questions, please contact BrightWater (512.989.0539 or 512.567.1465).

With love and blessings,
BrightWater (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Updates

Well, it's been a bit since I last posted.  A lot has happened since then.  The main reason I didn't post or get electronic invitations out for the last couple of events, is because my computer died.  It took 2 weeks to get it fixed and I've been recovering files and backups and getting caught up on a backlog of work ever since.
I am back up and working now and we should now be able to move on.

For those who haven't been keeping up, we now have 2 Dedicant's in the circle, Jonathan Peña and Stephanie (Princess Possum-Pee) Turner.  Both are working towards their 1st Degree in different wiccan traditions.

We have held the first 2 classes in our Magick 101 Series, Magickal Ethics and Circle Casting 101.  These classes went very well, being attended by Jon, Steph, Ashley, Ray, and myself, with Danielle leading the classes (with input from others as their speciality was focused on).  Those unable to attend were given notes from the Magickal Ethics class, which were posted here if you didn't get them yet.  The Circle Casting class is a hands-on class, so has no notes.  If you missed this class but would still like to learn this, contact us to set up a make-up class date.  Steph has finished her practical segment for this class, but we are still waiting on Jon to schedule his.  As soon as this is done, we will have new people capable of holding quarters at rituals and they can begin their rotation. :)  These classes are, of course, requirements of the 1st Degree.

We held Mabon on the evening of September 19th.  Due to my mother being in the hospital again, my computer being broken, and Danielle not having updated contact for everyone, this was a small ritual, attended by Danielle, Ray, Joe, Steph, and myself, but it went off beautifully, and we had a nice feast of chicken and dumplings with peach cobbler and wassail to finish off the evening.  For those wondering, Mabon is simultaneously the funeral/wake of the god, and the pagan Thanksgiving.  It is the second harvest ritual/festival, and is a time of plenty, and joy although not untempered by the sorrow caused by the sacrifices (both of the gods and ourselves) required to have the time of plenty.

We do have another class tentatively scheduled, as you will see in the next post.  Please let me know if  this date and time is good for you or not.

Our next ritual, of course, is Samhain.  This ritual will take place at 11:59PM October 31st.  This should give you time to spend partying or trick-or-treating or handing out candy and such earlier in the evening.  My recommendation is that those who are attending arrive no later than 11:30PM so that we can get prepped and begin on time.  If you can get here earlier, we would love to have you but we know that Samhain is a busy night for us all.

Please remember that Samhain is one of 2 CLOSED rituals in the Wheel of the Year.  Attendance is by invitation only, for circle and grove members.  Should you want to bring a guest, or are unsure if you or your guest are welcome, please contact me and we can discuss it.

More info on Samhain will be forthcoming very soon.  Look for an invitation in your email, as well as here on the blog, which will be full of the details lacking right now. :)

If you have any questions, please contact BrightWater (512.989.0539 or 512.567.1465).

With love and blessings,
BrightWater (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Dedication Rite This Weekend!

Don't forget!  We have a ritual this weekend!

We will be celebrating:

Jonathan Pena's Wiccan Dedication Rite

Saturday, August 29th at approximately 5:30 PM.

Please contact BrightWater or Daniela to RSVP and let us know what you will be bringing for the feast/party afterwards.

If you have any questions, please contact BrightWater (512.989.0539 or 512.567.1465).

With love and blessings,
BrightWater (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Class Update!

Hi guys, sorry for the short notice on this update. I forgot to publish my post before I powered down my computer originally.

Those of you that attended Lughnassadh know about this already, but I wanted a reminder to go out.

Thursday, August 20th (tomorrow), we have scheduled a class at the Covenstead (Haus zu Harlan) at 8:00 PM. This class is titled "Magical Ethics" and is a requirement for any Wiccan Dedicant or Shamanistic student.

For those who can't attend locally, we will be broadcasting on Skype. My username is jennifer.c.harlan on there. :) The class shouldn't take more than an hour and a half, so everyone she be able to get home at a decent hour. Also, no potluck this time. If you want to eat something, bring lunch money and we will order pizza. Steph - you will need to provide yourself something that doesn't have gluten in it.

Our next class will be: Friday, September 4th @ 8:00 PM, Circle Casting 101.

If you have any questions, please contact BrightWater (512.989.0539 or 512.567.1465).

With love and blessings,
BrightWater (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

The Dedicant's Path...

The Hill Country Grove will be performing 2 Dedicancy Rites very soon, and we would like to invite circle members and guests to witness and celebrate these rites with us.

Stephanie (Princess Possum Pee) Turner has decided to dedicate herself to the Shamanistic Wiccan pathway, and will formally dedicate on Saturday, August 1st, at 8:15 PM. Steph will enter the HCG First Degree Mentoring System, and is making a commitment to follow this for at least one year and one day, and has asked for our witness and assistance as she travels on this path and acquires her First Degree.

Jon Pena has followed a solitary Wiccan path for several years, but has decided to formally dedicate himself to this path and this circle. Since he has prior experience with the Wiccan teachings and rituals, he will not be dedicating to a year and a day, but to the completion of his First Degree requirements. He has also asked for our witness and assistance as he travels this path. His rite will be Saturday, August 29th. The original time for this rite was 2:30 PM, but our High Priestess will be at her Middle Eastern Dance class at that time and has asked us to push it back to approximately 5:30 PM. If Jon is ok with this, it will take place at that time. Jon, if you would comment and let us know, that would be great!

For Steph's rite, since this is after dinner time, please bring a dessert or snacky food for the afterparty. You can coordinate with BrightWater on details.

If Jon's rite does take place in the early evening, we will need entrees as well as side dishes and desserts, once again, you can coordinate this with BrightWater.

If you have any questions, please contact BrightWater (512.989.0539 or 512.567.1465).

With love and blessings,
Bright Water (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Lughnassadh Invitation (cross-posted with evite)

Please join us for a celebration of the first harvest of 2009!

As the ritual is on a work night we will begin at promptly at 7:30 PM, please be here between 6:30-7:00 PM. Sunset is at 8:18 PM that night, so we will work for a culmination of the ritual at that time.

In circle, we will be creating corn dollies that will house the spirit of the grain during the dark half of the year. Traditionally, these corn dollies were kept at the hearth or near the front door for protection of the home. For this part of the ritual, you will each need to bring ribbon, thread, or string (the color is symbolic of something that has come to fruition for you at this harvest and you wish to use this energy as the seed for next year's Wheel of the Year spell) for use in constructing your corn dolly. The dolly will be planted with your seeds/plants at Ostara to power your harvest spell in the next turn of the wheel.

There will be a Circle Meeting after ritual is completed (approximately 8:30 PM). The format will be the same as we used for Litha. We will need to keep the meeting brief.

The afterparty will begin directly after the adjournment of the Circle Meeting.

For the afterparty feast - please bring a dish that symbolizes the first harvest. Jen will be providing corn, and the circle itself will provide a meat dish. Any dish with grains and/or Fall fruits and vegetables would be very appropriate.

(Btw, since this has been a problem in the past, please remember that dishes for the feast are meant to feed everyone at the ritual, not just yourself. If you cannot contribute a dish, it is expected that you be on hand for prep and cleanup.)

If you have any questions, please contact Jen (512.989.0539 or 512.567.1465).

With love and blessings,
Bright Water (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Lughnassadh Rescheduled!

Hi guys, we've run into a snag with the Lughnassadh ritual, and are rescheduling for 7:30PM on Sunday, August 9th. I know that for a couple of you that will present a hardship, but them's the breaks folks! ;)

The ritual will begin at 7:30 and culminate at approximately 8:18 (sunset), and the afterparty and circle meeting will begin right afterward. We will be done with everything important to the circle as a whole by 11PM. If this is going to be difficult for you, my suggestion would be: take a nap during the day.

For the afterparty feast - please bring a dish that symbolizes the first harvest. Jen will be providing corn, and the circle itself will provide a meat dish. Any dish with grains and/or Fall fruits and vegetables would be very appropriate. Btw, since this has been a problem in the past, please remember that dishes for the feast are meant to feed everyone at the ritual, not just yourself. If you cannot contribute a dish, it is expected that you be on hand for prep and cleanup.

More info will be provided as we get closer to time. Just post a comment if you have any questions at the moment. :)

With love and blessings,
Bright Water (Jen Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

Blessing of the Animals

Although it is July, Jen and I feel that in order to have more people in attendance at rituals and Circle events, planning needs to take place much earlier. So it is for this reason that we have started making plans for events that will take place later this fall.

One ritual that I feel is a must for this Circle is a Blessing of the Animals. October the fourth is the traditional feast day for Saint Francis of Assisi. He is regarded as the patron saint of animals, the environment, and Italy. Regardless of the fact that some of us are wiccans or shamans, I have enjoyed participating in a pagan equivalent of the blessings that the Church bestows upon the animals that share our lives.

My familiars mean a great deal to me and I know that other members of the Circle have animals that mean as much to them. Let us gather together and honor the animals that share our lives and a man who changed the world for the better.

For more information on Saint Francis or the Blessing of the Animals, please visit the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi
http://www.blessingoftheanimals.com/
http://www.edow.org/spirituality/animals_resources.html

Blessed Be,

Daniela

House Blessing at Joe and Steph's!

Quick note, folks:

The House Blessing for the Turners will begin at 2000 hours (8PM) Central Daylight Time. Please call Jen's cell number for more details.

Oh, Steph's Address is:

map

Steph & Jo's House, 2659 Hazlewood Lane, Round Rock, TX 78665

regards,
Ray

House Blessing at Joe and Steph's!

Don't forget, Sunday, July 5th, early evening we will be doing a House Blessing at Joseph and Stephanie (Princess Possum Pee) Turner's house. This will be a combination ritual of both wiccan and Lakota shamanism, and should be a lot of fun.

Steph has requested that we have a potluck that evening, so please bring a dish, either casserole, pizza stuff, salad, bread product, or dessert.

Don't forget that Steph is allergic/intolerant to both gluten and cinnamon. :) If you have questions about what to bring, check with Steph at 512.514.1428. If you have questions about the magical workings check with Daniela @ 512.989.0539, or me at the same number. :)

Steph has 2 dogs, so if you have an allergy to pets, take benadryl before you come over. Cya there!

If you will be able to make it, call or email me (or comment on this post). We currently have RSVP's from:
Jen
Ray
Daniela
Steph
Joe (will be late)
Lana

Jon's Graduation/Embers' B-Day Party!

OK,

We finally have plans for Sunday/Monday.
Embers would like us to go to the Alamo Drafthouse Sunday evening to see Transformers 2. Call me or Embers to let us know if you can come. Dress-up clothes are appropriate. I think Jon said he is wearing his dress blues, and my father said that a dress and make up are appropriate.

Those who can, will meet at Ft. Sam in SA @ approximately 8:45AM on Monday morning to attend Jon's graduation ceremony.

Some of us will be having lunch in SA before returning. Embers would like to see my mom to make sure that I am not lying about her getting better, so we will probably meet my parents for lunch.

Then, back to Austin!

We will be having dinner at Tokyo Steakhouse in the evening (no, I do not have an exact time yet). It is approximately $20/person. After dinner we will come back to my house for a party. Alcohol of your choice is desired, and you will probably want to bring munchies as well, since Ray and I blew WAAAY too much at Michael's B-day party and Litha. :) If Embers is nice to me this weekend, I may be able to wrangle up some sort of a cake or something, though. :)

Don't forget that we are moving Monica on Saturday! Be there, or be square (if you are local, anyway...)

With love and blessings,
Bright Water (Jennifer Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com

New Blog & Post-Midsummer Info

Hi guys, I am creating this blog because our online communications have been a little wonky lately. Evite has been failing me miserably and with the costs of stamps and printing going up, it is just too expensive to keep sending out paper invites (especially having a graphic designer as our HP... ;).

If you can read this blog, then you have been invited as one of the authors, and may post here as well. :)

Here is a recap from the meeting we had after Litha. :) Enjoy!

For those of you that missed our circle meeting, we decided to purchase a fridge/freezer to put in my garage for Circle use, and we are requesting between $10 and $20 from those of you who attend rituals on a regular basis. We have learned over the past few months that my fridge and freezer is simply inadequate for what we are trying to do here. All circle members will be able to store properly labeled personal stuff in this new fridge for short times, and all circle food and drink will be stored there as well. Stephanie Turner (now known as Princess Possum Pee) has also offered the use of her deep freeze as well.

Our Lughnassadh/Lammas Celebration and Ritual will take place on August 1st in the evening. We will have more details to follow.

Jon Pena, our Circle Guardian, will be graduating from the Army Mental Health Specialists School on June 29th and we will be holding a celebration for him that evening. As Jennifer Chapman’s (Embers-On-Wind) birthday is June 30th, we will be celebrating her birthday as well. More details to follow.

One of our circle members, Monica, is moving to Dallas on June 27th, and has asked for help in loading the truck (or for those who have the time and energy, for unloading the truck in Dallas). If you would like to join us, we will be meeting at Monica’s Saturday morning @ 10AM. Contact me or Monica for details.

We decided today that we will be having monthly gatherings (not including Sabbats and assigned esbats). Our gathering in July will be a house blessing and warding for Stephanie and Joe Turner at their home.

Our proposed date for this is July 5th. Please let me know (ASAP) if this date will work for you and if you would like to attend. You can also propose a different date as we all have weird schedules.

I recently attended the Red Oak Fellowship’s Midsummer Faining. This is a Norse group that was referred to as something like the Kindred by several of the members. Our contact with this group is Jay Bolton, and he has invited those of our circle who are interested to attend their gatherings. If you are interested, let me know and I will get you in contact with Jay.

While attending this gathering, I was able to take part in their Cumbel (sp?). This community based activity was very powerful, and I have borrowed from it to put to use in our circle meetings. Our first attempt at this went very well today, and everyone who participated in it definitely seemed to get good energy from it. I believe that we shall continue with the practice. For more info, contact me later.

For those of you that are interested in other types of energy work, Danielle is taking a class on Middle-Eastern Dance and has proposed that those interested begin working on this with her. Contact her for more details. Also, Friend of the Circle, Lana Toporek has offered to work with any who are interested in either Yoga or Martial Arts.

With love and blessings,
Bright Water (Jennifer Harlan)
jen.c.harlan@gmail.com
hillcountrygrove@gmail.com