Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Bucket List 2

You know what?

Scratch out everything from that first list.

I don't really want to do any of those things.

I want, but I don't know what I want.

You know, I could go skydiving, but in the end it would be just another quickly forgotten experience. What's the point?

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Summer Solstice Ritual

This is the summer solstice ritual I put together from various neopagan rituals and what I remember from my past.


Opening:
Ring bell nine times (in groups of threes) to signal start of ritual.
Chant: “We Approach the Sacred Grove”
We approach the Sacred Grove
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone
Join us now in ways of old
We have come home.

Lighting the Candles:
Light the center candles- silver, gold, white. Light incense.
Aspurging and Cencing:
Sprinkle each person with water from a chalice while saying
"May we wash away all Earthly cares."
Fan incense smoke around each person while saying
"May the Spirit rise within you."
Chant: “Oh Earth Mother”
Oh Earth Mother, we praise thee
That seed that springeth,
That flower that openeth,
That grass that waveth...
We praise thee, for winds that whisper
Through the shining grass,
Through lively pine,
Through the mighty oak...
We praise thee, for all things.
Oh Earth Mother, you who givest life.

Bestow a Kiss Upon the Earth:
"And it is the custom among our people, our folk and our grove, to bestow a kiss upon our Mother."

All kiss their fingertips, then touch the earth.
Chant: “We Are One”
We are one, in our grove,
upon the earth, within the sea, beneath the sky.
We are joined, to send our call,
to the honored dead, to the spirit folk, to the blessed gods.
We praise thee, in one voice, in our sacred grove.
We are one.

Historical Precedent:
Ritual leader speaks:
"All flows in cycles. The cycle of history has evolved for us a religious symbolism to acknowledge the seasonal cycle of the sun's apparent path through the sky. The midsummer solstice is the time when, because of the earth's tilt, the sun is at its peak of power and the day is the longest. While it is natural and good to celebrate the sun's blessings at this apex of summer, we also recognize that from this moment forward the light and warmth will begin to wane in a never ending cycle which guarantees its eventual return."



Chant: “Fire, Bright Fire”
Fire, bright fire
Gate to the Shining Ones
Fire, bright Fire
Our passage to the Sky
Fire, bright Fire
Warmth of our Community
Spark of Life
We honor you now

Well, deep Well
Gate to the Underworld
Well, deep Well
Our passage to the Sea
Well, deep Well
Wisdom of the Ancestors
Waters of Life
We honor you now

Tree, great Tree
Gate that reaches everywhere
Tree, great Tree
With you we share the Land
Tree, great Tree
Passage to the Otherworld
Source of Life
We honor you now

Establishing the Boundaries:
North Guardian pours corn meal around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Earth not open up and swallow us."
West Guardian sprinkles water around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Seas not rise up and drown us."
East Guardian lights incense and sprinkles flour on the fire saying,
"We ask that the Sky not fall down upon us."
Chant: “Triad Chant”
Ancestors, Spirit, Blood, one with the Earth
Call to us, and dream with us, teach us of our worth
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh

Earth child, Wild one, born of the Earth
Call to us, and sing to us, creatures of the Earth
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh

Shining one, wisdom filled, healers of the Earth
Call to us, and be with us, show us what we're worth
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh

Kindred Offerings:
A) Ancestors. (Cornmeal offering)

The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering.

"We give this offering to you Ancestors. We ask that you join with us and accept the honor and love we give to you."

B) Nature Spirits. (Herbal mix offering)

The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering:

"We give this offering to you Spirits of this Place. We ask that you join with us and accept the honor and love we give to you."

C) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil offering)

The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering:

"We give this offering to you Shining Ones. We ask that you join with us and accept the honor and love we give to you."

After the song and invocations are completed, the following is spoken.

(Forcefully) "Kindreds, be with us tonight!"
(All repeat) "Kindreds, be with us tonight!"

Directions:
West Guardian:
“I am the West, place of dusk, ruled by the element of Water. I am the guardian of Life’s water- from the ocean’s depths to the waters of the womb that rocked you before your birth. I am the sweet rain satisfying the thirsty Earth, and keeper of all that swims and lives in water. I am the place of all that lies below the surface, of intuition and dreams. I am the season of Fall and I rule the time of Harvest.”

West lights the blue candle with the Sun Candle and passes it to the North
North Guardian:
“I am the North, the place of midnight, ruled by the element of Earth. I am the place of ancestors and ancient wisdom, of all that has walked the wheel through millennia and knows the way. I rule the time of Winter.”

North lights the green candle with the Sun Candle and passes it to the East
East Guardian:
“I am the East, the place of dawn, ruled by the element of Air. I am the breath of Life, of speech and song. I watch over all the winged ones. I am the season of Spring, the season of birth and new creation surging forth.”

East lights the yellow candle with the Sun Candle and passes it to the South
South Guardian:
“I am the South, the place of mid-day, ruled by the element of Fire. I am the passion and laughter of Life. Keeper of Earth’s fertility. Guardian of all that walks and crawls on the Earth. I hold the gift of fertile earth from whence your crops come forth. I am the blessing of children, the keeper of truth and innocence. I am the season of Summer.”

South lights the red candle with the Sun Candle and puts it back in the center
Return Flow:
Ritual leader holds up chalice of water:

(Forcefully) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"
"SEO AN USICE BEATH!"
(show un ishkuh byah)
(All repeat) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"

Pass the chalice around the circle. It is the custom to give the first offering of the return flow to the ground while saying:

"We give this first offering to those that couldn't be with us tonight.
May this blessing give them the strength and nourishment to do what they need!"

Dip fingertips in water, touch forehead, sprinkle ground, pass chalice.
Passing the Wand:
Starting with the ritual leader, the Wand of Summer is passed around. Each person states their favorite part of summer and what they look forward to.

Thanking the Triad:
A) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil gift)

As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.

"Shining Ones, we thank you for joining us in our ritual tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."

(Forcefully) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"
"NA DÉITHE, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Na Day-uh, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"

B) Nature Spirits. (Oil gift)

As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.

"Spirits of this Place, we thank you for joining us in our ritual tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."

(Forcefully) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"
"SPRIDEANNA NA TALAIMH, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Shprih-dennuh nuh tulluv, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"

C) Ancestors. (Oil gift)

As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.

"Ancestors, we thank you for joining us in our ritual tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."

(Forcefully) "Ancestors, We thank you!"
"ÁR SINSIR, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Aur shinshur, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Ancestors, We thank you!"
Song: “Lord of the Dance”

She danced on the water, and the wind was Her horn
The Lady laughed, and everything was born
And when She lit the sun and its light gave Him birth
The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth

(Chorus): Dance, dance, where ever you may be
For I am Lord of the Dance, said he!
And I lead you all, where ever you may be
And I lead you all in the Dance, said He!

I danced in the morning when the World was begun
I danced in the Moon and the Stars and the Sun
I was called from the Darkness by the Song of the Earth
I joined in the Song, and She gave me birth!

I dance in the Circle when the flames leap up high
I dance in the Fire, and I never, ever, die
I dance in the waves of the bright summer sea
For I am the Lord of the wave's mystery

I sleep in the kernel, and I dance in the rain
I dance in the wind, and thru the waving grain
And when you cut me down, I care nothing for the pain;
In the Spring I'm the Lord of the Dance once again!

I dance at the Sabbat when you dance out the Spell
I dance and sing that everyone be well
And when the dancing's over do not think that I am gone
To live is to Dance! So I dance on, and on!

I see the Maidens laughing as they dance in the Sun
And I count the fruits of the Harvest, one by one
I know the Storm is coming, but the Grain is all stored
So I sing of the Dance of the Lady, and Her Lord:

The Horn of the Lady cast its sound 'cross the Plain
The birds took the notes, and gave them back again
Till the sound of Her music was a Song in the sky
And to that Song there is only one reply:

The moon in her phases, and the tides of the sea
The movement of the Earth, and the Seasons that will be
Are the rhythm for the dancing, and a promise thru the years
That the Dance goes on thru all our joy, and tears

We dance ever slower as the leaves fall and spin
And the sound of the Horn is the wailing of the wind
The Earth is wrapped in stillness, and we move in a trance,
But we hold on fast to our faith in the Dance!

The Sun is in the Southland and the days grow chill
And the sound of the horn is fading on the hill
'Tis the horn of the Hunter, as he rides across the plain
And the Lady sleeps 'til the Spring comes again

The Sun is in the Southland and the days lengthen fast
And soon we will sing for the Winter that is past
Now we light the candles and rejoice as they burn
And we dance the Dance of the Sun's return!

They danced in the darkness and they danced in the night
They danced on the Earth, and everything was light
They danced out the Darkness and they danced in the Dawn
And the Day of that Dancing is still going on!

I gaze on the Heavens and I gaze on the Earth
And I feel the pain of dying, and re-birth
And I lift my head in gladness, and in praise
For the Dance of the Lord, and His Lady gay

I dance in the stars as they whirl throughout space
And I dance in the pulse of the veins in your face
No dance is too great, no dance is too small,
You can look anywhere, for I dance in them all!

Announcement of End:
Snuff candles in reverse order of how they were lit.
Group hug while chant is sung.

Chant: “Celtic Blessing”
May the road rise with you,
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again
May They hold you in the hollow of Their hands

Song: “Closing Song”
By the air that is her breath
By the fire of her bright spirit
By the waters of her womb
By the earth that is her body
May the Circle be open, never unbroken
May the love of the Spirit
Be forever in our hearts
Merry meet, and merry part and merry meet again

Bucket List

This is my online Bucket List, to which I will add things as I think of them.

* take a cross-country road trip
* visit every state
* skydive
* dance on a float in a parade wearing very little clothing
* learn how to pole dance
* get a job dancing in a club/bar for at least a weekend (no stripping)
* become a certified bartender
* become a certified fitness instructor
* become a certified yoga instructor
* audition for a big-time music video
* visit at least 17 foreign countries
* write a book
* write a song
* create something truly beautiful
* get a driver's license
* ride a motorcycle
* learn a foreign language
* make 1,000 paper cranes
* graduate college
* be some sort of model
* spend an entire day in a hammock
* learn how to cook (well)
* establish a good relationship with my family
* kiss someone famous
* get (mostly) stable for at least 6 months straight
* fall in love
* love myself

Capital Pride

Last Saturday I went to the Pride Parade in DC with one of my favorite people in the whole wide world: Megan Schumm (who is quite proud, even if Gigi doesn't think she's a "real" lesbian.) We met up with Torres, and Randall was in the parade on the SMYLE float. Or behind it, rather. We don't think SMYLE stands for anything, just that it's a cool way to spell smile. We ran into Brittany from PHS, which was awesome. The weather was quite narsty. Sweaty and gross-like, even when it was getting dark out. One of my favorite floats was the DC Cowboys. They wore cowboy hats and cut-offs and not much else. And were doing a choreographed dance to Mamma Mia. It was the greatest. There were also the Latina Lesbians, gays with squirt guns, and sooo many drag queens. The night turned into a quest for beads. We got the white and silver ones I wanted. And didn't even hafta "earn" them. I got a Very Berry slushee at Krispy Kreme, which had a weird aftertaste. I do not recommend it. Also, coming out of CVS I talked to this homeless guy who was distributing newspapers written entirely by homeless people. Which is a pretty crazy interesting idea. On the metro this guy started talking to us from across the aisle. He was probably in his thirties and had a twitch where he blinked his eyes a lot and a stutter. He asked to borrow paper, so I gave him my Krispy Kreme receipt . He then asked what our names were, so we told him, and he said we both had beautiful eyes. Then he was quiet for a bit and asked if he could borrow a phone. Meg gave him hers, he tried to call his phone or something, and then he gave it back. He had been writing a song about us on my receipt. He sang it awkwardly. We awkwardly said "that's cool" and he went on about how he's in a band and sings at some open-mic place in Rockville. He recited a poem he wrote, or one he had read and memorized. We were thoroughly sketched out. He insisted on getting Meg's number, and drew her a picture. IT WAS SO CREEPY.

Back at Meg's we planned for the Tony Awards, found out what tonic water tastes like, and went hot tub-ing. It was a pretty fantastic night overall.




Fun Fact: Tonic water glows under blacklight.