Io, Saturnalia!

Hard on the heals of the Thorhaven Vigil, gapped by a short nap, we began the preparations for Red Maple Grove's Yule Vigil. Pam and I volunteered to prepare this year's rite as a good old fashioned Saturnalia. Pam did most of the heavy lifting, editing the Scipt, while I contributed a few points and pieces, while simultaneously preparing for my role as Odin and my oath.

We included some songs, Solstice Song, which I wrote as a request from Lee for a special inclusion to our ritual. We also included Jenni's Io, Saturnalia (you can hear the mp3 here). With it's rousing chorus of Io, Saturnalia! it became the greeting for the evening (and subsequent morning.) We had even purchase some fresh holly to place at the base of the tree, but of course, we forgot it at home. It wouldn't be an ADF rite if we hadn't forgotten something. I credit this wonderful quirk of my rituals to Farrell, and the ever involved presence of his patron (if you want to know more, you should ask him). This wonderful opportunity for spontaneity beautifully offsets my slight OCD tendencies, and is a good reminder to all of us that we are NEVER in control. We either participate with the natural flow, or we struggle futilely against it.

Of course Judith was there, and as the amazingly stabilizing influence that she is, came with offering in hand, a bunch of sage. When she discovered that we had forgotten the holly (which Michael was offer to the tree), she gladly offered Michael the sage she had brought for her own offering. Of course, Michael was thrilled to use sage in what was essentially a Roman ritual, because it allowed him to insert a little of his own spirituality into the rite (if you want to know more, again I would suggest you go to the source.)

The ritual itself went very well. By the time Pam and I showed up at the tree ring, there was already a crowd gathered. It was wonderful to see the grove again, and we had a few surprise guests from Thornhaven, and Regional Druid, Daniel Lamarche, was also there! It was definately going to be party. Everyone was in a great mood, spirits were high and it was time to start.

We went through the opening sequence, and everyone joined in with a rousing Io, Saturnalia! This was going to be good rite! As we proceeded through the rite, we came to the Two Powers meditation. I had written something very specific to the day, and to the spot we were standing on. It was WAY too long for use in ritual though, especially standing out in the snow, with the sun setting in the west and any hint of heat quickly dissipating. I found myself jumping paragraphs and summarizing on the fly. For anyone interesting in the full meditation, probably better used indoors and during a personal ritual, use the link above. We proceeded with the rite, each taking their turn to participate.

The offerings went well, with Lee dedicating the Fire. We had brought along a bbq lighter, but it wouldn't light. Lee came with multiple back ups however, but they too were being awkward. After trying the bbq lighter a couple of times myself, I turned to Farrell and said, "Would you mind?" A quizzical look came over his face, and then he understood what I was asking. I tried the lighter again, and it worked. At the same time, Lee's lighters finally took and the flame was well started in the storm lantern. Erin acted as the opener of the Deep Gate, and played her part beautifully.

When it came time for Michael to place the holly at the base of the tree, he used Judith's offering of sage instead. The gates were opened and a song followed. Farrell requested that the outdwellers leave our rite in peace. We ended the rite with another song, and hit pause, leaving the gates open through the night, that the gods might lend their energy to our rite (and to the coming dawn.)

We hit pause on the ritual and partook of Bruce's generous gift of hot choclate to everyone (Yay Bruce!) then cleaned up and headed back to Lee's place, with Lee carrying the flame.

Back at Lee's place, everyone was greeted with a hearty Io, Saturnalia! as they entered. Once we had reached a critical mass, Pam and I unveiled the gift we had gotten for each family. One of the traditions that surrounded the ancient Saturnalia was that of giving small clay figures to the participants. In honour of that tradition, we gave out small ceramic cookie jars (complete with cookies) to each family. They loved the thought (probably because they were cute!)


Erin handed out gift bags with a Ferrero Roche and little candles.

There was a wonderful meal (thanks to Jess and all), and everyone had a good time talking. Lee's grand-daughter (and her moms) dropped by for a visit, and the house was in and out throughout the night. Michael provided the Omen for the ritual partway through the night.

There was so much wonderful activity, that Judith, Michael and I sat together at the table and worked through the omen, and I took notes based on the interpretations, which I could then pass on to anyone who was interested later on in the evening. Judith was a great help as well with her beautiful Ogham cards (that she commissioned and designed herself). The Omens were:

Huath: rest, recuperation, pause from strife. One image is sitting around the campfire resting, aware that on the morrow the quest resumes.





Ailm, fir (pine): the long view. Now is the time to consider the long term, to plan for far ahead, to look into the distance.



Fern, (alder): protection. This is a protection few. It suggests keeping our eyes open and watching where we're placing our feet as we walk ahead. Look with your eyes where your feet are going. It also reminds us that our deities are watching over us. They are protecting us.




To me, the meaning seems clear. The last big event that our grove had participated in was the Fire in our Hearth, aka the Isaac thing. We have rested from that long enough, and it is time to start considering (taking the long view) of where or what our next contribution would be to the Ottawa community. Perhaps another 'event'? That remains to be discussed.

We had a great night of fun and discussion. I asked everyone what they thought of my musings on rebirth, and the conversations continued. Pam and I cut out around 11 pm, because we were due to drive my mother to airport to in the wee hours. We returned to the vigil, and learned that Farrell earned the badge for Fire Warden, by preventing the candle from melting away. The fire was tranfered to a new candle and the flame continued unabated.


Sadie also gave out some gifts, a book for Pam and somehow was led to give me an Ogham card set! Perfect for my learning of the different omens, ahead of working on the Olympian Oracle.


As we finished off the festivities we prepared to wrap up the rite in Lee's side yard. The offerings made, and as we thanked the Nature Spirits a flock of crows launched into flight with raucous approval. Dawn broke as we finished up. We gave thanks for the omen and the gifts and the celebration, and closed the gates. All in all it was a wonderful rite.