Reviews

You asked for feedback about the Mistletoe Rite ... well, I found it a wonderful experience and it was fantastic to have been part of the creation process of the ritual. It was a painful process at times achieving a consensus, but then beginnings are always difficult times. I felt that everyone was able to feel part of some (or all) aspects of the ritual, but if they didn't, it wasn't for a lack of a chance of giving voice to their thoughts. The very positive write-up by Jonathan on his website is proof of that impression. Cindy

Then as we approached the tree I knew without doubt I could not go up in front of the tree so I stood back behind, in what turned out to be a second outer circle. And from there I honoured the spirits of the lime silently myself. The only part of that bit of the rite I connected into and felt a part of was when Bobcat poured the wine over the sickle and spoke her words.

Mistletoe Rite - Winter 2004
 
The ancients chose this special night
to cut golden bough - a holy rite
Now again by their  inspiration
we make again their celebration

Thru the Forest of Dean we came
Ragman's farm our place's name
Here mistletoe grows thick around
on apple, hawthorn, lime abound

We start in circle of flaming light
calling spirits of place that night
ancestors witnessed our procession
torches, lit dark faces, all expression

Deep pool, tribes torc offered there
sending gifts back to sacred where
through water this world or another
we find blessing in our sacred mother

The golden sickle - blacksmith's art
specially made for a sacred part
our blood red wine blessed the blade
then all together our oaths were made

Approaching then the chosen bough
Stefan climbed, we don't know how (!)
our woven awens the Sky god greet
While sisters held a moon white sheet

Mistletoe was cut, the bards will tell
through winter air, down it fell
Caught god's seed- not touching  ground
Joyful witness, spirits dancing all around

Philip

As the mistletoe was hacked and hacked, with so much of it being cut down, the awen began, and I froze. I completely and utterly froze. I could not join in and each note was like a knife going through me. And I did my best to honour the mistletoe that I felt was being so harshly raped and thrown down, without true honour or acknowledgement.

First of all I thought it was a wonderful weekend, a fantastic location and such a special and momentous rite, which I feel privileged to have been part of. I particularly found the planning meeting to be inclusive, what a wonderful idea to have a talking stick giving everybody the opportunity to speak. From personal experience I know how difficult this can be a lot of the time, especially when in a room full of people you don’t know, I think it makes it all the more remarkable that so many did contributed and all were listened to.
 
I am sure that not everybody will have felt the rite fulfilled all of their personal needs, however, as I am sure you will know yourself this is seldom possible in big gatherings such as this. As a druid I believe that we are there to serve the greater community and not just ourselves, for me this rite represented the honouring and re-awakening of the spirit of the land and the people, performed by us as priests on behalf of the greater community. This I feel is an important role of the Druid and carries much responsibility and for me is and was an honour to be part of. None the less it was fantastic to see the ideas and creativity flowing and I think it added to the special and sacred nature of the rite.
 
From a personal perspective, I have always considered myself to be a fighter for and a supporter of equality between the sexes. I feel this to be such an important issue, which in my opinion has been lacking in many aspects of Druidary. I, like many I am sure, believe in the balance and duality which we all strive for and that governs the inner principles of our practice, so it was especially important to me to witness the rebirth of the Mistletoe rite rightfully as a predominant Male rite. I get concerned that we are afraid to acknowledge that in something’s it is appropriate for the priestesses to lead and in certain rites the priest. For me we got this one right.
 
I found it refreshing that none of this was an issue, I think we all understood the significances of this male rite and that as Priestess our supportive role to that of our Priests was to welcome and of course in your case, to bless in our Lady’s name, the return of the latent male energy. Wonderful!
 
I am looking forward the year ahead and all that it has to offer I believe that we have created a solid foundation from which to build on regarding this most sacred rite and hopefully other projects and gatherings will grow. I’d like to personally thank both Stefan and yourself for creating and holding the space, under what must have seemed at times difficult circumstances, i.e. trying to cater for everyone’s needs and wants, I for one think you both did a tremendous job, thank-you again.

Michelle /l\