The start of Lammas/Lughnasad

[collwen]

Last night I went to a small circle with the local Unitarian pagan group. It was the first time I'd done a ritual with a group in a while. It was good. I was the one woman there without children. Most of the kids were six or younger, but there was a rather... sensitive recent 16 year old that the younger kids were able to torment so easily. My sarcasam kicked in at the 16 year old's drama, but her mother was asking for a blunt object to use on the girl, so I'm safe. We had a small pot luck, mainly salads and bread. I brought bread, cheddar cheese, and applesauce. But there was also bread and honey... gods it tasted so good. Between the bread, honey, and the tabouli I ate a good chunck of points, hitting a good portion of my allownce points (then again, I usually don't eat them all anyway, and I weigh in tomorrow). The applesauce was very good too, I picked it (and the cheese) up at a local farm on the way.

I think tonight another slice, or roll, of bread with honey is in order. And some applesauce (as a taste of the fall to come). And grilled veggies. And plan for it.

After the potluck there was a kid's circle that many of the adults sat in on. The mom who was leading the circle read the story of the Corn Maidens (a Zuni myth) and we made corn dolls. Then the kids went off to play while the adults had their circle. I ended up as East. This happens often in group circles although I don't intend it.

At one point we burned peices of paper where we wrote down things we didn't want to reap this harvest, the chaff if you will. And we shared what we're glad to be gathering. What I realized was that one thing I'm gathering a lot of is love- love from my relationships, lovers, friends, and family. Love is a good thing to be gathering, and feeling that love while I'm dealing with how things are for Ed right now is a good thing to have.

After that was dance practice. I played; solo for the most part . I got frustrated with myself a bit. I'm trying to play as best as I can, and trying to ignore/accept the fact that Marnen is so much better than me and not just give up and never play again. I know that the suggestions Marnen makes are to help me play better, but I had to squelch a bit of illogical resentment steming from his genius and talent and my lack thereof. I won't get better unless I continue to play. I don't know what got into me to feel that resentment, but it's over for now.

Comments

[bailey21975.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a thoroughly lovely evening! I'm still frustrated with the fact that I don't know ANY other pagans in my area, so I have absolutely no way to have fellowship with others of that nature. The nearest group I know of is a little better than 100 miles away. Bah. Just too far to drive, especially on a weeknight, and I certainly wouldn't drag the kids along until I'd been a couple times just to check stuff out.

It does sound like a wonderfully thought-provoking ritual. And you're right, love is a good thing to be gathering. :) I also am blessed to be so surrounded by love. All I need now is to be closer to my best friend, which is in the works for spring 2006, as my little troup is hoping to move to either Houston or Austin after school is out. I think my little bro will even be tagging along, mixed blessing though that is. ;)

It is a good time to give thanks for our blessings, isn't it?

[collwen.livejournal.com]

I basically found these people by going to the unitarian church... check to see if there is one near you and if so if they have a chapter of CUUPs (the pagan sub-group).

[bailey21975.livejournal.com]

The nearest one is in the same community as the pagan group I'm aware of. lol Thanks for the thought, though.

[collwen.livejournal.com]

ouch... that hurts (the distance)