Alas, most of us had to increase outr carbon footprint to get to Wanstead for the Imbolc ceremony run by Greg. As usual, he’d prepared with care and attention, and conducted us through the intricacies of the ceremony with good humour and grace as candles guttered in the breeze and the lighted incense spilt on the ground.
He led us to a pretty glade, hardly overlooked at all, although at one point two dalmations dashed into the clearing – only to be halted by the building power of an OBOD gathering and to bound back to their owner. The bluebells were already sprouting up under our feet and a few brave souls took their shoes and socks off. A pale sun gleamed through the trees throughout, as the Goddess came into the circle to bless each person there with sacred water. Andrew read one of his graceful poems and Hilde recited the genealogy of Brighid.
As is fitting for Imbolc the conversation beforehand talked of healing: how some of us had found strength and support in the group over the past year which had helped us to deal with difficulties in our lives. The Seedgroup is prospering at the moment, and each of us holds some of the responsibility for that in our hands and hearts. We are aware that we owe thanks to those members who did not let the light of the group go out during the last couple of years. As the ceremony ended and we gathered outside our circle, slightly loathe to blow out our candles, I for one felt a sense of optimism for the year ahead even though we all have the inevitable practicalities and difficulties to deal with in our everyday lives.
Then there was the pleasure of mead, home made rhubarb and ginger wine, Greg’s mum’s fruit cake and other delicacies before hitting the road back into the “real” world.
