When you read the title, did you picture a bunch of old men in dark, hooded cloaks chanting? Or a Halloween-type witch at a cauldron? Read on to see how OBOD defines it.
p. 1
At the heart of Druid spiritual practice lies the celebration of eight special times of the year: the solstices and equinoxes, and the four "Cross Quarter" day ceremonies - which have often been called the Celtic Fire Festivals... The solstices and equinoxes are astronomical events that occur at specific times during the year... The cross-quarter festivals are different - they derive from the pastoral calendar.
Rituals at these times of year (more about this below)
p. 1-2
The main thing to remember is that it is the spirit of each of these eight special times, their key themes, that are important, not the details or the exact wording of the rituals.
In this paragraph, it emphasizes there is no wrong way to do them, from using objects and spoken words, to solely contemplation.
p. 2-3
Our understanding of ritual is that it fulfills the following functions, when performed with the right intent:
1. It helps us to change consciousness, and in particular it creates the conditions in which we can contact sources of insight, wisdom, and strength.
2. It helps us to become aware of the sacred nature of the time and space we are in, and gives us the opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate and fully enjoy this time.
3. It creates a time and space which becomes "special" and from which can radiate beneficent forces, including healing energies which affect ourselves and others.
4. It creates a way for us to express the deeper interconnectedness between us all, and between other realms, beings and forces. This can occur whether we are practicing ritual alone, with others in a group, or at the same time as others in different parts of the world. During a ritual, our sacred circle becomes a microcosm of the Universe.
I like that it's spelled out so well here. You're not just doing the rituals because you're supposed to, they serve a purpose. I want to print these out and keep them with my ritual booklets as reminders.
p. 3
If you feel strongly that you do not wish to perform any rituals, try simply visualising them in your mind's eye as you read them.
An example of All members are encouraged to believe and practice only those things which they feel are true and right for themselves from their website, which I quoted in my first post.
p. 4-5
As well as being spiritual, mystical, or magical celebrations, it is important to remember that these festivals are also artistic and social events... When celebrating the festivals remember they are designed to help you let go for a while the demands of your busy everyday life - to open instead to the magic and mystery of the moment - to the power of a particular time at a particular place. They are designed to help you enjoy and celebrate the Here and Now.
Who doesn't need more of this in their lives?! I know I do...
The rest of the booklet is in two sections. The first gives the recommended structure for opening and closing the ceremonies. The concept makes me think of the Olympics 😄 The second section gives the script from three past ceremonies, from beginning to end.
The eight celebrations form what is known as the "wheel of the year." Most think of it as a modern pagan invention, but it has its roots in ancient Celtic, Germanic, and other pre-Christian European traditions. In its current form, it was developed by the founder of OBOD and a father of modern Wicca, who brought the solstices/equinoxes together with the cross-quarter day ceremonies as a way to mark the cycle of the year and of life. Each ceremony has a particular focus that is relevant to that time of year.
There is a wheel of the year on the first page of the booklet, and the last has two wheels with the heading Qualities, Ideas and Dynamics Related to the Festivals. I should make copies of those two pages as well.
Hey, the way I'm ending each of these is turning into its own type of ritual 😄
Riding the cycles of life,
LilacPhoenixCMB 💜
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