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That tension, that trembling; that strange, warm want. A daring desire, sweet, tremulous, a new melodic thread raising tension through all the harmonic chaos to focus where need pointed, and (John’s tentacles on his legs) the brass broke off into waterfall cascades of notes and (sliding higher, illicit but welcome) the strings became one sawing, pulsing chord like the beautiful grunts of heaven’s angels, and (recognizing in that moment the strength of those limbs that were so gentle for him), he brought this piece to its climax, arms spread, taking up the breadth and depth of the keyboard, and then—

I'm honored to announce that this and this piece have been featured in the latest chapter of Surrogate!

I'm so giddy about it <3

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Modern Druidry: The Ushering of Spring.

Throughout the Druidic revival there have existed many variations of different Springtime rituals, the Ushering of Spring following the equinox is one such that is rooted in the understanding of the old ways, following closely to what few records exist of the Druidic rituals and culture.

This ritual is largely centered around the Lady of Spring, however it invokes many old and powerful energies that were recognized by the ancient Druids as essential to their practice, such as the Great Bear and Great Whale. This ritual, like many in the Druidic faith, also utilizes the existence of Nemetons, which are spiritual center points found in Groves. Groves are another essential part of the Druidic faith, acting as a place with which for us to connect with the spirits of the rocks and the trees, and immerse ourselves in the energies of the universe, as well as being places of convening for practitioners of the old ways.

From the variations of this ritual that exist, I've constructed this outline from the most consistent information.

The Guardians: Invoking the Spirits of the Grove.

Each Grove homes a number of natural Spirits such as those of the trees and the rocks, as well as those of the soil itself which life is birthed from. These Spirits, known as Dryads and Devas, are the first to be invoked during the ushering of spring. When invoking them, it is important to first clearly state your intent to celebrate the Spring Equinox, asking that they permit you to do so and protect you as you do. After this initial invocation a call for peace is to be made by each person present in your party, representing each quarter, North, South, East, or West, and calling for peace in the land. Only then may your group take their places surrounding the Nemeton.

Circle Casting and Consecration.

After your group has formed a circle, you must once more invoke the Spirits of the Grove and ask that they join you, hailing the roots and leaves that encompass you as well as the Gods of the wind. A moment of silence is given for the Spirits to take their place before a gift of energy is given to the Grove, allowing the energies of the rituals participants to mingle with that of the forest itself during the ceremony. (Side note: in some instances the giving of energy does seem to refer to the consecration.)

The Consecration is performed with the use of a bowl and natural incense or a candle. Water is poured into your vessel by the ritual leader and the Goddesses and Gods of the waters are hailed, giving thanks for the Waters of the Well. The incense/candle is lit and declared a symbol of Magic and Inspiration, to welcome the Old Gods into the Grove. Once the ritual leader rejoins the circle the Consecration is complete.

Calling the Quarters: Earths Spirits and the Ancestors.

This part of the ritual serves to invoke several Spirits and natural energies, the first of which are referred to as as the Quarters. These consist of:

The Spirit of the North, the Earth Mother, the Great Bear.

The Spirit of the East, the Sky Father, the Great Eagle.

The Spirit of the South, the Fire brother, the Great Dragon.

And the Spirit of the West, the Rain sister, the Great Whale.

These for Spirits are the first to be invoked, followed by the Spirits of the Three Worlds, Land, Sea, and Sky. Finally the Spirits of the Ancestors are invoked, and the declaration which begins the ritual may commence.

The Declaration: Beginning the Ritual.

The main ritual begins with a Declaration, this clearly states intent to the energies present and hails the Spirit of Nature, as well as the duality of life and death. The Declaration is spoken by the ritual leader, and directly following this each participant is to contribute a dual aspect of nature, for example if the declaration ends with "of Life and Death." The participants contributions may follow along the lines of "of Earth and Sky." or "of Summer and Winter." These dual aspects following the declaration are meant to invoke the many different facets of nature, allowing for a harmonious ritual.

The Ritual Act: Our gifts to The Lady of Spring.

The ritual commences as one participant is chosen by the ritual leader to represent the Lady of Spring in receiving the gifts given. Each participant is to present the Lady of Spring with a gift, and may also present an item they wish to have blessed afterwards. Common gifts include flowers, fruits and berries, as well as small handmade biodegradable items. Common items to be blessed by the Lady of Spring may include garden tools, seeds, or a handful of soil from ones garden.

After each participant has presented their gift and returned to their place in the circle the person chosen to represent the Lady of Spring leads the group in the Ushering of Spring.

"The Spirits of Winter’s Darkness are now behind us. The dark fertile earth of our sacred land is honoured, the start of a new cycle. We now honour the Spirits of Summer’s Light, shining ahead of us. Blessings of Spring!" -The Druid Network, Spring Equinox Ceremony.

After this the Awen chant is recited.

"I shall sing of the awen, which, I shall obtain from the abyss. Through the awen, though it were mute, I know of its great impulses. I know when it minishes; I know when it wells up; I know when it flows; I know when it overflows." -The Druids Garden, Cultivating the Flow of Awen in our Lives.

And with this the Feast may begin.

The Feast: Closing the Ritual.

The feast begins with a blessing led by the participant representative of the Lady of Spring, hailing the Goddesses and Gods of the land once more. Beverages such as ale, mead, and wine are blessed in the name of the Earth Mother, grains (breads) are blessed in the name of the Sky Father, and a measure of each is laid upon the ground as thanks; after this the feasting may commence.

Once the feast is over, and before the ritual is closed, things such as poetry, artwork, and music are shared amongst the group, including handmade instruments and garments, as a testament of inspiration. Respect is once again paid to the Spirits, deities, and energies you have invoked during your ritual, and the energy which each participant lent to the circle is called back. A final blessing is made by the ritual leader for the Spirits of the Grove, and the ritual is declared closed.

With this the ushering of Spring is complete, and the Lady of Spring may begin her work in returning nature to the frozen land.

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