Welcoming the Pond!

We are finally on our way!

Our long-held plans to build a driveway for the sanctuary to a future pond and Celtic roundhouse are finally coming to fruition. This has been part of our long-term planning for years and it is thrilling to see it start to take shape.

With the consent and welcome of the spirits of the land, Jean wrote a beautiful druidic ceremony to honor this moment. We consecrated the space with each of the four elements, air, fire, water, and earth. We then called the spirits of the eight directions, including above, below, without and within.

Jean used her own homemade cedar smoke bundles to invoke the air, as butterflies danced over the field. Sarenth used tobacco, mugwort and chamomile in his sacred pipe to recognize the element of fire. Anne poured water and Brennah sprinkled salt around the circle to honor these elemental forces so central to our future plans.

As a master of Heathen traditions, Sarenth also intoned the rune Kenaz till it echoed over the Sanctuary. This rune, appearing roughly like a jointed “C,” represents both the light of the torch and the opening of new beginnings.

The earth itself was alive in response, with butterflies that float on air, wasps that sting with fire, mosquitoes born in water, and all the denizens of the earth all coming out for their part in the ritual.

We committed our offerings to the spirits of the Sanctuary, in herbs, stone, and drink, and celebrated with drums and rattles.

And of course, in these times of distance, nothing seemed warmer than facing each other with open arms, connected by our common intent, even if we couldn’t actually hug each other.

And, because it’s too exciting not to preview, a sneak peek at the work in progress:

Looking forward to the days to come!