This year's fall retreat focused on Celtic tales of otherworldly encounters, with beings from the faery realms, the land of the dead, and the living depths of the earth. We enacted the stories of Pwyll, a Welsh prince who traded places with Death for a year, and who later married the fairy queen Rhiannon. We followed the labors of Culhwch, a cousin of King Arthur, as he sought to win the hand of Olwen, the beautiful daughter of an ugly giant. We relived the transformations of Gwion, who mistakenly tasted three drops of inspiration from the cauldron of Ceridwen, and fled the angry goddess in a variety of animal shapes, and died, and was reborn as the great bard Taliesin. And in a guided meditation, we followed the path to the spiritual realms hinted at in the ballads of Thomas the Rhymer and Tam Lin.

And did we not learn the secrets hidden in the spell sung by Amergin when he first set foot upon the emerald isle of Ireland? And did we not pierce the mysteries of the Ogham tree alphabet? And were we not enlightened as to why Irish words are spelled one way and pronounced another way entirely? Sheer bloody-mindedness, if you ask me.

The mystery plays were enhanced by truly spectacular masks representing the various birds, fish and animals that play such a major role in Celtic myth. Between Joann's knowledgeable guidance, Meagan and Joann's tasty and nutritious cooking, the artistic efforts of the rest of the committee, and the enthusiastic participation of all involved, it was a very enjoyable and enlightening weekend.

Although the weather was mostly rainy, we were able to spend some time outside connecting to the spirits of the land. On the last day of the retreat, the sky was clear and sunny, and the breeze was gently playful, and we held our closing rite on the SEF land with the blessing of the elements.

Samhain: A Time of Rest by Arachne
Samhain -- October 31st, Halloween, November Eve, Michaelmas, Summer's End, the Feast of the Dead, the time when the Veil between the Worlds is thin. This is one of the Major Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year, and certainly the one most clearly associated with Witches and Witchcraft.

For those of us living in the Northeast, Samhain truly is Summer's End. By now hard frost has cut down the vegetation in our gardens, and the trees left with leaves are dressed in their Autumnal finery. The cool days have visibly shortened, and very often we find ourselves both arising and returning from work in darkness. In reflection of the natural world around us, most of us find ourselves turning inward, preparing in our own ways for the Winter ahead.

In reality, Samhain is not just a single day, but a Season -- a time of remembrance, a period of repose. At Samhain we pause for a bit, and we take stock.

For Neo-Pagans, Samhain is both joyful and somber. This is a time to deal honestly with Death, a chance for each of us to face the inevitable end of Life. Yet it is also a time to celebrate.

Traditionally it's said that the Veil between the Worlds is thinnest at Samhain. So at this time we reach to the Beloved Dead through that Veil, to remember them, commune with them and honor them. In this way we celebrate Death as the culmination of Life.

May we all be blessed with peace, rest and renewal!

In Mexico, the Day of the Dead (October 31) is celebrated with playful folk-art representations and family celebrations. Many interesting articles, including information on Aztec ancestor worship, can be found at: http://www.mexconnect.com

Rites of the Hunt by Morwynna
In the autumn and winter, hunting season begins. Hunting was a primary source of sustenance for early humans, and more recently it has augmented the food supply of those otherwise dependent on agriculture and herding. Most accepted interpretations of Paleolithic cave paintings (and also studies of contemporary "primitive" peoples such as the Kalahari Bushmen) point to the early hunter- gatherer's belief that the hunted animals had powerful spirits which could be contacted by human means.

Various cave finds include "shrines" of carefully collected and arranged animal skulls, usually to one specific animal. Burial practices of animal remains also indicate some sense of worship, propitiation, or atonement in regard to the animals who provided sustenance and life. It has been believed that the pouring of the animal's blood onto the earth in a prescribed ritual manner enabled the animal to either be reborn immediately or to become immortal in the spirit world.

Cave paintings also frequently portray a shaman dressed as a stag or other important animal. The Bushmen still perform a trance dance wherein the participants become closer to the animal spirits before the Great Hunt. The belief survives that the animal is a willing sacrifice, and that he has come to enact a predestined ritual of giving its life in return for spiritual immortality.

A surviving northern European rite of the hunt is the Abbot's Bromley Horn Dance. Some participants wear (or carry) large sets of stag antlers, and as they dance they represent the spirits of the hunted animals. Other dancers portray a horse, a boy hunter, a jester, and a woman (called Maid Marian by folklorists). They process the fields and the nearby woodlands at the beginning of the hunting season to ask fertility for the fields and luck at the hunt.

                

Coffee Talk
On Sunday, April 7, the first SEF Members' Coffee Hour was held at Roger and Jennifer's house in Medway, with thirteen people in attendance, including both "old timers" and recently-joined. The next upcoming social event will be held on Saturday, November 16, from 4 PM – 9 PM at Morwynna's house in Marlborough. At this introspective time between Samhain and Yule, Grove of the Mists Coven invites all SEF Members to rest and relax while checking out the new wallpaper in our temple room. Please bring food to share, and tell us about your plans for the coming winter. Contact sef@elderfaiths.org or (508) 839-3457 if you'd like to host a social hour.

SEF Outing to the National Heritage Museum
Sunday November 17, 12:00 noon, National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Rd, Lexington, MA
The Museum of Our National Heritage is currently featuring several exhibits, including "To Build and Sustain: Freemasons in American Community." Masons and masonic ritual forms and symbolism have been integral to the development of the Western Esoteric Tradition as well as a variety of other fraternal and religious societies, including Wicca and the neo-pagan movement. Join us as we tour this special exhibit, which has gathered items of Masonic history from across the country. An SEF member who is a Mason, craft elder, etc, will be along to offer cryptic commentary. Admission is free, but a donation is nice. We hope to see you there!

Calling All Pagan Parents
Currently on the SEF Discussion List we are talking about plans for a possible retreat weekend for pagan parents and kids. We need your feedback! If you are an SEF member and would like to join the Discussion List, please send an email to: and a human being will respond to your request.

Sacred Ways
Rowan of Persephone's Midden Coven will be leading open Sabbat Circles at Sacred Ways, 56 Center Street, Middleborough (Southeastern Massachusetts) . The next event will be a Samhain Circle on Friday, November 1. Gathering time is 6:30 PM, and a $5 donation is requested. Call Sacred Ways for directions: (508) 923-2049.

Rites of Passage

A few days before Autumn Equinox, Coven Synchronos (daughter coven of Symbios) was closed by all members. Synchronos enjoyed nearly ten years of terrific ritual and training, and was laid to rest with love. At Equinox, Thymele and Raven established the daughter of Synchronos, Synergy, and we are interviewing a very promising trio of students to start us off. We are HP and HPS, respectively, and are looking forward to a new set of challenges. We would like to publicly thank the other members of Synchronos, including Betty and Vinnie, who began the coven; Joann, who provided energy, humor, and ideas, and Barb, whose faithful service over the past two years has been much appreciated. We would also like to thank the elders of our tradition who helped us see that we needed to let go in a timely fashion in order to move on.

On September 21, Thea (the Priestess Formerly Known as Diana Marina) was elevated to 2nd degree by Grove of the Mists Coven and other Elders of the lineage. Morwynna acted as sponsor and Gwydion as Initiator. Also present were Seth of Grove of the Mists, Briannan and Koramis of Amaltheia, and Tanith of Du Bandia Grasail. Grove of the Mists is known for its particularly harrowing 2nd Degree Elevation, yet the candidate faced the ordeal bravely and emerged unscathed.

The following clergy are available through the Society of Elder Faiths:

A licensed Wiccan Elder, with ministerial credentials from the Covenant of the Goddess and the Society of Elder Faiths (SEF), authorized to perform legal weddings and handfastings. Also available for other religious services and Rites of Passage. Debbie Fields-Berry P.O. Box 335, B.U. Station Boston MA 02215 dberry@bu.edu 508 839-3457

I hold legal credentials through the Covenant of the Goddess and am ordained though the Society of Elder Faiths. I am willing to travel within New England and will work with people of any Neo-Pagan tradition or non-Pagans with an earth centered focus. I require an initial face to face meeting with a couple at least 2 months before a wedding. I have also performed Wiccanings and am available for other rites of passage. Peg P.O. Box 485 Upton, MA 01568-0485 meagan@control.com 508 839-3457

SEF Messenger: The Community Newsletter of the Society of Elder Faiths
Samhain 2002
Editor : Jennifer
Staff: Morwynna
© 2002 Society of Elder Faiths
SEF Members may submit news to:
news@elderfaiths.org
or
PO Box 30, Marlboro, MA 01752
or
508 839-3457

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