Yule 2003
(On October 25, Ash attended the Society of Elder Faiths Samhain Ritual "Journey into
Darkness" at the Brigham Hill Community Farm in Grafton. She has generously agreed to share
her experiences with you.
We left the barn in file, following the High
Priest and Priestess and bundled tight
against the cold clear air. Blowing wind
stilled as we walked, silent, down the dimlit
path to the altar.
Into the harvest-cleared fields we walked for
the Samhain circle. Then we prepared to
die.
Chanting to Cerridwen and Hecate, dark
Mother, we walked sunwise holding cords
that were also our lives joined to each other
at the center of our circle. I was of two
minds then, walking with the others but also
waiting with lists and responsibilities for my
cord to be cut so that I could get back to the
barn. I chanted and walked solidly,
watching others cut away from the circle to
walk the path of Death – but when Clotho
(one of the Three Fates who spin the thread
of destiny) came for me I felt weightless.
She cut my cord and spun me towards the
path and I walked on, but no longer carrying
my lists. I was adrift.
For the first time, gripping the cut twine for
dear life, I saw paths that I had laid in
daylight transformed by starlight into the
Crow Road. My boots lifted with difficulty
crossing the blue silk I knew was the Styx.
Death stood solid and imposing, blocked
the way with questions and a big sword.
"Who are you?" That's easy, I thought. I
responded with the name my parents gave
me.
"That is who you were in life. Who are
you?"
These words took longer to find, and came
quietly. "A harper and poet."
"That is what you were in life. Who are
you?"
And by now I could barely whisper an
answer. "A child of the Goddess."
His voice was gentle. "And that you will be
always. You may pass."
And so I felt my identity flit away on the
quiet breeze. Within moments I was
hoodwinked and kneeling, waiting for the
sword. "Are you comfortable?" Death has
quite the sense of humor. But in the end
the sword came down.
I could still hear the chanting from the circle;
though what had been a palpably real
exercise in the circle, shared music and
filling rhythms, now sounded faint and far
away.
One of Death's minions led me, still
hoodwinked, to Persephone's shrine.
There my tight-held life cord went into the
fire; I turned away as it crackled to ash.
If Death had asked me who I was at this
point I don't know what I would have said.
Unencumbered now by anything except
memory, I followed the candlelight; another
minion led me into the wooded path where
Hades waited. His station was draped in
dark silks and shadows. Hades himself
loomed tall and littering in the candlelight.
He asked me questions he already knew
the answers to, searching my memories,
weighing my faults and misspent gifts along
with my kindnesses and worthy actions. He
finally released me; I left with the certainty
that the next time I saw him, he would
remember...
Persephone waited around the bend in the
road, enthroned atop a dais draped with
silks and flickering candlelight from many
jeweled hanging lamps. She asked
questions too – questions about my life and
journey, and questions that worked deep
into my reasons and choices. I answered
as best I could; for the first time I realized I
was shaken, and wondered how long the
tears had been falling down my face. In the
end Persephone asked the one most
important question: "Are you ready to
return to life?" I answered that I was ready.
"Bring greetings to my mother Demeter,"
she asked, and I agreed. Persephone
signed my forehead and I walked on.
That final hurdle leaped, or rather, wearily
climbed, I kept walking. Demeter's bower
was green and gold, and she herself sat
calmly cheerful on her throne. Wrapped in
the draped fabrics and brighter light
appropriate to coming Spring we talked
about Persephone her daughter, and the
beginning of the path. Demeter's cheer
heralded the return of energies I sorely
needed. In a short time I was able to leave
– smells of candle smoke and damp earth
walked with me across the candle-and-
starlit fields as I walked back to life.
The last altar, circled by bright luminaria,
held cakes and wine and also cheerful
human company – something I realized I
sorely needed by now. We shared all,
crumbs falling. The Priestess and Priest
joked and grinned, sending me back to the
barn with all the tastes of comfort.
I lit incense at the barn door, said a silent
hello to two dear friends, and entered the
broad-beamed hall brimming with light,
food, and subdued good humor of the night.
Wendy and Charlie would have loved it.
This year's Annual Meeting of the Society of
Elder Faiths promises to be even more fun
than last year's, with the addition of a book
sale and a potluck brunch.
SEF Member and Messenger staffer Morwynna is showing her acrylic paintings
through March 31 at Market Street Health, 214 Market Street in Brighton
Massachusetts. The images reflect the artist's experiences in contemplating the
visual sensuality of the natural world. Photos of the work can be seen at
In response to requests from the membership, the SEF is pleased to announce
the SEF Forum, a series of classes beginning this spring. Taught by Elders of the
community, Forum classes will be held one Saturday afternoon per month, except
July and August, and will cover general principles as well as topics not often
taught outside of coven settings. All Forum classes are open to SEF members
and will offer participants the opportunity to better understand and participate in
the ceremonies of the SEF and the community at large. The classes will be on
Saturday afternoons from 3 - 6 PM at the Brigham Hill Community Farm in
Grafton. While the specific topics have not been set yet for each month, the
following dates have been chosen for 2004: April 10, May 8, June 12, September
11, October 16, and November 13. Watch the Messenger and the website for
more details about classes and teachers! For directions to the barn, please call
(508) 839-3457 or see http://www.elderfaiths.org/barn.
Yes, it is once again time to renew your
membership in the Society of Elder
Faiths! Enclosed you will find a
renewal form, which you can mail to us
with your 2004 dues. As soon as we
receive your renewal, we will send you
a new date sticker for the back of your
membership card.
So the shortest day came and the Year died. The following clergy are available through the Society of Elder Faiths:
SEF Messenger: The Community Newsletter of the Society of Elder Faiths
Held at the Brigham Hill Community Farm
starting 1:00 PM, the Annual Meeting is a
chance for the Board of Directors to report
to the membership what the SEF has done
over the past year, and what we have in
mind for the coming year. This is a good
opportunity for all members to offer us their
feedback and suggestions and, most
importantly, to volunteer to help with our
upcoming projects. Your enthusiasm and
involvement make a real difference to how
much the SEF can accomplish.
We will be selling new and used books,
both occult and general interest, at very low
prices. Money raised will be put towards
development of our land in western
Massachusetts. Bring your unneeded books
as a tax-deductible donation!
The brief and lively meeting will include a
report on membership, news on the land
development and building of stone circles in
Middlefield, and reports from the Treasurer.
We also expect an announcement about
the new SEF Forum, a series of classes for
SEF members (see article below).
After the meeting, there will be a chance to
informally get to know other SEF Members
over a potluck meal. Bring a fully-prepared
brunch or other dish to share.
For directions, call (508) 839-3457 or see
News From Our Members
Cerridwyn (founder of the SEF's Pagan Family Connection) is training with
DONA (Doula Organization of North America) and with BACE (Boston
Association of Childbirth Educators) to become a Childbirth Educator and Breast
Feeding Counselor. For both these courses she needs to 'assist' with four births,
i.e. providing emotional and physical support to a birthing woman and her partner.
She is offering free Doula services to anyone who wishes to have a Doula
Assisted birth in return for the opportunity to witness the birth. If you are an
expectant mother interested in free high-quality labor support, you can contact her
at hannah_sef@hotmail.com, including the words "Doula Services" in the
subject line.
Society of Elder Faiths
Forum Classes to Begin in April
A Time of Rest and Renewal
by Morwynna
Or you can save the postage and pay
in person at the Annual Meeting!
In order to cover ongoing costs of
sending you the Messenger, offering
classes and rituals, and the
development of our land in Western
Massachusetts for community use, we
have reluctantly raised the annual
Supporting Membership dues to $25.
Additional donations are also welcome.
We invite Supporting Members who
have been in good standing for one
year or more, and who are active in any
member-supported committees, to
apply for Full Membership. As an
additional part of their commitment, Full
members vote in the election of
Directors and other matters of the
Society, and may be nominated to
serve on the Board of Directors.
Applicants for Full membership must be
sponsored by a member of the Board
of Directors. For the Full Membership
application, please call 508 839-3457 or
see our website's membership page at:
http://www.elderfaiths.org/join.html.
The Shortest Day
© Susan Cooper 1975
And everywhere,
down the long white Centuries of Snow
came people dancing, singing
to drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the Winter trees.
They hung their homes with evergreens.
They burned beseeching fires all night
long to keep the year alive.
And when the new day Sun blazed awake,
they shouted, revelling.
Through all across the ages you can hear them.
Listen, echoing behind them,
all the long echoes sing the same delight
this shortest day
as Promise awakens in the sleeping land.
They carol peace, give thanks,
and dearly love their friends
and hope for Peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
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
Yule 2003
Editor : Jennifer
Staff: Morwynna
© 2003 Society of Elder Faiths
SEF Members may submit news to:
news@elderfaiths.org
or
PO Box 30, Marlboro, MA 01752
or
508 839-3457