Imbolc

I haven't talked much about the ritual Saturday. I'm still processing it.
http://commercialappeal.com/news/2009/feb/02/into-the-light/ has an article that doesn't make us all look like flakes. (ignore the idiot commenters)

They led us in to the room, one by one, blindfolded. Our guide lit our candle and removed our blindfold. It was a difficult walk for me because I'm always afraid of falling. Dollface let B. lead her with perfect trust.

The room was lit by a single candle, and then mine and then Dollface's, and then more and more.

Our ministers...they came in and were blown away by the sight and the energy in the silent room.
I can't say it better than Grynner.
"Go in peace and carry this light with you throughout the year."

Pagan Parenting Headdesk (1/?)

So, it's Imbolc.

We have a corn doll from Mabon and today I made a wand.
Bradford Pear, broken by the ice-storm. About 11" long, nice and smooth.
With 2 jingle bells dangling from pink and yellow ribbons.

We marched three loud times around the garden, Dollface with a noisemaker and me with the jingling wand, waking up spring.

And Dollface giggled over the naughtiness of the wand (she has brothers). She's 9.

I had to explain fertility.
"Ours is a religion from farming days. In those days, people wanted their land and crops to be fertile, so they could have lots of food. They wanted their animals to be fertile, so they could have meat and milk and eggs, leather and wool. They wanted to be fertile themselves, so they could have lots of sons and daughters to take care of all the plants and animals. So a lot of our rituals are about sex."

We tucked the doll into a Brigid's Bed on the hearth and set the wand in with her. Tomorrow, I'll complete the spell by burying her near the garden.