Grove Events

• November 25, 2023
• December 30, 2023

The Greenlake Grove welcomes you to the monthly Peace Meditation--online. Dial in from anywhere in the world. All people of good intent are welcome regardless of experience or affiliation. Please join us online for a time of simple chanting and stillness. Bring your intentions.

Druid Prayer for Peace: Deep within the still center of my being, may I find peace. Silently within the quiet of the Grove, may I share peace. Powerfully, within the greater circle of humankind, may I radiate peace. May there be Peace throughout the whole world. 

As is consistent with the OBOD tradition, we gather for a Peace Meditation on or around the last Saturday of the month--for this 30 minute meditation. Nicole hosts and Ruth assists. We hope to see you there!

Join Online via GoToMeeting: Peace Meditation. It's easy to join meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. 

 https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/779897725 

Art by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman

“The Calling”

Mixed Media

© 2022

• December 21, 2023, 6:30 a.m.

Please join the Greenlake Grove outside at Gasworks Park to celebrate the full rite of Alban Arthan in the traditional druid manner during the sunrise on the Solstice. We will gather on top of Kite Hill overlooking Lake Union and the city. Join us as we mirror the movement of the sun with our ritual, and celebrate the dawn of the light. After we will have breakfast at a nearby restaurant. All those of good intention are welcome regardless of experience or affiliation. Rsvp to our Facebook event to receive updates https://fb.me/e/gZK9ZkiPc

From the OBOD website:
Some Druid Orders believe this means the Light of the hero King Arthur Pendragon who is symbolically reborn as the Sun Child (The Mabon) at the time of the Solstice. Others see the Light belonging to the star constellation known as the Great Bear (or the Plough) – Arthur, or Art, being Gaelic for Bear. 

This constellation shines out in the sky and can symbolise the rebirth of the Sun. At this point the Sun is at its southernmost point almost disappearing beyond the horizon, and the days are at their shortest. This was a time of dread for the ancient peoples as they saw the days getting shorter and shorter. 

A great ritual was needed to revert the course of the sun. This was probably calculated by the great circles of stone and burial grounds which are aligned to this festival, such as Newgrange in Co. Meath, Eire. Sure enough, the next day the Sun began to move higher into the sky, showing that it had been reborn.

This time of year is very cold and bleak, which is why so many celebrations are needed to help people get through the Winter months. It is significant that many civilisations welcomed their Solar Gods at the time of greatest darkness – including Mithras (the bull-headed Warrior God), the Egyptian God Horus and, more recently, Jesus Christ. 

Event Location: Gasworks Park 2101 N. Northlake Way. Top of Kite Hill.

To Bring: Flashlight; good shoes for walking up the hill in mud or snow; warm clothes; rain gear; something for the alter; and drum, rattle or bell.

Caution: Seattle has become a little dangerous and it will be dark so please travel in groups of 3 or more if possible.

Art by Wendy Andrew

- - - 

Please visit our good friends at Edge of the Circle Books in the heart of the University District -- Seattle's resource for Paganism & the Occult. Please check out the website for all things pagan including new and used books, jewelry, ritual items, clothes, and more.  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057643021822

--- 

Looking forward to seeing you there. With the blessings of the Oak, Yew, and Silver Birch! Ruth Oskolkoff