Thanks to Minette for this lovely report of the Solstice ceremony at Foundation Centre yesterday, attended by local members.
The day of the Solstice dawned with the crash of thunder and lightning and downpours of rain…..
Then it cleared for several hours and reports were heard that the
annual gathering at Newgrange in Co. Meath of those fortunate enough to
have won tickets in the national draw to greet the long-awaited dawn
were treated to the rare and magnificent sight of the light pouring down
the central passage in which they stood right inside Ireland’s ancient
and world-famous passage grave.
By the time our
Fellowship members had gathered at the Castle later in the day, several
further waves of wild, windy and wet weather had swept the country and
there was certainly no possibility of processing round the grounds, so
we entered the Temple of Isis by Persephone’s Shrine and Garden Gate and
all Invocations were made at Brigid’s Well of Truth. The atmosphere
shone most beautifully and Lady Olivia’s presence could be felt in her
beloved Temple throughout the Ceremony which had been planned,
coordinated and led by the Rev. Cait Branigan. Most beautiful live harp
music and song was interspersed by various members throughout our time
together, which deepened and enhanced the sense of purity and harmony
already present. Olivia would have loved this!
Gathered round
the High Altar, we first received a most beautiful and encouraging
Oracle from the Goddess of Wisdom, Sophia. Then several members stood
forward to take the main parts of an insightful Mystery Play based on
the story of Newgrange. Various ideas had been offered by members for
inclusion, such as the clarity and brilliance of Arianrhod and the
winter constellations, the opposing forces (i.e. the baddies, in
Olivia’s traditional and much-beloved format for improvised drama); the
Deity bringing the message of the Gods (Arianrhod), the message of Boand
(the Modron/Mother) and Oenghus the younger, the Divine Child of Light
(the Mabon) at this sacred time, and Oenghus the older, God of Love.
Much could be said of the wisdom offered by each but suffice it to say
that the opposing and inner nature of the forces of the ‘baddie’ within
us expressed as greed and selfishness, was met by the inspired words
of the Goddess, seemingly stern and unbending at times but ultimately
working through the cycles of the seasons of life to bring back harmony,
the love of the Mother for all and the Birth of the Light and Inner Sun
which lies within each one of us ready to burst into new life.
The remainder of this inspiring ceremony was focused on providing and
encouraging everyone present to take this opportunity to contribute
their personal memories of Olivia. Strands of many coloured wools had
been given out to everyone and then collected and braided together as a
symbol of the joining of our hearts into a beautiful rainbow rope to
grace the High Altar as the stories were told. The fun, the wisdom, the
astonishing foresight, the adventures, in short the real, irrepressible
phenomenon of nature and the divine that was Olivia came forth in
abundance!!! The winter’s cold was more than offset by the warmth of
our hearts.
We all retired to Osborne’s famous ‘coaching inn’
in the Village afterwards for hot tea and our traditional informal time
together and for many more happy memories of a great lady whom so many
met and were inspired by during her long and fruitful life. Her
influence will last in the lives of us all for many years yet.
Much happiness to everyone throughout the Fellowship at this special time, and every blessing for the coming New Year in 2014.
Photo and text © Fellowship of Isis Central Website, Circle of Isis Advisory Board. Photo of Clonegal Castle by Barbara Lee Westlake.
