Hern's Tribe MidWinter Gathering (croydon)
Details
Winter approaches.. night-hours are long. Day light is short. And in the deep caverns below the Earth, the great Goddess gives birth to the Sun-Child! We gather to mark this sacred event and celebrate Winter Solstice.
Inspired by the TV series `Robin of Sherwood’ and stories of the Windsor-Hern myths, I started Hern’s Tribe- a pagan ritual & self-development group in Spring 2004. Drumming, masks, pre-ritual socials, feasting after ceremony, ceremonial fire..are all part of what we do. Now in its 12th year, 9th Year, Hern's Tribe continues to evolve...exploring and experimenting with friendly down to earth shamanic, eclectic ritual styles for the gatherings.
Next year (2016) Hern's Tribe will begin to meet monthly to start a new cycle and new explorations... towards personal empowerment as focus... specifically Horned God-forms and Goddesses.. as well as animalistic Elementals, divination work, woodland basic ritual skills, (setting up camp, putting tent, making tools like flint arrows, mask making, outdoor tribal cooking etc).
Note- that from January 2016, HT will not be doing seasonal rituals..(but will meet monthly for new moons), while our sister Wicca group will meet for moons & seasonal rituals.. (anyone can come to any of these.. So you won't feel much difference with friends..except in the format & style of the rituals).
Date: Saturday 19th December 2015
Time: 2pm - 8pm (this is a `gathering' so includes pre-rite socials, ritual, and feasting/ socials/ drumming / chants etc ..)
venue: Meet at Coombe Lane Tram stop (please do NOT go into the woods looking for us.. we change location.. Stay at tram stop so we van come get you..and lead you to the ritual spot).
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/a/7/7/600_442967735.jpeg
RITUAL :
This is an open ritual held in an outdoor park/woods with easy public access..
WHAT HAPPENS - General details for HT events (some changes occur for specific events/ venues).
We'll have the usual combination of social, setting up altar/ sacred space, seasonal ritual, chants & Drumming, magical work (including eco-magic and sometimes healing work). -Experienced HT members set up altar/ quarters, some prep for ritual fire, any cover sheets (if raining).
-You can ask to help.. :-)
RITUAL format-------
-Generally, we begin with clearing the space (sweeping, tidying up)
-Hern Call (chanting `Hern' nine times)
-Shamanic consecrations (Incense, rattle, drums, salt-water, essential oil)
-Creating magical circle (words/ wand/ staff)
-Calling of Elements & animal quarters / spirits.
-Invoking Horned God / Goddess energies
-Variation of seasonal myth (sometimes)
-Magical work ( group work, personal, eco, healing etc)
-Blessing of Food & Drinks
-Feasting & Socials.
- Drumming & Chants & Dancing
RITUAL items to bring:
- Your ritual cloths/ robes/ cloaks
- Staff / wands / antlers / tribal masks
- Drums & musical instruments
- Lanterns / candles / lighter
- Crystals / runes / divination tools
-Poetry / invocations (learnt or to read)
-Mani