Getting ready for Beltaine

We're busy getting ready for Beltaine! For that weekend, we're doing something new and possibly unique - G.R. Grove, Chokecherry's Grove Organizer, will be the celebrant for Mountain Ancestors Protogrove, ADF's Beltaine on Saturday May 2nd in Longmont, CO, and Mountain Ancestors' Rev. William E. Ashton II will be the celebrant for our Beltaine ritual on Sunday May 3rd in Denver. We will also be swapping ritual styles, with some of our folk trekking up to Longmont to help, and some of their folk joining us here. It should be a weekend to remember - come and help us make Colorado ADF history!

Gather at 1 pm, ritual at 2 pm. Since ADF druids don't cast closed circles, late comers may still participate, but we ask people to try and arrive before 2 pm for the pre-ritual briefing.

Spring Equinox

Yesterday we celebrated the Spring Equinox - the balance point when day and night are equal - at Overland Pond Park. The park is looking good, and we were glad to be back there for the first time this year. We expect to be meeting there for the next six months, until winter forces us back indoors again. We are already planning to hold our Beltaine ritual there, which will be something special. More details in our next post!

Imbolc...

We had a wonderful Imbolc celebration last night at Spirit Wise Gifts. After a initial trance and centering in the hall, we began spontaneously to chant along with our Bard, and entered the ritual space chanting, being purified at the doorway by smoke and water. Kevin led us through the initial parts of the ritual, then spoke of Bridget, the Patroness of our rite, and several of us spoke of five of Her aspects. We made individual offerings, again with spontaneous chanting that filled our candle-lit room, and a final offering. Gwernin took the omen, which was excellent, and we shared the Blessings of the Waters of Life in the form of Rowen's wonderful mead. Then people spoke of challenges and blessings in their lives, and we closed the rite. The feasting that followed was full of joy and fellowship.

Imbolc update

On Sunday February 1st we'll be back at Spirit Wise (6590 South Broadway) for our Imbolc celebration. This year we honor Brigid, Celtic Goddess of poetry, smith-craft, and brewing. We will gather starting at 3 pm and begin the ritual at 4 pm. Please plan to arrive by 3:30 pm to allow for our pre-ritual briefing and attunement. This site is a basement room accessed by a steep staircase, so plan accordingly. This is a family-friendly ritual which will last approximately 45 minutes.  Please remember to bring two items for our food drive if possible, and a potluck dish to share during our after-ritual feasting.

Planning for Imbolc

We're busy planning for Imbolc on Sunday February 1st, time and venue still tba. Check back for updated information.

Looking Ahead...

Chokecherry's next public ritual will be February 1st (venue still to be determined), but many of us will also be involved in a Front Range Druid Players production for the Colorado Welsh Society on Saturday January 24th at the Kirk of Bonnie Brae - more details soon.

Midwinter Celebration

Come and join the Druids of Chokecherry Protogrove, ADF, as we celebrate the Sun’s return on the longest night of the year. This year we celebrate the Norse Gods in an ADF style ritual.

This site is a basement room accessed by a steep staircase, so plan accordingly. This is a family-friendly ritual which will last approximately 45 minutes. Please plan to arrive by 4:30 to allow for our pre-ritual briefing and attunement. Like all our rituals, this one will be followed by a potluck feast. As part of our community service this quarter, we're asking people to bring at least two cans for our food drive in addition to a potluck contribution.