Winter Solstice Sunset

GOSSip
(Grove Of the Summer Stars – infinite possibility)
July 2017
Dear ‘Grovers’

What a great Winter Solstice enacting the story of the search for the
Child of Light held in a dark prison. Many thanks to all who
participated in setting the Child of Light free - the Peace Giver;
Winter; the Direction Holders who each from their own wisdom gave
directions to the Warriors; the intrepid Warriors; the Cailleachs who
spurred them on; the Fire and Water Bearers who opened the
pathways; the Callers who honoured the Dark and then called back
the Light; and of course the Child of Light himself returned to the
Modron as we cast off our strips of mourning. The weather was fine
but cold and we were able to be outside, held safely in the arms of
our sacred grove. Magic!

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PLANTING THE HINAU TREE

At 1pm on our Winter Solstice day we had a wonderful tree planting
ceremony. This was our Grove Master, Richard’s, initiative and he
introduced it like this.

Here at midwinter we are planting a Hinau tree - in the tradition of all

the trees used in solstice celebrations in the past.   In one sense it does
represent the World Tree.
In another sense it represents intentions for planetary health and
healing.
In another sense it contributes to the healing of the bush here - because
we are planting a tree that is native to this region, but is not locally
present.
In times of crises - personal or planetary - it is important to remember
our values, which for me can be summed up:
Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share for all - not just humans or
animals, but all entities that have existence.
With the advent of Trump there was talk of hexing him, casting binding
spells and using other other magical means to influence him.
I felt the challenge too: if it is within my power to stop his nastiness, his
egotism - then I should stop it! But I feel uncomfortable with the
hexing, the binding - so how should I respond?
So the question became wider: How can I use magical means effectively
to facilitate positive change - to promote Earth Care, People Care
and Fair Share?
The idea of praying for peace seems very vague and wishy washy - so
perhaps we should draw on the idea of SMART goals - and do smart
spells - smart prayer?
Rituals, prayers and spells that are focussed, local and achievable, for
example to promote clean rivers - or even to specifically pray for our
local river or stream.
The question became even wider: How do we, as a magical community,
work magic for positive change - without our egos or personal agendas
interfering?
After much talking and reflection the answer became clearer - plant a
tree - a God/dess tree that would contribute to the healing of this land,
and by magical association, represent the whole Earth.
Intention is central to any spell, any ritual. So if the intention is to heal,
this is a healing tree.
So my vision is to plant a tree that can represent our intentions for a
healthier, happier society,   and a healthy Earth with enough for all.
Perhaps this tree could become a place we bring our magical
intentions - to give them to the God, Goddess, Great Spirit or however
we envision that something other.

We then walked in a spiral to a special plot Richard had chosen, each

carrying a small stone we would place around the tree once it was
planted. Richard took us through a simple but beautiful ritual, the
hinau was planted and many awens were chanted. Very, very special.
Thank you Richard.

/|\
THE WOOLSHED LABYRINTH
After the planting of the hinau and a cup of tea, Anne and Glenn then
gave us a ‘reveal’ of their thoughts and plans for a special labyrinth at
The Woolshed.

This is a one-off labyrinth designed and named specifically for the

Woolshed by Glenn and incorporates many Celtic and Druid
elements. Behold the Druid’s Tree Labyrinth!

There are still a few more bricks to be gathered and then the work
can begin. Glenn will put together a time line for when different
stages need to be done and then there will certainly be a call to you
all for your hands, hearts, heads and hallows!

On the actual Winter Solstice day I climbed the Tor to get some shots
of the sunset and, as you can see below, the sunset at Winter Solstice
perfectly lines up with the labyrinth site and the Tor!
 /|\

What a wonderful Winter Solstice day –

We planted a tree for Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share
We welcomed the Druid’s Tree Labyrinth, and
We set free the Child of Light.

And if that wasn’t enough, Mary announced that she is carrying

her own small Child of Light due to meet us all in December!
Love and Blessings to Mary, Kieran and Child

/|\

SPOKE WITH A TREE

Spoke with a tree this morning.
He had wise things to say.
Sitting across its roots,
Before the noise took his voice away.

Strength he said,
And I straightened my shoulders.
Peace he said,
And I calmed my heart.
Hope he said
And I smiled quietly.

And then he said no more, for no more was needed. Three great truths
are enough of a lesson for one day.

(Patrick Head, Touchstone, July 2017)

/|\
REMINDER! REMINDER! Deadline for contributions for the Imbolc
edition of SerpentStar is 25 July. Mandy is keen to receive articles,
poetry, artwork, reviews, stories, ponderings and interviews – the
more the merrier! Guidelines for submissions are located here:
http://serpentstar.druidryaustralia.org/about/. You can send your
submissions to me or direct to Touchstone.

/|\

MINI-CAMPS FOR 2018:

Next discussion about this is at our Grove Meeting at Imbolc. It
would be good to get things reasonably sorted!
BARDS:
Responses so far from Nicola, Claire and Mary. Mary reminds us that
she is ‘going to be quite busy’ (!) so unless the Bards’ Mini-Camp was
held in October this year or next, she would only be able ‘help out’.
Claire and Nicola are flexible as to dates and I haven’t heard from any
other bards! So I’m suggesting that I cease to be the ‘go-between’ and
that bards use our Grove Facebook page to organise what you want
to do. I’m happy for The Woolshed to be a venue and would take
myself off on a mini-holiday while you were here!
OVATES/DRUIDS:
Responses so far from Charlene, Nicola, Linda, Sara, Joarn and me.
Waitangi weekend (3rd & 4th February 2018 – Saturday, Sunday, leave
Monday so don’t have to take time off work) seems to be the general
consensus. Linda writes, “We live across the road from Otari bush.
They have a function room for hire. We are happy to open our home
for accommodation. Could sleep about 8 people in beds and fold-down
beds. Any more than that will need to sleep on the floor.” Charlene
has also offered some accommodation. Another thought is
Waihoanga Lodge up Otaki Gorge Road (www.waihoanga.co.nz).
Joarn and I checked his out when we were checking out Tatum Park
and really loved it – it has a real ‘Druid-y’ feel. It’s not nearly big
enough for Southern Hemisphere Assembly but would be great for
Grove gatherings. If not for our mini-camp then perhaps for a Winter
Solstice weekend! It has a big hall with a fire, accommodation,
catering and a wonderful yurt. Just a thought! I’m happy to start an
email thread for Ovates and Druids to see if we can get organised!

/|\
OBOD 18TH SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE ASSEMBLY 2019 in NZ
Date: Thursday 17th January – Tuesday 22nd January 2019
(Wellington Anniversary Weekend) – Confirmed
Joarn and I checked out Tatum Park (again!) last week and report
that we were very well treated and all of our concerns, and theirs,
have been resolved. The biggest problem for them was that they
could not give us exclusive access to the whole complex as January is
their busy wedding season. However, they will make private spaces
available exclusively for us, including a lovely fire pit, and we will
have our own conference room and a complete wing of the
accommodation block. They will also set aside a special camping
area for us with half a dozen campsites. If they have a wedding
booking and it is raining (not likely surely!) and they need to hold the
wedding in the dining room, then they are happy to cater separately
for us in our conference room. Joarn and I also discovered a beautiful
old oak tree where we can gather which felt like a good omen. So we
are happy, we are booked and the deposit is paid! More details in
future GOSSips.

/|\

This from Theresa:

“Greetings! The good people in my small local forest-based community in Waima
& Titirangi on the edge of Auckland city need some support. Could you please
help by signing and sharing our petition?
The local water company wants to destroy approx. 10 acres of regenerating
forest to build a new industrial water treatment plant. The forest is designated a
Significant Ecological Area and is supposed to be protected by the Waitakere
Ranges Heritage Act 2008 to prevent just this sort of risk to our precious and
fragile forest which is recovering from deforestation in colonial times. Some of
the trees – Kauri – are also endangered from a fungal infection. The trees in this
area are currently fungus free. We have bats, skinks, geckos, native frogs, birds
and other at-risk species living in this forest corridor. And there are also families
living in homes whose boundaries will be right up against the proposed
development. There are other less environmentally sensitive options that could
be taken up. Many thanks!
https://www.toko.org.nz/petitions/stop-watercare-sy-no-to-destruction-of-
native-bush-in-titirangi-for a-water-treatment-plant
I’ve signed and you can too.

/|\
And this from Dido Dunlop – a long-time friend of our Grove:
Dear Friends. I wrote my book “Storm Weathering: a Workbook for our Inner
and Outer Climate’ to help in our challenging times: to stay inspired and
motivated in emotional rough weather, not overcome by fear, powerlessness and
despair. I’d like to share it as widely as possible, so I’m now giving it away for
free as a pdf. You can download the pdf from my website. Here’s the link to the
page: https://wisebirds.org/wp/storm-weathering/. Please forward this
information to anyone you know you might also like it. I hope you enjoy it.
Dido Dunlop”
I have downloaded it and very much look forward to reading it. Many
thanks and Blessings to you Dido.

/|\

TE ARAROA TRACK – Community support NEEDED.

Nga Uruora are asking for help to plant locally grown native trees at
the Pukerua Bay end of the track. Working Bee Sunday July 30 th.
Meet 9.30 at the track start (old Muri Station). Bring spade, gloves,
etc.- children welcome. Further details can be found on the Nga
Uruora website: kapitibush.org.nz.

/|\

A NEW NATIONAL ANTHEM?

Did anyone get a chance to view Bill Wollerman’s alternative lyrics to
‘God Defend New Zealand’ and give him some feedback (Email:
[email protected] )? If you did, it would be great to hear your thoughts.
To recap, the two basic issues are – should it be altered, and what do
you think of Bill’s lyrics (in June GOSSip)? The more opinions, the
more reliable the result. If someone writes a better anthem, that’s
fine – only the best will do – but right now your response would be
invaluable”. Here is the link you need to access the recording
(password: nzanthem) https://vimeo.com/193504872

/|\
 UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday 6th AUGUST

IMBOLC / FIRST LIGHT / BRIGHID / PAKAWERA
(Hongonui, First Light)
11am Imbolc/First Light (Who would like to run this one?
Best to have two people if possible.)
Lunch Please bring food to share
1/1.30pm Labyrinth Blessing with Tau Huirama
Followed by eisteddfod. Topic: Walking our path.
3pm Grove Meeting – separate mini-camps for Bards,
Ovates and Druids; content for SerpentStar; organizing
the 19th Southern Hemisphere Assembly in Aotearoa, etc.

Imbolc or Imbolg (pronounced without the ‘b’) “ewe’s milk”

represents the time of the quickening of the year, the first foetal
stirrings of Spring in the womb of Mother Earth, Papatuanuku.  It is
the only one of the eight Great Festivals given entirely to the Mother
Goddess under many names, Brighid being the central one of the
three, each representing a season. Not only the Celts and Druids, but
also the Aztecs, Tibetans and Greeks all recognised this time as being
one of great importance.
For Maori, First Light comes in the second lunar month of the year,
Pakawera, described as ruarua huangohingohi when the leaves of all
things become shrivelled by frost. However, the inanga (whitebait)
begin to swim upstream and can be caught and at sea the moki are
said to be growing fat. This is a call to venture forth from your winter
‘cave’ and celebrate. Brighid is the goddess associated with sacred
fire, the art of smithing, the fertile earth, healing and poetry so bring
your songs, stories, poems, music, dances, insights, etc. to contribute
to creating our own special ceremony.  
Bring a ‘pot luck’ contribution for the feasting.

PLEASE NOTE: The Quarter Festivals (Samhuinn, Imbolc, Beltane

and Lughnasadh) are for members of the Grove of the Summer Stars
only. The Sun festivals (both Equinoxes and both Solstices) are open
to all

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Sunday 24th September
SPRING EQUINOX / ALBAN EILIR & COMMUNITY EVENT
(Oestre/Te Wha o Mahura/Te Koanga)
11am, Sunday 24th September at The Woolshed
The Spring Equinox ceremony of the Druid tradition is known as
Alban Eilir – ‘Light of the Earth’. Alban Eilir, at the point of balance
between Imbolc and Beltane, as it is at the point of balance between
day and night, is a time for festivity and celebration for it marks the
beginning of a new phase, the beginning of the triumph of light.
In Druidry, Spring is considered so important, that three festivals are
dedicated to this season: Imbolc, marking the first stirrings of Spring,
Alban Eilir marking its more obvious beginning, and Beltane marking
the time of its fullness, before it develops into the very different
quality of Summer.

In ancient Maori society the rising of the star Aotahi (Canopus)

announced the arrival of Spring, together with flowering of kowhai,
rangiora and kotukutuku, the plants of the fourth lunar month
spanning September and October. This was also a sign for kumara
planting to begin. A key event was the return of pipiwharauroa, the
shining cuckoo, from its winter stay in Hawaiki, the legendary Pacific
homeland of the Maori.
In Europe, Spring Equinox was the festival of Eostre, the Saxon
goddess of the dawn and Spring.
Bring your songs, stories, poems, music, dances, insights, etc.
appropriate to the season to contribute to creating our own special
ceremony. Please bring a ‘pot luck’ contribution for the feasting.
 MEMBERS’ NOTICEBOARD

Wednesday 5th July

WELLINGTON’S MAGIC MOOT
At Fidel’s Café on Cuba Street starting at 5.30pm. We will be sitting
out at the picnic tables so dress warm. All levels of Magical belief and
practice welcome and all open-minded and respectful people
welcome. Hope to see a bunch of you there.
Also Pearl will be coming along to discuss and meet people who
might be interested in starting up a study group so you should totally
come and talk with her. Yay.
Polly ([email protected])

/|\

Sunday 9th July

FULL MOON – DAUGHTER MOON / BIRTH OF THE GIRL CHILD
7pm at The Woolshed. For women only.

/|\

Saturday 5th August

NATURE DAYS
10.30am at The Woolshed
Nature Days are for our tamariki to explore outside and develop a
connection with Papatuakuku. It's a time for adults to step back and give
their children opportunity to explore the wonders of nature and make
their own discoveries while we keep them safe and plant seeds in their
minds and hearts.

Sessions will start by gathering at the Storytelling Tree for a sharing of

kai and a story before we set off to play. When children are ready, we
come back in for a sharing circle.
https://goo.gl/forms/cdKcwAU7Pa9lSjpM2. This is an initiative of
Mary’s fully supported by The Woolshed and Grove.

/|\
Tuesday 8th August
FULL MOON – THE MAIDEN
7pm at The Woolshed. For women only.

/|\

THE WHEEL OF SEGAIS – FOUR SEASONS / FOUR ELEMENTS

The Wheel of Segais website is nearly completed so on-line readings

and life planning sessions will be available in the next week or so.
Face-to-face sessions are of course available now!
If you would like to know more about the Wheel of Segais you can go
to this website - http://globalspiritualstudies.com/product/the-wheel-of-
segais/ - where there is a video that contains extracts from the live
presentation I did in May. You can also purchase the full recording of
the class from there.

STIRRING THE CAULDRON

The Grove of the Summer Stars is your Grove. This Newsletter is
your newsletter. So please get involved! I will be sending GOSSip
out every month so if you have anything that you’d like to go in it,
send it along!

BLOGS & MAGS:

Our blog - https://summerstarsgrove.wordpress.com/. Always

something interesting to respond to or contribute. Following our
conversations at Camp and the material we have sent to SerpentStar,
I would expect our blog to be buzzing! If you haven’t read Under the
Summer Stars recently please take a look and respond!

Editions of the Australian OBOD magazine SerpentStar are available

on line: http://serpentstar.druidryaustralia.org/ . SerpentStar
publishes four editions a year – Lughnasadh, Samhuinn, Imbolc and
Beltane. – and our second lot of Aotearoa pages appeared in the
Samhuinn edition. The deadline for submissions to the Imbolc
edition is 25 July. Guidelines for submissions are located
here: https://serpentstar.wordpress.com/about/

You might also like to send your contributions to other blogs or

magazines. There is a blog – druidsdownunder.blogspot.co.nz:
“Druids Down Under has been set up for the purpose of exploring
Druidic spirituality in Australia. “Through combining the inspiration
of our tradition in Druidry with the spiritual essence of the land we
live in, we aim to find a connection with the sacred landscape.”

Druidic Dawn is also a good read. They publish a free global

magazine – Aontacht - 4 times a year – www.DruidicDawn.org - and I
notice in Volume 8, Issue 2, there is a lengthy article from Kristoffer
Hughes. Druidic Dawn has been publishing Aontacht quarterly since
2008.

Yours in the Awen /|\

Pamela (Modron)
2399234 / 0272068876 [email protected]
www.thewoolshedretreats.co.nz