Grove of 4

Light of Summer, 2010

2010-07-03T18:51:00.002-04:00

Just Kevin, Shannon and Michael for Litha this year.

Spring Equinox - 2010

2010-04-18T20:15:00.002-04:00

We all met at one of our favourite spots on the Saco River. Held a nice ritual on a mountain top in the brisk wind with the roar of the falls...posed for a photo and then had a pleasant jaunt in the woods down to the river.

Imbolc 2010

2010-02-10T20:10:00.000-05:00

Gathered at Joanne's house. Held a short and simple ritual on the deck at sunset and then got creating with our hopes and aspirations for the year in JT's nice warm and well lit livingroom.

Samhain 2009

2009-11-01T23:44:00.003-05:00

We gathered at Lynne's place for Samhain this year. Carved some pumpkins, had a wonderful fire and altar for our dead and then feasted inside for a while. Click on this image for a larger photo essay...

Beltaine 2009

2009-05-05T17:40:00.004-04:00

Joanne wasn't able to attend, but the remainder of the Gover of 4 attended the 27th Annual Beltaine at Popham Beach.

Photos of the event HERE.

Ostara 2009

2009-03-29T21:02:00.002-04:00

Only the original four of us were able to make it for an Ostara ritual this year. We chose to visit the Saco River as we've not done so in a while. We ventured out to the Nature Sanctuary near the power dam in Hiram and after a vigorous hike in often knee deep snows down the trail to get to the river, we held our casual rite to welcome the soon to be quickening of Spring.
(click any photo for larger view)

Imbolc, 2009

2009-02-02T10:06:00.001-05:00

A nice afternoon at Kevin and Shannon's with the entire Grove. We each toasted Spring at the halfway point of Winter and welcomed the onset from atop the deep snows and then went back into the yurt to have some tasty munchies and warm company.

Our Imbolc Altar

The Ladies of the Grove

Imbolc Sunrise over Heronswood.

Samhain 2008

2008-11-11T00:19:00.002-05:00

We met at Joanne's space for the first time for this year's Samhain ritual. This was one of those rare times when we could all get together all at once. The grrrls stayed all visited at Michael's house (graciously watched over by Tracey) all recovering from their sugar overdose from Halloween the night before.

We made up a feast plate of favourite foods in honour of our Ancestors and we made up masks prior to the ritual exemplifying that which we want to rid ourselves of this year and then burned them in the fire.

Also got the chance to update our Grove Portrait for the year.

A short photo essay may be seen by clicking on this photo collage:

Alban Elfed 2008

2008-10-05T17:27:00.004-04:00

We met at Kevin & Shannon's house (sadly minus Lynne and Joanne who couldn't be with us) to celebrate Alban Elfed.
Click the collage to see these photos in better detail.

Alban Hefin, 2008

2008-06-24T22:56:00.002-04:00

We met at Kevin & Shannon's land and built another Greenman there to watch over our hopes and aspirations for the summer growing season of 2008. Sadly Lynne could not attend our celebration, but our newest member Joanne was able to attend.

(click for photo essay of our Ritual.)

Alban Eilir, 2008 C.E.

2008-03-24T13:07:00.005-04:00

Missing our dear grovemate Lynne, who couldn't be with us, we gathered together on Saturday the 22nd of March at Kevin and Shannon's place to hold ritual to celebrate entering the Lightest half of the year and the beginning of the end to this very long and snowy Winter that has taken much physical and mental toll on all Mainers.

As always we shared the warmth of good friends and giggles and joy of the next generation of Paganism. We crafted Icons of our Winter Frustrations and mid ritual hacked them into oblivion with much relish then enjoyed some lovely lemon tarts, a fine blackberry malomel mead and headed into the toasty yurt for even more tasty snacks.

Click on this photo of our spartan Altar and enjoy a photo essay of our snow smashing fun.

Samhain 2007

2007-11-03T11:00:00.001-04:00

We gathered at our circle at Heronswood and put together our plates that we were going to offer to our Ancestors and proceeded down to the circle for ritual. Afterward we returned to the house and held our own feast in honour of closing out the year and beginning the new.

The adult members of the Grove of 4 in our glowing circle...the next generation were huddled on the other side of the fire.

Our 2007 Samhain altar in honour of our people.

Grove of 4...The next generation.

Alban Elfed, 2007 C.E.

2007-10-18T11:07:00.000-04:00

It was a nice evening saying goodbye to our Summer King...

Alban Hefin (Light of Summer), 2007 C.E.

2007-06-24T22:16:00.000-04:00

The Grove met in the crisp afternoon light at Kevin and Shannon's place to build a Summer King and to celebrate this time of frenetic and effective masculine energy.

Here are some photos from the afternoon...

Some of our ladies wove summer flowers into their hair...

A Green Man.

We begin to build the Summer King...

Our Ideal Masculine has a big heart...

The Summer Altar...Simple, but effective

The Grove of 4...(minus one who was celebrating a birthday with other family.)

Offering libation to the Summer King...

A portriat with the Grove and our Newly blossomed Man of Green...

A bit difficult to see otherwise green on green...this is He...

Here He will stand guardian at Kevin and Shannon's place over our hopes and dreams for this year's harvest until Autumn's Harvest when we will burn and release him (and that which he guards) for a well deserved longWinter's rest.

Imbolc, 2007

2007-04-23T20:43:00.001-04:00

We gathered and wandered to an outlook over the Saco River and held a short but sweet Imbolc ritual. Grove of 4: The Next Generation joined us, but sadly Lynne couldn't make it.

The Mighty Saco River.

Yule, 2006

2007-01-01T13:22:00.000-05:00

Our Ritual.

Shannon lights the yurt.

The Grove of 4 and our other loved ones.

Samhain 2006

2006-11-06T18:23:00.000-05:00

This year's Samhain Altar.

Photos from Past Celebrations

2006-05-14T14:54:00.000-04:00

I just got a new PC for work and was moving my files and found a number of photographs from our past celebrations as a Grove. Here are some of them...

Summer Solstice at Americas oldest Neolithic Stone Circle.

Our last circle as a Grove at Kevin and Shannon's former home in Bar Mills.

Lughnasadh Altar 2005.

Samhain Altar, 2005 on Kevin and Shannon's new land.

Baltaine 2006

2006-05-01T00:09:00.000-04:00

We went to the huge (well, by Maine standards) public Beltaine celebration at Popham Beach State Park today. This was the 24th anniversary of this event at Popham Beach and it was nice to have most of the Grove there. (Sadly, Mayleen couldn't make it.)

Here are some of the photos of the Grove that Michael (and Beth) made...

Shaz weaving the Maypole.

Nona Lynne weaving with the budding Druid "Cammy."

Shaz helping tie off the weaves.

Kevin accepting the horn of short mead during Harper Meader's Blessing of the Bikes ceremony.

A photo that Michael's 7 year old daughter (and future Photo Bard) Beth made of her daddy working his Bardic skills with a camera.

Name this moon!

2006-04-04T10:32:00.000-04:00

As the April rains soak the fields and forests of our lands, and the first green blades of grass peek through the debris of autumn, what speaks to us most urgently during this moon? What name would you give to a moon that brings both snow and mud, 65 degree days and freezing sleet?

2006 Photo

2006-03-23T23:44:00.000-05:00

LtoR: Michael, Lynne, Kevin, Shannon and Mayleen
(another option.)

Imbolc 2006

2006-02-05T23:29:00.000-05:00

The wheel turns again
the new year yawns and shivers
waking in the cold.

come to the warm fire
think hard on the paths we choose
as Earth starts to stir

twelve weeks till Beltaine
not much time at all really
how will we spend it?

making fast our plans?
or snuggled up together
enjoying our warmth?

at Yule we made vows,
laid plans and preparations
for the year we'd live

will it come to pass?
only we know our own truth
and can make it so.

~Aracos

Aracos's Circle for the Grove

2005-11-19T00:16:00.000-05:00

This stone circle is made from granite blocks that were cut and laid as part of the foundation of a 1789 Federal style house. The house stood for well over 200 years and was burned beyond repair in 1995 at which time the granite was salvaged.

It is situated in a secluded pine grove several hundred yards from the dirt road which is itself a mile in the Maine woods.

View from the Altar to the Eastern Stone.

View from behind the Wetern Stone across the Altar to the Eastern Stone.

View from the Altar to the Southern Stone.

View from the Altar to the Western Stone.

View from the Altar to the Northern Stone.

Grove of 4

2005-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

The founding members...

Michael, Mayleen, Shannon and Kevin