Celebrating Festivals On The Ward

We live as part of a benevolent world, where Elemental Beings are quick to come when called. Hospitals are places of pain, fear and illness and also healing, soothing and kindness. There is a great deal of power that can be called upon here, not least the power of death and birth. We are able to ride that power when we can’t raise our own.

We know that there are others all over the country, all over the world, who are also celebrating this festival, a flow of consciousness and intent is formed that we can also ride when we can’t raise our own.

First thing in the morning or last thing at night are more likely to be quiet and peaceful on the ward. Whether you’re alone or have someone with you to celebrate, let the staff know so that you’re less likely to be disturbed, and pull the curtains. You don’t need any tools.

Set your intent

You are celebrating a seasonal festival, recognising yourself as part of the circulating ocean of birth, death and rebirth. As a religion of balance we know that Brigid and the Caileach are one, that Beltaine is the same as Samhain, that celebrating Samhain does not make us more likely to die, or celebrating Beltaine more likely to become young. We know that wellbring is linked to remembering that the seasons flow through us, that we are part of the wholeness of the Circle and the balance of the Elements.

Ground

You are the centre of the circle, feel for the self that you become in ritual when Deity comes to the fore. Be Here Now.

Invoke the Elements

In your minds eye, in the Otherworld, look to the cardinal point that you usually begin with and call to the Being that resides there to come and stand in Its place in the circle. Call to all 4 quarters, and they will Be Here Now.

Imagine yourself and the Elements casting the circle

North calling to East, East to South, South to West, West back to North. Perhaps animals associated with each quarter run, fly or swim to the next, casting the circle as they go.

The circle can be a bubble or a henge, the path of the sun and moon, the movement of an atom, whatever you feel most familiar and comfortable with, creating a beneficent membrane which will contain you, the Elements and whatever other loving creatures are meant to be there. Just doing this much, simply marking the difference of a change in season is entirely sufficient. If you want to do more in the Otherworld, talking with Deity, observing whatever is with you in this magical place, whatever it is, just do it.

You don’t need any tools other than your will.

If you want to do ritual, it will happen.

When you’re ready to return to the Apparent world, thank whoever has been with you there. The Elemental beings know what to do, and they’ll do it with you, revivifying the elemental parts of you, uncasting the circle, returning to wherever they came from.

Remember that whatever happens in ritual is part of the ritual, so if you’re disturbed that is something to make sense of, something that was meant to occur. Be peaceful.