Oath Rite Reflections Essay
January 17th, 2010
My Oath Rite was interesting due to the fact that a couple of us had intended to give our Dedicant Oaths during the Grove’s Yule ritual, however we had to reschedule the ritual due to 20 inches of sudden snow fall. Because our Yule ritual was to be about how we, as Pagans, have been “walking our talk” over the past year and what we’ve accomplished to present to the Gods and Kindred, several members opted to still hold the Yule ritual in the snowed-in privacy of our own homes.
In other words, even though I had spent time thinking about what I wanted to say for my actual Oath, I was now presented with a new problem: putting together an entire high rite with only the materials I had on hand. I scrambled to prepare all of the necessary parts while my friends (Grove mates) literally walked miles in the snow to my apartment to hold our Yule High Rite and keep our promise to the Gods. While they were walking over, I was going through all the ritual materials I had available to me, and also digging out a ritual space on my balcony (which was more like a snow pit).
What did wind up happening was utterly magical. The howling winds and blowing snow (and my thawing friends) really set the stage for honoring the Norse kindred, which was who we had slated to honor at the Grove if the snow hadn’t dumped it’s wrath all over us. It put me in the correct mindset with regards to what it means to be dedicated to a cause.
We spent a great deal of time setting up, as we wanted to make sure we did everything carefully.
Here are some photos of the set up:
I re-dedicated my ring with the blood red stone to my Patroness as proof of my dedication and also to express my love for Her. I also dedicated my Raven Torc to her as a symbol of my strength in her, and my dedication to remain fearless in my spirituality. I also dedicated an ancient shark’s tooth necklace to Manannan MacLir in return for His bearing witness to my Oath, and also to symbolize my thanks and gratitude to him for guarding the spirits of my ancestors.
In reading my Oath, I was shaking from the cold and from all of the energy around me. I made only one mistake in misreading a line, but all things considered it meant the same even with the mess up so I’m not too concerned. I really felt the presence of the Kindred that evening. During our offerings segment, it struck all three of us attendees that we should offer up songs. Somehow, despite the bitter cold and shaking a bit in the wind, I found my voice again and let my ancestors hear it once more after a long period of silence. It had been so long since I had the nerve to sing on my own, and so long since I managed to remember every lyric to a song. I felt them smile, somehow, and I knew that my Oath would be heard. I felt a sense of accomplishment and even a little pride in the strength of our little group.
Because the Rite we did was intended to be a full ADF High Rite, we drew an Omen for the Rite and those of us that gave our Oaths pulled their own personal Omen for their Dedication. I drew a single card just after I ducked in the door to put away the first round of supplies. I drew the 3 of Pentacles from the Mystic Dreamer Tarot deck (which contains photographs of some of my friends who attended this Yule Rite, actually) It assured me that everything I have been trying hard to do is going according to plan. I’m making progress, and getting back into the creative flow that I had lost for a little while. The photography business I am starting up is doing rather well so far, so on all counts this was a reassuring and positive card to draw for my Dedicant Omen.
Not two seconds after I drew the card, my husband had come out from his bedroom to join me in the kitchen and wrapped his arms around me from behind as I read the card. It was cavity inducing and adorable. While I was shifting though to move on with the question of whether or not my Oath had been accepted floating around in my head, some of the hot wax fell from the candle I was carrying and sealed my Oath ring to my finger. (see the last picture) This action, and the Omen of the Card I drew suggested to me that my Dedication had been accepted.
Truly, it was a magic night.
(word count: 774)