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UESN EVENTS No.1
"A wonderful opening," the people in the dining room at Hucklow were saying as I arrived late. We had been lost on the M60!! I was sad to miss the opening ritual led by Vernon Marshall exhorting East and West, North and South to be here together. For blessings of Earth, Sea and Sky. To invoke peace throughout the whole world and to lay aside all disturbing thoughts.
To ask, "Come back to us Lady, and bring the Spring". The "wonderful opening" was just the beginning of the riches of the weekend. Lyanne closed the evening as she led us on a visualised cycle ride around Bute as our meditation.
Meditation was led on Saturday by Rosemary and David Arthur where they directed our thoughts to think of the year turning from green to gold, from copper to bronze and finally to white encrusted with diamonds as we meditated on the meaning of Imbolc.
"Dream, dream, deep within, the spark of it, deep within" A chant led by Helen Royall as a prelude to a funny and meaningful Imbolc story.
"Merlin and the Stars" was the theme of a morning presentation by Gordon Strachan, our guest speaker, an expert on astrology and mythology. How does one brain hold so many thoughts without notes? A fascinating look at astrology since 6 BC and how church and world history aligns itself with the stars. Look out for Gordon`s book soon to come out called "The Return of Merlin." What a privilege to listen to him.
In the afternoon choice between glass painting with Cynthia Dickinson, poetry with Betty McKellar, charcoal drawing expressing spiritual creativity with David Forrester (David had cards to buy on the
bookstall), Songs and Chants with Rowan and Willow Songsmith and local ramble and circle dance with Margery
McKay. Such riches for one afternoon how on earth do I choose? Christine Mackenzie had a display of her breathtaking embroidered pictures (the real ones are so much better than the photographs that I had seen).
A creative sharing session where Lyanne Mitchell spoke on the meaning of Imbolc a time of healing and the spark of new life was held on Saturday evening. Healing in the past had been represented by snakes and indeed some think that Druids were also called snakes and this might be what is meant by St Patrick banishing them from Ireland.
The group took sticks and bound them with coloured ribbons, shiny adhesive strips, spots and dots, coloured wool and string and turned them into snakes which were then laid as the rays of the sun around a circular tray of lighted candles. Whilst binding the sticks in a meditative way we thought of someone who needed healing. As we thought some members shared a special personal item with the rest of the group and placed it on the altar. Saturday closed with meditation led by Tony McNeile and some went to the Queen Ann for a quiet drink.
Sunday, first breakfast and then service in old Chapel led by John Harley again using Imbolc, water and groundhog day as the inspiring theme. Finally the group met for a business meeting and closing ritual led by Cynthia Dickinson and Rowan and Willow assisting the singing group to sing a chant written by Willow and to join their voices in harmony.
To begin to thank any individual would leave out others so all I can say about this weekend of the Unitarian Earth Spirit Network is what riches, what talent, what wonderful friendships, what diversity, what creativity ! How many superlatives can I use, but wow. You too could become part of this organisation by contacting David Arthur, 27 Barnes Avenue, Wakefield WS1 2BG Tel 01924 378412.
But after all I will close with thanks; firstly to David Arthur who organised and administrated the bookings for the weekend and to Lyanne Mitchell who as always had worked so hard for the group.
See you all at GA.
(Photos courtesy of Tony McNeile)
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'My brain was stretched inside-out, making Imbolc
snakes from sticks......and discovering sacred
geometry - alongside circle dancing, singing
and the rest. Laughter and love abound in Hucklow
which is a very special place for me.'
Beverley Brown
"The weekend started for me around 9.30 on Friday morning. I had battled through the rush hour for half an hour listening to 'Desert Island Discs' in the traffic jams, but as soon as I joined the second traveller of our group the mood lifted. The regeneration began at once and when all five of us were gathered and speeding south on that lovely day the omens were all good. Whatever we all did in the two days, it worked, because at home on Monday, the crocuses were flowering on all the grass verges around town!"
Muriel Robertson
"Just a note to say what a great weekend it was. I
enjoyed every minute. Well done!
Bright Blessings"
Vernon Marshall
"We both want to say thank you for the week-end. It
was great to have so many people there and such a good
programme. It seemed to gel really well."
Tony and Marijke
"What a memorable weekend amongst all the Earth
Spirits in Hucklow! It was friendly, well-run and
enjoyable in a most worthwhile way . It was a joy to
meet you all and sheer pleasure to see Christine's
artwork which inspired me to write "Words in Green
Silk" for the next File."
Betty McKellar ( first time attender )
"We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. John Harley was an
inspired choice to lead the Sunday service in Hucklow
Chapel."
Janet Briggs
What we Loved best about Imbolc this year:-
Betty's poetry – it was a privilege to hear her recite it in her lovely, rich voice.
The snakes on Saturday – magical and spectacular.
The blessing from the water of the west on Sunday.
The sheer hard work from Lyanne – thank you.
The ease of administration – thank you David.
The service from John Harley – our idea of what a Unitarian service should be – moving, uplifting, witty, interesting, apposite, spiritual, connected and inclusive – thank you John.
Christine's beautiful textile picture of the Green Man chant.
Helen's wonderful chant 'The Spark I Am.'
Rowan and Willow Songsmith
Once again the Earth Spirit Networkers had an excellent weekend of friendship and fun, celebrating Imbolc at Great Hucklow. There are so many good things to say that they won't all fit on my postcard - so I'll just pick two favourite bits.
First, the talk on Merlin and the Stars by Gordon Strachan .... and I nearly missed it! Because it wasn't on the theme of spring/Imbolc I thought of going out for a brisk walk in the fresh country air. But I was so glad I changed my mind. What a wonderful speaker, what fresh ideas, what an interesting topic. I am now looking forward to buying the book.
Finally, the closing ritual, something I (with Rowan & Willow) had prepared. What made it so special for me was the way it (coincidentally?) included bits of just about everything else that had happened over the weekend, even though I'd had no idea what other people would be doing. It made me feel that the weekend was "complete". Looking forward to Beltane 2007.
Cynthia Dickinson