The colors were starting to show in the hills surrounding SweetWood on Friday September 27th. I had just finished mowing the grass for the field road leading back to SweetWood when the first Earth Keeper arrived. She was all excited about being out on the land. I went home to finish chores and get ready for Saturday’s work and play. On Friday evening several more Earthkeepers arrived. Next morning they all talked about how beautiful the night sky had been the previous evening, very clear and starry.
A couple and their 8 year old son looked for a site for a pet cemetery to bury their two family cats. They chose a place within sight of SweetWood’s sacred circle so they would not be lonely. This place is a very fine spot and has burial room for more pets in the surrounding area.
Several Earthkeepers built a new tent site, this is one is fairly large. The campsite that this tent site is part of needs one more tent site to be built. I will try to finish it this year. The tent site needed to be terraced a bit. There was a bit of good conversation and good cheer as we worked on this site.
Some EarthKeepers brought a picnic table that was donated by a friend of SweetWood. Other Earthkeepers planted hostas along the trail from the hay field to the sacred circle while others weeded and planted seeds in several flowerbeds.
One Earthkeeper took up the task to take a wood chisel and make a hole large enough in the pole, upon which a Green man face hangs, for a carved grape wood phallus I made. Everyone got into joking about the hole but we all agreed the phallus looked good when place in the hole. We also talked about using the phallus as part of a Beltaine/Spring ritual at SweetWood next year to invoke the Green God energy.
Then as evening approached everyone gathered themselves for a water sharing ritual and fest. Thanks to those Earthkeepers who built the fire for all to gather around. The child and I honored the directions and the Earthkeepers spoke for the elements and for the ancestors, descendents and the community heart. We then shared water acknowledging we are a community of Beings who recognize Divinity in all things including our Selves. The fest started and there was good cheer all around. Then the rain came and cut the feasting a bit short. Some of the Earthkeeepers came over my home for an evening hot tub soak.
Next morning cleared and was warm and beautiful day. The hay field was filled with moths fluttering in the gentle breeze and an occasional monarch butterfly would fly by. I was invited to have breakfast with the rest of the Earthkeepers (pancakes and maple syrup) and we all had a pleasant morning. What a good group of Earthkeepers! We all had smiles again as we left SweetWood this year. A big “THANK YOU” to the Earthkeepers for your community spirit and work done at SweetWood’s Earthkeepers autumn gathering.
Never Thirst
Iacchus