Chat Host:

IF YOU WILL ALL TAKE YOUR SEATS WE WILL BEGIN OUR CLASS
MERRY MEET AND WELCOME TO WICCA 101!
Tonight our class is being offered by Annwyn.
Her topic is called The Blessingway.
During class, please keep all greetings, farewells and side conversations in Instant Message. Likewise, please hold all questions and comments until discussion is called for by our host. Disrupters will be warned once by the Chat Host. If disruptive behavior persists their exclusion will be called for. When an exclusion is called, all are asked to do so WITHOUT comment either to or about the excludee. In case of disaster {g} could one or two of you who plan on attending the entire class please log as back up? Annwyn? I surrender the floor to you m'dear!

ANNWYN:

Thanx. As Chatty posted and announced, this class is about the Blessingway... this is traditionally a Native American ceremony... so as not to chase any of you away if you are looking for Wicca 101... this is it... I am NOT trying to pass off NA as Wiccan. The wonder and depth of our religion is based on our ability to use all that is available to us to understand and relink to the Goddess. I came across this ceremony through Women's Study literature and found its simple structure beautiful and moving... felt that quiver of understanding in my womb chakra... thought it was Anglesey giving me a good kick{G}, then realized what I had discovered was a dimly lit archive relating the physical birth experience that when held to the imaginal light revealed a luminescent path to and from the cauldron of transformation.

Although the Blessingway has different applications this class is concerned with that of the birth process... and my reason for presenting it to you will become apparent. If you think about it... we are all currently "expecting"... hmmmm{G} My initial interest in this was related to the impending birth of my daughter... but in my study of the ceremony found the Blessingway to be used by other Pagans. Some Dianics use a Blessingway ceremony in the spring to prepare for the birth of Aradia... For the Navajos - the BW is as old as the Navajo people themselves. Before any further mentions is made of the NA connection let me make this very emphatic disclaimer: "THIS IS NOT AND IN NO WAY CLAIMS TO BE THE NAVAJO TRADITIONAL BLESSINGWAY." In seeking more info on the "pure" form of the ceremony which includes us as a blessing for several rites of Passage I was severely chastised by members of the NA community for even considering "attempting" this ceremony. I was encouraged to give it up... that to do the ceremony imperfectly could bring ill results... apparently, in the NA trad, the ceremonies are repeated motion for motion... word for word as they have been done for centuries... any variation or changes are considered wampum -big NO NO. Being funny... no disrespect intended... I have great respect for such dedication.

In Wicca... words, motions, symbols that are implemented time and again bring a stronger sense of understanding and connects to the collective consciousness with ease... freeing our inner mind to fully become and integrate the experience of the work we are doing. At the same time however... it allows and even encourages spontaneity almost like a gestalt type thing... something that "occurs" to us can sometimes be the most profound although we take what we are doing seriously... we do not take OURSELVES "TOO" seriously. Our religion is relevant to our current needs and is constantly evolving. It embraces the changing world around us as a foundation for our understanding while harboring a deep respect for the ancestors. There is NO "gospel truth"... there is simply TRUTH. The Navajo's believe... as I understand it... that any omission of or changes in the ceremony from the ancient form which was handed down by the Holy People is simply not done as it invalidates the purpose or causes bad return even the chance of human error is covered by particular words sung at the end of the ceremony to "correct any errors and assure the pleasure of the Holy People and to remind everyone present of the goals and ideals of the Navajo Culture." I explained that I meant no disrespect to them, but rather was so moved by the INTENT of the BW... although my inspiration came from a ceremony that was probably a twice removed cousin from the original.

I wanted to include it in my upcoming birth... and I felt that the roots of both of our religions though different paths now sprang from the same human mindset and need to express and understand our existence... beginning with a connection to the Primal Mother. The general purpose of the Blessingway is to bless the "one sung over" to ensure good luck, good health and blessings for that pertains to them... to insure a good result over the one it is sung... it was given by the HOLY PEOPLE to the EARTH SURFACE PEOPLE shortly after they came to exist... included in the BW chant... is the creation myth along with creation of the BW itself. The BW has close ties to Changing Woman who basically is the Mother of all... she brings the seasons... teaches us the cycles of existence... seed to corn... spring to winter... birth to dying... and is closely linked to the blood/moon cycles waxing and waning. The BW also includes Spider Woman... who weaves the fabric of existence. Sound familiar? These images are intrinsic to Wicca... these Goddesses are part of us though they may be called by different names and... the heart of the Blessingway belongs also to us... As we travel the Year Wheel, we are approaching the birth of the Sun Child. This birth in psychological terms makes each of us both the mother and the one being birthed. We are also that which is behind... that which is just past... death leading to birth... In the BW... childbirth is approached as both a physical and a spiritual experience. Childbirth can be "an act of worship... a sacred sexual expression given not only to the family and community, but a gift to the Goddess." Focusing only on the biological side we miss the chance to unify body and spirit... as above so below... so that focusing only on the SPIRITUAL or archetypal application.

At Yule... we forfeit the opportunity to bring understanding into our physical existence... to make our religion walk the walk... not just talk the talk. There is a growth and integration process beginning at Mabon and facilitated by the Dark Mother at Samhain that reaches its apex at the Solstice, the day with the longest night... It is at this time that we must totally accept the power from the dark not shy away from it... not ignore it... not simply cast it away... but acknowledge it... know it... thank it... I see this as the same process that women face in their life cycle that is to acknowledge the Crone in order to claim our full power. Birth brings up many fears as those of us having gone through the experience can tell you many are unnamed... they are just there... there is a true surrender that must occur in order to CLEAR the passage for the birth. There must be acceptance of the WHOLE person to withstand this process in which the mother is literally turned inside out to reveal the universe... she becomes the dark... the void... from which all proceeds the becoming process that of the child into this world... that of maiden to Mother, that of child to man, the promise of a new idea or way of life into reality... demands an integration of the whole... or we enter this new phase not in possession of our full potential. We are like a house without its frame... no matter how many pretty wall coverings or what expensive brick we mask the structure with we compromise the integrity of the building by excluding the not so pretty HIDDEN strengths and supports that lie in the dark. That which has hurt us or been painful in our lives... has usually brought our strengths. That which is dark may be DARK only by anther's definition... or may be the bearer of those times... that bring us the strength... the understanding. Now how does this apply specifically to the Blessingway... teehee... Jung said something like it takes me several weeks to recover from the futility of words.

It was the BW simplicity that I most admired... and it speaks of what I have been so wordy with. Remember now this is a modified approach... and mixture of my own and the original. Decide if the ceremony is to be indoors or out. Consider who will be there and make any changes necessary to make everyone comfortable. Outside is preferable... with altar facing North representing the Earth Womb. Mark circle area with Stones or cornmeal... size dependent on those attending...this could be just YOU... or many. Prepare special seat for the Mother in North... elevated if possible... Corn seeds under seating area. Candles in four directions if weather permits. PROCEED WITH USUAL OR MODIFIED CASTING OF CIRCLE. Each guest is smudged... mother smudged and led into circle. Begin by explaining the ceremony. In the BW prayers and songs are given at this point in which the Grandmother's are invited to join in... the Great Mother is manifest in all aspect of the ceremony. In a Wiccan BW... the Goddess of choice should be asked to join. I simply used Great Primal Mother... and included names of those associated with birth and birthing. The songs and prayers include the creation myth... and how spirit is in everything... and always with thanks after singing... yarn is brought out and tied to each person's wrist ( a new twist I am sure... and traditionally all women). Men can be included for greater balance and partnership. Story of Spider Woman is included... with words about us all being bound as "From a woman we are born in to this circle. From a woman we are born into this world." This can be modified for male participation

Red Deer:

Why modify, Annie... we are born of woman also?

ANNWYN:

PaleHawk:

please

WinterBirch:

Please?

ANNWYN:

ok

Red Deer:

yes, please

ANNWYN:

I took the cleaning and clearing process a bit further... actually did it as a pathworking before the BW... taking a journey to the cauldron of transformation. I think if you take the basic biological application of the BW from above... you can easily go from there....
And with that...I open the floor

ViragoWitch:

Brava, Annwyn! Brava! Many thanks for sharing a beautiful ceremony...

Red Deer:

Excellent Annie!!!

melilot:

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ann}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

PaleHawk:

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Annie}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Very Good Thank you

ANNWYN:

Hey nearest thing to a break I've had in three months{G}

Chat Host:

VERY good class!

Red Deer:

rofl...

breezerider:

Bravo

calluna:

Thank you so much

ANNWYN:

You are all very welcome... any questions?

Well Water:

Annie, give Kelley a hug for me... nicely done

Chat Host:

and she was so good for the entire hour too! What a wonderful baby!

Red Deer:

I can't believe she's almost 3 months old!

PaleHawk:

LOL.... already

Red Deer:

yes

ANNWYN:

Will Pond... Kelley is hovering waiting for relief...

RD..yep they grow fast...

Chat Host:

lol I bet!

Red Deer:

why would you want to modify the chant for male participation??? Birth is a female process and we ALL are born of woman besides, we get to be directly involved in the more FUN part {vbeg}

ViragoWitch:

LOL...

PaleHawk:

LOL

ANNWYN:

teehee...even though you are a strong proponent of the Mama's little flirt... Daddy's little squirt philosophy twin... I still love you

Red Deer:

{--- but was also very involved in the birthing of our two

PaleHawk:

{{{ Love you all, Merry Part }}}

Chat Host:

MP Pale

ANNWYN:

BB PH

melilot:

talis is that you or morr

Red Deer:

seriously... I wouldn't change the focus at all... even for male participation

Talis:

Morrigan

Chat Host:

does anyone have any questions for Annwyn?

Talis:

Nope

melilot:

where's talis

ANNWYN:

I hope that this is beneficial to regular birth... but also to the birth process that we all go through... many many times in our lives

Talis:

He is being a couch potato

melilot:

tell him meli said nanananan

Talis:

Ok

ANNWYN:

Chatty the bag you have... was built with all the above intentions

Chat Host:

well, it is very timely for me Annie, as you know. I appreciate it

Chat Host:

I knew that!

Red Deer:

how much longer Chatty?

Chat Host:

about a week and a half

Trollfrog:

ah...Yule child

ViragoWitch:

no... a week! {G}

Red Deer:

you know, there is a Friday the 13th in December as well!

Trollfrog:

he he

melilot:

stick her with a pin and it'll happen on the 13th

Chat Host:

LOL VW

MooonWillow:

Bet you can't wait!!

ANNWYN:

Go for it Chatty

Chat Host:

cut it out y'all!

Chat Host:

it will come when it's time is ready

Red Deer:

wouldn't it be kewl if we, annie and you all had Fri 13th girls?

melilot:

::::pokin chatty in da butt with a broom chanting... stay in until the 13th

Chat Host:

lol

ViragoWitch:

Chatty - what if s/he isn't ready for another month? {G}

Chat Host:

uh

ANNWYN:

Mel... you must go through Butt aversion therapy

Trollfrog:

can name it "jason"

ViragoWitch:

::chanting over the belly:: Come out on the 8th!::

Chat Host:

that's different

ViragoWitch:

LOL... butt-aversion therapy?

Talis:

Hello

Chat Host:

BING! it's ready!

melilot:

i did ann, you should of seen me before the therapy {EG}

Chat Host:

{---cutting the logs now {g}

Talis:

Why do

ANNWYN:

LOL Mel

Chat Host:

well, the little thing sure is active these days

melilot:

kicking up a storm is it chatty

Red Deer:

whoa, trollie... Friday the 13 babies are WONDERFUL... aren't they Annie?

Chat Host:

more like jazzercise Meli

melilot:

well if we're going by yours red they are {G}

ANNWYN:

Yep. those 13thers are GREAT

melilot:

if we're going by some others i've met i'll argue it with you {G}

ViragoWitch:

Chatty- Hopefully, it will not take after me! {if s/he does, you will not get any rest until that baby is in his/her 30's!}

Trollfrog:

who said 13 was bad? jason be my middle name

Red Deer:

ours came home from hospital sleeping 8 hours per night

Chat Host:

wow Red!

Red Deer:

oh, I thought you meant like Jason in the movie FRI 13th

Chat Host:

that is impressive

ANNWYN:

Is is a boy?.. do you know Chatty?

ViragoWitch:

LOL... I have slept 5-6 hrs/night {maximum!} from birth!

Chat Host:

no Annie, we tried to look, but it wouldn't let us see

Trollfrog:

[that too... he he he]

melilot:

i wanna talk to El maybe HE just slept threw the eight hours and didn't hear nothing {EG}

Chat Host:

LOL Meli!

ViragoWitch:

:}

ANNWYN:

Crossing its legs... huh?

calluna:

lol

Red Deer:

bite me but, meli

Chat Host:

you got it!

melilot:

glad too red {EG}

ANNWYN:

Gotta scoot all... taped the Xfiles...{G}

Chat Host:

but I got to see all other manner of organs and whatnots

ANNWYN:

MP

ViragoWitch:

heh heh...

Chat Host:

MP Annwyn

ViragoWitch:

MP Annwyn

melilot:

{s biteme}

Red Deer:

she was incapacitated from a C-section... I took care of BOTH of them for two weeks

calluna:

mp

Red Deer:

{s amok}

ViragoWitch:

Nurse Red-Deer? {g}

Chat Host:

aw Red! Such a good mate!

Red Deer:

good nurse too!

melilot:

awwww red your so SWEET

Chat Host:

brb all. time to derobe

ViragoWitch:

Loki was a pretty good nurse when I miscarried. I think he's in the wrong field!