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Alban
Elfed
the air is different today the wind sings with a new tone sighing of changes coming the harvest gathered a flower, a nut some mead, and bread a candle and a prayer returning the fruits in thanksgiving to the grove and receiving it's blessing again |
Nut
Gathering at Alban Eve High Summer breathes her final, burning breath as Father Sun descends the western skies, and gathering clouds as gray as death blend into the haze that over all now lies. This Alban eve brings promise of relief with showers soon, with breezes cool and clear. And whether through conviction, or belief, I see Elfed’s presence drawing near. The ground is deep with fallen leaves and nuts of White and Red Oak, and of Beech, that line and fill the footprints and the ruts which all along the wooded pathway reach. First claim, of course, to chipmunk and to squirrel for bleak mid-Winter sustenance belongs, as all around old leaves descend and twirl about, through feathered autumn songs. Yet here and there on Mother earth I spy an Acorn, or a Beechnut left for me, for stringing, when the snow begins to fly, to decorate Arthan’s Sacred Tree. |
| by Rhawk 9/97 | by Oakwise Alban Elfed 1998 |
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Mellow
fruiting ripeness,
Heavy-scented dampness Hangs coolly on my skin As I drink in autumn Awen. Silver-misty morning, Jewelled cobwebs sparkling, And the sun proclaims the last Of his yellow-golden warmth. Blackbirds sing for joy, Spiders doze in palaces, And I stretch my lazy body, Waking, crying welcome. My love is soft damp autumn, Red-purple rounding fruits, Seeping through my curving, Pulsing rapture through my blood. |
GREETINGS
TO THE AUTUMN EQUINOX Hail! Journeyer of the Heavens, Queen of Brightness, King of Beauty Gifts of gladness richly bringing, Autumn sheaves and red leaves' fall, Generous be the heart within us, Open be our hands to all, Justice to be in equal measure, Harvest thankfulness our call. |
| by Willow | Caitlin Matthews, ‘Celtic Devotional' |