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Awen
The Awen symbol is more than just a design; it’s a concept that can shape how we live, think, and move through the world. Its three rays of light represent key forces that guide everything around us: spirit, knowledge, and action. These forces are not isolated—they work together, creating a balance that can help us navigate our lives with clarity and purpose.
What the Three Rays of Awen Mean
The three lines of the Awen remind us that life is about balance. Each ray represents an essential part of our journey, and all three need to be in harmony for us to thrive.
The Left Ray: Spirit The top ray is about connection—our connection to the divine, to the universe, to that deeper part of ourselves. This is the inspiration and creativity that spark ideas and guide us toward our higher purpose. It’s that clarity we get when we step outside, breathe deeply, and feel aligned with the world. It’s about being attuned to something greater than ourselves.
In modern life, this could be like finding quiet moments to reflect, meditate, or be still. It’s about tapping into that place of inner peace and allowing it to guide you, no matter how busy your days get.
The Center Ray: Knowledge The Middle Ray is all about wisdom. The intellectual side is the understanding and insight that help us make sense of the world. Knowledge helps us take the spiritual inspiration from the upper ray and put it into something tangible. But it’s not just about book smarts—the practical knowledge allows us to take action, solve problems, and grow.
For most of us, this means learning something new daily through reading, working, or having meaningful conversations. The knowledge helps us move forward and stay grounded in reality.
The Right Ray: Action The bottom ray is where everything comes to life. Action is how we turn spirit and knowledge into something tangible. It’s the work we put in, the decisions we make, the steps we take toward bringing our ideas into the world. Without action, inspiration and knowledge remain just ideas.
In everyday terms, this means doing something with what you know and feel. It’s about getting things done—whether pursuing a career goal, creating art, or simply making a positive change in your life. Without action, nothing moves.
Why Awen Matters: The Balance of Life
The Awen symbol doesn’t just show us three separate ideas; it teaches us how those ideas work together in the cycle of life. We experience this balance in everything around us—creation, preservation, and destruction are ongoing forces in the natural world. For something new to be created, old things must be let go. This cycle isn’t something to fear; it’s essential to growth.
The Awen reminds us that life isn’t just about action or knowledge. It’s also about moments of stillness and connection. When all three rays—spirit, knowledge, and action—are in balance, that’s when we find true harmony. And this is the flow of life we’re meant to ride.
Bringing the Awen into Your Life
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle—focusing too much on work or intellectual pursuits while neglecting our spiritual side. We might get so caught up in the daily grind that we forget to slow down, reflect, or reconnect with what truly matters. The Awen is a gentle nudge to check in with ourselves and ensure we align with all three rays.
Ask yourself:
Spirit: How often do you pause, reflect, and connect with something greater than yourself? Do you make space for moments of inspiration?
Knowledge: Are you constantly learning and growing? Do you not just gather information but seek wisdom to apply to your life and make a difference?
Action: Are you taking meaningful steps toward your goals, or are you stuck in a cycle of planning without doing so? What can you do today to move forward?
Finding balance is key. When one part of your life is out of sync—whether neglecting your spiritual practice, forgetting to learn, or avoiding necessary action—it can feel like something is missing. The Awen symbol is a reminder to keep all three forces in motion so your life feels full, purposeful, and in flow.
The Awen as a Personal Guide
The beauty of the Awen is that it’s not just a symbol to admire; it’s a tool we can use to guide our lives. It encourages us to look deeper at how we live and move through the world. The Awen calls us to find balance, live intentionally, and create a life that feels authentic to who we indeed are.
It’s about ensuring we’re not just going through the motions but actively participating in our growth and transformation. It challenges us to think about integrating spirit, knowledge, and action. Are we taking time to listen to our inner guidance? Are we learning and growing intellectually? And most importantly, are we putting what we know and feel into action?
Living with Awen: A Call to Action
Ultimately, the Awen is about more than just inspiration or wisdom—it’s about doing something with what we know. It’s about turning ideas into reality, creating something meaningful, and living a life aligned with our values.
The Awen symbol asks us to reflect on our lives and consider how we’re balancing these forces. Are we living in alignment with our deeper purpose? Are we constantly learning and growing? And are we putting that knowledge into meaningful action?
It’s a call to live intentionally—to connect with the flow of life, nurture our inner wisdom, and take purposeful action every day.
Awen reminds us that we are all part of a larger, interconnected whole. By embracing balance, we can move through life with greater clarity, peace, and purpose. So, what will you do today to bring the flow of Awen into your life?
The Awen, three rays in a circle often accompanied by three dots
Joe's Ancient Orange Mead Recipe
Joe's Ancient Orange Mead Recipe
Joe's Ancient Orange Mead Recipe (also known as JAO) is the mead recipe you'll find all over the internet. It was originally posted by Joe Mattioli on a website called Got Mead many years ago and went viral.
I hooked up with Steve Gibson at the Sussex Bee Festival this year. Steve (aka Steve The Mead Guy on Instagram) gave a demonstration on Mead Making for Beginners, and Joe's Ancient Orange Mead Recipe is the one he generally demonstrates with. It's quick, simple and it works so it's the perfect recipe if you haven't made Mead before.
We couldn't put a link to Joe's website here because we couldn't find one, but we did find an interview with Joe Mattioli here! The interview was with GotMead.com which is a fantastic resource for Mead makers everywhere, and the interview starts around 10 minutes into the programme.
Ingredients
3.5 lbs Clover or your choice honey or blend (will finish sweet)
1 large orange (later cut in eights or smaller rind and all)
1 small handful raisins (25 if you count but more or less ok)
1 stick cinnamon
1 whole clove (or 2 if you like, these critters are potent!)
1 pinch nutmeg or allspice (very small)
1 package Fleishmann’s bread yeast ( now don't get holy on me--- after all this is an ancient mead and that's all we had back then) <Steve recommends Mangrove Jack's Mead Yeast M05 as he thinks it gets a better result>
Add water to complete in Gallon
Instructions
Makes 1 gallon of mead.
Use a clean 1 gallon carboy.
Dissolve honey in some warm water and put in carboy.
Wash orange well to remove any pesticides and slice in eights --add orange (you can push em through opening big boy -- rinds included -- its ok for this mead -- take my word for it -- ignore the experts)#
Put in raisins, clove, cinnamon stick, any optional ingredients and fill to 3 inches from the top with cold water. (Need room for some foam -- you can top off with more water after the first few day frenzy.)
Shake the heck out of the jug with top on, of course. This is your sophisticated aeration process.
When at room temperature in your kitchen, put in 1 teaspoon of bread yeast Mead Yeast - see above>. (No you don't have to rehydrate it first-- the ancients didn't even have that word in their vocabulary-- just put it in and give it a gentle swirl or not - the yeast can fight for their own territory.)
Install water airlock. Put in dark place. It will start working immediately or in an hour. (Don't use grandma's bread yeast she bought years before she passed away in the 90's. Wait 3 hours before you panic or call me.) After major foaming stops in a few days add some water and then keep your hands off of it. (Don't shake it! Don't mess with them yeastees! Let them alone except its okay to open your cabinet to smell every once in a while.
Recipe Notes
Racking --- Don't you dare
Additional feeding --- NO NO NO
More stirring or shaking -- You're not listening, don't touch
After 2 months and maybe a few days it will slow down to a stop and clear all by itself. (How about that - You are not so important after all).
Then you can put a hose in with a small cloth filter on the end into the clear part and siphon off the golden nectar. If you wait long enough even the oranges will sink to the bottom but I never waited that long. If it is clear it is ready.
You don't need a cold basement. It does better in a kitchen in the dark. (Like in a cabinet) likes a little heat (70-80). If it didn't work out... you screwed up and didn't read my instructions (or used grandma's bread yeast she bought years before she passed away).
If it didn't work out then take up another hobby. Mead is not for you. It is too complicated. If you were successful, which I am 99% certain you will be if you followed the recipe, then enjoy your mead.
When you get ready to make different mead you will probably have to unlearn some of these practices I have taught you, but hey--- This recipe and procedure works with these ingredients so don't knock it. It was your first mead. It was my tenth. Sometimes, even the experts can forget all they know and make good ancient mead.
We as a Grove also made a second mead with the same recipe and replaced the orange with a cup and a half of frozen Raspberries, Blue berries and Black Berries mixed. It turned out just as excellent.
Decorating your Alter for Yule
Decorating your Alter for Yule:
Every now and then you just get stuck, our lack of activity on the blog as of late will tell you it happens to us all. If that’s where you find yourself right now, not to worry, here are some quick suggestions on decorating your home and alter that will invite love, light and spirituality into your home this Yule season.
I want to start with a quick preamble, its always best if you are able to collect from nature; a pagan vendor or at least a local. But when this is not possible, DON’T WORRY YOURSELF! Life has enough problems with people feeling they cannot celebrate or practice their faith if they don’t have exactly the right item. Your intent is during spiritual practice is the foundation of all magic.
With that aside, here are some suggestions as to things you can use to spruce up your space:
Photo credit: The Rowan Blackwood: Image (tumblr.com)
Lets start off strong with the Yule Tree, bringing the tree into your home as a sign of renewal and life is always fun. Though traditionally they were decorated with pinecones and berries, you can decorate anyway you like. Consider the magical associations of colours when choosing your ornaments and contemplate what you want to bring in to your home over the holidays. As a quicky on colours: Red, green, white, silver, and gold are often associated with the season. Red for prosperity and love. Green for abundance and the promise of the spring time. White for cleansing and light. Silver to symbolize the moon. And gold of course to represent the sun and the radiant energy that comes along with it.
Image credit: 0b82b0e737b0a2160a66e03dd9fbc302.jpg (5123×4000) (pinimg.com)
A Yule Log: this could be a blog all its own but broad strokes are that you select a special log to burn for yule or in some traditions the 12 days leading to and your house is protected and blessed by this practice. Lots of folks choose to decorate their logs and enjoy them as a centre piece leading up to the big day. You can do so with foliage (all collected for free if you are lucky) and then adorn it with candles to add flare.
Photo credit: 16 Pagan Christmas Traditions that People Mistakenly Credit to Christianity (historycollection.com)
Holly: can be used for garland, in a pot or as a hanging to represent the God. It is also a protective plant and who couldn’t use a little more of that with all the social activities around this loving season?
Photo credit: o-CHRISTMAS-CANDLES-facebook.jpg (2000×1000) (huffpost.com)
Candles: again here we can consider the magical associations of colours when we choose but candles bring light and warmth into our homes, this represents the sun without which we wouldn’t have all that we have.
Photo credit: Traditional Witch Bells golden - Etsy Canada
Bells: I am sure we have all heard the song Jing Bells at some point but did you know bells would traditionally be rung in the morning to drive away the demons that arise in the darker part of the year. The bells were meant to chase away the dark and bring forth the return of the light following the winter solstice. So dust off those witch bells and give them centre stage over the winter solstice.
Photo credit: pine-cone.jpg (2048×1360) (walterreeves.com)
Pine cones: A symbol of the pine tree, an evergreen tree, these represent healing, protection, prosperity/fertility and cleansing and they look great on the tree, in a bowl, on the alter, fashioned into Poruri, you name it!
If you can’t get to these items, consider the colours and recall their meanings but as always, do what feels good for you and your family.
Have a Blessed Yule friends.
Mari Lwyd
With at least one of our member following Welsh Traditions I thought it might be a good time to share the history of the Mari Lwyd.
Photo credit: MariArianrhod.jpg (637×960) (atlanticculturescape.eu)
The tradition dates back to the 1800 around the Yule High Day, one (traditionally male) would collect themselves a horse skull, usually decorated with coloured ribbons and rosettes and with glass bottle eyes and affix it to a pole. Once assembled you would drape a sack cloth or sheet over the head like a veil and hide beneath. The leader of the group would take the reins of the horse and lead it though the streets. From there, you and your friends would go wassailing and joking though your town.
As with many things the origins of the Mari Lwyd are a topic of some debate but early folklorists like Ellen Ettinger and Peate believe the practice to be of pre-Christian origins. The tradition has largely died out over time some says due to a lack of Welsh speakers and other to the increased rowdiness when going door to door particularly with the rise of Chapel and Methodism in Whales.
Happy Wassailing friends!
Happy Yuletide!
Yule- the Winter Solstice. The Darkest time of the year. The season when traffic is the most crazy and the stress of trying to get everything done just makes everyone a little bit bonkers. However even though the darkness may outweigh daylight, this is also the time of year that the little lights shine the best and brightest in their contrast to that dark. The time of year that candles warm the heart and remind us that we have the power to create the light as our ancestors once did. The time of year when it’s most important to make time to visit with our kin and clan. To create space to share our light with one another, because together our candles burn just a little brighter.
Our Druid Grove managed to come out of the woodwork, tired as we all were… and rallied for cookie decorating, ritual and feasting day. Hugs and smiles were exchanged, excited to be in each other's presence once again. The little acorns all tried their hands at smearing the frosting and sprinkling the sprinkles on festive shaped shortbreads. Cookies were munched, drinks were imbibed, and fun was had by one and all.
We gathered around the Yule log and my husband Marc led the ritual. It was so nice to be together again, cosy by the altar, grounding out the stresses of life and sharing the hearth fire… the smell of burning herbs and beeswax filling the air. The oghams pulled were fortuitous. The first ogham pulled being Vine… fitting for the festive season and occasion, reaping the harvest of seeds sown long ago. The second being Birch… Rebirth of the sun anew, ready for the year ahead, reminding us of the natural cycles on which our traditions have been built. Fortuitous indeed.
The ritual wrapped up, and the feasting commenced. The traditional foods brought from our various hearths and homes mingled upon the festive table. Stories of heritage and history shared and recipes exchanged.
With our bellies full, and our souls a little lighter and brighter, we say our goodbyes, taking the light of the ritual candles to our respective hearths… blessed to have gathered again with our chosen tribe!
Larter House broccoli cheddar soup
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, we thought it might be a fun time to share some family recipes. Here is the Larter House broccoli cheddar soup:
Ingredients :
• 1½ cups (360 ml) milk of choice
• ¾ cup (180 ml) of vegetable stock
• 4½ cups (405 g) broccoli florets, steamed or roasted
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups (180 g) grated cheddar cheese
Directions:
Combine all wet ingredients into a pot while steaming or roasting your broccoli. Once that is done begin greeting your cheddar to add to the mix. Combine all ingredients together and heat on medium well using your immersion blender to purée all. if you do not have an immersion blender once you have heated all of the ingredients together combine in a blender and mix on high while vented for 3 to 5 minutes.
Enjoy this healthy vitamin-packed cup that’s goodness!
Marc’s Savory Fall Squash Soup.
Ingredients:
3 slices of thick-cut maple bacon – Diced
2 medium onions - Diced
1 Acorn Squash – peeled and large cut chunks
2 cups Chicken stock (homemade is best)
2 large sweet potatoes – peeled and large cut chunks
2 cups Beef stock (homemade is best)
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup heavy cream
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 TBSP Thyme
1 TBSP Oregan
1 TBSP Garlic Powder
3 TBSP olive oil
Directions:
In a large stock pot put olive oil and bring heat to Medium. When oil is hot add diced bacon. Cook until bacon fats are rendered (4 minutes)
Add in the diced onions and cook until translucent
Add all seasonings to the onions and mix. Let cook for 2 minutes.
Add all stock to the pot, and stir.
Add Squash and Sweet potato. Ensure liquid covers vegetables.
Cook on medium for 2 hours with cover on. Stir occasionally.
Allow to cool, and using a wand blender emulsify to desired smoothness. Should be creamy
Stir in Sour Cream and heavy cream.
Statement on Sovereignty
As a group that understands the importance of sovereignty for the well-being of a people, we stand behind each person’s right to be the ruler of their own body. That our bodies are sacred, and there is a limit to the power a government, or anyone else, has over our bodies. Our traditions are full of strong and independent deities that demonstrate this to us.
Many of the choices we make with our own bodies are complicated, some are painful, but all are personal. We understand how easy it would be, once we hand over a part of our body autonomy, for more to be taken from us.
No matter where we may stand on each individual choice that can be made for someone’s body, we will stand for the freedom of that person to make the choice themselves. No part of someone’s body should be ruled by someone else.
We call to the deities of Sovereignty,
You who stand for one’s choice,
Grant us the Courage,
To hold Sovereignty over our own bodies.
Give us the Strength to choose,
To stand up for those who cannot,
And grant those in power,
The Wisdom to understand.
In Service,
The Mother Grove of ADF
A Prayer for Ukraine
As we look back upon the prior week in horror at the aggression unleashed on Ukraine, we look to find ways to express our support for the people of Ukraine and also for ways we can help.
As people of faith, we pray to our Gods and Goddesses for Ukrainian and its people. We pray for peace, for strength, for courage, and for sovereignty.
As people of compassion, we look for ways to help those in danger and those displaced. The following organizations can help those in harm’s way:
UNICEF
Médecins sans frontiers/Doctors without borders
Voices of Children
Sunflower of Peace
International Committee of the Red Cross
Save the Children
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)
Care
International Medical Corps
Please keep the people of Ukraine in your thoughts as we continue to work our altars and shrines. Please make offerings and pray for peace and safety.
In a global community, we are all neighbors.
The ADF Mother Grove
Now Available: Midsommar Sól
The Midsommar Sol children's book from Pagan Kids Publishing is now available for pre-order! Order it from Kickstarter between February 15 to March 16, 2022 and receive your copy by the summer solstice!
Midsommar (in the Norse context) is a modern summer tradition that originates in Northern European countries. It happens in the middle of summer, around June 21-24 (the summer solstice). Activities include light-hearted entertainment from dressing up with flower crowns to dancing to catchy folk songs around a midsommarstång (a leafy maypole).
Små Grodorna (Little Frogs) is a popular Swedish folk song that encourages children to participate in a competitive dance around a leafy pole. The music replays faster on repeat until one person is left dancing. Another variation is removing the competition and having everyone fall when the musician cues the song’s end.
This song has been translated and added to this book. In it, the last person dancing gets crowned Midsummer queen or king!
Wanting to tie in elements of ancient sun-worship and traditional summer games, the Norse goddess Sol stars as the main character whose entire focus is giving everyone a well-deserved break!
It really is a feel-good story for the whole family.
As far as its history, Midsommar evolved from pre-Christian traditions. Some scholars call the celebration barbaric because of the singing, dancing and frivolity they witnessed. By 1000 AD, the Old Kingdom of Norway learned to embrace these customs by giving them a name, date and milder songs and dance.
Although the pagan festival activities don’t have a date before Norse-Christian convergence, it has left a trail of evidence of sun-worship and sun-game traditions. Sun-worship traces back to the Iron Age (58-79 BC) with carvings of sun-worship, expressing joy and thanks to the sun for its life-giving power. Read more about the history of Midsommar here.
The Book
Over two years have gone into the making of this new book! 2020 was spent drowning in research papers trying to decipher and organize timelines; 2021, I published a research article that simplified these efforts for easy understanding; and finally 2022, my newest children's book is available in English AND German!
Why the fuss?
The Northern European Midsommar Festival is a debate among Norse pagan circles. The demographic is separated by an argument of whether it is originally pagan or Christian.
My goal with the Pagan Kids books is to take the Swedish customs I grew up with, restore them to their pre-Christian form and include a little ancient lore. This takes research, care and understanding.
Pre-Order
The books are available on Kickstarter from February 15 to March 16, 2021, starting at $12 (CAD). Kickstarter sales are the most affordable way to get your hands on any of the Pagan Kids books, so make sure you look at all the other books available to add on.
Order from the Kickstarter page today:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pagankids/midsommar-sol
Note: The Who Is That in the Sky? board book ships from a different facility based in the USA. Shipping to continents isn't as feasible as I would like. I am working on a solution, but it won't be available for a few months (at least).
