Contextual Note: Red Maple Grove was asked to conduct the closing ritual
at Januscon, an Ottawa Pagan Convention. On the dramatic cancellation of
this convention with little notice, Red Maple Grove rescheduled our rit
at the Tree Ring for Imbolc to the time and date slotted for the Januscon
closing ritual, 4 PM Sunday January 30th.
Past: tinne, holly. That aspect of the past being drawn to our attention
by our deities is that connected with balance, moderation and harmony.
Present: Ngetal, broom. What our deities are directing to us concerning
the present is cleansing, sweeping away that which needs to be swept
away.
Future: Beithe, birch. the future is a new beginning, the dawn, the
coming spring, a new freshness.
Our traditional question, "Our gods have spoken to us; are we satisfied
or would we hear more?" brought a request for more information on the
new future beginning.
Explanatory Ogham: Queirt, apple, choice of beauty. At the ritual this
diviner on pulling that few spread his hands, shrugged and said, "Choice
of beauty," a few times and thought, "Take your pick."
Interpretive Remark: the aptness of this omen to immediate events in the
Ottawa Pagan community was striking enough to cause interjection from a
prominent visitor during the divination. However, this diviner feels
this omen is operating on a number of different levels. Two of those
levels, in my opinion, are connected. I believe that Red Maple Grove is
being challenged, along with ADF as a whole, to retain harmonious
interconnection, to sweep away past concepts (including the idea of
national sovereignty) and select what beautifully benefits us all.