Blessings

Consecration plaque

When we purchased the land for our home, we blessed it prior to the first hole being dug.  We called upon the spirits of the land to ask permission to build here, and we asked for them to lend their energies and attention so the construction would go gracefully and  according to schedule, which it did.

I blessed every inch of the foundation, leaving specific blessings, stones, and mojo bags in each wall, according to the use of the rooms which would be contained within the walls.  I did this blessing the day the concrete was poured, while the big trucks were on their way to the site.  The contractor was nervous about the timing, but with the help of the foundation crew moving the ladders around for me, I got it done in time.  Concrete won’t wait!

Blessing the foundations

The musical score and money poking through the foundation after the concrete hardened

This is the main altar and offering to the house. It was buried in the absolute center of the house, 2 feet down, placed in a waterproof container.

Once the house was built, my friends came to assist Brian and I with the blessing of the house and property.  It was a momentous occasion!  There were many tears and much laughter, because everyone knew how hard we had worked for this, and that this would be our forever home.

We blessed every inch of the property, and made offerings to the land spirits and elemental energies.

Gathering in the center of the back yard to call in Deity to bless and consecrate this property.

Procession around the property, blessing as we go.

the elemental spirits and guardians were called in at each of the 4 cardinal points of the property. Offerings were buried.

Casting Circle

Recognizing Brian as Master of this property and home.

Installing the Elemental guardians on the outside of the house, east-south-west-north

Eastern Guardian of Air

Southern Guardian of Fire

Western Guardian of Water

Northern guardian of Earth
The house dedication. Buried in the front door foundation

We blessed every room in the house, and set the intention and purpose for that room.  We blessed every pipe and electrical source and appliance, we blessed and warded all windows and doors.

Blessing the plumbing

Blessing the furnace

Placing the window wards
A little Scriabin

Everyone insisted that I play something on the piano, as a way to finish the blessing ritual, and bring music into the home.  I played a Scriabin Prelude, and then we all celebrated, shared our friendship, ate some good food, and some of us just took a nap!

Our High Priest, Robin Vinehall, thoroughly worn out.
Fall of 2005. Google view.

The Stag God

The Stag God, God of fertility and protection.

2016-2018    My good friend Jackie Weller is selling her beloved home of over 30 years.  She has bought herself a more manageable townhome for her retirement.  Summer of 2016 she gifted me this magnificent horned/antler-shaped piece of wood which has stood guard on a stone at the front of her garden for a very long time.  It represents the energy of the sun, protection of the home front, and the energy of fertility and virility of the stag, as demonstrated by his tall, erect antlers.

I brought it home and placed it in the wheel barrow.  I took it to a spot in the garden where I thought it might look good, and where I thought it’s energies would be harmonious.  I left it there for a week, then I came back to ask the stag god if he liked this location – no.  OK, so I moved him again, and again, taking him to different locations around the garden to see where he wanted to be placed, to stand guard over the property, and to bring his energy of light and strength.  8 weeks later the decision was made.  The stag god will stand guard in the sacred fire circle, at the base of the south berm.

A Gold and Silver braided torq was attached to the antler. the torq was made my my dear friend and local artist, D Garrett. she gifted it to the Stag God during our Yule ritual. The Torq represents power and sovereignty.

As is the case with almost everything that gets built, installed, or created in this garden, a big celebration was necessary to properly honor the new stag god at his installation at the fire circle.  For our Yule 2016 celebration, we washed the antlers, cleansed them with incense and spruce oil; wrapped the wheel barrow in blankets and red velvet cloth and set the antlers into the wheelbarrow.  We then chanted and drummed as we paraded him to the fire circle.

The Stag God is often seen with his companion, a snake or serpent. the serpent represents the energy of transformation as it sheds it’s skin and is reborn anew.

He was installed atop a large segment of cottonwood tree, taken from a fallen and dried tree near my home.  The log is in the shape of the back of a stag and lent itself perfectly to creating the look of the stag.  Offerings were made and gifts given to adorn the new Stag God.  Ribbons with our blessings and prayers were tied to his antlers.

Stag God, summer 2017

Stag God at the south end of the fire circle, summer 2017
Stag God with Iris and newly installed Amanita muscaria mushrooms. (Made of concrete and painted). Spring 2018

The Stag God is honored and recognized at both the Summer and Winter Solstices.