In the last six months the Circle of Shadows has already evloved into something I never saw coming. We are now down to just three core members after starting out with 5 members and five more observers and congregents. Looking back it's not really all that surprising, it's obvious to see who was the most committed in the coven and who was not and so I'm not dumbfounded, but I thought there was perhaps a chance the we should grow and learn together in the numbers which we began. But it was not to be, and for that I would say that I am grateful. I am now in Taurus of 2011, entering my eighth year of practice and in that time I can say I have gain enormous knowledge, but it never ceases to amaze me how much there is that I still do not know. Even given my much broader knowledge and expeirences it still at times may seem as though a novice may possess more knowledge than I in a particularly given aspect of the craft.
I see this as a sort of cosmic slap in the face saying "YES! You may have more I power but don't get too damned cocky, asshole!"
On November 7. 2010 the Circle of Shadows performed and grand experiment, an experiment that results in the changing, and I believe ADVANCING face of the coven which we now see six months later. This experiment was a belated but still rather effective Samhain ritual which honored the spirit of our ancestors; both personal and spiritual. Everyone seemed to get along great and while different levels of experience and know-how did seem to create an asthetic issue the magickal and spiritual purpose of such a gathering seemed to survive. We honored the dead in the Salem Witch Trials as a group, and then affterwards took a few moments to contemplate the loss of our own spiritual/tribal ancestors, and the contributions and sacrifices they made to pave our way. We also cast Samhain Affirmations into the ritual fire. These affirmations are a much more serious and highly individualized ritual with spiritual connotations, as opposed to the modern tradition of a New Year's Resolution. If this were to be a personal testament I would specify the enormous effects that my own personal Samhain Affirmation has had on me over the last six months, but it is not and I will not.
Out of the three gatherings that the Circle of Shadows has thus far overseen, the Yule Ritual of 2010 is the only one to have taken place precisely on the holiday itself. Our High Priestess made a wonderful meal that she will probably never forgive me for abstaining from due to the glorious "Glog" that was served before dinner. However I can always remind her that it was HER not I who dropped the Yule log directly on to fragile glass chalices and could have caused a near calamity which was thankfully avoided. It was on this night that each participant created a clay sigil that was empowered with it own specific and personal intent. Speaking for myself, the sigil that I created has become a powerful central point of my own personal altar ever since then.
The Ostara Ritual may have honestly been the most profound experience of the Circle of Shadows to date. While it did consist only of the three members I previously spoke of I also presided of the Rebirthing Ritual of the other two members as High Priest. It was an honor that they would entrust me with such a profound rite, and I personally felt that it turned out rather well. During the ritual itself we heard thunder and saw a flash or two of lightening which obviously added to the asthetic nature of the undertarking. But afterwards we stepped outside and witness the magnificient storm clouds that had formed directly overhead. And whether you give, inspired, supernatural, spiritual, or even just nature credence to this event it is extraordinarily powerful nonetheless.
As of this day (May 4, 2011) we are still putting the finishing touches on our Walpurgisnacht ritual which is to be observed on May 17 under the full Moon. In accordance with our "fashionably late" style it has a sort of belated Walpurisnacht/Taurus Moon ritual flavor to it. But I have no doubt that it will be equally as gratifying as I have found all of the other coven gatherings to have been. And so six months out I have to say...not bad, not bad at all! :-)