Well, today will be the big day of my first fully ADF style ritual. We've added a few extra touches to the ritual space in the backyard. A nice big Maypole which we will be able to use for years to come. I joked with the rest of the group when we were building it that our grand-kids would be able to dance around this maypole. Well, maybe that's not really a joke. I'll try to get some pictures posted later. I've been so busy with projects this week around the house and helping a friend move that I haven't had much time to practice on my guitar or do my writings for my Dedicant Path but I usually do things in fits and starts anyway. What's probably going to happen is I'll get back to my regular work routine and have some quite time and all of a sudden it's all going to just start flowing out and I'll have several posts to make. Anyway, Emily's mom and dad are coming to visit today. They are bringing some plants for us to use in the yard, some new barrels that we can cut and use for drums, planters and one will likely serve as a well for our ritual today. Then I need to finish dismantling a swing-set and help them get it loaded in the back of their truck which is going to give us more room for the maypole dancers. A few finishing touches like tying ribbons to the pole, getting the fires lit and setting up the altar and we're ready to roll. Wish me luck!

Yesterday some of our group, DFW Pantheons, spent the day with American Tradition of the Goddess at their Beltane celebration in Bedford. It was the third year in a row we had been invited to join them in their celebration and as always it was a wonderful, beautiful event. The weather was very kind to us. More than 100 people were there for the rite and to dance the maypole. This year's theme was Roman and as part of the ritual they put on a cute little play for us based on the story of Pamona, goddess of fruit trees and Venus' many attempts to find her a suitable suitor. We all thoroughly enjoyed it! When the stereo system wasn't cooperative in providing proper volume to the musical portions  those of us with drums were called upon to help set the beat for the dancing and chants. I knew we brought those drums for a good reason! ;-) Although AmTrad is not my own path they have always been wonderful hosts and the covenstead is on a lovely wooded lot that easily lets you forget you are in the heart of a sprawling metropolitan city. Raven even told us that recently a bobcat and a coyote had been spotted on the property!

Today we will be having a maypole party in preparation of for our own Beltane celebration to be held next Saturday, May 3rd. It will be an ADF style ritual based upon one written by Ian Corrigan that is available on the ADF website. Since DFW Pantheons is open to all traditions we usually try to do a little bit of everything in our rituals to give seekers a chance to experience the many facets of the Pagan community. Most of our rituals in the past have been Wiccan based as that is the path most are familiar with. I worked in some Druidic elements at our Ostara ritual in March but this will be the first fully ADF style ritual we have ever done and it should give me a great opportunity to write my essay for my Dedicant Path. Wish me luck!

Oh! For those who are wondering, what I mean by a maypole party is a bunch of us are getting together to decorate and erect (ahem!) the maypole and prepare the ritual space in the backyard for next week's gathering. We also hope to work in some rehearsal for the ritual and to work out some kinks. Hopefully the rain will not hamper us too much. I think it is supposed to stop sometime this morning. At least, I think I am hearing the pitter patter of rain outside the window, perhaps I should go have a look.

Hey! I saw everybody on the ADF-Dedicants list posting their livejournal pages and I thought to myself. Self, you need to get one of those livejournal thingys so you can be like all the cool kids! So, HERE I AM! I'll start posting stuff up in here soon. Right now I have to get ready to take Kyle to the doctor for a checkup, then go on the roof and remove something from the satellite dish to be sent back to Dish Networks, then pick Allyssa up from school and take the kids to get pictures made, then get the house cleaned up for our friends who are coming over for dinner this evening. Sooooo, no time to write right now. Later!

Blessings,

Troy