Sometimes it’s hard to get out and go somewhere. Sometimes it’s hard to think about being with other people, especially if you haven’t met them. The best thing about Council Open Hours is that it is like a comfy pillow or your favorite PJs. We are just hanging out hoping you will come see us and to see anyone else who comes. There aren’t usually very many people with us and it’s totally casual – there’s nothing we have planned, nothing to accomplish. Bring something to talk about or just come to sit quietly and see what it’s like. Maybe you haven’t been to anything in awhile and you feel a little outside and want to connect again. Or you just keep saying “I’m going to go to Covenant of the River “some day”.” Well, now is a great time!
Council is here! First Fridays we set aside time to meet with people and talk to people. Casually, just hanging out. We usually all sit together but if you are in need of a private conversation, that can be arranged.
This is why we are here. We are here for you. You will not be bothering us or interrupting us because we are here for you to talk to or hang out with. Stop by the Hall between 7pm and 9pm. See you soon!
Hera, child of Kronos and wife/sister of Zeus – she is a strong goddess with a lot of darkness of her own to face. Do you struggle with resentments? Frustrations? Relationship problems? Have you learned to stand with grace and strength without losing control as the world around you spins out events that would make anyone scream in rage? And she finds her little ways to have revenge – just ask Hercules. And she’s got those hidden cameras everywhere (peacock feather eyes). I like her because for a goddess she’s so very human. Being strong and resilent, appearing stoic but then she loses it with goddess quality revenge. And in spite of all that, she holds it together and is considered the Queen of Heaven in Greek Mythology because she is the wife of Zeus
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The Dark Moon Group is going to try another Saturday get together. We will gather at the Hall at the usual 7pm time for conversation and lighting the cauldron of candles.
The Dark Moon group is usually small with a variety of people coming when it works for them but often only 5 or so people on a given month. If you have never been to a Dark Moon Group, you are very welcome, even if it is your first Covenant activity. It’s dark with low lighting and usually quiet.
Around 7:30 we will talk about Hera (who goes by Juno in Rome) and then have a ritual to honor her. If you have thoughts or questions, feel free to bring them.
Jean is going to take on this challenging topic that many of you have an expressed an interest in learning more about.
We will begin with our usual potluck dinner at 5:30pm. Please bring something if you are able and come to eat with us even if you can’t bring anything. The evening will begin around 6pm after announcements, yahoos and prayer requests.
The fae are calling! It’s time to get the sanctuary cleaned up before Beltane!
Arrive at 2:00 to help with all kinds of projects. Inside the hall and all kinds of things in the sanctuary. Stay as long as you can, come late if you need to. We will stop working around 5:30 and have our usual potluck. Please bring cold dishes that we can keep in the Hall for hours. Council will provide All Beef Hotdogs and a veggie meat alternative.
Unlike usual Sundays, when the potluck is ended, the evening is ended.
This event is open to anyone and will take place in the Sanctuary (hopefully) which is the outdoor space at River Hall. If the weather is unfriendly for humans we will still meet in the hall with candles and such but we will not be able to burn things
Jean will be holding space for folks to discuss life and faith, to work on rituals or to be supported in releasing things/people/behaviors that no longer serve you.
Fireside is a mostly casual gathering in the Sanctuary where we hold space for each other, enjoy respite around the sacred fire and reconnect with other Pagans and Pagan-friendly folx. If you choose to burn something in the fire make sure it fits in a standard backyard fire pit, and is legal, safe, yours to burn. This a great no pressure gathering for new folx. Come as you are, when you are able and leave when you need to.
Tonight we plan to gather beginning at 5:00 pm and plan to hold space until around 8pm. Please park on Swallow and follow the sidewalk around to the far side of the garage. We might be in the Hall, beyond the yellow door but most likely we will be in the Sanctuary. Enter through the gate then follow the dirt and mulch path around the house and through the archway entry of the Sanctuary.
Before the potluck and craft at the Hall, we will be meeting at Landings Park on Boardwalk near Harmony. This has been our adopted park for well over a decade and there is a sign there to prove it! We pick up trash there once a month and enjoy the walking and the talking while we do it. Meet at the shelter house at 3:30. (This will be our last “winter” Park Cleanup before we start spending the entire gathering time there) It takes less than an hour and there is a break in between the picking up and going to the Hall so you can go back to get the food, if you want to bring any,
After the cleanup, we will have a potluck dinner at 5:30 as usual. Please bring something to share – or not! But either way, plan to eat with us, there’s plenty. After the announcements and the yahoos and prayer requests, Chel will be leading a craft in making head garlands. If you’ve known Chel for very long you can tell with there’s a ritual coming because she always has a head wreath to wear. Beltane is coming and it’s a great time to wear flowers and call the fae and generally be festive. So come tonight and make one for yourself or your friend or your child or your mother for Mother’s Day or Scandinavian Midsummer!
ALL supplies will be provided at no cost to you. If you have something special you want to add into your wreath you are welcome to bring it. These are “long lasting” wreaths made from artificial flowers and plants meant to last for more than one ritual
Also known as the “Ruminant Beltane” this celebration will involve a more contemplative and quiet reflection on the the Sabbat. But Beltane energy mixed with the energy of a Full Moon maybe bring ideas we haven’t thought of yet. This event is open to anyone and we don’t limit by age. If you or your younger person can focus and respect the quiet nature of the evening, they are welcome to attend. Join Jean at 7:00 for gathering time and activities will begin around 7:30. Come to the Hall at 901 E Swallow. Park on Swallow and head around to the far side of the garage. We may be outside in the Sanctuary depending on the weather.
Please plan to arrive at the Hall/Sanctuary around NOON 12:00pm. The Beltane Ritual will begin around 12:30pm on Sunday April 28th. We are starting early because a traditional Covenant of the River Beltane Ritual includes many things, including breaks between the sections and including the “will we ever get the ring on the pole” time! Plan to walk through the Bel Fires with the community and to Bless the Plow with blessings upon the land and for the beings of the land including the Fae! The pole will be erected, the ring eventually set up on the top after much fun tossing it and the OVER UNDER winding of the ribbons will make us all smile and laugh and remember how great it is to celebrate spring with so many like minded people.
A potluck is planned for around 4:00 put the timing of Beltane is always Fae Standard Time, so we get there when we do. Please bring something to share if you can but still, plan to eat even if you can’t bring something.
This event is open to all ages and to the general public. If you are curious about Covenant of the River or what a Maypole is like we welcome you to celebrate with us.
Ritual garb encouraged but not required, just something that makes the time seem more sacred to YOU! Clothing, cloak, jewelry, staff, athame, head wreath, bells, face paint, etc.
