Oak and Willow

"Good Lag B'Omer to all!" from Jamie

2009-05-11T19:25:00.001-07:00

What is Lag BaOmer?

Lag BaOmer, the 33rd day of the Omer Count – this year, May 12, 2009 – is a festive day on the Jewish calendar, celebrated with outings (on which the children traditionally play with bow and arrows), bonfires, and other joyous events. Many visit the resting place (in Meron in Northern Israel) of the great sage and mystic Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, whose yahrtzeit (anniversary of his passing) the day marks.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who lived in the 2nd century of the Common Era, was the first to publicly teach the mystical dimension of the Torah known as the "Kabbalah," and is the author of the basic work of Kabbalah, the Zohar. On the day of his passing, Rabbi Shimon instructed his disciples to mark the date as "the day of my joy."
The Chassidic masters explain that the final day of a righteous person's earthly life marks the point at which "all his deeds, teachings and work" achieve their culminating perfection and the zenith of their impact upon our lives. So each Lag BaOmer we celebrate Rabbi Shimon's life and the revelation of the esoteric soul of Torah.
Lag BaOmer also commemorates another joyous event. The Talmud relates that in the weeks between Passover and Shavuot a plague raged amongst the disciples of the great sage Rabbi Akiva "because they did not act respectfully towards each other"; these weeks are therefore observed as a period of mourning, with various joyous activities proscribed by law and custom. On Lag BaOmer the dying ceased. Thus Lag BaOmer also carries the theme of Ahavat Yisrael, the imperative to love and respect one's fellow.

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/679300/jewish/What-is-Lag-BaOmer.htm

Beltane this Weekend

2009-04-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

A reminder that Oak and Willow will be kicking off our "Mystery of the Sabbats" series with a workshop and celebratory ritual of :

Beltane

We celebrate the consummate union of the God and Goddess in their aspects as Youth and Maiden.
We call to the nature spirits of the land to enliven and bless this union and bring
the fires of passion and quickening into our lives as we walk the Path.

When: Sunday, May 3rd
Where: Ridley Creek State Park.
Click on the link above for directions
Time: Gather @ 12noon for class
Please rsvp to: oawhighpriest@gmail.com or oawhghpriestess@yahoo.com

Dark Night of the Soul

2009-03-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone:

I just wanted to share my most recent experience with the Dark Night of the Soul. Through working with paths 24, 25, and 26, I have come to accept in myself that some of the issues I face are indeed linked with the Devil card. It's the symbolism of the chains holding the man and woman in bondage. They don't have to stay that way...they can set themselves free at any moment. It's their human weaknesses that keep them there.

I decided after working with these paths, that I was going to face one of my demons and break free from my chains. In my case I am dealing with a food addiction. It's been something that I kept secrete and it has been a thorn in my side for some time now.

I recently broke my silence and started working with my issues around food. I shared what has been going on with my doctors and I am slowly breaking old habits. This is a very humbling experience for me, as well as illuminating. I have free will. I can change and bring balance into this part of my life.

I share this because I want to convey this message of hope. Yes, the Dark Night of the Soul can be bleak and isolating, but now I come to path 25 with is associated with Temperance. And here I can move out the illusion of yesod into the sun of tiphareth, and that is hope.

The dark nights will come and go with the dawn of new beginnings. Here is hoping for bigger and brighter days.

Bright blessings to you all,

Cassandra

EcoFont- save ink, money, and the Earth

2009-03-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is Brenda posting.

Here is a tip I was sharing with some other OAW members to reduce environmental impact. It is a FREE font that allows you to save some ink, and therefore some ink cartridges, as well as the money and energy that goes into producing them. It works by removing about 20% of the filled inner space of the letter, but in a way that you can't see any difference when printing at most regular sizes (I can't really tell any difference up to about 24 pt).

Ecofont | less is more

Enjoy!

A Little Qabala Anyone?

2009-03-10T07:58:00.001-07:00

Greetings ….

One of the things that Oak and Willow focuses on is education through workshop, experiential and ritual. As a component of our tradition we include the study of Qabala as used through the Western Mystery tradition. To this end we have been doing a course of study for the past two years, beginning first with the Sephiroth and with focus this year of the Paths. Our discussion yesterday turned to Path 24, The Dark Night of the Soul and the Death Tarot Key.

So, with that lead in, let's hear from others of their experience of the Dark Night. We'll be posting to this blog following each of our next scheduled meets for our Qabala study. so check back frequently.

Blessings... Robin

A Brief Introduction

2009-02-24T12:28:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm Cassandra.

I'm a new Dedicate to Oak and Willow. I thought that it might be helpful to share some of my experiences with the coven.

Attending open circle events since Beltane of 2008 has been a great asset in my personal and spiritual life. I found the people to be very welcoming and accepting. It was an inviting environment to share in ritual and also socialize.

In February of 2009 I petitioned and became a dedicate to the coven. It has been a very positive experience for me. Learning new things... I study and meditate daily and I believe that my life is enriched.

I feel that life is a journey of the soul. I am grateful that my path lead me to these people...to share in ritual and study and friendship.

I'll be back to share more, but for now I just wanted to give a brief introduction.

Blessings,

Cassandra

Castle Arianrhod

2009-02-18T04:30:00.000-08:00

Oak and Willow will be hosting Michael Smith, Elder of the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel in an afternoon of workshop and ritual. The event is a workshop revealing the mysteries of the Welsh Goddess Arianrhod and will conclude with a ritual of empowerment within her castle- Caer Arianrhod.
Date: Saturday, February 28th
Time: Registration @ 2:00 p.m.
Location: The Peace Center of Delaware County, Springfield , PA
Cost: $45.00

For more information an to register through Paypal..... click here

Welcome

2009-02-13T10:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Oak and Willow's blog page. Please check us out frequently for thoughts, ideas and an insider look at our coven and its members...
Brightest Blessings

R. Fennelly
High Priestess