|
Sermon by Rima Snyder
This day is also the day of a new moon, of a new cycle beginning in mystery and growing to
fulfillment as the silver light of the moon grows brighter.
In the Druidic tradition described by Robert Graves in his book The White Goddess, there are thirteen
lunar months in the year which move from new moon to new moon. Each one is named for a different
tree or plant and has different properties associated with it. This month would be the fourth lunation -
called Fearn, and ruled by the alder tree. "The alder symbolizes the power of fire and resurrection.
Her birds are the crow and the gull; her colors, crimson, green-brown and royal purple; she heals doubt."
From the alder comes Fearineus, the Greek god of spring honored at Mount Olympus on the equinox.
To me, the return of spring is a time of joy, a time to cast off doubt and to immerse myself in the certainty
of the eternal cycles. The spring always returns and we can refresh ourselves from the spring of life.
Familiar things are transformed, the bare branches bud with a profusion of brilliant flowers. Here is a bit of
one of my favorite poems by Rainer Maria Rilke, from "The Sonnets to Orpheus," that speaks
to me about the power of this force in our lives.
Orpheus, the legendary poet whose songs could tame the beasts and charm the gods themselves,
takes his name from the word for the alder tree. The myth of Orpheus describes his descent into the
underworld to rescue his love, Eurydice, from the dead. Another similar legend attributes the changing
seasons to the journey of Persephone, who lives in the underworld with her husband Pluto during the fall
and winter, and returns to the earth each spring. Her mother Demeter is overjoyed at her return and
causes the flowers to bloom. Many different stories and traditions, including the Christian celebration of
Easter, mark the return of spring, and the ascendance of light over darkness. They are tales we tell to
remind ourselves of our connection to the wheel of life.
Balanced on this edge of a new season, we can take some time this morning to go within ourselves,
to listen to that small still voice that tells us what the next step on our own journeys will be. Beginning
in darkness, in mystery, we can connect to the power of growth and change. We can rejoice in the
beauty of the world around us and draw strength from its cycle of rebirth.
Now relax, close your eyes if you want to, and picture for yourself something in your life that you would
like to nurture. Something important to you that may have been growing within your consciousness
over the past few weeks or months. Something that gives you joy, or brings you peace of mind, or
entices you to do new things.
Hold this image in your mind and let it grow.
Like a tree rooted in the soil, with its branches reaching to the sky.
This is a day for things that have been growing to burst forth into the sunlight.
Trees are a powerful metaphor for life. A familiar sight here in Sonoma County is a grove of stately oaks
silhouetted at the top of a velvet green hill. I love these trees with their gnarled, twisting branches, good
for climbing, and for giving cool shade on a hot summer day.
The oak tree has been sacred to many cultures as a symbol of power, endurance, sturdiness and wisdom.
Its acorns represent long life and fertility. It’s been called the King of Trees, the Tree of Life, and the
Home of the Gods. The Druidic name for the oak month is Duir, which means "door"; the oak
god guards the gate of Heaven. The roots of the oak are said to extend as far underground as its
branches do above, making it the perfect symbol for a deity whose powers extend equally to the
heavens, the earth and the underworld. The oak flowers at midsummer, and marks the door opening
on one side to the waxing and on the other to the waning year.
Traditional observances of spring and summer begin with the vernal equinox, continue with Beltane or
May Day and conclude with the summer solstice. May Day is celebrated on May first with flowers,
maypole dances and rituals involving the Oak King who rules over the spring and summer months.
Today I have brought a wreath of oak branches to represent the wheel of the turning year, and a basket
of ribbons. If you wish you can now come up and tie a ribbon onto the wreath to mark your personal
wish for the birth of spring. Feel free to keep your intention private or to share a short phrase or image
out loud. We’ll keep the finished wreath and use it for our own May Day celebration.
While the basket is being passed around, here is a poem from Alfred, Lord Tennyson called:
"The Oak." |