Ritual, Drumming, and Music
I went to another spring equinox ritual last night up at Highland Farms. I sometimes go to more than one ritual for the celebration, but also for the drumming and to spend time with people I know.
I don’t know what it is when I go to these things, but it seems like tons of people know who I am, who I honestly don’t remember ever talking to. I don’t know if it’s because they recognized my yellow bronco that I drove before, if it’s the guitar, or what. But I got so many hugs and excitement about me coming to play there, it was truly amazing. They all got a kick out of how loud my bronco is.
I don’t know if it was specifically a Crann Bethadh ritual or not, I had though the protogrove was defunct, but it was mentioned sometime during the ritual so maybe they are trying to reorganize.
During this particular ritual, they decided to combine I think 8 different pantheons, which was kinda neat. Japanese, Norse, Gaelic, Native American, Mayan, Roman, Greek, and Egyptian. Which granted, took a little longer than normal. Though I wasn’t feeling as much of the cultural differences as I would have liked, but that’s mostly a cosmetic ritual thing.
The annointing and smudging at the start of ritual was a big problem for me. The amount of people gathered and the speed in which they were doing it, made the annointing process last a good 20 minutes if not longer. And eeeeeeveryone was silent, it was very awkward. I eventually started a small drumbeat to try and refocus everyone, but it still took too long.
The format of the ritual wasn’t ADF style. They called cross-quarters instead of using the fire, well, and tree. There were no opening or closing of the gates. Which isn’t a bad thing, it’s just different.
One thing that does annoy me sometimes with rituals at Highland Farms, is there’s a guy that shows up to him with his drums. He’s a great drummer, he seems like a nice guy, but I’ve always been under the idea that drumming during ritual should be a quiet and solem thing. The more intense drumming is good for before or after, or even during waters of life, but not when people are trying to talk. But he showed up about halfway through ritual, and it seemed to go a little spastic from there. He told people to gather around the fire (imagine 60 people trying to do this), and for a good half an hour people just chitchatted in the middle of ritual, like they forgot they were even -in- ritual.
The other thing that annoys me is, even though I love them………children. Or maybe lack of attentive parents, I don’t know. I love kids, but when they’re running all over the place, whacking sticks, running through circle, etc….it’s just not cool during ritual.
Eventually the ritual was over and we retired to revels in the coffee nook. That’s where the real spirituality began for me. Music.
I had to drum from about 4pm till about 11pm last night. With brief breaks in between to get a drink and play guitar. I literally have bruises on the palms of my hands, but it’s the best feeling. I literally played even though it felt like I was breaking the bones in my hands. I got to spend some good drumming time with friends I haven’t seen in months, Wendy, Puck, Mr. 6′9″ Brandon, who still to this day is the only guy I’ve ever met that had to bend down to give my 5′10″ a hug.
Sometime during the course of the evening I met a guy named Darren from York, PA. He works in a music shop up there, and also plays along the northeast for a band. He explained that he was getting tired of his current band, and after we jammed together outside a bit with our guitars, he mentioned getting together with me and starting a new music project. He said he thought it was cool that I could drum and keep up with the boys, but when he heard me sing, he said I should definitely be in music. I think he was even more impressed that I can’t read a lick of music.
So I gave him my email address, and he wants me to come up to PA to these jam sessions they have every once in a while. So maybe something will come of that? I don’t know, but I’d love to start getting into music more.
Entry viewed times. Posted in Music, Religion and Spirituality
5 Responses to “Ritual, Drumming, and Music”
March 26th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
I’ve never been to a ritual before, I’m a solitary pagan, but not exactly by choice. There’s just no organized groups or covens around here. But that drumming thing sounds really cool.
March 27th, 2006 at 2:58 am
Every time you write about a ritual or gathering you attend it makes me wish I lived close by so I could tag along.
May 13th, 2006 at 11:00 am
“I got to spend some good drumming time with friends I haven’t seen in months, Wendy, Puck, Mr. 6?9? Brandon”
Well, now I feel a bit like you. I’m I also one of those people who everyone seems to know but who can’t remember meeting or knowing their names?
FWIW, As I recall it was me who “called cross-quarters instead of using the fire, well, and tree.” I wasn’t calling the quarters, I was performing the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram.
And yes there was some good drumming that night.
Maybe you’ll be there tonight. I know I will.
May 13th, 2006 at 11:17 am
Ah, I just looked around a bit. Hi, Crystal
May 13th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Hi Puck