Mabon 2008 Reflections
This years Mabon ritual was fairly unique for the Grove with several new elements, and I had a great time.
We did this ritual in Greek style, honoring Hephaestus, Athena, and Dionysus as the gatekeeper. We had three altars set up for each instead of one big altar, each decorated to honor their deity of purpose. Dionysus was set up by the well, Hephaestus was set up by the fire, and Athena was set up by the tree.
We also held a very short modern parody skit of a greek drama, where Hephaestus and Athena are working on Pandora and Dionysus comes in and attempts to get Hephaestus drunk and convince him to release Hera. We had Jack dress up as a goth with blue hair as Dionysus (I got lots of pictures), Jeff wore a modern tool-belt and jeans as Hephaestus (and looked very manly), and I was supposed to dress up in either military camo or a business suit as Athena but I had neither. I wore a fedora and a spear though 
The fire wardens were also put into more of a ritually dramatic role this time as well. I think they had flares set up within the fire pit so that when they used their “fire staves” they were able to simply place their fire staves into the fire pit and the fire started immediately. Very dramatic and I was actually very glad to see the fire wardens put into more of a spiritual role for the ritual.
When we opened the gates, our gate openers did a flag dance with colored flags associated with their particular gate. It was a very beautiful and elegant dance and came together really well.
Honestly I think this was one of my favorite rituals of the year. I’m glad I got a lot of “before ritual” pictures because I never seem to have time during ritual to get any.
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