South Dakota Blessings

I recently returned from my first post-Archdruid trip, this visit to South Dakota. I consider this a blessing trip because one part of the trip was to meet ADF’s (heretofore described as “our”) members in the state, and to do a baby blessing. Unexpectedly, I also came away with blessings of my own.

I had not flown into Sioux Falls in almost twenty years. The airport was different, yet strangely the same. I always find opportunities for return to be almost surreal, While the times may have changed and while the years may have passed, the spirit remembers itself in these places and remembers.

I had really hoped to visit more members as Archdruid. Demands of time, work, and the rest of life required that most of my visits revolve around festivals. Recently, I was asked about doing some blessings, and here I am – on the road again!

On the road again

I drove out of Sioux Falls and onto the expressway. There were endless fields of corn and soybeans that stretched out into the verdant arms of the Earth Mother. The sun was the yellow of the endless summer, and the sky the blue of summer’s promise. The fields were a rich, verdant green, like the color of fields alive in the sun.

When I arrived at my friend’s home, I was warmly welcomed, and I was thankful for the blessings of friendship and for the richness of hospitality that greeted me when I arrived. A door opened to the hearth and home, a ceiling that reached the sky like a silent, family prayer, and a comfortable chair, which made me feel that I had been there for a while and that I would be there even longer.

Hospitality

My shoes sat at the doorway, like good, Canadian manners. The cats sidled up to me like familiar visitors. We talked into the night of the past, what we had shared, of the present, and the beauty of the moment. All time rushes forward to that moment where we sit like leaves that move slowly on the limb, blown by the winds, gently, only to return to form, in the moment that follows.

As the quiet night deepened outside and around us, the evening settled into corners, darkened rooms, and the hallways leading to the promise of sleep. We said our goodnights and looked forward to the morning. As I lay my head down on soft pillows and blankets, far from my own bed, I drifted off across fields of plants waving in the summer breeze to a place of sleep and solace.

The next morning, our other member arrived with her baby son. Though it had been a few years since I had seen this friend, she welcomed me like it was yesterday. Her son was truly adorable, full of smiles. He is at an age where he can sit up but isn’t quite crawling yet. Yet, when people spoke to him, he looked at them ever so intently. He is a very happy baby, and I had hoped that he would maintain his good cheer through the baby blessing. He was very, vert good.

Blessings abound

When the time came for the blessing, I asked him if he was ready. He smiled and leaned forward. To me, this meant “Yes.” I then proceeded to give him the blessing of the Earth Mother. I offered blessings for each of the Kindreds, Ancestors, Nature Spirits, and Shining Ones. Each of the separate blessings included some passes with my hands. He watched in rapt attention as I did so, and I must admit, I watched him in return.

There was a momentary silence, and the blessings were done. Then, quickly and gracefully, he raised and lowered his hands, and the blessings were complete. I pondered my blessings as his for a long time, long past supper, long into the silent, yawning night, stretching across the Great Plains.

Endings, for now

The next morning, early, I found my way back to the airport. I bid Sioux Falls a fond farewell, and I truly hope to return sometime soon. In my bones, I feel it is the case. I saw the airport, just waking from a short night. As I walked from the airline counter to the gates, saw the statue of a fox, and I knew I had done well. I felt it was an auspicious end to a wonderful weekend full of blessings and rejoinder.

If, by any chance, you need a journeyman priest, drop me a line. I might just be out your way, to bring blessings, and, if it is done right, to get some in return.