Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Friends Meeting House

Doors open 7 pm ritual starts at promptly at 7:30

Celebrate Summer Solstice with Sassafras Grove by honoring the Manx god, Manannan Mac Lir.  All Pagan and Pagan-friendly folk are invited attend! Children are welcome.

On the Isle of Man, the Manx people would pay the rent to Manannan Mac Lir on the eve of Midsummer each year.  Manannan was the ruler of the Isle of Man and would cover the island with a cloak of mist when enemy ships approached.  If, despite the mists, enemies approached, he would turn himself into the shape of three legs and roll himself down from the mountaintop.  To this day, the symbol of his three legs is the symbol on the Isle of Man’s flag.

In this rite, we call upon the Sun to open the way to summer and pay our rent to Mannanan in thanks for his guidance and protection.

Due to time constraints, we won’t have a potluck following the rite, but there will be snacks!

What to Bring:

An offering for Manannan Mac Lir

A snack to share in fellowship after the rite (if you are able)

Suggested offerings include flowers (especially yellow flowers, as the Manx tradition is to give Manannan yellow flowers as payment for the “rent” of the land), bread, cheese, or cider.  Silent words of thanks or any gift from the heart are always appropriate.

Alcohol is not permitted onsite, even as an offering. Please respect the traditions of our hosts.

For more information on Mannanan, visit:

https://www.derryjournal.com/news/manannan-mac-lir-the-tale-behind-the-myth-1-6547064

http://www.isleofman.com/welcome/history/mythology-and-folklore/manannan-mac-lir/

https://heelancoo.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/paying-the-rents-to-manannan/

http://www.maryjones.us/jce/manannan.html

Plant a Tree! Over the next year, Sassafras Grove will be collecting cash donations to be used to plant trees through the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of the Earth Mother. For just $2.00 we can plant a tree in a National Forest! So if you have an extra dollar or two, please consider donating. We’ll keep you updated quarterly on the planting progress!

The Friends Meeting House is located at 4836 Ellsworth Avenue in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh’s East End. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the building in addition to on-street parking. You can find a link to a map for the Meeting House on the front page of their Web site at http://www.quaker.org/pghpamm/.

There is no cost to attend our rites and events, but we do rely on donations to help us cover the cost of space rental and supplies. If you can, please support your local Druids!

Bright Blessings,

Maria

Scribe, Sassafras Grove, ADF

info@sassafrasgrove.org