Welcoming Ceremony for the Folk of the Grove

From "The Wheel Of The Year At Muin Mound Grove, ADF"

By Rev. Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison

This ceremony is done after a person has met the requirements to join the Folk of the Grove. As part of the all night vigil, people make a Grove Pin. This is the emblem referred to in the ceremony. This is the definition of the Folk of the Grove from our bylaws:
The Folk of the Grove - is defined as a person who is a Full Grove member, has asked to join the Folk of the Grove, has completed an all night vigil and has attended at least 3 High Day Rituals in the past calendar year. Only members of the Folk of the Grove may run for elected Grove offices. A person who resigns from the Folk of the Grove, either by allowing their National membership to lapse for more than three (3) months, or for personal reasons, and then wishes to re-join at a later date, will not have to redo the all night vigil, but will have a re-welcoming ceremony at the next High Day ritual.

Here's an article that was written about the Folk when we first started the idea.

THE FOLK

When I think of what I want for Muin Mound Grove, I think of a feeling of family. I think of a community where I can grow and learn with people who are closer than friends. I have been trying for three years to help build a sense of true community within the Grove and now it is beginning to really happen. In my mind, the Folk of the Grove are the people who are first, a national member of Ár nDraíocht Féin. It is as important for us to support the national organization, as it is to support our own Grove. Without the national organization we probably would not have met as we did. We would not have the structure that our Grove has without the National. Face it, everything would be very different. I also feel that it is important for each member of the Folk of the Grove to attended business meetings, for this is where the Grove makes its decisions and does some wonderful work. I also feel that it is important for each member of the Folk to have completed their first circle vigil. This is a way to present yourself to what you hold important as well as making a pledge to work for and with ADF. What I feel is most important for a member of the Folk is to have gone through the Grove Welcoming ceremony. In this ceremony each candidate will be asked questions about why they want to join the Folk of the Grove.
They, most importantly, will have to swear an oath before the Nature Spirits, the Ancestors, and the Gods and Goddesses that they will work for and with Muin Mound Grove as long as they are counted among its folk.
In my mind the Folk of the Grove will function as a community playing and working together. I hope to see special ceremonies performed, discussion groups, parties and a general spirit of learning and understanding. This will be the group that will plan and write the rituals and festivals that we will hold. This will be the part of the Grove that will have separate groups that will function as smaller guilds and SIG's, although they are open to everyone, if the Folk want. They would also be the people who would get to wear the beautiful emblems. Anyone who would fill the requirements listed above and who would ask to join the Folk of the Grove, would be allowed.
We hope to see the numbers of the Folk grow large!
©1995 by Phoenix

When the Grove first started doing this ceremony, it was done during the magical working part of a High Day ritual. As the number of people joining the Folk got larger, we started doing this ceremony on another day and just acknowledging the new Folk members in the next High Day ritual.

And now on to the ceremony itself!

Altar: Decorated with one many-colored candle, (represents all that the grove has to offer). Candidates have his/her own candle on their person. One chalice filled with water for New Member to pass around. As many Grove emblems as are needed.

Senior Druid: "Will those who have sworn to Muin Mound Grove, those who wear the Grove emblem, step foreword to witness and accept or deny the ones who would be counted among your Folk." (Folk members step foreword)

Senior Druid: "Will the people who are seeking to join, who would swear to Muin Mound Grove, who would wear the emblem of our Grove, step foreword now." (New member(s) step foreword)

(The following section is done for each new member and takes up the largest amount of time.)

Senior Druid: (puts hands on New Members shoulders turning New Member around towards those that are gathered) "_______________(New Member's name) has completed his/her first circle vigil on ___________(date) and has presented his/her self to the Nature Spirits, Ancestors, and the Gods and Goddesses with the intention of working with Ár nDraíocht Féin and Muin Mound Grove.

Senior Druid: (takes New Member's hands and turns them around and says looking into their eyes) "You have found a mystical, magical place, and have begun to learn and love with its folk. You, who have asked to join with us, I now ask you for four answers. "

Senior Druid: "What of yourself, are you prepared to contribute to Muin Mound Grove?"

New Member: Answers

Senior Druid: "What do you seek from Muin Mound Grove?"

New Member: Answers

Senior Druid: "How can we provide you with what you seek?"

New Member: Answers

Senior Druid: "Will you swear that you will work for and with Muin Mound Grove as long you are a member, in return for being counted among its Folk?"

New Member: Answers

Senior Druid: "Is there any of the Folk of Muin Mound Grove here gathered who would give reason why _____________ (New Member's name) should not be counted among our Folk?"

Folk: Answer (ONLY the Folk).

Senior Druid: "Know child of Earth, that you are a peer among peers, a servant among servants, a teacher among teachers, a student among students. You are our chosen brother/sister and we will always be for and with you. No member of Muin Mound Grove is above or below you. Know now that leadership is a sword with two edges: authority, which comes with wisdom and, service, which comes with compassion. Teach what you know and learn what you need. Be true to your heart. This emblem is a symbol of Muin Mound Grove; it was created by and for its Folk. Now may this represent our acceptance of you and your acceptance of us. (Senior Druid pins emblem on new member).

New Member: (New Member takes chalice from altar and holds candle in other hand) "This water is all that I have to offer you, this is my own.

Senior Druid: "Take this flame, the spirit of all that Muin Mound Grove has to offer you and make it your own." Senior Druid picks up and holds out the grove candle.

New Member: "I accept your flame, (New Member uses their own candle and takes flame from Grove candle) the spirit of all that you have to offer and I meld it with mine. (New Member takes own candle and puts it in the chalice) These energies are different and I am strengthened by those differences. Accept what I have to offer as I have accepted you."

New Member to each member of the Folk: "My name is _____________. (Name used here is the name that they want to be known by within the Grove. It doesn't have to be their real name.) This is what I am. This is for you, my Folk, my people. I offer this to you with love and understanding."

The Folk member responds: "I welcome you to this Grove, to my Folk. I welcome you. I welcome you."