TechnoDruid

Imbolc was not only my first ADF ritual, it was my first Pagan ritual, and I think it was a good start. We did the ritual with Stone Creed Grove at the West Shore Unitarian Church in Cleveland Ohio. My wife, Sara, having just joined ADF, was with me, as well as our son, Ari.
We arrived early, and helped setup. Sara made a Brigid’s Cross which would be placed on the Hallows and we would take home later.
The rite started with us coming in singing “Come We Now as a People”. We took our places and the Gods were invoked and the gate opened. At one point, a Brigid (whom we were honoring) corn dolly was passed around for us to touch. During the offering we offered some Rosemary Oil, which Sara read was acceptable to the The Dagda, whom we were also honoring that day. Others offered songs, chants, poems and the like. I was moved by some of them, and during the passing of the Brigid corn dolly in her Brigid’s Bed (which had a wand placed in it at some point). Near the end we drank the waters of life, which for Sara and I was some mead, and then passed through Brigid’s Girdle while doing another chant and carrying a candle. I then got Ari to take him through the girdle. They did a different routine for men and women. Men passed through, while the girdle was lifted around the women. The omens were cast as well at one point and came up Coll (wisdom), Ailm (future/vision) and nGeatal (labor/tools), which was deemed a good omen. The gate was closed in reverse order of the invocations.
Near the end, I can’t recall where in relation to the ritual at this late date, they asked who wanted to commit or renew their allegiance to the Grove. I told Sara we should, and we did.
During much of the ritual, Ari attended to himself, but was eventually joined by one of the members of the grove who played with Ari and one of the other kids.
After the rite we had a feast, a pot-luck dinner and socialization.
As I noted before, I think it was a very good experience for my first Pagan ritual. I looked forward to seeing more rituals.