Omen 1 - First Three Cranes Druid Moon Rite
08/18/2007
What is our path? Wunjo 
On what should the Grove focus until the next moon? Perðo 
On what should each individual focus until the next moon? Oðila 
Original Interpretation:
Our path is certainly one of joy, and a newness surrounds us. To some extent,
we are stumbling forward, moving ahead without a real clear knowledge of where
we are going, but the journey is joyful and easy . . . We appear to be easing on
down the road.
Relating to our path, the Grove was given little direction
for focus. Perðo is, of course, the unknown, so it appears that our general
instruction is to focus on things not known. We might also be well-advised to
focus on the mystery that is the Druid Moon Rite.
Individuals are advised
to focus on the Ancestors, which is a wonderful omen for this time of year, and
even better for this ritual, which focuses on the Grove as a family.
These
are indeed good omens for our first Druid Moon Rite.
Further
Interpretation:
The above interpretation was the original
description written down in the Book of Three Cranes. Further reflection
on these omens with a bit of temporal distance between the omen and this review
has given me a bit more insight. In this case, I think that
was the ideal omen for our focus. Initially, I took this to mean that it was the
unknown aspect of this rite that was important, but it seems that what was
actually being conveyed was that we should allow this ritual to grow organically
for a while, and to seek to focus it better later. Over the past several months,
that is what we have done. It has, through more recent omens, been indicated
that it's time to work in a more focused manner, and so I expect that the Grove
will begin to do just that.
This was also the Druid Moon Rite done as we
moved toward the Autumnal Equinox. As such,
seemed ideal, as well, for our individual focus: focusing on who we were as a
Grove, and thinking about our ancestors. An aspect not initially read, though,
included the movement of the Grove into a new phase, where leadership would be
passed on, and the founding principles would need to be reflected on and
remembered through this transitionary period.
With our knowledge of
further Druid Moon Rites, became particularly
apt. We tend to receive it in description of our path thus far. We should
probably be careful of how we embark on this journey, but I believe it to be
full of joy throughout.
Omen 2 - First Three Cranes Yule Rite
12/22/2002
Have our sacrifices been accepted? Haglaz 
,
Isa 
, Laguz 
What do the Gods give us in return? Nauðiz 
What needs have they of us? Jera 
Original Interpretation:
Have our sacrifices been accepted?
Hagalaz - Hail -Simply, because we are looking to bring back the sun, and stormclouds
obscure the sun, I read this as "no". I also got the feeling that "no" was
the answer.
Further offerings were called for. After they were given, we re-drew
the runes:
Isa - Ice - Along the same lines above, I read this as getting a "cold shoulder".
Again, further offerings were called for. After they were given, we re-drew
the runes:
Laguz - water, overflowing - A definite "yes". It appears that they got what they wanted, and then some.
What do the Gods give us in return?
Naudaz - Need - We are told we will receive what we need. I think it's a very good omen.
What needs have they of us?
Jera - fruitful year - They want us around in a year, and they want us to grow stronger. I think
they intend to help us with that.
Further Interpretation:
This was the third ritual Three Cranes did, many years ago now. I find it an
important one, though, because it shows a lot of how I have changed in my
interpretations, and because this omen in particular had a great affect on the
Grove, and on ADF as a whole. This early omen was one of the worst that this
Grove has ever experienced. Our first round of offerings was obviously not
accepted. We held a second round of offerings which was also not accepted. Then
we held our third.
Each round of offerings was drawing greater sacrifices. The offerings were
not of anything physical, but they were verbal now: promises made, and to be
kept. One vow, in particular, is likely to have irrevocably changed the course
of ADF for the better: Jenni stood forth and made an oath to run for ADF
Preceptor. The following Wellspring, Jenni won that election, and began the work
of putting our Study Programs into action and order. She also hired me on as her
Deputy Preceptor, and I became more involved in the work of ADF's Study Programs
(and have since left my own mark on them). Had this omen not been read in this
manner, ADF may never have had Jenni as Preceptor, and I might not be Dedicant
Clergy today, as it was her bringing me in that truly showed me my vocation
within ADF.
This omen showed the Grove that sometimes, the gods want to push us a bit
more than we think we're ready for, but they will always provide for us. I
remember being torn on the reading of Nauðiz; I think that, if I pulled it
today, I would not have read it in the way that I did. But I see, on reflection,
that I read it completely correctly in that instance.
That year, incidentally, was a very, very fruitful year for the Grove.
Omen 3 - Fourth Three Cranes Druid Moon Rite
11/15/2007
What is our path? Wunjo
On what should the Grove focus until the next moon? Uruz 
On what should each individual focus until the next moon? Manaz 
Original Interpretation:
These omens show much: our path is joyous, but we should be sure to keep our
heads. The Grove should focus on our strength as one people, as a Grove. Reading
this omen with the omen of the last Druid Moon [Cantlos, Oct. 16, 2007],
we should focus on taking those individual strengths and finding how they can
combine to make one united, sacred Grove. Each individual, in the next month, should
focus on their inner self, and in the folk around them.
These are good omens.
Also they can be read as, "Take joy in strong men!" which recalls
an early omen taken in the same shelter: "It's raining men, and we should
enjoy them!" A little joy and humor must be recalled.
Further
Interpretation:
First, the Cantlos ("song month") runes were these: 
. I
have been most impressed with the way these rituals have dovetailed in their
omens. Wunjo
appeared in our first Druid Moon Rite, as well, and while this is the first
appearance of manaz in our Druid Moons, I don't think it falls out of the
general feel of our rites.
At this time, it appears that we need to focus on being together: taking care
of one another, and showing inner strength and trust within the Grove. A lesson
of manaz is that men will fail their fellows, but it is through the strength of
the Grove that we can keep ourselves united as a family, and retain the joy
indicated. I have seen much fellowship in these omens, and I have also noticed a
deeper connection now that we retain them and refer back to them more readily.
This particular omen, as noted in the last paragraph of the original
interpretation, hearkened back to another omen we took in the same shelter house
at Highbanks. There, we drew ,
which I interpreted as "It's raining men, and we should enjoy
them!" Here, it seemed to be a similar message, though I saw it much
more as a joke than as a serious omen as I did so many years ago. But it was
proper that the omen should bring out this joke, since the rite was focused on
the Grove's ancestral ties to the land, and to each other.
