I was talking with my DP Mentor about connections, and she mentioned that another person she knew had done a regular “beer with the Kindreds” devotion. She’d get a beer for Them, and a beer for herself, and sit and drink and talk with Them, and then journal about the experiences.
I loved the idea, so I’m trying my own version. I can’t drink beer (gluten), and mead is hard to find, but I’m a regular tea drinker, so I thought I’d do it with tea instead of beer.
Last night I brewed up a pot of my favorite (non-caffeinated) tea, poured a cup for myself and a cup to set on my altar, and sat to meditate and chat. I was a little worried that the Kindreds would prefer something … er … stronger than tea, but it seems to have been well received (and I suppose I can always put a little whiskey in THEIR cup, even if I don’t drink it myself).
I got a very good feeling from doing it, sort of a warm acceptance (that also made the hair on the back of my neck stand up at first). I didn’t feel alone, though I can’t say for sure which entities exactly showed up. It was definitely a little bit weird at first, and I’m not yet brave enough to talk to Them out loud (since I wasn’t alone in the house). Still I think I managed to create a space for communication. I imagine with time I’ll get better at identifying who I’m talking to as well. I ended up sitting with Them for about half an hour, talking about whatever popped into my head, and making sure I took time to listen as well. I didn’t hear any definite answers though. Maybe that will come with time and practice.
When I was done, I poured out the tea from the altar outside in my garden.
I will definitely do this exercise again, and I think I may combine it with a divination at the end as well. I’ve been wanting to do divination more regularly (I’ve gotten away from a weekly practice), and this seems like a good way to keep that communication line open as well. I’d also like to add invitations to specific God/esses once I get to know some of them better.
Little Druid on the Prairie 
I used to do something like this with/for my hearth goddess. Thanks for reminding me!
This isn’t a bad idea. I might try it! And how is mead hard to find? Oliver Winery in Bloomington sells it in grocery stores here! It’s popular and only about $10 a bottle. I believe you can also order it off their website: http://www.oliverwinery.com. There’s always Amazon, also!
Blessings,
Victoria
Mead is hard to find because I live in Texas, and there are no local places that make mead other than home brew, and I don’t currently know anyone who is brewing it. They don’t sell it in grocery stores, and our local specialty liquor store even doesn’t have much or any, and what they have is often kind of gross. (Ordering booze through the mail is tricky, and not something I can currently do because I am not home to sign for it, nor is my husband, and they won’t leave it on the porch, which makes ordering it a huge pain in the ass.)
I’m glad you can find it so easily though.
Ah, well I tried to help! 😀
This is an excellent idea! I’d actually thought once about having a beer with the ancestors, but I never followed through and made it a regular practice. Definitely something I should give another shot. 🙂