For me, April 1st isn't about mean pranks and stupid jokes, its about acknowledging and honoring our inner Tricksters.
Do you acknowledge and honor your Inner Tricksters?
Last night I led a ritual with my virtual grove for Tricksters Day and I thought was going to be about protecting the marginalized, but the Tricksters focused on acknowledging how people use their tricks for good and survival, showing that even though many people fear and crap all over Tricksters, they too are Tricksters. Kettles and pots. Tricksters are good at holding up those mirrors, aren't They? it wasn't to shame anyone, but to show and and encourage people to honor their Inner Tricksters.
"They can teach us how to survive. Deception and lies are often seen as bad, but without these skills many creatures and people wouldn't survive, be them hunters, defenders, spies, whistleblowers, scambaiters, or even survivors, neurodivergents, the marginalized, and the like. Regardless of your category and label, how many of you have had to stealth, stay in the shadows and observe, wear masks? We've all been a Trickster at some point in our lives.
"They can also bring humor in unexpected ways, and teach us to not take ourselves so seriously. They can teach us to laugh. Teach us how to game and gamble. Teach us how to speak with honeyed words and silver tongues–how to manipulate, how to inspire. All useful skills that aren't always used with bad intentions.
"Perhaps you'll see Tricksters in a different light after this? Let's continue on with the ritual."
Repeat their names and give offerings.Then I invited mine: Loki, Hermes, Dionysus, Anansi, Óðinn, Freyja, Manannán mac Lir, Veles, etc.
Do you acknowledge and honor your Inner Tricksters?
Last night I led a ritual with my virtual grove for Tricksters Day and I thought was going to be about protecting the marginalized, but the Tricksters focused on acknowledging how people use their tricks for good and survival, showing that even though many people fear and crap all over Tricksters, they too are Tricksters. Kettles and pots. Tricksters are good at holding up those mirrors, aren't They? it wasn't to shame anyone, but to show and and encourage people to honor their Inner Tricksters.
The Ritual--that I had zero inspiration to write for and was still working on it at start time. The ritual that Zoom wouldn't open for after many tries. The ritual that my camera randomly turned off during. The ritual that a spirit interrupted by jiggling my door. The ritual that my cat Jimmy V decided to give everyone an ass shot so she could eat the offerings (cat treats that she hates). The ritual that, despite the obstacles and chaos, I was super relaxed for.
Moral of this ritual is Expect Chaos. Perhaps for future rituals, I should just do that for no nerves?
Onto the Ritual:
Opening: "Tonight we're honoring Trickster Gods and Spirits. This night of a full moon, night before April 1st. Tricksters often get a bad rap–deserved in some cases, as well as undeserved in others. In others who wish to miss the lessons and only focus on the bad and on the blame. Yes, they can bring chaos into our already chaotic lives, but they can also teach us how to navigate and destroy those chaotic patterns.
"They can teach us how to survive. Deception and lies are often seen as bad, but without these skills many creatures and people wouldn't survive, be them hunters, defenders, spies, whistleblowers, scambaiters, or even survivors, neurodivergents, the marginalized, and the like. Regardless of your category and label, how many of you have had to stealth, stay in the shadows and observe, wear masks? We've all been a Trickster at some point in our lives.
"They can also bring humor in unexpected ways, and teach us to not take ourselves so seriously. They can teach us to laugh. Teach us how to game and gamble. Teach us how to speak with honeyed words and silver tongues–how to manipulate, how to inspire. All useful skills that aren't always used with bad intentions.
"Perhaps you'll see Tricksters in a different light after this? Let's continue on with the ritual."
Grounding: Tree, but I only did the roots. I guided them in making their roots expansive and deep. They stretched their roots wide to connect to each other, and deep so no winds could knock them over.
Then I had to draw up those cool refreshing waters to fill their entire bodies and astral forms. Instead of branches, we focused on our heart centers--our pulse. With that pulse, they created a shield around themselves to protect against all unwanted energies and entities.
Purify the Space: "I invite you all to purify your own space if you wish. With this staff, I 'll protect this space. 3 taps to Ground, 3 taps to Clear. 3 taps to Connect." 9 taps of my Spirit Stick. "This space is cleared, connected, and protected."
Inviting the Liminal: "I now ask for the Liminal Spirits to come to this space. No gates. Only hidden holes in the fence for us to slip through. Come and show us the way through. Foxes and Coyotes and Jays! Hares and Rats and Ferrets! Raccoons and Corvids and Cats! Liminal Walkers! Come aid in our connection to the Other! Be our guides and our protectors!
"Liminal Ones! Accept this offering!" Cat treats.
Inviting the Kindreds: "Kindreds of Blood, Bone, and Spirit; of flora and fauna; of the Other–Seen and Unseen, Known and Unknown, With and Without Shrines in our homes–I invite yall to this ritual. Be welcome and accept this offering!" Cat treats
"First I will invite Sister Moon to this ritual." Give offerings.
"In chat or unmuted, I ask yall to invite other Tricksters, Shapeshifters, Those of the Shadows and Liminal Spaces."Repeat their names and give offerings.Then I invited mine: Loki, Hermes, Dionysus, Anansi, Óðinn, Freyja, Manannán mac Lir, Veles, etc.
"Hail, Clever Shapeshifters, Curious Contradictions, Creators of Challenges. I welcome you all here. Teach us to find solutions. Guide us through the Chaos of Life. Aid us accept our hidden selves–our shadows, our shifting forms, our inner tricksters (an edited version of Hail Loki by Serendipity Wyrd, 2021)!"
Guided Meditation: "Close your eyes and breath at your own pace, however's comfortable for you. You're all in total darkness. But through this darkness comes an animal. Silent. Aware. Cautious. Feeling safe, the animal approaches you. It gestures for you to follow it into the shadows. Open your senses to these shadows. Have no fear, you're not alone. Allow the animal to teach and guide you through. Just…follow…see what happens if anything at all… What can the Tricksters teach you? What are their messages?"
Silence for 4 minutes.
"Remember to breathe." pause. "It's time to return, but this time without your guide. You can find your way back to yourselves." Pause. "Return to your starting point. Return to yourselves. Wiggle your fingers and toes. Move a little. Open your eyes when you're ready. I'll give yall 2 minutes to jot down some thoughts. You can return to your notes later."
Silence for 4 minutes.
"Remember to breathe." pause. "It's time to return, but this time without your guide. You can find your way back to yourselves." Pause. "Return to your starting point. Return to yourselves. Wiggle your fingers and toes. Move a little. Open your eyes when you're ready. I'll give yall 2 minutes to jot down some thoughts. You can return to your notes later."
(Of course after ritual, I thought about the animal guides leading them to a mirror--perhaps next year?)
I had them close their eyes again, and I read Fox Prayer by Travis Bowman.
Omen from Crows and Raven via The Urban Crow Oracle by MJ Cullinane:
Acknowledge, Explore, and Honor Your Inner Trickster
What Willow recorded me saying:
"To protect the marginalized. To do so with quick wit and humor, like a sly person, a trickster, someone good with their words and communication, like a car salesman but using their powers to help people, like the hackers who are scam baiters. A sleazy guy, actors are tricksters. So many people are high and mighty hating on tricksters while not realizing the many hats and masks people wear in daily life, at work while driving with different family members. Humans are the biggest tricksters ever. Acknowledge when you are a trickster and honor the trickster within, the times being a trickster has helped you. How can you use trickster energy to help people. Sometimes helping people involves doing nasty stuff such as undercover work or spies. Pray for the tricksters and scambaiters and autistic and neurodivergent people while praying for the marginalized.
Neurodivergent people wear masks very frequently. Masking is exhausting, and is not always a bad thing. It would be nice if we didn't have to mask. Honor your inner trickster. Don't view it as a bad person or side of you. It can be bad but isn't always. As you would honor your inner child, honor you inner trickster and shadow. One of Foxlyn's ancestors who worked in coal mines, a spy for the coal miners, fought for the rights of coal miners sneakily against cops and deputies taking bribes etc.
Raven says gwaaah. To learn how to use shadows to your benefit, how to observe, be quiet and observe from the shadows. How many loud shadows do you encounter?
Protection (2 crows protecting their eggs)
Release (crow funeral) we protect we risk it all to protect. We're forgotten and sometimes hated and some of us would rather stay hidden even if hated or forgotten but the more we're known the more cover is blown, but sometimes some appreciation goes a long way, same for inner trickster.
Curiosity
Curiosity card about exploring yourself, ways that you are a trickster and mask wearer, paying attention to that."
Neurodivergent people wear masks very frequently. Masking is exhausting, and is not always a bad thing. It would be nice if we didn't have to mask. Honor your inner trickster. Don't view it as a bad person or side of you. It can be bad but isn't always. As you would honor your inner child, honor you inner trickster and shadow. One of Foxlyn's ancestors who worked in coal mines, a spy for the coal miners, fought for the rights of coal miners sneakily against cops and deputies taking bribes etc.
Raven says gwaaah. To learn how to use shadows to your benefit, how to observe, be quiet and observe from the shadows. How many loud shadows do you encounter?
Protection (2 crows protecting their eggs)
Release (crow funeral) we protect we risk it all to protect. We're forgotten and sometimes hated and some of us would rather stay hidden even if hated or forgotten but the more we're known the more cover is blown, but sometimes some appreciation goes a long way, same for inner trickster.
Curiosity
Curiosity card about exploring yourself, ways that you are a trickster and mask wearer, paying attention to that."
Hallowing the Waters: "Take these messages and see them pouring into your vessels." Pause. "Behold the Waters of Life! Drink Deep!"
Farewell: "We thank you Sister Moon, Tricksters, and Liminal Beings for attending this ritual. Go if you must, stay if you will. Hail and farewell, Kindreds and Spirits All."
"This rite has ended. Blessed Full Moon and Happy Tricksters Day!"
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Thanks for all of yalls support!
Face to the Sun.
Trust in Joy.
Stick to the Shadows...
- Priestess Foxlyn