Reflecting on Imbolc 2026

The run up to Imbolc was a busy time, and saw many changes for Haven Song. On January 17th Marrow--one of our grove's two founding members--took her penultimate elevation, becoming a member of Blue Star Wicca's High Priesthood. Less than two weeks later, Marrow and Wren (also a member of our High Priesthood) formally hived away from Haven Song, and founded Pleiades Coven. A mere two days later, the remaining members of Haven Song (FoxTale and myself) ran our first open sabbat as a coven of two.

However, even as we navigated these changes and challenges here in Virginia, we were all too aware of the trouble our Siblings in the Craft were facing in Minneapolis. Not only does a significant percentage of our Tradition's membership live in and around the Twin Cities, but we're also keenly aware that ICE is operating in our own city on a much smaller scale... and that anywhere could be next on the list for full blown occupation.

With all of that in mind, the Work of our Imbolc ritual focused on building community connections and keeping that community safe.

FoxTale wrote the ritual and prepared small tags to be hung on the front and back doors of the home. On one side was Algiz, "a rune of protection, a shield to repel evil. It represents an Elk, a guardian of the forest." On the other side was Mannaz, "a rune of connection, a community to support each other. It is about aligning personal values with collective well-being."

We called upon Odin as a god of knowledge, who counsels hospitality to all, especially the traveler at your door. We also called upon Frigg as a goddess of hearth and home, the heart of any community. Each is a deity who will use all the tricks in their bag to come out victorious in any conflict. After energetically connecting the runes to our individual senses of community, we asked the gods to bless the tags, enhancing the power of the runes.

These wards now hang at the thresholds of our homes, granting those who reside behind them, the wisdom to know friend from foe, and the strength to stand up to an enemy at their gate. They are granting those who reside behind them the comfort of friendship, and the security of a caring community.

So mote it be.

Yule Lyrics

Any number of Christmas carols have been rewritten for a pagan sensibility. But we in Haven Song hold a special place in our hearts for that most pagan of carols, The Holly and the Ivy. We sing this slightly altered version every year as the call to worship for Yule (rewritten by Karen Deal Robinson).

The Holly and the Ivy

The Holly and the Ivy

When they are both full grown

Of all the trees that are in the woods

The holly wears the crown.

Chorus

The rising of the sun

And the running of the deer

All merry folk arise and sing

To greet the dawning year.

The holly has a berry

as red as any blood

and the ivy grows beneath the snow

that blankets all the wood.

Chorus

The holly has a blossom

As white as lily flower

And the ivy turns the winter wood

To a green and leafy bower.

Chorus

Regarding Kenny Klein

Since its founding in 1975, the tradition of Blue Star Wicca has undergone many transformations and been influenced by many people. Among the early influences, the biggest were perhaps Kenny Klein and his then-wife, Tzipora Katz. Together, they toured as folk musicians, facilitating the growth and spread of Blue Star.

In 2014 Kenny Klein was arrested on child pornography charges, and in 2017 he was convicted. In the wake of his arrest, many accusations of abuse and misconduct resurfaced, or came to light for the first time. Blue Star Wicca is intentionally without a single, central power, and consequently has no official mechanism for banishing or repudiating its members. However, several statements were issued by autonomous Groves and Coven, which condemned Klein and his actions and declared him unfit to work as a Priest in our tradition. These statements were signed by the issuing Initiates, as well as large numbers of Blue Star Initiates on behalf of their Covens or Groves. Among these signatures was that of the High Priestess of Haven Song Coven and Grove, on behalf of herself and all of Haven Song.

On July 11, 2020, Kenny Klein died from pancreatic cancer while in custody. We respect those who are in mourning and recognize the complicated feelings his passing brings up for many people. Nonetheless, we feel it is important to reaffirm that our stance on Klein and his actions are unchanged.

Haven Song Coven and Grove, located in the Richmond, VA area, along with the below signed, including unaffiliated Initiates, continue to stand against abuse of all kinds. We continue to strive to make our Coven, our Grove, and the wider tradition a safe place for all our family, friends, and guests.

Nightingale, Second Degree, High Priestess of Haven Song Coven and Grove

Acorn First Degree, (High) Priest of of Haven Song Coven and Grove

Antler, First Degree, Wellspring Coven

Heartsong, Second Degree, High Priestess of Rogue Star Grove

Lady River/Diana McCleery, Third Degree, Minneapolis

Jack, Third Degree, High Priestx of Sapphire Coven and Grove Rosa, First Degree, (High) Priestess of Sapphire Coven and Grove

Freyjasdótter, First Degree, Covenless

Lapis, First Degree, Wellspring Coven