Rainbow Circle AGM 2007
Franqui's Wake
It was the day before the BGG opened, in a green
burial ground near Cranleigh in Surrey, scheduled for
4pm so that people could get there from afar. I was a
bit early so I went to see if anyone else had arrived
at the pub we were going to afterwards. I was
delighted to see Cheesy and Gretel there and we drank
a toast to Franqui, wishing her well on her new
travels and adventures.
Franqui did not want a Church service of any kind so
we gathered in the car park and at the right time,
Malcolm led us into the field known as Oakfield Wood –
well one day it will be a wood! I conched three times
and we all gathered around the grave. Franqui was
already in there. Was that the first time I'd ever known
her be early?!
Malcolm spoke for a while about Franqui and his life
with her, then others spoke. People from her family,
friends who had known her long time. Eventually I
went up and spoke. I told the story of how Franqui
and Harlequin had found each other again through
Rainbow Circle and also how Karen Bear had advised her
to get the lump on her foot sussed out. I told how
Franqui had later said to me that Rainbow Circle had
given her back her son and her life. I placed three
swans feather in the grave from me and Yohanna and all
of Franqui's friends in Rainbow Circle.
Many people spoke so this went on for some time. Then
Malcolm drew it to a close saying that there were
herbs and flowers that we could each sprinkle into the
grave to make our own personal farewells and that we
would then go back to the pub for sandwiches and
drinks. At this point I said that, after everyone had
had time and space with Franqui, I would hold a simple
Circle Ceremony before going back to the hotel.
People would be welcome to stay if they wished.
Most people did stay for the Circle. We held hands
and had an OM, then I called on the elements: air to
help wing her on her way, fire to capture the twinkle
in her smile, water to carry her on her journey and
earth to take back her body into the cycle of life. I
then taught and we all sang ‘OM FRANQUI, CELEBRATE
FRANQUI' three times. Then a circle with more
stories, a few chants and another OM to complete.
I also conched three times at the end when everyone
had left.
Back at the hotel, many people thanked me for the
Circle, particularly her mother who said how nice it
was to have experienced something, however minimal, of
the other side of Franqui's life that most people
there did not know about.
SWEET SOUL, YOUR JOURNEY'S JUST BEGUN
SWEET LOVER OF THE LIGHT, YOUR TIME HAS COME
OM FRANQUI!
Touch the Tipi to go home
Copyright Rainbow Circle 2007