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Sabbats

Because witches honor nature, they have eight festivals, or Sabbats, that mark the year as it turns through its seasons. The following is basic information about these Sabbats, and includes both standard Wiccan information as well as my personal Sabbat lore and experiences, in other words, what I perceive the Sabbats to be.

Samhain happens near Halloween and is when the Wiccan year begins. My altar cloth is black, because we are in the time of year that is dark. On my altar is the harvest, our "dead Lord" whose life is in the crops and "sacrificed" when the crops are killed to become our food. This is the time of death, of honoring and communing with spirits that have passed to the other side. Now the veil between the worlds is thin. It is a good time to invite our beloved dead to visit with us. This is not a gruesome exchange, but reverent, earthy, natural, further it is joyous and festive. Victor Anderson says "If a ghost of a loved one shows up, ask him to join the party."

SAMHAIN RITUAL

Place an apple and pomegranate upon the altar. There should also be a "planted" pot of earth for each participant - these may be arranged on the altar as well, if there is ample space. Instruments of divination may be placed within the Circle perimeter for use during the ritual if you wish. Arrange the altar as usual and decorate with Autumn leaves, pumpkins, etc.

The Circle is cast and purified the Circle in the usual manner. Dancing around the Circle, all chant three times:

The Moon is bright, the Crone is old
The body lifeless - the bones so cold
We all live and pay our dues
To die in ones and threes and twos.

Death, dance and play the harp
Piercing silence in the dark
The Woman's old with withered limbs
Death beckons Her to dance with Him

As She accepts the Dance of Death
The Earth is cooled by ghostly breath
To lie in dormancy once more
To have Her strength and life restored

The coven members resume a position in the circle.

The Priestess goes to the Western Quarter and draw an invoking pentagram with the athame to open the gate. Then evoke the dead by saying:

All ye spirits who walk this night -
Hearken! Hearken to my call!
I bid you in our Circle join!
Enter! Enter - one and all!

Come ye, spirits of the dead:
Be ye spirit of plant or pet
Or human being who still roams!
Into this Circle you are let!

Speak to us of things unknown!
Lend your energies to this rite!
To speed your journey, we have joined
On this sacred Samhain night!

All ye spirits who walk this night -
Hearken! Hearken to my call!
I bid you in our Circle join!
Enter! Enter - one and all!

Bestow blessings upon the dead, saying:

Oh Mighty Pan of the Summerlands:
Guardian of the beloved dead
We pour forth love on those you keep
Safely, in your peaceful stead
We bless those who have walked the path
That someday, we as well, shall rove
We offer peace unto their souls
While resting in your arms, below

Now is the time for divination (Ouija Board, pendulum, cards, etc.) and communication with those who have gone on before us. Allow plenty of time for this.

When the divinatory processes are completed, the Priestess goes to the Western Quarter and draw the banishing pentagram, saying:

Blessings be upon thee, oh wondrous Spirits of the
Summerlands. We humbly thank thee for your presence in our
Circle and honor you in celebration this sacred night. We
beseech thee, oh Pan, keeper of the sacred dead, embrace
once again those souls within your keep and hold tightly
to your breast those which have been lost and wandering.
Grant them safe passage to the Summerland, where they may
rest peacefully in your strength until they are refreshed
and reborn again in perfect love. We bid thee all a fond
farewell. So mote it be!

The gate is now closed.

The Priestess goes to the altar and hold up the pomegranate, saying:

Behold the pomegranate, fruit of Life...
The athame is plunged into the pomegranate, splitting it open to display the seeds. She says:

Whose seeds lie in the dormancy of Death!

The Priestess eats one of the seeds, saying:

I Taste the seeds of Death.

The pomegranate is then passed hand to hand through the participants of the ritual, each eating a
seed and saying to the next person:

"Taste the seeds of Death."
The Priestess then holds up the apple, saying:

Behold the apple: fruit of wisdom, fruit of Death...

She then cuts the apple crosswise, saying:

Whose symbolism rewards us with life eternal!

She holds up the apple, displaying the inner pentagram, and says:

Behold the five-fold star - the promise of rebirth!

Consecrate the fruit and wine. Each person then tastes of the apple and sips the wine, saying to the next person:

Taste the fruit of rebirth and sip from the cup of wine of Life.

After libation, the Priestess presents each member of the group with a small pot of earth, planted with three seeds [preferably rue or lavender]. She briefly explains to the group that this is the season of the seed - it is a time of dormancy, but also a time of re-generation for growth. Further, as the seed rests in the earth, they should also take time to rest and re-evaluate their lives, metaphorically planting only those values which will enrich and enhance the growth within the Divine Self. She then instructs them to name the seeds within their pots with three values they wish to incorporate into their lives, knowing that as the seeds sprout with new life, their lives will be new, as well.

After the presentation, all join hands and hold them skyward.

PRIESTESS:

Thus is the Circle of Rebirth.
All pass from this life through the great god, Pan
But through My love you are all reborn
In the cycles of nature - through the Cosmic Plan.

In living we die - in dying we live
The fruit is first seed, yet seed comes from the fruit
In the mystery of life and death and rebirth
The Circle turns ever, and I am its root.

ALL RESPOND:

The Sun conceived in Darkness, cold
In the Shadow of Death, a Life unfolds
A shred of Light begins to burn
From Death comes Life - the Circle turns.

Dismiss Quarters and Dissolve Circle.

PRIESTESS:

The rite is ended.

ALL:

Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!

Outdoor libation to the Lord and Lady, and the spirits of the dead.

Yule or winter solstice happens near December 21, which is the longest darkest night of the year. The dark of Winter is safe like my bedcovers at night. Dark whispers of a Mother's love caress me. In the darkness of the Mother's womb, the void I am safe, sustained, at peace. and can move inward, into my own dark self, looking, learning, purifying. I can cleanse myself of all that blocks me from being born new with the rising new solstice sun when the sun king is born, with promises for the Spring ahead.

YULE RITUAL

A circle may be marked on the floor, surrounding those who will participate in the ceremony. An altar is to be set up a little north of the center of the circle. The altar should have an image of the God and Goddess with an incense burner placed in front of the images.

Two white altar candles, dishes of salt and water, goblet of wine or fruit juice, cauldron with a special candle to symbolize fire and light, a little bell (if you have one) the athames and a small dish of the cakes or cookies for the Cakes and Wine ceremony.

When everyone is ready the participants should assemble in the circle area.

Purify and cast the Circle but do not light the candle in the Cauldron.

High Priestess:

"Let it be known that the Circle is about to be cast, let none be here but of their own free will."

The Designated Priest or Elder then says:

"This is the night of the solstice, the night that the darkness is triumphant over light, and yet on the morrow, the dark begins to give way and the light will return. The spirit of nature is suspended, all living things wait the transformation of the Dark King into the Infant Light. We watch for the coming of dawn, when the Great Mother will again give birth to the Divine Child, The Sun God who is the bringer of the life of Spring and the promise of Summer. We call the Sun from the womb of night. Blessed Be."

All: "Blessed be."

The Priestess then calls the quarters; making the sign of the invoking pentagram in each direction.

Facing East, saying:

"Lords of the Watchtowers of the East, we summon, awaken and call you up to guard the circle and protect us in our rite. Come to us now on the cold winter wind and breathe into us the spirit of the pure joy of life. So mote it be!"

All: "So mote it be!"

Facing South, saying:

"Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, we summon, awaken and call you up to guard the circle and protect us in our rite. Come forth from the fires that warm this winter's night. Kindle within us the warmth of spiritual awakening. So mote it be!"

All: "So mote it be!"

Facing West, saying:

"Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, we summon, awaken and call you up to guard the circle and protect us in our rite. Come forth from the frozen streams, from the driven snow. Bring us the water of life to wash away our fears and resentments that we may find peace of mind. So mote it be!"

All: "So mote it be!"

Facing North, saying:

"Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, we summon, awaken and call you up to guard the circle and protect us in our rite. Come forth from the fertile bosom of our Blessed Mother Earth, and nourish us so that our faith may grow in strength. So mote it be!"

All: "So mote it be!"

The Priestess then takes the wand, and starting at the north, draws it along the entire circle clockwise back to the north point, saying:

"The circle is sealed, and all herein Are totally and completely apart From the outside world, That we may glorify the Lady whom we adore. Blessed Be!"

All repeat: "Blessed Be!"

The priestess now holds the wand out in salute towards the north for a moment and then hands it to the priest, who also holds it out in salute. He motions to the group to repeat the following lines after him:

"As above, so below ...
As the universe, so the soul.
As without, so within.
Blessed and gracious one,
On this day do we consecrate to you
Our bodies,
Our minds,
And our spirits.
Blessed Be!"

Priestess:

"To die and be reborn,
The Wheel is turning,
What must you lose to the night?"

All: "Fear."

Priestess:

"Fear is lost to the night.
Fear is lost to the night.
To die and be reborn,
The Wheel is turning,
What must you lose to the night?"

All:

"The light was born,
And the light has died."

Priestess:

"Everything passes,
All fades away."

The High Priestess places a pinch of salt on each member's tongue,and says:

"My body is salt,
Taste the breath of death."

Priestess:

"You are entering a space of perfect freedom."

As everyone visualizes their hopes for their new life to come with the coming of the Sun the Priestess gives each a drop of honey on their tongues, one by one, saying:

"Taste the sweetness of life."

All:

We are awake in the night!
We turn the Wheel, to bring the light!
We call the sun from the womb of night!"

The Priestess says:

"He sets his face to the West, but in the East arises!"

Priest:

"Queen of the sun!
Queen of the Moon!
Queen of the horns!
Queen of the fires!
Bring to us the Child of Promise!"

All:

"It is the Great Mother
Who gives birth to Him,
It is the Lord of Life,
Who is born again!
Darkness and tears
Are set aside,
When the sun comes up again!"

Priestess:

"Golden sun,
Of hill and field,
Light the earth!
Light the skies!
Light the waters!
Light the fires!"

All: "Io! Evohe! Io! Evohe!"

The High Priest lights the cauldron candle, and all begin chanting:

"I who have died am alive again today,
The Sun is born again!
This is the birth of life and love and wings,
We are born again, we shall live again!
The Sun Child, the Winterborn King!"

All:

"The Dark God has passed the Gate,
He has been reborn through the Mother,
With Him we are each reborn!"
"The tide has turned!
The light will come again!
In a new dawn, in a new day,
The sun is rising!
Io! Evohe! Blessed Be!"

The Priestess now faces the altar, takes the goblet of wine in both hands, raising it offering it to the Lady and the Lord saying:

"We give thanks to the Gods for that which sustains us."

The Priest, also facing the altar, takes the plate of cakes, raising it and offering it to the Lady and the Lord, saying:

"We give thanks to the Gods for that which sustains us."

All: "So be it. May we ever be aware of all that we owe to the Gods."

The Priestess holding the goblet with both hands faces the Priest.

The Priest, holds his athame between his two palms, point down, faces her. He slowly lowers the point of the athame into the wine, saying:

"In like fashion may male join with female,"

Priestess:

"For the happiness of both, and let the fruits of the union promote life,"

Priest:

"Let all be fruitful and let peace, happiness and good will be spread throughout all lands."

The Priest then raises the athame, replacing it upon the altar.

The Priestess holds the goblet for the Priest to sip the wine, and the Priest holds it for the Priestess, replacing it upon the altar.

The Priest then takes up the plate of cakes, holds them before him, turning to the Priestess. She touches each of them with the point of her athame, saying:

"This food is the blessing of the Gods to our bodies,"

Priest:

"Let us partake of it freely, and as we share, let us remember always to see to it that what we have we share with those who have nothing."

The Priestess takes a cake and eats it, offering one to the Priest who also takes and eats a cake.

The Priest then takes the goblet and offers the wine to each of the Coveners in turn as the Priestess offers them each a cake.

Priestess:

"As we enjoy these gifts of the Gods, let us remember, without Them, we would have nothing,"

Priest:

"Eat and drink. Be happy. Share and give thanks. So Mote It Be."

All: "So Mote It Be."

Now is the time for discussion and teaching. Wine and light refreshments may be served. When the meeting has ended, all will stand and silently meditate for a moment.

Priestess facing East, making the sign of the banishing pentagram, says:

"Lords of the watchtowers of the East, return now to the brisk Winter winds which are brimming with the excitement of the year's climax. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!"

All: "Hail and farewell!"

Facing South, making the sign of the banishing pentagram, says:

"Lords of the Watchtowers of the South, return now to the fires of the Winter Hearth. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!"

All: "Hail and farewell!"

Facing West, making the sign of the banishing pentagram, says:

"Lords of the Watchtowers of the West, return now to the frozen streams and snow fields. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!"

All; "Hail and farewell!"

Facing North, making the sign of the banishing pentagram, says:

"Lords of the Watchtowers of the North, return now to the Earth where seeds nestle awaiting the warmth of Spring. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!"

All: "Hail and farewell!"

Priestess: Raises her athame in salute, says:

"We came together in perfect love and perfect trust, in love and friendship, let us part in the same way. Let us spread the love we have known here outward to all; sharing with those we meet on our separate ways."

Priest: Raises his athame in salute saying, as all coveners raise their athames in salute also:

"Lord and Lady, we give you our thanks for sharing this time together in our rite. We give you thanks for watching over us, for guarding us and for guiding us in all things. Love is the Law, Love is the Bond, Merry did we meet, merry do we part; and merry will we meet again."

The priestess will then take the wand and tap each candle to put it out, starting at the north and going clockwise around the circle, while saying:

"Our rite draws to its end.
O lovely and gracious Goddess,
Be with each of us as we depart.
The circle is open but not broken!
So Mote it be"

All: "So Mote it be!
Merry Meet, Merry Part,
May the Love of The Lord and The Lady,
Be always in your heart.”

Brigid or Candlemas (Imbolc), on February 2, is the festival of the Goddess Brigid, patron of poetry, healing, and metalsmithing. Brigid's poetry inspires me to shake off winter's sleep now, stretch and start to get ready for Spring. I am still drowsy.

Candlemas (Imbolc) Ritual: 2 February

Materials

a candle for each covener present.
a MAIDEN, dressed in white.
a Crown of Light, made from three, six, or nine candles.
a BARD/GREEN MAN.
a DARK LORD, dressed in dark clothing, and holding a dark cloak.

The BARD should stand to the WEST, unless otherwise specified in the ritual.

HPS
Go we now to the sacred place
And stand within the sacred space
Turn your minds to sacred things
And dance with me unto the ring!

HP and HPS lead the coven to the place of ritual by a spiral dance, ending in a circle around the altar. The cauldron should be at the south. The Bard/Green Man dances at the end of the line. A good song to sing here is "Lord Of The Dance."

HPS
Come we forth, with the Spiral Dance
Within the Lady's radiance
To celebrate the Sun's rebirth
To renew life, to warm the Earth

Earth and Water, Fire and Air
I invoke the Goddess there!
This night we are Between the Worlds
To celebrate the year unfurled!

HP
Earth and Water, Fire and Sky
I invoke the God on high
This night we are Between the Worlds
To celebrate the year unfurled!

The corners shall be called thusly, that all may hear, but shall not be called until the HPS reaches that corner on her circumnabulation.

EAST
O Guardians of the Eastern Tower,
Airy ones of healing power
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!

Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!

So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightening's flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:

SOUTH
Oh fiery ones of Southern Power
Thus I invite you to this tower
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!

Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!

So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightening's flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:

WEST
Western ones of water's flow
Help to guard us here below
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!

Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!

So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightening's flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:

NORTH
Earthen ones of Northern fame
Bless and guard our Power's fane
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!

Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!

So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightening's flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
Cast the Circle: Blessed be!

The Circle's cast; and Blessed Be!

The Maiden shall step forth, and say:

MAIDEN
This is the time of Brigid, the Patron of Poets and Fire, and of Healing.

HPS
This is the time of new beginnings, when the Mother has become Maiden.

HP
The days have turned, and grow longer, and the Sun-child is growing to His strength.

BARD/GREEN MAN
I have been a wave upon the sea,
And a spark in the firelight.

I have been a fish in the ocean.
I have been a Thought within a Word,
And a Word within a Deed.
I was cast away, and found again.

I have been made of flowers
And of cold steel and brass.
Fire and ice are alike unto me.

I have been the narrow blade of a sword
That kills without cutting.
And the Void is my homeland.

I have been in Caer Sidi
In the Spiral Castle of Glass.
And the letters on the Standing Stones
Are no secret from me.

I have been in Annwyn
And Tir na n'Og,
I have danced the Spiral Dance,
And drunk from the Hierlas at daybreak.

I have ridden beneath two ravens
And served in the kitchen,
And all places are alike unto me.

I have been a child
And now I come into my strength!

I invoke the Land, the dear Land,
the Earth our Mother!

MAIDEN
The cycles of the Moon have taken their course, and I am in my Maidenhood. The stars are kindled, and I dance in their light.

DARK LORD
Thy home is with me thru the long months of Winter, and the Earth shall lie fallow and bare.

The HPS shall then light the candles of the Crown of Light, and shall approach the Maiden, who is now standing in the East, and place it upon her head.

She shall now, in company with the Bard/Green Man, circumnabulate the circle, and the coveners shall light their candles from her crown. The Bard/Green Man shall return to his normal place within the circle and the Maiden shall place the Crown of Light on the altar. The Maiden shall then approach the Dark Lord, and kneel before him, and he shall say:

DARK LORD
As it always is, always was, and always shall be. Come to my Kingdom.

Here he shall place the dark cloak around her, and they shall move to the West. They will stand and watch the following.

A normal cone-of-power may be raised, for growth and healing:

HPS
In a ring we all shall stand
Pass the Power, hand to hand.

HP
As the Sun is given birth
Build the Power; root to Earth

HPS
Pass the Power, hand to hand
Bless the Lady, bless the Land

HP
Bless the Lord, and bless the Skies
Bless the Power that never dies!

The above four verses should be repeated three times and then the HPS should say:

HPS
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree:
Let the Power flow out and free!

All should release, at this point.

Such coven business as must be transacted may be done here. This is a good time to bless candles for use during the coming year. This is also a good time for initiations.

The Circle is opened.

HPS
Thus I release the East and West
Thanks to them from Host to Guest
Thus I release the South and North
With "Blessed Be' I send them forth!
The Circle's open, dance we so
Out and homeward we shall go.
Earth and Water, Air and Fire
Celebrated our desire.
The Sun's returned to banish dark
The Earth awakes to sunlight's spark.
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
Our circle's done; and Blessed Be!

COVEN
Blessed Be!

All spiral dance out from the Circle.

Spring Equinox (Ostara) happens about March 21, and I pass from one time into the other, yet am between one time and another. I completely shed winter's sleep. As a time of passing, transition, it is powerful - a time of balance - equal day and equal night - so a time of magic. I am poised between being bound, and the movement of Spring. Bound like sleeping beauty who is released by love's kiss into the violent passion of Spring. Bound as in the cosmic egg, which exploded when the cosmos was hatched. Explosive moment of creation - moving dynamically chaotically.

Spring Equinox Ritual

Clothing :

The priestess who will invoke Athena (1) can wear any robe that feels right to her, but she will carry the sword. The priestess invoking Demeter (2) should wear a green robe, but cover it with her cloak to begin with. The priestess invoking Kore (3) should wear a spring robe, covered with a dark cloak.

Before the ritual, place a large number of candles about the temple. Leave them unlit. One tiny candle should be placed on the altar. The matches should be put where they can be got at easily!

Burn Black Forest Incense...a fair amount of it. Keep the door of your temple CLOSED.

Have ready some lavender oil to burn later in the ritual.

Have the participants each bring a candle.

When the participants enter, have them stand in the center of the temple. It will be dark. Shut the door.

Priestess goes to the east quarter, Participant 2 to the south, Participant 3 to the west.

Call the quarters theatrically.

All:

Kore is in the underworld.

Priestess 1:

Blow, gentle breezes from the depths of the earth,
Bring us to her in safety.

All:

Kore is in the underworld.

Participant 2:

Come, tiny flame, shine in the depths of the earth,
Guide us to her in safety.

All:

Kore is in the underworld.

Participant 3:

Come, still dark waters in the depths of the earth,
Bring us to her in safety.

All:

Kore is in the underworld.
Cold stone under our feet in the depths of the earth,
Bring us to her in safety.

P1 silently raises the circle. The participants seat themselves.

P3:

It is dark. So dark.

P2:

It is cold. So cold.

P1:

Where is the Grain Mother?

P3:

Where is Demeter?

P2:

She has turned her face from the earth.

P1:

How can this be?

All:

Mother Demeter, speak to us!
Mother Demeter, speak to us!
Mother Demeter, speak to us!

P2 invokes Demeter. Demeter:

My daughter, where is my daughter?
Where is she for whom I made the sun shine?
Where is she for whom I made the grain grow?

Kore, Kore, Kore!

P1 invokes Athena. Athena:

She has gone below, Mother Demeter.

All:

Kore is in the underworld.
Kore is in the underworld.
Kore is in the underworld.

Demeter:

Then I will cover my face
And let the earth die.

Kore, Kore, Kore!

Athena:

Mother, the people of the earth need you.
We are cold.
We are hungry.
We must have light.

Demeter:

Kore, Kore, Kore!

Demeter turns her back.

Athena turns to the participants.

Athena:

Then we must go below to her
And beseech her to return.
The earth must not die.

Athena moves to the altar and lights the tiny candle.

P3:

Our steps falter.

All:

It is dark, dark.

P3:

Our sight falters.

All:

It is dark, dark.

P3:

Our hearts falter.

All:

It is dark, dark.

Athena:

Courage, for I am with you.
Even in the darkness I am with you.
Even in the coldness I am with you.
And see - we approach Kore on her throne!

Athena directs the participants' attention to the west.

All:

Kore, speak to us!
Kore, speak to us!
Kore, speak to us!

P3 invokes Kore/Persephone.

Kore:

I have gone below.
Why do you now come to me?

Athena:

Kore, why are you here
In the dark and the cold?

Kore:

Don't you know that all people
Even gods
Must go into the dark
And look within?

Athena:

Kore, your Mother weeps for you.
Will you come home to us?

Kore:

Don't you know that all children
Even gods
Must leave their Mothers
And grow into adulthood?

Athena:

Kore, the earth is dying.
Will you come home to us?

Kore:

The earth must not die.
I will beseech my mother
To bring life to the earth again.

Kore picks up the tiny candle and 'leads' the participants out.

Kore:

We walk through the darkness of the underworld.
Our steps are sure.
We do not fear the darkness of the underworld,
For it is also the darkness within ourselves.
We wind our way through the caverns.
And now we feel the breath of the wind on our faces.
We emerge from the underworld to the earth.
The wind is cold.
The earth is dark.

Athena:

Mother Demeter, we have returned.

Demeter:

Kore, Kore, Kore!

Kore:

Mother, I am here.

Demeter:

Kore, you have returned!
Stay with me and run in the fields as you did before.
Play in the gardens of the earth as you did before.

Kore:

Mother, I cannot stay.

Demeter:

Then I will cover my face and grieve,
And the earth will die.

Athena:

The earth must not die.

Kore:

I will stay with you
For half of the year.
But I must go below
For the other half.

Mother, look at me.

Demeter turns.

Demeter:

But what is this?
Kore, you have changed.

Kore:

I went below to change, Mother.
To grow.
Call me now Persephone,
For I have been to the underworld.
I have been within.
I must return to grow
And to help others grow.
Your world is the grain, Mother.
My world is the hearts of all people
Even gods.

Athena:

It is just, Mother Demeter.
She must return below,
But for now she will stay with you.

Demeter:

My daughter, you have grown wise.
I accept what you must do.
I will grieve when you go from me,
And the earth will become cold and dark.
But when you return,
The earth will live again.

See!

Athena, Demeter and Kore light all the candles. Persephone throws off her cloak to reveal a spring robe. Demeter throws off her cloak to reveal a green robe.

Athena:

Persephone has returned!
The light has returned!
The warmth has returned!

Let us praise Mother Demeter
For she has brought the earth to life again.
Let us praise Persephone
For she has returned from the underworld
And will be there to guide us
When we must go within.

All Chant:

She has returned
The earth lives again!
We feel the warmth returning
The sun shines again!
We see the grain growing
The garden grows again!
Persephone, Demeter
Persephone, Demeter
Persephone, Demeter
The earth lives again!

Repeat, then repeat last line to build cone of power until Demeter judges the cone ready. Send out the power to bring life to the earth again.

Farewell the Goddesses.
All sit down, forming a sitting circle.

P1:

Long, long ago, there was no winter.
Summer ruled the Earth as Mother Demeter
Watched lovingly over her daughter Kore.

P2:

All people knew her and loved her
As the Grain Mother.
There was no hunger
And no one was ever cold.

P1:

Kore ran in the fields of the earth
Safe under her mother's loving eye.
And for a long, long time
She knew no other world.

P3:

But all things change, and so did Kore.
She felt something within her,
An urge to know more,
To grow.

P2:

And so she approached the cave
That led to the Underworld.
She descended into the darkness.
Her steps were faltering,
For she could not see,
And she was afraid.
Yet she knew she must go on.

P1:

When she came to the Underworld,
Kore found a mirror.
She looked within, and saw herself.
Yet not the child she knew,
She saw a young woman
Who looked at her with knowledge in her eyes.

P3:

Then she looked again,
And saw an old woman,
With a lined face and silver hair,
Who looked at her with knowledge in her eyes.

P1:

And the old woman said,
"Kore, you must change.
All things must change.
You must look within
And know yourself truly,
And grow."

P2:

So Kore looked within,
And embraced the old woman
And the young woman.
And she was filled with knowledge.
And the knowledge changed her.

P1:

On the earth, Demeter searched for Kore.
She looked under every rock,
She dived into every sea,
She spoke to the flame,
She rode on the winds.
At last Athena came to her and said,
"Your daughter has gone into the Underworld."

P3:

Demeter wailed, and wept for Kore.
She put aside her green robes
And veiled herself in mourning.
And the earth grew dark with her grief,
And the earth grew barren with her grief,
And the people cried out in fear.
All the gods and people begged Demeter
But she would not cease her weeping.

P2:

At last Athena went to the cave,
And descended to the Underworld.
And there she spoke with Kore,
And begged her to return.

P1:

Kore was reluctant to go,
But love of her mother
And love of the earth
Persuaded her to return.
And so she went with Athena
Back to the earth.

P2:

Demeter was overjoyed to see her daughter.
They embraced, and kissed.

P3:

But then Kore told her mother
How she had changed.
And she said,
"I must return,
For I have been within.
I am Queen of the Underworld."

P1:

Demeter begged her daughter to stay.
Kore, relenting, agreed;

P2:

That six months of every year
She would stay with her mother.
And the earth would be fruitful.
And six months of every year
She would return to the Underworld,
And the earth would be barren
Until she returned.

P1:

And this is why we have winter.
For Demeter veils her face
When Kore, called Persephone,
Returns to the Underworld each year.

P3:

And the mystery is this:

That the Underworld is within you,
And you must descend to it
If you are to grow.
You must look into the mirror
And see yourself as you truly are.

P1:

But now is the time to rejoice!
Persephone is returned,
The earth is becoming warm again,
And the grain is growing again.

P2:

Let us share Demeter's joy
In her daughter's return.
Let us feast on her bounty.

Share cakes and water/cider. Those who feel moved to may speak of their feelings in the darkness, and experiences of their own in the Underworld.

P3 opens the circle.

All:

Persephone has returned!

P3:

Blow, winds of the East,
Bring warmth to our bodies again.

All:

Persephone has returned!

P3:

Shine, sun in the North,
Bring warmth to our hearts again.

All:

Persephone has returned!

P3:

Come, waters of the Western sea,
Bring warmth to our souls again.

All:

Persephone has returned!

P3:

Grow, all plants of the Earth,
Bring warmth to our spirits again.

The circle is open, but ever unbroken.

Merry meet,
And merry part,
And merry meet again.

Blessed be.

All:

Blessed be.

P3:

This rite is ended.

Beltane or May-Day, is a celebration of love. And we're talking Pagan now! Love -- moon rhymes with June, so the universe gets created. LAHV!

The Ancient people, from the Priests and Priestesses to the farmers understood the power of love: loving company between two people is an echo of the act that created all things. No, let me rephrase that: it IS the act of creation.

Bardic Beltaine

The BARD should stand to the WEST, unless otherwise specified in the ritual.

Materials:

One cauldron, filled with water
a wreath of flowers for the MAIDEN
the Maiden should wear white, if possible
two wooden swords (optional)
a fire, as close to the ground as possible
A BARD/GREEN MAN (note: if you have no Bard, then a male to act as Green Man should be chosen either by lottery, or by the Maiden. The Maiden is, of course, free to request a specific person to act as Green Man even if there is a Bard available to the coven.)
candles for all, if possible

HPS:
Go we now to the sacred place
And stand within the sacred space
Turn your minds to sacred things
And dance with me unto the ring!

HP and HPS lead the coven to the place of ritual by a spiral dance, ending in a circle around the altar. The cauldron should be at the south. The Bard/Green Man dances at the end of the line.

HPS
Come we forth, with the Spiral Dance
Within the Lady's radiance
To celebrate the Year renewed
And praise the Powers, with gratitude.

Earth and Water, Fire and Air
I invoke the Goddess there!
This night we are Between the Worlds
To celebrate the year unfurled!

HP
Earth and Water, Fire and Sky
I invoke the God on high
This night we are Between the Worlds
To celebrate the year unfurled!

The corners shall be called thusly, that all may hear, but shall not be called until the HPS reaches that corner on her circumambulation.

EAST
O Guardians of the Eastern Tower,
Airy ones of healing power
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!

Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!

So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightning's flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:

SOUTH
Oh fiery ones of Southern Power
Thus I invite you to this tower
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!

Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!

So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightning's flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:

WEST
Western ones of water's flow
Help to guard us here below
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!

Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!

So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightning's flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:

NORTH
Earthen ones of Northern fame
Bless and guard our Power's fane
I do summon, stir and call you
See these rites and guard this circle!

Come to us and heed our call!
By the Power that made us all;
By the Power that blesses Thee:
Come to us; and Blessed Be!

So I cast and consecrate
This Circle of the small and great:
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
By Rock and Earth, by Land and Sea,
By Fire and Water, Earth and Air,
By the Lord, and Lady Fair!
By Love and Joy and Work and Play,
All things harmful cast away!
By lightning's flash, and rain's soft fall,
By the Power that made us all;
Cast the Circle: Blessed be!

BARD or GREEN MAN

Thus I invoke the Lady White
To come to us this sacred night.
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
I show you a Mystery!

The Maiden shall stand beside the HP, who shall hold a wooden sword. The Bard/Green Man shall approach them, also carrying a wooden sword, and shall, in mime, challenge the HP. They shall strike their swords together in three sets of three blows, then Bard/Green Man shall strike the HP, with the last blow of his sword, who shall fall as if dead. (Note: This can be played as a Morris Dance, if so wished.)

The Maiden moves to the East. The Bard/Green Man moves to the North.

HPS
Cunning and art she did not lack
But aye his whistle would fetch her back!

MAIDEN
Oh, I shall go into a hare
with sorrow, sighing and mickle care
And I shall go in the Lady's Name
Aye, until I be fetched hame!

BARD/GREEN MAN
Hare, take heed of a swift greyhound
Will harry thee all these fields around
For here come I in the Lady's Name
All but for to fetch thee hame!

The Maiden moves to the South. The Bard/Green Man moves to the East.

HPS
Cunning and art she did not lack
But aye his whistle would fetch her back!

MAIDEN
Yet I shall go into a bee
With mickle fear and dread of thee
And flit to hive in the Lady's Name
Ere that I be fetch-ed hame!

BARD/GREEN MAN
Bee, take heed of a red, red cock
Will harry thee close thru door and lock
For here come I in the Lady's Name
All but for to fetch thee hame!

The Maiden moves to the West. The Bard/Green Man moves to the South.

HPS
Cunning and art she did not lack
But aye his whistle would fetch her back!

MAIDEN
Yet I shall go into a trout.
With sorrow and sighing and mickle doubt
And show thee many a merry game
Ere that I be fetch-ed hame!

        BARD/GREEN MAN
        Trout, take heed of an otter lank
        Will harry thee close from bank to bank
        For here come I in the Lady's Name
       All but for to fetch thee hame!

The Maiden moves to the North. The Bard/Green Man moves to the West.

HPS
Cunning and art she did not lack
But aye his whistle would fetch her back!

MAIDEN
Yet I shall go into a mouse
And haste me unto the Miller's House
There in his corn to have good game
Ere that I be fetch-ed hame!

BARD/GREEN MAN
Mouse, take heed of a white tom-cat
That never was balked of mouse nor rat
For here come I in the Lady's Name
And -thus- it is I fetch thee hame!

Bard/Green Man walks to Maiden and takes her hand. They both move to the Cauldron, and face HPS.

HPS
Cunning and art she did not lack
But aye his Song has fetched her back!

Old Winter's dead, the Lady reigns
And Summer has returned again!

Bard/Green Man and Maiden both wet their hands with water from the Cauldron, and sprinkle it on the HP, who comes to life again.

HP
Cunning and art I do not lack
But aye Her Cauldron will bring me back!

Bard/Green Man and Maiden both move to, and jump, the fire.

If there is a May Pole, it should be erected by the men -only- at this point, and all dance around it, alternating male and female to raise the cone of power as outlined below. A normal cone-of-power may be raised, for growth and healing:

HPS
In a ring we all shall stand
Pass the Power, hand to hand.

HP
As the year is given birth
Build the Power; root to Earth

HPS
Pass the Power, hand to hand
Bless the Lady, bless the Land

HP
Bless the Lord, and bless the Skies
Bless the Power that never dies!

The above four verses should be repeated three times, (or as many as needed to fully wrap the pole) and then the HPS should say:

HPS
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree:
Let the Power flow out and free!

All should release, at this point.

Such coven business as must be transacted may be done here.

The Circle is opened.

HPS
Thus I release the East and West
Thanks to them from Host to Guest
Thus I release the South and North
With "Blessed Be' I send them forth!
The Circle's open, dance we so
Out and homeward we shall go.
Earth and Water, Air and Fire
Celebrated our desire.
Winter's cold is gone away
Now it is the Day of May.
By Fin and Feather, Leaf and Tree,
Our circle's done; and Blessed Be!

COVEN
Blessed Be!

All spiral dance out from the Circle, jumping the fire as they go. HP and HPS lead, with Bard/Green Man and Maiden taking care of bringing the Bel Fire into camp. Allow the Bel fire to burn out on its own, if possible, otherwise put it out with the water from the Caldron. Disposal of the water otherwise should be to pour it at the roots of a tree. All participants may take fire from the Bel Fire to take home with them, cook over, or whatever, before it is extinguished.

end of Beltaine ritual: the Bard

Summer Solstice happens about June 21. All things move in spirals, and I watch the year move in a spiral, right now spiraling up to the sun's climax. I celebrate summer and the heat of the Gods.

Summer Solstice Group Ritual

The Great Heat Banishing Rite

The Gathering

The group will gather inside the circle awaiting the beginning of the ritual.

The Procession of the Priestess and Priest

The Priestess and Priest will enter to drumming

The Call of the Quarters

Priestess:

We Celebrate the time of Midsummer, the time of Oppressive Heat. And call on the Magic Spirits to speak to this time. So we call you to come.

All: Because it is so hot!

Priest:

    (to the East)
    Summer is for running like the wind, and for being outdoors.
    Spirits of the East, dwellers of the Land of the Rising Sun, we want you with us, so we call you to come.

All: Because it is so hot!

He lights the East Torch.

Priestess:

    (to the South)
    Summer is so Hot we sweat, when we live with the Sun.
    Spirits of the South, dwellers of the Hot Land, show us how you live in Heat, so we call you to come.

All: Because it is so hot!

She lights the South Torch.

Priest:

    (to the West)
    Summer is from enjoying the water, giving thirsty plants a drink. Wearing fewer clothes.
    Spirits of the West, dwellers of the Hot and Dry land, we want you with us, so we call you to come.

All: Because it is so hot!

He lights the West Torch.

Priestess:

    (to the North)
    Summer is when the Earth is hot, the humidity high, the air oppressive. Nothing moves more than it has to.
    Spirits of the North, dwellers of the cool country, show us how to relieve our suffering, so we call you to come.

She lights the North Torch.

A Reading

All may sit on their towels or other items

A Midsummer's Celebration

Our modern calendars are quite misguided in suggesting that 'summer begins' on the solstice. According to the old folk calendar, summer BEGINS on May Day and ends on Lammas (August 1st), with the summer solstice, midway between the two, marking MID-summer. This makes more logical sense than suggesting that summer begins on the day when the sun's power begins to wane and the days grow shorter. The day is also referred to as St. John's Day, after St. John the Baptist, and Litha, the opposite of Yule.

In England, it was the ancient custom on St. John's Eve to light large bonfires after sundown, which served the double purpose of providing light to the revelers and warding off evil spirits. This was known as setting the watch. People often jumped through the fires for good luck. In addition to these fires, the streets were lined with lanterns, and people carried cressets (pivoted lanterns atop poles) as they wandered from one bonfire to another. These wandering, garland-bedecked bands were called a marching watch. Often they were attended by morris dancers, and traditional players dressed as a unicorn, a dragon, and six hobby-horse riders. Just as May Day was a time to renew the boundary on one's own property, so Midsummer's Eve was a time to ward the boundary of the city.

Customs surrounding St. John's Eve are many and varied. At the very least, most young folk plan to stay up throughout the whole of this shortest night. Certain courageous souls might spend the night keeping watch in the center of a circle of standing stones. To do so would certainly result in either death, madness, or (hopefully) the power of inspiration to become a great poet or bard. This was also the night when the serpents of the island would roll themselves into a hissing, writhing ball in order to engender the glain, also called the serpent's egg, snake stone, or Druid's egg. Anyone in possession of this hard glass bubble would wield incredible magical powers. Even Merlyn himself (accompanied by his black dog) went in search of it, according to one ancient Welsh story.

Snakes were not the only creatures active on Midsummer's Eve. According to British faery lore, this night was second only to Halloween for its importance to the wee folk, who especially enjoyed a ridling on such a fine summer's night. In order to see them, you had only to gather fern seed at the stroke of midnight and rub it onto your eyelids. But be sure to carry a little bit of rue in your pocket, or you might well be pixie-led. Or, failing the rue, you might simply turn your jacket inside-out, which should keep you from harm's way. But if even this fails, you must seek out one of the ley lines, the old straight tracks, and stay upon it to your destination. This will keep you safe from any malevolent power, as will crossing a stream of living (running) water.

Other customs included decking the house (especially over the front door) with birch, fennel, St. John's wort, orpin, and white lilies. Five plants were thought to have special magical properties on this night: rue, roses, St. John's wort, vervain and trefoil. Indeed, Midsummer's Eve in Spain is called the 'Night of the Verbena (Vervain)'. St. John's wort was especially honored by young maidens who picked it in the hopes of divining a future lover.

Altogether, Midsummer is a favorite holiday for many Witches in that it is so hospitable to outdoor celebrations. The warm summer night seems to invite it. And if the celebrants are not in fact skyclad, then you may be fairly certain that the long ritual robes of winter have yielded place to short, tunic-style apparel. As with the longer gowns, tradition dictates that one should wear nothing underneath -- the next best thing to skyclad, to be sure. (Incidentally, now you know the REAL answer to the old Scottish joke, 'What is worn underneath the kilt?')

The two chief icons of the holiday are the spear (symbol of the Sun-God in his glory) and the summer cauldron (symbol of the Goddess in her bounty). It is interesting to note here that modern Witches often use these same symbols in the Midsummer rituals. And one occasionally hears the alternative consecration formula, "As the spear is to the male, so the cauldron is to the female..." With these mythic associations, it is no wonder that Midsummer is such a joyous and magical occasion!

The High Priestess's Introit

    I am the Dark Goddess whose ascendancy has begun with the Summer Solstice.
    I am the ruler of the Cold Winter. I thrive on the cool and the dark.
    I suffer in the bright light and heat of Summer.

She stands with her back to the Priest

The High Priest's Introit

    I am the Sun God whose decline has begun with the Summer Solstice.
    I am the ruler of the Hot Summer.
    I make the seeds sprout and grow.
    The cold Winter seems altogether too much work for me.

He stands with his back on the Priestess

The Mother of Us All's Introit

    I am The Mother of Us All, the earth, who is most affected by Summer's heat and Winter's cold.
    I am the practical voice of reason.
    I have need for Summer's Heat and Winter's Cold to sustain my life cycle.

When she finishes this, she takes her seat, upon the throne.

The Faeries Introit

    I am The Faierie. I represent all the magical folk that live between the planes.
    We are particularly active during the Hot Summer.
    We like to play outdoors.
    We don't like to wear many clothes.
    We like to play in bushes. We like to swim in lakes and streams and ponds.
    We like to sleep out of doors.

After he says this, the faery begins to go around the group and repeat phrases, obnoxiously, like "I like not wearing clothes." And, "I like playing outdoors in the bushes." He gets in everyone's face with this activity.

The High Priest's Proclamation

    I have warmed the earth and created life anew.
    The crops are ripening for the harvest to provide food for the long Winter ahead.
    I have worked hard and long to serve the Mother of Us All with only my friend the Dragon for help.

The High Priestess's Lament

    I appreciate the Sun God's hard work, but this heat is killing me!
    There is no relief while I am tied up in the rays of light.
    I cannot begin to work my magic in this heat.
    Call off your Dragon now! His fiery breath is oppressive!

Mother of Us All yells "Go brush your teeth!!"

The Mother of Us All rises and sternly looks at both the priest and priestess, then says the following:

The Mother of Us All's Invitiatory and Response

To the Priest and Priestess:

    Yeah, yeah, yeah...You two are too much for Color TV!

To the Assembly:

    I remember when Her Priestess-ness complained about the cold. She cried out loudly and incessantly, Summer Dragon, We Want You to Come Forth!

All: Show Yourself NOW!

    Then I remember the Wimpy Priest freezing his nanoos and begging his Dragon, We Want You to Come Forth!

All: Show Yourself NOW!

    Then there was the sissy, oh Heck, I mean the Faery sitting huddled under layer after layer of blankets, begging the Dragon, We Want You to Come Forth!

All: Show Yourself NOW!

    But, it is too hot. It has been too hot for too long. My roots are getting dark and all the energy is being sucked out of my soil. I need a rest. Where is that Dragon? Maybe if we call him, he'll come and we can get him to lessen his breath! Let's all try it now...

Initiate:...We Want You to Come Forth!

All: Show Yourself NOW!

The Dragon Gradual

The Dragon processes with a lighted candle into the center of the circle and bows to The Mother of Us All.

Priestess:

    Make that Dragon behave!

Priest:

    He's my loyal Dragon.

Priestess:

    It's too HOT!

Priest:

    He does what I tell him.

Priestess:

    Then tell him to KNOCK IT OFF! She makes threatening gestures with her wand to the Dragon who cowers at her feet and remains there.

The Work of the Circle

Those who wish may take a candle, light it, make a wish and float the candle on the pool.

The Common Feast

The Larger Chalice contains The Nectar of the Gods, the smaller, unfermented Fruit of the Vine.

The Dragon Sequence

Just as the last members are receiving the feast, the Dragon rises and begins to go from person to person with his "heat" once again.

The Dispatch of the Dragon

Mother of Us All:

    He's doing it again!

Priestess:

    Seize Him, Seize Him!

Mother of Us All:

    I can help!

She goes to the Altar and brings out a basket filled with water guns and water balloons and hands them to the members who begin to dowse the Dragon.

When the Dragon is wet, he falls to the ground and all pick him up and toss him in the pool.

The Banishing with Laughter

The Dismissal of the Quarters

By the person nearest the torch.

Lammas or Lughnasa is August 1. Now the Corn King dies as his body is harvested from the fields so that I may be fed, so that I may live, so that I may go into the winter months of darkness rich with his blood and love in my veins. The Dark King, Shepherd of souls, becomes stronger now. With WInter I will go inward, to the inner depths of my own soul. And HE will embrace me with His love in the coming trials and celebrations of the Wintertime. Some of my crops are harvested and I give thanks. Some of my crops are not yet ready and I must insure their harvest.

Lughnasa Ritual

This celebration may be carried out in the open air around a bonfire or inside the house standing around a circle marked on the floor, or a circular table. A round earthenware bowl should be placed in the middle of the circle or table, and in the bowl a lit white candle set in earth. The celebrants should each have three or more of the following in their hands: ears of wheat, barley or oats; handfuls of any grain will do. The leader should begin the celebrations thus:

High Priestess: Earth Mother giver of bread and of blessings, hear this our gratitude for the wealth of the year.

[In turn, moving slowly clockwise round the circle, each celebrant, beginning with the High Priestess, should place one if her/his offerings in the bowl or in the fire saying:]

All (in turn): This is a part of all to thank for all

High Priestess: Earth Mother, who are also the Lord of the Sun, ripeness and ripener, loam and swollen grain, hear our gratitude for every gift on this one-day of harvest, of many harvests.

[Again, the celebrants should circle, placing their offerings in the bowl or the fire, saying:]

All (in turn): This is a part of all to thank for all

High Priestess: Lady of gladness you have made us glad. Having been blessed, we ask the power to bless. With this gift give us the power to give. This is a part of all to thank for all.

All (in turn): With this gift give us the power to give. This is a part of all to thank for all.

[The celebrants and High Priestess should then cease circling, and the High Priestess should say the following words, each verse being repeated after her/him by the celebrants.]

High Priestess: As the night is the womb of the day

All: and the day of the night,

Each being present in woman, and woman in man

Revere and ask a blessing of holy earth

On all that is born and dies, the dies and is born

On all that is bound and loosed, is loosed and is bound
On all that rises and falls, that falls and rises

And on ourselves, that we may love and serve

In joy and gladness now

In joy and gladness

High Priestess: So let it be and blessed be

All: Blessed be!

The celebrants should then eat and drink together. The meal should include whole-grain bread, malt liquor and anything that involves flour or corn in its making.
If the celebration has been held outdoors, the fire will consume the celebrants’ offerings. If it has been held indoors, the candle should be left to go out of its own accord, and all the contents of the bowl should be buried in some appropriate place.

Fall Equinox or Mabon happens near or on September 21.Today, the length of night time is equal to the length of daytime. At the Equinox, I become aware that this time is not the balance, or rather the order, one usually sees in nature. Nature is not really balanced. But ordered. A cyprus by the ocean grows windblown by ocean storm and wind, bowing towards the earth. That cyprus is the usual balance or order of nature - stable, poised, in harmony. ALL of nature leans like the ocean-blown cyprus towards the dark earth. But Fall Equinox is a balance of light and dark, night and day and therefore is truly an outlandish moment in time: equality, a equal balancing, an actual moment of balance. I draw on my roots in the darkness, yet revel in the kiss of summer breeze and sun. I face the darkness of the fall and winter ahead and so face mysteries. The Goddess has surprises for me in the wintry months ahead that will surpass my best hopes.

Mabon Ritual

ALL: Hoof and horn, hoof and horn;
All that dies shall be reborn!
Corn and grain, corn and grain,
All that dies shall live again!

Priest and Priestess bless all after we enter:
We bless you with the smoke of autumn leaves on the Air and the Fire of fall bonfires.
We bless you with the Water of September rains and rich Earth yielding her harvest.
Welcome to the Circle; blessed be.

Creating Sacred Space

Casting the Circle

Priestess:

Join with me in creating this Circle as our sacred space, where we gather in love, joy and friendship; as a boundary between our everyday world and the realms of mystery and magick; as a shield against all stress and worry and care; as a sphere of protection to focus and contain the magick we create. And we bless and consecrate this space in the names of the Lord and Lady. So mote it be!
Calling the Quarters

EAST: As we turn to the East, and call to the winds,
We think of the gifts, the gifts the Air brings
Thanks for the bite of the autumn-chilled air,
Thanks for the wisdom from the winds of change…
(All continue with thanks as inspired)
Welcome, o Air of the East! Welcome the gifts that you bring.

SOUTH: As we turn to the South, and call to the flames,
We think of the gifts, the gifts the Fire brings.
Thanks for the power of will and desire;
Thanks for the warmth from an autumn bonfire…
(All continue with thanks as inspired)
Welcome, o Fire of the South! Welcome the gifts that you bring.

WEST: As we turn to the West, and call to the rains,
We think of the gifts, the gifts Water brings.
Thanks for the richness of cleansing and healing
Thanks for the new frost that wakens my feeling…
(All continue with thanks as inspired)
Welcome, o Water of the West! Welcome the gifts that you bring.

NORTH: As we turn to the North, and call to the stones,
We think of the gifts, the gifts that Earth brings.
Thanks for the harvest, the fruits of the Earth;
Thanks for deep sheltering seeds of rebirth…
(All continue with thanks as inspired)
Welcome, o Earth of the North! Welcome the gifts that you bring.

Priest and Priestess:
The Circle is cast; we are between the worlds.
In this place that is not a place,
in this time that is not a time,
with a willing suspension of disbelief,
we consider the possible,
explore the probable,
and question the truth.

Welcoming the Lord and Lady

Charge of the Goddess

Priest:

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called Isis, Freya, Danu, Cybele, Demeter, Kuan Yin, Lakshmi, Shekinah, and many other names:

Priestess:

Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the Moon is full, you shall gather in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me who am Queen of all the wise. Sing, feast, dance, make music and love, all in My presence, for Mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and Mine also is joy on earth. For My law is love unto all beings. Mine is the secret that opens the door of youth, and Mine is the cup of wine of life that is the Cauldron of Ceridwen that is the holy grail of immortality. I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before. Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all things and My love is poured upon the earth.

Priest:

Hear the words of the Starry Lady, the dust of whose feet are the scattered stars, whose body encircles the Universe:

Priestess:

I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white Moon among the stars, and the mysteries of the waters, I call upon your soul to arise and come unto Me. For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed and unto Me they shall return. Let My worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not unless you know the Mystery: