Full Moon Ritual

After opening the circle and calling the watchtowers

PRIESTESS stands with her legs apart and her arms up and out, stretching to the sky.

PRIEST kneels before her.

All the COVENERS also kneel. All raise their arms high.

COVENER: When the Moon rides on high as She crosses the sky, And the stars on her gown trail behind, then we Wiccans below are with love all aglow, just to see Her so brightly enshrined.

COVENER:On the night of the full moon as we sing of The Lady who watches above, we raise high our song as She glides by so strong, and we bask in the light of her love.

ALL lower their arms.

PRIEST rises and kisses PRIESTESS, then kneels again.
PRIEST: Lovely Lady, you have been known by so many names to so many people. Aphrodite, Kerridwen, Diana, Freya, Gana, Isis, and many more have been your names. Yet do we know you and love you as Aradia and in that name do we adore you and worship you . With your Lord by your side, do we give your due honor and invite you to join with us on this, your special night.

PRIEST stands and with his athame draws a pentagram above the PRIESTESS'S head.

COVENER rings the bell three times.

PRIEST: Descend, my Lady, descend we pray thee and speak to us your children.

PRIEST kneels again

PRIESTESS spreads her arms out to her coven

PRIESTESS: I am She who watches over thee, Mother of you all. Know that I rejoice that you do not forget me. To pay me homage at the full of the moon is meet and right and brings joy unto yourselves enen as it does to me. Know that, with my good Lord, I weave the skein of life for each and every one of you.I am at the beginning of life and at its end; The Maiden, The Mother and The Crone. Wherever you may be, if you seek me, know that I am always here, for I abide deep within you. Look, then, within yourself if you seek me. I am Life and I am Love. Find me and rejoice; for love is my music and laughter is my song. Be true to me and I will ever be true to you. Love is the law and love is the bond. So Mote It Be..

PRIESTESS folds her arms across her breasts and closes her eyes. Then follows a moment or two of silence.

PRIESTESS: So Mote It Be.

Passing of the Dead

Priest and Priestess light the four candles of the elements saying:

O elements of earth, air, fire and water, grant release from pain, heal those who remain here, in this more lonely world. And speed the soul of the one who is loved into the beautiful realms of the Gods.

PRIEST: (lighting the central white candle) Lovely, somber Lady of the Declining Moon, strong and silent Lord of the Far Realms beyond, be with us here at this time of loss.

Priest and Priestess stand on each side of the altar facing south.

Priest: O, {friends name}, we do call on thee in spirit to stand here with us, and before the Gods.That we may give honor and love to one whom you have known who has passed beyond.

PRIESTESS: Good friend, you have for a while lost one who is dear to you, and we all feel your loss.But it is only for a time, and we bid you to have no sorrow. there is a reason for being here and a reason for going. The Summerland,and the places beyond are warm pleasing and beautiful.With all ills gone, and youth anew, so let us all be truly happy for the one you love knows true joy at last!

PRIEST: Dying is only a mode of forgetting. A way of rest, a way of returning to the eternal Source. To be renewed and made strong.To rest and finally to return.

PRIESTES: We of the Old Ways know that when a person dies the soul returns again to earth. This has been a tenet of loving faith taught since long before history began.

PRIEST: It is said in our lore: Arrayed in some new flesh disguise, another mother gives birth. With sturdier limbs and brighter brain the old soul takes the road again.

PRIEST (pouring wine for all present and all face north) calls: "O gracious Lady who gives rest, O Lord of the twilight realms we do thank thee for guiding our friend to the golden portals of the beauteous lands beyond.

ALL: we do ask, the love and good wishes for {departed's name} and for those good friends who yet remain behind.

PRIEST turns to the circle and says: I propose a toast...To the Gracious and Lovely Lady...... Blessed Be!

ALL: Blessed Be!

PRIEST: And also do I propose a toast...... To {departed's name}, who now revels in the glory and beauty of the Summerlands..... Blessed Be!

ALL: Blessed Be!

Handfasting Ritual

Cast Circle

Hps: ( opens doorway with staff, place staff across threshhold of door) There are two who would be joined together as one. Let them enter into this place of love and begin their union together.

(bride and groom enter and stand in center of circle)

( to others outside of the circle) The gate stands open to the temple of love. There is no challenge, for all are welcome here, who enter with joy and love for this sacred union.

(any who enter are annointed with celtic cross and told:) blessing be upon you!

Watchtowers: hp: Hear me Raphael, Lord of air- you who rules over the realms of birth and new beginnings. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your love and light!

Hear me michael, lord of fire- you who shines so brightly over our lives, filling them with the love that is yours, so that it may shine forth from within. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and to guard this circle with your love and light!

hps: hear me gabriel, lady of water- you who reigns over all endings, that which without, there could be no beginning. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your love and light.

Hear me ariel, lady of earth- you who are the body and myster, from which all life begins. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your love and light.

(hps- lite Lady Candle hp- Lite Lord Candle)

Both: (hps) Gracious Goddess (hp) Mighty Lord Give to these before us, we do ask; your love and protection from all that would try to harm their union. Blessed be!

( handmaiden and summoner bring forth bride and groom from center of circle and place her before priestess and him before priest)

Handmaiden: HERE WE BRING FORTH THE BRIDE.

Summoner: AND ALSO THE GROOM.

hps: Is it your wish, <bride's mundane name>, to become one with this man in the bond of handfasting?

Bride: It is.

hp: Is it your wish, <groom's mundane name>, to become one with this woman in the bond of handfasting?

Groom: it is.

hp: Air, Be with us here, oh beings of air, With your clever fingers, tie closely the bonds between this pair.

Fire, Be with us here, oh beings of fire, Give their love and passion, your all consuming ardor.

hps: Water, Be with us here, oh beings of water. Give them the deepest of love, and richness of body and soul and spirit.

Earth, Be with us here, oh beings of earth. Let your strength and consistancy be theirs through out this union for this life time.

(priestess places brides ring on wand and hold end in left hand. priest places grooms ring on wand and holds end in right hand. present wand to couple)

hp: place your right hands on this wand, his hand over hers.(pause while do so) Above you are the stars, below you the stones, as time does pass remember...... like a star, should your love be constant, like a stone, should your love be firm

hps: be close, yet not too close. possess one another, yet be understanding. have patience, each with the other, for storms will come, yet also will they pass. be free in giving of affection and warmth. make love often, and be sensuous with each other.

hp: Have no fear, and let not the words of the unenlightened give you unease, for the God and goddess are with you and have blessed this union with their love and presence.

hps: take now your rings and place them on each others hand. remembering as you do so, that they include a small portion of this circle to remind you always of your love for each other and your union that is made here today.

(*couple may choose to exchange vows they have written to each other*)

(remove rings and give to couple, who then place them on each others fingers. )

hps: as you have chosen to mingle your lives, so now do you mingle your love....the two becoming as one.

(hp hands her the ribbons and they are bound to each other in this manner)

hp: Then as the Lord and Lady and all the ancient and mighty ones are witness to this rite, thus are thy hands fasted, the two are one, the work of joy is done, and yet.... just begun.

(priestess and priest take broom to center of circle, while maiden and summoner direct /lead couple to center in front of broom. Priestess holds bushy end of broom and priest holds handle end, keeping broom about a foot above the ground.)

(Couple jump the broom)(priestess takes broom and sweeps away all negitivity and traces of their past life apart from around and beind them, out the door of the circle)

(couple picks up their own tapers and light from power candle, then together, light their single candle)

hps: the candle of life is lit.....

hp: likewise, the candle of the soul...

both: together, they combine to form the eternal light of love.

hps: may the lord and lady recognize the bonds drawn between this couple by their own strength of love and will. let the ties between them be strong, yet supple and let none strive to break this bond that they have set forth in the presence of the Lord and lady for this lifetime.

hp: let those of you here with this pair, lend your love and light to thier union.

both: I now declare thee...husband and wife! blessed be!

( hps and hp pick up cup for the inside of circle, maiden and summoner hold cup for outside of circle and bride and groom hold their own cup. maiden and summoner need not kiss to charge wine)

hps: and the goddess said, these be the five points of fellowship.

<all females>: foot to foot

<all males>: knee to knee

<females>: lance to grail

<males>: heart to heart

<females>: lip to lip

<all>: joined together, they bring blessedness.

(bride and groom kiss to charge cup)

hps: let us drink from the loving cup and the joy of this union.

( bride and groom drink from their cup, pass all other chalices)

hp: from spirit we come, and to spirit we go, from their union, the power of love will flow.

hps: the winds of reason will stir the air, and temper their quarrles with respectful care.

hp: their bond is forged upon the fire and love will fill their hearts with steady desire.

hps: the waters of understanding will fill them up and they will drink together from wisdom's cup.

hp: the earth in her glory will smile upon this pair health, harmony and happiness will be theirs to share.

both: for what goes around, returns again, to those who love. for the spirit of union reflects the pattern above.

hps: as these two hearts have combined like the flame of their candles, made strong by love. may the light of their love become a beacon by which they may always find one another. These children of the gods have lit a candle in the darkness of the world. May it always burn with a steady light and if it should flicker or threathen to go out, may both raise a hand to guard and shield it. For the candle of thier love may well assist other travlers on the road of life. So Mote It Be Blessed Be

both: circle rippleout to forever echo and preform the act of magick with which you are charged. so mote it be!

( as couple leaves, hp and hps silently and quickly dismiss lord and lady and watchtowers)

Ritual to see a pet away

Place the interred pet site in the center of the circle you cast, if not possible maybe a picture or favorite toy. In this case, it may be wise to forego flaming objects/shoes/etc. Do a quarter call to each of the elements:
Hail to the seed moon, round in fullness and fertility. Lend your power here to my actions as I leave my pet to you!

East:
O winds that carry wild calls
From eastern watchtowers' echoing halls
Come stand at circle here and bless
and welcome now my friend and pet
As_____ Comes to you in Summerland

South:
O fires that stir the seasons changes
From southern watchtowers flickering ranges
Come stand at circle here and bless
and welcome now my friend and pet
As_____ Comes to you in Summerland

West:
O rivers that mix the earth and sky
From western watchtowers low and high
Come stand at circle here and bless
and welcome now my friend and pet
As_____ Comes to you in Summerland

North:
O soil that roots and soil that wanders
From nothern watchtowers here do saunter
Come stand at circle here and bless
and welcome now my friend and pet
As_____ Comes to you in Summerland

Invocation:
Herne, father of the wild things
I call to you
Come look upon your child
That I am leaving to your care
I invoke you, and ask your blessing
that my pet may be comfortable in it’s new home
That s/he may live in a loving and safe environment
So mote it be!

(What? Can’t carry the pet?Stand near the site)

Pick up the pet if possible,(or representation) and walk to the East:
Powers of the Wind, I present ______ to you!
Move my friend kindly, and keep her/him in your care!

to the South:
Powers of Fire, I present _____ to you!
Ease my friend through the transformations of life,
and keep her/him in your care!

to the West:
Powers of Water, I present __ to you!
Surround my friend with love
and keep her/him in your care!

to the North:
Powers of Earth, I present ______ to you!
See that my friend may never want
and keep her/him in your care!

I present _____ to Herne!
Blessed Father, watch over my friend
and help him/her acclimate Summerland!
So mote it be!

Do the thanks yous and unbind the circle.

Ritual of the Pentagram

Meditation prior to: Picture yourself growing in stature - larger and larger until your head is in the clouds and your feet are on the surface of the earth. Visualize white light coming down.
Begin facing East with athame in the right hand. Do the Qabalistic Cross as follows:
                Touch your forehead and say:
                            ATEH (AH-TOW)   (thou Art)

                Touch your breast and say:
                           MALKUTH (MAL-KOOTH) (the Kingdom)

                Touch your right shoulder and say:
                           VE-GEBORAH (VER GA BOOL RAH) (and the Power)

                Touch your left shoulder and say:
                            VE-GEDULAH (VER GA DOO LAH) (and the Glory)

                Clasp your hands before you and say:
                            LE-OLAM (for ever)

                With athame between fingers point up and say: AMEN

Make in the air toward the EAST the banishing invoking pentagram and bringing the point of the athame to the center of the pentagram vibrate the Deity name - YOD HE VAU HE - imagining that your voice carries forward to the EAST of the Universe.

Holding the athame out before you go to the SOUTH, making the pentagram and vibrate similarly the Deity name - ADONAI.

Go to the WEST, making the pentagram and vibrate the Deity name - EHEIEH (AE HA YAH).

Go to the NORTH and make the pentagram and vibrate - ATEH (AH TOW), GEBUR (GA BOOR), LEH-OLAHAM, ADONAI.

Return to the EAST and complete your circle by bringing the athame point to the center of the first pentagram. Visualize the entire circle with the pentagram in a blue flame.

Place yourself in a pentagram position and say:
               Before me stands Raphael
                Behind me stands Gabriel
                At my right hand stands Michael
                At my left hand stands Auriel
                Before me flames the Pentagram
                Behind me shines the six rayed star

Repeat the Qabalistic Cross above.
                                                                        SO MOTE IT BE!

Mabon/Fall Equinox

This rite should be held outdoors if possible and appropriately decorated for the season with fruits, grains and nuts as well as with leaves and flowers. Earthenware cups and bowls should be used to contain water, fresh earth and incense. Wine, cakes and other refreshments should be appropriate to the season. There should be a candle for each person taking part in the ritual. Other candles should encompass the circle.

Priestess welcomes all with: Friends, I bid you now to strike your lights which you hold for this season of bounty and joy. A season worthy to be celebrated as in times long ago and in honor of the Gods.

All light their candles and the Priest and Priestess light the ones surrounding the circle. The circle is opened and the quarters called as such:

East: Far winds, blow clean and clear, sweep free through the skies to be with us here.

South: Blessed sun and lands of warmth give comfort and brightness and strength and be with us here.

West: Oceans, lakes and streams, wash clear and bright and fresh and be with us here.

North: Mountains, meadows and forests, bring forth life, richness and beauty and be with us here.

Priestess: We call upon the blessed Lady, queen of the harvest, giver of life, be with us and give us thy joy and beauty.

Priest: We call upon the Lord of the harvest, sacred King, giver of riches and protection. Be with us here and give us thy strength, laughter and power

Priestess: Let us now, as of old, make an offering, a gift of the harvest, to mark here the fullness of the season. Life does fulfill its cycle and leads to life anew. In the eternal chain of life it has stretched and bent but never broken.

Priestess takes an ear of corn and presents it to the heavens: O great and timeless Goddess, we give thanks for this, the season of the harvest. We can give nothing that is not already thine, yet we ask you to accept with our love this offering.

Priestess takes the corn and offers it to someone in the circle: That the season of plenty shall return once more, in celebration of life springing ever new from death, I charge you now to bury within the earth this offering we make with love to our Lady.

Priest: This is a time of joy! Let us now eat and drink and each within ourselves, invite the Gods and Goddesses to be with us here. To enjoy this time of celebration with us now.

Priest opens the wine and and pours cups as Priestess passes out the cakes. This is the time to sing, talk and enjoy.

Priest: Friends, let us now give thanks to the Goddess and the God as this celebration ends. For this time of richness and time of magick and for all given to us with love, we thank you. Watchers call farewell now to the far Quarters!

East: Far winds blowing clean and pure, we give you thanks for being here.

South: Blessed sun and lands of warmth, we give you thanks for being here.

West: Oceans, lakes and streams ever flowing, we give you thanks for being here

North: Mountains, meadows and forests strong, we give you thanks for being here.

Priestess holding arms aloft in salute: O Lady of magick and beauty, O King of strength and power, creatures of all wild places and beings of all far realms we give you thanks, love and farewell. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Yule

This ritual requires a red, a white, and a black candle. Altar should be decorated with holly, mistletoe, chestnuts and any other appropriate greenery. White votive candles should ring the circle but remain unlit. If possible all should have small bells available.

Cast Circle

All enter the circle and sit in a circle of darkness. Hold hands and meditate on the cold darkness of winter. After a short time. . .

Priestess: At this time do we know the dark of the year. The season of life is past and all is cold. Emptiness and bleakness are all about. Let us now give honor to the Triple Goddess. That the season may be made better through the birth of the Divine Child, the Golden Newborn Solstice Sun.

Priestess strikes a flame and lights the white candle before the Goddess figure saying:

White do we light for the Maiden, thou divine and joyous child. Fresh and new as the driven snow is the candle which is Her symbol. We give greetings to the Blessed One.

Priestess strikes flame and lights the red candle and says:

Red do we light for the Mother. Thou warm embracing Queen of Creation. Scarlet as the beauty of the winter sunset is the candle which is Her symbol. We give greetings to the Regal One.

Priestess strikes flame and lights the black candle saying:

Black do we light for the Crone. Thou keeper of the magickal mysteries. Ebon as the night of sleet is the candle which is Her symbol. We give greetings to the Wise One.

Coverners move deosil about the circle starting in the North lighting the small candles around the circle. As this is being done the Priest says:

As the light grows about us, so also may the presence of the Old Gods, who come forth now in triumph, glow where we now stand. May magick and mystery and beauty be with us now in this, the Season of the White Goddess and the Divine Child of Light. So mote it be!

All: So mote it be!

Priest goes to the North, holds his arms in greeting. Small bells are jingled and he summons:

All hail to thee, endless realms of snow, frozen tundra, forests in white and mountains sheathed in ice. Rest deeply in glistening silence and mystery. Cast thy spell, O Great Ones, and remain, Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Priestess goes to the East, holds out her arms in greeting. Small bells are jingled and she summons:

All hail to thee, skies of wind and storm. Blow ye clear, cold and sharp over the sleeping land. Cast thy spell, O Great Ones and remain. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Priest goes to the South, holds arms out in greeting. Small bells are jingled and he summons:

All hail to thee, far desert lands and places warm. Return ye soon and with bounty, to bring back the warm seasons. Cast thy spell, O Great Ones and remain. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Priestess goes to West, holds arms in greeting. Small bells are jingles and she summons:

All hail to thee, crystalline lakes and rimed streams. Frozen in glittering beauty. Be ye places of mystery and portals elvish. Cast thy spell, O Great Ones and remain. Blessed Be

All: Blessed Be!

Priest and Priestess stand before the altar, There is a pause of five heartbeats and the bells are jingled twice. The Priest evokes:

O Hearth God of Frost, whose beard is of shining ice and whose staff turns all to crystal. Thou who Are is not of these worlds, be with us we do ask. Give us thy sharp joy. Let us hear the crackling of thy laughter, and may we know better of thy wisdom and thy magick. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be

There is a pause of five heartbeats and the bells are jingled thrice. The Priestess evokes:

O most regal Queen of Snow, whose glistening jewels glitter about us and whose sorceries turn all to sparkling white. Shining Empress whose crown is of the arctic stars and whose mantle is the icy fire of the borealis, be with us, we do ask. May we know thy cold and distant beauty and may we know better of thy wisdom and thy magick. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Coverners take up their places around the quarters. Priestess raps thrice upon the altar and says:

In this, the Season of the White Goddess and the time of the Divine Child, what wisdom says the Watcher of the East?

East: This is a time for entering wilderness and seeking its magickal strengths. A time for standing alone and godlike and seeing all things clearly. It is a season of joy.

After a silence of about 30 heartbeats, the Priest raps thrice on the altar and says:

In this the season of the White Goddess and the time of the Divine Child, what wisdom says the Watcher of the South?

South: This is a time of active seeking. Both without in nature and within oneself. Eagerness and resolution shall concern mysteries and create results. It is a season of Courage!

After a silence of about 30 heartbeats Priestess raps thrice on the altar and says:

In this, the season of the White Goddess and the time of the Divine Child, what wisdom says the Watcher of the West?

West: This is a time for devotion to the Way of the Wild Places and seeking the calmnsess of solitary locales. A time for finding understanding and confiding only in trusted friends. It is a season of meditation!

After a silence of 30 heartbeats Priest raps thrice on the altar and says:

In this, the season of the White Goddess and the time of the Divine Child, what wisdom says the Watcher of the North?

North: This is a time to know the endurance of the hills and to so grow in one's own inner firmness. A time for scrupulousness and thoroughness in considering all things. It is a season of confidence!

At this time cakes and ale are presented.

Priest shall go to the North and hold his arms in salute. Small bells are jingled.

We thank thee endless lands of snow and take our blessings to thy far realms. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Priestess goes to East and holds her arms in salute. Small bells are jingled.

We thank thee skies of wind and of storm and take our blessings to thy far realms. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Priest goes to South, holds arms in salute. Small bells are jingled. Priest says:

We thank thee far desert lands and places warm and take our blessings to thy far realms. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Priestess goes to West, holds arms in salute. Small bells are jingled. Priestess says:

We thank thee crystalline lakes and rimed streams, and take our blessings to thy far realms. Blessed Be!

All: Blessed Be!

Priest and Priestess stand before the altar. There is a pause of five heartbeats and the bells are jingled twice. Priest says:

O joyous God of Frost, we thank thee for thy bright presence here. We have been honored to have your spirit here among us. Farewell and Blessed Be!

All: Farewell and Blessed Be!

There is a pause of five heartbeats and bells are jingled thrice. Priestess says:

O magnificent Queen of Snow, we thank thee for thy crystal presence here. We have been honored to have your spirit here among us. Farewell and Blessed Be!

All: Farewell and Blessed Be!

Priestess puts out the candles before the Goddess and says:

The Goddess, The God and The Child have been honored. This rite of Winter is done. (Pointing up) As above (pointing down) So below, this circle is open but unbroken. Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.

Different Yule Legends

New Water

Water is a highly charged substance, being the current that carries life, but at such an auspicious time as New Year, it becomes even more magically potent. In Britain and other parts of Europe there was a belief in the power of "new water", the first water of the year to be drawn from the well. As the clock struck midnight people rushed with their pitchers to be the first to collect the "cream of the well" and the good fortune that went with it.

The Yule Log

The burning of the Yule log was an important ritual to ensure good luck in the coming year. The log itself, as well as the fire, was venerated. The log symbolizes the vegetation deity the Green Man, its ashes were said to have magical fertilizing powers. They were scattered on the fields to make the earth bear fruit the following year.

Under the Kissing Bough

Whoever stands under the mistletoe may be given as many kisses as wished.
With each kiss, a boy should pluck one of the berries from the mistletoe; when all the berries are gone the kissing stops.
If a man-servant refuses to bring ivy to a maid-servant to decorate the house, the maid has the right to refuse him kisses under the mistletoe.
The mistletoe should be burned on Twelfth Night or some of the young women and men who have kissed under it may never marry.

Mistletoe The Healer

The Druids called mistletoe "all-heal" and it was said to have many properties, as well as being a fertility aid:

A potion made from its berries given to a woman, a man, or an animal will make them fruitful.
If a farmer gives a bunch of Christmas mistletoe to the first cow that calves in the New Year, it will bring health to the whole herd.
Mistletoe cures various illnesses and complaints. As well as curing sterility, it controls epilepsy and other nervous disorders, treats poisoning, and is excellent for childhood diseases.
"Mysceltowe layd to the head draweth out the corrupt humors."
"All locks are opened by the herb Missell toe." (In other words, the mystical "key" of the phallic mistletoe opens the "womb" of the chamber or Underworld, as in the legend of Aeneas.)

The Gloucester Wassail

Wassail, wassail, all over

the town,

Our bread is white and

our ale is brown.

Our bowl is made from good maple tree,

We be good fellows all;

I drink unto thee.

Apple Tree Spell

Here's to thee, old

apple-tree,

Whence thou mayst bud, and then

mayst blow!

And whence thou mayst bear apples

enow!

Hats full! Caps full!

Bushel, bushel, sacks full!

And my pockets full,

too, Huzza!

Imbolc

Cast Circle

Summoner: Haste! Haste! No time to wait! We're off to the Sabbat so don't be late!

Priest/ess: To the Sabbat!

Everyone: To the Sabbat!

Group moves deosil around circle dancing and singing, stopping after a few circles.

Covener: Now has our Lord reached the zenith of his journey.

Covener: Now does he turn to face the Lady

Priest: Though apart they are one

Priestess: They are both the shadow and the light.

Female covener takes broom and ritually sweeps the circle clean. Bell is rund seven times.

Covener: Our Lord now has reached mid-journey. Ahead he sees the light of our Lady. And the start of life anew, after this period of rest. This was the first festival of the Celtic year. This is the time when spring lambs are born and ewes come into milk. Spring itself is scented in the distance and thoughts are on the Goddess as much as on the God. Burn now the evergreens, the ivy, mistletoe and holly; the rosemary and the bay. Clear out the old that the new may enter in.

Priest/ess: Light to dark

All: Darkness to light

Priest/ess: Light to dark

All: Darkness to light

Priest/ess: Farewell Lady, welcome Lord

All: Farewell Lord and welcome Lady

Priest/ess: All Hail!

All: Farewell!

Priest/ess: Farewell!

All: All Hail!

Coven dances around the circle.

Priestess stands before the altar with arms crossed on her breast. Priest kneels before her and kisses her feet. He then takes up the crown, stands and places the crown on her head. He then dances deosil around the circle three times. As he passes the cauldron on the second circui, a covener lights the candle in the cauldron. As he comes to the cauldron on his third circuit he jumps over it. He then comes on around and stops before the Priestess. With a taper from the altar he lights the candles on the Priestess's crown. Priestess opens her arms and stands with legs apart and arms raised high.

Priest: All hail, our Lady of light!

All: All hail, our Lady of light!

Covener: Welcome, thrice welcome, triple Goddess of life.

Covener: Mother of the Sun, we welcome you.

Covener: Goddess of Fire, we invite you in.

Priest and Priestess move round to the cauldron. Covener hands besom to the Priestess. She hands it to Priest with a kiss. Priest goes deosil around the circle "sweeping out" that which is no longer needed. When he returns to the north he returns the besom to the Priestess with a kiss. She gives it to the first covener with a kiss and he sweeps around the circle. This is repeated by all. When this is done the Priest/ess return to the altar. Bell is rung three times.

Cakes and Ale follow.

Closing of circle.

The Legend

Long ago, so the ancient Greek story goes, mortals lived in endless summer, but a conflict among the Gods brought winter to the world for the first time.

Demeter, Goddess of the fertile land, had a daughter named Kore. One day, Kore was out in the meadows gathering flowers with her companions, when she noticed a narcissus of particular beauty, and stooped to pick it. As she did so, the ground burst open and out thundered Hades, Lord of the Underworld, in his chariot. He seized Kore and carried her away with him to his dark kingdom below the Earth.

When Demeter heard of the disappearance of her daughter, it was as if all light and life had gone out of the world. Flinging over her shoulder the somber veil of sorrow, the Goddess flew like a bird over land and sea, seeking for her lost child. When at last she discovered the name of the thief - and that the Father God Zeus himself had conspired in the crime - she was beyond herself with rage and dispair. She disguised herself as an old woman, and desolately wandered the world of man.

At last she came to the city of Eleusis, that was ruled by the wise king Celeus. No one there knew her true indentity and in the king's palace she became nurse to his infant son. One day, as she was about to give the child the gift of immortality by lowering him into the fire, his mother spied her and Demeter was forced to reveal her true identity. With all the power of her divine majesty she commanded that a temple be built for her in Eleusis, where the people might come to celebrate her mysteries. In gratitude to Celeus' family for their hospitality, she also imparted to their oldest son, Triptolemus, her secrets. She gave to him the first grain of corn, and taught him how to sow it that it might bring forth rich harvests. She showed him how to harness oxen to the plow and gave him a winged chariot drawn by dragons that he might travel the world spreading his knowledge among all men.

But all that was yet to come, for first the Goddess would have her revenge for the theft of her daughter. Sealed in her temple in Eleusis she vowed that the earth would not bear any fruit until her daughter was returned to her. And so it was. For the first time, the corn would not grow, the fruit would not ripen and darkness, famine and death spread a black cloak over the land. Every creature. every mortal was afflicted with a terrible and biting hunger.

In desperation Zeus sent the rainbow-Goddess Iris to plead with Demeter. Descending to earth on her iridescent bridge Iris begged Demeter to relent, but it was of no use. One by one the Gods came to plead but still the land lay barren. At last the only solution was for Zeus to command Hades to return Kore to her mother. Hades agreed - but Hades had already prepared himself for this moment.

While she was in his kingdom, Hades had offered Kore a pomegranate, the apple with many seeds. Only four of the seeds had passed the unsuspecting girls lips but these had sealed her fate, for the magical pomegranate is the fruit of sexual union. Kore was now the wife of Hades and had a new name, Persphone, Queen of the Underworld.

So Hades consented to release his wife - but only for part of the year. As his queen, he demanded that she must spend four months of each year in the dark realm with him - one for each seed swallowed.

And so it was and so it is that when the Maiden departs, winter cloaks the world. And so it was and so it is that when the Maiden returns, the earth blossoms with joy and spring dances over the land.

(although this famous story comes from classical Greece, when male gods had wrested from the Goddess much of her old power, it has a predominately female cast. Kore, Demeter and Persephone reflect the Goddess's three lunar faces of Maiden, Mother and Crone. )

Lughnassadh

Special Notes: The turning point in Mother Earth's year; a harvest festival in the northern lands. The waning God and the waxing Goddess.
Spellwork for good fortune and abundance is especially appropriate .

Altar Supplies: incense, burner, chalice of water, salt, pentacle, athame, 4 elements candles, chalice of wine, wand, plate of bread. Cauldron with an orange or yellow candle in it. Fall flowers, ivy and leaves for decoration.

Cast circle

Light the cauldron candle, say:

O Ancient Gods of the Celts, I do ask you presence here. For this is a time that is not a time, in a place that is not a place, on a day that is not a day, and I await you.

Set the plate of bread on the pentacle. Stand still and breathe deeply for a few moments. Concentrate upon the cleansing power of the breath and air. When you feel ready, say:

I have purified myself by breathing in the life force of the universe and expelling all evil from me.

Lift the plate of bread high, then set it back on the altar. Say:

I know that every seed, every grain is a record of ancient times, and a promise to all of what shall be. This bread represents life eternal through the cauldron of the Triple Goddess.

Eat a piece of bread. Put the chalice of wine on the pentacle. Hold high the wine chalice, then set it back on the altar. Say:

As the grape undergoes change to become wine, so by the sacred cauldron of life shall I undergo change. And as the wine can give man enchantment of the divine or sink him into the lower realms, so I do realize that all humans rise or fall according to their strength and will.

Drink some of the wine and Say:

As in the bread and wine, so it is with me. Within all forms is locked a record of the past and a promise of the future. I ask that you lay your blessings upon me, Ancient Ones, that this season of waning light and increasing darkness may not be heavy. So mote it be.

Close the circle

Spring Rite

Altar Decorations:

Green cloth, wild flowers, wand, earthen or wooden bowl filled with soil, a large seed, parchment & pens, flower crowns and other altar items.

Cut circle and call watchtowers. Ring bell 3 times.

Priest: Blessed Be all within this circle.

Priestess: Merry meet at this Spring Rite.

All: Merry Meet

Covener: Brothers & sisters, hear my words. Awake & greet the Spring.

Covener: Lord! Lady! Hear us, for we are here. We are here to celebrate with you & for you.

Covener: Welcome, welcome the beautiful Spring!

Priestess: Welcome to the time of birth. Welcome to the time for planting of seed.

All dance deosil around the circle, placing flowers around the full perimeter of the circle. As the dancing ends, ring the bell 3 times.

Priest: Springtime is seedtime, Now is the time for each of us to plant that which you wish to flower.

Covener: Springtime is for hopes & desires, for new ideas, for balance & inspiration.

Priestess: Let us now meditate on that which we wish to bring forth. Let us consider our hopes & opportunities & direct our energies to the things we would start upon our road of life.

All sit & meditate on your own "seed". Think about something you want to do, a wish or a dream. Think of something you wish to change or plant in the soil of your soul, so that it may grow and be nutured. After a suitable amount of time, the bell is rung. Everybody takes a piece of parchment and writes your wish or desire on it. The "seeds" are then lit from the altar candle, and the ashes fall into the bowl of earth.

Priest: Lord and Lady, receive these our seeds. Let them germinate in our minds & our hearts. Let them prosper & grow to maturity. For we will care for them & encourage them in your name.

Priestess mixes the ashes with her athame into the soil. She makes a small hole in the center and lays down the athame. Priest takes up the wand & leads male coveners in a dance deosil around the circle. The first pass is done slowly, the second faster and the third very fast. Returning to the Priestess as men resume their places, he holds out the wand to the Priestess.

Priestess: By the power of the raised wand does the seed find the furrow. Blessings be upon this wand.

Priest then lays down the wand & takes up the seed from the altar. He holds the seed between his palms & concentrates his energies into it. The seed is passed deosil around the circle for each to hold and place energy into until it returns to the Priest. Priestess takes up the bowl and holds it high.

Priestess: Of old we would celebrate by together planting the seed, one with another. Here do we symbolize that act in veneration of our Lady & her Lord.

Priestess turns to the Priest, bringing the bowl down and holding it between her breasts.

Priest: These rites of Spring belong to us all. To us & to the Gods. This is a time of joy & a time for planting.

He then places the seed into the soil & closes the soil over it.

Priest: This seed do I place in the womb of the Earth our Mother. That it may become a part of that Earth, a part of life & a part of us.

Priest & Priestess kiss, the Priestess replacing the bowl afterwards on the altar. All coveners hug and kiss each other. The bell is rung 3 times.

Then follows cakes & ale and closing of circle.

Samhain

Before the ritual everyone should write on a piece of paper the thing that they would like to change about themselves. They keep the paper close to themselves during the ritual. The alter should be decorated with corn, acorns, gourds and grains.

Opening Ritual

Priest and Priestess construct circle and bless those who enter

Calling of Watchtowers

East: Far winds, blow clean and clear, sweep free through the skies to be with us here.

South: Blessed sun and lands of warmth give comfort and brightness and strength and be with us here.

West: Oceans, lakes and streams, wash clear and bright and fresh and be with us here.

North: Mountains, meadows and forests, bring forth life, richness and beauty and be with us here.

Priestess: Charge of the Goddess Hecate : The ancient primal season of the witch is here. I force you to laugh at your own death, to dress up your children in ghostly guise. Now comes your first sense of the coming cold season, chiling to the bone. I bring the harvest and if you haven't harvested your apples, I'll nip them with frost. After Halloween, all that's left in the fields is mine! If you wish to honor me, I will show you my magickal ways. I take away your fears of death and make you glad. I am the keeper of the altars, outdoors and inside. I am speaking in you when you feel the desire to stand alone on a hillside or in a clearing in woods and talk to the full moon. I am the wild part of you, your sixth sense, the one that gives you your hunches, premonitions and dreams. I am the priestess immortal. I am your primal goddess. All is well, Halloween is here; souls come to visit and the living world throws a party to mingle with the dead. I share in your merriment and warm my cold hands at your hearth.

Covener: On this night of Samhain I mark your passing, O Sun King, through the sunset into the Land of the Young. I mark also the passing of all who have gone before, and all who will go after. O Gracious Goddess, Eternal Mother, You who gives birth to the fallen, teach me to know that in the time of the greatest darkness there is the greatest light.

(all sit around the cauldron)

Covener: (Lighting a fire within the cauldron) Wise one of the Waning Moon, Goddess of the starry night, I create this fire within Your cauldron to transform that which is plaguing us. May the energies be reversed:

From darkness, light!

From bane, good!

From death, birth!

(All place papers into the cauldron's flames. As it burns, know that your ill diminishes, lessens and finally leaves you as it is consumed within the fire.)

Cakes and Ale

Closing Ritual

East: Far winds blowing clean and pure, we give you thanks for being here.

South: Blessed sun and lands of warmth, we give you thanks for being here.

West: Oceans, lakes and streams ever flowing, we give you thanks for being here

North: Mountains, meadows and forests strong, we give you thanks for being here.

Priestess: The circle is open but unbroken, Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again!

All: Blessed Be

Beltane

Special Notes: Time of the Horned God and the Lady of the Greenwood; honour of the house guardian.
Altar supplies: incense, burner, chalice of water, salt, pentacle, athame, 4 element candles, chalice of wine, wand. Somewhere within the circle area, the house guardian or his symbol, in whatever form you have chosen, perfumed oil.

Cast the circle

Raise your wand in greeting and say:

I give greetings to the Goddess of things wild, of trees, of skies and of waters. I do call upon you, lovely Lady, to be here with me.

Dance around the altar, beginning in the east and moving deosil. Pause to salute each Elemental quarter with raised arms. Move back to the altar when finished.

Blessed be the words of the Lady of May and the laughing Lord of the Greenwood. Let now thy great light come into me. I am a cup to be filled, that I may do what is needful. Blessed ever be the Lord and Lady!

Stand before the house guardian or symbol.

Lovely Lady, great Lord, I present to you the guardian of this house, the special spirit I have invited into my house as protector and helper. I honour this spirit in this symbol of its being. Great Ones, bless this guardian of this house. And to your blessings, I add my thanks. Blessed Be.

The guardian symbol or statue is lightly anointed with perfumed oil. If the symbol is such that it cannot be oiled, at least swing the smoking incense burner around it.

Place the wine chalice on the pentacle for a few moments, then lift it high, saying:

Honour to the Old Gods! Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.

Drink the wine, saving some to be put outside for the little people.

Close the circle.

HOME BLESSINGS

A home blessing meditation for charging a room:

Sit Straight with palms on lap, take deep breaths, relax, and move into a mental space where you activate your intuitive senses. Imagine a cord of energy from your spine connecting you to the Earth, and channel energy from the Earth through it. Silently ask for divine protection, guidance, and blessing.

Direct your psychic sensing outward, and feel lines of force coming out of your aura. Note where the strongest energy is (check out the floor, ceiling, directions, etc). Note spots that feel empty or dead, note places that feel full alive, focus on where you are sitting and how you feel at that particular spot.

Imagine a sphere of light and love energy at your heart, feel it pulsing outward with every breath. Feel the radiance increase with every breath, feel your self as a star, continue to breathe deeply and send out the energy, letting it pulsate in the room. When ready, start making power sounds representing the love and light you are channeling; use it to amplify the light you are weaving; and fill the room with the energy. Then shift focus to sending a probe out into the room, and note the differences in the quality of energy and how you feel about it. Repeat if necessary, When done, feel the completeness of the work.

This

A room blessing involving elemental quarter invocations:

Face each direction (with arms out in appropriate elemental invoking gesture), and say, while channeling and visualizing elemental power: - Powers of (say direction), - Powers of (say corresponding element), - We great you, we honor you, we welcome you here! - Watch over and bless and protect this place. After each invocation, shape the energy into columns of light by sweeping ones arms together until they are parallel and sweeping them up and down while channeling and shaping the energy. When the energy is properly shaped, say so "mote it be."

After you have done all four quarters, channel in spirit energy.

To return the energy to a more mellow state while energizing yourself, put your hands out and take in a bit of the energy into your self from each direction, going widdershins, hold hands to your heart and take in the energy (techniques also exist for bringing it into a stone and retrieving it when needed).

Candle Colors & What They Mean.

Candles in the craft are used to help to increase a spells power, or to influence a particular power. I have provided a list of colors, which we use, and is offered to help you in your journey into the craft.

White:

A balance of all colors; Spiritual enlightenment, cleansing, clairvouance, healing, truth seeking; Rituals involving lunar energy' May be substituted for any color candle.

Yellow:

Activity, Creativity, unity; brings power of concentration and imagination to a ritual; use in rituals where you wish to gain anothers confidence or persuade someone, or in rituals that require solar energy.

Gold:

Fosters understanding and attracts the powers of cosmic influences; beneficial in rituals intended to bring about fast luck or money, or in rituals needing solar energy.

Pink:

Promotes romance, friendship; standard color for rituals to draw effections; a color of femininity, honor, service, brings friendly, lively conversation to the dinner table.

Red:

Health, passion, love, fertility, strength, courage, will power; increases magnetism in rituals; draws Aries and Scorpio energy.

Silver:

Removes negativity and encourages stability; helps develop psychic abilities; attracts the influence of the Mother Goddess.

Purple:

Power, success, idealism, psychic manifestations; ideals for rituals to secure ambitions, independence, financial rewards, or to make contact with the spiritual other world; increases Neptune energy.

Magenta:

Combination of red and violet that occillates on a high frequency; energizes rituals where immediate action and high levels of power or spirtual healing are required.

Brown:

Earthly, balanced color; for rituals of meterial increase; eleminates indecisiveness; improves powers of concentration, study, telepathy; increases financial success; locates objects that have been lost.

Indigo:

Color of inertia; stops situations or people; use in rituals that require a deep meditational state; or in rituals that demand Saturn energy.

Royal Blue:

Promotes laughter and joviality; color or loyalty; use to attract Jupiter energy, or whenever an influence needs to be increased.

Light Blue:

Spirtual color; helpful in devotional or inspirational meditations; brings peace and tranquility to the home; raditates Aquarius energy; employ where a situation must be synthesized.

Blue:

Primary spiritual color; for rituals to obtain wisdom, harmony, inner light, or peace; confers truth and guidance.

Emerald Green:

Important component in Venusian rituals; attracts love, social delights, and fertility.

Dark Green:

Color of ambition, greed, and jealousy; counteracts these influences in a ritual.

Green:

Promotes prosperity, fertility, success; stimulates rituals for good luck, money, harmony, and rejuvenation.

Grey:

Neutral color useful when pondering complex issues during meditation; in magic, this color often sparks confusion; it also negates or neutralizes a negative influence.

Black:

Opens up the deeper levels of the unconscious; use in rituals to induce a deep meditational state, or to banish evil or negativity as in uncrossing rituals; attracts Saturn energy.

Stones and Their Uses

Adventurine:

General healing, dissolves unhealthy thoughts and reflects healing.

Amethyst:

Induces meditation and devotional state. Develops inner mind. Tranquilizes and inspires peaceful dreaming. Helps with addictions and mental disorders, especially depressions.

Aquamarine:

A water stone for cooling and soothing agitations, infections and pain. Can help induce sleep.

Azurite:

A third eye opener. Stimulates visual images

Black Tourmaline:

Stone for controlling negative environment and negative energies. Forms shield of protection and deflects discordant or negative thoughts.

Bloodstone:

Powerful cleanser of blood and purifying organs. Discourages excess bleeding. Associated with Kundalini.

Citrine:

For congestion, either physical or mental. Used to encourage prosperity. Unblocks energy flow.

Emerald:

For balancing. Heart problems, whether physical or emotional. Hypertension and to help balance blood glucose.

Flourite:

Enhances ability to concentrate.

Garnet:

An energizer which is more gentle than ruby. For anemia, paralysis and cancer. Ancient Egyptians used this as a protective gem and symbol of loyalty, passion and love.

Green Tourmaline:

Balances and adds strength to nervous system. Regenerator, attunes to that which is most needed.

Herkimer:

Dream stone, Helps promote out of body experiences. Helpful at childbirth.

Lapis:

Cleanses lens of third eye. Penetrates subconscious blocks.

Malachite:

Draws to the surface that which is impeding sprititual growth so that work may begin.

Moonstone:

Represents the Goddess Energy and the feminine principal. Soothes and balances the emotions and brings peace of mind and hormonal equilibrium. For use with female problems.

Pyrite:

Strengthens mental capacity. Facilitates higher knowing, opens mind. Protection and centering.

Smokey Quartz:

Grounds energy and dissolves negativity.

Sodalite:

Elicits deep thought and calms overreaction by enabling one to think clearly.

Tiger-eye:

Stimulates personal courage. Good for the "spaced out" person by grounding the energy. Protection.

WATER

BATHTIME: To make bath time more fun and still teach your child about the element of water, try these tricks:

Use blue food coloring or prepackaged blue bath tablets for kids. Scent the water with lotus or magnolia. The kids will be begging for bath time!

Talk about the animals who live in the sea as the kids play with their bath-toy fishes, turtles, and dolphins. Don't forget the silkies, harpies, and mer-people!

Every time Devon gets ready to get out of the bath, we say, "Bye-bye water; thank you water," as we watch the bath water swirl down the drain. Sometimes he'll even kiss the water!

PRACTICAL WATER LESSONS: Every child should learn about water and how to respect it, not just Pagan Children. Here are some of my ideas on what every child should know about water:

Learn about the cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation by making a "cloud" inside a jar, using boiling water and the steam rising from it. Chances are, if you do this activity with very young children, they will have a head start on third and fourth grade science! Compare what they've learned about this cycle with the cycles of the moon, or of life, or of reincarnation.

Gather several containers of different sizes and shapes, and pour water in and out of them, showing how the water will take whatever shape the container is. It's amazing to little kids to see the properties of water in action!

Show how, with the help of the element of fire, water can turn into steam, which can be likened to air. Then show how when it's put into the freezer, it turns into ice, which can be likened to earth. Water is truly a wonderful element! Perhaps that is why it is the element of the emotions, speaking of which...

Here's a good lesson about anger: Show your child how water boils, and how the hotter it gets, the closer it comes to boiling over. Just when it's about to boil over (like we can do when we are very angry), take it off the heat and watch as the water level slowly goes back down. (This trick works especially well when making instant macaroni and cheese.) Explain that sometimes, we have to remove ourselves from the situation which is making us "boil over" in order to calm down and deal with the anger constructively.

Most of our Earth is made of water and it seems like we'll never run out, but even so, we must learn to do things to make sure it stays around forever. Here are some things we can do to keep the water cycle going smoothly:

Remember to turn the water off when brushing your teeth. It doesn't need to be running the whole time!

Never throw trash into pools, lakes, rivers, and oceans. It makes the fishies sick, and it can make us sick too.

Opt for canoes and sailboats over motor boats. It takes more work, but it develops skill and self-discipline. It also keeps the water from being polluted, prevents the chance for curious water beasties getting cut up by propeller blades, and it just fills you with more of a peaceful feeling; you don't have to yell over those loud boat motors!

Once upon a time, people used to leave big barrels out to collect rainwater for bathing, cleaning, even drinking! You could too, but Moms and Dads, be sure to get a water testing kit, and even if it's safe, boil the water first before drinking it.

Above all, have respect for water. It is a wonderful and vital element, but as with all the elements, it can be dangerous when abused. Always observe pool rules, and never swim alone or without an adult watching, especially in a lake or the ocean. Obey your Mom and Dad about bath rules too, because it is true that people have drowned on only a teaspoon of water. Water has no business being in your lungs, and if you're blowing bubbles in it and laughing at the same time, that is exactly where it could wind up! Play with water, respect water, and help protect and conserve water, and it will serve you well.

Invocation of Being

Invocation of Power

Witches Rune

Invocation to the Goddess

Another Witch's Rune

Full Moon Ritual

New Moon Ritual

Birthing Dedication

Passing of the Dead

Handfasting Ritual

Ritual of the Pentagram

Mabon/Fall Equinox

Yule

YULE BREW

Sun King

The Legend

Samhain

HOME BLESSINGS

Candle Colors & What They Mean.

Stones and Their Uses

Cone of Protection Excercise

YULE BREW

Ritual Soap Base

WATER

Use blue food coloring or prepackaged blue bath tablets for kids. Scent the water with lotus or magnolia. The kids will be begging for bath time!

Every time Devon gets ready to get out of the bath, we say, "Bye-bye water; thank you water," as we watch the bath water swirl down the drain. Sometimes he'll even kiss the water!


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