Beltane ritual 2008

 

Beltane or Beltain is a fertility ritual. The maypole is a traditional dance with the pole representing the penis of the Gods while the brightly colored ribbons represent the fallopian tubes and ovaries, they also represent all the colors you see coming forth in the spring with new life

Beltane is a time when the Goddess and Gods have reached their sexual maturity and have joined in a union of fertility even though the Goddess still remains the virgin Goddess.

 

Water cleansing

Smudging

Blessing of group with Oils

North –

South- Joe

East –

West -

Spirit –

Joe:   Ring bell thrice

 

                                        Consecration of circle

Circle round,

This rite is bound,

In sea and sky and solid ground,

Let no negative energies or entities enter within.

I invite and invoke

                                    The Goddess artemis , Demeter, Gaia ,and  god paN to attend

This sacred Beltane sabbat,

With the element of ................ I hear by consecrate

This circle, and the circle is sealed.

 

Dedication of self-rite renewal

 

       Bless candles (white candle) virgin goddess

I consecrate and bless this candle for the positive use of this

Fertility ritual in the blessed name of the Goddess persephone, So mote

It is!  (All say  (So mote it be!)

 

Pans Blessings (yellow candle)

 I consecrate and bless this candle for the positive use of this fertility ritual in the blessed name of Pan this may day, so mote it be! ( all say So Mote It Be!)

 

Goddess and Gods candles( white and red) mother

 I consecrate and bless this candle for the positive use of this

fertility ritual in the blessed union of the Goddess Demter and God Pan on this may day, so mote it be!  ( All say So Mote It Be!)

    Altar Blessing

I consecrate and bless this altar this joyous may day to the

positive energies  of Goddess Persephone, the maiden of Spring and God Pan of the waxing year, so mote it be! ( all say “ So Mote It Be!)

      Lighting of candles

(?) lights the God candle, (?) lights the Goddess candle and then they light the candle for the union together.

                                                   Statement of Intent

This is the time when sweet desire weds wild delight.  Persephone, the maiden of Spring and Pan, the lord of the waxing year, meet in the greening fields and rejoice together under the warm sun Helios.  The shaft of life is twined in a spiral web and all of nature is renewed. We meet in the time of flowering, to dance the dance of life. (Each picks partner)

Union drink of the Goddess and gods of wine intertwined

 

    opening of the gates :

Caller of the North, what have ye to say?

     North  :

I invite and invoke the element of earth this joyous may day,

the ice and snow has melted, the  seeds of life are planted.

From the Mother's womb life is reborn, the grass grows green and

the flowers, they will bloom, we welcome the spring, we rejoice

in the sun's warm rays. Come forth element of earth and show us

your power, SO MOTE IT BE!

 

Caller of the East, what have ye to  say?

East :

I invite and invoke the element of air on this joyous may day.

The breath of life will gently blow and awaken all things anew.

Tis from thy  Goddess’s womb  we hear newborns first cries,

a mother looks with longing eyes.  Gentle breeze and blowing wind,

we call upon you once again, come forth element of air and show us

your power, SO MOTE IT BE !

 

Caller of the South, what have ye to say?

South (Joe)

I invite and invoke the element of fire this joyous May day,

solar power hear our call, warmth and sun is earth's desire.

It is you that will bring life and strength to crops and trees

And plants growing ever higher. We welcome the warmth, we

welcome the passion, come forth  element of fire and show us your

power, SO MOTE IT BE! ( Joe says)

 

Caller of the West what have ye to say?)

West

I invite and invoke the element of water on this joyous May day,

gentle rain, May's first dew, Oceans and lakes , we call to you.

You nourish our bodies, our crops and trees, and from our tears,

our spirit is free. Come wash away all things old and cleanse our

minds so that they unfold, to harmony and peace, once again, a

fresh new life will begin. Come Forth element of water, and show us

your power, SO MOTE IT BE.

 

(?) says: " blessed spirit, what have ye to say?

Spirit -   " Spirit, we invite and invoke you this joyous may day, we give thanks to your never ending blessings that you bestow upon us each day. Come dance and sing and celebrate with us,
for this is our gift to you, we greet the onlookers and invite our spirit elders to come partake in the merriment of dance and song,

SO MOTE IT BE!
       
 

                    Invocation of the Goddess :  written by Witch33

              Lift up thy arms and call my many names,

I am known as Athena, Persephone, Diana, Demeter, Artemis,

 Hekate, Selene, and many others.

Beyond death I am but eternal even the passing of the seasons.

 

I am inside you, your mother, and your sister.

  I have been with you since the beginning and I will be with you in

transformation of spirit.

The weak and the lost, the hungry and the sick, are all my children.

From my womb comes all life. Beckon unto me in times of need for I hear you my child.

I am the Earth on which to rest your weary body,

I am the water that washes away the tears of humility,

I am the air in which you breath in life,

and I am the fire that burns deep in the passions of humanity.

 I am all you see and all that you have yet to discover.

My arms are the tree limbs out stretched and open to receive into

my being your knowledge, my roots run deep, as my devotion has no

boundaries.

Thy children you bore from your loins, your chosen ones whom stand

on the wings of time we are the  weavers of life, death and rebirth

and from our mother and father we do honor thee.

Through blackness of bitter will not end arise but the wisdom within each witches eyes.

We honor thee oh great Goddess and gods, The wise ones who's beckons I have known, from both above and from below, SO MOTE IT BE!"
   

                                        Invocation of the God


Fleeing under the golden suns warmth of  Helious,  here thy words

of old. I am the keeper of pleasure and all shall come unto thee

baring wine and salt. I whom walk in the harmony of  new lifes

forces give you these pleasures.   Seek thee out  in spring time

dawning new light that the nights mist of Perspehones breath

laiden the dew upon the luscious nectar of thy loins that

penatrate Demters soils and ravish the lands with abundance of

grains and fruits that bare our seeds of this joyious union.  Go yea fourth  into the meadows green and dance with laugher for these are thy gifts to thee.  

Make love freely and drink of they blood thy wines that flow from thy veins that will nourish thee when your thirst is

quenched in thy knowledge and love.

    I am the fire within your heart and the passion that burns deep with in your soul.

    I am the God of knowledge and the seeker of the blessed quest;

I am the Consort and mate of her we adore, call forth to me.

Heed my call beloved ones, come unto me and learn the secrets of life and merriment
  
I am the grapes on the ripened vines and the fruit on the trees, I am he who leads you in joyful dance and song

Love and harmony , Pan Flute and bell , these are mine and thy gifts to thee.

Call unto me in the forest wild and on the hilltop  alive in life and seek me in the daylight bright.

I who have been called; Pan, Helios, Herne, apollo, and  Zeus, , speak to thee in thy search.

Come dance and sing; come live and smile, for behold: this is my worship.

You are my children and I am thy father. On swift night wings it is I who lay  at your Mother's feet to be reborn and to return again.

Thou who thinks to seek me, know that I am the love in your heart, the laugher in your voice and passion in your soul.

Seek me with pride and humility, but seek me best with love and strength,

For this is my journey, and I love not the weak and fearful. Hear my call on long spring nights

and we shall stand together guarding her Earth as she sleeps.

SO MOTE IT BE!   

                   Chant in song 3x   (soft drumming)

                  " The river is flowing, flowing and growing,
                    the river is flowing, back to the sea,
                    mother earth carry me, your child I shall always be,
                   Mother earth carry me, back to the sea"

 

Offering of flowers

 

? passes fruit

Cherries

 

? passes wine or punch

 

 

Libation

(Chrissy and joe)  joe pours milk in libation bowl, and chrissy adds the red fruit cherries and juice , at same time , symbolizing the union of the Goddess and God
chrissy pours it in the earth for the offering " Goddess Demeter and God Pan, please accept this offering as our gift to you this joyous May day , we thank you for the many blessings you bestow on us each and every day , So mote it be!"

Everyone will now join hands in circle and state the names of loved ones whom they would like to remember in circle and also a request for a healing, etc for the energy raising.

After everyone states their requests, on the count of three everyone will perform the mantra "OM" first, softly, and then gradually getting louder and louder until it ends in unison while visualizing white light energy for all things positive growing bigger and bigger as the mantra intensifies expanding that light out to the earth to do its work.

the event of jumping the bale fire begins. VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE DRUMMING DURING THIS EVENT!! Couples can hold hands and jump the bale fire together for a specific reason, such as disharmonies in their relationships, as well as friends can do this as well,and everyone can jump as many times as needed, for each time one jumps they will yell out whatever negativity in their lives they want to be rid of. Jumping the flames is an act of purification, therefore it brings luck and cleanses the participants aura. Each time someone jumps they will say something such as " I leave my insecurties in the flames! " Etc,,,,,,
Goes on til everyone has jumped or has jumped as many times as needed.

 

MAY POLE DANCE BEGINS
Everyone will choose a color and state why they chose that color , an example is " I choose red for health" or " I chose sky blue for flights of imagination" or"I choose green for growth" etc  , DANCE BEGINS

 

Ending thanks to deities for coming.( chrissy)

 

Close circle

Spirit:

WEST  " Element of water, we thank you for joining us on this joyous may day, go if you must , stay if you will, hail and farewell, blessed be!

SOUTH ( Joe) " Element of fire, we thank you for joining us on this joyous may day, go if you must, stay if you will, hail and farewell, blessed be!"

EAST " Element of air, we thank you for joining us on this joyous may day, go if you must, stay if you will, hail and farewell, blessed be!

NORTH   " Element of earth, we thank you for joining us on this joyous may day, go if you must , stay if you will, hail and farewell, blessed be!"

" circle round this rite unbound, in sea and sky and solid ground, We thank the Goddesses and the Gods for attending our sacred Beltane rite, With the element of ------------------------ I here by release this circle and this circle is now unsealed.

ring bell thrice

Ritual by Witch33

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Invocation of the Goddess

 

Lift up thy arms and call my many names, I am known as Innanna, Diana, Demeter, ISIS, Neth, Brid, Astar, Hecate, Selene. Beyond death  I am but eternal  even  the passing of the seasons. I am inside you, your mother, and your sister. I have been with you since the beginning and I will be with you in transformation of spirit. The weak and the lost the hungry and the sick are all my children. From my womb comes all life . Beckon unto me in times of need for I hear you my child. I am the Earth on which to rest your weary body, I am the water that washes away the tears of humility, I am the air in which you breath in the breath of life , and I am the fire that burns deep in the passions of humanity. I am all you see and all that you have yet to discover. My arms are the tree limbs out stretched and open to receive into my soul your knowledge,  my roots run deep, as my devotion  has no boundries. The wise ones who’s beckons I have known, from above and below.

Ritual by Witch33

***************************************************************

Samhain 2007

 

Mini class

Precession and chant “ HeKate, Cerridwyn”   drumming

Flag keepers

Smudging

Grounding

Anointment of circle

Casting of circle

East

South

West

North

Spirit

 

 

                       Consecration of the circle

 

circle round this rite is bound in sea and sky and solid ground. Let no negative energies or entities enter with in, I invite and invoke the Goddess Hekate and Gods to attend this sacred Samhain  Sabbat . With the  “ element “of ______ I hear by  consecrate this circle and the circle is sealed.

So mote it be! 

 

Make sign of pentagram over elemental space

 

***Bell rings thrice

 

                                   chant

 

once for the maiden, twice for the crone, thrice for the mother who sits on her throne.  ( x9)

 

 

                       INVOCATION TO HEkATE

 

Hail to thee oh dark mother of the cross roads

 

whose name I beckon to HEkATE ,HEKATE, HEKATE!

 

Thine eyes behold your mystical powers and passionate touch.

 

Bare unto thee thy torches do you light for OUR journey of life.

 

Take our hands and embrace our souls guiding us once more gently  back to the underworld when you beckon us home leading us through your gates of darkness and light.

 

Beceech unto us all your immortal touch of life so we can   walk once more into the realm of a new awakening.

My Queen, my Mother ruler of justices and OUR divine protecress. She whom stands with torch in left and salt in right do we honor this night.

 

Bitter will I not taste of tears of past , but will bask in your empowerment of life, death and rebirth.

I am all you see and all that you have yet to discover. Weep not for thy elders but bask in there memories and know that you are never alone for they are with you all.

 

I am the  night air, I am the darkness before the dawns light, I am your crone who gives you wisdom and I am your mother. Call unto me in times of need for I am but a whisper in your ear, and the beating of your heart, for I see all.

 

 

 

As it is above, is it below!

 

So mote it be!

 

 

                            Joe Says

 

Listen to the words of the Horned God,
the Guardian of all things wild and free,

and Keeper of the Gates of Death,
whose Call all must answer.

 

                                 ALL SAY

I am the fire within your heart... The yearning of your Soul. I am the Hunter of Knowledge and the Seeker of the sacred Quest; I who stand in the darkness of light; I am He whom you have called Death. I am the Consort and Mate of Her we adore, call forth to me.

Heed my call beloved ones, come unto me and learn the secrets of death and peace. I am the corn at harvest and the fruit on  the trees I am He who leads you home. Scourge and Flame, Blade and Blood these are mine and gifts to thee.

Call unto me in the forest wild and on hilltop bare and seek me in the Darkness Bright. I who have been called; Pan, Herne, Osiris , and Hades, speak to thee in thy search. Come dance and sing; come live and smile, for behold: this is my worship.

You are my children and I am thy Father. On swift night wings it is I who lay you at the Mother's feet to be reborn and to return again.

Thou who thinks to seek me, know that I am the untamed wind, the fury of storm and passion in your Soul. Seek me with pride and humility, but seek me best with love and strength.

For this is my path, and I love not the weak and fearful. Hear my call on long Winter nights and we shall stand together guarding Her Earth as She sleeps

 

 

*Caller of the North , what have ye to say:  

From the North I call forth the horned consort and HeKate, with torch in left and salt in right, we worship you this sacred night. ( end with the sign of the pentagram over your elemental spot)

 

Caller of the East, what have ye to say:

The east, the east, tis summer that has ceased, toils end thy harvest dEW, the  solar wheel turns once AGAIN  , thy deities we honor you. ( end with the sign of the pentagram over your element spot)

 

South Caller what have ye to say:

 

From the south harken this call, bless thy bounty of the fall, wand and staff we worship thee, with fire in hand  So mote it be! ( end with the sign of the pentagram over your elemental spot)

 

 

CALLER OF the west what have ye to say:

 

We weave this web for another day, invocations and chants we say, for the goddess’s return again in may. ( end with the sign of the pentagram over your elemental spot)

 

 

Caller of the Spirit , what have ye to say: 

 

From with in adhere to thee, I call  forth THY deities.  Spirit divine, in song and dance, we honor you this harvest Past. Cold winds that blow summoning the crone. Onlookers that be come dance and sing with us this sacred night.

 

                                              CHANT

 

Ancient mother I hear you calling, ancient mother, I hear your song, ancient mother, I hear your laughter, ancient mother , I taste your tears  (X6)

 

                       Keeper of the flame

 

 

                   Lighting of candles

 

Three candles do I light in honor of thee , White  for the maiden, red for the mother and black for the crone.  The wheel of time turns once again. Our mother sits on her throne guarding her children. Thy cattle brought down from thee high grounds and slaughtered for the winters beginnings. We so honor thee oh hekate.

 

                             GATHERS ALL SAY

 

With in the sacred circle we witches gather round, in love and spirit , harmony abounds. Long night’s do we rest until such the time the earths first stirrings begin. Thy last harvest at hand,  the womb of the mother prepares for new life.

 

                gathers say:

 

Welcome ye onlookers from beyond the veil, lend us your energies this sacred night. Of secrets untold about to unfold, come dance and sing with us.

Oh great Pan the guardian of the dead, we seek you out, come join us this sacred night let thy spirits now take flight.

 

Meditation and invocation to the onlookers

 

Everyone  presents there pictures ect and we go around the circle and release to them our intensions and how we feel, what we want to manifest for the coming year and what we have to be grateful for..

 

       Drinking from the cauldron

 

Wish your  will , drink your fill, wish your will , drink your fill.

Repeat till all have had a turn at the cauldron

 

             Cutting the pomegranate

 

Great Demeter, curse the land barren till such a time as Persephone is returned and the sun god

has warmed the cold earth and life is reborn. Behold the seeds for they are death, eternity and rebirth.

 

                   Cutting of the apple

 

Behold the seeds for they are wisdom, joy and the  fruit of death and immortality. The star symbolizes the rebirth. Zeus blessed the apple for the fertility of the great hera.

 

       Passes around a piece of apple

 

take plates and passes to next gather feeding them and doing a blessings  , passes and give out pumpkin seeds , and cakes of the dead.

 

 

 

 

         The union with Goddess and god

 

Priestess says: I am the great mother gaia ,With my blood that brings rebirth , embrace my body and behold unto me your semen , for it shall bring forth new life.

 

Priest say:  I am Zeus  and With my semen I  impregnate your womb to bring forth thy years next bountiful harvest. Embrace my life forces for it shall bring forth new life.

 

Pours liberation

 

               Persephone Libation ( pour, milk,                                water or olive oils)

 

This libation do I pour in honor of thee:

 

Demeter

protector of youth, the mild, bares fruit, and the raging mother.

 

This libation do I pour in honor of three:

 

Persephone

 

You whom rule the underworld, the avenger and the pure do I seek thee this night.

 

              Demeter says to persephone

 

 

Persephone, blessed daughter of great Zeus, sole offspring
of Demeter, come and accept this gracious sacrifice.
Much honored spouse of Plouton, discreet and life-giving,
you command the gates of Haides in the bowels of the earth,
Lovely-tressed Praxidike, pure bloom of Deo,
mother of the Furies, queen of the nether world,
whom Zeus sired in clandestine union.
Mother of loud-roaring and many-shaped Eubouleus,
radiant and luminous playmate of the Seasons,
august, almighty, maiden rich in fruits,
brilliant and horned, you alone are beloved of mortals.
In spring you rejoice in the meadow breezes
and you show your holy figure in shoots and green fruits.
You were made a kidnapper’s bride in the fall,
and you alone are life and death to toiling mortals,
O Persephone, for you always nourish all and kill them, too.
Hearken, O blessed goddess, and send forth the earth’s fruits.
You who blossoms in peace, in soft-handed health,
and in a life of plenty that ferries old age in comfort
to your realm, O queen, and to that of mighty Plouton.”

 

 

Persephone, blessed daughter of great Zeus, sole offspring
of Demeter, come and accept this gracious sacrifice.
Much honored spouse of Plouton, discreet and life-giving,
you command the gates of Haides in the bowels of the earth,
Lovely-tressed Praxidike, pure bloom of Deo,
mother of the Furies, queen of the nether world,
whom Zeus sired in clandestine union.
Mother of loud-roaring and many-shaped Eubouleus,
radiant and luminous playmate of the Seasons,
august, almighty, maiden rich in fruits,
brilliant and horned, you alone are beloved of mortals.
In spring you rejoice in the meadow breezes
and you show your holy figure in shoots and green fruits.
You were made a kidnapper’s bride in the fall,
and you alone are life and death to toiling mortals,
O Persephone, for you always nourish all and kill them, too.
Hearken, O blessed goddess, and send forth the earth’s fruits.
You who blossoms in peace, in soft-handed health,
and in a life of plenty that ferries old age in comfort
to your realm, O queen, and to that of mighty Plouton.”

 

                Persephone says to demeter

 

Deo, divine mother of all, goddess of many names,
august Demeter, nurturer of youths and giver of prosperity
and wealth.  You nourish the ears of corn, O giver of all,
and you delight in peace and in toilsome labor.
Present at sowing, heaping and threshing, O spirit of the unripe fruit,
you dwell in the sacred valley of Eleusis.
Charming and lovely, you give sustenance to all mortals,
and you were the first to yoke the ploughing ox
and to send up from below a rich and lovely harvest for mortals.
Through you there is growth and blooming, O illustrious companion of Bromios
and, torch-bearing and pure one, you delight in the summer's yield.
From beneath the earth you appear and to all you are gentle,
O holy and youth-nurturing lover of children and of fair offspring.
You yoke your chariot to bridled dragons,
and round your throne you whirl and howl in ecstasy.
Only daughter with many children and many powers over mortals,
you manifest your myriad faces to the variety of flowers and sacred blossoms;
come, blessed and pure one, and laden with the fruits of summer,
bring peace together with the welcome rule of law,
riches, too, and prosperity, and health that governs all

 

                  

            Triple Goddess Chant

Holy  Maiden  Huntress  Artemis, Artemis. Maiden, Come To Us
Silver Shining Wheel Of Radiance, Radiance. Mother, Come To Us
Ancient Queen Of Wisdom, Hekate, Hekate. Old One, Come To Us

( repeat 6 times)

 

                        Gathers

 

To the womb of the goddess and the horned consort now returns till such a day when she is reborn. The cycle of the seasons are never ending. Blessings to the souls that have journeyed beyond to the dark world of the dead. May the Goddess and gods guide them till such a time when they are reborn.

 

 

 

                              poem

 

                    The Descent of the Goddess

 

The Goddess is Maiden and Mother and Crone;

Her children surround her; She's never alone.

She lives in the moment , knows no grief or uproar,

till Harvest rolls around and brings death to her door.

Then her bright colors fade and her glitter grows dim,

for her son lives no longer, she's morning for him.

 

He's fallen upon her body of Earth-

oh , how can it be deadly, which once gave him birth?

she buries him gently, and follows him down,

and she casts off in grief all her robes, jewels, and crown.

There is no need of finery where now she sets foot,

down in the darkness of loam and of root.

 

Her heart is bound tightly , no peace stills her mind.

she is cold and bereft; she is angry and blind.

She stumbles and staggers; ever weaker she grows,

but than hears a voice she is certain she knows!

"My mother, my lady" , why have you come here?

Tis the voice of her lover, her son, in her ear.

 

Why have you left me? she cries out in grief,

why must I bear you to be my joys thief?

He has come here before , but she does not recall,

and he touches her hand, to explain again all;

 

It's age and fate , lady. There's naught I can do,

save promise by rebirth I shall rejoin you.

You are ever my lady , my Mother my Dear,

and i swear that in death there is nothing to fear.

 

Now she remembers; the graves but a womb,

and a promise of rebirth brings light to the gloom

There's peace and reunion to follow each death,

as a moment of stillness will follow each breath.

And the Goddess emerges each time she withdraws, 

and the wheel turns to freedom and rolls without pause.

 

                     Burying the apple

 

                    Chant  circle is open

 

The circle is open, but unbroken, may the peace of the goddess be ever in your heart, merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.  ( x 6)

 

                        Closing

 

circle round this rite unbound

In sea and sky and solid ground

Thank you Goddess  Hekate and gods for attending this sacred Samhain ritual.

With the element of ___________  hear by release this circle and this circle is unsealed.

 

 

 

 

                     Bell rings thrice

 

Ritual by Witch33