[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

The circle now moves slowly deosil once about the Circle. As each passes
the HPS they kiss her upon the cheek; as they pass the HP, he hands each
one a candle which is lit from the balefire.
Coveners dance slowly deosil as the HP calls:
HP: "Queen of the Moon, Queen of the Sun,
Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the Stars,
Queen of the Waters, Queen of the Earth,
Bring to us the Child of Promise !
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
shall come up early.
Golden Sun of hill and mountain,
Illumine the land, illumine the world,
Illumine the seas, illumine the rivers,
Sorrows be laid, joy to the world !
Blessed be the Great Goddess,
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Without beginning, without ending,
Everlasting to eternity.
Io Evoe ! Heh ! Blessed be !
All raise their tapers high and repeat twice the last line.
HPS joins the dance, leading it with a quieter rhythm.
The burning cauldron is pushed into the centre and the dancers jump over
it in man and woman couples. The last couple over the fire should be well
purified, three times each, and may pay an amusing forfeit as the HPS may
ordain.
Cakes and wine follows and, after the Circle has been closed, much
merriment, feasting, dancing and games.
Candlemas
(Northern Hemisphere February 2nd: Southern Hemisphere August 2nd)
The HPS, carrying the Wand, leads the coveners with a dance step to
the chosen site.
The Volta Dance follows: in other words, lively dancing in couples.
HPS casts the Circle in the usual way.
HP then enters the Circle, with a Sword in his right hand
and a Wand in his left. He lays these on the altar.
HP now salutes the HPS with the Fivefold Kiss.
She says 'Blessed be' and gives him the Fivefold Kiss in return.
HP assumes the god position before the altar as the HPS invokes:
HPS: "Dread Lord of Death and Resurrection,
Of Life, and the Giver of Life;
Lord within ourselves, whose name is Mystery of Mysteries;
Encourage our hearts,
Let the Light crystallize itself in our blood,
Fulfilling us of resurrection;
For there is no part of us that is not of the Gods.
Descend, we pray thee, upon thy servant and priest."
Any initiations to be done are done at this point.
The ceremony of Cakes and Wine follows.
The Great Rite is done if at all possible.
Feasting, dancing and games follow the closing of the ritual.
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Vernal Equinox (Ostara, Eostre)
(Northern Hemisphere March 21st: Southern Hemisphere September 21st)
Preparation:
A Symbol of the Wheel is on the altar, flanked with burning
candles, or with fire in some form - torches, or small tripods
with fire in their cups.
The Symbol of the Wheel may be a plain disc, or an eight spoked
wheel, or the pentacle. Alex and Maxine Sanders used a circular
mirror with a broad frame, also circular, decorated as a twelve-
pointed star.
In the centre of the Circle is either a cauldron full of
inflammable material, or (out of doors) a bonfire ready to be lit.
HPS casts the Circle.
HPS then stands in the West, and the HP in the East, both with carrying
wands.
HPS: "We kindle this fire today
In the presence of the Holy Ones,
Without malice, without jealousy, without envy,
Without fear of aught beneath the Sun
But the High Gods.
Thee we invoke, O Light of Life;
Be thou a bright flame before us,
Be thou a guiding star above us,
Be thou a smooth path beneath us;
Kindle thou within our hearts
A flame of love for our neighbours,
To out foes, to our friends, to our kindred all,
To all men on the broad earth;
O merciful Son of Cerridwen,
From the lowliest thing that liveth,
To the Name which is highest of all."
HPS then draws invoking pentagram before the HP and then hands the Wand
to him, together with the scourge.
The Maiden strikes a light and hands it to the High Priest, who lights
the cauldron or bonfire. He (carrying a wand) and the High Priestess
(carrying a sistrum) lead the dance, with the rest following in
couples. Each couple must leap over the fire. The last couple over the
fire before it goes out must be well purified. The man must then give a
fivefold kiss to each of the women, as the woman to the men, or any
other penalty the HPS shall decide.
Cakes and wine shall follow.
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Beltane
(Northern Hemisphere May 1st: Southern Hemisphere October 31st)
Preparation:
Two white candles are on the altar with a wreath of spring flowers.
Quarter candles are green.
HPS leads the coven, riding poles if possible, about the Covenstead with
a quick, trotting step, singing:
All: "O do not tell the priests of our Art,
For they would call it sin;
But we will be in the woods all night,
A-conjuring summer in.
And we bring you good news by word of mouth,
For woman, cattle and corn,
For the sun is coming up from the south
With oak and ash and thorn."
A ring dance follows after which the High Priestess casts the Circle.
High Priest draws down the Moon upon the High Priestess. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]