Pagan Ritual for General Use
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A circle should be marked on the floor, surrounding those who will participate in the ceremony. An altar is to be set up at the center of the circle. At the center of the altar shall be placed an image of the Goddess, and an incense burner placed in front of it. Behind the image should be a wand fashioned from a willow branch. Candles should be set upon the altar . . . a total of five, since one is to be set at each quarter and one will remain on the altar during the rite.
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When all the people are prepared they shall assemble within the circle. The woman acting as priestess shall direct the man who acts as priest to light the candles and incense. She shall then say:
The presence of the noble Goddess extends everywhere.
Throughout the many strange, magical,
And beautiful worlds.
To all places of wilderness, enchantment, and freedom.
She then places a candle at the north and pauses to look outwards, saying:
The Lady is awesome.
The Powers of death bow before Her.
The person closest to the east takes a candle from the altar and places it at that quarter, saying:
Our Goddess is a Lady of Joy.
The winds are Her servants.
The person closest to the south takes a candle from the altar and places it at that quarter, saying:
Our Goddess is a Goddess of Love.
At Her blessings and desire
The sun brings forth life anew.
The person closest to the west takes a candle from the altar and places it at that quarter, saying:
The seas are the domains of our Serene Lady.
The mysteries of the depths are Hers alone.
The priest now 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 priest now holds the wand out in salute towards the north for a moment and then hands it to the priestess, who also holds it out in salute. She motions to the group to repeat the following lines after her:
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!
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. The priestess will then take the wand and tap each candle to put it out, starting at the north and going clockwise about 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 broken!
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I
Spiral-circle dance.
II
First priestess: (
Casts circle.
) The heaviness of winter has ended. Let us rejoice in the budding Earth and the beauty of the Maiden now ascendant. (
Lights altar candles and incense.
) We light the Beltane fires and celebrate the fertile warmth and light of our Lord and the renewed and renewing powers of light, energy, and love that are our Lady of May.
III
Second priestess: We celebrate the fragrant spring air, the soft May breezes that refresh the Earth and Her children.
Frist priestess: We celebrate the gentle fire of the sun in spring, whose caressing warmth awakens the Earth and Her children.
Third priestess: We celebrate the cool, damp spring rains, those sparkling showers that give sustenance to the Earth and Her children.
Four priestess: We celebrate the Earth. In the full bloom of Her maidenhood, She gives life to all of Her children.
IV
Third priestess: O source of joy and love, O Goddess of all beginnings, come and join us, for this is the season of new growth. O Lady of May, refresh our senses, make us whole, replenish the earth.
Second priestess: At the equinox, I awakened. Then I had the power to melt the winter. But now I am in the fullness of my maidenhood, and I am wild with joy!
See how the buds burst into bloom. See how all of my animal creatures are drawn together in love and pleasure. Feel how my beauty tempts you all to forget your daily chores and celebrate with me.
Drink in this season fully, for my maidenhood is fleeting, and it will seem to you as if it were only an instant, and then it will be gone. The heavy heat of the summer will be on you, and I will be the Great Mother once again.
First priestess: (
Displays wine.
) We celebrate the dizzying sweetness of the spring that now blossoms around us. Bless this, our offering of May Wine, and as we taste its fullness, teach us to sow your seeds in love and joy.
Fourth priestess: (
Displays bread and sprouts.
) We celebrate the cycle of life renewed. From seed to bud to flower to fruit to seed. A perfect circle. These are the beads of Her necklace! (
People in center share, then take wine, bread and sprouts around circle.
)
VI
Third priestess: Now, as the warm spring renews the Earth and our lives, let's remember how our predecessors celebrated Beltane. The hearth fire of each home would be extinguished. Then the whole community would gather for a festival. As the celebration ended, each householder would take home some coals from the communal bonfire, to rekindle the hearth at home.
First priestess: Hearth fire is not forest fire. The dangerous is made domestic by skill and experience.
Hearth fire cooked their food and warmed their homes. It stood for safety and comfort. It still represents the warmth of the heartâthe friendship and caring that come from the center of the person.
Hearth fire is simple, familiar, unspectacular. It is the polar opposite of fireworks. Safety, comfort, friendship. Love “to the level of every day's most quiet need, by sun and candle light.”
Fourth priestess: The winter strained us. The day was bleak and gray. The cold was painful. We wrapped our bodies and pulled in our senses. We got through.
Now, in the softness and beauty of spring, we shed the layers of clothing from our bodies and open our senses again. Together, today, we pool the warmth of our joy in the spring. We will take a portion of our shared warmth home with us, to renew our everyday lives.
Cauldron dance to “The Lady's Branle” or “She will bring the buds of spring,” music traditional, words by Hope, published in
Songs for the Old Religion.
VIII
Second priestess: We thank you for the flourishing of new life and for the feast of spring that is the freshness of your presence. Blessed be!
The circle is ended. Merry meet, merry part.
Appendix III: Resources
THIS IS THE THIRD EDITION of this resource guide. It's no exaggeration to say that the number of Pagan groups, festivals, and Web sites has explodedâthere are so many groups and gatherings that this is just a sampling, and some of the smaller groves, covens, and kindreds are not listed. The only category that has not expanded is publications, and that is probably because the Web has taken over many of the functions of the publications. Many of the newsletters and magazines listed in the 1997 edition are now defunct. Some now exist online and no longer in paper form. Most of the festivals listed in the previous edition still exist, and many new ones have been created. There are now more than 350 Pagan gatherings. Some groups are now defunct; many others are thirty years old. Please always send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with your inquiry if you are using the mail. If e-mail addresses are available, it's the fastest way to go.
What's different today is the Internet. If you are looking for some organization or festival or newsletter and you find that the letter comes back because the address is wrong, search the Web; in my experience, more than half the time it will be there.
If you come across this book after the year 2010, these listings will be more than four years old. One thing you might consider doing to obtain more information is to contact Circle for their
Guide to Pagan Groups
(see page 519). Every few years, Circle publishes an indispensable guide to Pagan groups, centers, networks, magazines, Web sites, suppliers, and artists. Circle's guide is more comprehensive than this one, listing several hundred small groups not mentioned here, as well as individual artists and stores. This resource guide is an eclectic list, and it contains most of the larger organizations and most important journals, festivals and Web sites. But if you are looking for a group near your city or town, your best bet may be Circle's guide. Circle's address is P.O. Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53507. Although I do keep a public mailing address (Margot Adler, P.O. Box 20182, Cathedral Station, New York, NY 10025-1518), I have two jobs and a family, not counting any Pagan activities, so I will not have the time to keep this list current. Again, the Web is a great place to search for Pagan publications, festivals, and groups.
CURRENT NEWSLETTERS, MAGAZINES, AND JOURNALS
The Accord.
A quarterly journal for Wiccans, Pagans, and others on a magickal/spiritual path that focuses on Pagan spirituality and topics of interest to the Pagan community. It is published near the Solstices and Equinoxes by the Council of Magickal Arts, Inc. CMA is a Texas-based association of practitioners of the religions of the magickal arts. It has over 1,800 members and is open to people of all traditions who are interested in celebrating nature, spirit, and community. Each issue of
Accord
focuses on a particular theme. Also includes reviews, columns, advice, humor, religious liberties issues, calendar, and magickal lore. Subscriptions: free with membership to CMA (see page 522); also sold in occult, Wicca, and metaphysical stores. Address: Accord Office, P.O. Box 66100, Houston, TX 77266. E-mail:
[email protected].
AFA Update.
An online journal published twice monthly by the Ãsatrú Folk Assembly (see page 512). Includes short articles, reviews, commentary, and links of interest. Free of charge. Address: Ãsatrú Folk Assembly, P.O. Box 445, Nevada City, CA 95959. Subscribe by e-mail:
[email protected].
Always in Season: Living in Sync with the Cycles.
A quarterly publication from Mama Donna's Tea Garden & Healing Haven (see page 544). It offers “information, ideas, and inspiration steeped in scientific, artistic, anthropological, psychological, mythological, mystical, and religious reference from cultures around the planet and over time to aid and augment our personal practice of ceremony and celebration. Subscriptions: $28/year. Columns include “Essence of the Season,” “Ask Your Mama,” and “Ritual Ragout.” Address: Mama Donna's Tea Garden & Healing Haven, P.O. Box 380403, Exotic Brooklyn, NY 11238-0403. Phone: 718-857-1343. E-mail:
[email protected].
Awakened Woman (AWe).
An online magazine published continuously since 1999 dedicated to women's inspiration, healing, and empowermentâthrough the Goddess. AWe features a unique blend of politics and spirituality, with news of the women's movement, articles about women's circles, spiritual journeys, and profiles of remarkable women
. Awakened Woman
also publishes a free monthly e-newsletter available by subscription. The magazine partners with the non-profit Women for a Better World, working to foster the global women's movement by finding “bases of agreement within our diversity,” and hopes women will visit the Web site and become members of Women for a Better World. Publisher/editor Stephanie Hiller. Address: Awakened Woman Publications, P.O. Box 1113, Occidental, CA 95465. Phone: 707-874-1744. E-mail:
[email protected].
The Beltane Papers: A Journal of Women's Mysteries.
An eclectic feminist/ Goddess/Pagan publication produced for over twenty years by volunteers. This unique and beautifully produced magazine has excellent women's art and writing. It is filled with complex articles on folklore, mythology, the history of religion, ritual, festivals, as well as goddess and herb lore, recipes, personal experiences, dreams, poetry, humor, and an extensive review section. Editor: Marione Thompson-Helland. Published three times yearly. 64 pages. Subscriptions: $16/year, sample issue $5; Canada $21/year, sample issue $7; elsewhere $28/year, sample issue $8.50 (all in U.S. funds). Address: TBP, P.O. Box 29694, Bellingham, WA 98228-1694. E-mail:
[email protected].
The Blessed Bee: A Newsletter for Pagan Families.
A publication specifically for Pagans with kids. Includes Crafts, rituals, homeschooling ideas, stories, poems, book reviews, and advice. Published quarterly. 32 pages. Editor in Chief: Anne Newkirk Niven. Available by subscription only. Subscriptions: $13/year; Canada and elsewhere $19/year (U.S. funds). Address: P.O. Box 641, Point Arena, CA 95468. Phone: 888-724-3966. Call or e-mail for a sample issue:
[email protected].
The Cauldron.
A journal featuring serious articles on Paganism, Witchcraft, Wicca, Folklore, and Earth Mysteries. Also includes book reviews and small ads. Published quarterly since 1976. Editor: Mike Howard. 44 pages. Subscriptions: $40/year, sample issue $7 (cash only); U.K. £14/year, sample issue £2.50. No checks or money orders can be accepted in foreign currency. Address: BM Cauldron, London WCIN 3XX, U.K.