Wheel of the Year

[KickButtMama]

This is a work in progress, much like my BOS where I'll update all the info I can find on each of the Sabbats.

The High Holy Days

The Witches calander is broken down into 8 major Sabbats and many minor Esbats. Between them and the Celebration of the Moon a Witch can be doing a ritual at least 2 to 4 times a month. So it all depends on how often you want to devote yourself to the circle. SOme witches focus on Candle Magick and Spells - only celebrating the High Holy Days with Ritual, Others Use the Moons. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG!!

Here is a list of the High Holy Days along with a General Breakdown. For more specific information and the ritual I use for each you can look at my blog within a few weeks of the High Holy Day. NOTE: With a * I've tried to indicate where the information might be Celtic based and therefore you would need to use your traditional information - otherwise I tried to be as general as possible.

FESTIVAL: Samhuinn*, Samhain, Hallowmas, All Hallow's Eve, Halloween
DATE: October 31, November 2, November 4 or when the Sun is at 15 degrees Scorpio
PLANET: Moon*, Mars
DEITIES: Crone Goddesses, Dying/Aging Gods, Sacrificial Gods, Death & Otherworld Deities, All Gods & Goddesses of Fate, Death & the Underworld, Guides & Psychopomps, Judges, Hunters
ELEMENT: Fire, Earth
COLOR: Black, Orange , Violet*, Silver*
SYMBOL: Cauldron, Jack o'Lantern, Mask, Balefire, Besom (broom)
ENERGY CENTER*: Brow Center: center of the head, behind the bridge of the nose
MEANING OF THE WORD: "Summer's End"*
PRIMARY FOCUS: Transformation, regeneration, honoring / communicating with the dead, divination, honoring / celebrating the harvest, preparing for

Winter.

FESTIVAL: Yule, Alban Athuan*, Modranicht, Mean Geimhridh, Winter Solstice
DATE: December 20, 21, 22 or when the Sun is at 1 degree Capricorn
PLANET: Sun*, Saturn
DETIES: Newborn Gods, Triple Goddesses, Virgin Goddesses, Sun Gods, Holly & Oak Kings, the Sacred Son
ELEMENT: Water, Fire
COLOR: White*, Gold*, Green, Red
SYMBOL: Evergreens, Wreath, Yule Log, Holly, Spinning Wheels
ENERGY CENTER*: Crown Center-above the crown of the head
MEANING OF THE WORD: "Wheel" in Scandinavian, Solstice means "Sun Stands Still" as the Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year.
PRIMARY FOCUS: Rebirth & renewal, Ritual Blessings, burning the Yule Log.

FESTIVAL: Imbolc*, Candlemas, Oimealg, Imbolg, Brigantia, Lupercus, Disting, Lupercalia
DATE: February 1 or 2, or when the Sun is at 15 degrees Aquarius
PLANET: Earth*, Saturn
DETIES: Virgin or Child Goddesses, Goda as Young Men/Boys, St.Brigid, Brigit, Bride, Brigantia
ELEMENT: Earth
COLOR: White, Silver, Pale Yellow, Earth Colors*, Black*
SYMBOL: Circle of 8 Candles*, Candles, Brides,, Grain Dolly, Burowing Animals, Ewes
ENERGY CENTER*: Earth Center (soles of the feet)
MEANING OF THE WORD: "In Milk"
PRIMARY FOCUS: Initiation, Consecration, Cleansing & Purification, Returning Light, New Growth, End of Winter

FESTIVAL: Ostara, Spring Equinox, Ostre, Mean Erraigh, Alban Eiler*, Pasch, Caisg, Pesse
DATE: March 20, 21, 2 or when the Sun reaches 1 degree Aires.
PLANET: Mars, Saturn*
DETIES: Youthful Deities, Warrior Gods, Deties awakening to sexuality,
ELEMENT: Air, Fire
COLOR: Indigo*, Red*, Pastels
SYMBOL: Eggs, Equilateral Cross, Butterflies, Dragon
ENERGY CENTER*: Sexual Center (genetals)
MEANING OF THE WORD: "The month of beginnings or openings" (Germanic); The Equinox means the night and day are of exactly equal length.
PRIMARY FOCUS: Transformation, regeneration, honoring / communicating with the dead, divination, honoring / celebrating the harvest, preparing for

Winter. 

FESTIVAL: Beltane, Beltainne*, Valpurga, Mean Erraigh, Bealteinne, Roodmas, Calin Mai
DATE: May 1
PLANET: Jupiter*,
DETIES: Bel, All Gods of Fire, Flower Goddesses, Divine Couples, Deities of the Hun
ELEMENT: Fire, Water*
COLOR: Red, White, Sky Blue*, Orange*
SYMBOL: May Pole, Eggs, Baskets, Cauldron, Flowers, Butterchurn
ENERGY CENTER*: Vital Center (two inches below navel)
MEANING OF THE WORD: "Bright Fire", "Lucky Fire"
PRIMARY FOCUS: Sensuality, Passion, Fertility, Protection of Animals & Gardens, Leaping the fire for fortunate Summer, Love Magicks.
 
FESTIVAL: Litha, Midsummer, Summer Solstice, Alban Heruin*, Mean Samhraidh
DATE: June 20, 21, or 22, or when the sun is at 1 degree Cancer
PLANET: Moon, Mars*
DETIES: Pregnant Goddesses, Gods/desses at their peak of power, Sun God/desses, Holly King & Oak King
ELEMENT: Earth, Fire*
COLOR: Green, Red, Yellow,
SYMBOL:  Fire, Mistletoe, Solar Disk, Feathers, Blades
ENERGY CENTER*: Solar Plexus (high in abdomen just below the breast bone)
MEANING OF THE WORD: Litha means "moon"; this is the longest Day of the year.
PRIMARY FOCUS: Festival of the Horned God, Battle of Oak & Holly (Holly WIns), Descent of God or Goddess, Meditation of inner self or meanings.

FESTIVAL: Lughnasadh*, Lammas, Lunasdal
DATE: August 1 or 2
PLANET: Sun, Venus
DETIES: Harvest & Grain Deties, New Mother Goddess, Lugh.
ELEMENT: Earth, Air*
COLOR: Grey, Gold, Green, Yellow
SYMBOL: All Grains, Breads, Threshing Tools
ENERGY CENTER*: Heart Center
MEANING OF THE WORD: "lughnassadh means to "Give in marriage to Lugh", Lammas means "Hlaf-mass" or the feast of the bread
PRIMARY FOCUS: Marriages/handfastings, sacrifice of fruits to the soil, Sacrifice. 

FESTIVAL: Mabon, Fall Equinox, Harvest Home, Alban Elued*, Mean Fomhair
DATE: September 20, 21, 22 or when the Sun is at 1 degree Libra
PLANET: Mercury*,
DETIES: Mabon, The Horned Lord, The Stag King, Bacchus, Dionysus - all Wine Gods, Harvest Deities, Aging Deities.
ELEMENT: Spirit*,
COLOR: Leaf Green*, Blue*, Orange, Russet, Maroon
SYMBOL: Fruit & Wine, Vine, Garland, Cornucopia, Burial Cairns
ENERGY CENTER*: Throat Center (at the base of teh throat)
MEANING OF THE WORD: "Divine Youth"; the Day & Night are exactly Equal
PRIMARY FOCUS: Second Harvest, Offering vegatable & Fruit harvests, Corn Festival, Abundance, Thanksgiving, Personal "Harvest", Balance of Darkness & Light. 


Blessings,
Shannon

[KickButtMama]

Samhain Lore (October 31st)

Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means "End of Summer" coming from the two Gailic words "sam" and "fuin" , and is the third and final Harvest. The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat.  SOme traditions believe the Sabbat was named in honor of the Aryan Lord of Death: Samana, 'the leveler', or the grimm reaper. But the Grimm Reaper is not counted amoung any of our pantheons. In reality, we honor our God's sacrifies on this night. He represents the wildness of nature, sacrificing itself tot he harshness of Winter in order to brig about the re-newal of Spring.

In the "old days" our Celtic ancestors saw the year in two halves - Winter and Summer, and those not fattened enough to survive Winter were slaughtered. Fewer mouths to feet ment the healthier beasts were more likely to survive, and the meat of the butchered animals kept families alive during the months when hunting wasn't feasible. (1) Since most of us don't have the means to slaughter our own animals with great ceremony, it is suggesting by Ashleen O'Gaea, that we make animals out of bread, charge them with srong life energy, and eritually slaughter and eat them, sprinkling mead or ale from the blessing bowl. This comes from a medieval Germanic custom of exchanging animal shaped loaves of bread, and also similar to the modern Swedish tradition of a pig-shaped cake substituting for the Yule boar. 

Growing seasons were shorter in the north than those in the British Isles, but the final harvests of grain and other crops was still finished by Samhain, to prevent damage by the first frosts of November. Winter rains could make fields impassable, as does snow, so people could be house-bound once the weather cools - so they made sure to have the harvesting accomplished before Samhain. Therefore, any crops still in the field on Samhain were considered taboo, and left as offerings to the Nature spirits.

This night is also refered to as the Feast of the Dead to honor the symbolic death of the God. Honoring the death of the slaughtered animals, as well as our ancestors is our symbolic way of honoring the death of the God in order to nurture the land through the coming Winter. This holiday is also a way of honoring the relationship between life and death, not only as a concept of re-birth, and not only of our oen kin in the Otherworld, but also our kin in other Neo-Pagan religions. Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead". Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition. Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home. Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest. Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them. Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos. The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised. People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits. 

Considering all the honoring of the ead - it is not surprising that it is believed teh "veil" between the realms is thinner on this night. The veil can be debated as the actual veiling of the Otehrworld (astral plane, spirit world, whatever) from the eyes of the living - or as a veil between life and death - as we are most aware of our mortality in facing the harshness of winter. It can be argued the veil to teh Otehrworld is thin on this night as so many souls turn their attention to the veil (thus uncovering or thinning it for a time). Either way, it is easy for us to remember our ancestors so clearly, the are virtually with us again for a time. Since they are with us, we invite them to our final harvest feast. Since this is also a time of reaping the benefits of our inner harvest - the soul searching throughout the year - we also share everything we've accomplished with them. We share our hopes and dreams, our mistakes and what we've learned from them. We share our love and sorrows, our discoveries about ourselves and the world(s). (1)

Bonfires were built, (originally called bone-fires, for after feasting, the bones were thrown in the fire as offerings for healthy and plentiful livestock in the New Year) and stones were marked with peoples names. Then they were thrown into the fire, to be retrieved in the morning. The condition of the retrieved stone foretold of that person's fortune in the coming year. Hearth fires were also lit from the village bonfire to ensure unity, and the ashes were spread over the harvested fields to protect and bless the land.

It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane (the start of the Celtic Summer). It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.


Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Third Harvest, Samana, Day of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest (Strega), and Samhuinn. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, (that day actually falls on November 7th), and Martinmas (that is celebrated November 11th), Samhain is now generally considered the Witch's New Year.

Symbolism of Samhain:
Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death.

Symbols of Samhain:
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms.

Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw.

Foods of Samhain:
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry.

Incense of Samhain:
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg.

Colors of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold.

Stones of Samhain:
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian. (2)

(1) Celebrating the Seasons of Life : Samhain through Ostara bu Ashleen O'Gaea
(2) http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/mabon.htm

[KickButtMama]

Samhain Ritual
Ancestor Night, Celtic New Year, October 31st

Tools:
In addition to your magickal tools, you will need:

• An Orange Alter Cloth
  
• Cauldron
  
• 1 Black Taper Goddess Candle
  
• 1 Black Taper God Candle
  
• 2 Carved Turnip Candle Holders
  
• 1 Black Votive Candle
  
• 1 White Pillar Candle
  
• 1 Apple
  
• A Bolline
  
• A Plate of Fruit
  
• Vegetables and Breads
  
• Pictures or Mementos of Departed Loved Ones
  
• Samhain Incense (Mint, Nutmeg, Apple)

Preparation:
Sweep area, moving in a deosil manner. Outline your circle with a black cord, fresh turned earth, or salt. Place the black taper Goddess Candle to the top left on altar. Place the black taper God candle to the top right on altar. Place the black votive candle in the cauldron, positioned on floor in front of the altar. Plate of Fruit, Vegetables, and Breads should be put in-between Goddess and God candles at top center of altar. Apple and Bolline should be placed in center of altar, on a Pentacle if possible. Arrange the rest of your tools and props according to personal preference. Bathe or shower for purification. If you have magickal jewelry or jewelry passed on to you by departed loved ones, this is the ritual to wear it all. Sit and meditate to ground and center. When ready to begin, play some appropriate soothing music for ambiance.

Cast the circle and call Quarters...... invoke the Crone aspect of the Goddess by lighting the black taper Goddess candle and saying:

"Dark Mother, ruler of the night, Goddess of death and rebirth, Hear and behold Your child this night as I honor Thee and Thy realm. I stand humbly before Thee, asking for Thy blessing and favor. Lift, now, the Veil between the worlds, as this time-out-of-time begins, That I may commune with my ancestors as they journey to the Summerlands."

Step back from the altar and concentrate on the Goddess candle's flame. Should it rise and flicker, proceed. If not, silently project your wish to commune with your loved ones that have passed on. When you feel that your wish has been acknowledged, invoke the God by lighting the black taper God candle and saying:

"Dark Father, aged Consort of the Crone, Lord of the Underworld, Hear and behold Your child this night as I honor Thee and Thy realm. I stand between Thee and Thy Lady, asking for blessing and favor. As this time-out-of-time approaches, stand ever guard as the Veil lifts, Keep safe my ancestors, and all of my loved ones As they journey to the Summerlands"

Step back from the altar and concentrate on the God candle's flame. If it rises and flickers, proceed. If not, silently project your wishes that your loved ones be kept safe on their journey. When you feel that your request has been acknowledged, step back up to the alter and pick up the apple, saying:

"Tonight as the barrier between the two realms grows thin,
Spirits walk amongst us, once again.
They be family, friends and foes,
Pets and wildlife, fishes and crows.
But be we still mindful of the Wee Folke at play,
Elves, fey, brownies, and sidhe."

Cut the apple crosswise with the Bolline to reveal the symbolic pentagram at the core. Take a bite of one half of the apple and set it back on the Pentacle. (This apple and others will be buried outside later, after the ritual is done) Continue:

"Some to trick, some to treat,
Some to purposely misguide our feet.
Stay we on the paths we know
As planting sacred apples we go."

Now take your wand in your projective hand to bless the "Feast of the Dead". Wave it over the plate of fruits, vegetables, and breads, saying:

"This Feast I shall leave on my doorstep all night.
In my window one candle shall burn bright,
To help my loved ones find their way
As they travel this eve, and this night, until day.
Bless my offering, both Lady and Lord
Of breads and fruits, greens and gourd."

Replace the wand on the altar, step back and bow your head. Stay silent for a minute or two as the blessing is given. Proceed by lighting the black votive candle in the cauldron and saying:

"Dark Mother Your cauldron is a well of death and rebirth,
Dark Father Your sword both protects and annihilates.
Hear me now as the past year slowly dies, only to be reborn again.
Today, the last of the Harvests is complete.
This symbolic harvest is of my thought-seeds,
Planted and nurtured throughout this past year.
May the good come to pass and the bad be cast aside.
With Your divine guidance and protection,
I step into the New Year,
May I have good health, prosperity, and happiness."

With the flame of the black votive candle light the white pillar candle, saying:

"As the New Year is born, we are all reborn
With new hopes and dreams.
Guide me in the future as in the past.
Give me strength and courage,
Knowledge and fulfillment,
Assist me as I attempt to achieve my goals."

Snuff the black votive candle and replace it. Remove the white pillar candle from the cauldron and place it in the center of your altar. Stare in to the flame and think about the goals that you are setting for the upcoming year. When done, say:

"Every beginning has an ending,
And every ending is a new beginning.
In Life is Death, and in Death is Life.
Watch over me, my loved ones, and all of my
Brothers and Sisters, here and departed,
Who, tonight are joined together again for
Fellowship and celebration.
Bless us all as we light our bonfires, our hearth fires,
And the eternal fires in our hearts.
Guide us and protect us,
Tonight and throughout the coming year.
Blessed Be! Blessed Be!"

As you say "Blessed Be!" stretch out your arms over your alter as if to embrace all of your ancestors, your departed loved ones, and everyone on Earth. As you say "Blessed Be" again, embrace yourself with a reborn love and pride.

It is now time for meditation and spellworking. Associated spellworkings would include those for protection, self-confidence, and dissuading harm. If there is no spellworking, celebrate with Cakes and Ale, then release the Circle. Clean up. You are done. Leave the white pillar candle burning somewhere it won't be disturbed. Some use it as the single candle in their window, but I leave it on my altar and use an electric candle in the window to dissuade a fire!

***This Samhain Ritual and Planner are dedicated to MyztkM'jyk as she begins her Year and a Day study. We wish her wisdom and fulfillment...

--Adapted by: Akasha Ap Emrys for all of her friends and those of like mind.--
Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection wicca.com. All rights reserved. http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/samhainrit.htm

Themes:

3rd Harvest, animal harvest,. rememberance of the honored dead, the Crone, entering the Dark Time, year's end, divination.

Sacred To:
All gods and goddesses of fate, death and the Otherworld, guides and psychopomps, judges, crones and hunters

Key Activities:
 * Honor your ancestors and departed loved
   ones at an Altar of Rememberance
 * Share stories about your ancestors
 * Hold a Dumb Supper and invite the Spirits
 * Tell the story of the Descent of Inanna
     (see below)
 * Enact the Wild Hunt, if you didn't at Mabon
 * Give thanks to the Spirits of the animals who
   give their lives to sustain us.
 * Perform Scrying and other forms of divination
 * Carve Jack o' Lanters (or turnip lanters) and 
   tell tales of going to the sabbat in the old
   days.
 * Meditate in silence

Descent of Inanna http://www.jelder.com/mythology/inanna.html
Transformation through descent into the depths is a ubiquitous myth. Many cultures have myths of death and rebirth which explain the cycles of nature and the character of the afterlife. It is "another variation of the motif of the Hero and the Dragon . . . the Katabasis, the Descent into the Cave. . . . It expresses the psychological mechanism of introversion of the conscious mind into deeper layers of the unconscious psyche" (Jung, 1968, p.41). Here we examine the myth of Inanna, one which prefigured the Babylonian myth of Ishtar and Tammuz, and the Greek myth of Persephone's kidnapping by Hades.

The Myth

As the myth begins, Inanna, the Queen of Heaven and Earth has already established a relationship with Enki, the God of Wisdom and Waters. He has gifted her with the fourteen me, or blessings of power, which she readily accepts.

Inanna opened her ear to the moaning of her sister Ereshkigal, Queen of the Underworld and abandoned her realm of heaven and earth, even her temples, to descend into the "great below". "With the me in her possession, she prepared herself:" (Wolkstein & Kramer, p. 53) placing her crown upon her head, beads of lapis lazuli around her neck, sparkling stones fastened to her breast (Henderson & Oakes, p. 102) , a gold ring around her wrist, and a royal robe upon her body. She bound a breastplate about her chest and took a lapis measuring rod and line in her hand. Then she set out for the kur, the netherworld, with her faithful servant, Ninshubur. When she arrived at the outer gates of the kur she commanded Ninshubur to wait for three days, and if she had not returned, to call upon the elder Gods for help.

When Inanna challenged the gatekeeper to gain entry into the kur, he consulted with Ereshkigal, telling her that a giant and powerful goddess, arrayed in splendor and with signs of authority, was waiting to enter Her realm. Ereshkigal became upset, then told the gatekeeper to open each gate of the underworld a mere crack, and to remove Inanna's royal garments on her way through.

As Inanna passed through the first gate he removed her crown. At the second gate he removed her lapis beads; at the third, her sparkling stones; at the fourth, her breastplate; at the fifth, her gold ring; a the sixth, her lapis measuring rod; and at the seventh and final gate, her royal robe. Naked and disarmed, Inanna entered the throne room of her sister. Immediately, she was surrounded by the judges of the underworld, who ruled against her.

Then Ereshkigal fastened on Inanna the eye of death.
She spoke against her the word of wrath.
She uttered against her the cry of guilt.
She struck her.

Inanna was turned into a corpse,
A piece of rotting meat,
And was hung from a hook on the wall. (Wolkstein & Kramer, p. 60)

After three days, Ninshubur went to Enlil, God of Air, who refused to help, for the Underworld was not in His domain. Ninshubur went to Nanna, God of the Moon, who also refused to help, for he had no jurisdiction over the Underworld. Finally, Ninshubur went to Enki, God of Wisdom and Water, who originally blessed Inanna with the me of descent into and ascent from the kur. Enki was grieved and troubled. From under his fingernails he took dirt and created two creatures, neither male nor female, and gave them the food and water of life to carry to Inanna.

These creatures snuck into the kur like flies, slipping through the cracks in the gates. They entered the throne room and found Ereshkigal lying naked and unkempt, moaning "Oh! Oh! My inside!".

Following Enki's instructions, they also moaned "Oh! Oh! Your inside!".

Again she moaned "Ohhh! Oh! My outside!"

To which the creatures replied "Ohhh! Oh! Your outside!"
  

She continued to moan out her agony and they continued to name her pains back to her.

Finally, she stopped moaning and blessed the creatures, offering them any gift they desired. They asked for Inanna's corpse, and revived her with the food and water of life. Inanna then arose and ascended to the upper world.

[KickButtMama]

Yule Lore (December 21st)

Yule, (pronounced EWE-elle) is when the dark half of the year relinquishes to the light half. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day.

Also refered to as the Winter Solstice, it is the longest night of the year (shortest day). For thousands of years humans have honored this day as the mark to the winter relenquishing its hold on the land....a sign spring is on its way. Ironically, humans can't witness the exact winter solstice with the naked eye, the change in the lengthening of daylight is most noticable within a few days post the actual solstice....which falls on Christmas day! As the sun is becoming a stronger influence on our lives (as the days get longer) Yule is a time of celebrating the Gods rebirth (since the sun is often thought of as the Gods solar aspect). So at Yule, the God is the Goddess' (mother nature) son, re-born in His solar aspect. (as the Sabbats celebrate the cycle of life - birth, aging, death, re-birth - this High Holy Day is designated to celebrate the birth).

Deities of Yule are all Newborn Gods, Sun Gods, Mother Goddesses, and Triple Goddesses. The best known would be the Dagda, and Brighid, the daughter of the Dagda. Brighid taught the smiths the arts of fire tending and the secrets of metal work. Brighid's flame, like the flame of the new light, pierces the darkness of the spirit and mind, while the Dagda's cauldron assures that Nature will always provide for all the children.

Much celebration was to be had as the ancestors awaited the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth and made her to bear forth from seeds protected through the fall and winter in her womb. Bonfires were lit in the fields, and crops and trees were "was sailed" with toasts of spiced cider. The Oak King and Holly King are known as light and dark twins and are celebrated in different aspects through most Sabbats. We re-inact their battles in our circles at the solstices (Litha and Yule) to symbolize not the king's death but the giving up of rulership pf the year to his brother, his "other" self, for the needs and tasks of each half of the year are different. Wiccans believe the Goddess (in her maiden aspect takes the loser away to heal him so he will be strong enough to win the battle at the next solstice). The famous tale of Gwain and the Green Knight is an Arthurian version of the Oak and Holly King battle - Gwain if Oak and the Green Knight is Holly. In otehr stories Robin Hood is associated with a bird, whose red breast symbolizes the sun - with the smoke from the Yule Log Robin rushes up the chimney, and re-appears as Belin (little-known brother of Bran) whom the Sheriff recognizes as the Holly King and hangs. Therefore, some believe the Holly Kins is the orgin of Santa Clause. (1)

In ancient times, children were escorted from house to house with gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges which were laid in baskets of evergreen boughs and wheat stalks dusted with flour. The apples and oranges represented the sun, the boughs were symbolic of immortality, the wheat stalks portrayed the harvest, and the flour was accomplishment of triumph, light, and life. Holly, mistletoe, and ivy not only decorated the outside, but also the inside of homes. It was to extend invitation to Nature Sprites to come and join the celebration. A sprig of Holly was kept near the door all year long as a constant invitation for good fortune to pay visit to the residents.

The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze be a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. It is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. An herb of the Sun, Ash brings light into the hearth at the Solstice.

A different type of Yule log, and perhaps one more suitable for modern practitioners would be the type that is used as a base to hold three candles. Find a smaller branch of oak or pine, and flatten one side so it sets upright. Drill three holes in the top side to hold red, green, and white (season), green, gold, and black (the Sun God), or white, red, and black (the Great Goddess). Continue to decorate with greenery, red and gold bows, rosebuds, cloves, and dust with flour.

Symbolism of Yule:
Rebirth of the Sun, The longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, Introspect, Planning for the Future.

Symbols of Yule:
Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.

Herbs of Yule:
Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.

Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb's wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).

Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.

Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.

Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.

Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule

Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.

Deities of Yule:
Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon.

(1) Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Samhain to Ostara by Ashleen O'Gaea
(2) http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yule.htm
--Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys For all her friends and those of like mind--

[KickButtMama]

Winter Solstice (Yule)  Ritual

Tools:
In addition to your usual altar tools, you will need:

• A Green Altar Cloth
  
• A Cauldron w/Lid or Cover Plate
  
• Holly Sprig Wreath
  
• Mistletoe Sprig Wreath
  
• 12 Low Vibration Stones (flat oval river rock work well)
  
• 1 Black Votive Candle, 1 Green 12" Taper Candle, 1 White 12" Taper Candle, 1 Gold (12hr) Pillar Candle
  
• Pine Incense
  
• Bowl of Water w/ Pine Sprig in it
  
• Plate of Sand
  
• Athame
  
• Other Personal Items of choice

Preparation:
This ritual showed be performed right after sunset. About an hour before, sweep area moving in a deosil manner. Yule symbols such as Poinsettias, Pine Cones, and even a decorated Yule Log nearby (if too big for altar) adds to the ambiance. Place the proper candles and symbols at the four cardinal directions. Place the gold God pillar candle at right top of altar. Place the white Goddess taper candle at the top left. Place your Pentacle (or a plate with a Pentagram drawn on it) in the center of the altar. Place your Cauldron to the right of the altar, with the black votive candle, Holly sprig wreath around it , inside. Cover cauldron with lid or cover plate. Place the green taper candle and mistletoe wreath where they will be behind you at the beginning of the ritual. Outline your circle perimeter with 11 of the low vibration stones (save 12th to close circle when you enter. Place the rest of your tools and props according to personal preference. Take a shower or bath for purity. Sit quietly for a period to ground and center. When ready put on some soothing music associated with the Sabbat and your ritual. Enter the standing stone circle and close with 12th stone.

Cast circle by envisioning flames of Yule colors red, green, and gold coming up between the stones. When all become a continuous line, step up to the altar and begin:

"From the darkness is born the light, From void, fulfillment emerges... The darkest night of the year's at the threshold, Open now the door, and honor the darkness."

Take the lid/plate off the cauldron and light the black votive candle inside. Step back from the cauldron and give silent honor to the Holly King, the ruler of the dark half of the year. Call quarters, start by lighting yellow candle in the East:

"Powers of Air, step forth from the darkness, Enter my circle , as dark gives 'way to light. Bring along with you the essence of pine trees, Remind me of Springtime As I face Solstice Night."

Light the pine incense and place on Pentacle/Center Plate. Light the red candle in the South:

"Powers of Fire, step forth from the darkness, Enter my circle, as dark gives 'way to light, Bring along with you the first glint of tomorrow, Remind me of Summer As I face Solstice Night."

Pick up the Athame and brandish it in the flame of the candle to reflect the light. Place on the Pentacle/Center Plate. Light the blue candle in the West:

"Powers of Water, step forth from the darkness, Enter my circle, as dark gives 'way to light, Bring along with you bittersweet memories Remind me of Autumn As I face Solstice Night."

Pick up the bowl of water, sprinkle water with pine sprig in Pentacle/Center Plate. Light brown candle in the North:

"Powers of Earth, step forth from the darkness, Enter my circle, as dark gives 'way to light, Bring along with you the land that now slumbers, Remind me of Winter And this cold Solstice Night."

Pick up the plate of sand, sprinkle sand in a line around the other symbols. Step back from the alter for a moment and contemplate the seasons of the past year, and how their lessons have brought you to where you are today. When ready, begin again:

"Dark my surroundings, and cold be this night But Thy labor, Blessed Mother Has reborn the Sacred Light... The Child Divine, The most honored Sun Shall return with the sunrise Again, Two will be One."

Remove the Holly wreath from around the black votive candle. With your right hand, present it to the four elements in a deosil manner. Finally, in a clockwise motion, place it behind you, to signify the death, "passing", of the Holly King. Turn back to the altar. Then with your left hand, reach behind you, and in a clockwise motion bring forward the Mistletoe wreath and the green candle. Present them to the elements, slide the wreath over the green candle and place the candle in its holder in the cauldron. Light the green candle with the black votive candle:

"Hark! Behold the Rebirth of the King of the Woodlands! Behold the Oak King, strong and vital he rises!" Snuff the black votive candle and with your right hand, place it behind you in a clockwise motion. Turn back to the cauldron, close your eyes, and silently honor the Oak King. Begin again: "Awake now Thy Mother, Thy Lover, Thy Lady - Awake now Thy Goddess of Life, Death, Rebirth."

Take the green candle out of the cauldron and light the white Goddess candle on the altar. Replace the green candle in the cauldron. Take the white Goddess candle with both hands and hold out at arm's length over the cauldron:

"Awaken, my Lady, look upon Thyne Divine Child, His rebirth while You slumbered Was subtle and silent. The Stag King, the Green Man, Lord of Fertility, He awaits Thy wakening Gentle and benevolent"

Place the white Goddess candle back in its holder at the left top of altar. Step back and assume the Goddess position. In a bold voice:

"All hail the Oak King, His rebirth; a promise All hail the Divine Child, Giver of Life All hail the Blessed Sun, reborn to the Mother For he retakes His throne at the end of Solstice Night!"

Now is the time for meditation and any spellworkings. Spellworkings associated with Yule include those for peace, harmony, love, and happiness. Next celebrate with the Cakes and Ale (Fruitcake* and Spiced Cider *) ceremony, saving some for the wee Folkes, outside. Thank the Goddess and snuff Her candle. Thank and release the elements:

"Carry sweet tidings, 'round the world and beyond, I charge thee as messengers Earth, Water, Fire, and Air Let all rejoice loudly in the Oak King's return Teach all that you meet, with the glad tidings you bear."

Snuff each Quarter candle in a widdershins manner. Step back and face the cauldron and the green candle still burning bright.

"Before my circle, tonight, I close Blessings I ask for this house and my kin Tomorrow at daybreak, when I arise A special flame I will carry, within... And a gold candle upon my altar I'll light Adding my will to the Sun King's intent To climb aloft in the vaulted skies And for strength back to me; three times, strength I've sent."

Snuff the green candle. Take the Mistletoe wreath and place it on the other symbols on the Pentacle/Center Plate. Release the circle. Clean up, leaving the gold God pillar candle in center front to light upon rising in the morning. You are done.

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/yulerit.htm --Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys to share with all her friends and those of like mind--

Themes:
the birth of the sun, battle between Oak and Holly Kings, longest night of the year

Sacred To:
Sun God/desses, Holly & Oak Kings, the sacred son in any form

Key Activities:
 * Make the circle with evergreen boughs;
   outdoors, sweep the snow out to the edges
   and lay the brooms on the circular snowbank.
 * Burn the Yule Log
 * Make tree ornaments: animals, plants,
   moons, sun, stars (children can make 'snow
   flakes' and decorate with glitter)
 * Decorate a "World Tree" indoors, or a living
   one outdoors
 * Perform a mystery play about the birth of the
   Sun. Sing pagan carols.
 * Exchange blessing gifts
 * Enjoy a visit from Mother Berchta with her   
   bag of gifts (see below)
 * Tell the story of Stonehenge as an
   astronomical observatory.
 * Enact the battle between the Oak & Holly
   Kings (Oak wins)
 * Play Find the Sun game (people seated in a circle pass a foil 'sun' ball, trying to hide it from a sole person outside the circle; when he spies it he trades places with the one holding it)
 * Appoint (or draw lots) a "Lord of Misrule" to
   preside over the festivities.

*Ritual Craft by Amber K and Azrael Arynn K

Berchta, Mistress of Destiny

Submitted by: swampy http://www.dutchie.org/Tracy/goddess/berchta.html

"Hallowed Woman of the Earth
We give this gift to you
Frau Holda, riding forth this night,
Look kindly on our work,
Berchta, beldame of the wheel,
Spin us good wyrd tonight
O Mighty Mother of us all
Pray, fill our house with joy!"

Berchta (also called Perchta) is a Teutonic Goddess whose worship originated in the southern part of Germany in what is now the German state of Bavaria. Berchta has been called by names in other parts of Europe (some scholars feel that these are Berchta herself, others feel that they are similar goddesses that are at least are closely related to Berchta): Holde (`merciful'), Holla, Holda, Huldra, Frau Holle, Mother Holle, Perht, Berta (`Bright'), Queen of the Estantigua (Spain), and Frau Freke (a name connected to Frig). Berchta's name is connected with words meaning "bright, luminous or glorious."

Berchta, is the "White Lady" who spins destiny. In the Teutonic rendering of what is considered to be 'Norse' mythology, Berchta is usually said to be the wife of the god Woden (also known as Wodan, Wotan, Oden, or Odin). The name 'Woden' means 'Fury' or 'Frenzy' and He is associated with otherworldly beings and flying at night with horned animals. Woden is considered to be the Master of the Wild Hunt and Berchta is its mistress. The Wild Hunt, full of ghosts, trolls, and other outdwellers, occurs during the days immediately following the Winter Solstice. In some of the Old Germanic sagas, Berchta is seen in the forests and winter snow with 24 spotted hounds, and She leads the 'Wights' (Spirits) through the winter time season back unto the resting places in the spring.

Berchta is described as an old woman with long teeth and tangled hair (and sometimes depicted with a long iron nose and one large foot), and other times she is described as a beautiful dark haired woman dressed and crowned in white! Berchta is shown travelling either in a wagon or bearing a plough and attended by the spirits of unborn children. Sometimes She is shown flying through the air accompanied by a goose, which always flies in front of Her (making Berchta the original Mother Goose). Berchta is mainly associated with the winter season and She is also believed to be the cause of many natural phenomena. Snow is caused by Her shaking Her feather bed, and fog was the smoke from Her fire.

Berchta is a Mother Goddess and a fertility goddess who rewards the good, but also punishes the lazy and cruel. Many tales are told of Berchta to frighten children into behaving when they are unmanageable. Berchta is said to come at night and drag the child off in a sack or stamp on it with Her foot. If the child is especially naughty She might cut open its stomach and fill it with chopped straw and dirt. Berchta's dark side is evident in Her role in the witches' ride, an equivalent of the Wild Hunt.

'Mothers Night' is a festival held the night before the Solstice (ca. Dec. 20) that is sacred to Berchta and other Mother Goddesses. Lore says that on this night no spinning is to be done, for this activity is holy to Berchta. In fact, Berchta often comes to inspect the spindles. She rewards diligent spinners by making their work easier; She punishes lazy spinners by soiling or fraying their yarn. It is traditional to eat a simple meal of fish and porridge on Mothers Night, for these foods are holy to the Mother Goddesses.

Berchta descends on the nights between December 22 and January 6 and travels the countryside in Her wagon, unrecognized, bestowing gifts to those who have been generous and punishing those who have been greedy or lazy. Variations have Her flying on Her broom accompanied by the spirits of dead children, elves and faeries. But in all the tales She goes up and down chimney's to bring gifts to the children in Her worshipped households.

The tradition of honoring Berchta may be the clearest survival of a cult connected to a Teutonic deity. While the worship of other gods has been suppressed into silence for so many centuries Berchta's legends have adapted from age to age. Christianity left its mark on Berchta's image, in many post-Christian tales Berchta is no longer a Goddess but rather an ugly old woman and patron of witches. This is in keeping with the concept that as a heathen goddess Berchta is a demon and the transformation from goddess into demon witch wife is clear. As the 'witch queen' of the time after Christianity, it was said that Berchta claims the souls of unbaptised children for the old gods, plus it was said that Berchta also punishes women who work over the Christmas period, on Sundays or on saints' days in a like manner. This gives us the rather ironic picture of a Pagan goddess protecting a Christian tradition, but it clearly shows how old legends can adapt to new ideas if given the chance.

Berchta's sacred color is black; Her herbs are Storax and Myrrh; Her animals are the wolf, the goose and the bear; Her stones are onyx, jet, obsidian, black agate, and lead; Her trees are beech, elm, ivy, linden, juniper, mullein, blackthorn, willow, yew, and elder; Her day of the week is Saturday; and her runes are isa, hagalaz, and ehwo.

[KickButtMama]

Candlemas / Imbolc
(Feb 2 -  or the first thaw)

Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk".  Candlemas is the Christianized name for the Pagan celebration of the transformation of the Goddess from Crone to the Maiden of Spring, celebrated in old Ireland by the kindling of hillside bonfires and the lighting of candles. Also known as Brigit's Day, it is a Fire festival to honor the great Irish Goddess Brigit, the goddess of fire and the patroness of smith craft, poetry, and healing.

Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.

When Catholic missionaries arrived in Ireland they wisely felt they shouldn't demonize the great Goddess of this ancient land, and so they made her a Catholic saint. "Saint" Brigit then became the patron saint of smith craft, poetry, and healing in the Church's eyes. They explained their reasoning by convincing the Irish people that Brigit was actually an early Catholic missionary, and that they'd misunderstood that the miracles she'd performed were not of her power, but rather by the power of God working through her. The Church then proclaimed this day "Candlemas," keeping the symbolism of the Fire Festival, but devoting the day towards blessing the candles that were to be used in the coming liturgical year. However, the service of Candlemas only addressed the lighting of "pagan" fires by the populace, and not the symbolism behind these festivities. Thus, the Church also marked the day as the "Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary."

This holy day marked the end of the six weeks of Mary's impurity after giving birth to Christ at the Solstice, and allowed the Church to co-opt the deeper meaning of this Sabbat, as well as the celebratory activities.

We still see this theme of cleansing and purification carried into our rites, as well as our seasonal activities today. While the house gets a thorough spring cleaning, it's symbolism prepares our minds and bodies for the resurgence of the coming season of warmth.
The Maiden sweeps away the debris of the old, dead season with her new broom; thus, we sweep away the outdated and useless from our lives, and fill our minds instead with new ideas, plans, and goals.

Therefore on this Sabbat, the Maiden is honored, as the Bride. Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

This Rite of Candlemas marks the first stirrings of the new Spring. And, while it may seem strange to be celebrating Spring while snow still covers the ground and the bitter winds of winter still whip around your shoulders, the old name of this Sabbat actually explains the reasoning. Imbolc (or Imbolg) literally means "in the belly;" thus, though the land is still covered with snow and frost, within the belly of the Mother (earth), the first faint stirrings of the seeds of the new season are beginning. A festival celebrating light in the darkness, the Rite of Candlemas is the celebration of the rekindled fire both within ourselves and within the world, as personified by the growing strength of the new Sun God.

Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day of ploughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from door to door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the "water of life" is poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants during this time.

Deities of Imbolc:
All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.

Symbolism of Imbolc:
Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.

Symbols of Imbolc:
Brideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-tipped), and Ploughs.

Herbs of Imbolc:
Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Violets, and all white or yellow flowers.

Foods of Imbolc:
Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.

Incense of Imbolc:
Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.

Colors of Imbolc:
White, Pink, Red, Yellow, lt. Green, Brown.

Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.

Activities of Imbolc:
Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bon Fires maybe lit.

References:
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/imbolclore.htm

http://www.tryskelion.com/tryskelion/

[KickButtMama]

Solitaire Imbolc Ritual
Micheal Hall http://www.tryskelion.com/tryskelion/

On your altar should be placed a circle of 13 stones and, within the circle of stones, a circle of 13 candles. Within the circle of candles should be spread some maize - i.e. corn meal - and in that a waxen female candle to symbolize the Goddess on your altar. On the eastern side of the altar should be placed a small sheaf of grain with a candle inserted inside it.

You should dress in your usual ceremonial garb for Magickal rites or skyclad, as you prefer.

Retire to bathe in salt-water (use sea salt) before the ritual. As you do so picture the water cleansing the soul and spirit, just as it cleanses the body. When you have dressed, anoint yourself with a holy oil.

When you have prepared yourself, sit in a dim quiet place and light a candle - ONE THAT IS NOT BEING USED IN THE RITES - and meditate on how at this time of year the Goddess in her fiery aspect AS LIGHT was welcomed back into the Temples and the Homes of the land.

Take this candle and walk slowly to your altar. Place it in the circle of the 13 candles. Then light the two altar candles, which are separate from the circle of lights also, and the incense. (Incense should be stick or powdered incense on charcoal in a swinging burner.) Then light all the quarter candles in the 4 directions, starting in the east and going clockwise.

Cast a circle about nine feet in diameter around the altar, using white chalk or paint. Sprinkle a bit of salt inside the circle and then trace the circle in a clockwise direction with a consecrated ceremonial sword, or a will wand, and say:

With salt and sacred sword
I consecrate and invoke thee
O Sabbat Circle of magick and light.
In the sacred name of brigit
And under her protection
Is this sabbat rite now begun.

Place the ceremonial sword on the altar before the crown of candles. Light the two altar candles and say:

O fire goddess of spring
I offer to thee
This symbol of fire
So mote it be.

Light the incense and say:

O fire goddess of spring
I offer to thee this symbol of air
So mote it be.

Take the athame in your right hand and with the tip of the blade draw a pentacle in the dirt or sand and say:

O fire goddess of spring
I offer to thee
This symbol of earth
So mote it be.

Dip the blade of the athame into the chalice of water and say:

O fire goddess of spring
I offer to thee
This symbol of water
So mote it be.

Return the athame to the altar. Light the sprig of evergreen and visualise in your mind’s eye the darkness of Winter burning away, being replaced bythe warm light of the new Spring. Place the burning sprig in the censer and say:

As this symbol of winter
Is consumed by the fire
So is the darkness
Consumed by the light.
So mote it be.

Light the crown of candles and carefully place it on top of your head. (When this Sabbat ritual is performed by a coven, it is customary for the High Priest to light the candles and place the crown upon the head of the High Priestess.) Take the athame in your right hand and hold it over your heart as you say:

Like sweet Cybele, I wear a crown
Of fire around my head.
Like Diana, blessed goddess wise
I light the candles red
To shine a light upon my prayer
For peace on earth and love.
O hear me spirits of the air.
Spirits below and spirits above.
So mote it be!


Invoke the Goddess with the following:

Sacred womb, giver of the secrets of Life,
Mother of all that exists in the Universe,
I ask your guardianship of this gathering and your assistance in my work.
I am gathered in celebration of your gifts and my work is most holy.
SO MOTE IT BE.

And Invoke the God in the following manner:

Fire of the sky, guardian of all that exists in the Universe,
I ask your guardianship of this gathering and your assistance in my work.
I am gathered in celebration of your gifts and my work is most holy.
SO MOTE IT BE.

Light the 13 candles and then the Goddess candle in the center and say:

Warm and quickening Light awaken and bring forth beauty, for thou art my pleasure and my bounty Lord and Lady, Osiris and Isis (or you may substitute whatever names your circle uses for the God and the Goddess - or those you personally prefer).

Reflect a moment on the coming of the light and offer up the incense. Say:

O Ancient Ones, Timeless Goddess and Sacred King
who art the heralds of springtime and it's bounties,
be with me now in celebration.

Hail to Osiris and Isis
Harvest giver and blessed Lady
Let this be a time and a place sacred to your power and your beauty.
SO MOTE IT BE.

Then bring the seed and dish of earth or planting pot to the front of the altar. Hold the seed in your hand, knowing that it is the beginnings of life. Bless it in this manner:

In my hands I hold the seed of beginnings,
of life, wisdom, and of coming spring.
I ask the God and the Goddess to place a blessing on it
so that it may prosper in the coming season.

Think of something you want. It could be a request of the God and the Goddess, or something you want from yourself. Concentrate on this as you hold the seed.

With this seed I plant a request,
and hope that with careful nurturing and daily care,
my goals may come to fruition in time.

(preparation of spring) Place the seed in the soil and cover it. What is to be done with it after this is up to you. Since the action is, for the most part, symbolic, you may choose to throw it away(a waste of a perfectly good seed, if you ask me) but many find it useful to grow the seed and keep the plant around as a reminder.

Light the candle in the sheaf of grain and hold it up with the loaf of bread in the other hand and say (or the cakes - whatever you or your tradition uses for the cakes and wine/juice ceremony):

My Lord and Lady, as the seed becomes the grain,
so the grain becomes the bread.
Mark the everlasting value of our seasons and their changes.

Break a piece of the bread or cakes off and burn it as an offering in the central candle. Then say:

In the deepest Icy Winter, the seed of the Earth lies deep within the womb of the Great Mother.
The Spring brings the heat of the Father and with their joining comes new life.
The completion of the cycle brings food to the children of the world.
As I taste the food I shall know the wisdom of the cycles
and be blessed with the food of wisdom throughout my life.

Consecrate cakes and wine/juice in the usual manner and partake of them, but first raise your chalice or drinking horn and say:

Hail to thee Isis
Hail to thee Osiris
For thou art blessed.

After this, commune in meditation with the Lord and Lady for a while, then close the circle in your usual manner.

Distributed by PAN - the Psychic Awareness Network. It is based on a combination of the lore of the Wicca and some of the afro-Caribbean Diaspora traditions of Paganism and Magick.

Themes:
The Celtic Goddess Brigit lies with the God, initiation, consecration, cleansing and purification, returning light.
 
Sacred To:
Brigit, St. Brigid, Bride, Brigantia

Key Activities:
 * Triple-cast with flame (visual), the sound of a
   hammer striking an anvil (auditory), and water
   from a holy spring or well (kinesthetic).
 * Decorate with red and white streamers and
   fabric, symbolically cleanse the people and
   home.
 * Clean and consecrate the ritual tools.
 * Make candles, or Brigit's crosses of straw
 * Perform "The Caim of Bride" for protection
   (see below)

 * Dress a Brigit doll and make a bed for her
 * Tell stories about Brigit or act them out
 * Do fire divinations
 * Play the candle game (people seated in a circle
   pass a candle, people outside the circle try to lean in
   and blow it out; use a votive holder or place a squat
   candle in a bowl.)

 * Decorate a Holy Well (an indoor fountain)
 * Collect around the neighbor hood for goodies
   for a charity
 * Bring in a live lamb to pet, with a red ribbon
   around its neck.

Ritual Craft by Amber K and Azrael Arynn K

Making a "caim"  http://www.widdershins.org/vol2iss7/i9704.htm

To protect themselves in Brighid's name, the traditional Irish would recite a "caim," the Matthewses write; "caim" means "loop" or "bend," thus a protective circle. A caim would always name Brighid and the beings, household or body-parts to be protected.

Traditionally, you place a caim by stretching out your right forefinger and keeping that finger pointed toward the subject while walking about the subject deosil, reciting the caim. You can also say a caim for yourself. A caim can be made in all seasons and circumstances; it traditionally encircles people, houses, animals or the household fire. The Matthewses write:

"As her family prepared to sleep, the Gaelic mother would breathe these words (the caim) over the fire as she banked it in for the night.... As she said this, she would spread the embers into a circle, and divide it into three equal heaps with a central heap. To make the holy name of the foster mother (Brighid), she placed three turfs of peat between the three heaps, each one touching the center, and covered it all with ash. Such smooring customs and invocations are still performed in the West of Ireland. And so the protection of Brighid is wrapped about the house and its occupants."

http://www.crystalforest3.homestead.com/Imbolchistory.html

Brideo'gas
Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then carry the Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands (Praipic wands) for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

Breedhoge
Author Unknown

In Ireland, the "breedhoge" was carried around from house to house by the young folk of the village. In it they collected food and money "in honor of Miss Biddy." The breedhoge was a butter churn decorated with hay and straw and done up to represent a human figure.
A bal of hay, as the head, was covered with a white muslin cap and the figure was in a woman's dress, with a shawl.
Weather
Author Unknown

Today Imbolc is usually a time for predicting the weather patterns for the coming seasons. Of course we watch for the groundhog's shadow. One nice custom that is widely practiced today is to place a lighted candle in each window on the eve of Imbolc, allowing them to burn until the sun rises. Another custom is to weave a Brigid's Cross from straw. The cross then hangs until the next Imbolc as a portent of fertility of the mind, and spirit. Lastly a custom deriving from Oimelc, (which literally translates as ewe's milk), because now too is the time lambing season begins, is the drinking of "lambswool". Lambswool is a hot drink make with crab apples and spices.

Frithing
From Brighid's Fires Burn High by Miriam Harline

Brighid is also a seer; the Matthewses describe her as "the central figure of the Celtic vision world." She presided over a special type of augury, called a "frith," performed on the first Monday in a year's quarter to predict what that quarter would bring. The ancient Celts divided the year by Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasad, and Samhain, so the first Monday after Imbolc is appropriate for frithing.
To perform a frith, a traditional frithir would first fast. Then, at sunrise, barefoot and bareheaded, the frithir would say prayers to the Virgin Mary and St. Bridget and walk deosil around the household fire three times. Then with closed or blindfolded eyes, the frithir went to the house door's threshold, placed a hand on either jamb and said additional prayers asking that the specific question about the coming quarter be answered. Then the frithir opened his or her eyes and looked steadfastly ahead, noting everything seen.
Frithing signs can be "rathadach" (lucky) or "rosadach" (unlucky). A man or beast getting up means improving health, lying down ill health or death. A cock coming toward the frithir brings luck, a duck safety for sailors, a raven death. About the significance of horses, a rhyme survives: "A white horse for land, a gray horse for sea, a bay horse for burial, a brown horse for sorrow." The role of frithir passed down from generation to generation; according to the Matthewses, the name survives in the surname Freer, "held to be the title of the astrologers of the kings of Scotland."
To perform a pagan version of frithing, fast the Sunday night before the first Monday after Imbolc and that night formulate your chief question about the coming three months. Monday morning at sunrise, say a prayer to Brighid and barefoot and bareheaded walk deosil around whatever seems the central fire of your house - maybe your kitchen stove, or if you're not a cook your fireplace or heater. Then go to your doorway, put your hands to either side, and closing your eyes pray your question be answered. Then open your eyes, and note the first action you see. That action probably won't be found in the traditional frithir's lexicon, so the interpretation is up to you.
In another frithing technique, you curl the palms to form a "seeing-tube"; frithirs used such a tube to discover lost people or animals and to divine the health of someone absent. Frithirs also sometimes used divinatory stones; the Matthewses describe a "little stone of the quests" made of red quartz.

[KickButtMama]

Ostara (March 21)

Once again, night and day stand in perfect balance, with the powers of light on the ascendancy. The God of Light now wins a victory over his twin, the god of darkness.

Ostara is a fertility festival celebrating the birth of Spring and the reawakening of life from the Earth. At the moment of the Vernal Equinox night and day stand in perfect balance, with light on the increase The energies of Nature subtly shift from the sluggishness of Winter to the exuberant expansion of Spring. It is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals. The Goddess blankets the Earth with fertility as she bursts forth from Her Winter's sleep. The young God stretches and grows to maturity as he walks the greening fields and delights in the abundance of nature. In some traditions this is the time that the young Sun God now celebrates a hierogamy (sacred marriage) with the young Maiden Goddess, who conceives. In nine months, she will again become the Great Mother. I other traditions the sacred marriage is celebrated at Beltane.

Traditionally, Ostara is a time for collecting wildflowers, walking in nature's beauty and cultivating herb gardens. This is the time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back. At this time we think of renewing ourselves. We renew our thoughts, our dreams, and our aspirations. We think of renewing our relationships. This is an excellent time of year to begin anything new or to completely revitalize something. This is also an excellent month for prosperity rituals or rituals that have anything to do with growth.


~~~~Traditions and customs~~~~

According to Zolar's Encyclopedia of Signs, Omens & Superstitions, the word "Easter" can be traced back to an ancient German or Saxon goddess called "Oestera".
Easter gets its name from the Teutonic goddess of spring and the dawn, whose name is spelled Oestre or Eastre (the origin of the word "east" comes from various Germanic, Austro-Hungarian words for dawn that share the root for the word "aurora" which means " to shine").

Lady Day may also refer to other goddesses (such as Venus and Aphrodite) who have festivals of their own that are celebrated at this time.

The next full moon (a time of increased births) is called the Eostara and is sacred to Eostre the Saxon Lunar Goddess of fertility. Her name is also the origin of the word estrogen.

New Year
In many traditions, this is the start of the New Year.

Persian New Year called Nawruz is celebrated on the Equinox. To the ancient Persians, March 21 marked the time when the sun crossed the equator and marked the beginning of the year for them.

The Roman year began on the ides of March (15th).

The astrological year begins on the equinox when the moon moves into the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries, the Ram.

The Greek God Ares is equivalent to the Roman Mars for whom the month of March is named.

Between the 12th century and 1752, March 25th was the day the year changed in England and Ireland. (March 25, 1212 was the day after March 24, 1211.)

Resurrection
We celebrate the renewal of life as seen by the newly emerging life in many forms all around us. A resurrection from all that looks dead is seen as the Earth regenerates and renews herself. This is symbolized in resurrection myths in many cultures and traditions.

There are many myths of the "Year Gods" ( Attis, Adonis, Osiris and Dionysus) - who like Christ die and are reborn each year. These gods are always the son of a God and a mortal woman. The son is a savior who saves his people in some way, sometimes through sacrifice. He is the vegetation, dying each year (at harvest) to be reborn in the spring.

In ancient Rome, the 10-day rite in honor of Attis, son of the great goddess Cybele, began on March 15th. A pine tree, which represented Attis, was chopped down, wrapped in a linen shroud, decorated with violets and placed in a sepulchre in the temple. On the Day of Blood or Black Friday, the priests of the cult gashed themselves with knives as they danced ecstatically, sympathizing with Cybele in her grief and helping to restore Attis to life. Two days later, a priest opened the sepulchre at dawn, revealing that it was empty and announcing that the god was saved. This day was known as Hilaria or the Day of Joy, a time of feasting and merriment.
Beginning with his death on the cross on Good Friday, it is said that Jesus 'descended into hell' for the three days that his body lay entombed. But on the third day (that is, Easter Sunday), his body and soul rejoined, he arose from the dead and ascended into heaven. By a strange 'coincidence', most ancient Pagan religions speak of the Goddess descending into the Underworld, also for a period of three days. Why three days? If we remember that we are here dealing with the lunar aspect of the Goddess, the reason should be obvious. As the text of one Book of Shadows gives it, '...as the moon waxes and wanes, and walks three nights in darkness, so the Goddess once spent three nights in the Kingdom of Death.' In our modern world, alienated as it is from nature, we tend to mark the time of the New Moon (when no moon is visible) as a single date on a calendar. We tend to forget that the moon is also hidden from our view on the day before and the day after our calendar date. But this did not go unnoticed by our ancestors, who always speak of the Goddess's sojourn into the land of Death as lasting for three days. Is it any wonder then, that we celebrate the next Full Moon (the Eostara) as the return of the Goddess from chthonic regions? (from http://pagans.foolmoon.com)

Eggs
Many of the myths hold that the egg is sacred to life on earth. It represents life just as a circle can represent eternal life. The golden orb of its yolk represents the Sun God, its white shell is seen as the White Goddess, and the whole is a symbol of rebirth.

Germanic lore states that the rabbit so loved and revered the Goddess that he laid eggs, decorated them beautifully, and presented the eggs to the Goddess as a gift. Eostre was so
delighted with the gift that she wished all people could experience her joy. In order to further please his beloved Lady, the rabbit roamed the world delivering the sacred eggs to humanity.

One of the Goddess Eostre's chief symbols was the egg (representing the cosmic egg of creation).

Each year, on March 21, the ancient Persians celebrated the festival of the solar New Year by presenting each other with colored eggs.

The ancient Egyptians also celebrated the solar New Year by dyeing eggs and
offering them up to their gods.

The Jews used eggs as a symbol of rebirth at the Passover.

During the Middle Ages people not only gave up meat for Lent but also eggs. It was a very precious gift to be given an egg for Easter because of harsh winters making food scarce. Children would often go from house to house to beg for Easter Eggs.
In ancient days, eggs were gathered and used for the creation of talismans and also ritually eaten. The gathering of different colored eggs from the nests of a variety of birds is thought to have given rise to two traditions still observed today - the Easter egg hunt, and coloring eggs in imitation of the various pastel colors of wild birds

The beautifully decorated eggs from the Ukraine (pysanky) are covered with magical symbols for protection, fertility, wisdom, strength and other qualities. They are given as gifts and used as charms.

Gardens/Seeds/ Planting
The Spring Equinox is a time of new beginnings, of action, of planting seeds for future grains, and of tending gardens. Spring is a time of the Earth's renewal, a rousing of nature after the cold sleep of winter.Seeds are like eggs. While eggs contain the promise of new animal life, seeds hold the potential of a new plant.

In ancient Italy in the spring, women planted gardens of Adonis. They filled urns with grain seeds, kept the in the dark and watered them every two days. This custom persists in Sicily. Women plant seeds of grains--lentils, fennel, lettuce or flowers--in baskets and pots. When they sprout, the stalks are tied with red ribbons and the gardens are placed along roads on Good Friday. They symbolize the triumph of life over death.

Fires
Fires were one of the ways pagans celebrated the coming of spring. They called these fires Spring fires. Until 752 A.D these fires were forbidden by the Christian laws. It was St. Patrick who gave rebirth to these fires as Easter Fires. The people would gather outside the church on Easter Eve and light a fire.
Before they returned home each person would light a stick from the fire and take it home with them. All the flames in the house would come from that fire.
The meaning behind these fires is "Life and light triumph over death and darkness
Cakes or Hot cross buns

A wheaten cake marked with a cross was found in Herculaneum, preserved since 79, and may have been used in the spring rites.

It is believed that Hot Cross Buns came from the Anglo-Saxons to honor the goddess of springtime, Eostre. After the Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christians the continued to make these pastries

Baskets and goodies
It is believed that humankind first got the idea of weaving baskets from watching birds weave nests. This is perhaps the origin of the association between colored Easter eggs and Easter baskets.
The Easter basket filled with its myriad of goodies originates from the ancient Catholic custom of taking the food for Easter dinner to mass to be blessed. This, too, mirrored the even more ancient ritual of bringing the first crops and seedlings to the temple to insure a good growing season.
It is customary to leave food and drink out for the fairies on the nights of festivals, and it is believed that if the fairies are not honored with gifts at these times, they will work mischief in our lives. At Ostara, it is customary to leave something sweet (honey, or mead, or candy)and  this could be connected to the Easter basket tradition. Perhaps a gift of sweets corresponds to the sweet nectar gathering in new spring flowers.

Lambs
The astrological sign of Aries (denoted by a lamb or sheep symbol) begins at this time

Sheep who have given birth around Imbolc have lambs that are large enough for slaughter. This was important to ancient herders since it was a time of year when the larders were basically empty.

To the Jew the Lamb was used to honor those who followed Moses out of Egypt. The bible tells a story of how a lamb was sacrificed and the blood was sprinkled over the entrances to the Jewish peoples homes. Then they ate the lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. This was to protect them from the angel of God when it came to visit and take the first born of each Egyptian household.

Chicks and Ducklings
Left under natural light and allowed sunshine, the laying pattern of hens and ducks will follow the yearly day length. This means it will slack off in the fall, stopping entirely at Yule when the days are darkest. The laying will again starting in late February or early March. This means by the equinox the egg production is in full swing and many tiny new lives have hatched out.

Rabbits
One of the Goddess Eostre's symbols was the bunny which symbolized for fertility and because the Ancient Ones who worshipped her often saw the image of a rabbit in the full moon.

The rabbit is an enduring symbol of fertility and desire, or "spring fever" and worldwide, rabbits or hares co-exist with the moon as sacred symbols of vitality, fertility and the life-force.  A rabbit's gestation period is approximately one month, and it tends to be the first animal to give birth in the springtime

Some of rabbit lore springs from incorrect superstition. But underneath the superstition lies a deeper core of pagan sacral belief in which symbols of sex, fertility, the moon, re-birth and renewal are intertwined.

The saying, "mad as a March (or marsh) hare" is attributed to 15th Century Erasmus, who was referring to either the animals' vigorous mating displays, or their bouts of wild bounding over wetlands in the springtime.

During the Renaissance, rabbits were even considered to be able to conceive without the male, and so they became a symbol of the Madonna's virgin birth. A 16th Century painting by Titian shows Mary clutching a white rabbit, illustrating purity and a control of sexuality. The rabbit had become an important symbol of docility, gentleness and submission: qualities the church particularly wished to encourage in its followers.

Less evident today is the ancient symbolism connecting rabbits to women, blood cycles and the moon, although contemporary Asian images often depict rabbits with a traditional sense of womanly grace and stillness. Nevertheless, rabbits have become an enduring symbol for the beginning of springtime at Easter, and are worth considering for their deeper symbolism when we celebrate Ostara.

Traditional Foods:
Leafy green vegetables, Dairy foods, Nuts such as Pumpkin, Sunflower and Pine. Flower Dishes and Sprouts.

Herbs and Flowers:
Daffodil, Jonquils, Woodruff, Violet, Gorse, Olive, Peony, Iris, Narcissus and all spring flowers.

Incense:
Jasmine, Rose, Strawberry, Floral of any type.

Sacred Gemstone:
Jasper

Special Activities:
Planting seeds or starting a Magickal Herb Garden. Taking a long walk in nature with no intent other than reflecting on the Magick of nature and our Great Mother and her bounty.

http://www.crystalforest3.homestead.com/Ostara.html#anchor_9487
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/ostara.htm

[KickButtMama]

Spring Equinox (Ostara)  Sabbat

Begin by casting a circle about nine feet in diameter, using white chalk or paint. Erect an altar in the center of the circle facing north. Place a candle of the appropriate Sabbat colour on the middle of the altar. To the right (east) of the candle, place a censer of the appropriate Sabbat incense or a thurible containing a hot charcoal block whereupon sage can be burned. To the left (west) of the candle, place a bowl or hard-boiled eggs decorated with runes, fertility designs, and other magickal symbols. Before the candle (south), place a consecrated athame and a consecrated ceremonial sword.

After sprinkling a bit of salt on the circle to purify it take the ceremonial sword and trace the circle in a clockwise motion, starting in the east. As you trace the circle, say:

Blessed be this sabbat circle
In the divine name of Ostara
Ancient goddess of fertility and spring
In her sacred name
And under her protection
Is the sabbat rite now begun.

Return the sword to the altar, and then light the candle and incense. Take the athame in your right hand and kneel before the altar with the blade of the athame held over your heart, and say:

Blessed be the fertilty goddess,
Blessed be her springtime rite.
Blessed be the sun god king,
Blessed be his sacred light.

Place the blade of the athame over the Third Eyes region of your forehead, and say:

The sun has crossed the celestrial equator,
Giving sun and moon equal hours.
Goddess spring is reborn at last,
Her beauty give life
To the trees and flowers.
Blessed be the divine green goddess
She is the creatress of all living things.
Blessed be the lord of the greenwood.
To goddess and god
This song I sing.
Awaken one, awaken all
And hear the voice of the goddess call.
Blessed be our hother earth,
May she be filled with peace,
Magick, and love.
The goddess breathes life.
The goddess gives life.
The goddess is life.
She reigns supreme.
So mote it be!

End the rite by putting out the candle and uncasting the circle with the ceremonial sword in a counter-clockwise motion.

The eggs may be eaten as part of a Spring Equinox Sabbat feast and the shells cast into an open fire or buried in the ground as an offering to the Earth Mother.

http://www.tryskelion.com/

Activites and Ideas

You can also consider Ostara as a time of balance between light and dark. Night and day equally divide the 24 hours now; the dark half of the year gives way to the light. You can perform rituals to ask for balance in your life, and to honor both dark and light.

 * Go out and collect wild flowers if they are out in you area.

 * Take a walk and look for signs of emerging life in the forests and fields or in a local park.

 * Plant early seeds such as peas, lettuce, cabbage family. Start others indoors

 * Plan your magickal garden to plant after Beltane

 * Pick up litter at your favorite park or beach. Help the earth rejuvenate by getting rid of the mess. Even an hour of cleanup can make a big difference.

 * Do a spring cleaning rites/ritual and cleanse your home of negativity and any energies that might prevent you from taking advantage of prosperity in your life.

 * Perform oomancy (divination by eggs). To perform the most common form of egg-divination, separate egg whites and yolks. You then drop the white into hot water and divine from the shapes it assumes.

 * Celebrate Nawruz, the Persian New Year, which falls on the spring equinox by fixing a special dinner of seven food dishes that begin with 'S.' Either look up the names of the Arabic foods that you will want to use or use English words and eat salad, salami, soup, squash, etc. Decorate the table with a mirror, a bowl of water with one freshly-picked green leaf floating in it, a candelabra containing a candle for every child in the house, a copy of the Koran (or other sacred text), rose water, sweets, fruit, a fish, yogurt and colored eggs.

 * Draw sprouting leaves on an egg and bury it in your garden to help stimulate your plants.

 * Perform magick by planting a seed to grow with your spell. You can use the energy of this time of year to fuel any new project or goal. Think of how you wish to change and grow while planting the seed and watch it flourish as you do. :)

 * Make hot cross buns http://www.crystalforest3.homestead.com/Ostara.html#anchor_9487

 * Light pairs of white and black candles, symbolizing dark and light, in different areas of your home. Each time you pass a pair of candles, you can honor the balance of light and dark we find this time of year, and the balance of light and dark within yourself.

 * Dye eggs with natural dyes  and try decorating them with magickal or other symbols. Ideas for thos you can use include runes, astrological symbols, elemental symbols, the Theban alphabet, zodiac/planetarysymbols, Ogham writing, Native American pictographs, lunar & solar symbols,stars, pentacles, Egyptian hieroglyphs, God/Goddess symbols, the triscale and more! Try our magickal symbols and alphabet sections for great ideas.

 * Create an effigy of the dark half of the year and imbue it with the things of winter you'd like to leave behind. You can then either burn it in a bonfire or drop it in the nearest watercourse

 * In ancient Italy in the spring, women planted Gardens of Adonis. They filled urns with grain seeds, kept the in the dark and watered them every two days until they sprouted. You can do this yourself with grass seed in baskets.You can then put your decorated eggs on the altar, etc. in your grass filled baskets. Talk about how this custom persists today in Sicily, where women plant seeds of grains--lentils, fennel, lettuce or flowers--in baskets and pots. When they sprout, the stalks are tied with red ribbons and the "gardens" are placed along roads on the Christian Good Friday. They are meant symbolize the triumph of life over death.

 * Have each member of your family/coven select a seed or bulb that they wish to plant. Bless them (See the blessing below by Pauline Campanelli or make one of your own) and visualize your plants in full bloom. Then you may wish to invoke each of the four elements necessary for the plants' growth. You may either plant your items outside, or if it is too cold place them in a pot of soil and pat down the earth (element earth), poured water on it (element water), breath on it (element air) and then hold the pot over a candle (or up to the sun, if you are outside) (for fire).

 * Give a potted plant to friends or family for their garden or window sill

 * Take time to notice what birds have returned from their winter homes. Place feeders and/or a bird bath out for them.

 * Make a growth charm out of a hard-boiled egg -- decorate it with symbols, write on it the quality you would like to manifest more fully within yourself, energize it, and then eat it.

 * Create  ritual garment. Try our easy robe pattern. Embellish it with trims, embroidery, bells, stones, sequins or anything else that strikes your fancy. Save it to wear until Ostara as  it was considered bad luck to wear it before then in ancient times.

 * Connect with plant energies. Choose a plant and spend time exploring the leaves and stem in great detail, being careful not to harm it. Use a magnifying glass. Feel the textures and inhale the scent of the plant.

 * Let the whole family create a dance depicting the rising of new shoots from the earth to greet the sun. Create your own music with drums, rattles and whistles, or choose music that reminds you of spring. Bundle up, spread out a blanket, and watch the sunrise. Eat honey cakes and eggs for breakfast.

 * Do a spring rite Take walks in parks, woods or other green areas. Make the walking a ritual in itself. Wear flowers in your hair, or as a necklace, and strew them around and on your alter. Toss crushed eggshells into the garden and say: For fairy, for flowers, for herbs in the bowers, The shells pass fertility with springtime showers. from: Green Witchcraft by Anna Moura (Aoumiel).

Fun for the Kids or the kid in all of us!

 * Ostara Word Search

 * Make your own mobile. (This idea comes from "Circle Round") This emphasizes the balance between day and night, and you can make these as simple or as elaborate as you like. Items to create or find to balance on the mobile are suns and moons, eggs (real, empty shells, plastic eggs or paper eggs made by your children), thematic designs for the season, or anything else, really.

 * Hunt eggs that you have dyed with natural dyes

 * Have an egg toss

 * Do a Flower Coloring Experiment

* Make a Pop Up Flower or try Salt Dough Bunnies or A Pet Egg

* Bunny Masks are fun for ritual!

* Make little Flower Pot Bunnies to give as gifts to those who attend circle

* Once you have eaten those eggs try making Egg Shell Mosiacs with the leftover shells or  dig  hole in the earth outside near flowers or trees and bury them in the soil to replenish calcium.

Read the story of Megan's Ostara

http://www.crystalforest3.homestead.com/Ostara.html#anchor_9487

[KickButtMama]

BELTANE (May 1)

Other names: Valpurga, Mean Earraigh, Bealteinne, Beltaine, Beltainne, Calin Mai.
Date: April 30 / May 1; or when the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus
Meaning of the word: Beltane means bright fire or lucky fire
Primary Ritual Focus: Appareance of the matured Horned God, fertility, protection of animals and gardens, leaping the fire for a fortunate summer, love magicks.
Age of Holiday: said to be the oldest known holiday, Celtic in orgin
Popular mythos: Maypole dancing, tenuous link to the Celtic Belenus (sun God).
Astrological Sign: 15 degrees Taurus; earth; fixed
Planetary Ruler: Venus

(from Solitary Witch by Silver Raven Wolf) Of the seasonal european festivals, Beltane and Samhain, the two great fire festivals, seem to have held the most cultural and religious focus. May Day observances are thought to be drawn from 2 sources: the fire rites from Celtic tradition, and the flower rite from the Roman Floralia. In Celtic tradition, the night before Beltane (April 30), all fires in the land were doused. A little before dawn the people would gather the nine sacred woods:

• Birch - The Goddess, or female energy
• Oak - The God, or male energy
• Hazel - Knowledge and wisdom
• Rowan (Mountain Ash) - Life
• Hawthorne - Purity and fairy magick
• Willow - Death, sacred to Hecate
• Fir - Birth and rebirth
• Apple - Love and family
• Vine - Joy and happiness

and would prpare them for the birthing of the new fire, which was thought to purify the air of all evil forces. As the people watched, the fires were kindled at the raising of thesun, and as the flames leapt, the people walked doesil around the bonfire 3 times. In some areas of Europe people would leap over the flames of a small May Day fire to purify them (cure them of curses or sickness). Torches lit from the Beltane fire were taken home ti light the new fire of the year. Libations of milk, butter, eggs and bread (bonnach Bealltain) were offered to the fire with incantations and prayers in the hopes that the growing season would be a good one.

European practices included tying a wand of rowan and hanging it above the door, and collecting ashes from the Beltane fire and placing them on the forehead to purify the body and bring good luck. Water collected from wells or cupped stones to catch the morning dew, called May Dew, was believed especially powerful for holy water, and was sprinkled about the home to ensure good fortune, health and happiness. Today, in some rituals, the sacred fire is made to dance in a doesil spiral in honor of the Beltane purification rite.

BELTANE: Its History and Modern Celebration in Wicca in America
by Rowan Moonstone (Found at http://www.tryskelion.com/beltfaq.htm)

The celebration of May 1st, or Beltane as it is known in Wicca Circles, is one of the most important festivals of our religious year. I will attempt here to answer some of the most often asked questions about this holiday. An extensive bibliography follows the article so that the interested reader can do further research.
1. Where does the festival of Beltane originate?
Beltane, as practiced by modern day Witches and Pagans, has its origins among the Celtic peoples of Western Europe and the British Isles, particularly Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
2. What does the word Beltane mean?
Dr. Proinsias MacCana defines the word as follows: "... the Irish name for May Day is Beltane, of which the second element, `tene', is the word for fire, and the first, `bel', probably means `shining or brilliant'."(1) The festival was known by other names in other Celtic countries. Beltaine in Ireland, Bealtunn in Scotland, Shenn do Boaldyn on the Isle of Mann, and Galan Mae in Wales.(2)
3. What was the significance of this holiday to the ancients?
To the ancient Celts, it symbolized the coming of spring. It was the time of year when the crops began to sprout, the animals bore their young, and the people could begin to get out of the houses where they had been cooped up during the long dark cold winter months. Keep in mind that the people in those days had no electric lights or heat, and that the Celtic counties are at a much more northerly latitude than many of us are used to. At that latitude, spring comes much later, and winter lasts much longer than in most of the US. The coming of fair weather and longer daylight hours would be most welcome after a long cold and dark winter.
4. How did the ancient Celts celebrate this festival?
The most ancient way of observing this day is with fire. Beltane, along with Samhain (Nov. 1), Imbolc (Feb. 1), and Lughnassadh (Aug. 1), was one of the four great "fire festivals" which marked the turning points of the Celtic year. The most ancient records tell us that the people would extinguish all the hearth fires in the country and then relight them from the "need fires" lit by the druids (who used friction as a means of ignition). In many areas, the cattle were driven between two great bonfires to protect them from disease during the coming year. It is my personal belief, although I have no documentation to back up the assumption, that certain herbs would have been burnt in the fires, thus producing smoke which would help destroy parasites which might make cattle and other livestock ill.
5. In what other ways was this festival celebrated?
One of the most beautiful customs associated with this festival was "bringing in the May." The young people of the villages and towns would go out into the fields and forests at Midnight on April 30th and gather flowers with which to bedeck themselves, their families, and their homes. They would process back into the villages, stopping at each home to leave flowers, and to receive the best of food and drink that the home had to offer. This custom is somewhat similar to "trick or treat" at Samhain and was very significant to the ancients. John Williamson, in his study, The Oak King, the Holly King, and the Unicorn, writes, "These revelers were messengers of the renewal of vegetation, and they assumed the right to punish the niggardly, because avarice (as opposed to generosity) was dangerous to the community's hope for the abundance of nature. At an important time like the coming of summer, food, the substance of life must be ritually circulated generously within the community in order that the cosmic circuit of life's substance may be kept in motion (trees, flocks, harvests, etc.)."(3) These revelers would bless the fields and flocks of those who were generous and wish ill harvests on those who withheld their bounty.
6. What about maypoles?
The maypole was an adjunct to the festival of bringing in the May. It is a phallic symbol, and as such represented fertility to the participants in the festival. In olden days, the revelers who went into the woods would cut a tree and bring it into town, decking it with flowers and greenery and dance around it, clockwise (also called deosil, meaning "sun-wise", the direction of the sun's apparent travel across the face of the Earth) to bring fertility and good luck. The ribbons which we associate with the maypole today were a later addition.
7. Why was fertility important?
The people who originated this custom lived in close connection with the land. If the flocks and fields were fertile, they were ableto eat; if there was famine or drought, they went hungry. It is hard for us today to relate to this concept, but to the ancients, it was literally a life and death matter. The Celts were a very close tribal people, and fertility of their women literally meant continuity of the tribe.
8. How is the maypole connected with fertility?
Many scholars see the maypole as a phallic symbol. In this aspect, it is a very powerful symbol of the fertility of nature and spring.
9. How did these ancient customs come down to us?
When Christianity came to the British Isles, many of the ancient holy sites were taken over by the new religion and converted to Christian sites. Many of the old Gods and Goddesses became Christian saints, and many of the customs were appropriated. Charles Squire says," An ingenious theory was invented after the introduction of Christianity, with the purpose of allowing such ancient rites to continue with a changed meaning. The passing of persons and cattle through flame or smoke was explained as a practice which interposed a magic protection between them and the powers of evil." (4) This is precisely what the original festival was intended to do; only the definition of "evil" had changed. These old customs continued to be practiced in many areas for centuries. "In Scotland in 1282, John, the priest in Iverkething, led the young girls of his parish in a phallic dance of decidedly obscene character during Easter week. For this, penance was laid upon him, but his punishment was not severe, and he was allowed to retain his benefice."(5)
10. Were sacrifices practiced during this festival?
Scholars are divided in their opinions of this. There is no surviving account of sacrifices in the legends and mythology which have come down to us. As these were originally set down on paper by Christian monks, one would think that if such a thing had been regularly practiced, the good brothers would most certainly have recorded it, if for no other reason than to make the pagans look more depraved. There are, however, some surviving folk customs which point to a person representing the gloom and ill fortune of winter being ostracized and forced to jump through the fires. Some scholars see this as a survival of ancient human sacrificial practices. The notion that animals were sacrificed during this time doesn't make sense from a practical standpoint. The animals which had been retained a breeding stock through the winter would either be lean and hungry from winter feed, or would be mothers nursing young, which could not be spared.
11. How do modern day pagans observe this day?
Modern day pagan observances of Beltane include the maypole dances, bringing in the May, and jumping the cauldron for fertility. Many couples wishing to conceive children will jump the cauldron together at this time. Fertility of imagination and other varieties of fertility are invoked along with sexual fertility. In Wiccan and other Pagan circles, this is a joyous day, full of laughter and good times.
12. What about Walpurgisnacht? Is this the same thing as Beltane?
Walpurgisnacht comes from an Eastern European background, and has little in common with the Celtic practices. I have not studied the folklore from that region and do not consider myself qualified to write about it. As the vast majority of Wiccan traditions today stem from Celtic roots, I have confined myself to research in those areas.
FOOTNOTES
(1) MacCana, Proinsias, Celtic Mythology, The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, London, 1970, p.32.
(2) Squire, Charles, Celtic Myth and Legend, Poetry and Romance, Newcastle Publishing Co., Van Nuys, CA, 1975, p.408.
(3) Williamson, John, The Oak King, the Holly King, and the Unicorn, Harper & Row, NY, 1986, p.126.
(4) Squire, p.411.
(5) Hole, Christina, Witchcraft In England, Rowman & Littlefield, Totowa, NJ, 1977, p.36.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bord, Janet & Colin, Earth Rites, Fertility Practices in Pre-Industrial Britain, Granada, London, 1982.
Danaher, Kevin, The Year in Ireland, The Mercier Press, Cork, 1972.
Hole, Christina, Witchcraft in England, Rowman & Littlefield, Totowa NJ,1977.
MacCana, Proinsias, Celtic Mythology, The Hamlyn Publishing Group, Ltd., London, 1970.
MacCulloch, J.A. Religion of the Ancient Celts, Folcroft Library Editions, London, 1977.
Powell, T.G.E. The Celts, Thames & Hudson, New York, 1980.
Sharkey, John, Celtic Mysteries, the Ancient Religion, Thames & Hudson, New York, 1979.
Squire, Charles, Celtic Myth, Legend, Poetry, and Romance, Newcastle Publishing Co., Van Nuys, CA, 1975.
Williamson, John, The Oak King, The Holly King, and the Unicorn, Harper & Row, New York, 1986.
Wood-Martin, W.G., Traces of the Elder Faiths of Ireland, Kennikat Press, Port Washington, NY, 1902.

Beltane Lore
One of the two great fire festivals, May Eve was always very Bacchanalian in content. As I have remarked, country people are very earthy and close to nature; May Eve epitomised these rural qualities.
The Circle was 18 feet, and the hay stooks were placed around the outside at the Quarters. Green branches were laid to form a pathway to the Circle. A fire burned in its centre as well as on the hilltops all around.
That year's May Queen was not present. She would be crowned the following morning and had to be what is politely called a "maiden". It was thought that if she went to the Belfire, she might not be "virgo intacta" the next day. So she had to stay at home!
Garlands were set up on the May pole during the daylight hours in readiness for the next day; the garlands the May Queen's attendants would wear were also made at this time. May Eve and May Day are very busy times from a Craft point of view.
The Sabbat cakes were special: round, not crescent shaped and we ate sponge finger-type cakes as well. We wore our green robes.
Flowers were abundant, and both Tines were decorated with many blossoms. Sometimes pets were brought in to be blessed by the Elements.
We cast the Circle and called the Quarters in the normal way, and immediately afterwards, the Cakes and Wine ceremony was held, whereupon spiral and back to back dances were performed--all very jolly!
Sometimes we jumped the fire, and if a couple leaped together they were considered betrothed. If a single girl jumped alone, it was believed she would be fertile, not a very desirable attribute at Beltane!
When the fire started to die down, or when everyone thought it time, a doorway was cut into the circle, and all the young ones went off "a-maying." They returned at dawn, bringing fresh greenery for May Day. The girls all bathed their faces with dew. Then, the stooks were moved to the green where the May pole was, and all went home to get a few hours of sleep before the May Day festivities began.
I would like to make one small comment on this very modern attitude towards young people and their morals during Beltane celebrations. When I was a young girl, I never saw a farmhand marry until his girlfriend was pregnant. In later years I asked my mother about this; she said that the idea seemed to be that a girl had to prove herself fertile before marriage. Because country people needed children during those days (country children worked very hard), a man and a girl needed to assure themselves of a family before the married.
From West Country Wicca, A Journal of the Old Religion, Rhiannon Ryall.

[KickButtMama]

Shannon's Solitary Beltaine Ritual (derived from Silver RavenWolf's May Day Ritual in Solitary Witch & A Solitary Ritual for One from Rae Beth's 'The Wiccan Path')
Preparation:
Prior to this rite you should have made ready a wooden wand. This should be a branch from an Oak or Hazel tree. Remember, do not take the wood from a living tree! The wood can be cut into the rough shape of a phallus in which case it should be of the appropriate size and shape. On the other hand, a simple branch, peeled of its bark, and about 13 inches long and half an inch thick is also acceptable. Place the wand upon your alter within the Circle. Prepare a dish of earth and place it upon the alter beside the wand, a bowl of water, a candle and I use incense round out the representations of the elements should also be placed on the south side of your altar.
Supplies:
A broom not made of metal(leaning against the side of your altar). Altar and setup (a representation of the elements - earth, air, fire, water & illuminator candles). Tools such as an athame or wand. Candles or otehr representations positioned at the 4 quarters (east, south, west, north - use a compass for accuracy) - colors are your choice. Additional supplies will depend on the amount of time you have and any personal spells you want to perform. Your communion vessels, any seasonal items and your Book of Shadows.

THE RITUAL:Step One: Take the broom and sweep the entire area with a broom working in east to west strokes. (banishing negativity) Cleanse the area by walking each element around your soon-to-be circle in a clock-wise direction saying:
"Element of (name element). In the name of (deity), I cast out all unclean energies, real or imagined. May this area be blessed in the name of (deity), and be filled with the energies of love, joy and truth."
Step Two: Altar blessing & Empowerment: Pass each of the representations of the elements over your altar 3 times in a clockwise direction. {visualize that you are stirring up positive energies into action and blocking out negativity} Once the third pass is complete place the incense on the east side, candle on the south side, bowl of water ion the west side, and earth (or salt) on the north side of your altar. Dab a scented oil on each corner as well, then dab the center of the altar saying:
"I bless and consecrate thee, O sacred altar, in the name of Spirit (or your deity). May you repel negative energy and collect positive enery from this day forward until the end of time. So mote it be."
Draw an equal armed cross in the air over the altar. Tap the altar 4 time, one for each direction and say:
"As above, so below. This altar is sealed. So mote it be!"
--Note if you have previously blessed and consecrated your altar..pass the representative of each element over the altar intoning a personal blessing, then tap the altar 5 times -- one for each element and once for Spirit.
Step Three: Light your illuminator candles on your altar.
Step Four: Cast Your Magick Circle - walk the circle in a clockwise direction (anywhere from 1 to 3 rotations).Saying the following Sabbat Circlecasting:
*start by standing in front of your altar and say:
"tides of the season, ebb and flow"
(tap altar once - state the name of the Holiday energy to be invoked)
"From spring's first light to autumn's glow"
(Hold hands over the altar.)
"Doesil around from birth to death"
(begin in the north and begin making yuor rounds around circle)
"Legends, myths and love connect."
(you should be back at the notrh)
"Solar fire, sun's bright burning"
(Lift red fire candle from the altar and look skyward)
"Purify the Great Wheel turning"
(return candle to altar)
"Winds of the North to carry the flame"
(Begin walking north to east)
"The mists of eons, call thy name. Beltaine."
"East and South, the West inspire"
(pause as you state each of the directions)
"Enjoy the spirals even higher!"
(back at the north)
"The circle rises and marks rebirth"
(Begin the third pass of the circle)
"As seasons change and kiss the earth."
(back at the north)
"From seed and plough to harvest home."
(Hold hands over the altar again.)
"To starry vault and standing stone."
(At north point to the sky.)
"This Sabbat circle, thrice around."
(visualize the bubble sealing as your circle)
"I seal thee now from sky to ground!"
(bring your arm down and stomp your foot.)
Step Five: Light each of the quarter candles, calling the quarters. {remember to visualize an opening in your bubble for the quarters to enter}
"Winds of Beltaine's Fire(direction), attend, acknowledge, and proclaim!"
(once back at the altar raise arms,
"Winds of Beltaine's Fire Spirit, fill this circle with thy love and protection!"
Step Six: Charge of the Goddess. Ground and center yourself again in front of your altar. Raise your arms to the heavens in the traditional Goddess pose.
"Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old, called against men, Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arionhod, Bride, and by many other names...."
"At mine Altar, the youths of Lacedemon in Sparta made due sacrifice. Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month and better it be when the Moon is Full, then shall ye assemble in some secret place and adore the Spirit of Me, who am Queen of all the Witcheries. THere shall ye assemble, who are feign to learn all the sorceies who hav not as yet won my depest secrets. To these will I teach that which is yet unknown. And ye shall be free from all slavery and as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall sing, feast, and make music, all in my presence. For mine is the escasy of the Spirit and mine is also the joy on earth. For m Law is love unto all beings. Keep pure your highest ideals, strive ever towards them. Let none stopyou or turn you aside. For mine is teh secret that opens upon the door of youth and mine is the Cup and the Wine of Life and the Cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grain of Immortality. I am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man upon the earth. I give the knowledge of the Spirit Eternal, and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before. Nor do I demand aught or sacrifice, for behold I am the Mother of all things, and my love is poured out upon the earth."
Step Seven: Beltaine Invocation - light a small candle say:
" I light this candle to the Sun"
(hold the candle up to the east)
"Out of the east the sun wells and whitens, the darknesstrembles into light, and the stars are extinguished like the lamps of a human city. THe whitness brightens into silver, the silver warms into gold, the gold kindles into pure and living fire, and the face of the east is covered with teh elemental scarlet. The day draws its first breath, steady and chill and for leagues around, the woods and valleys sigh and shiver. From every side the shadows will leap from their ambush and fall prone. The day of prosperity has come! This I give thee, O Sacred Fire, so that I and my family shall be spared from evil."
Place the candle in the cauldron.Walk around the cauldron three times, then chant the following invocation:
"Beltane! I dance with delight on Beltane's night. All senses freeing, I dance for being. The flower and the flame of love's own riteshall blossom. Sunembrace Earth, bright."
note: This is the Beltane fire, our modern substitute for the hilltop bonfires of our ancestors. The Bel fire is an invocation to the Sun God to bring blessing and protection for the coming year. This is sacred fire with healing and purifying properties. As you light the candle, be aware of its power and significance.
Step Eight: Blessings & Wishes:
Earth - Now take up a dish of earth. Bless it in the name of the Goddess. Lay your hands upon it and say:
"I bless, consecrate, and set apart this earth, in the name of the Triple Goddess. May this be sacred earth, set apart for magic. For earth is of the Goddess, being her sacred body."
Remember that the Goddess is not only of the Moon, but of the Earth and of the farthest stars. She is the Triple Goddess of the Circle of Rebirth, the Mother of All Life. Decorate the dish of earth with flowers.
Wands - take a wooden wand and oil it with vegetable oil.
" I bless it in the name of the Lord of the Day, the youthful, ardent one, the Lord of Life, the God of the greenwood."
Pass it swiftly through the candle flame, the Bel fire, so that it becomes magically imbued, 'charged', with power. Place the wand upon the dish of earth, saying as you hold it there:
"As the wand is to the earth,so the male is to the femaleand the Sun to our blossoming world.Joined, they bring happiness. May the God of Life give ___ {something you want, for example, peace on Earth} May the Goddess bring it forth!"
Sit quietly for a while, and picture the blossoming of what you have desired in life. The spells and invocations of all of us, all working on themes like these, must eventually bear fruit, because life is on the side of peace. Leave the earth and wand upon the alter.
Step Nine: Spiraling Peacefully. Walk deosil three times around the circle, then spiral into the center. Go evenly, with grace, meditatively. Sit beside the candle flame (bale fire), allowing yourself to feel peaceful. Gaze into the flame. The next part is different depending on whether you are man or woman.
*For a Woman: visualize a red rosebud in your womb. Always your womb is the source of your creative power, whether you are pregnant with a child, an idea, a work of art or an intention. Close your eyes and picture the light from the candle streaming into your womb so that the rosebud blooms, unfolds. Hold the image for a while, feeling the silkiness, smelling the scent, the freshness, seeing the color of the fully open rose within you. Feel the strength and power of your own fully blossomed capabilities. Say:
"I am woman,strong to conceive and to create,to give birth and to tend.As I am daughter of the Goddess,and blessed by the God, may I ___"
{here name what you wish to bring forth in life. For example bring healing to others or write my book whatever matters to you} **Do not perform the petal opening visualization if you are pregnant - your body may treat the petal as the cervex and try to open.
Feel the strength and creative force within your womb, the center of your being. See the power being channeled, flowing into the desire you have just voiced. Open your eyes. Always, the rose is within you.
*For a Man: Visualize a bright flame. This burns within your sexual center, a point at the base of the stomach, just above the pubic hairline. It is your own male strength and energy which may rise through your body to be released as giving, fertilizing power, in any form, or may be the potency which impregnates, creating a physical child. It is the force which blesses and bestows, a healing and creative energy, like the shining Sun. Visualize also that you are sitting in a garden and that a rose tree is in front of you, the roses in bud. Say:
"I am man,and in my passion is beauty,in my warmth is life.As I am son of the Goddess,and blessed by the God,I offer my strength and vitality to ____ "
{name the area of life, the place, activity, or committment you choose}
Visualize the light streaming from you to a rose upon the tree causing it to unfold, to blossom. Your flame is lowered by this effort. Much has gone out of you, the flame sinks down. Wait and watch, until a pink light streams from the rose towards your body. At its touch, just above the pubic hairline the flame resurges. It burns highter and stronger than before. Open your eyes. The flame is always within you.
Step Ten: Perform any spells or additional rituals / meditations you would like.
Step Eleven: Take Communion - Hold hands over cup {visualize the energy of the sun feeding the vine growing into a berry, etc} and say:
"From the sun to the vine from the vine to the berry from the berry tot eh wine this brew is blessed in the sacred names of our Lord and Lady. So mote it be."
Lower the athame into the cup and say:
"As the rod is to the God so the chalice is to the Goddess and together they are one!"
{Visualize divine energy pulsating from the blade into the cup, and the entire cup filling up with white light.}
Take a drink from the cup visualizing the divine energy entering your body and pushing out any negativity. When finished (do not drink all) say:
"May you never thirst."
Next hold your hands over the cakes and say:
"From the moon to the stalk from the stalk to the grain from the grain to the bread this bread is blessed in the sacred names of our Lord and Lady. So mote it be!"
Take a bite of the cake (or eat almost all of it), when finished say:
"May you never hunger."
**After ritual is complete pour remaining libations outside.
Step Twelve: Perform offering to the gods. This is the fire offering:
"Upon the wings of fiery flame I give this offering in Goddess' name."
Step Thirteen: Thank and release the quarters (begin in the west if you started in the north and move winddershins-counterclockwise).
"Winds of the Spirit of Beltane's Fire, blessings upon you. I release thee upon thy way till next we meet again! Winds of the Beltane's West, blessings upon you! I release thee upon thy way till next we meet again!" (repeat for the South, East & North)
Step Fourteen: Release the magick circle (1 rotation counter clockwise)
"O Great Circle of Sabbat Art, attend me no more this day but be released into (usually your athane, rod or wand)."
Step Fifteen: Seal the altar energies by tapping once on the altar and extinguishing illuminator candles.
Step Sixteen: Clean up and offer libations bowl out of doors

Additional Ideas for your Beltane Ritual:

• Erect your own May Pole using a Christmas tree stand and a large pole. Decorate with multi-colored ribbons.
• Hang Prayer ribbons on trees and bushes on your property.
• Sew ribbons onto a white handkerchief, then empower each ribbon with a different goal or wish. Keep the kerchief safe until the wishes are granted.
• Collect morning dew for magickal use as holy water.
• Hang a branch of Rowan tied with red thread above your doors for protection.
• Add spells of self-esteem and self-love to your ritual.
• Bless your garden or the nearest feild.
• Beltane is done when the sun is 'earthy', fixed in the sign of Taurus. Any magick done now will last (and work hard) a long time. This is an excellent time of the year for prosperity work, adding stability to your lifestyle, and making those repairs around the home.