Daily Devotion to Hestia

This ritual is meant to be performed each day before one prepares the evening meal. First clean off the counter, put away dishes, sweep the floor, clear off the dining table- make the kitchen into a worthy temple of Hestia. Then wash your hands and face, put back your hair, put on a clean apron and prepare to begin.

Place a candle in the center of the stove (i.e. the hearth) alternatively, you can place it on the hearth of the fireplace if you have one.

Graceful Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth, guardian of the sacred Home.
Your place is first, it is also last, you are the center
Give me strength and good will to do all I need to provide my family with a happy home.
Bless this food I now prepare that all who consume it may find strength in it and may know your blessings.
Be with us as our family gathers together to share our evening meal
May my Home always be as your sacred Temple
May this Hearth always fill the hearts of those who approach it with warmth and love.
May your peace, strength and protection be with us tonight and always
Praised and blessed be you, Hestia, for always.

Begin preparations for your meal. Before turning on the stove, remove the candle to the center of the dining table. Keep the candle lit through the meal.

Brigid's Cross Rite

Although I am a Neo-Hellenic Pagan, I still perform this rite every Imbolc because it holds a special place in my heart. It is just so meaningful and I really do love it. It can be adapted for a family or a coveni or another group.

Imbolc is a time for getting rid of all the old stuff to make room for new blessings. It is also the Feast of St. Brigid, who is associated with the Celtic Hearth Goddess of the same name. What better way to incorporate these two elementsi than with the following rituali.

You will need-
A new Brigid’s Cross
Last year’s Brigid’s Cross

Sit with your family in a circlei near the hearth, or bonfire or whatever you’re burning things in. Take your old Brigid’s cross down from its place and say, “Another year has passed beneath this roof and before this hearth and many things have come to pass… (Go on to talk about all the great things that have happened in the past year)”
Alli Say- “For these blessings, we are truly thankful.”
Then continue- “But not all that has happened has been good, we have had our hardships as well, (Go on to expound on your hardships and difficulties.)
All Say- “From these things we have learned and now we move on.”

Then pass the old cross around to everyone in the circle so that they may tell about their own personal blessings and hardships of the past year, or simply sit silently and pour their thoughts into the cross. When everyone has had a turn, take the cross and throw it into the fire and watch it burn.

Take the new cross and present it to the group saying, “As we release the past, we make way for the future.” Pass this new cross around among the circle, this time pouring into it positive energy and hope for the coming year. People should talk about their plans- “This summer, I’m getting married.” “I will graduate from college in May. After that I will be looking for a job.” “I am expecting a baby” Etc. After each person’s turn, the group should say something like, “Blessed Brigid, grant your grace to this endeavor.” Or “So mote it be” or whatever.

When everyone has had a turn, place the cross in its designated spot while saying an appropriate chant or singing a song.

Rite of Awakening for February Eve

The month of February is a festival in and of itself. The first day is February Eve. Alternatively, it can be celebrated on the first new moon in February or the first weekend in February for convenience sake. This celebration corresponds to the festival of Imbolc.

Ancients celebrated the Lesser Eleusinian mysteries at the end of February, when Persephone returned. Now, we are anticipating her return. Alli of Nature is. The month of February will be spent cleaning our homes and yards and purifying ourselves and living areas in preparation for her return. "Spring cleaning" if you will, inside and out. This rite is a rite of preparation. Persephone is returning soon, and we have to get ready! Not just us, but all of Nature. This rite is intended not only to wake up sleeping Nature spirits to encourage springtime to hurry up, but also to chase away lurking negative energies on your property and in your home.

This is a very simple (and fun) rite. It goes like this.

Everyone in the group should have an instrument, a rattle, a drum, some noisemaking device.

Arrange yourselves into a parade. Go out into the yard (or public natural area, or if none is available, you may annoy your houseplants instead) and sing the following chant to every living (and nonliving) thing you come upon, especially those that are dormant, while making as much noise as possible with your instruments. Change the name "oak tree" to whatever it happens to be. Throw a grain offering at the poor thing, and move on to your next victim.

Wake up oak tree
Get ready, Kore comes
Get ready for the rite of spring

Wake up oak tree
Get ready Kore comes
All of Nature, wake up and sing

When you are quite worn out from this, return to your nice warm house for cocoa.

Ritual for the Spring Equinox

Festival of Planting/New Beginnings

This rituali is great for symbolically “sowing” plans that will be “harvested” in the coming year for urban Pagans.

Preparation must begin several weeks before Eosia-

If you normally buy brown eggs, begin buying white eggs and wash them carefully when you get them home.

Use your eggs as normal, but instead of cracking them, carefully cut a circlei in the narrow end using nail cutting or surgical scissors. Let the eggshell dry and save it for later. You can dye it using food grade dyes or fruit juice.

You will also need:
Potting soil mixed with equal parts vermiculite
Tomato or pepper seeds
A few egg holders (Optional) or egg cartons
A small funnel
Snacks, breakfast type stuff including boiled eggs
Orange juice
A tall glass or goblet

It is best to begin your ritual at Dawn in honor of Eos (or Aurora, or Eostre) the Goddess of Dawn whose day this is.

The altar should be set up the evening before so that you can enter the ritual area in silence just before the dawn. Rise early and wash thoroughly so you can come before the Goddess fresh and clean just as she appears.

Begin a modified Salutation to the Sun just as the sky begins to lighten. Continue until Dawn is in Her fullest bloom. Do one final salutation speaking words of greeting as follows:

Mountain: We honor you Eos
Hands up: Herald of Light
Head to Knees: We are humbled in your radiance
Lunge: You are the Guide
Plank: And herald
Stick: And companion
Up Dog: Of all things new
Down Dog: And yet in every new beginning, so must also there be an ending
Lunge: And you call the night to end
Head to Knees: And at the end of the day
Hands up: We hail you, Hesperia
Mountain: Bless us, oh Eos with good beginnings and timely endings.

Bow

Approach the altar and begin assembling your egg planters. You should have some plans in mind that you would like to see come to fruition in the coming year. Select an eggshell whose color represents one of these plans to you. You may wish to inscribe the bottom of the shell with the Greek letter Theta representing the Sun and endings and beginnings, or Epsilon indicating fertility and change or if you prefer the rune Berkano or Laguz for growth or a rune or letter more suited to your purpose. Druids may wish to use Ogham markings for this.

Use the funnel to put potting soil into the eggshells. Carefully poke three seeds into the soil “One for the blackbird, one for the crow, and they leave just one to grow” and give the egg a firm shake to cover them. Sprinkle some water into the hole over the seeds.

Hold the egg up to the sun in both hands and say something like:

“Within this egg is the seed of new beginnings. Bless me, Oh Eos as I embark upon this new adventure (fill in adventure here, ex. Home ownership, job seeking, parenthood, returning to school, your freshman-senior year) and may my efforts bear fruit. As one chapter in my life draws to a close, so another begins and You are always here to light the way.”

Repeat with every new adventure you are embarking upon this year. When you are done, set aside your eggs and take up your carton of orange juice. Pour out libations to the Gods and fill the goblet. Hold it up toward the Sun and say “Blessed Eos, herald of the Sun, we honor you on this your day.” Pour out the wine toward the East and drink, pour out the rest toward the East.

Prepare a plate for Eos and place it on the altar, then enjoy your breakfast in the early morning sun.

Stone Soup

This is more of an interactive storytelling thing that is a fun way to produce the communal meal at any gathering, especially while camping at a festival. It gets the kids involved and teaches a valuable lesson.

Materials:
A large cauldroni or dutch oven placed over the fire and filled with water
A fist sized stone, well washed
A cutting board and knife

Each participant should bring something edible to the circlei, the following items are suitable:
Carrots, Onions, Potatoes, Parsnips, Turnips, Spinach, dried herbs and spices, salt, pepper, bell pepper, jerusalem artichokes, yams, cabbage, bok choy, collard greens, celery, canned beans, rice, barley. If there are no vegetarians present, then meat can also be brought. Flour for dumplings may also be appropriate.

One person should play the fool, who we call Jack and should act out as the storyteller narrates.
Obviously, we also need a storyteller.

Once upon a time a man named Jack was wandering the world in search of his fortune. There came a time though that he had quite run out of money and provisions and he was in a part of the world where he knew not a soul. Alli the had was a traveling sack with a cooking pot and a spoon in it and a belt with good sharp knife in a sheath at his side. He lived for awhile nibbling on wild herbs and berries until one day he came to a quiet little village and decided he would see what luck he could find there.

As he approached the village, he met a young man tending some rather skinny and sickly looking goats. He approached the man with as pleasant a smile as he could muster, and said as politely as he knew how, “Excuse me sir, I am a traveler who is very hungry, but very strong. I would be pleased to work for you in any capacity, in exchange for a little food.”

But the young man shook his head. “I am sorry sir, but it has been a dry year. My goats are starving and my children went to bed hungry last night. What I have nothing that I can share.”

And so Jack went on.

Soon he came to a field where several men and women were working to harvest vegetables from some rather wilted plants. He smiled as pleasant a smile as he could muster and said as politely as he could “Excuse me good people! I am a poor traveler seeking work in foreign parts where I know not a soul. My back is strong and I can help you. All I ask in payment is a little bit of food.”

But the people replied, “We are sorry, but it has been a dry year. Our crops are thirsty and our children went to bed hungry last night. We have nothing that we can share.”

And so Jack went on into the village. He asked several people for work, but they all replied the same. That it had been a dry year and they had nothing they could share.

Finally, Jack came to the village well and there he built himself a little fire and laid down next to it to sleep. Soon a young girl came to draw water for her family. Jack smiled at her as pleasant a smile as he could muster and said to her as politely as he knew how, “Young lady, I am but a weary traveler setting up camp for the night. Would you be so kind as to draw me some water to fill my cooking pot that I may make myself a meal?”

The young girl looked around, “There is little water left in the well and my mother and father would be angry if I gave it away to a stranger.”

“Just to fill my cooking pot so that I can make a soup. I will share what I make with anyone who wants it. I promise.” Said Jack.

And so the little girl filled his cooking pot and looked on curiously as Jack took a round stone out of his pocket. “I have been saving this.” He told her as he carefully cleaned it off and then dropped it into the pot.

The little girl was surprised, “You can't make soup out of a stone.” She told him.

“Oh yes I can.” he said. “I do all the time. Of course, it is better with some potatoes, or some carrots, but I am told there is none to be had in all the land.”

The little girl took her bucket and went home and told her parents about the strange traveler and his stone soup and that he had promised to share it with everyone.

So her parents went to see Jack and on their way they told everyone they met where they were going so that soon they had quite a crowd and they said to him, “What is this? You have tricked a little girl and made a promise to share when you have nothing to share.”

“That's not true.” Said Jack, “The soup is coming along nicely.”

“You can't make soup out of a stone.” Her parents told him.

“It is true it would be better with a bit of salt, but it is good as it is as well.”
(At this point the storyteller should fit the story to the things people have brought. If someone has brought some rice, say rice, potatoes, etc. and so on.)

And one person in the crowd said, “I do have a bit of salt.” And Jack smiled at him so pleasantly that he hurried off to get it.

When he'd sprinkled the salt into the soup, he tasted it and said, “Ah yes. Delicious. It'll be ready soon.”
And the people said, “Pah. It's nothing but water and salt.”

“Oh no,” He insisted. “It is quite delicious and nutritious. It is better with a bit of rice or barley, but it's good as it is as well.”

And someone else in the crowd said, “I have a bit of barley at home.” and rushed off to get it.

And Jack said, “Better and better! Carrots and potatoes are good in it as well.” and soon more people were scurrying off to fetch the potatoes and carrots they had hidden away at home.

“An onion would be fabulous”

(Go on this way. The storyteller should have Jack call out for things people have with them and the people should say “I have that” Or whatever and then Jack should cut them up and put them in the soup.)

Soon the smell of the soup filled the whole village and everyone gathered round. After awhile Jack declared the soup done and told everyone to bring a bowl. He filled each of their bowls with his spoon and saved some for himself and nobody went to bed hungry that night.

(You will need to find a way to pass the time while the soup cooks. You could do some chanting or play some outdoor games. When the soup is ready. Eat it!)

The Wicker Man Effigy

The Wicker Man Effigy was made famous by The Wicker Man Movies, there are two, the old and the new. (The new one is horrible. The old one is a cult classic.) At harvest season we perform a modernized version of this ritual. We don't perform animal or human sacrifice, of course, but the act of making the effigy is a sacrifice in itself. The energies it creates is something along the lines of a mandala, it is a sacred art. Offerings can then be placed within the effigy and, in the tradition of the ancients, the people should partake of some of these offerings, making it a communal feast.

If you want to be literal, you can build your wicker man out of basket weaving material which you can get at any craft shop. I have done this and it takes a very long time. Some of us aren't good at this as others and prefer to use different methods. Paper mache might work, or you can build him out of cardboard boxes. Remember, it's the thought that counts.

We make our wickerman a hermaphrodite, acknowledging that the balance of both male and female energies are necessary to bring things to fruition. Once it's built, we fill him full of foil-wrapped goodies- all locally grown and freshly harvested. Then, we sit him on top the firepit and bring him gifts of beer and bread, gather in a circle around him and offer up prayers of thanks for our harvest season blessings. Then, one by one we walk up to him and whisper in his ear those prayers we hope he will pass on to the Gods. These prayers should relate to things we are working on that we would like to see come to fruition or those things we have been putting our energy into that are headed nowhere- that we might be guided to a better plan, or learn to just let it go.

Once this is done, we set him alight. We sing and dance as he burns, remembering that for us to live, other things must die. Even if we are vegetarians, we take into our bodies the lives of plants, and thus they are immortal within us and we are immortal as well, because when we die, bacteria and worms will eat us and return us to the Earth. When the fire dies down, we dig out the food our effigy had within him and we have a great feast. While we eat, we keep in mind that we are literally eating the physical representation of the spirit of Earth, the Grain God, or the Harvest Goddess, whichever you prefer. That through us, it Is immortal, and through It, we are able to sustain our material lives.

This ritual can be performed at the Corn Moon, or the Harvest Moon, or at a First Harvest (beginning of August) or Second Harvest (Autumn Equinox) festival or even at (beginning of November).

Celebration of the Self

Any time is a good time to celebrate how wonderful we are, but the enthousiasm and joy of Sagittarius and the bright energy of the full moon make the full moon in Sagittarius a particularly appropriate time for this rituali.

Prepare ahead of time by taking the time to buy yourself a gift and a bottle of your favorite wine (or other beverage) and making your favorite meal (or ordering your favorite takeout). Take a relaxing ritual bath and do some things to make yourself feel pampered. Put on your favorite outfit and settle down in front of your altar (you may wish to place a mirror near or on your altar, so you can see yourself) and light a candle. You may also wish to have your favorite album playing in the background.

Open your circlei or establish your sacred spacei in whichever manner you prefer.

"I light this candle in honor of me, for I am the most important person in my life. My actions and my choices have brought me to the place I am now and only through my own courage and wisdom will my dreams be made real."
(If you are doing this in a group, the leader should light a candle and change I to we and My to our, etc.)

Count coup: Run through a list of all of the great things you've accomplished in the past year. Talk about the challenges you had to overcome to see these things come to fruition. Talk about what you learned in the process and congratulate yourself for a job well done. Say it all out loud or write it down if you're alone. If in a group take turns speaking and congratulate one another- but don't forget to congratulate yourself as well.

"I am very proud of my accomplishments. I am very proud to be who I am. I feel that I deserve a special gift of congratulations for all the great things I do and so I present myself with this gift."
Open up the gift you brought yourself and admire it. Put it on (if it's wearable) and maybe even take a picture.

Get up and dance for awhile in celebration of yourself and the joy you bring you. Dance until you are tired.

Pour out libations:
"I am the physical representation of the Divine on the Earth. Through me Divine energy is manifest in matter. Through me the Gods experience the pleasures of mortality and through the Gods I may experience the wisdom of eternity. I offer this wine and this food to the Gods in thanks for myself."

Now, eat your favorite meal and drink your favorite beverage. This is the feast of celebration of you!

Other ways to celebrate yourself:
Write a poem or a song about yourself and your accomplishments.
Draw, paint or sculpt a self-portrait.
Get a cast made of yourself or your favorite body part.
Make a collage of some great pictures of you.

Grandmother Earth I

Materials:
Earth images- Gaia statues, paintings, drawings (ancient and contemporary), globes, photos of the Earth from space
Clay

Establish sacred spacei quietly (no chanting, no drumming) then let everyone settle in. Do some relaxation and breathing exercises to help bring everyone into focus. Tell everyone to close their eyes, relax and see the story you are about to tell in their mind's eye. Music may be played during the story, drum beats or something nature-ish.

Story/Meditation

"In the beginning, there was Chaos which is Void. Energy without order, form or purpose.

From this energy, consciousness, and from consciousness, desire. Eros came forth and sparked within Gaia the Will to create and so She ordered the energy and formed it into matter and made for Herself a body that would house Her consciousness and desire that would together bring forth many children.

So great and marvelous was Her body that all of her children and of of their children would be able to live upon it and receive from it everything they needed for as long as She remained healthy and She had great foresight, for who but the Mother of us Alli could have imagined the many creatures that would crawl upon Her body one day.

She made Herself a womb of water in which to nurture Her children and bones of stones which would build them strong houses. Her flesh was the soil which feeds Her plant children who in turn feed all the rest of Her children. Yes, Grandmother Earth planned well for us.

She is gaia, the Mother of All Things. She made Her own body long ago with the forethought to care for every child She might produce and some have flourished and some have faltered and some have destroyed others and some have helped others, but none are better or worse in Her eyes. Gaia loves all of Her children equally. And you are a child of Gaia. We call Her Grandmother Earth and She loves you!"

Now drum and sing a chant like "The Earth is Our Mother". (You can find this and many other chants at http://www.earthspirit.com/mtongue/chtlib/chtlifr.html)

Gather everyone in a circlei and discuss the story, ask how each of them pictured Gaia in their minds eyes during the story. Show the Earth images you have collected and discuss them. Then hand out lumps of clay to each participant and ask them to form their own Gaia image for their personal altar.

When you are done, close in your usual way.

Homework: Keep your eyes open for things made of stone and clay, the bones and sinews of the Earth, that people use every day. Record your observations in your journal.

Grandmother Earth II

Open the the rituali with noise and chanting.

Evocation: Gaia, Holy Mother of Alli, we call upon you to witness this rite of worship for you. Welcome Mother who is in all things. (or the Homeric hymn to Gaia may be used.)

Throw grain in the fire.

Statement of Purpose: Today we gather to honor Gaia and to dedicate our statues to Her worship.

Have everyone bring out the statues they made in the ritual entitled Grandmother Earth I and show them to the group and talk about them one by one.
The leader should discuss how God/Goddessii images help us connect to our Deitiesi during everyday worship and how it honors Them to create images of Them to place on our altars. Explain the purpose of sanctificationi and dedicationi of statues.

Then each person should proceed in turn to the altar to sanctify and dedicate his or her statue.

Pass the statue through the incense smoke saying "May all that is unworthy burn to ash and blow away."
Sprinkle with salted water and say, "May all that is unclean be washed away and buried."
Annoint the statue with olive oil saying, "I dedicate this statue to the worship of Gaia, the Earthmother, She Who is in All Things. May it bring Her honor."

When all have completed this process, wrap things up in the usual way.

The Bones of the Mother I

The Bones of Our Mother I

Establish sacred spacei.

Relax

Close your eyes and find yourself relaxing in the back yard. It's a nice day, not particularly warm or cold or bright or dark and there is nothing special going on.

As you are idling about, you find a hole at the base of a tree. You move closer to investigate and you find that though the hole seems very deep, it's not very dark inside. In fact, you can see for quite a ways. As you lean forward, you also discover that the hole is just big enough for you to crawl inside.

Normally, this would be very dangerous and you would never think of doing such a thing, but you know that you are safe because you are in dream space. So you squeeze yourself into the hole and as you do, the smell of Earth fills your nostrils. You feel the cool embrace of Grandmother Earth all around you. You see many cooked paths dug in the soil. Some small ones dug by ants and worms and other small creatures and some larger ones dug by moles and ground squirrels. Alli around you the roots of trees and smaller plants reach deep into the soil searching for nutrients.

You crawl deeper and soon you have left the animal burrows behind. You've gone below the topsoil and most of the Earth you see all around you is made up of clay and silt. The walls of the tunnel are firmer in places than they are up above. It is also much cooler here and also quite damp. You still see some sturdy tree roots breaking through the clay here and there, searching for the delicious minerals that are stored here.

Down and down you go, and as you go deeper, the walls become firmer, until they are solid rock. Some places you see sparkling lines through the rock. Some are silver, some are gold, but you see other colors too. These are metals.

Sometimes too you see crystals in the rock and they sparkle though there is little light for them to sparkle by. Some are clear and some are white and others are pink, and red and purple and every color of the rainbow.

Finally, you feel that you have gone as far as you should. You turn and make your way back up the tunnel. You move past the crystals and the veins of precious metals. Past the bedrock, past the clay and silt, past the roots of trees and smaller plants, past also the burrows of animals in the soil until finally, you emerge into the light and open your eyes to be with me here and now.

**
Have everyone in the circlei discuss their experience in dream space.
**

Now give each participant a bag (or have them make their own). Place a bowl of gemstones in the center of your work area and provide several books. Amethyst, quartz, smoky quartz, tourmaline, tiger's eye, agate, carnelian, rose quartz, bloodstone, jasper, sodalite, whatever you can find. Have the adults and the children work together to identify each stone and have each participant place a stone in their bag once identified and make a note of it in their journal. When this is done, close the circle as usual.

Homework: Have each participant select a stone at random from a single bag. This is their homework stone. It is the responsibility of each person to learn everything they can about their stone. How it is formed, how it is used by mankind, where in the world it is most often found, how it is mined, what sort of minerals in contains and its esoteric uses as well. Each participant will be responsible for teaching the group about their particular stone at the next meeting.

The Bones of the Mother II

Items needed: Stones and bags gathered for the previous rituali of this series.
Grain for an offering.
Food for the simple feast
A beverage for libations.

Establish sacred spacei
Suggested chant: The Earth is our Mother

Introduction/Storytelling

there came a time many centuries ago that our Grandmother Earth groaned under the weight of so many children. The Gods spoke amongst themselves saying “Our mother is merciful, but her many children are draining her essence. Let us act now before she is too weak to sustain any of us!”
And so mighty Zeus caused the rain to fall upon the Earth for many days and Poseidon caused the oceans to rise up and swallow the land and millions of the Earth's children were drowned.
One man, Deucalion, was warned by his father, Prometheus, and he and his wife Pyrrha, daughter of Epimetheus and Pandora, survived the storm by sheltering on Mount Parnassus, the only place in the world that was spared.

As the waters receded, they began to search high and low for more survivors but soon they began to fear they were the only people left on Earth. Pyrrha dispaired, “What a lonely life for us. If only the Gods had destroyed us as well!”

At her words the clouds broke and the sun shone down and a beautiful rainbow arced downward from the sky toward them and the voice of Iris, the Herald of Hera was heard “Do not despair children of Earth, I bring good tidings from the Queen of the Sky. You shall not be alone if you throw the bones of your mother behind you.” And with that, she was gone.

(Author's note: According to other versions the answer is given by the Oracle of Delphi or Themis. But this makes more sense to me for many reasons. Not the least being that Oracles are people and these two were supposed to be the only survivors. Also, Hera is the storm breaker and she has been replaced in many stories, I suspect this may be one of them. Feel free to use other versions as you wish.)

Pyrrha was not comforted. She became even more upset. “The bones of our mothers?” she exclaimed “We are to defile our mothers corpses? And how would we find them after that storm?”

But Deucalion had his father's foresight. “The Earth is our mother.” he told her and picked up a stone and threw it over his shoulder. Sure enough the moment it touched the ground, it changed and became a little boy.

So each began throwing stones behind them and each stone that Deucalion threw became a little boy and each stone the Pyrrha threw became a little girl and each with his or her own talents and tastes and personalities according to the type of stone that was thrown.

As each man, woman and child is unique, so is each stone. And as each group of people offer their own unique way of looking at things, and their own unique history, so does each type of stone have its own unique energy and natural history. We are here today to honor our mother by sharing our knowledge of her bones. The stones and minerals that make up her physical body.

(Toss and offering of grain into the fire.)

Alli participants should now take turns teaching the group what they have learned about the stones they chose in the “Bones of the Mother I” ritual.

When everyone has finished:

“We give thanks for the wisdom of our mother's bones.”
(Toss grain into the fire)
Sing while the simple feast is being prepared.
Pour libations
Share feast
Close ritual.

The Gift of the Trees Part I

You will need: To be in an outdoor area with many different kinds of trees.
A tree identification book

Establish Sacred Space

Meditation:
Imagine you are a little seed hanging high on the branch of a tall tree until a strong wind comes by and knocks you down to the ground. You fall into the soft bed of leaves your mother and father and all of their brothers and sisters left for you on the ground and you lay there for a time. The sun shines, and the moon shines in turn. Sometimes it is warm, and sometimes it rains. Before long winter comes, covering you in a blanket of soft, cold snow. It is dark, and very quiet. Many days go by like this.

Before too long, the days grow longer and warmer and the snow melts to water which softens your hard outer shell and a little seedling breaks through and you spread two little green leaves up joyfully toward the sun. And you grow little roots, thin as hairs at first, that dig down into the soil drinking up nutrients left by your mother's decaying leaves. You stand there, in your little patch of sun, surrounded by your kin, reveling in the warm sun and the cool earth and you are, just what you are.

You grow slowly, but every year you are a bit taller, your trunk is a bit thicker, your roots dig a bit deeper and your branches spread out a bit wider. Every autumn your leaves fall to replenish what you have taken from the Earth to nourish yourself and every spring new leaves appear to drink in sunlight, which you turn into the energy you need to grow. You absorb carbon dioxide given off by animals and in turn you release the oxygen that animals need to live.

One spring, after several years, you flower, and the flowers draw insects until one day the flowers turn into seeds, or fruit, or nuts. These may feed many types of animals and some of these will sprout into new baby trees.

And so the years will pass and around you the forest will change. Some trees will fall, and others will grow and still you will grow taller and thicker, and your roots will dig deeper and your branches will spread farther. And birds and animals will make homes in your branches and line their winter dens with the leaves that you drop in autumn. And when you grow old and hollow, some will make dens right inside of you and you will protect their young as they grow and help them store food and stay safe and warm through long, cold winters.

And one day you will die. Maybe a strong wind will blow you over, or you'll be struck by lightening. Maybe you will die standing tall and remain standing for many years after. Either way you will continue to provide food and shelter to many other forms of life for many years after your death.

And now your soul has left the tree and returned to the body of a human. You are here, listening to my voice, sitting in this spot. But you remember, what it's like to be a tree.

Have everyone discuss their experience as a tree. Then have each participant get up and find a tree that they particularly like. Have them sit by the tree and observe it. Touch it, smell it, look at it and see how it serves other life forms. What sort of tree is it? Have them write in their journal about their tree.

Homework: Each person is to go home and study up on a particular species of tree. You can have them study the tree they chose, or they can draw leaves or names on pieces of paper. They will share all the information they have learned about their tree when they return next time.

The Gift of the Trees Part II

Establish Sacred Space

Read the story The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

If participants chose actual trees to learn about last time, each person in turn should lead the rest of the group up to the tree they chose and introduce them to it and share what they learned about that species of tree.

If they did not choose actual trees, they should bring images of the trees they did choose with them and introduce them that way.

The simple feast should be shared with the trees.

Preparing Sacred Space

Before beginning a rituali, many people like to prepare the sacred spacei. This has many purposes. It prepares the mind for magical/spiritual work, it announces your intent to begin magical/spiritual work to the Universe, and it makes the space you are in into a holy temple, even if it’s just your bedroom.

How you prepare your own sacred space is highly personal and dependant upon your personal faith. Here are a few examples of methods used by some different traditions.

Simple Solitary Method

First make sure the area is clean.

Get a bowl of water and sprinkle a bit of salt into it. Walk three times in a circlei clockwise around your work area sprinkling a bit of water with a bay leaf and saying. Or you can use a smudge stick, or you could use both.

Blessed spirits of earth, sky and sea
I ask you here to watch over me
Join this circle and bind it well
Hear my call as I cast my spells
Know my heart is honest and true
Hear my pleas and take your due
Let nothing harmful mar this site
Guide my actions to what is right

So mote it be/blessed be/etc.

Opening Portals

This is a Druidic method of creating sacred space. Alli groups are different, of course, but if you go to a Druidic ritual you may (or may not) see something similar.

It is begun, of course, by clearing out the area and then blessing the participants, usually with a combination of things representing the earth, the sky and the sea, though they may use the four elementsi of fire, water, air and earth. Participants may be smudged, sprinkled with water, and anointed with oil or red ochre.

Once everyone is gathered, the portals are opened to place the sacred space between the three worlds.

Portal one- The tree of Life- Pole, staff or wandi
Portal two- The Well- Cauldron or pot
Portal Three- The fire- Candle, incense or a bonfire

Place the representation of the Tree of Life in the center of the circle or upon the altar. You can say something, but it’s not necessary. The Tree is a bridge between worlds with its branches above, its trunk here on earth, and its roots below. It is a sacred treasure of all three worlds and provides us with gifts beyond measure.

Place the representation of the well in the center of the circle or upon the altar. The well is the mouth of the Earth. Through the well we may reach the silvery fluid that is the powers below. The blood of the Earth, the amniotic fluid of our Great Mother. The well is the gate through which our offerings are brought to the Ancestors.

Light the fire. The fire is the Mouth of the Gods and the spark of life. This same fire has burned throughout eternity and it was this fire that brought forth life from the waters. The fire is the gate through which our offerings are brought to the Gods.

After this, you will want to call upon the ancestors, Nature Spirits and the God(s) or Goddess(es) of the occasion.

Calling Quarters

Calling the quarters serves much the same purpose as opening the portals; it places you in the center of worlds. It also calls upon elemental spirits to aid your work. This is common in many Wiccan and eclectic traditions and is the one you are most likely to see.

Although directional associations vary by traditioni, the most widespread (in North America anyway) are as follows:

North- Earth
East- Air
South- Fire
West- Water

The circle is cast using one or several methods. It may be cast by the solitary witch, or by the leader of a group, by pointing a staff, sword, wand or athamei at the ground and visualizing protective light coming out of it and then drawing a circle around the area with that light. Or, it may be cast by the participants walking several times around the circle, dancing or chanting, and/or waving incense and/or sprinkling water, earth or salt in a circle around the area.

Once this is done, the leader or designated person approaches the northernmost section of the circle and all participants face north. The spokesperson then calls upon the spirits of the North and the Elemental Spirits of Earth. It doesn't really matter what you say, but it's good to say something somewhat lyrical and it's important that you be polite. An example might be as follows:

“Spirits of the North, great powers of Earth, we invite you to join our Circle and witness our rites.”

Next, move clockwise to the Easternmost section and call upon the spirits of the East and the Elemental Spirits of Air, and so on.

When you've gotten back around to the North again, move to the center of your circle and welcome your spiritual guests. It's good to have a small loaf of bread to break ceremonially and place in an offering dish. Hospitality is important, after all.

7- Directions

This is another method used primarily by Shamans. Rattles are used and no words are necessary, but you may chant or sing while doing this. The 7 directions are, N, E, S, W, Sky (up), Earth (down) and Center (here/self). Different groups do them in different orders. If there's an official order, I hope someone will email me and correct me!

After everything is prepared, move to your starting point and shake your rattles in that direction while concentrating on your purpose, that of inviting spirits to join you for your rite of (whatever your rite’s for). Do this until you feel the presence of the spirits, then move to the next point, ending in the Center.

To see the Panagion method, go to the Ritual Outline article.

Copyright Dawn Black, 2005. This article may be used for electronic distribution only. Dawn Black is an up-and-coming Pagan author featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com. Dawn can be contacted at Dawn.Black@gmail.com

Ritual Bath Ceremony

I wrote this ritual for those days when you feel you really need to go all out. It can, of course be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. This is how I do it, it doesn't have to be how you do it.

Ritual bath

Do this before ritual or whenever you feel the need to be cleansed and purified. This is also good for preparing for difficult tasks.

Add to your bath salt base any combination of the following-
Rosemary
Myrrh
Sandalwood
Frankincense
Cinnamon

Or, prepare a bath tea by placing the herbs in a bundle and letting the water run over them as your bath fills.

You may wish to light some frankincense and a triple-wicked candle. Bring a jug of moon water or spring water with you.

Say: I perform this act of cleansing in water, where all life began.

Step into the water and lower yourself into it and relax, breathing the fragrance of the herbs and letting your body absorb their energy. When you feel completely relaxed, sit up and take the pitcher into your hands. Imagine a white light emanating from the water within, filled with cleansing, purifying energy.

Say: As these waters wash over me, let it wash away all impurities from my body and soul. Let all harmful thoughts, emotions and energies be washed away.

Pour the water over your head envisioning all your negativity being washed away.

When you are ready, release the water from the tub and watch it go down the drain, envisioning all the negative emotions and baggage going down the drain with it.

Bíodh sé

Anointing the Body

While still naked, take your anointing oil and stand before a mirror, full length, if possible. The oil should be olive or almond oil combined with an essential oil suited to the spellwork about to be performed or a spiritual or psychic fragrance.

Look into the mirror and see in yourself the Goddess (or the God, if you'd rather).

In the name of the God(dess) who resides within me on this earth,
I do bless my mind, that it may be sharp and clear, that all thoughts that enter it be positive and helpful and in accordance with divine will. (Anoint forehead)

I do bless my breast(s), which makes me who I am and strengthen my heart to the work that I must perform, that I may not falter. (Anoint chest or breasts)
(NOTE- Your breasts don't make you who you are, your heart does and this is what's meant here. Keep this in mind.)

I do bless my hands, which shall manifest all the work I do in this life, may they be strong and nimble and not falter, and may they never bring harm to the innocent. (Anoint the backs and palms of both hands)

I do bless my womb(penis if you're male) in which resides the spark of life, and in doing so, I honor the God(dess) who is the example for all (wo)men on earth (anoint womb or phallus)

I do bless my feet, which carry me down my chosen path. May they never stumble, may they never falter and my I never wander from the path before me. (Anoint the tops of both feet)

I do this with great reverence in the hopes that I may be worthy to approach the Gods.

Allow your body to air dry while you meditate for a bit. When you feel you are ready, wrap yourself in your ceremonial garments and depart.

(This may be more or less complicated as the situation warrants.)

Copyright Dawn Black, 2005. This article may be used for electronic distribution only. Dawn Black is an up-and-coming Pagan author featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com. Dawn can be contacted at Dawn.Black@gmail.com

Smudging

There are many ways to prepare yourself for rituali. One of the simplest and most common is smudgingi. Smudging is most common at groups.

To do this, take a smudge stick (A bundle of dried herbs you can purchase or make yourself ) or a smudge pot (A fireproof pot with a long handle for safety) or some incense and light it.

Waft the smoke over the individual to be smudged (or yourself if you're alone). You can use a feather, your hand, or your breath to direct the smoke. The person being smudged, or the person smudging, or both may wish to hum or chant while doing this.

Start at the top and work your way down.

Copyright Dawn Black, 2005. This article may be used for electronic distribution only. Dawn Black is an up-and-coming Pagan author featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com. Dawn can be contacted at Dawn.Black@gmail.com

About Handfasting

Long ago, the contract of marriage consisted of a clasping of hands and a public agreement by the couple to live together as husband and wife. This was followed, of course, by much feasting and merrymaking. It is this clasping of hands that has given name to the term ‘hand fasting’. This act could be officiated by a member of the clergy, a prominent member of the community or family, or by the couple themselves before a gathering of their family and friends, depending on the law of the land in which they lived.

As hand fasting referred to the contractual agreement rather than the relationship itself, it could take on many forms. The couple could promise to stay together forever, thus binding themselves into a permanent marriage, or they could promise to marry in the future, a betrothal, or they could agree to a trial marriage for a certain amount of time. The most common time period for these trial marriages among modern Pagans seems to be a year and a day. This is a very popular measure of time in much of old Celtic folklore, which may account for its popularity, though there is no indication that this period of time was traditional for trial marriages.

In modern times, hand fasting is a common term applied to any Pagan wedding regardless of its form. A Pagan hand fasting may or may not involve the binding of hands with cords, a practice which evolved from the original clasping of hands. Some use hand fasting in place of a traditional wedding, complete with a state marriage license, while others will forgo the legalities altogether. Still others will have a hand fasting to mark the beginning of their trial marriage or betrothal and a more ‘American’ style wedding after the trial period has expired.

For legal weddings, a marriage license must be obtained and the ceremony must be officiated by an ordained clergy-member or a justice of the peace or judge. Be sure to check with your state office to make sure you know the laws for your State. For betrothals, trial marriages, and spiritual unions (those before the Gods, but not before the State) anyone may officiate, or the couple may choose to perform the ceremony themselves.

Because of its flexibility, hand fasting is a popular choice for polygamists and same-sex couples. However, these unions are currently not protected by law. If you are in a relationship of this nature, please know your rights and do everything you can to protect yourself and your partner(s). Write a will, a living will and a power of attorney statement. You can find out more about these things at http://www.gayweddings.com/legalities.html.

Civil Unions are permitted for same-sex couples in very few states. These grant the couples certain rights within the state, but not under Federal law. In most cases, Civil Unions are very similar to regular marriages. You must apply for a license and pay a small fee, and it must be officiated by a judge, justice of the peace, or clergy.

Trial Marriages

Any ceremony can be easily adapted for a trial marriage ceremony. The wording will just need to be changed and the invitations printed accordingly. Trial marriage ceremonies are usually much smaller than the real thing, this is probably best. You’ll want to establish how long the trial is for right off the bat. A year and a day is popular, but three years is probably a better option. Don’t starti planning for the real thing until after the trial has expired. Otherwise you may end up changing your mind and be stuck under reservations and unable to escape. Once those invitations go out, turning back isn’t so easy.

The Wedding Feast

Sometimes couples wish to forgo the formal rituali and just have a party. This is especially true in the case of betrothals and trial marriages. At the wedding feast, the couple may stand up at the head table and speak their vows and be done with it. You may add other ritual elementsi to the feast, such as family blessings, cakes and wine or others as appeals to you.

“Traditional” Ceremonies

Some couples prefer to keep their weddings as close to American traditioni as possible so as not to offend their Christian relations. If you follow the traditional Christian flow of a wedding, and change the wording a bit, this can work out quite well. You may wish to have your wedding outside or in a home or a hall rather than in a church. Sometimes though, we must marry in a church to please our relations. This too can often be managed with a few simple wording changes that won’t offend the officiate.

Circles

Small to medium sized ceremonies can be performed within the Circle of your own tradition. In these cases, the entire group would process in first, singing and appropriate song, followed by the wedding party who would then move to the center, or perhaps make an inner circlei. These ceremonies can be very intimate and touching.

Private Ceremonies

Lately, I have been approached by a number of young girls seeking hand fasting rites to be performed in private, with no witnesses. While this can be done, of course, it sort of defeats the whole purpose of declaring your intention, and a contractual agreement, before witnesses. I would be suspicious of the young men (and the young women) who suggest these things. I would be suspicious of anyone who wished to extract a vow from another and was unwilling to do it in public. If you must, many of the ceremonies you find on this site can be easily adapted for a private rite.

Copyright Dawn Black, 2005. This article may be used for electronic distribution only. Dawn Black is an up-and-coming Pagan author featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com. Dawn can be contacted at Dawn.Black@gmail.com

Burial

The person who has passed may be cremated and presented for burial in a wooden or clay urn or the corpse may be wrapped in cloth for burial. This way, he or she will quickly decompose and nourish new life. It would be ideal for this person to be buried wrapped in a cloth, instead of a sealed coffin, but there may be laws that make this difficult. Biodegradable coffins are available in some places, and embalming is not always required. Alli of these options should be looked into.

Process to the burial site, chanting-
"We sailed with you on the river, as long as our path was the same. But be not afraid though it swept you away, we will meet again in the sea."
Or something else appropriate. Starhawk has many lovely suggestions, or my may find more in my own poetry.

Upon reaching the gravesite, cast the circlei as normal, or as in the Departing ceremony.

Priest(ess)- "We welcome the spirits of our ancestors and the honored dead not yet reborn. We invite you to witness as we commend [name] to the Earth and ask that you accept him/her into your number."

The body is lowered into the earth.

Priest(ess)- “All material beings come from the Earth, and to the Earth we must return in time. ”

The Priest(ess) places a candle in or on the grave with the words "For your journey friend, may it light your way."
At this time, other mourners should step forward with their own offerings and words of farewell.

Close the circle and return in silence to the feast.

Copyright Dawn Black, 2005. This article may be used for electronic distribution only. Dawn Black is an up-and-coming Pagan author featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com. Dawn can be contacted at Dawn.Black@gmail.com

Child Naming Ceremony

A baby naming ceremony is, in many cultures, traditionally done when the baby is about a year old, though many people prefer to do it as soon as possible after the child’s birth. The reason for the year wait is simply because, until recently, most babies didn’t make it through their first year. If they did, they had a pretty good chance of making it to adulthood. This is not to say that the baby wouldn’t have a name before it was a year old, of course it would. A naming ceremony is the child’s official introduction into the family, clani or church. It is much like the baptism ceremonies performed by Christian churches and serves much the same purpose.

Naming Ceremony

Tools- Saltwater, Olive Oil
Decorations- Flowers, eggs, birds, bunnies
Robe- Pink, blue, pastels

Acolyte (lighting candle on altar)
“We come together today to celebrate new life. Let this candle represent the spark of life within us all.”

Priest(ess)
“I welcome all those present to welcome into our midst a new life. This life has been passed into the care of [name and name], who have now come before us to present this life into the care of the community. For though their ancestors have gifted them with the duty of caring and providing for this new life, it is the duty of the entire community to support them in their efforts.

Today we will bestow upon the child of [name and name] his/her own name, so that he/she may face the world a unique individual and all of those who meet him/her will know that he/she is someone to be honored and respected. For there is power in a name. Without a name we are nothing more than a part of something else. With a name, we are ourselves.

Come, mother, and present your child before your people.”

Mother comes forward carrying child. Father may come with her.

Priest(ess) takes up bowl of salt water.
“The sea is the womb of all life. From the sea did all living things emerge. With this water do I bless thee, mother, and thee father and the new life which you have created together.”

Priestess sprinkles water over the father and mother.

Priest(ess)
“Here is the mother, from whose body this new life has come forth. Let us honor her. It is right that she who brought forth life should name it. What name do you give this child?”

Mother speaks the name of child. (may whisper it)

Priest(ess) (to father)
“Is this name acceptable to you, father, without whom the mother would only be a promise of future potential and not the font of life that stands before us?”

Father agrees.

Priest(ess) (to child, anoint with salt water, may whisper in the child’s ear)
“I do bless the, child who is named [name] with this water that you may never forget where you came from.”

Priest(ess) (parents)
“Do you [mother] and you [father] promise to love, respect and care for this child for the entirety of your life? Do you promise to nurture him/her and be there for him/her in hard times and in joy, remembering that you will face sacrifice and self-denial for his/her sake many times before your final rest?”

Parents agree

Priest(ess)
“The duty of child rearing is a sacred and difficult one. It is not easy and even less so when faced alone. Who will stand beside these parents and support them in their effort?”

Godparents/Grandparents step forward.

Priest(ess)
“May your commitment and dedicationi to this child enrich and ignoble your lives.”
Priest(ess) blesses Godparents/Grandparents with salt water. Then puts down cauldroni and takes up the bowl of oil.

Priet(ess) (to child anointing with olive oil)
“Before those who love you, before your parents, your family, your friends and your community, before you ancestors, before the Gods and before all of Nature I do declare your name to be [name] granted by your mother, and approved by your father. May this name serve you well. May the name [name] be spoken with honor. May the name [name] inspire people to great things. May the name [name] become synonymous with virtue and strength.”

Priest(ess) (to gathering)
“People, I present to you [name]. You are charged with assisting his/her parents and guardians to protect her/him. Welcome her/him today, and in the future offer her/him your kindness, generosity and hospitality. Some of you he/she will call teacher. Some friend. Some protector. May you all earn your roles well. Come forward one and all and give name your blessings and greetings.”

Now the mother and father stand by the altar with the baby and the group processes by offering greetings, well-wishes and gifts.

Copyright Dawn Black, 2005. This article may be used for electronic distribution only. Dawn Black is an up-and-coming Pagan author featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com. Dawn can be contacted at Dawn.Black@gmail.com

Departing Ceremony

For this rituali, there may be an open coffin, or the deceased may be laid out on a bed or settee for viewing. This should be in a somewhat out of the way place, rather than the centerpiece, as some guests will have no desire to view the corpse. Alternatively and additionally, pictures of the deceased should be placed around the room in themed groupings according to the roles he or she played in life. For instance, if the deceased was a writer, his or her books should be placed in a group with newspaper clippings of press releases and interviews and pictures. If he or she was a soldier, another area should feature pictures in uniform, medals, commendations, etc. If he or she was also a parent, pictures of the deceased surrounded by his or her children would also be appropriate, as well as handmade gifts and cards that he or she may have received from his or her children. The idea is to reflect the humanity of the deceased in a joyful way. In addition, the officiate may wish to talk to the family about playing some of the passed loved one’s favorite music and home videos.

The acolytes shall welcome guests as they enter and introduce them to the officiating Priest or Priestess who should be moving among the guests offering quiet council.

Call the people into the circlei and begin casting as normal. The acolytes shall call the quarters while lighting associated candles as follows-

West- “As the sun sets, so has a life ended. As we bid farewell to the sun at the end of each day, knowing it will rise again at dawn, so we bid farewell to name knowing he/she will return to us when his/her night has passed.”

South- “Like the sun which sparks within all things below it the fire of life departs our sight when the day has ended, so too has our friend descended into the darkness of the unknown, and like the Sun, he/she will return to us when the time is right.”

East- “So let the air be filled with song as we await the approaching dawn. Let us not mourn but rejoice that our friend shall now learn the mysteries that those living have forgotten.”

North- “As the Earth has formed us, so we return to her. So we commend our friend to her warm embrace.”

Address the Gods-

Priest(ess) says-
We invite the Gods of old to join this circle so that you may take part in these rites of farewell to our friend and be honored in our faith. We ask that you comfort him/her and when you depart again, may you guide him/her to the afterlife.

Priest(ess) says-
“We welcome to our rites our ancestors whom we know are always among us and give particular honor to the newest of your number, [name].”

Priest(ess) says-
“Like all humans, [name] was a person who was many things to many people. He/she was a mother/father, a daughter/son, a (whatever else is appropriate). I ask each of you now, to whom he/she was important to come and speak to him/her and tell him/her so.”

Priest(ess) addresses people by name and encourages them to come and say something to the deceased. Include children, parents, siblings, friends, employers, etc.

Priestess says-
“[Name] you have lived a good life. You have touched the hearts of all these people. I cannot say whether or not you have fulfilled your purpose, only you know that, but I can say that to these people, you were important and that is worth a lot. You have laughed, you have loved and you have learned much through your life and for that you have earned an honored place among the ancestors. We commend you and we celebrate your passing. Hail, [name] and farewell."

People- “Farewell friend”, etc. as appropriate around the circle.

The acolytes snuff four candles in the four directions around the coffin saying-

East- The sun will rise again
South- Life continues.
West- Love is our only certainty
North- Only Nature is eternal

Group chant while leaving the circle and processing past the coffin.
“We sailed with you on the river, as long as our paths were the same, but be not afraid though it swept you away, we will meet again in the sea.”

Copyright 2004 Dawn Black. Dawn Black is featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com and may be reached at dawn.black@gmail.com This article may be redistributed in electronic format only.

Final Feast

The burial feast may take place before or after the body has been commended to the Earth. This gathering may be as formal or informal as the family desires. It may include dancing and even a DJ. The favorite music of the departed should be played, indeed, the next of kin may wish to present the DJ with the CD collection of their loved one.

The head table shall include the next of kin and an extra seat for the departed.

In addition to feasting and dancing, the next of kin may wish to read poetry or writings favored by, or written by the departed, or they may wish to show home videos. The focus should be on the joy that the person brought, not on sadness, though sadness must not be scolded.

Once everyone has been seated and has a full plate of food, but before the meal has begun.

The Priest(ess) stands at the head table at the place of the deceased and calls the crowd to attention.

Priest(ess) speaks- “From the earth comes this wine and this food which nourishes our bodies and from the Earth came our friend, [name], who has left his/her earthly body and now joins us only in spirit. Let us welcome him/her to this, his/her final Earthly meal.”

The Priest(ess) presents the plate and the cup to the next-of-kin who places a bit of food on the plate and pours a drop of wine into the cup. It is then passed around the room around the room with the assistance of acolytes. Once everyone has made their offering, the plate is returned to the place of the departed and the Priest(ess) puts a candle in the center and lights it.

Priest(ess) says- “Let us give thanks”
Pray-
“The earth gives us the food we eat
The sun warms it and makes it sweet
The seeds are spread on the wind that blows
The rain falls down to help it grow
We now remember all who give
Of themselves that we may live.”

The feast begins. The official duty of the Priest(ess) ends here, though he/she may be asked to act as master of ceremonies if the family wishes to present videos, art, writings, etc. The Priest(ess) should also remain on hand to comfort the grieved.

Copyright 2004 Dawn Black. Dawn Black is featured at http://www.sacredhearth.com and may be reached at dawn.black@gmail.com This article may be redistributed in electronic format only.

Hellenic Libation Ritual

This rituali is meant to be part of a larger ritual and may be done at the opening of ceremonies. When the ceremony includes a feast, this should be done at the starti of the feast. Begin with a bottle of fine wine, or a bowlful of grain. At each station, pour wine or throw grain into the direction indicated.

1. Into the Fire: Hestia, the first and last
Holy Hestia, the first and last, accept this libation and honor from we who worship and honor you. Bless our homes that they may always be a haven and a temple in your honor. Bless our hearths that they may warm the hearts of all who approach.

2. North: The Olympians
Blessed Gods, ruled by Queen Hera and Zeus, her husband who watch over men and women from High Olympus; May your honor be great. May your names be spoken with reverance by men and women until the end of time. Wise Athene, far-shooting Artemis, shining Apollo, skilled Hephaestus, lovely Aphrodite, firey Ares, mighty Poseidon, wild Dionysus, gentle Hebe and well-spoken Hermes who will carry this message; To you all do we offer this libation and our praise.

3. East: The Hyperides, Selene, Eos, Helios
To the Hyperides who order our days and our nights, the great children of Hyperion whose wise father first explained the motion of the Universe, we offer this libation and our praise. Bright Helios who warms the Earth and feeds all things green, graceful Selene who marks our feast days and our path at night, and glorious Eos who washes the Earth clean with dew before she heralds each new day and a new start for each of us. Accept these offerings and our praise!

4. South: The Titans, The Gods of Old, Prometheus what gave us Fire
To the elder Ones, the Titans who came before. You who were the beginning of primordial order in Chaos. And Prometheus who gave us fire that we may use its powers of creation and, in thanks, may give offerings to the Gods. Accept this libation and our praise.

5. West: The Chthonoi, Persephone, Demeter, Hades, Hecate
To the Chthonoi, Gods of death and rebirth. To Hades, Persephone, Demeter and Hecate. Those who know your mysteries need never fear death. Accept this libation and our praise!

6. Above: Oranous, father of us all
Ouranos, father of us all, mate of the Earthmother Gaia, accept this libation and our praise!

7. Below: Gaia, mother of us all
Gaia, Earthmother, you are our Mother, our Home and our paradise. We thank you for life and the beauty and mystery that surrounds us. Accept this libation and our praise and grant that we might always be mindful of You.

8. Alli the People Partake
If the libation is edible or drinkable (As opposed