by Eilís Moonbrook

BLESSING 
(Adapted from Starhawk's The Spiral Dance, pp. 71 and 225)

[Purify the space with incense and salt water, then make a second pass together and bless each person as follows:]

Passing the incense over each person in turn:
By air that is her breath
and fire that is her spirit
be one with the Goddess
and one with us all.

Sprinkling salt water over each in turn:
By water that is her blood
and earth that is her body
be one with the Goddess
and one with us all.

CASTING THE CIRCLE

The circle is cast.
We are in a place between worlds, outside of time.
Let your minds, bodies, and souls be free here,
for we meet in perfect love and perfect trust.
Blessed be.

[Pause to ground, center, or make other mental preparations. Run through a simple tree meditation, if necessary.

CALLING THE QUARTERS

East
All hail the East, Guardian of the Dawn, Powers of Air.
May your quickening breeze remove the dust of the past.
Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.
[Light candle, for each direction.]

South
All hail the South, Guardian of High Noon, Powers of Fire.
May your blaze open the way for new life.
Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.

West
All hail the West, Guardian of the Evening, Powers of Water.
May your flow soothe and heal all it touches.
Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.

North
All hail the North, Guardian of the Darkest Night, Powers of Earth.
May your bounty nourish and connect us all.
Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.

WELCOMING NATURE SPIRITS

Spirits of Nature, dwellers in this place,
You of the forest, of the flowing waters, of the stones,
You of the plants, of the animals, of the Land itself,
You of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water,
Hear our call of welcome.
We ask you to join us now as we celebrate!

You who would cause mischief or harm,
You who are addled or full of spite,
Please accept our offering and depart in peace.
May only love enter here.

[Place food offering outside the circle.]

All: Blessed be. 

INVOKING THE GODDESS 
(Charge of the Goddess - 1986, Kyri Comyn)

Leader: On this May Day, hear the words of the Great Mother:

Alternate paragraphs:
" I am the quickening of the seed in Springtime, the glory of
ripe fields in Summer, and the peace of the quiet woods as the
snow calms the Earth in Winter. I am the lilt of the maidens'
melody in the morning, the patient hand of the Mother and the
deep river of the mysteries taught by moonlight.

I give the creatures of the earth the gifts of song rising
from the heart, the joy of autumn sunset, the cool touch of the
renewing waters, and the compelling call of the drum in the
dance. To you I give the joy of creation and the companion of
beauty to light your days.

By the powers of the steadfast Earth and the wheeling stars
I charge thee; by the darkness of death and the white light of
birth I charge thee; and by the terrible strength of your human
spirits, I charge thee:

Strive always for the growth of your eternal soul,
never intentionally diminish your strength, your
compassion, your ties to the earth or your knowledge.

Challenge your mind, never accept complacently that
which has been the standard merely for the reason that
it is the standard by which the majority judges itself.

Thirdly, I charge thee, act always for the betterment
of your brothers and sisters. To strengthen them is to
forge the true chain of humanity, and a chain is only
as strong as its weakest link.

You are my children, my brothers and sisters and my
companions. You are known in great part by the company you keep,
and you are strong and wise and full of the powers of life. It
is yours to use them in my service, and I also, am known by the
company I keep.

Go forth in joy and the light of my love, turning to me
without fear when the darkness threatens to overcome you, and
turning also to me to share your triumphs and your achievements,
and know in your heart of hearts that we are together in blood
and spirit 'til the last star darkens in the sky and winter comes
to the universe."

All:
Mother of Us All: By seed and root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, do we invoke thee. Attend our circle here, and bless us as we celebrate you.
[Light candle.]

INVOKING THE GOD 
(Charge of the God - 1986, Kyri Comyn)

Leader:
Hear the words of the Great Father:

Alternate paragraphs:
"I am the strength of the rock at thy back, the roots of the
tree that anchor the Earth and deepest of tides in the black
depths of the ocean. I am the Hunter and the Sacred Prey, the
warmth of the sun in the swelling grapes and the call of the road
that leads over the hill.

I give you, my creatures, the fire of love, the power of the
wind on your face, shelter from the darkest storm. You are dear
to me, and I instill in you my power...the power of peace hard
earned, the power of vision and magical sight, and the spark of
elemental fire, which is the primal light in the darkness.

By the powers of running stag and glorious sun, I charge
thee; by the darkest depth of night and the lingering tendrils
of dreams, I charge thee; and by the beauty of your own creation,
I charge thee;

Follow your heart and your instinct, wherever they lead
you. The wealth of the heart will guide you where the
cold edge of logic cannot take you.

Take joy in the powers of your bodies. The form your
body takes is unique in the universe and is chief among
your tools.

Lastly, always remember the path you have left behind
you. Learn to take your power from the foolish things
you have wrought as well as the good you have done for
others and for your world. You can never usurp
another's power, and yours is the well upon which you
must rely.

I am with you always, just over your shoulder, running with
you through the tall grasses and forests that surround you. I
possess you and I am your Sacred Prey. I am the Lord of Death,
and when you have come to the end of your life on this world, I
will be there; to take you between the worlds, to offer you peace
and rest. Look upon my face; know me. I am the spirit of the
wild things, but you too, are wild in your souls and we are
forever intertwined."

All:
Father of Us All: By seed and root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and love, do we invoke thee. Attend our circle here, and bless us as we celebrate you.
[Light candle] 

INVOKING THE ASPECTS

As we meet here as a group, we also honor each person's unique path and background. The Divine has many faces. Let us now welcome the Old Ones to join our celebration—those we know best, those who are dear to us, and those to whom we are dear.

[Anyone who wishes should invoke their individual Gods or aspects, either aloud or silently.] 

BELTAINE LITURGY

Leader:
Today we celebrate Beltaine, when summer begins. The days continue to lengthen, as the Sun grows in power. Green things have begun to stir in the Earth and become stronger each day. The threat of frost is almost past us, and now is the time for planting. Animals are mating and giving birth as their world becomes warmer, and the flowers are beginning to open. It is a time of rapid and miraculous change which we also feel within ourselves.

Alternate stanzas:

MAY-DAY  
(Anonymous, from 9th Century Ireland - sometimes attributed to Fionn MacCumhal, trans. unknown)

May-day, season fair,
perfect time of year;
the blackbird's song a poem
to the sun's slender ray.

The constant cuckoo calls
to delightful summer;
end of the bitter weather
that pierced the branching wood.

Summer cuts small the stream,
swift horses seek the water,
heather spreads its long hair,
delicate cotton-grass prospers.

The hawthorn buds forth,
the peaceful flow of the sea
puts the ocean to sleep.
Blossom covers the world.

Bees of small strength carry
the flower-harvest with their feet;
the cattle bring to the mountain
a rich-pouring abundance.

The music of the trees,
a melody providing perfect peace;
dust is blown from the dwelling places,
haze on the lake of full waters.

The corncrake's chorus,
the high pure waterfall singing
welcome in the warm water,
rustling rushes reply.

Swallows dart to Heaven,
mysterious music surrounds the hill,
the forest fruit grows fair and fat,
the swamp, silently sounding.

Bog, black as the raven's coat,
strident the bold cuckoo,
the trout leaps,
the warrior strong and vigorous of limb.

Man's power increases,
swiftly gaining fresh vitality,
every wood pleasing to see,
every plain as beautiful.

Pleasant this time of year;
gone, winter's fury,
forest bright, pasture fruitful,
summer joyous, peace immense.

A flock of birds settle
where a woman works the land;
the murmuring in a green field
of a bright swift stream.

Excitement in the fierce riding of horses
scattering the ranks of men;
the prospering pond
turns the iris to gold.

Timid, the man afraid to speak,
the bold, sings confidently;
rightly does he proclaim:
May-day, fairest season!

Leader:
In the past, people would drive their animals between the cleansing Bel-fires on this day, for protection and prosperity through the year. They also jumped the flames themselves—a couple leaping together for happiness and fertility in the coming year, an individual for success and health. The Bel-fire will help to clear away your obstacles so that the new can grow.

Now, everyone should take a piece of paper and write or draw on it something you wish to let go this season. Pour your worry into the sheet, and fold or crumple it up if you like, to keep the trouble in. When you're ready, approach the Bel-fire and toss the thing in! Know that as the flames eat the paper, your problem is also transformed.
[Pause for everyone to finish.]

Consider the good things you wish to enter your life in return. When that image is clear and concentrated in your mind, choose three or more lengths of colored thread to represent your desires. If you are not sure what colors are appropriate, you can follow your own counsel or take a look at the chart of color associations.
[Pause]

Once you have selected your threads, concentrate on your goals and braid them together. As you combine the threads, you bind those aspects of your life closer to you. When you are finished, attach the braid to your body; a bracelet works well. Focusing on your goals, circle the fire deosil three times, then leap over it. Don't be afraid to make noise! The change has begun.

Chant:  (Adapted from Triskelion Coven, Samhain 1994 (?) )

Remember the way of the Wind
And breathe and blow,
Remember the way of the Fire,
And sparkle and glitter and glow,
Remember the way of the Water
And ebb and flow
Remember the way of the Earth
Feel the Summer stir in you, and grow...

What is remembered lives
(repeat)

[Walk, dance, or run around the circle deosil to raise power. Send some of it to the Earth, because as we celebrate, we also help open the way for Summer.]

RITE OF UNION  
(Adapted from a work by Richard and Tamarra James, and Lynna Landstreet’s adaptation of it)

Leader:
The God is growing every day. We can see parts of it in the sunlight, the green things rapidly shooting up, and the increasing animals. He is no longer a child. The Goddess has been gaining in power and waiting, becoming more fertile with each passing day. Now they are once again drawn together in their strength, as lovers, and the Lady will move from the Maiden to her Mother aspect. Today we celebrate their union.

Sun God:
I am He who shone forth from the Dark of Night,
When time was begun.
Lady of the Earth and Sea, join Me,
And let all things be formed of Our union.
Thou who art called Arianrhod, Cerridwen, Rhiannon.
[AHR-ee-ahn-RHOAD] [Keh-RID-wen] [Rhee-AHN-nawhn]
Giver of love, protection, and the joy of life,
Goddess of the Earth, Moon and Sea,
Ruler of the Night,
Mistress of Magic, Keeper of the Mysteries.
Ascend to Me on bright and silvered wing.
For lo, I receive these gifts of Thee:
Life, and love, and gifts from the Sea.
I am the Sun, the Sun that calleth Thee.
I am the growing Green that covers Thee.
Come unto Me, my Lady, come unto Me,
And be welcome.
Hail, and blessed be.

Moon Goddess:
I am She who rose from the depths of the Sea,
When time was begun.
Lord of the Bright Sky, join Me,
And let all things be formed of Our union.
Thou who art called Belenus, Cernunnos, Lugh.
[BEL-eh-nus] [Kehr-NOO-nohs] [Hloo]
Giver of strength, guidance, and the will of life,
God of the Sun, Sky, and Winds,
Ruler of the Day,
Bringer of Justice and Voice of Truth.
Descend to Me on bright and golden wing.
For lo, I receive these gifts of Thee:
Life, and strength, and fullest ecstasy.
I am the Sea, the Sea that calleth Thee.
I am the waiting Earth that welcomes Thee.
Come unto Me, my Lord, come unto Me,
And be welcome.
Hail, and blessed be.

Wine Blessing:

[LADY anoints LORD and hands him the athame.]

LADY: Bright Lord, thou art the Sun.
Thy heat is radiant.
Green man, both Hunter and Prey,
Here is the athame,
The Air and Fire are contained within it,
As are their powers.

[LORD anoints LADY and hands her the chalice.]

LORD: Dark Lady, thou art the Moon,
Giver of dreams and visions.
Wise One, Teacher of the Mysteries,
Here is the chalice,
The Earth and the Sea are contained within it,
As are their powers.

LORD: I am the spark of life,
The well of flame wherein dwells all power and potential.

LADY: And I am the primal matter,
The core of earth that gives shape and form to that power.

Both: Neither one can work without the other.
One without the other is incomplete.

LORD: Mine are wisdom and knowledge, passion and pride.

LADY: And mine are love and dreams, silence and mystery.

Both: To learn you must suffer,
To live you must be born,
To be born you must die.
The beginning, continuation and the end,
Over and over.

LORD: The Sun brings forth light,

LADY: And the Moon holds it in darkness.

LORD: As above,

LADY: So below.

LORD: (Raises athame) And as the athame is one half of our divine
nature,

LADY: So the chalice is the other.

Both: (Athame into chalice) And conjoined they be one in truth,
For it is in the Dance that Life is born,
In the balance that truth is found,
And there is no greater power in all the world
Than that of Love.

DEDICATION OF THE FEAST  
( From Starhawk's The Spiral Dance, pp. 169-170)

All life is your own,
All fruits of the earth
Are fruits of your womb,
Your union, your dance.
Goddess and God
We thank you for blessings and abundance.
Join with us, Feast with us, Enjoy with us!
Blessed be. 

THANKING THE DEITIES

All:
Mother Goddess, Father God,
Old Ones by our sides,
Thank you for attending our circle here.
Go with our blessings, in beauty and peace.
Blessed be.
[Extinguish candles.]

THANKING THE SPIRITS

All:
Spirits of Nature, dwellers in this place,
We thank you for joining our circle here.
Stay if you will, go in peace if you must.
Blessed be. 

DISMISSING THE QUARTERS

Guardians of the [Direction], Powers of [Element],
Thank you for attending our circle here.
Stay if you will, go in peace if you must.
Blessed be.

[Take a minute to ground any excess energy you may still be carrying—send it into the Earth for her to use as she will.] 

OPENING THE CIRCLE

The circle between the worlds
is now open, yet unbroken.
Merry we meet, merry we part,
and merry we meet again.
Blessed be.