Winner of 2011 BELTANE/SAMHUINN RITUAL ENTRIES

[Earthwoman]

Please join me in giving an early round of applause to wolf560 for the work Beltane 2011: "New Order of Druids"

[wolf560]

Beltane 2011
‘New Order of Druids’

Color Key
GREEN- People Movements
RED- Placements or actions done to objects


This should be a fun celebration and time for rejoicing.
Things can be solemn and important while still being a LOT of FUN..!!!

Enjoy life and live it to its fullest potential for it always ends far too quickly.

Arrangements
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Center (altar) =Veil Pillar Candle, Altar votive candle, Bell or Chime, Chalice or Bowl of water
Cakes, Drink, Music, etc. ; Outer Circle Wards set
Twin Bel Fires (or candles) ready to be lit left and right of Altar
Small areas at each cardinal point; incense, candles, small cup of water


Setting the mood
---------------------------------------------------------------------

(Center facing North)
"By ASH, OAK, and FIR-- let this rite begin, to serve and guide-- without and within,
We approach this simple circle of stone, with hearts and minds and flesh and bone,
Join us now in the Druids ways and the ways of Maiden, Mother, and of Crone."

(Center facing East)
"As the energies of life form to the words that I say
As the wards of our circle take shape from the clay,
To the spirits of Fire, of night and of day
Let there be peace in the east"
Light incense stick and candle, place offering in small bowl of water

(Center facing South)
"As the energies of life form to the words that I say
As the wards of our circle take shape from the clay,
To the spirits of Earth, of night and of day
Let there be peace in the south"
Light incense stick and candle, place offering in small bowl of water

(Center facing West)
"As the energies of life form to the words that I say
As the wards of our circle take shape from the clay,
To the spirits of Water, of night and of day
Let there be peace in the west"
Light incense stick and candle, place offering in small bowl of water

(Center facing North)
"As the energies of life form to the words that I say
As the wards of our circle take shape from the clay,
To the spirits of Air, of night and of day
Let there be peace in the north"
Light incense stick and candle, place offering in small bowl of water

Walk twice more around the circle ending up in the north facing north

"Spirits of our Ancestors, the world around us, and the Deities above watch over us as we now begin,
Guard well any outside this circle of power; do not allow interference with those within
Accept now our offerings and enter, or watch us and remain apart

What happens within this circles' center, remains in Balance until we depart
Watchers of this circle protect us now, hear us now and guard well those inside
The Circle is now sealed and complete, until we are done and the circle is put aside

Leader turns south walk to the center altar;
Votive candle lit; Veil pillar candle prepared, Silver Bell prepared

"We open now the veil to the Otherworld,
In Tree and Fire and Sacred Well
In honor of those long departed or recently gone,
And those watching o’er us all night long
So the Kindred's can come to view and sing,
And watch over our humble gathering

Offer silver into the 'Well'-the chalice of water on the altar. (Represents the "Sea")
"In the deeps flow the waters of wisdom, Let these waters guide and protect us
May these waters always be at our side, Sacred Well flow within us"

Light incense stick from the votive candle, places it in Censer. (Represents the "Sky")
"In the skies hover the fires of inspiration, Let these fires guide us and spark us onward
May these fires always be at our side, Sacred Fire burn within us"

Sprinkle water from the chalice upon the Altar. (Represents the "Land")
"World Tree with roots deep in the earth and arm to the heavens, Let these roots guide us and ground us
May these roots always be at our side, Sacred Tree grow within us"

Ring Silver Bell three times

"With these notes the veil is now open wide, and the powers without are now inside
The Circle and the Veil are now open wide, let those invited be welcome inside"

Light "Veil Pillar Candle" from the votive candle
"From the Powers above, the Spirits of Earth, and Ancestors long ago
Please keep peace in our circle; and lend strength from above and below"
Our circle of stone, our sphere of power, our strength of friendship and love
Guide us well, bind us all, shield us from below and above
By Fire, Well, and Sacred Tree…. Hallowed Earth we honor thee;
May we be blessed one and all to hear the answers that you call"

"We gather this night under the fading light of a darkened moon
To celebrate the gathering of friends, and the paths changing soon
The journey down the path we walk as it turns and as it bends,
The continuance down our path as mentors, teachers, coaches, and friends
As we undertake paths greater than we have walked before
And ask from all those without and within their guidance and support

Hallowing
---------------------------------------------------------------------

"I bind unto myself this day, the vastness of the Starlit sky,
The fiery Sun's life-giving Ray, the whiteness of the pale Moon's eye;
The arcs of Lightning in the storms, the whirling Wind's eerie moans,
The deep Blue Sea's shadowy forms, the stable Earth's deep dark Stones
Offerings prepared for each Kindred by each attendee

I bind unto myself this night, the friends around this fire bright, the Deities in all their might,
The spirits all around us sing, the Balance is of everything, hear us now in our gathering
As it is above so it is below, my Ancestors long ago, they once again shall be so
Offerings held aloft for each Kindred individually

"We stand here, in a World apart, our lives and energies a part of the World around us
In a place not of this world and a time outside of existence."

Offerings
---------------------------------------------------------------------

"By Fire, Well, and Sacred Tree, through portals opened in truth and might,
To one another, to Kindred's Three, We consecrate ourselves this night."
Offerings made individually into waters of the chalice, fire of the cauldron, or base of the tree

"Gods, Ancestors, Spirits all, receive our offering, hear our call.
By Fire, Well, and Sacred Tree, From Land and Sky, and from the Sea,
Now come, we pray you, to the light, and share your wisdom with us tonight!"

Acceptance
---------------------------------------------------------------------

To the Lady and Lord of the Gathering
To Bridget; Goddess of Poetry, Passion, and the Hearth
To Cernunnos; God of the Wild Hunt and the animals of the Forest
We invite you to partake with us, as we share our Cakes and Drink tonight
What we offer upon the Earth, is for you to share with us
Accept our gifts in Peace
Offerings made as a group into waters of the chalice, fire of the cauldron, and base of the tree
Acceptance is sought by the use of a simple ‘Yes-No’ augury
If the answer is negative, repeat offerings and repeat Serpent Stones until it is accepted

Kinetic workings
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Primary place for any magical workings;
Once the main section here is completed any individual workings can be done
All individual kinetic manipulations should be completed prior to the next phase

"Bel Fire Ritual"
Ireland has lit the Fires of Bel since time immemorial and we light them here again in their honor.
The "Fire-Eye Festival" burns again bringing light, peace, and hope to the people of Ireland and the World.
We light these fires tonight in celebration of this sacred event.

Light both Bael Fires starting with the right Bael Fire and then the Left
Central Twin fires of Bael lit

As we light these twin fires upon this sacred night
Let the past thousand years be washed away by its light
By the Deities of the Sun and the Moon we light these fires bright
By all that we hold dear and tight
Let these fires burn long tonight

Turn to the East
East- The Land of Falias [the Sword]- "The Gate of the Druids"
I am the light of the rising Sun, the Season of Spring
My gift is the fire within your heart; I give you adult life, and the joy of life itself
The gifts of light and heat and of fire, I am the stars within the night sky
Your sense of adventure, and of living; for I am the Sword of Justice
In me lies the beauty of the moment, the reason for living, and the meaning of life
Mine is the razors edge of the blade that cuts through illusions
Light the Eastern Fire or candle

My Law is to know
Breathe of me Deeply
By the Sword of Falias, known as "Fragarach", "Gae Bolgha" and "Excalibur"
Let this fire burn bright tonight


Turn to the South
South - The Land of Gorias [Stone] "The Guardian's Gate"
I am the light of the noonday sun, the Season of Summer
My gift is the strength of your body; I give you the form that you wear
The gifts of harvest, hunt, and home, I am the earth itself in all its wonders
Your sense of the shape of all things, for I am the Stone of Kingship,
In me lies your destiny; old age and the wisdom it contains and the comfort of the grave
Mine is the sacred altar that holds the power within the land upon which you walk
Light the Southern Fire or candle

My Law is silence
You and the land are one
By the Stone of Fal, known as the "Throne of Scone" and the "Stone of the Center"
Let this fire burn bright tonight


Turn to the West
West - The Land of Murias [Cauldron] "The Bards Gate"
I am the light of the setting sun, the Season of Autumn
My gift is the blood within your veins; I give you emotions, visions, and the gift of sex
The gifts of rain, rivers and seas, I am the great ocean that encompasses the earth
Your sense of life and death for I am the Cauldron of rebirth
In me lies the land of Tir-na-N'Og; that place inside you where your spirit is forever young
Mine is the Grail of inspiration and of forgetfulness, I am the Chalice of Wisdom
Light the Western Fire or candle

My Law is to will
Drink of me Freely
By the Cauldron of Murias, known as the Cauldron of the Dagda or the Chalice of Bridget
Let these fires burn bright tonight


Turn to the North
North - The Land of Finias [Staff] "The Prophets Gate"
I am the light of the hidden Sun, the Season of Winter
My gift is the Air that you breathe; I give you youth, freedom, and innocence
The gifts of speech, song, and poetry, I am the clouds and the skies overhead
Your sense of smell, and your sense of hearing; for I am the Spear of Truth
In me lies the path you must travel, the journey you undertake, and the destination of a lifetime
Mine is the spear that pierces to the heart of the matter
Light the Northern Fire or candle

My Law is to dare
Live of me Fully
By the Staff of Finias, known as the Spear of Lugh and the Staff of Merlin
Let these fires burn bright tonight


Offerings of Cakes and Wine to everyone as someone steps forward to speak.

A brief description of why we celebrate Beltane by tradition


Spiral Dance to Drums or Music
Start by leading the group through the twin Bel Fires, then wind around the rest in a generally clock-wise fashion. Drums Tambourines, and Bells should be rung.

Farewells
---------------------------------------------------------------------

"Gods, Ancestors, Spirits all, receive our offering, hear our call.
By Fire, Well, and Sacred Tree, From Land and Sky, and from the Sea,
Thank You one and all for watching over this ceremony
May there be peace through out as you depart;
THE VEIL to the otherworld IS NOW CLOSED"
Take out silver offering from the chalice and use it to extinguish the center candle


Incantations
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Any kinetic manipulations that have not been completed, this is where they are done
Any personal workings, sendings, offerings, etc… complete them at each quarter


"From the Powers above, the Spirits of Earth, and Ancestors long ago
We thank you for the calm around the circle; and for inspiration from above and below"
Our circle of stone and that of power has channeled the forces within us here
Focused the energy of this night and the Three Kindred's who stood by us near
By Fire, Well, and Sacred Tree….Hallowed Earth we have honored thee;
May we have been hallowed one and all, That you have heard us when we call"

(Center facing North)
"Guardian of the North, by the Staff of Finias, go in peace with our thanks"

"As the energies of life fade from the words that I say,
As the wards of our circle go back to their clay,
To the spirits of Air, of night and of day
Let there be peace in the North"
Extinguish candle, pour libations (if any), and bury incense

(Center facing West)
"Guardian of the West, by the Cauldron of Murias, go in peace with our thanks"

"As the energies of life fade from the words that I say
As the wards of our circle go back to their clay,
To the spirits of Water, of night and of day
Let there be peace in the West"
Extinguish candle, pour libations (if any), and bury incense

(Center facing South)
"Guardian of the South, by the Stone of Gorias, go in peace with our thanks"

"As the energies of life fade from the words that I say
As the wards of our circle go back to their clay,
To the spirits of Earth, of night and of day
Let there be peace in the South"
Extinguish candle, pour libations (if any), and bury incense

(Center facing East)
"Guardian of the South, by the Sword of Falias, go in peace with our thanks"

"As the energies of life fade from the words that I say
As the wards of our circle go back to their clay,
To the spirits of Fire, of night and of day
Let there be peace in the East"
Extinguish candle, pour libations (if any), and bury incense


Retiring from the Nemeton
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Silver triple chime rung three times
gather up all supplies, and personal belongings
(Center facing East and then depart the circle)

[Earthwoman]

Any entries added below this post will be ignored and/or deleted.