Denton CUUPS – Lughnasadh 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sunset at 8:33 PM
End Civil Twilight at 9:00 PM
Moonset at 10:51 PM
Moon phase – waxing crescent moon
First Quarter Moon on July 28, 2009 at 5:00 PM
East: quarter candle, incense for altar.
South: quarter candle, red candle for altar.
West: quarter candle, water bowl for altar.
North: quarter candle, bowl of earth for altar.
Harvest decorations
CUUPS bell
Clickers for altar/tables
Quarter candles, altar candles
Red blossoms
Chalice of red wine
Chalice of ale
Fruit for offering
Bread for offerings / simple feast
Ale and cider for simple feast (cups)
Lion-headed Urn full of earth for offerings
Small metal dish in Urn w/alcohol for offerings
Rubbing Alcohol for urn
Pentacle
Wafting Feather
Items for quarter tables – element reps
Clean water for offerings
Informal Introduction
Bonnie:
welcome
turn off phones and pagers
outline of the ritual, Responses for “Blessed Be” and “hail and Farewell”.
Simple Feast - will have apple cider and ale.
When we adjourn for the feast afterward, please follow ___.
Welcome and Introduction
John: “Welcome, everyone to the celebration of the first harvest. Tonight we honor the God, Lugh (Loo), the Celtic God of Light and son of the Sun. Lughnasadh is a traditional feast in almost all of Europe, but most especially in Ireland where it was celebrated by our Celtic ancestors. Lugh had designated that this feast in honor of his foster mother Tailtiu (TAL tya) would be celebrated along with the harvest every year at the same time…hence the festival of Lughnasadh that is celebrated in August to this day.”
Opening Bell - Ted:
Ring CUUPS Bell three times and light Central altar candle and incense – then sit back down. After a moment of silence, the readings begin.
“Lughnasadh is one of the four cross quarter celebrations in most modern Pagan calendars. It falls roughly halfway between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox, and it is the first of three harvest festivals: Lughnasadh, Mabon at the Fall Equinox, and finally Samhain, or Halloween.
Although the temperatures are still very high, particularly here in Texas, the days have been growing shorter since Midsummer. Crops are beginning to ripen, and the work of the harvest is about to begin. This is the time when the first fruits are celebrated, and the first portion is offered to the Gods, out of gratitude for what has been given, and to help ensure a bountiful harvest.”
Lugh (Ted):
“The festival of Lughnasadh is named in honor of Lugh (Loo), the Irish god known as the God of Light, the God of All Skills, and the Shining One. He is associated with both the Sun and with agricultural fertility.
The name Lughnasadh means “the games of Lugh.” However, they were not held in celebration of Lugh, but rather for his foster mother Tailtiu (TAL tya), who cleared the fields of Ireland for agricultural use and died from the intensity of her labor.”
“Morrigan is a Celtic Goddess who is frequently associated with Lughnasadh. Sometimes she is seen as a single Goddess; other times as a Triple Goddess. Often she is symbolized by a raven or a crow. She has somewhat of a dark reputation, being best known as a Goddess of battles and warfare, although her influence is largely through magic, rather than through physical combat.
She has some similarities to the Norse Valkyries, conducting the souls of fallen warriors to the Otherworld. But she is also a Goddess of fertility and the land, and the patroness of witches. It is in this aspect, as the Goddess of Sovereignty, the Queen of the Earth, that we will call on her tonight.”
“Lughnasadh is also known as Lammas. Lammas literally means “loaf mass.” As they did with many other Pagan sacred days and sacred sites, the Christian Church didn’t do away with the festival of Lughnasadh, but rather incorporated it into its own calendar. The first grains were baked into loaves of bread and offered at mass, thus, “loaf mass” or Lammas.
During medieval times, Lammas was the time for craft festivals. The craft guilds would create elaborate displays of their wares, decorating their shops and themselves in bright colors and ribbons, marching in parades, and performing plays and dances. This tradition has carried over in the country fairs of rural America.”
Grounding, Centering and Merging
Bonnie: “Now as we begin, let us ground our beings, center our minds, and attune our spirits to each other and to the world around us.
Dolores: Please close your eyes. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly and another and one more…as you exhale, imagine you are standing in a field. It is early morning. You see the sun coming up on the horizon; the sky is clear except for long slender clouds that stretch out along the skyline.
The colors are brilliant – There are blues and pinks and oranges. You hear birds singing, calling out to each other. The air smells fresh and clean. A cool, gentle breeze blows over you. Your bare feet are moist from the morning dew as you feel the cushion of grass under your feet.
Absorb the energy into your body through your toes, up through your ankles. Feel the life force feeding into your legs and into your pelvis. As the energy surges through your torso and up your spine, continue to pull the energy from the earth all the way through your body, into your heart. See the energy filling you completely until it flows down your arms and out through your fingers.
See the energy flowing from you and imagine that energy surrounding you. You are pulsing and humming with the energy of all living things. You are aware of life, life in the earth and life inside you as your cells regenerate. Now pull the energy back into you, back down through your body and return that energy to the earth. You are connected to the Earth, to all living things and to each other.
Blessed Be.”
Silence
Bonnie: stands and recites:
“We approach the Sacred Grove
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone
Join us now in ways of old
We have come home.”
John, Bonnie, and Ashley move to stand behind the altar.
Quarter Callers move to their quarters.
John: “We are gathered here tonight to keep the rites of Lughnasadh, the First Harvest, The Victory of the Growth, the Gathering of the Folk in Peace.
Ashley: Now is the beginning of the Time of Ripening, when the labor of the Folk brings the Land to bear, when the Power of the Sun gives itself to the Power of the Earth. We gather in a moment of rest and pleasure, before the labor of the harvest.
Bonnie: We come to honor Morrigan, the Great Queen. In this season she is the Earth Woman, the Red Goddess, the Flower Woman whose embrace binds, whose love is Fate.
John: We honor especially Lugh, the Shining Young Hero, the Sacred King. He is the Master of All Skills, the Holy Champion who turns aside drought and storm, protecting the earth.
Ashley: As our ancestors did before us, so we do now, and so may our descendants do after us. Now let us keep the Old Ways. Let us honor the Gods and work our Magic, that we may gain bounty and wisdom in this season of harvest.”
Calling the Quarters
Bonnie: “We call forth the Elements and the Spirits of the Four Directions, and we ask them to bring their special properties and blessings to our circle here tonight.”
Ashley moves to stand in front of Ted at East.
Ted lights the East candle and says:
“I am Air,
The East and the future is my domain.
I temper the heat, I bring the rain.”
Ted lights incense from East candle and hands it to Ashley. As Ashley takes incense and places it on the main altar, Ted recites:
Ted: “I give you Air from which to capture the essence of roses, grandmother’s kitchen, freshly cut wood in a fire, and a lover’s familiar scent. I give you birds and clouds suspended in the sky as if by magic.”
Ashley then moves to stand in front of Adryna at South.
Adryna lights the South candle and says:
“I am Fire and the Sun,
I shine and glow.
I bring light, that all may grow.”
Adryna lights red candle from South candle and hands it to Ashley. As Ashley takes the candle and places it on the main altar, Adryna recites:
Adryna: “I give you Fire, to dry your wet clothes, to cook your food, to light your way home. I give you the heat of the flames to warm your body; and the dance of the flames to warm your soul.”
Ashley then moves to stand in front of Volunteer at West.
Volunteer lights the West candle and says:
“I am Water,
the West and the past.
I am the rain for which you’ve asked.”
Volunteer hands water bowl to Ashley. As Ashley takes water bowl and places it on the main altar, Volunteer recites:
Volunteer: “I give you water, and you are caressed, cradled, restored in my element. I give you waves covered in moonlight, clear blue stillness, and tidepools of treasures from the deep.”
Ashley then moves to stand in front of Volunteer at North.
Volunteer lights the North candle and says:
“I am Earth
the grass and grain.
Through me all who fall will rise again.”
Volunteer hands bowl of earth to Ashley. As Ashley takes bowl and places it on the main altar, Volunteer recites:
Volunteer: “I give you earth, fragrant, rich, bountiful. I give you the promise of wildflowers, carrots, lilacs and heavy headed grains. I am the Nurturer of all.”
Ashley then moves back to her position behind the altar and recites:
Ashley: “Spirits of the Elements and the Directions, we thank you for your gifts. May the winds blow cool and clean, may the sun shine bright and warm. May the water be clear and pure, and may the Earth regain her former glory.”
Invoking the Gods
John: “By our words and by our offerings, let us now invite the Lady and Lord of this celebration to join us and bless our circle, our working, and our lives. Please stand as you are able.”
Bonnie: “Morrigan, Red Woman, Great Queen of the Earth, the Children of the Earth offer you welcome.
We call to you in the ripening grain. We call to you in the fruiting branch. We call you forth from the beauty of blossom and thorn. We offer you clear water, gentle as rain.”
John: pours water from the jar into Urn of earth in front of the altar.
Bonnie: “Holy One, Raging One, Prophetess, Enticer,
Joy and Bane of Heroes, Flower Bride, Lover, Devourer, Queen of Phantoms, we call to you.
In the season of ripening, you are the fruits and bounty of the land, arrayed in beauty beneath the sun. We adorn you in blossoms to welcome you to our circle.”
John: scatters blossoms into the Urn.
Bonnie: “Descend in Beauty, Arise in Might. You whose hair is the Golden Grain; you whose flesh is the firm sweet soil, we offer you the Seat of Honor in our circle. Bring to us the Blessings of your bounty and delight. We pour red wine for you, She who drinks up the love of the sun.”
John: pours red wine into the Urn.
Bonnie: “Great Queen, please come into our circle.”
Bonnie Lights red altar candle for Morrigan
Bonnie: “May the might of Morrigan be over us,
May the wisdom of Morrigan teach us,
May the craft of Morrigan be within us.
Be welcome, Lady of Sovereignty,
and bring forth the harvest.
Be welcome, Queen of Phantoms,
and bring the rebirth that follows death.
In the circle of the Old Ways
In the ring of your people
In the hearts of all who honor the earth.”
Bonnie steps to edge of altar and lights bowl of rubbing alcohol set into Urn.
John: “Lugh the Victorious, we cast our circle under your shield. O Lugh of the White Horse and the Brilliant Blades, Lugh of the Perfect Form, Child of Light and Shadow, Slayer of Balor, be in our midst.
Accept this ale in welcome, Thou Champion and King.”
Bonnie: pours ale into the Urn.
John: “We cast our circle in the joy of the Clever One, the Sure Hand, the Bard and the Smith. May we be at peace under the hand of the Chieftain of Danu, taking joy in the feast of the Harvest. We offer this bread, that the harvest may flourish by the hand of the ploughman.”
Bonnie: breaks off a bit of bread and places it in the fire.
John: “Hear now your people’s call. By the Spear and by the Raven come, we pray, O Lugh the Victorious, our Light and our Guide. O Lugh the Victorious, accept this offering of fruit, and be present in your strength.”
Bonnie: places fruit in the fire.
John: “Light of the Sky, please come into our circle.”
John Lights green altar candle for Lugh.
John: “May the strength of Lugh be over us,
May the beauty of Lugh delight us,
May the skill of Lugh be upon us.
Be welcome, Shining One,
and succor the earth.
Be welcome, Hand of Striking,
and drive away the hail.
In the circle of the Old Ways
In the ring of your people
In the hearts of all who honor the earth.
Please be seated.”
Harvest Rite
read slowly, with 5 to 7 second pauses between sections... like a guided meditation
John: “At Lughnasadh, we begin to harvest the crops of the fields.
We also harvest the crops of our lives.”
Adryna: “Look within yourself.
Consider the past season, the past year, the past cycle.”
Dolores: “What have you sown?”
Michi: “What have you tended?”
Ted: “What seeds had you planted that have now borne fruit?
Ashley: “What is ready to be harvested?
What is ready to be cut down?
What do you need to let go?”
Bonnie: “What offerings will you make to help bring forth a bountiful harvest of good crops?
Meditate on these questions, and reflect on what your answers mean for you.”
pause for brief reflection
Giving Offerings to the Gods
John and Ashley move to stand behind the altar.
John: “Each of us must make our own offerings to the Deities we serve, in the manner that they prescribe.
But let us now make offering on behalf of our community, the community of the followers of the Old Ways, the fellowship of the Children of the Earth.”
Ashley: holds bread up
John: “Bright Lugh, Great Morrigan, here is the Head of the Grain, the Body of the Shield of the Sky. Let this be as the First Loaf of the Harvest, shared between us and you.”
Ashley:
breaks
off a piece of bread and places it in the fire
John: “As our offering burns, please send your own praise, thanksgiving, and energy to the Gods…”
John and Ashley sit as we all pause for brief reflection
A Lughnasadh Ritual of Sharing / Main Event
Ashley: Stands and lights incense and the red candle
Ashley: “As objects representing the directional spirits are presented and carried around the circle, a question will also be presented for your reflection and meditation. Listen, and reflect. Dwell on these matters and take them to heart. Ultimately, use them as you will to heal yourself and others; to make our world a better one.”
Ted: Stand, approach altar, pick up incense - Present the censer in one hand and hold a feather in the other, saying:
“God is within us and we hold the Air, mighty power of thought in our hands and in our minds. What will we do to direct that power and share it with our world?”
Use the feather to direct the incense smoke as you walk around the inside of the circle.
Adryna: Stand, approach altar, pick up candle - Present the lighted red candle, saying:
“God is within us and we hold the Fire, mighty power of spirit and inspiration in our hands and in our hearts. What will we do to rouse that power and share it with our world?"
Carry the candle around the inside of the circle
West Caller Volunteer: Stand, approach altar, pick up water - Present the container of water, saying:
“Goddess is within us and we hold the Water, mighty power of feeling in our hands and in our souls. How may we share the power of this flow?”
Carry the water around the inside of the circle, sprinkling it with your fingers as you go.
North
Caller Volunteer:
Stand,
approach altar, pick up bowl of Earth - Present
the bowl of Earth, saying:
“Goddess is within us and we hold the Earth, her body, in our hands. How can we protect and heal our world?“
Carry
the bowl of earth around the inside of the circle
Bonnie: “Oh Goddess and God within, we resolve to use and share these powers wisely in a constructive, healing and loving way.”
Simple Feast
John, Bonnie, Ted, Ashley and Michi approach altar
Volunteer: holds the loaf of bread.
Ted: holds up the pitcher of ale and
Michi: holds up the pitcher of cider.
John: We give thanks to you, Great Mother,
Goddess of the fertile land,
And to you, Great Father,
Consort and Provider.
We ask you to bless and hallow this bread, and ale.
For as your bounty sustains our lives,
So does your bounty sustain the lives of my brethren,
All creatures of wood and field,
Of lake and stream and of air,
Of these blessings we partake and share,
Blessed by this Harvest Night, the givers and the gift.
Bonnie: We will now have the breaking of bread. As we pass this special loaf of bread, please pull off a piece, meditate on what you’re thankful for and why. Please feel free to share your thoughts aloud if you wish.
Ashley: As the bread, ale and apple cider are passed among you - Know that they are passed with the heartfelt wishes of “May you never hunger” and “May you never thirst”.
Volunteer - carries the bread from person to person
Ted – with real Ale and cups
Michi – with Apple Cider
Once everyone is finished:
Bonnie: “We are thankful for the harvest, for the food and drink, and for this renewal of fellowship. May we carry its blessing with us where ever we go. Now, let us conclude our rites."
Thanking the Gods
Ashley: “Spirits of the East, South, West, North;
Powers of Air, Fire, Water, Earth;
We thank you for your presence here tonight.
Hail and Farewell!”
Uncasting the Circle
John: “What has here been made is now unmade.
What has here been conjured may now fade. We who were between the worlds are now in the world again.
Ashley: “The circle is open, but unbroken,
May the peace of the Goddess and God
Go in our hearts.
Merry meet, and merry part.
And merry meet again. Blessed be.”
All: “Blessed be.”
Ted: Rings bell three times.
“Children of the earth, go in peace and blessings. The rite is ended!”
Quick Announcements / Instructions
John: Now, if you will give me your attention please. We will proceed to the Feast of Tailtiu (TAL tya) in a moment. Please follow behind __________. When we arrive in the feasting hall, please take a seat at the table so that we may say a few words and have a blessing.
As John is making the announcements, Ted picks up bell and leads the way. All process down the hall and through the veil to the Feast of Tailtiu. Once all are seated, John stands and says:
“This is the season of Lughnasadh, the feast of Lugh of the Long Hand whose solar fire ripens the harvest. Heat hangs in the air by day, but the nights are growing longer and the stars are bright. Just as Lugh would have wished, we will feast and make merry in honor of his foster mother, Tailtiu (TAL tya). Now, let us bow our heads for the blessing.”
Bonnie recites:
“O Great Goddess and Mighty God, we pray you bless and hallow this food. Let it be the bounty of the Earth, the Generosity of the Mother, the Strength of the Hero to us. Let it be the growth of wealth, the soundness of flesh, the blessing of healing and the delight of wisdom to us. Let it be the food of our bones, of our flesh, of our spirits. Bless this feast that we hold here in your honor as we celebrate the First Harvest. Blessed be!”
Ted looks up and announces to the group:
“Now let us begin the Feast!”
Partway through the feast – John stands, someone rings the bell and he says:
Final Words
John:
Thanks for coming
Plug for CUUPS
adopt-a-spot on Sunday, August 9, 2009
Full Moon Circle at PVUUC on Friday, September 4, 2009
Mabon on Saturday, September 19th
Plug for DUUF – Sunday morning service.
Request for donations
Lughnasadh
2009