A Celebration of Spring

Denton CUUPS Spring Equinox Circle

Saturday, March 20, 2010


Gathering begins at 7:00 PM

Celebration begins at 7:30 PM



Almanac

Moonrise: 9:58 AM

Sunset: 7:40 PM

End civil twilight: 8:05 PM

Moon Phase: waxing crescent with 22% of the Moon’s visible disk illuminated

Moonset: 12:42 AM



Setup – Gather informally in RE Wing. Set up outside if possible, in Miller Hall if weather is bad. Main altar in one quarter, quarter tables in their usual positions. Choir off to one side of altar, or behind it. Drum Chorus on the other side. Put torches at the quarters, but put the rest behind the altar instead of at the crossquarters. Gather tight enough hear, leave enough room for a good Spiral Dance. Maybe set chairs, then have people move them for the dance?



Informal Introduction (Bonnie)



Educational Reading


Ashley: “Tonight’s circle features a Wishing Well ritual. The Wishing Well is an ancient pagan custom which has survived to our modern times. Even our most mundane friends and relatives will make a wish and throw a coin in a fountain. They may not know why they do it, but they do it anyway.


Wells were sacred to our Celtic and Germanic ancestors. Clean water was both essential and scarce – surely it was protected by a deity, the spirit of the place. And because they were dug down, into the ground, wells also served as a gateway to the Otherworld, the land of the Gods and the Dead. Perhaps an offering to the well would reach not just a minor spirit, but a God or Goddess. Archeologists have found plenty of coins in wells, but they’ve also found tools, weapons, and jewelry. Our ancestors understood the principle of reciprocity – if you want something of value, you must offer something of value in exchange.”


Adryna: “Later in the ritual you’ll have an opportunity to throw your coins in our Wishing Well to bring about the magic you want to work. The coins are symbols of our resources, and the act of offering them to the well is symbolic of our intent to devote our time and money and effort toward the goal of bringing about what we wish to change.


Silver is traditional for such offerings, so use your quarters and dimes. We’re not asking for your collectible silver coins – current coins are symbolically silver, which makes them appropriate for symbolic magic. If you don’t have any silver coins with you, we have some quarters on the main altar – you’re welcome to use one of them.”



Preparation/Purification


John: “Let us clear our minds and open our hearts to magic.”


Ashley and Michi anoint each other, then move clockwise around the circle, anointing each person with oil. As each person is anointed, say “You are a child of the Goddess and God.”



Grounding, Centering, and Merging


John: Now as we begin, let us ground our beings, center our minds, and attune our spirits to each other and to the worlds around us, both seen and unseen. Let us turn our minds to Magic...


As meditation begins, Dave leaves RE wing to set up outside


Dolores: “Get comfortable in your chairs, both feet on the floor. Take a deep breath….let it out. Focus on your breathing….in….and out…..in….and out. Relax…..and feel yourself supported as your breathing becomes regular.


Become aware now of your center of being….that place inside of you that is your essence as we go on a journey.


Visualize yourself in your favorite place in nature. You see a beautiful waterfall that reflects the colors of the rainbow…. You decide to allow the waterfall and the colors to wash over you, cleansing, healing and protecting you…..


As you look up out into the sky, you see a rainbow that ends at your feet. This rainbow is a skyway that takes you out into the ethers. Choose a color that you are drawn to and step into it as it propels you up and away across meadows and plains until you reach a mountain top……


As you approach, you see your guides waiting for you. They are ready to play, for this is a place of incredible joy. They are here to teach you to have more joy in your life. When you are among them, you are totally safe, protected and have nothing that can worry you……


They gather around you in a circle, laughing, playing. You join them in the circle, singing, laughing, playing…….


When it stops, they tell you what you must do to have more joy…….and they present you with a beautiful velvet box…..you open it…..in it is a gift…. You are delighted with your gift and you take it in your hands and place it in your heart to make it light and free……You remember this gift as it will make you joyous each time to think of it……


It is time to return now so you say “thank you” to your guides and say farewell for now. You may return here anytime you like for it is a place just for you……


Return now on the rainbow back to the place you started. Remember now your breathing and take a deep breath, wiggle your hands and toes, as you return to your body and be here now.”



Procession


John: signals Dave to begin playing


John: “Now please follow me outside to our circle.”


John leads a single-file procession out the door, down the sidewalk, then make a clockwise bend and spiral in one time.


When all are in place, John signals Dave to stop



Declared Opening


Cynthia: “As our ancestors did before us and our children may do in time to come, we gather tonight to celebrate the Vernal Equinox, the time of balance. We mark the end of the Dark Half and the return of the Light Half, and we stand in this time outside of time that is neither Dark nor Light. We honor the Goddess and God, whose joyous union signals the rebirth of the Earth. We welcome all who come in friendship and love to join in our celebration.”


John: “Let us now begin.” <ring bell three times>



Song from Choir: “Circles” to the tune of “Windmills”



Invocations of the Spirits of the Elements and Directions


John: “Please stand as you’re able and join in as we call the Spirits of the Elements and the Directions to join our circle.”


Bonnie lights quarter candle and says:


“Repeat after me:

Spirits of the East, Spirits of Air, we call to you.

Come into our circle, we ask

and bless us with your wisdom.

Teach us the ways of vision and judgment.

On this sacred night of balance

Welcome Air!”


Lee lights quarter candle and says:


“Repeat after me:

Spirits of the South, Spirits of Fire, we call to you.

Come into our circle, we ask

and bless us with your inspiration.

Teach us the ways of creation and growth.

On this sacred night of balance

Welcome Fire!”


Michi lights quarter candle and says:


“Repeat after me:

Spirits of the West, Spirits of Water, we call to you.

Come into our circle, we ask

and bless us with your love.

Teach us the ways of compassion and intuition.

On this sacred night of balance

Welcome Water!”


Adryna lights quarter candle and says:


“Repeat after me:

Spirits of the North, Spirits of Earth, we call to you.

Come into our circle, we ask

and bless us with your abundance.

Teach us the ways of patience and stability.

On this sacred night of balance

Welcome Earth!”



Invocation of the Ancestors


Ashley: “We warm at fires we did not build, we drink from wells we did not dig. We own much to those who came before us.”


John: Hold up bread and wine.


Ashley: “Ancestors of blood and ancestors of spirit, we ask you to join our circle and bless us with your presence. Accept this offering of food and drink, we ask, as a token of our hospitality and in thanks for your generosity towards us.”


John: Crumble bread and pour wine into the offering bowl.


Ashley: “Welcome – blessed be!”



Invocations of God and Goddess


John: “Father God, Lord of the Sun, Lord of the Animals and green growing things; Hunter and Hunted; we who are your children call to you. We live in you and you in us. Now we ask you to join our circle and bless us with your presence.”


<light God candle>


“Welcome – blessed be!”


Cynthia: “Mother Goddess, Lady of the Moon, Mother of the Earth and source of Life; Maiden, Mother, and Crone; we who are your children call to you. We live in you and you in us. Now we ask you to join our circle and bless us with your presence.”


<light Goddess candle>


“Welcome – blessed be!”


John: “From near and far we have journeyed to this sacred space, and this sacred time. We have been joined by the Spirits of Nature, the Spirits of our Ancestors, and the Goddess and God. We stand betwixt and between, the Winter behind us and the Summer ahead. Let us work our magic and welcome the Spring!”


All: “Welcome Spring!”


John: “Please be seated.”



Giving Offerings to the Gods


Cynthia: “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 as a community, as followers of the Old Ways, as Children of the Earth.”


John: lights cauldron, and makes sure the incense is still burning.


Cynthia: “As the smoke rises, so rise our thoughts. As the Goddess and God enjoy the sweetness of the incense, so they will enjoy our prayers to them.”


John: Hold up bread and wine.


Cynthia: “Mother Goddess and Father God, we welcome you to our circle. Accept this offering of food and drink, we ask, as a token of our hospitality and in thanks for your generosity towards us.”


John: Crumble bread and pour wine into the offering bowl.


Cynthia: “As our offering burns, please send your own praise and thanksgiving to the Goddess and God.”


<Short pause for reflection and meditation>



Chants to the God and Goddess


Cynthia: “This is a joyous occasion. Let’s celebrate the coming of Spring with singing and chanting. Each of you should have a handout with the lyrics. We’re going to start with a couple of simple chants, then move up to something more elaborate. Let’s begin with “We Are A Circle Within A Circle”



Air I Am


Air I am

Fire I am

Water, Earth and Spirit I am



Earth My Body


Earth my body

Water my blood

Air my breath

and Fire my spirit



We All Come From the Goddess


We all come from the Goddess

And to her we shall return

Like a drop of rain

Flowing to the ocean


Hoof and horn

Hoof and horn

All that dies shall be reborn


Corn and Grain

Corn and Grain

All that falls shall rise again


We all come from the Goddess

And to her we shall return

Like a drop of rain

Flowing to the ocean


We all come from the Horned God

And to him we shall return

Like a spark of flame

Rising to the heavens


Sage and Crone

Sage and Crone

Wisdom’s gift shall be our own


Crone and Sage

Crone and Sage

Wisdom is the gift of age


We all come from the Goddess

And to her we shall return

Like a drop of rain

Flowing to the ocean



Taliesin’s Song


I remember the beating of my heart

I remember the birthing of stars

I remember the beating of my heart

I remember the birthing of stars

I am expanding, filling up the World

I am expanding, breathing in the Universe

I am expanding, hear my song, hear my song.



Main Working – The Wishing Well.


John: “Wishes carry little respect in our mundane world – and with good reason. We ask the Goddess for something that’s caught our attention with all the focus of a three year old in a toy store. We throw a coin in a well with the idea that’s all we have to do, with no thought of how we might actually obtain our wish, and what it would mean for our lives if we did. Be careful what you wish for – you just might get it.


When we work magic, we need more than “Goddess, please!” We need to align our will with the will of the Divine. We need to specifically state what we want – fuzzy targets yield fuzzy results. We need to align our thoughts and prayers and words and deeds behind a single goal. The human mind and the human spirit are incredibly powerful – when we do this, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.


In a moment you’ll have the opportunity to come forward, make a wish, and throw a coin in our sacred well. You can make an idle wish – you can buy a divine lottery ticket. Or you can organize your thoughts and consider what you really want – and what you really need. Tonight, you can begin the steps to create true change in your life.


Individually, we are Wiccans, Druids, Kemetics; Pagans of all descriptions and folks who proudly defy description. But tonight, we are all witches! Tonight, we are all magicians! Tonight, we will work our magic and we will create the change we want to see!


Tonight I ask you to come forward, silently state your intent, and throw your offering into our sacred well.”



Song from Choir: “Spirit of Albion” while everyone comes forward, makes a wish, and throws a coin in the well



Spiral Dance


Cynthia: “We have made our wishes and declared our intent. Now let us empower our wishes by raising energy with a spiral dance. Please form a circle, join hands, and follow Dance Leader as we spiral in and then spiral out.”


Drum Chorus begins drumming. Cynthia leads the circle on a spiral in widdershins then spiral out deosil.



Simple Feast


John and Michi move to altar


John: “This food is the blessing of the Goddess and God to us, their children. Let us partake of it freely. And as we share, let us remember always to share what we have with those who have little.”


Michi: Lifts chalice up


John: “Mother Goddess,

We ask you to bless this wine and this juice.

As the fruits of the vine refresh our bodies

So may your inspiration refresh our souls.”


Michi: Lifts bread up


John: “Father God,

We ask you to bless this bread.

As the bounty of the earth nourishes our bodies

So may your wisdom nourish our souls.”


Michi: pour/place a small amount of wine and bread into the offering bowl.


John: “We return the first portion to the Goddess and God, from whence it came.”


Bread Servers: As the bread is distributed, say “may you never hunger.”


Wine/Juice servers: As the wine/juice is distributed, say “may you never thirst.”


John and Michi sit


Servers sit after serving



Song from Choir: “Today While the Blossoms Still Cling to the Vine”



Thanking the Goddess and God


John, Ashley and Cynthia move to main altar, Bonnie, Lee, Michi, and Adryna move to quarters.


Cynthia: “Great Mother of many aspects. Lady of the Moon, Mother of the Earth. Maiden, Mother, and Crone, we thank you for attending our rites and blessing us.


<extinguish Goddess candle>


Hail and farewell!”


All: “Hail and farewell!”


John: “Mighty Father of many aspects. Horned Hunter of the Sun, Lord of Death and Rebirth, bright and dark, we thank you for attending our rites and blessing us.


<extinguish God candle>


Hail and farewell!”


All: “Hail and farewell!”


Ashley: “O mighty ancestors, you who built the foundation upon which we stand, we thank you for your presence and your blessings. Hail and farewell!


All: “Hail and farewell!”



Thanking the Spirits of the Elements and Directions


Adryna: “Spirits of the North, Spirits of Earth,

We thank you for your presence,

and we thank you for your abundance.


<extinguish North candle>


Hail and farewell!”


All: “Hail and farewell!”


Michi: “Spirits of the West, Spirits of Water,

We thank you for your presence,

and we thank you for your love.


<extinguish West candle>


Hail and farewell!”


All: “Hail and farewell!”


Lee: “Spirits of the South, Spirits of Fire,

We thank you for your presence,

and we thank you for your inspiration.


<extinguish South candle>


Hail and farewell!”


All: “Hail and farewell!”


Bonnie: “Spirits of the East, Spirits of Air,

We thank you for your presence,

and we thank you for your wisdom.


<extinguish South candle>


Hail and farewell!”


All: “Hail and farewell!”



Opening 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.”


Cynthia: “The circle is open, but unbroken,

May the peace of the Goddess

Be ever in our hearts

Merry meet, and merry part,

And merry meet again. Blessed be.”


All: “Blessed Be!”


John: ring bell three times “The rite is ended. Go in peace, walk in wisdom.”



Informal Closing (John)


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