| Ostara
(Vernal
Equinox, circa March 21) Non-italicized text represents spoken words, italicized text represents actions to be taken. |
|
|
Invocation
to the Elements & the Seven Directions: Turn to the East: We welcome the powers of the EAST, rulers of Air, Mind, and Spring: Help us in matters of wisdom, insight, and clear thought. Help us use our power wisely. Light candle representing the East and feel the presence of the Air Elemental. Turn to the South: We welcome the powers of the SOUTH, rulers of Fire, Spirit, and Summer: Help us in matters of strength, confidence, and focused will. Help us use our power wisely. Light candle representing the South and feel the presence of the Fire Elemental. Turn to the West: We welcome the powers of the WEST, rulers of Water, Emotion, and Autumn: Help us in matters of healing, joy, and intuition. Help us use our power wisely. Light candle representing the West and feel the presence of the Water Elemental. Turn to the North: We welcome the powers of the NORTH, rulers of Earth, Body, and Winter: Help us in matters of patience, groundedness, and stability. Help us use our power wisely. Light candle representing the North and feel the presence of the Earth Elemental. Hold hands up to the sky: We welcome the powers of the SKY FATHER, rulers of the heavens and all that is in them: Help us in matters of cosmic awareness, unconditional love, and unlimited consciousness. Help us use our power wisely. Light candle representing the God and breathe in His presence We welcome the powers of the EARTH MOTHER, rulers of the Earth and all that is in it: Help us in matters of abundance, harmony, and balance. Help us use our power wisely. Light candle representing the Goddess and breathe in Her presence We stand at the CENTER, where all powers intersect. We take our place in the circle of life, and remember to use our power for the good of all. All is one and one is all. Light candle representing the Center and feel the interconnectedness of all things Fourfold Purification: Light smudge stick with the Eastern candle. Waft the smoke over yourself and say: I purify my MIND of all stray thoughts, so that it may be as crisp and clear as a mountain zephyr. May it be receptive to divine guidance, and learn to discern truth from lie. May it be insightful, inspired, and motivated! Light smudge stick with the Southern candle. Waft the smoke over yourself and say: I purify my WILL. May it remain strong and steadfast when it has set upon the path of the greater good. May it never waver, but give me the courage to fulfill my destiny to the best of my capabilities and the fullest of my potential! Light smudge stick with the Western candle. Waft the smoke over yourself and say: I purify my EMOTIONS. May they flow as as freely as a rushing woodland stream. May they never stagnate, but express themselves in constructive ways. Help me in matters of joy and intuition. Light smudge stick with the Northern candle. Waft the smoke over yourself and say: I purify my BODY of all sickness, disease, illness, and toxins. May it be healthy and strong, healed and whole - a proper temple for the expression of my spirit! Light smudge stick with the Center candle. Waft the smoke as you walk clockwise around the ritual area and say: I purify this SACRED SPACE, may no ill will enter here! Protected from the West, protected from the North, protected from the East, protected from the South, protected from Above, protected from Below, and sealed at the Center! Only those of good will may enter here! Invite any other entities you want to join you (guardian angels, guides, faeries, etc) Invocation to the Lover: I welcome the Lord of Field and With an open mind and an open heart! You who are Horus, Yarilo, Hermes, Pan, Min, Reborn on Yule, The God wanders the silent Earth, Looking for the great Goddess who sleeps, Wrapped under her blanket of snow, The cocoon of transformation from winter to spring. He wanders alone and searches, Though he knows not for what. The bright rays of the sun’s growing strength, Warm the Earth and stir her from her slumber. The snows now melt, And their waters feed the soil that nurtures new life. The God finds he is no longer alone, But a new being appears in the virgin fields. God pulls off white sheet Invocation to the Maiden: I welcome the Lady of Rain and Flowers, With an open mind and an open heart! You who are Hathor, Lada, Iris, Bloudewedd, Ostara, Persephone, and Aphrodite! She is the Maiden reborn, The Goddess who has thrust off her winter cloak, Fresh and renewed, The dancer who tramples the old leaves of autumn into the ground, Where they can fertilize new life, The flower bride who holds within her the bounty of the Earth, Ready to bloom again. The God and Goddess meet again for the first time, Their sleepy memories stir as all of nature awakens, And they prepare to spread abundance once more. Goddess unveils egg This egg contains the fertile abundance of the land, Sown in the Earth and nurtured by the sun. God and Goddess lock fingers and cradle egg, pour fertile energies into it Day and Night stand in balance, Light and Dark dance in harmony. Henceforth the sun grows in power, And the days outgrow the nights. All hail the return of Light and Life! The Earth rejoiced at the coming Spring! Drawing Down the Sun: Radiant God of Youth, May I honor you in life by reflecting your qualities. May your growing strength revitalize me, May your bright rays make sense of my confusion, May the balance of light and dark grant me peace, And give me clarity of mind and heart! Any blessings you wish to bestow upon me, Pour into this cup, So that when I drink it I may drink of your essence… Bring egg outside and leave it there for energy to sink in Thank all who you have invited for coming by saying something to the effect of: Thank you for coming blessed _____ (North/South/East/West/God/Goddess/etc)! Come and go in peace! Grounding: All energy not used to further this ritual, I ground to heal the Earth and all who dwell upon it! back to Ritual page |
NOTES:
Originally
designed for two people (one representing the God, the other
representing the Goddess), with a little imagination (and
perhaps some dolls) this can be adapted to a solitary
ceremony.
LORE: As the snows melted away, spring grasses and flowers break through the hard ground with a tenacity that personifies the strength and vigor of their will to live. Life is reborn, nourished by gentle showers, and the Sun could see the Earth once again. The Goddess and the God meet, both of them young, fresh, and new. SUGGESTED
MATERIALS: |