Blessings are at the top of this page. Below it is a section for Calling in the Directions.
Maiden of Autumn
Come join us in the shade! The sun is hot, but the stream is cool. The berries are full and sweet! Everywhere there is laughter. Everywhere, on the trees, fields, and vines, there is sweet food, ripe and ready to eat! Come dance and sing and celebrate and give thanks for blessings which flow from all sides. Give thanks for the Earth and water, the sun and wind, which feeds all plants, and the plants which feed all animals. Give thanks for the great wheel turning! |
|
Autumn
And she dances and spins Toward darkness All dressed in Autumn fire, To descend to the time of shadow And rest from the world's desire. Mabon
Dead leaves fall silently, drift on the air, Trees standing, slumbering Dry, cracked and bare. Time passes quietly, echoing past; Earth calls the winter in. Mabon at last! |
Autumn Equinox Choral Response (The link takes you to a beautiful page with the complete text of the chant.)
"What is this day? / It is the day of Autumn Equinox.
What is the meaning of this day? / It is the time of balancing.
What are the elements that balance at this time?..."
"What is this day? / It is the day of Autumn Equinox.
What is the meaning of this day? / It is the time of balancing.
What are the elements that balance at this time?..."
Maidens, Mothers, and Crones,
We call for your blessings and support.
Behold this maiden of Autumn
She is entering the time of darkness.
Bless her with the wisdom of the underworld.
Give her vision and dreams,
Give her strength, love and understanding.
As light dies, so is the light reborn.
As life ends, so is it begun.
As the grain is cut down, so is the new seed planted.
We call for your blessings and support.
Behold this maiden of Autumn
She is entering the time of darkness.
Bless her with the wisdom of the underworld.
Give her vision and dreams,
Give her strength, love and understanding.
As light dies, so is the light reborn.
As life ends, so is it begun.
As the grain is cut down, so is the new seed planted.
(Adapted from the blessing above to fit our ritual. Women were in a circle and we walked behind them with the smoke of sage.) “Behold these maidens of Autumn. They are entering the time of darkness. Bless them with the wisdom of the underworld. Give them vision and dreams. Give them Her strength, love and understanding. As the light dies, so is the light reborn. As life ends, so is it begun. As the grain is cut down, so is the new seed planted. May we all harvest well on this day of balance, so our light within shines as we travel through the coming days of darkness.”
"Welcome, sweet sister, to the turning of the season. May you continue to journey on your personal path with greater dignity, grace and balance. Know deeply the goodness of life's bounty and love." by Beth
An introduction, reading, almost visualization, from the ritual in 2008, this writing is hard to classify. It's a reading that paints a country-side picture of autumn and that which you are harvesting. Vivid imagery-check it out.
Fall Equinox by Miriam Dyak (Mother Tongue Ink, 2015): "The Goddess weaves her magic through the seasons, endlessly aging and growing young. She gives birth to the wild force of Nature..."
Consecrating / Purifying Brooms: This ritual could be used for purifying any ritual tool. The broom or tool is carried to altars of the Elements/Directions, invoking the guardian, purifying, then charging the broom with power. It ends with claiming ownership. (Adapted from: http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/wiccanandpaqanrituals/ht/Consecrate Tool.htm )
Besom, besom, broom so bright
I charge you with intent this night
Sweeping power, flow with me
As I will, so mote it be.
I charge you with intent this night
Sweeping power, flow with me
As I will, so mote it be.
So, is there a correct sequence for opening the circle and calling in the Directions? I've looked at many sites that have varied the order (as have we over the years). As with everything you do in ritual, your intention should guide you. Anything you use on this site, can be changed to meet your needs. However, I did find the following guidelines if you choose to use them:
"Note that the South is the starting point of the Q’ero Wheel, (South, West, North, East), whereas in the Native American tradition the East is the beginning of the cycle (East, North, West, South)" (https://www.gaia.com/article/four-directions-ceremony)
We've added the following to our openings and closings of the circle:
"Note that the South is the starting point of the Q’ero Wheel, (South, West, North, East), whereas in the Native American tradition the East is the beginning of the cycle (East, North, West, South)" (https://www.gaia.com/article/four-directions-ceremony)
We've added the following to our openings and closings of the circle:
We begin by acknowledging that our celebration takes place on the ancestral and unceded land of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of the Maidu People. We pay our respects to elders both past and present, and to their stewarding of the land throughout the generations. We pledge ourselves to respect and honor the earth, our Mother, through our celebration.
(To open the circle:)
By the Earth that is her body, By the air that is her sweet breath, By the fire of her bright spirit, And the water of her living womb, Our circle is cast, and we are between the worlds. And what happens between the worlds changes the world. |
(And to close the circle…)
By the Earth that is her body, By the air that is her sweet breath, By the fire of her bright spirit, And the water of her living womb, Our circle is open and yet unbroken. May the peace of the goddess be forever in your heart. Merry meet and merry part / And merry meet again. |
Grandmother I See You": A song to call in the Directions-from 2017 celebration. . "Grandmother, I see you sitting in the East. You are sacred and you are looking at me. I call to you, call to you, call to you, and you are smiling at me..." The words are repeated, with the new direction inserted. The song can be found in the "Songs" section of this website.
Calling in the Directions-from our 2016 celebration. (Click on the link for the full text)
Spirit of the East- land of the rising Sun; of Air, and the winds that blow across the lands; of new beginnings each day, and of open horizons; we ask for your wisdom and blessing here with us today. Please join us, Spirit of the East...
Spirit of the East- land of the rising Sun; of Air, and the winds that blow across the lands; of new beginnings each day, and of open horizons; we ask for your wisdom and blessing here with us today. Please join us, Spirit of the East...
Calling in the Directions Using the Tides (2015): Earth Tide, Air Tide, Fire Tide, Ocean Tide and Spirit Tide are called in. "We call in the power of Earth Tide-expanding and contracting under our feet. As Earth Mother moves, we are grounded and empowered..."
Honoring the Directions
East: Far winds, blow clean and clear-sweep through the skies and be with us here.
(We give you thanks for being here.)
South: Blessed sun and lands of warmth, give comfort, brightness and strength and be with us here.
(We give you thanks for being here.)
West: Oceans, lakes and streams, wash clear and bright and fresh and be with us here.
(We give you thanks for being here.)
North: Mountains, meadows, and forests, bring forth life, richness and beauty and be with us here.
(We give you thanks for being here.)
East: Far winds, blow clean and clear-sweep through the skies and be with us here.
(We give you thanks for being here.)
South: Blessed sun and lands of warmth, give comfort, brightness and strength and be with us here.
(We give you thanks for being here.)
West: Oceans, lakes and streams, wash clear and bright and fresh and be with us here.
(We give you thanks for being here.)
North: Mountains, meadows, and forests, bring forth life, richness and beauty and be with us here.
(We give you thanks for being here.)
Calling in the Circle - 1996: "N: We call in the power of the north where the energies of wisdom dwell. Help us to access that quiet space within, the void where all things exist and nothing exists. The place where truth and wisdom lie. Allow us to touch the element of air and all its gifts through the powers of the north..."