Blessings are listed first. Below the blessings is a section for Calling in the Directions and opening and closing the circle.
Beltane 2018: 3 blessings as women arrived, each blessing leads them deeper into the world 'Between the Veil": “Welcome to Beltane. Opposite on the wheel from Samhain, Beltane is also the time of year when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. As seeds spring forth and grass grows green we invite you to step between worlds, to explore the roots, stems, flowers and seeds of your own life. Within the veil, you will unveil your life’s journey. Are you willing to step between the veil?"...
Beltane Antiphonal Chant:
What is this day? / It is the day of Beltane.
What is the meaning of this day? / It is the festival of new growth...
What is this day? / It is the day of Beltane.
What is the meaning of this day? / It is the festival of new growth...
A Body Prayer: A series of meditative movements for bringing into awareness the gifts of the Holy. (Done during the 2017 ritual.)
Blessing when raising the May pole: "Earth Mother, may this offering prepare you to receive this symbol of your consort." (Drop in flower petals. Then anoint the Maypole itself, using altar oil to ensure the fertility of the land.) "Blessed be this tree, vehicle of the god which shall soon enter our mother, the Earth." (We did the anointing with much laughter.)
Goddess of the flowering earth,
With you we feel the blooming within us.
As the world once more is wrapped in warmth and light,
We thank you for new birth.
For a world awash in fertility and creation,
Come into our circle, as we celebrate you
And greet you in all that lives.
With you we feel the blooming within us.
As the world once more is wrapped in warmth and light,
We thank you for new birth.
For a world awash in fertility and creation,
Come into our circle, as we celebrate you
And greet you in all that lives.
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Calling in the Directions /
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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:
"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:
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.
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(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. |
2018 Calling the the Directions and Releasing the Directions:
(Calling In) "Spirits of the east, spirits of air / Open our minds to the promise of summer / Fill our lungs, carry our thoughts / Help us to understand our place in the great circle / Even as we offer to you a place in our circle here..."
(Releasing) "Lady of the Moon, of the fertile Earth and rolling seas, / Lord of the Sun, of the of the sky and the wild, / Thank you for your presence in our circle today. / Powers of the West: powers of Water; / Thank you,
For sharing your deep mysteries and intuition..."
(Calling In) "Spirits of the east, spirits of air / Open our minds to the promise of summer / Fill our lungs, carry our thoughts / Help us to understand our place in the great circle / Even as we offer to you a place in our circle here..."
(Releasing) "Lady of the Moon, of the fertile Earth and rolling seas, / Lord of the Sun, of the of the sky and the wild, / Thank you for your presence in our circle today. / Powers of the West: powers of Water; / Thank you,
For sharing your deep mysteries and intuition..."
2017 Calling in the Directions:
"We call in the power of the EAST. 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 power of the East..."
"We call in the power of the EAST. 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 power of the East..."
2015 Calling in the Directions: "Great Goddess, Bright and Pure Maiden, Whose beauty we see in the fields of wild flowers, Whose sweet, warm breath is the Spring breeze..."
Calling in the Directions:
We call to the East, the place where the sun rises, the place of new beginnings./ We call to the element Air, come, be with us today. / Remind us of our first breath. / Be with us in the newness of every breath...
We call to the East, the place where the sun rises, the place of new beginnings./ We call to the element Air, come, be with us today. / Remind us of our first breath. / Be with us in the newness of every breath...