This BOS is made entirely from items submitted by either myself (I have indicated in the table of contents when the information is gathered from another book of shadows such as The Riders of the Crystal Winds Book of Shadows which does appear within these pages in its entirety The code *RCW* is the indication of the afore mentioned text.)or the author(s)( persons who have sent items to the BOS) mentioned in the Book these are items that are of usefulness to all and can be used and reused. All Items submitted will fall under copyright. Items may be printed by any Pagan but, not sold All other printing and or distribution is a copyright infringement. In other words before you grab ask. If you print and distribute these items give credit to the author of the item. Questions?

 
     When I cleanse a dwelling place, first I burn a good cleansing
incense, like frankincense or sandalwood in the home while I prepare
for the rest of the ritual.  You should have  in addition to the
incense, a candle, a bowl of salt water and a bowl of herbs.  I
particularly like  to use rose buds for love, lavender for
preservation, rosemary for protection, and any other sweet smelling
ones that appeal to you personally.  If you can get them home grown,
so much the better.  You should proceed around the house,
widdershins( counter clock wise) and cleanse the area with the salt
water.  Be sure to get each corner, window, door, drain, etc.  Simply
sprinkle a little salt water on each and ask that any evil or
disruptive influences leave the place.  When this is finished, proceed
around the house deosil( clockwise) sprinkling the blessing herbs
and invoke whatever deities or properties you wish on the home,
such as peace prosperity, tranquility, etc.  In the past, I have used 3
candles on the central altar.  Blue, symbolizing tranquility, green for
healing and prosperity, and purple for protection.  Others might be
pink for love, or brown for hearth and home.  You and anyone who is
to share the home with you should share food and drink, and don't
forget to leave a little of the food and drink to take outside and
return to the Earth that which has been given.
Blessed Be. Rowan
 --- DragonMail0.00
  * Origin: Beagle Express - (405)848-2828 - *ISA* *IFNA*
(1:147/4)

This is a ceremony we have used a couple of times (with variations
to suit the candidate) for the second degree initiation.  You will note
that it borrows from many sources: Masonic, Gardnerian, Celtic, and
Flight of Fancy.  We've done it robed, sky clad, and some interesting
combinations.  Seems to work ok either way.  If the candidate has
done the work, the initiation ceremony is more of a public "rite of
passage" or recognition of that fact... the real "initiation" is
between
the Gods and the candidate, and therefore cannot really be
"conferred".
...Gary Dumbauld, High Priest, Hernesgaard Circle
 
A ceremony to recognize completion  of the 2nd degree  course of
study
 
The Circle is cast as usual.  All are properly prepared and purified.
High Priestess and High Priest perform the Ceremony in concert.  The
candidate is brought into the circle by a friend and circled 3 times
deosil, ending north of the altar, facing the Priest, who is standing
south of the altar (where else?).
 
PRIEST:
"This is the time of Full Moon, a time for rekindling of light.  The
struggle for higher light is: That we may see it, and seeing it, work
and live by it.  We are about to embark upon a solemn ceremony to
rekindle the light of Knowledge, the light of Will, the light of
Compassion, the light of Steadfastness; we will combine these
lights, and rekindle the light of Dedication in our Sister (Brother)
here before us. _____ _________ , here have you been taught the
ways of the Wise, that you might count yourself among those who
serve the Gods, among the brothers and sisters of the Wicca, those
who are called the shapers of the universe."
 
PRIEST:
"I now direct your attention to the two lights upon our altar, the one
representing the Sun, the God, and the High Priest; the other
representing the Moon, the Goddess, and the High Priestess.  The High
Priest and Priestess, presiding over the coven, may be thought of as
`One light to rule the day, one light to rule the night'.  Since these
lights are both beneficent, each having honor in its place, the Craft
of the Wise does not set day against night, God against Goddess,
Priest against Priestess.  In the Craft, we do not define evil as a
negative power, rather as the lack of light; where there is the light
of Sun or Moon, God or Goddess, there can be no lack of light.  Choose
one, or both; place light within yourself, and nurture it."

"In times past, the Circle of Initiation was called a `Hermetic
Circle', after Hermes, the ancient name for the planet Mercury."  In
astrology, the house of the Sun is in the zodiacal sign of the lion,
which is the fifth house; the house of the Moon is in Cancer, the
crab, and is in the fourth house; and the day house of the planet
Mercury is in the Gemini, the Twins, and is the third house.  These
numbers, three, four and five, were sacred to many ancient peoples,
as the dimensions of the Pythagorean Triangle, in which the square
of five, twenty five, is equal to the sum of the squares of four and
three, or sixteen and nine.  Knowledge of this triangle was essential
to builders; you are also a builder   you are building your character."
 
PRIESTESS:
 
"I now direct your attention to the several lights surrounding us, in
the East, South, West, and North.  Let us now examine these lights,
and see what we can discern within them of human character."
 
"In the building of character, the Eastern light is denoted the Lamp
of Beauty, and stands for accomplishments; for learning, skill in art,
poetry, in song and instrumental music, in painting and sculpture.  It
exemplifies the art of making one's self attractive to those about
one.  It is an old saying that `Beauty is as Beauty does.'  It causes
great distress to see these noble graces of character prostituted to
ignoble ends.  Remember well the lesson of the Lamp of Beauty, and
accept the blessing of the East."
 
Initiate is censed with incense from the censer which has been
previously placed in the East.
 
PRIEST:
 
"The light in the South is denoted the Lamp of Life, and stands for
individuality, and for energy; for fervency, for zeal and vitality. It
exemplifies passions, desires and appetites.  It means loves and
hates, sympathies and abhorrences, and what is more than all the
rest of these, it means heart and joy in the work of life.  Remember
well the lesson of the Lamp of Life, and accept the blessing of the
South."

Initiate is circled three times with the brazier, previously placed in
the South.
 
PRIESTESS:
 
"Look now to the West, and observe the Lamp of Compassion, which
stands for `fellow-feeling'.  Every work in life demands a price.
Labor, tears, self-denial, self recrimination, the very blood of life
is sometimes the price of a truly great work.  Look to your fellow
travelers on the road; note with care what sacrifice they have made
in their progress toward the truth; allow them their faults,
commiserate with them in their failures, and rejoice with them
when they succeed.  Remember well the lesson of the Lamp of
Compassion, and accept the blessing of the West."
 
Initiate is circled three times with water, and his/her hands washed
in a laving bowl, previously placed in the West.
 
PRIEST:
 
"Look now to the North, and observe the lamp of obedience.  The laws
of the Gods are inevitable, and the more we, as children of the Gods,
understand and work in accordance with them, the greater is the sum
of our happiness.  Obedience in character means order, the
subjection to one's principles, the fear to do wrong, and the desire
to learn and do right.  Many would rather give charity than do justice.
They swell with emotion, weep with sentiment, howl with the mob,
so long as their own particular little tyranny or injustice is not
touched.  The Lamp of Obedience exemplifies firm will and
determination of character, in spite of difficulties, dangers and
losses.  So also the Lamp of Obedience stands for self-control, for
perseverance, and for prudence. In time of peace, prepare for war;
when shines the sun, expect the cloud; and in darkness wait
patiently for the coming light.  When all the sky is draped in black
and beaten by tempestuous gales, and the shuddering ship seems all
awreck, calmly trim once more the tattered sail, repair the broken
rudder, and set again for the old determined course.'  Remember well
the lesson of the Lamp of Obedience, and accept now the blessing of
the North."
 
Initiate's hands are marked with damp earth from a bowl in the
North. Initiate is then led back south of the altar.
 
PRIESTESS:
 
"Of the character thus illuminated and thus guided by the lights here
on the altar, and by the Lamps of Beauty, Life, Compassion and
Obedience, it may be said, `Though the world perish and fall away,
he/she remains.'
 
Initiate then takes the Oath/Obligation, kneeling.
 
`In the names of Arianhrod and Bran; Diana and Appolyon; Heartha and
Cernunnos; and by the powers of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, I,
__________________ , pledge to love, worship and honor the
Goddess in her many aspects; and her Consort, the Horned One, Lord
of Death and Ruler of Chaos; to always be true to the Art and its
secrets; to never abuse the Art or my own powers; and to keep this
pledge always in my heart, in my mind, in my body and in my spirit.
This I pledge, by the Circle of Life, by Cerridwen's Sacred Cauldron,
and by my own hopes of a future life.'
 
Initiate stands.  High Priestess places a necklace over Initiate's
head.
 
PRIESTESS:
 
"The Circle is a place between the worlds and outside time.  The
Circle is also the Symbol of Life, Death, and Rebirth.  We wear the
necklace as a token of the Sacred Circle and as a sign that we are
part of all it symbolizes."

High Priest strikes the bell three times.
 
PRIEST:
 
"Hear ye, Lady of Life and Lord of Death!  Hear ye, Ancient Guardians
of the Powers of Air, Fire, Water and Earth!  In this place, by our
hands and will, _____ ______________ , known to us as
_______________, has been duly pledged and anointed a Priest/ess
of the Second Degree!"
Back to top.

     One of my near and dear once spent an hour in a therapist's office
kicking an innocent throw pillow around the room and screaming out
rage at his abusive father. At the end of the hour, he had a broken
foot -- and the first beginnings of a healed mind.

     But we have learned that magic works through symbols. Calling
an object by your abuser's name and then abusing that object is
sympathetic magic used for the purpose of cursing. To throw a curse
is to project one's worst feelings out into the world of form, and to
invoke upon oneself the inevitable karmic
feedback.

     It is not our way to blast the crops and sour the milk. Wiccan
tradition and plain common sense both tell us to avoid the practice
of baneful magic. But, as usual, it's not quite as easy as just saying
no.

     Rape and child abuse, loved ones killed by muggers or drunk
drivers, emotional manipulation and betrayal, economic exploitation
and dishonest office politics - people hurt and victimize other
people in many different ways every day. We are not immune.

     At some point in our lives, probably every single one of us will
feel violated by some other human being. Often our feelings will be
based in fact.  Whether they are or not, however, we need and
deserve a safe way to discharge them.

     Symbolic baneful actions are also cathartic actions. They drain
and clear our poisonous feelings and allow our own emotional
healing to begin. If we deny ourselves this outlet, what happens to
the grief and pain and rage?

     If projection is bad for us, introjection is even worse.
Unreleased
bad feelings are a major source of stress. In a very real sense,
stress cripples and kills. Ulcers, strokes, heart attacks and more are
all heavily stress related. A simple refusal to engage in baneful
magic could easily amount to punishing a victim by adding serious
illness to the original harm.

     I am part of the All. "An it harm none" is about me too. Release
of
my feelings is my right.

     At first it seems like an insoluble paradox. But the same
understanding of magic that forbids projection of our bad feelings
can open a safe channel for those feelings. Here's one possible form:

Preparation:

1) Understanding

     Think about the Alcoholics Anonymous prayer. "Grant me the
serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change
the things I can change, and the wisdom to know the difference."
People of any religion can recognize the wisdom in those words. This
ritual is intended to ease emotional pressure. I believe that is a step
towards granting all three of those things to ourselves.

     If your hurt is ongoing, you must take steps to stop it - leave
the
abusive relationship, begin searching for a new job, begin organizing
politically to stop your oppression. What good this Circle does you
will be temporary at best if you are not acting on both the magical
and material planes to change the things you can change.

     But some of our pain comes from old, old injuries. And some of
our feelings are not based on fact at all. The source of those hurts
cannot be changed, but the pain can be. This particular working is to
release any bad feelings, not to judge them.

     Don't worry about justice. You may be mistaken about who has
hurt you, but nobody will be hurt by what we do here. All energy will
be contained within the Circle. The object of this working is healing,
not justice. You deserve this healing simply because you hurt, and
even if you are mistaken.

     Prevention and healing are human tasks; to do them is to change
the things we can change. Justice - the evening of karmic balances -
is the business of the Gods, and may take place across a span of
many lifetimes. Karmic balance is a thing we cannot change.

2) Set Up

     You have some decisions to make. The first one is whether you
will work alone or ask one or more trusted friends to witness and
facilitate your working. Some of us can only let our feelings go in
strict privacy. For others, the presence of people who will make sure
we don't hurt ourselves or our homes removes a source of inhibition.
And sometimes simply being heard is part of the release process.

     Next, exactly what kind of symbolic action will release your
feelings?  Will kicking a throw pillow suffice, or do you need to
actually make a poppet?  Or just screaming may be enough. If you
want to work with a physical symbol, prepare it in advance, and be
sure not to use anything you will want to keep after the rite or ever
use again.

     Figure out whether you can either cast a Circle to include your
bathroom, or leave a cast Circle for a period of time. This will
depend on your particular training. If possible, have a warm scented
tub waiting for you. If not, a basin of warm scented water and a
washcloth within easy reach just outside of your Circle will suffice.
Also, a ritual meal should be prepared and waiting outside of Circle,
and this should include something green and growing - I favor
sprouts - and something sweet.

Procedure:

1) Waning moon is a good time for this Circle, and the Dark of the
Moon is even better. Cast the Circle and invoke the Watchers in your
usual manner. Call on the Crone, on She who weeds and prunes and
disposes of the obstructive and unnecessary.

2) Just inside the Circle, like the membrane in an eggshell, cast a
grounding shield. One possible image for this shield would be a black
absorptive chain link fence, supported at regular intervals by fence
posts that are lightning rods. Whatever happens within this space
will be contained and grounded.

3) Make clear to yourself what wound you seek to drain. Say it out
loud, even if you are alone. Recall what happened to you in detail and
let the feelings grow strong.

4) Now, let go of your feelings. Do whatever will help you release
what is in you. Beat on a pillow or rip up a doll. Scream till you cry.
Don't stop till you are emptied. Then fling the thing you used as a
symbol out of your Circle.

5) When you are sure you are all done, all drained, contract the
shield into a tight ball in the center of the Circle. As it contracts,
it
will gather all the negative energy from the Circle. Ground it. Affirm
that you are sending this energy to the fire at the heart of the Earth
  to Jarnsaxe or to Pele - to be purified in that blast furnace and
cycled to wherever strong energy is needed.  Know that what you
now let go is gone. Affirm this out loud.

6) Wash or bathe in a ritual manner, feeling the last traces of your
bad feelings dissolve away. If others are present, allow them to
wash and serve you.

7) Rest a few minutes. Feel the peace of emptiness.

8) Then invoke the Maiden's energy for new beginnings. Have your
ritual feast, and otherwise indulge your senses. Gentle and joyful
music would be effective, and you may want to switch to a sweeter
smelling incense. This is a time to dream dreams and plan plans. You
have removed an energy drain from your life, now you will be able to
... ?

9) Thank and dismiss whatever Beings you have called on, throughout
the whole ritual. Close your Circle as usual. Do not do any other
kinds of working or worship within this particular Circle.

Follow Through:

     The final part of any effective magical working is "acting in
accordance" on the material plane. By doing this, we give the magic a
channel through which to manifest. For this working, there are three
forms of follow through, and all are important.
 

1) Remember that painful feelings are partly habitual. Acting in
accordance with magic to banish such feelings requires you to stop
feeding the habit. Don't talk about the pain with anybody until at
least the second full moon after the working. This gives the habit a
chance to fade out. As much as you can, eliminate the topic from
your internal dialogue as well. When you notice yourself dwelling on
the old pain, gently and firmly change the subject.

     Thinking about action to change your life in the here and now is
perfectly OK. The problem is reiteration of old feelings of
frustration and helplessness that actually impede change.

2) If the hurtful situation is current and ongoing, continue with any
steps you were taking to change the things you can change. In fact,
you will probably find you have more energy than you did before to
devote to your projects.

3) Be sure to use some of your newly freed emotional energy to
reward yourself. Take time for friendship, love, and pleasure. The
object of the exercise is to clear space for the enjoyment of life, so
start right now.
Back to the top.

OPENING ( and Ending) THE CIRCLE
 
The High Priestess goes to each of the four directions in turn,
and draws a Banishing Pentacle, saying,
 
 
     Guardians of the East (South, West, North), Powers of Air
     (Fire, Water, Earth), we thank you
     For joining in our circle
     And we ask for your blessing
     As you depart
     May there be peace between us
     Now and forever.  Blessed be.
 
 
She raises her athame to the sky and touches it to the earth, then
opens her arms and says,
 
     The circle is open, but unbroken,
     May the peace of the Goddess
     Go in your hearts,
     Mercy meet, and merry part.
     And merry meet again.  Blessed be.
 

Blessing, Consecration, and Procession of the Elements
 
  (Four members of the coven who have been chosen beforehand now
approach the  Priestess.  Each holds one of the following: an  incense
burner, a candle, a vessel of water, and a vessel of salt.  Each in
turn
approaches the Priestess,  recites their piece, receives her blessing,
and then processes deosil around
the perimeter of the circle while stopping to bow at each of the
quarters.)
 
(Celebrant with the incense burner symbolizing the element of air) :
 
"I am everywhere.  I fill the fleshy pouches of your lungs, I stir all
things from the smallest blade of grass to the tallest tree. I cool
you with my breezes and destroy you with my storms.  Without me
you would die.  Am I not holy and worthy of praise? "
 
(Celebrant with the candle symbolizing the element of fire):
 
"I live in the guarded embers of campfires and the pilot lights of
stoves, I spring from the lightning and the hands of men, I warm you
and I destroy you. Without me you would die.  Am I not holy and
worthy of praise? "
 
(Celebrant with the water vessel symbolizing the element of water):
 
"I rise from the moist crevices of the Earth, I beat on the shores of
Her body, I fall from the skies in silver sheets. Without me you
would die. Am I not holy and worthy of praise? " (Celebrant asperges
the circle with water)
 
(Celebrant with the salt vessel symbolizing the element of earth):
 
"I am your Mother.  From me come the fruit and grain and animals
which feed you. I am your support, and my pull on your bodies keeps
you held firmly to me.  Without me you would die.  Am I not holy and
worthy of praise? "
 
Invocation of the Goddess
(High Priest)
 
"Come to us Moist Mother Earth.  Come to us and take your ease.  You
have labored long and hard to bring forth your bounty, so that we
your children may survive.  Come and relax, for well have you earned
your rest.  Eat and drink your fill, sing, dance, and be merry, for
you
have done well, and there is plenty for all.  And, if it pleases you to
ask for the favors of one of us as well, may you find satisfaction
there too.  We shout your praises, for you are the essence of
fulfillment, love, and joy.  You are the most beautiful, and beyond
measure is your grandeur and greatness.  May we never forget that
we are a part of your Sacred Body, and may we work to preserve it in
all of its myriad forms.  All hail the Great Mother!"
 
Responsorial:  All hail the Great Mother!

"Guardians of the watchtower of the east, return now to the brisk
Autumn breezes which are brimming with the excitement of the
year's climax.  Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and
farewell!
 
Responsorial:  Hail and farewell!

Facing South:

"Guardians of the watchtower of the south, return now to the
dying fires of Autumn's heat soon to give way to Winter's chill. Take
with you our blessings and thanks.  Hail and farewell!
 
Responsorial:  Hail and farewell
 
Facing West:

"Guardians of the watchtower of the west, return now to the
Autumn rains which cool the Earth's fevered brow baked in the heat
of Summer afternoons. Take with you our blessings and thanks.  Hail
and farewell!
 
Responsorial:  Hail and farewell!
 
Facing North:  Guardians of the watchtowers of the north, return now
to the Earth where worms burrow deeper and seeds nestle awaiting
the long sleep of Winter.  Take with you our blessings and thanks.
Hail and farewell!
 
Responsorial:  Hail and farewell!
 
Circle Banishing
(High Priestess)
 
Equal night and equal day
Soon the light will fade away
Equal day and equal night
This circle fades as does the light
Thus the magick we invoke
Fades anon like wisps of smoke
Until we next decide to play

SO MOTE IT BE!

Back to the top.

CONSECRATION OF CHALICE, ATHAME OR OTHER TOOL:
 
Before these assembled spirits I bring (name type of tool) to be
dedicated to the service of the Lady and Lord.
 
(Pass tool three times through smoke of the incense.)
 
By the power of air, be thou purified.  Be thou dedicated to purity of
thought and to harmlessness that all intentions for which thou art
used may harm none and be for the good of all.
 
(Pass tool three times through or over the flame of the fire candle.)
 
By the power of fire, be thou purified.  Be thou dedicated to purity of
desire, and to harmlessness that all goals which thou art doest help
achieve may harm none and be for the good of all.
 
(Take a few drops of water and sprinkle or dab on instrument.)
 
By the power of water, be thou purified.  Be thou dedicated to purity
of emotion, and to harmlessness that all that thou shalt be used in a
spirit of harmony, harming none and for the good of all.
 
(Touch instrument to the stone or salt in north quarter)
 
By the power of earth, be thou purified.  Be thou dedicated to
steadfastness and purity of purpose, that my will be achieved
without wavering, with harm to none and for the good of all.
 
(If this is a chalice, present it first to the Lady, then to the Lord,
if
athame, reverse order.  All other instruments use personal
preference, but it is courtesy to present them to Her first.)
 
PRESENTATION FOR CHALICE:
 
Lady Freya, Keeper of Femininity, bless this chalice.  Let it be as Thy
cauldron, a vessel of productivity that it may be worThy to dispense
Thy bounty.  Let it be used in Thy service and in the service of
humanity.  Let it be so bound that no harm may come of it to any
being, but let it rather be an instrument of good-will and
understanding; of loving harmony.  To Thy sacred self I dedicate this
vessel, (name of vessel), that it and I may long be of service to Thee.
 
Lord Thor, companion to the Lady, champion of the Gods, bless this
chalice and keep watch over it.  Guard the works which come forth
from it, that they ever be in the service of Thee and Thy Lady, that
they be of service to humankind, and that they abide by the laws of
harmony.  To Thee I vow I shall use it for Her sacred purposes, and
for no other.
So mote it be.
 
PRESENTATION FOR ATHAME:
 
Lord Thor, thunderer & hammer wielder, bless this athame.  Let it be
as the spring rains which fall upon the earth to cause Her to bring
forth Her bounty.

Let it quicken my hopes and dreams, yet keep them from causing
harm.  Let it guide them in the harmony of the seasons, bringing
forth only good for all.

Lord Thor, bless this athame, (name of athame), that it be used ever
in the worship and honor of the Gods.
 
Lady Freya, companion to the Thunderer, lover of the Gods, bless this
athame that it shall bring forth joy, and shall cause no pain nor
disharmony to any.

I dedicate this athame (name athame), symbol of the Defender and
Rain Maker, to Thy service.  May it ever bring Thee joy and pride.
So mote it be.
 
(This ritual, with suitable changes, may be used to dedicate other
tools as well as these.)
 
 

Back to the top

 Heimdallr cuts the Soulers' Procession into the Circle on "Come in",
and moves to stand with the other Celebrants while the Soulers
dance slowly around singing:
 
        WELCOME WINTER, WANING SEASON,
        NOW WITH NIGHT THE NEW YEAR COMES;
        ALL WHO HONOUR ELDER KINSFOLK
        DANCE THE DEAD TO EARTHLY DRUMS.
        SOULS RESPECTED SAFEGUARD LIVING
        HOUSE WE'LL HOLD, AND HALLOW HEARTH;
        BLESSINGS BE ON THOSE WHO BIDE HERE,
        AND INDEED ON ALL THE EARTH!
 
The Celebrants begin also to circle, dancing in character, starting
widdershins then spiraling in and out to end deosil, as in the
meeting dance, while the Soulers encourage the outer circle to dance
also.  The intent should be for luck in the new year, and better
connection with our Ancestors (as well as better treatment of our
Elders!).  WE ARE THE OLD PEOPLE, and BLOOD OF THE ANCIENTS are
appropriate and may be sung in polyphony...
 
As the providers of food, FREYR and SKADI bring forward the feast.
Some food should be laid out for the ancestors, and people should be
encouraged to let the ancestors use their senses for a while to enjoy
the food with them.  The Soulers in particular should receive Soul
Cakes.  A strong magical gesture would be for people to bring
forward canned and other non-
perishable food (which can be later given to a food bank or similar
organization).
 
Freyr speaks as follows:
        CAKES TO US CARRY, CORN FROM THE STOREHOUSE;
        WINE DEFIES WINTER, WARM WITH CAUGHT RIPENESS;
        MILK MADE TO CHEESES, MEAT DRIED AND SALTED;
        LAST OF THE LAND'S FRUITS ERE THE LONG SLEEP.
 
Skadi speaks as follows:
        GOOD NUTS AND GAME-FOOD ARE HUNTERS' GUERDON;
        SLEEPING EARTH'S SECRETS YIELD TO THE SEEKER
        TRUE BURIED TREASURE: ONIONS, POTATOES
        FOREST SHALL FEED US WHILE THE FIELDS REST.
 
Both say (if there is to be food donation):
        ALL WHO HAVE AUGHT TO OFFER, NOW BRING IT;
        WIGHTS, BEAR YE WITNESS  WORK WITH THE GIVERS.
        FEEDING OUR FELLOWS, LET US BE FED SO,
        SOPS FOR THE SPIRIT OR SUP FOR THE FLESH.
 
[If there is to be scrying and divination, it should be done now in a
quiet space marked off as separate from the feasting-place.  FREYJA
and HEIMDALLR lead the scrying and VALA and ODIN lead rune-work,
with the following optional speeches:
 
Heimdallr:
        LET THE LOTS TUMBLE, LOOSING THEIR LEARNING;
        WORD-WOOD AND WIT-STONES, WON THROUGH ORDEAL.
        COME UP AND CAST THEM, WHILE WORD IS CLEAREST
        AUGERS MAY ANSWER   AUGHT THE YEAR HOLDS.
 
Freyja: WIDE ARE THE WORLDGATES, WINDOWS ARE OPEN;
        SIGHTS MAY BE SEEN NOW, ELSETIMES BUT SCARCELY.
        CRYSTAL AND CAULDRON   CAPTURE THE VISION;
        MYSTERY'S MEANING   SPEAKS TO THE MINDFUL.]
 
Note: it is entirely appropriate for partying to go on inside the
sacred circle (people can get up and move around), so that the Dead
have the opportunity to enjoy their day before we bid them farewell;
the circle should be cast large, with this in mind.  The only
constraint is to open in sufficient time to clean up the hall before
the rental time runs out. The circle is opened as follows:
 
Heimdallr:
        TO WATCHING WINDS, WE WISH FAIR WANDERING;
        FAN US SWEET FRAGRANCE; HAIL, FAREWELL!
 
ALL:    TO SLEEPLESS SOULS, WE WISH SWEET RESTING;
        FRIENDS WILL KEEP FAITH; FAREWELL NOW!
 
        GODS AND GODDESSES, GO WITH PRAISES!
        FINISHED OUR FESTIVAL; HAIL, FAREWELL!
 
Celebrants ground with this formula:
        AS FROM THE EARTH OUR ENERGY COMES,
        INTO THE EARTH THE EXCESS FLOWS;
        EARTH AND ALL EMPOWERED ALIKE
        BE IT SO!
 
Skadi:  SEE: THE CIRCLE IS SEVERED THUS [she cuts]
        MERRY MEET, MERRY PART, MERRY MEET AGAIN!
 
B*B
Leigh Ann
ThelemaNet - Hail Eris! * (415) 548-0163 (Opus 1:161/93)