Beltane Ritual-to-go

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 13 Apr 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Malachite	13 Apr 2002
Well...here goes! I'll get the circle started so that we can get onto the fun bits!

Malachite	13 Apr 2002
*Altar stands at centre of forest glade, bathed in the warm glow of a small (and carefully made) fire by your right, and further lit by four candles, two in green, and two in white that stand at the two nearest corners. The Altarcloth is a delicate celtic pattern in white and green, and leaf-decked oak branches are barely visible at the back of the altar. A golden chalice, and a silver Athame stand at the front centre of the altar.* *Malachite enters, bearing salt and water, and dips the athame into the water* I consecrate and cleanse this water That it may be purified and fit to Dwell within this sacred circle of stones In the name of the mother goddess and father god I consecrate this water. *Touches the athame to the salt* I consecrate and cleanse this salt That it may be purified and fit to Dwell within this sacred circle of stones In the name of the mother goddess and father god I consecrate this salt. *Faces North* O! Spirit of the North, hear my call Your power is needed, and desired An it please thee to, Bless this circle, and those within This is the boundary, lit by firelight This is the peace, held by gentle minds This is the love, brough by kind hearts Let nothing without peace or love Be found within, Let not the circle be weakened or be broken So long as the fire lights this place. Praise upon thee, O Spirit of the North *sprinkles salt and water to the north* [east next...someone!]

MeeWah	13 Apr 2002
[facing east, bowing once to acknowledge east, wand held aloft in right hand to trace air-invoking pentagram.] O Spirit of the East, Ancient One of Air! We call Ye to attend this Circle. Lend Thy sons & daughters Thy Breath For the fire we light in this space-- & that which we consecrate in Thy name & in the names of Mother Goddess, Father God! [south is next.]

Kiama	14 Apr 2002
*Kiama stands facing South, and bows in reverence* Hail to thee, Spirits of the South! Spirits of Fire and passion! We call upon thee to protect and watch over our Circle, And lend thy warmth and inspiration to us this night! [west is next]

arizonagirl	15 Apr 2002
ArizonaGirl faces West Oh Spirit of the West, Elementat Water Attend this rite and guard this circle. As I feel and have a beating heart, We are kith and kin. (Invocation of Goddess and God - next.)

Kiama	17 Apr 2002
*Kiama stands in Goddess stance, arm raised, legs slightly apart* Great Mother Goddess, Lady of the Greenwood, Ever-renewed Virgin. We call upon thee to bless our rite this Beltane, To lend to us some of your passion, Lifeforce, Satisfaction, And to bless our Circle. All hail the Lady! [invocation of the god is next]

arizonagirl	17 Apr 2002
**ArizonaGirl stands in the God position, arms crossed over chest, feet together** Oh Lord of Sun and Mountain steep, Lord of Desert and Valley deep, Lord of Laughter, Lord of beasts Lord Passion, Lord of feasts, Bless this circle with your presence.

Malachite	18 Apr 2002
Today, we celebrate Beltane, the re-emergence of life. Now is the birth of what was growing. Now is the growth of what was born. The seeds that were sown are sprouting, and that which was as dead is reborn. Here, we celebrate the coming together of the Male and the Female, the God and the Goddess. Together, they are more than each could be. Together they are the future. We celebrate and bless their union, we celebrate and bless the joy they bring to the world. Here, we tend our dreams to their fullest expression. Here we create what shall be.

Liliana	18 Apr 2002
Liliana approaches Kiama and Pollux carrying two crowns of wild flowers. She places one crown on Kiama's head "We crown thee the Queen of May warmth and fertility on the way, the days grow bright short is the night, may blessings follow and stay" She place's the other on Pollux's head "We crown thee the King of May full of passion on this day, glorious in sight, our heart takes flight, may your days be joyous and gay." She then takes Kiama and Pollux's hands and joins them. She turns to face to other participants. "I present the May Queen and King." (Kiama and Pollux, time for speeches, you better be here Pollux hehe)

Malachite	18 Apr 2002
Tonight, the Goddess and God come join in blissful union of body, soul and mind. As their representatives, we here watch the May King and May Queen, Pollux and Kiama, in their symbolic joining. [king and queen, your parts!]

Kiama	18 Apr 2002
*Kiama takes the chalice off the altar, and holds it in both hands. She faces Pollux, and looks deeply into his eyes* As the Chalice is to the female.... [pollux's bit!]

Pollux	19 Apr 2002
*Pollux on his turn takes the athame, and holds it in both hands as well, poiting it upwards. He turn towards Kiama, and contemplates the chalice. Then he looks up, and stares into her eyes...* "...the Athame is to the Male." *...while he speaks, Pollux raises the Athame poiting it downwards, and moving it the Chalice.* "May this union give re-found warmth and nurture to what was growing, and bless what will find future expression." *Pollux takes the Athame, and bows to the Chalice. Then he places the Athame on the altar.* [the ceremonial fire: kiama, you go first! i will light the fire though]

Kiama	19 Apr 2002
Just as our ancestors did many centuries ago, we rekindle the Sacred Fire, the representation of the consummation of the Goddess' and God's love. By doing so, we align ourselves with the ancestors, and the Gods, in a timeless celebration of passion, love, life, and our ability to give and take at the same time. *Kiama takes Pollux's hand, lifts her dress above her knees (Safety precaution!) and they both leap over the Bel Fire.* Now is the time for all celebrants, if they so wish, to jump the Bel Fire, to ensure their fertility of body or mind, or both, in the coming year, and the fruition and growth of their plans. [leaping and individual prayers, wishes, spells, statements, etc next.]

Malachite	19 Apr 2002
*makes surprisingly acrobatic leap over the flames, and pats out the singed patches on his clothes* Oh Lord, my Master, and Lady, My Mistress, The Shade and Light, the Earth and Bough, I thank you for the season you bring. May the passion-flames bring love to life And may the growing saplings Be the Strength and Shade of Trunk and Leaf That Shelter the weary traveller Praise be to thou, O great ones!

arizonagirl	19 Apr 2002
*Old ArizonaGirl, not as spry as she once was, manages to make it over the fire with only minor damage to her person.* The animals breed and the plants pollinate, as the May Queen and the Green Man bestow their blessings upon the earth and upon earth’s creatures. I who am their child, rejoice with them and ask that their happy union become the example for me and all humanity to live in love and harmony! From Your mating shall spring forth life anew. Oh Ancient Ones, I celebrate with You!

Liliana	20 Apr 2002
Liliana tries to figure out what to do with her long, flowing robe and then says frag it, and sheds it to do a quick leap of the fire. As she walks back around to retrieve her robe she offers a prayer for World Peace.

Kiama	21 Apr 2002
*Whilst all the leaping is going on, Kiama is busy in the background, setting up the MAYPOLE!!*

Pollux	21 Apr 2002
*Pollux starts invoking and requesting the light and the wisdom of the Ancient Ones, as guiding lights to his newly found spiritual path, in the spirit of Beltane and things just begun...* May your blessings and gifts provide support for my timid steps on this route just detected May your wisdom and knowledge transpire from my words, acts and thoughts May the re-gained passion of this Season help my humble steps up on the stairs of life May the joy and the abundance of your union inspire and nurture in me communion, connectedness and love genuine *Then he starts praying for every path, every journey and every soul, for their positive assessment and their inspired continuation* ... *THEN POLLUX rashes towards Kiama... He pulls her cloak and robe, and while she's confused and taken aback, he deposes his crown on the MayPole, and spreads flowers at the base of it. Then he takes Kiama's and Lili's hands (the Princess is dressed now), and they start invoking the gift of life and beauty...* :)

kayne	21 Apr 2002
>> Go see Queen Kiama and King Pollux

Kaz	21 Apr 2002
they make a nice couple there kayne :-) kaz

Kaz	21 Apr 2002
while i am here, i might just as well leap the BelFire */me leaps and makes it across*, and wish all here growth in any way they need it. kaz

Mystick Dragon	22 Apr 2002
My turn! *leaps over the fire, Kip happily fluttering in and out of the flames* I wish for healing for all who need it the most. Whether mourning a lost one, or relationship, healing to all! *Kip roars her approval. NOTE: Kip more squeaks than roar* --Dragon

Liliana	22 Apr 2002
Liliana busily arranges everyone male/female around the pole, males facing left, females facing right, and instructing them all to dance in a circle with males going clockwise and females going counter clockwise, weaving in and out of the people they pass to make sure the maypole gets properly woven.

Mystick Dragon	23 Apr 2002
*As Dragon dances, Kip and Lucky weave in and out around the flying ribbons. More spirits and dragons show with the rising energy* This is fun! --Dragon

lunar_rabbit	29 Apr 2002
Not sure quite what to do here, as it is my very first Belane.. But Lunar Rabbit is inspired to jump the fire too! ....She looks around nervously, then realizes "afterall, I'm with a bunch of pagans, and it IS Beltane..." She drops her robe and leaps as gracefully as possible in all her nakie glory over the Belfire! Full of glee and awe, she pauses for a moment to thank God and Goddess for the multitude of blessings in her life since Samhain. And asks for the fertility of the Goddess to bless her also this year. :-) Then runs back to her robe and hurriedly puts it on ... as she walks over to the May Pole to join the rest of the fun...... {hoping she did all this correctly}

kayne	29 Apr 2002
*Kayne confidently casts aside his clothes and leaps across the Beltaine fire, high enough not to feel too hot where he would rather not...* I wish that the friendships I have made in Aeclectic manifest as wonderfully in real life as they have online. *Kayne puts his pants back on and joins Kiama, Liliana and Pollux and everyone dancing around the May Pole!*

Kiama	03 May 2002
*Kiama disappears for a while, but returns carrying a large tray which holds some of the feast on it... Cinnamon cookies.. Passionfruit... Strawberries... Chocolate... Moon biscuits... rice salad... She goes away again, and comes back this time with bowls full of punch fruit juice, and... MEAD!!!!! Yeehaa!* Time for the feast! Kiama *pouring herself some rather nice mead, courtesy of Hans, her German friend*

Liliana	03 May 2002
Liliana grabs that passionfruit and takes position to suductively feed it to Pollux and Kayne andthe sametime, then grabs some Mead and chugs

Mystick Dragon	03 May 2002
*after yelling at Kip to stay out of the fire, Dragon takes some Passion friut. She sits, cuddled up to Pippin, who is trying to nibble at her passion friut. She is single, returning to just a friendship with her girlfriend of 6 or 7 months. Wasn't working out* Pippin, you could go get some yourself!!! This is good. *stares into the Belfire and sees the souls dancing within the flames. Kiama laughs as Kip splashes some punch on her* --Dragon

Malachite	03 May 2002
*wondering what he started* *and why he isn't joining in.*

Kiama	03 May 2002
*Kiama presents Malachite with a large horn of mead...* Quit the standing around, an start doing some dancing! (Drink the mead first of course!) Kiama

Malachite	03 May 2002
*downs the mead, before moving smoothly into the throng, looking for a lonely maiden...*

Kiama	03 May 2002
... The lonely maiden who gave you the mead wasn't good enough then? :( Kiama

Malachite	03 May 2002
hey...you have an entire harem!... no worries, you'll do... ;)... *linking arms, and smiling, leading the beautiful celtic maiden into the dance...*

MeeWah	04 May 2002
[meewah pauses before the altar to lay a wreath of spring flowers as an offering. stops at the bonfire, flings frankincense (for the lord) & rose petals (for the lady) into flames.] Lady of the Moon & Lord of the Sun, We celebrate this Thy union & its blessings before this night is done. Grant us, thy children, our petitions As we consecrate Beltane as one. As I leap the flames in Thy Name, I leave the past behind me & welcome the light of Beltane. With renewed faith & spirit To embrace warmth & Life yet again! [joins the dancers around the maypole.]

Malachite	04 May 2002
Well...while the dancing and drinking continues in the background, let us begin the closing of the circle... O Spirit of the North, Walker of the Wild Paths, Wander where you will, We thank you for your gift, and claim no more your presence Stay, or go, as you will, Blessings upon your path [dimissing west next] *now..where did kiama go with that mead?...and that dress?*

Kiama	05 May 2002
*Kiama returns with mead, but not with dress. Then, she proceeds to dismiss the Western Quarter* Hail to thee, Spirit of Water, Spirit of the West! We thank thee for your presence and gifts this night! Stay if you will, go if you must... Farewell! [south is next] Kiama

Pollux	05 May 2002
*Pollux brings the cloak and the robe to Kiama... and then he walks south* Oh Spirit of the South, Spirit of Fire, Will and Strength we thank you for thy presence in this circle and the blessing and gifts granted Hail to thee, hail to thy Power, hail to thy blessed realms Now Go if you must, Stay with us or depart! [east is next]

Mystick Dragon	06 May 2002
*Dragon faces East, arms up* Oh Spirit of the East Element of Air and Intellect We thank you for your presence in this circle Stay if you will, go if you must, but return again in the ritual hour. Blessed be! --Dragon

The Beltane Ritual-to-go thread was originally posted on 13 Apr 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.