Your Opinion on my Ostara Ritual

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kiama	17 Mar 2003
Hi all, I have organised and written a ritual for my Pagan Society, which will be taking place on the 21st of this month in Glastonbury. I would just like a bit of feedback, constructive criticism, etc, and any suggestions on how I could improve the ritual. Thanks in advance! Kiama THE RITUAL: [/u] Location: Glastonbury Date: 21st March Items needed: Seeds Flower petals Water Altar Altar Cloth Chalice Athame Triple Candlestick Incense Candles Wine Hot Cross Buns Pot of soil Food for feast Bowl for seeds Plate for Hot Cross Buns Basket for Flower Petals Bowl for Water About Ostara: The Spring Equinox is a time of balance, when the polarities of dark and light, male and female, day and night are equal. At this time, the night and day are equal in length, and the Goddess and God are equal to each other in power and vitality. At this time we also celebrate the Spring, the beginning of life, and the fertility of the Earth. Where Beltane is a celebration of human fertility, this festival is a celebration of the Earth's fertility, and so agricultural practices are a major theme for this festival. At this time, agricultural communities begin planting the seeds of this year's crops, and so we also plant our own seeds for our coming year's harvest, although we do this metaphorically. About this Ritual: Because Ostara is dedicated to the young Goddess and God, we shall not be speaking of any specific deities in this ritual, and instead referring to the Horned God and the Young Goddess generically. The balance of this time of the year means we are using a Priest and Priestess (Paul, President, and Kim, Developments Officer) to lead the ritual, and the seed-planting part of this festival will be celebrated by a short piece of spell-work after the Statement of Purpose. This spell-work requires each participant to bring with them, either in their heads or on a small piece of paper, a wish or idea that they wish to 'plant' in their lives and see grow. This idea will be planted in the pot of soil, along with a seed each, and the Circle's energy will be directed into it at the end of the ritual, when we are taking down the Circle. There will be no fire for this ritual, due to the fact that we do not know of the regulations concerning the lighting of fires in Glastonbury, and Ostara is not a fire festival so a fire is not necessary. Torches and warm clothing are the alternative for the warmth and light of the usual fire! On the Altar: Representative of the Young Maiden Goddess, flowers and flower petals shall be sprinkled on and around the altar. An altar cloth, upon which is the athame and chalice full of wine, aswell as the plate of hot cross buns for the communion, are present also. The Ritual: 1) Casting the Circle, with Seeds, Flower Petals, and Water To create the circle, all participants shall walk thrice around the boundaries of the Circle-to-be, and each ‘round’ shall have a different chant, and a different thing shall be used to define the boundaries of the Circle. The Callers of the Quarters are exempt from the latter practice though, as they shall be carrying with them a representation of the element they represent: East – Incense; South – Flame; West – Water; and North – Soil. Round 1: All walk around the Circle, clockwise, lightly sprinkling seeds as they go, whilst chanting three times: “Cast the seeds unto the Earth, Evil outside, inside mirth!” During this first round, participants should be visualising in any way they personally choose to, evil and negativity being pushed outside the newly created boundaries, and only love and light remaining within. Round 2: All walk around the Circle, clockwise, lightly sprinkling water as they go, whilst chanting three times: “Sprinkle water upon the ground, Purify the Circle, love abounds!” During this second round, participants should be visualising in any way they personally choose to, the Circle being totally purified, strengthened, and the love and light within the Circle growing in power and strength. Round 3: All walk around the Circle, clockwise, lightly sprinkling flower petals as they go, whilst chanting three times: “Scatter petals in a ring, For the protection the Circle brings!” During this third and final round, participants should be visualising in any way they personally choose to, the Circle drawing up around them into a complete sphere, strengthening more, and giving out a protective energy. 2) Calling the Quarters At this point, the caller of the East turns to face the outside of the Circle, arms raised in gesture of praise. All participants should be visualising the elements of Air surrounding the Circle, either in the form of a breeze which envelopes it, or as a particular animal/figure they associate with Air. East: “I call upon Air at the East to enlighten this Circle! I call upon you, Elemental Air, to attend this rite And guard this Circle, For as I breathe and think, We are kith and kin!” South turns to face the outside of the Circle, arms raised in gesture of praise. All participants should be visualising the element of South surrounding the Circle, either in the form of flame or as a particular animal/figure they associate with Fire. Such as a Dragon. South: “I call upon Fire at the South to warm this Circle! I call upon you, Elemental Fire, to attend this rite, And guard this Circle, For as I consume life to live, We are kith and kin!” West turns to face the outside of the Circle, arms raised in gesture of praise. All participants should be visualising the element of Water surrounding the Circle, maybe in the form of waves crashing at it’s boundaries, or as a particular animal/figure they associate with Water. ]West: “I call upon Water at the West to cleanse this Circle! I call upon you, Elemental Water, to attend this rite, And guard this Circle, For as I feel and my heart beats, We are kith and kin!” Finally, North turns to face the outside of the Circle, arms raised in gesture of praise. All participants should be visualising the element of Earth surrounding the Circle, maybe in the form of mountains or trees, or a particular animal/figure they associate with Earth. North: “I call upon Earth at the North to strengthen this Circle! I call upon you, Elemental Earth, to attend this rite, And guard this Circle, For as I have body and strength, We are kith and kin!” 3) Invocation of the Goddess and God At this point, the Priestess steps in front of the altar, and stands in the Goddess stance. Priestess: “Come, young Goddess, With your paint-pots and brushes: Stipple the fields with flowers, Dot the branches with bright blossoms, Streak the Spring sky with pale pastels. You are the one who paints the eyes on the pansies, And the lines on the lilies so the bees can find their food, And the blushes on the rosebuds. Without you, The bearded iris would have no smile And the black-eyed Susan would be blind. Come, young Goddess: The world has rested too long Under Winter’s shadowy cloak. Come bring your brushes and bright colours And dress us in the shades of Spring again. We invoke you, gracious Maiden of freedom and beauty!” Priest steps before the altar, and stands in the God stance. Priest: “Come, Horned One, Come dance with us Before this night has passed. Come celebrate with your children, Laughing and singing, O, partner to the Young Goddess. Bless our Circle, With a step and a song, As we gather together this night, O, Horned One, Come dance with us, As we welcome the fertility of the land. O, Laughing God of the Greenwood, With your pipes and cloven hooves, Shepherd of creatures free and wild, Join us here, And with your warmth let life be born anew. We invoke you, laughing God of the Greenwood!” At this time, a participant (Who has already been chosen for this part) steps into the centre of the Circle, arms outstretched, to affirm the Circle, Quarters, and Deities. During this, the other participants should be visualising the shining sphere of the Circle all around them, the four elementals present at their respective quarters, and the arms of the Goddess and God surrounding them. Participant: “Hail to the elementals at the four Quarters! Welcome, Lady and Lord to this rite! We stand between the worlds, with love and power all around!” 4) Statement of Purpose Now the Priest and Priestess reveal the meaning of Ostara, and explain the significance of the later ‘working’ part of the ritual. They stand in front of the altar. Priest: “The equinox is a time of great joy. The young Sun comes of age, the frozen waters break free and begin to flow. The danger of the winter is finally past, and the hard Earth is soft again, and ready to receive the seed.” Priestess: “The Maiden has returned, trailing flowers in her steps. The reborn Earth is ready, prepared for the cycle of life to begin.” Priest: “But balance in all things is needed: The soil needs the rain; the field, the plough; the ewe, the ram. So the Goddess waits for Her Shining Son, the Dying and Rising one.

Kiama	17 Mar 2003
5) The Working The Priest now hands the Priestess the cup of seeds that are on the altar, and the Priestess goes around the Circle, offering the cup to each participant. Each takes a seed. Priestess: “Now is the time for sowing and planting. Look within your heart and see the empty spaces waiting to be filled. Take these seeds, touched by the power of the Rising God, and plant them in your heart.” Each person now walks forwards towards the pot of soil that is present in the centre of the Circle, and plants their seed, along with their wish (Which is either physically present on a piece of paper, or present in their mind.) Whilst they plant their seeds, they should be visualising the seed and their wish growing and blooming. When all are done, the Priest speaks: Priest: “Lady and Lord, receive the seeds of our desires, and let them grow and prosper that they may ripen and bear fruit.” 6) Communion The Priest and Priestess move to the altar, and the Priestess takes up the hot cross buns, breaking a small piece off. Priestess: “This food is the blessing of the Lady, given freely to us. As freely as we have received, may we also give food for the body, mind, and spirit, to those who seek such of us.” The hot cross buns are passed around, each participant breaking a small piece off and eating it, taking into themselves the message previously spoken. The Priest then takes up the chalice of wine. Priest: “This wine is the blessing of the Lord, given freely to us. As freely as we have received, may we quench the thirst of body, mind, and spirit, for those who seek such of us.” He drinks of the chalice, and passes it around the opposite way to the hot cross buns, and as each participant drinks, they take into themselves the message previously spoken. 7) Dismissal –Lord and Lady The Priest steps before the altar after the chalice and hot cross buns have returned, and gives thanks to the God for being present at the rite. Priest: “Everything is constantly changing as the wheel of time goes round. The spirits of winter have passed and the spirits of spring approach. We give thanks to you, oh Horned One, Lord of the Dance, for gracing us with your presence. Now we bid your farewell and thank you for your blessings and warmth, as you grow ever stronger with the waxing year.” Priestess steps before the altar and gives thanks to the Goddess for Her presence during the rite. Priestess: “Young Goddess of the Fertile Earth, you who has brought forth love into the plants, helping them grow… We thank you for watching over us this day, guiding us forward. Now we bid you farewell with our love, as you go to bring forth life from the previously barren Earth.” Both: “Blessed be!” 8) Dismissal –Quarters Caller of North turns to face the outside of the Circle. North: “We graciously thank you, of guardian of the North, elemental of Earth, the instinct of the Mother and protection. We thank you for your assistance and guidance. Depart in peace, go with our blessings.” West turns to face the outside of the Circle. West: “We graciously thank you, oh guardians of the West, elemental of Water, the flow of emotion and life-force. We thank you for your assistance and guidance. Depart in peace, go with our blessings.” South turns to face the outside of the Circle. South: “We graciously thank you, oh guardian of the South, elemental of Fire, the drive of passion and creativity. We thank you for your assistance and guidance. Depart in peace, go with our blessings.” East turns to face the outside of the Circle. East: “We graciously thank you, oh guardian of the East, elemental of Air, the drive of intellect and will. We thank you for your assistance and guidance. Depart in peace, go with our blessings.” 9) Closing the Circle At this point, all participants use the Circle’s energy to help their previously planted wishes to grow in their lives, and the energy is ‘transferred’ or grounded into the pot of soil. Priest: “Now we utilise the Circle energy, and ground it into our newly planted seeds, giving them, and our wishes, life and growth.” All now visualise the Circle’s energy being transferred into the soil, and focus all their energy into transferring the Circle’s energy. Whilst doing this, all chant: “Circle of Power, Seed to Growth” whilst a drum is beaten to keep the chant in tempo. (Many drums?) When the drum beat stops, the chanting stops, and all gently fall/kneel to ground, placing hands/body on ground beneath them. This serves to ground excess energy. Now the Priestess declares the end of the Circle ritual: Priestess: “The Circle is open but never broken!” 10) Libation Priestess takes up the chalice of wine and pours it on the soil. Priestess: “For the Spirits of this place, For the Ancestors, For the Earth, And for the Little People.” Priest now takes up hot cross buns and places a piece on the soil. Priest: “For the Spirits of this place, For the Ancestors For the Earth And for the Little People.” 11) FEEAAASSSTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry it had to go onto two posts, but it was too long to fit into one.

DarkElectric	17 Mar 2003
Oh Kiama! It's beautiful! I think it portrays the meaning and spirit of Ostara quite succinctly. We need beautiful rituals, especially now, to counteract the growing darkness with Light, Love and Hope. May the Goddess and God bless you and your group. Peace, in their name, DE

The Your Opinion on my Ostara Ritual thread was originally posted on 17 Mar 2003 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.