From The Real Witches' Coven by Kate West.
In advance of this Ritual you will need to find, or write, and then commit to memory, a piece of verse, prose, music, or song which reflects the spirit of the season. This should include some expression of the changes in that person’s life. It is important that the pieces are memorized as there will not be enough light to read from bits of paper until well into the Ritual. The High Priestess’ piece should include her hopes for the Coven as a whole as well as any personal wishes. Have one candle for each person spaced around the outside edge of the Circle, and two on the Altar. If you are working outdoors the candles will have to be in jars so that, when lit, any wind does not blow them out. The Ritual commences in darkness with only one candle lit on the Altar, the rest of the room or space remaining in darkness. The High Priestess should have a dark veil over her head, and wear a dark cloak over her robes. If you can, wear white robes or a long white dress under the dark cloak.
After the Sabbat Introduction the group chants:
“Return, return, by earth and air, by fire and water,” three times.
The person to the left of the High Priestess recites his or her piece for the festival. Then the High Priestess recites his or her piece for the festival. Then the High Priestess lights a taper from the Altar candle and passes it to the person to her left, who lights the candle behind him or her. The group chants again and the process is repeated all around the Circle, until all the surrounding candles are lit. The last person to give their piece is the High Priest. The High Priestess does not give her recitation yet. Having given his piece and lit his candles, the High Priest steps forward into the center of the Circle and says:
“The season of lights is upon us. We say farewell to the winter, to the time of resting, and look forward to the Spring which brings us fresh starts and new beginnings. I call upon the Old Ones (gives names of the Coven’s preferred Deities) to return to us the Maiden, the Goddess of youthful energy and fresh growth.”
He turns around to face the High Priestess in front of the Altar and, drawing the pentagram over her body, says:
“By seed and roots, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit do we invoke thee, fair Lady of the Spring.”
Two of the other Coveners then step forward and remove the High Priestess’s dark cloak and veil. The High Priest then gives the High Priestess the Fivefold Blessing (you will find this in the First Degree Initiation Ritual) and welcomes the Goddess as Maiden. She then delivers her piece to the whole group and lights her candle, which should be the second of the two Altar candles. At this point you might like to have other chants, and perhaps some circle dancing, before moving on to the Rite of Wine and Cakes.