Witch's Broom

I found this ritual in WiccaCraft for Families by Margie McArthur, and I thought it was really lovely, so I've included it here.

The table should serve as the altar for this ritual, and will be the center of the Circle area. It should be decorated as appropriate for the season.

Mother/Priestess

We gather now to celebrate the feast of Lammas, the feast of the first fruits of the Harvest. Our Mother Earth has blessed us with bounty, Our Father Sun has warmed and quickened the earth, the winds and the rains have come, and all have helped to nurture our crops to harvest. Let us be thankful on this day.

Father/Priest

Let us give greetings to the Magic Spirits of the four directions.

East

Spirits of Air,
bringers of the pollen bearing winds,
we greet you and bid you stay and feast with us.

South

Spirits of Fire,
bringers of the warmth of the summer sun,
we greet you and bid you stay and feast with us.

West

Spirits of Water,
bringers of the gentle rains, rains which water our thirsty crops,
we greet you and bid you stay and feast with us.

North

Spirits of Earth,
you devas and nature spirits, caretakers and builders of the body of the Mother,
we greet you and bid you stay and feast with ust.

Mother/Priestess

Bountiful Mother, we see your gifts all around us.
Generous Father, you have rendered the earth fruitful.
Without you both we would not be.
We give thanks to you and greetings, and bid you stay and join in our merriment.

Father/Priest

Let us now celebrate the feast of Lammas!

 

All seat themselves at their places at the table. As each portion of the meal is blessed, the person blessing it shall extend his or her hands over it in attitude of blessing. After the blessing a small portion of the food is consumed in silence, while meditating on its significance.

Person #1

Blessings be upon this fruit,
earliest of the foods of our race.
Sweet and satisfying is this;
Gracious gift of the Lady and the Lord.
We give them thanks.

Person #2

Blessings be upon these vegetables,
colorful and wholesome offerings to us from the plant kingdom;
Gracious gifts of the Lady and the Lord.
We give them thanks.

Person #3

Blessings be upon this milk, first food of all humans,
and of all our mammal relatives, that which sustains new life.
Gracious gift of the Lady.
We give her thanks.

Person #4

Blessings be upon this bread,
embodiment of the Sun God's essence,
each kernel of this grain forms a link with one that has come before,
a chain extending back into time, to our race's very beginning.
Eat of this bread,
and know that it is a link with our past and a promise of all that shall come to be.
For this gracious gift of the Lady and the Lord,
we give them thanks.

Person #5

Blessings be upon this ale,
the Sacred Alchemical Marriage of grain
and herb brings into creation something new and unique.
By the One Power may we likewise be magically transformed.
For this gracious gift of the Lady and the Lord,
we give them thanks.

Mother/Priestess

As we celebrate our ancient mysteries once again,
let us give thanks to Earth and Sun for the gifts of the fruits of their union.
And may the Old Gods bide with us and grant us their blessings.

Father/Priest

Let us now complete our Lammas feast with gratitude and love for the source of our being.

All

Blessed be!!