Tools:
4 pillar candles (one for each of the corners)
Alter decorations of flowers & dyed eggs
God & Goddess candles (gold and silver)
4 elemental representations in their appropriate corner
black yarn
birthday candles
birdseed
We will take time to do the grounding and centering and will repeat it again at the end of the ritual.
Casting the Circle:
Members enter the circle. The circle is cast by hand casting. Moving left to right around the circle, everyone repeats, Hand to hand, this circle is cast, as the person to their right takes their hand.
Calling the Quarters:
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!
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!
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!
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! (From Ann Moura’s Green Witchcraft; Submitted by Wolfsong)
Location:
Persephone, Lady of the Turning Season,
Lady of Love who brought Death to reason,
We ask that you join us.
Dionysus, Lord of Celebration,
This is the season we celebrate you.
We ask that you join us.
Purpose:
We have gathered today to celebrate the return of spring. The wheel of the year has come ‘round again. Today, we celebrate rebirth, for what appears dead will soon awaken with life. This season is celebrated in many different ways around the world. Here are a few examples.
Ostara in different areas of the world:
Ostara celebrates the birth of Athena. In Rome, she was known as Minerva. As part of the celebration in Greece, Ostara was the last day of the Grecian Games, which are akin to today’s Olympics. Winners were given crowns of olive branches and flasks of olive oil, which represented the goddess Athena (Minerva).
Athena (Minerva) is the goddess of wisdom. She represents the virgin, women’s rights, and freedom. She wore a breastplate and helmet and carried a spear. Her sacred bird, the owl, is a symbol of wisdom. She is the patroness of craftsmen, protection, writing, music, sciences, medicine, arts & crafts, renewal, prudence, wise counsel, peace, true justice, and strategy. (Submitted by Athena )
The area we stand in today was once home to the Abenaki tribes. The spring was one of the busiest times of the year for them. They went on the first hunt after the long winter, bringing fresh meat back to the village. It was the time for "sugarin'," a tradition that is continued even today.
A spell to release things holding you back:
One of the overseers has a skein of black yarn. He/she goes to each participating member, and asks, What binds you? The yarn is wrapped lightly around the wrists. The member then visualizes the yarn drawing in whatever it may be that is holding him/her back. Then, the yarn is dropped into the fire, releasing the energy and, hopefully, the problem. (Modified from Starhawk’s Spiral Dance; Submitted by Tempest Owlsbard)
Healing spell:
Everyone who is participating in the healing spell must come up and get a candle. With the candle in hand, you visualize the person (NOTE: That person can be you, but if this spell is being performed on another person, you need that person’s permission) that you want to heal. With that picture in mind, you charge the candle with that person’s pain and sickness. Someone will be coming around with a lighter, and when you are ready, he/she will light the candle. As the candle burns, you say or think the following words and imagine that the person you are healing is renewing the light within; thus, all illness and pain will go away.
Artemis, Mistress of Healing and Medicine,
Renew the fire within (me/another person).
As I will so mote it be!
If you want the spell to work, you must not blow the candle out. The wind can put the flame out, or you can prop the candle up in the snow and let it burn out. The group will then send the energy to Mother Earth by raising power with the following chant:
Heal hail holy. Heal holy hair. (Submitted by Wolfsong)
Giving thanks:
A bag of birdseed is passed around. Members take a handful and think of all the things they are thankful for. We can share as a group, or it can be done silently. We will then place the seed in a bowl to be scattered after the circle has been closed.
Thanking the Lord and Lady:
Persephone, leave us if you must,
Stay if you will.
Dionysus, leave us if you must,
Stay if you will.
Quarters are released:
Depart in peace, Elemental Air. My blessings take with you!
Depart in peace, Elemental Fire. My blessings take with you!
Depart in peace, Elemental Water. My blessings take with you!
Depart in peace, Elemental Earth. My blessings take with you!
Closing the Circle:
As hand to hand this circle was cast,
Let us release the energy passed.
