Posted by: Zyidzu
« on: October 11, 2005, 09:23:58 PM »
Oks, I 'think' it is done . . .
There's some changes here and there and some additionally prayers etc.
There's also some things that are conspicuously missing. For those elements that some of you might find it odd or difficult to do without in a ritual I can only say that I create rituals pretty much
as they come to me, and often if I don't include something it is because it wasn't really required in that working. There were several sections or aspects of this that I tried to add in and they just didn't want to fit, so they were excluded altogether. Maybe if I don't tell anyone what they were . . . they won't be missed.
So now let's all hope we can at least see the moon on Thursday night so we can bath in the Silver Lady's light and don't have to use an effigy of it instead.
I also need to find a way to print out many copies of this rite so the participants can follow along. Because of this it would also be nice if I had some idea of how many intend on coming to this.
(Show of paws... er I mean hands everyone?) Also if anyone has access to a copy machine. I can generate some copies on my inkjet but a copying machine would just do that so much quicker and easier.
-Z
HUNTERS MOON2k5
UD : October 11, 2005
THE HUNTER'S (BLOOD) MOON OF OCTOBER
THEME(S) = Traditionally this is actually the time of the Blood moon, the beginning of the hunts of winter. It is when the God who had danced merrily in the woods all summer transforms into Herne the Hunter. But instead of focusing on the challenges of the hunter, this year I intend to focus on honoring those that has passed, and those that must face the upcoming winter. A time of remembrances and a focus more on the twilight of the year when the division between the realms of the living and the dead grows thin and we can speak to our ancestors as the nighttime of the year approaches. Yes this is also in many ways a combination of Hunter's Full Moon Rite and Samhain, but then if you consider how our distance ancestors divided their months not by any printed calender but by the waxing and waning of the moon, it is very likely that this would
have been a day when Samhain was celebrated.
THE PREPARATIONS
RITUAL GARB : is preferred for this rite but of course not required. Although it would be neat to be in a rite where everyone is in robes again. Ahhhh... maybe I'm more Wiccan at heart then I thought.
THE DRUMS : This rite needs all drummers and musicians to bring their instruments, as it is heavily drum driven.
THE SCARED DRINK : Everyone should bring their own drinking vessel. There are plenty of cups and chalices at CLG but it would be better to bring your own favorite vessel or ceremonial chalice. This rite calls for several honorific toasts to be made as a group, so enough drink needs to be on hand to keep everyone's cup or chalice full. Preferably something that everyone can imbibe of, meaning non-alcoholic. Personally I'll try and obtain several bottles of a sparkling grape juice or something similar.
ALSO Because this rite calls for a lot of drinking, there needs to be someone for the role of wine-bearer or 'Bacchus'. Their role throughout the rite will be to see to it that the drink is blessed at the proper time and then to keep everyone's cup or chalice filled throughout the ritual.
It would be cool if they were dressed like Bacchus too.
TEMPLE OF LUNA : If there is no moon, a shrine of some sort should be used as a place to focus the attention of the patrons upon. This should include a large scrying pool, and unicorn and faerie symbols and images. Also faerie bells or delicate wind chimes are also welcome.
OUTDOORS : Could set up a tripod to hold some sort of banner to represent the moon. Optimally, this should be a large banner that could be high enough that everyone has to look up to it as though it was the real moon.
INDOORS : if forced indoors by rain, an indoors temple of luna and with an effigy of the moon. Optimally, the best thing to use is a large picture of the moon on a translucent medium that could be lit from behind. If not, then an effigy of the moon goddess.
THE HUNTER'S MOON RITE
PREPARING THE CIRCLE : Before the rite is to begin (and in the name of time) the leader and perhaps a helper or two will go about the circle, setting up whatever props are to be used and casting blessings of purification about the circle, and if outside, then offerings to the nature spirits and spirits of place should be extended. Small shrines to the Quarters shall be set up as bowls of water (perhaps sprinkled with faerie dust) and small braziers of incense.
THE OFFITORY TO SPIRITS OF PLACE (To be used if outdoors) There should be an offering of things the Nature Spirits can use. Such as seed and nuts for the grain eaters, milk (or sugar water) as fertilizer for the plants and insects and dog food for the eaters of meat.
THE PRAYERS
"To those towering pillars
of wood and green
That bridge earth and sky
and sweep our air clean.
And to all the kingdom
of the Jack-in-the-green.
Here be a bit of nourishment
we pour upon your ground.
Cast in thy honor,
that ye always abound.
As we claim this small space
to be our sacred round."
"Now here to the eaters of nut,
leaf, and grain,
we call unto thy spirits
and invite you to our game.
Here now in thy honor,
do we cast this upon the ground,
as we ask thee to share in celebration,
in our sacred round."
"For those that must dine
upon fur, feather or fin,
in that great circle of life
that holds all within
We share now this food
cast upon the ground
As we honor ye to join us
in this our sacred round."
THE GATHERING : Once the ritual area has been prepared there will be a briefing of what will
take place in the rite. Once that's completed, the participants are given time to go off and prepare themselves for the ritual.
NOTE: There will be no procession as a group to the circle. Instead all participants should go to the circle as soon as they're ready. Musicians and drummers should begin a drumming circle as soon as they situate themselves in the circle. This will continue until all members have gathered and everyone is drumming or clapping along.
THE OPENING OF THE RITUAL: Is announced by the ritual leader taking up a staff and stamping it upon the floor (or gong if outdoors) three times abruptly ending the drumming.
LEADER: "Welcome to thee and to all of thine,
Welcome to this most magickal time
Now put aside your mundane mind
And enter into timeless time.
This eve we'll honor the olden ways
and live again in long past days
In this twilight of the year we now meet.
As our lands begin their long deep sleep."
LEADER:
" Come with me now
and walk the ancient ways,
Unite our minds together
In peace and love forever
As one shall be our way.
As one shall be our way.
MUSICIANS: Now the drummers take up the beat and all chant:
(Repeat 3 times)
"Walk with me now
within our sacred grove
Holly pine and cedar
Apple vine and Heather,
Oak and ash and thorn.
Oak and ash and thorn."
MUSICIANS : Once the chanting ends, the drumming continues as the leader turns to the closest participant and joins hands (or hugs) with them while saying;
EACH MEMBER: "Be thee welcome, and merry well meet."
That participant in turn so greets the one beside them and this greeting goes about the room
until it returns to where it had started. The drumming continues until the rite of fellowship is
complete.
THE CREATION OF SACRED SPACE : The Leader signals for the drumming
to end then announces the next step of the rite.
LEADER: "Now let us make
this place our sacred place,"
The leader throws open their arms to the congregation and shouts
LEADER: "Let all hear the beat of our hearts!"
MUSICIANS : The drummers begin a low 'heart beat'.
LEADER: "Let all hear the song of our souls!"
ALL : Everyone begins an intonation, starting soft and low, rising slowly. They continue this intonation as the leader now invites in the four Quarters.
INVOCATION OF THE WATCHTOWERS
EAST
Spirits of the Eastern Wind
Tower the Sky Queen has danced within
Magick of Eagle, and mystic wing
Rulers of Air and all such things
Thus do we honor, and thy presence we pray
To Witness this celebration in thy special way.
SOUTH
Spirits of the Southern Flame
Throne of the Eternal Fire King
Tower of the Red Dragon's lair
Lord of the flames of Creative flare.
Thus do we honor, and thy presence we pray
To Witness this celebration in thy special way.
WEST
Spirits of the Western Flood
Lady of the lake and of life's cool blood
Pool of the Mystic Unicorn and Great Serpent of old
With the waters of life does thy cup overflow.
Thus do we honor, and thy presence we pray
To Witness this celebration in thy special way.
NORTH
Spirits of the Northern Stone
Lord of the Mountains, of Flesh and of Bone
Tower of the Minotaur guardian of old
Of strength and of Heart and of North wind cold
Of passions and desire, and virility bold
Thus do we honor, and thy presence we pray
To Witness this celebration in thy special way.
Now the leader then stands with outstretched arms and turns in a circle saying;
TO THE CIRCLE :
"Now here we place our sacred round
On the cross of the earth
We claim this as holy ground."
ALL : Have been keeping up a continuous intonation and heartbeat that has been growing louder
and more intense and by now should be reaching a crescendo. The leader shakes their staff at
the assemblage indicating that they'll all stop in 1 - 2 - 3 - and all let out a final "HAH!"
LEADER : " Now musicians, speak thy joy before the gods."
MUSICIANS : Before the reverberations of the HAH have totally died away, a drum beat starts.
This time the beat is musical and exciting. All musicians join in and it goes on for several minutes with everyone having fun and dancing if they like.
THE BLESSING OF THE DRINK : While the drumming and dancing are going on, the wine-bearer performs a prayer/ritual of their own words and design over the flagon of drink (s)he carries for the ceremony and asks the Silver Lady to bless its contents. The wine-bearer (or 'the Bacchus') then takes the flagon about the circle and handing it to each patron in turn, asks each of the members to put their personal blessings into it. In this way the blessings of the Moon combine with the good energies of the members to be joined in this bottle of drink.
Only after everyone has had a chance to bless the communal flagon, the Bacchus begins filling
the cups and chalices of the patrons. And he will continue to make sure all the vessels stay full
throughout the rest of the ceremony.
NOTE : Whenever the Flagon of Bacchus is emptied, it isn't just refilled, but the wine-bearer must again say his prayer over it and again pass it to each patron so they may put their personal blessings into it.
CALL TO THE SILVER LADY: Once all the drinking vessels have been filled, the Rite Leader
stops the drumming with the stamping of their staff on the floor. The leader then tells all to face
the moon and hold up their cups in a toast as the Moonsong is sung (or chanted)
THE MOONSONG OF THE SILVER LADY
Oh Silver shining lady,
enchantress of the night
we welcome now thy mystic light
upon our world tonight.
Let all that wander nightly,
beyond the fires of man
gaze skyward now and sing thy thanks
our lady's come again
Oh Silver shining lady,
the living waters alight
enchant our hearts with mystic glow
of faerie spirit bright
We open now our spirits,
let down our binding ways
to ride the moonbeam to thy worlds
beyond the light of day.
So let the night folk frolic,
there's magic in the air
the power sings of wondrous things
for any that would dare.
Oh silver shining lady,
as in your light we bathe
this enchanted night we all give thanks
for what your moonlight gave
LEADER : The leader then instructs the assembled to raise their cups in a toast, to the Silver
Lady, honoring her in their own words, then bow to her and to pour the first mouthful upon the ground in her honor before taking a sip of their drink themselves .
Then he tells all to take a moment to meditate on these words.
THE FOREVER MOON
Think of how we live in a world of change,
Nothing is permanent, all things change.
Yet for good or for bad, whatever may hold domain,
The moon shines down ever the same.
Think now back, before this time
go thee backwards within your mind
before this house once stood as new
before urban sprawl, when forests here grew,
how many times did this spot receive the plow?
how many hunters once stalked here as well?
Think how many others onetime walked this spot
be they sons of man or of the animals's lot
now go back farther, if in your mind you can
before the descendants of the white man ran
Into the native peoples that were here first
before the ways of old were forever burst.
Think of how different this spot was back then
a time when great forests stood without end.
a time when nature, not man was in domain
yet the same moon shined down on them just the same
Now think back farther still, how far can you imagine?
To a time before man, and beasts beyond comprehension?
Think of what giants might have once trod here.
Long long ago in that far off yesteryear.
Think of what battles were fought beast against beast
From the greatest of the greatest to the least of the least.
When ice covered this land for most of the year
but go back even farther and the ice disappears.
Then the trees would seem wrong, to our human eyes
This indeed would be a landscape we would not recognize.
When incredible beasts once fought with tooth, horn, and claw.
Saurians that today we can only gaze upon their bones in awe.
Think of how different this spot was back then
a time when strange forests grew without end.
a time when even stranger creatures lived in domain
yet the same moon shined down on them just the same
Think now of all that may have trod upon this very spot we stand.
For this is the time to honor them,
as that same moon shines across this land
And we honor them by remembering all of those of yesteryear
We keep their lessons and their spirits alive,
by keeping their memories near.
As in the light of the Silver lady we bathe
we perhaps hope that we too will be so remembered one day.
When our descendants will stand in this domain
and the same moon will shine down on them just the same.
LEADER : Now my brothers and sisters, let us toast our Silver Lady, as forever she may shine.
ALL : Raise their cups and toast (in their own words) and bow to the Moon and then again spill
some in honor and sip some in sharing.
LEADER : Now my brothers and sisters, let us toast those who once walked beneath the Silver
Lady's light, but walk no more.
ALL : Raise their cups and toast (in their own words) and bow to the Moon and then again spill
some in honor and sip some in sharing.
LEADER : Now my brothers and sisters, let us toast those who walk today beneath the Silver
Lady's light, especially those in other parts of this world, that suffer a sadder plight.
ALL : Raise their cups and toast (in their own words) and bow to the Moon and then again spill
some in honor and sip some in sharing.
LEADER : Now my brothers and sisters, let us toast the times to come. May they be gentle in
their challenges, and fair in their lessons.
ALL : Raise their cups and toast (in their own words) and bow to the Moon and then again spill
some in honor and sip some in sharing.
LEADER : And finally my brothers and sisters, let us toast to those that will one day walk where
we have walked. That they may remember us fondly.
ALL : Raise their cups and toast (in their own words) and bow to the Moon and then again spill
some in honor and sip some in sharing.
LEADER : Now announces that it is time for any patrons that wish to work personal magick
THE TIME OF PERSONAL MAGICK : An open drum circle should be started here as individuals take time to work whatever personal rites or prayers they wish in the circle.
NOTE : That personal magicks might also include individuals that wish to publicly honor or remember various deities, friends, lovers, etc. They may offer a prayer or better still for this rite,
request a toast of homage from the group.
This continues on until everyone appears to be finished. Then the leader announces it is time to end the rite.
TO THE SILVER LADY
LEADER : "To the Silver Lady most pure
We bid thee now adieu
As we bring this rite to end
And pray we have honored you.
Stay if you wish but go when you must
As in love we depart in perfect trust. "
CLOSING TO THE WATCHTOWERS
LEADER : To each direction he proclaims;
" To Watcher of old as you have stayed
This rite be ended as has this day
We thank you for thy presence this night
And bid thee farewell as is proper and right.
Stay if you wish but go if you must
In love we depart in perfect trust. "
OPENING THE CIRCLE
LEADER "To they that have attended here
may in peace do ye depart
and we thank ye for thy blessings
and your gifts to this our art.
This space may now be opened
the energies earthed and dispelled
This meeting here is over
now we shall depart as well.
So retire unto thy places
oh ye children of the night
and may thy dreams be bright and fulfilling
as in sleep thy souls take flight.
So it is done
