It has been six months since I embarked on the journey of my Dedicant Course at Nemeton Rising. If there is anything I can say at this stage, it's that I believe I am beginning to see the first gentle shifts in my perception and even in my day-to-day state of mind thanks to the Moon meditations. In a viscious, challenging year as the one I am going through, the meditations offered by Emma Restall-Orr come as a refuge, allowing me to slowly rebuild the inner sanctuary I had, unintentionally, lost.
The Wheel of the Year keeps turning, and now, having reached its mid-way, I believe it is a good moment to start acting - using the resources and treasures I have been collecting throughout the cold part of the year.
Beltaine ritual to be performed outdoors, a mid-forest meadow, among the tribe.
As a way to raise the spirits and community-building, the altar will be prepared together with all participants; the younger ones collecting flowers and herbs, the older ones arranging the bonfire. A tree of choice shall be chosen to represent the May Pole and be decorated with colourful bands of cloth (to be taken off after the ritual, of course). The circle is built with the Tree as participant, invited with all its spirits and the Sidhe to join the ritual.
Preface
Singing "Summer is a cumin in" as well as traditional May season songs known to the Polish participants.
Consecration of Time
3 x loud, long and deep drum beats
This is the Time of the Turning!
The Tree of Life is in bloom again
And now it is time for winter to end
And now it is time for summer to take hold
Beltaine is upon us, burn the fires, behold!
Calling of the Quarters
Let there be peace in the East, where the Sun is born
Let there be peace in the South, where the Fire awakes
Let there be peace in the West, where the Kindred awaits
Let there be peace in the North, where the Shadow sleeps
Wardens of Space and Time, grant peace to my Grove.
Casting the Circle
I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Air [walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the fumes of burning wormwood]
I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Fire [light fire torch, walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the flame]
I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Water [sprinkle spring water walking around the circle clockwise]
I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Earth [take handful of salt and cast it around the circle clockwise]
And here I stand, between Sea and Land
And Air, as the Boundaries break open.
Invocation
Hear me! Oh, Mighty Ones!
Hear me! Oh, Dwellers of the Summerlands!
Hear me! Oh, Spirits of the Wilderness!
[face West, where the Otherworld lies]
I summon the Light of the East, to take hold of the world once more.
I summon the Fires of Bile, to burn in the hearts of the Tribe!
I summon the Love in our Souls, to fill us with passion and reveal our desires.
Oh, Great Gatekeeper of the Realms, Manannan, wise Trickster and most strange of Teachers
I call upon you to thrust the gates open and herald the sacred gathering of Man and Sidhe
For here we are, Children of Summer and Lovers of Fire, to honour the ancient treaty:
As the Bright Half of the Year emerges, the Land once more shall be ruled by our People.
As a sign of peace and to honour this most sacred of vows, I invite the Tuatha de Danann to partake in tonight's feast of passion and love, before they leave these lands as our People claim them for the summer [raise the horn with whisky; song.]
And when winter is near at Samhain once more, I shall call upon the Sidhe to return underground and give way to my people who walk in the Sun.
[Turn towards center of the circle to kindle the Beltaine fires - two bonfires in the middle of the circle]
With this, I accept the treaty and herald winter's end! Beltaine begins!
This, I offer - to the Gods [offer bread, rosemary and whisky into the fire]; most of all to be honoured at Beltaine is Bile, the Fire Dancer and the High King; grant us, splendid patron of our gathering, the happiness and joy of young love. And most of all to be honoured at Beltaine is the May Queen, whom we see in the fierce and beautiful Maeve; grant us, mighty Queen of the Land, fertile hearts to let our dreams and desires burst into life [offer bread, whisky and rosemary].
Bile the Fiery One and Meave the May Queen, the ones in whose name we gather at Beltaine, exchange these offerings for your blessings to the people of this land; your guidance to mariners and soldiers, abundance to fishermen and farmers, fortitude to all people of the land and sea. [offer whisky]
Behold! The happy feast of Beltaine welcomes Sidhe and Men, to join in the dance. Come, Tribe, and pass between the sacred Fires of Bile, guided by the fertile May Queen; may the Fires bless us to be healed and whole again; bless the land and the forests, make them safe and welcome to play and laughter, and may nothing but love reign in our hearts this night and throughout the Summer [offer poppy seeds and whisky into the fire].
And this I offer to the Spirits, as a token of my gratitude for allowing me to be a part of this Land [offer herbs and whisky into the fire]
[meditation, accepting the blessings, using the power; thanks to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits]
Deconsecration of Time and Space [put out fire]
Final benediction: Awen.
End.
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