WPC 2BVP Z#|d10cpiuSddd,dp,`vQHP LaserJetHPLASERJ.PRSdp,`vQPX0A     Figure 1  Figure 1 2: >(#|xPrestige Elite 12cpi Bold (J)Prestige Elite 12cpi Bold (J)Prestige Elite 12cpi Italic (J)2XlJuSddd,dp,`vQ.tTddd,dphPQH@HQ{^!,,,@^H@!,,,@*Bd!,,, tT #dphPQH# XX  P  'Dancing Stones Grove, ADF 0,Beltane Ritual  uS #dp,`vQ#b-Beltane, 1991 Adapted from a rite by Shadow Weaver Grove, ADF, 1990 I. Starting the Ritual  A.Dancing  Circle dancing will precede the rite, ending with Andro. People will be pulled out of this dance as the spotters feel that they are ready to enter the circle. There will be a basket at the start of the path for token objects.ƀ%  B.Entering the Circleƀ%  To enter the circle, each person must pass through four Gates representing each of the three worlds (Land, Sea, Sky) and Fire. Each person steps before the Gatekeeper and is asked: What do you ask of the Gate of (Element)? An answer is given or not; the person is marked by the Gatekeeper (with mud, water, and the brush of a feather) and proceeds to the next Gate. The Gatekeeper of Fire smudges the person before they enter the circle. As each person enters the circle, they will take up the chant, Infinite Sun.ƀ%  Chant :` ` We are all one with the Infinite Sun, Forever and ever and ever.ƀ%`  The Gatekeepers will pass each preceding gate before establishing their own positions. Once all participants have passed the Gates, the Gatekeepers will themselves pass the Gates and enter the Circle, positioning themselves with Earth to the north, Fire to the south, Air to the east and Water to the west. The Plate bearer should carry the token basket into the circle.ƀ%  C.Statement of Purposeƀ%  Senior Druid  We are here tonight to honor the Goddess Danu, called Earth Mother, and to honor the God Lugh, called SkyBorn. We honor them and ask them to bless us and rekindle the warmth of the world.ƀ%  D.Centering Meditationƀ%  Group meditation and collective consciousness  All present are brought together with a group meditation, to form a group mind, to help everyone center and bring themselves together to work in accord. The circle will remain open, but wards are set during this.ƀ%  Scribe: Tree Meditation  E.Earth Mother Invocation  Gatekeeper of Earth  Oh Earth Mother  We praise Thee  ` ` That seed springeth  ` ` That flowers openeth  ` ` That grass groweth  We praise Thee  For winds that whisper  ` ` Through the Shining Birch  ` ` Through the lively Pines  ` ` Through the mighty Oak  We praise Thee  For all things  Oh Earth Mother Who gives life.1//ԌII. Active Ritual  A.Invocation of Ogma  Gatekeeper of Fire  O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, open the ways for us  O Mannanon, master of the realm beyond the seas, grant us passage to your kingdomƀ%  O great God of knowledge, we wish to walk your roads  Reveal to us your teachings, reveal to us the safe path  Come wash the night time clean  Come close the gap of darkness in between  We praise you for the brightness of your power  We praise you for the gift of knowledge  Guide us to the place we seek  Walk with us, Ogma!  Walk with us, Manannon!  G:` ` We invoke thee, Ogma, opener of every Gate  C:` ` We invoke Mannanon, opener of every Gate  G:` ` You shall reach us, you shall teach us and reveal our fate  C:` ` You shall reach us, you shall teach us and reveal our fate  B.Consecration of Waters and Cakes  The CupBearer shall fill a chalice and carry it to the Gatekeeper for consecration. Once the chalice is consecrated, the CupBearer shall carry it to each member of the circle in turn so that they may drink from it. When the cup returns to the Gatekeeper, the Gatekeeper shall spill any remaining liquid as a libation.ƀ%  1.` ` Gatekeeper of Land  ` ` Spirits of nature, of the trees and rocks, of the animals and Earth, give us your favor and your companionship, share with us the bond of spirit and of life on Earth. Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your teachings and laughter. Become one among us here. Consecrate these waters. Behold the Waters of Life!ƀ%`  Chant: ` ` Fur and Feather and Scale and Skin, Different without but the same withinƀ%`  2.` ` Gatekeeper of Seaƀ%`  ` ` Ancestors of long ago, be with us. Give us your favor and your wisdom. Share with us the bond of kinship and of life upon Earth. Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your knowledge and your blessing. Become one with us here tonight. Consecrate these waters. Behold the Waters of Life!ƀ%`  Chant: ` ` We come from the river, living in the river, go back to the river, turn the world aroundƀ%`  3.` ` Gatekeeper of Skyƀ%`  ` ` Gods and Goddesses, be with us. Give us your favor and blessings. Share with us the bonding essence and our existence upon your sphere of life. Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your strength and your peace. Become one among us here tonight. Consecrate these waters. Behold the Waters of Life!ƀ%`  Chant: ` ` Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inannaƀ%`  ` ` Odin, Cernunnos, Merddyn, Coyote, Osiris, Shiva, Horned One P-1//  C.Individual Offerings and Prayers  At this point, all present that wish to may make an offering or offer prayers. If anyone has an offering or a prayer they would like to make, they step forward and do so. Individual offerings to particular patrons or spirit helpers are done at this time.ƀ%  D.Sacrifice of the Branch  Gatekeeper of fire makes an offering of a willow or other tree branch, to send the energies to the deities of the occasion. It is sacrificed in the central bonfire.ƀ%  Gatekeeper of Fire:  Our praise goes up with thee on the wings of eagles. Our voices are carried up to thee on the shoulders of the winds. Hear now, O Lugh, O Danu, we pray thee, as we offer up this sacrifice of life. Accept it, we pray thee, and cleanse our hearts, giving to us of your peace and life.ƀ%  E.Divination  A scrying is done with crystal or flame, to find if the gods have accepted our prayers and will be with us. If the omen is bad, offerings are made again. If they are rejected thrice, the circle is broken immediately and the ritual ended.ƀ%  F.The Fourth Consecration  Here the wards are set to protect the circle during the magic workings.ƀ%  Gatekeeper of Air:  We greet thee, citizens of Gorias, City of the East! Thou who brought to our ancestors the Sword of Light, be with us tonight, lend us your strength and skill. Let your blades be over us this night, to protect us in what we do here.ƀ%  Gatekeeper of Fire:  We greet thee, citizens of Finias, City of the South! Thou who brought to our ancestors the Spear of the De Danaan, be with us tonight. Lend us your drive and energy. Strike in our hearts the spark of creativity that is the basis of life. Be with us this night, to light our way.ƀ%  Gatekeeper of Earth:  We greet thee, citizens of Falias, City of the North! Thou who brought to our ancestors the Lia Fail, the Stone of Destiny, upon which were crowned our kings, be with us tonight. Bring us the steadiness and the faith of the Earth, that all things will change but life will continue. Give us the rock to stand upon, and the earth to bring forth life once again.ƀ%  Gatekeeper of Water:  We greet thee, citizens of Murius, City of the West! Thou who brought to our ancestors the Cauldron of the Dagda, be with us tonight. Grant us the bounty of the Cauldron, the waters that endlessly renew. Grant us the strength of the waters, that give way before a breeze but wear away the mightiest of mountains. Grant us the virtue of the waters, changeless and ever changing, that we may remain true to ourselves and grow with the world.ƀ% 0*1//  G.Litany of the Waters (Induction of Receptivity)  This is done as a responsa, led by the Gatekeeper of Fire (G) and alternated with the members of the circle (C).ƀ%  G:` ` Of what does the Earth Mother give, that we may know of the continual flow and renewal of life?ƀ%`  C:` ` The waters of Life.ƀ%`  G:` ` From whence do these waters flow?ƀ%`  C:` ` From the bosom of the Earth Mother, the ever changing All Motherƀ%`  (Plate bearer should bring forth the cakes at this point) ă  G:` ` And how do we honor this gift that causes life?ƀ%`  C:` ` By partaking of the waters of life.ƀ%`  G:` ` Has the Earth Mother given forth her bounty?ƀ%` (Cup bearer should be sure that the chalice is full at this point)  C:` ` She has.ƀ%`  G:` ` Then bring forth the waters.  Gatekeeper of Fire  O Lugh, O Danu, hear us and answer us! Hallow these waters and these fruits of the Earth! We your children have praised you, and now we ask from you healing, blessing, power and inspiration. Behold the waters of life! Behold the body of the Earth Mother!ƀ%  Chant: ` ` Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inannaƀ%`  ` ` Odin, Cernunnos, Merddyn, Coyote, Osiris, Shiva, Horned One III. The Work of the Circle  A.The Magic Working  Gatekeeper of Fire  Tonight we pray for the prosperity of all those here. May our fortunes increase, may the Goddess and the God smile on our endeavors and bring us good luck in all that we do. We ask that they bless these small tokens of our wishes and grant us the success that we ask for.ƀ% X (Plate bearer presents the token basket, then places it before the central fire.)ƀ%  B.Affirmation of Success  G:` ` Lugh and Danu have blessed us!ƀ%`  C:` ` Every time we invoke them, they become stronger and more alert to the needs of their people.ƀ%`  G:` ` With joy in our hearts let us return to the realm of mortals to do the will of the Gods and our own.ƀ%`  C:` ` Yet, before we leave, we must give thanks to those whom we have invited her this night.ƀ%` IV.X Closing the Riteƀ%  A.Thanking and closing of the Quarters  Gatekeeper of Air:  We thank thee, citizens of Gorias, City of the East! You have watched over us this night, and shared with us your wisdom. We ask that you go in peace, until next we meet.ƀ%  Gatekeeper of Fire:  We thank thee, citizens of Finias, City of the South! You have showed our way, and revealed to us the obstacles in our path. We ask that you go in peace, until next we meet.ƀ%.1//Ԍ Gatekeeper of Earth:  We thank thee, citizens of Falias, City of the North! You have given us strength to support our work. We ask that you go in peace, until next we meet.ƀ%  Gatekeeper of Water:  We thank thee, citizens of Murius, City of the West! You have brought us the bounty of the waters, and helped us to see the bounty that surrounds us. We ask that you go in peace, until next we meet.ƀ%  B.Thanking of the Gods and Goddesses  Gatekeeper of Fire  Gods and Goddesses of the Old Times, spirits of the old times and of this place, people of the old times and of our ancestors, we thank you for your presence here tonight.ƀ%  C.Closing the Gateƀ%  Gatekeeper of Fire  O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, we thank you.ƀ%  O Manannon, we thank you. Now let the Gates between the Worlds be closed!ƀ%  D.Libation and Endingƀ%  G:` ` To thee we return this portion of thy bounty, O Danu our mother, even as we must someday return unto thee.ƀ%`  C:` ` The rite is complete!ƀ%`  G:` ` So be it!  Drum beat; all: Biodh Se! and scatter. ă