Autumn Equinox 2008
Items needed: seven stones (I used carnelian, amber, tiger’s eye, rose quartz, clear quartz, turquoise, and topaz), a red pouch to hold the stones, a brown candle, and runes.
Perform Salt Water Purification then cast Circle.
Invoke Inari with:
“Goddess of foxes and fire;
Lady of fields and mountains,
I now complete the sacred words to
Invite you here to my Circle.
Grant me your wisdom
In my worship and in my daily life.
Inari, hear my dearest wish –
From the heavens to my Circle descend.
Be here now,
Hail and Welcome!”
Pour the rice into the offering dish and say:
“Inari – accept my sacrifice!”
Invoke the Morrighan with:
“Goddess of life and death;
Lady of Sovereignty,
I now complete the sacred words to
Invite you here to my Circle.
Grant me your wisdom
In my worship and in my daily life.
The Morrighan, hear my dearest wish –
From the heavens to my Circle, descend.
Be here now,
Hail and Welcome!”
Pour the wine into the offering dish and say:
“The Morrighan – accept my sacrifice!”
Invoke God with:
“Lucifer, Lord of the Morning,
I now complete the sacred words to
Invite you here to my Circle.
Grant me your wisdom
In my worship and in my daily life.
Great Ladies, hear my dearest wish –
From the heavens to my Circle, descend.
Be here now,
Hail and Welcome!”
Place the pennies in to the dish and say:
“Lucifer – accept my sacrifice!”
Statement of Intent:
“I stand in this sacred space as the year balances between light and dark. For a moment, all is suspended and then darkness takes precedence. I look back and remember, I look forward and plan; thus do I help to create balance in my own life. This is the holy of the Sun; a symbol of perfection, empowerment, creativity and the true self. In the sky, the sun and moon appear to be the same size, symbolizing the balance of the season. I prepare to enter the dark half of the year, stepping from the sunlight into the night. All around me the life is fading from branch and vine; yet life still endures, slumbering. As the dark conquers the light, I turn the Wheel and help lead the way to rebirth.”
Pick up the small bowl of corn kernels and say:
“In the past my life would have depended on a plentiful harvest for me and my family to survive the cold winter months. I would have worked hard to reap the bounty of this harvest and my thanks would be heartfelt and gracious. However, I am thankful to live in a time of plenty and quick convenience. I can enjoy the slow change of seasons instead of tending to the fields, my harvest is as near as the grocery store. I take time to be grateful for the big things that life and Deity have granted me, but I am also thankful for the small things that often go overlooked.”
Take a moment to think about all that you are thankful for, big and small. Then say:
“I have sown and I have tended
I have grown and I have gathered
I have reaped a good harvest of _______________.
Goddess, I am thankful for your gifts
God, I am thankful for your bounty
Androgyne, I am thankful for your harmony
I thank you for _______________.”
Run your fingers through the kernels while saying:
“With all that I am grateful for fresh in my mind, I bless this sacred corn. Each kernel represents a gift given to me, both known and unknown. May this be a gentle reminder that there is more to the world that I am aware of, but as I have been given, may I freely give. The corn is ruled by the Sun and represents life energy and vitality. These kernels have been preserved, dormant, waiting for the warm sun of spring to be reawakened and grow into the new harvest. I make this offering to the Gods and Kindred Spirits in thanks for all the blessings bestowed upon me, and for all the blessings that are yet to come.”
Pour the corn into the offering dish and say:
“Gods and Kindred Spirits, accept my sacrifice!”
Light the brown candle and say:
“This is when all begins to turn and change. The leaves explode with color, the days grow shorter, and the nights are touched with frost. This autumn has brought much turmoil into my life, but there has also been much clarity concerting my path. During the celebration of harmony and thanksgiving, I reaffirm my commitment to the Old Gods and Kindred Spirits. I am a Priestess of the ancient ways that have been made new again. May this flame purify my heart and hands so I may do the work of the Gods.”
Take a moment to reflect on where you have been and where you are going, take note of the harvest of knowledge for your Path.
Pick up the seven stones; hold them in one hand and say:
“The power of these stones will surround and strengthen me through the long winter.”
Place a stone in the bag and say:
“In the North, the earth will be steady and support me through my trials.”
Place a stone in the bag and say:
“In the West, the day’s end will cradle me and give me peace.”
Place a stone in the bag and say:
“In the south, warmth and creativity will be with me.”
Place a stone in the bag and say:
“In the East, the dawn will renew me each day, offering new promise.”
Place a stone in the bag and say:
The Sun will be a steady guide to my true self.”
Place a stone in the bag and say:
“The Moon will be a lamp in the night, illuminating my intuition.”
Place the final stone I the bag and say:
“In the Center I find joy in all I do
I bring joy to all I love
Joy will flow in my life!”
OK, first the reason for the stones I used. If you choose to do this (or something similar) I was going for stones related to the sun and had properties that lent themselves to healing or protection. Mainly because those are properties that I feel I'm in need of. You can use whatever you feel you need. So, the stones used:
Prepare to take the omen, saying:
We have opened ourselves to the Gods
And the Kindred Spirits of this place
That surrounds and upholds us.
I ask those ancient and wise ones –
May the true sight be in me,
May the true speech be mine.
O Gods and Kindred Spirits,
What blessing to you offer us
To take into the world?
What can we expect between now and Samhain?”
Draw three runes and interpret them.
Hold up the cakes, then say:
“Behold, the holy grain!
Let this bounty of the Harvest promote generosity
May the Gods bless it so as I partake of this feast
I may have the growth of wealth,
The soundness of health and the delight of wisdom.
So mote it be!” Place an offering into the offering dish, then eat a some of the cake (save a small amount for at the end).
Hold up the wine and say:
“Behold, the holy cup!
The vessel which holds the wine of inspiration,
The outpouring of blessings from the Old Ones.
May the Gods hallow this cup!
As I imbibe this blessed wine,
Fill my spirit with joy, reverence, and bounty.
So mote it be!” Pour some wine into the offering dish, then drink some (save a small amount for at the end).
Say:
“I am grateful for the bounty and blessings that I have gathered this year, I am thankful for the sorrows as well as they have made my life richer and fuller. Now I continue upon my path, getting ready for the final harvest when the veil is thin. As it has been done in the past, as I have done now, as it will be done in the future; I have again forged a link in the chain of tradition and the Gods have answered. May I go forth into the world secure with the knowledge that my ritual has pleased the Gods and I go forth with Their blessings.”
Perform the Piacular offering:
“If out of ignorance or faulty memory,
If for any reason I have made offense,
Gathered Deities and Kindred Spirits,
Hear me now!
Accept this offering as recompense
And know that my heart and intent was pure.
Accept this offering!”
(Place the offering in the dish.) Say:
“I am a Child of the Earth and Starry Heavens,
May the sacred presence remain with me always
I go now in blessings and peace.
My rite has ended.” Open Circle. Let the candle burn out and let the pouch charge on your altar. You can leave it there until the Spring Equinox or carry it with you.
Phaedra's Notes:
I've still been feeling vulnerable since my grandmother's death and wanted to do something to not only show my thanks but also to help me continue on my road of healing. Thus, the stones. Currently they are still in their pouch on my altar but I'm going to be taking with me whenever we travel. I also wanted to do something symbolic to say that even though I don't always realize all the blessings around me, I am grateful for them.
This ritual was pretty quick and very much what I needed at the time. I'm really glad that I did it instead of waiting to see if the Grove was going to get together. I really wanted to be lazy about this Mabon, but decided that was a bad habit to fall into.
Do not reproduce without permission.