Beltane 2010

Items needed: statue of Aphrodite, violets, parchment, a stone, a dime, honey, wine, oil, anointing oil, flowers, dragon's blood, water, incense ash, two candles to represent the Beltane fires, a red candle, and some grain.

_________________ invoke Goddess with:

“Goddess of fire and passion, by whatever names we call thee - _______ - we know that you hear us. At this time of renewing power we call and invoke thee to our Circle tonight. Join us as we celebrate your union with the God, bringing fortune and fertility to all the Earth. Hear our dearest wish; from the heavens to our Circle descend! Hail and Welcome!”

_________________ invoke God with:

"God of the waxing Light, by whatever names we call thee - _________- we know that you hear us. At the time of increasing light we invoke and call thee to our Circle tonight. Join us as we usher in the warmth that will flourish into Summer as You come into Your power. Hear our dearest wish; from the heavens to our Circle descend. Hail and Welcome!"

_________________ say:

"We are at the turning of the Wheel when everything is in bloom, the earth is alive with the Spring. It is but a step on our journey from the sowing we did at Ostara to the harvest that will come with the Autumn. This is the time of courtship, of fertility, of growth and growing. These themes can be literal - a time to work on love and physical fertility, for the fecundity of our gardens, to celebrate the union that created all life. Or they can be esoteric, fertilizing ourselves so that the metaphysical seeds we have planted will come to fruition, bringing bounty and abundance into our lives. Tonight we celebrate our sister's patroness - Aphrodite, the goddess of love and sex and procreation to bestow her blessings. Tonight we turn the Wheel and celebrate the height of Spring as the God comes into his power to join with the Goddess and spread fruitfulness and joy."

_________________ anoint each person on the brow with the Beltane oil then say:

"Holy Gods, spirits of the Spring, revered ancestors,
Bestow upon us your gifts; offer to us, with open arms,
The endless bounty of your unfailing power.
Upon fields and cattle, let your blessings fall.
Upon hearth and home, let your blessings fall.
On our family and friends, let your blessings fall.
On all the world, from edge to edge, within and without; let your blessings fall.
From now until Samhain, uphold the cosmos in which we dwell;
Let your blessings fall.
Upon all that is ours, upon all that is dear to us,
We pray, let your blessings fall."

Priestess of Aphrodite, unveil her statue and say:

"Aphrodite, come to us, come to us!
From far beyond this mortal plane,
We pray that you return again,
To share with us your mysteries
And secrets long untold of the ancient ways we seek to reclaim!"

_________________ make an offering of flowers and say:

"Aphrodite Morpho, Aphrodite the Shapely,
Gorgeous Goddess, pure vision of loveliness, perfect in form
You inspire us with the power of beauty,
Uplifting us with a heavenly voice, a graceful dance, a work of art,
You make our breath catch, our stomachs flutter.
You enrich our lives with the glory of the changing seasons
The riot of colors that dress the land, sea, and sky.
Aphrodite Morpho, Beautiful Aphrodite...
Accept our sacrifice!"

_________________ make an offering of honey and say:

"Aphrodite Doritis, Aphrodite the Bountiful,
Laughing Goddess, delighting in festivity
You fill our hearts with joy, our souls brimming with mirth
Helping us to forget cares and worries in feasting, dance, and song
You help us share with one another,
Forming bonds of love and friendship that last a lifetime... and beyond.
You rejuvenate our spirits through relaxation and pleasure.
Aphrodite Doritis, Goddess of Happiness...
Accept our sacrifice!"

_________________ make an offering of incense and say:

"Aphrodite Ourania, Aphrodite of the Heavens,
Golden Goddess, shining above,
Illuminating our hearts with the pure light of love
You intoxicate us with your strange elixir of hope, joy, and terror we pine for.
When we are taken by your fever, we can know no remedy
But one word, one glance, one touch from a beloved.
Aphrodite Ourania, Goddess of Love...
Accept our sacrifice!"

_________________ make an offering of wine and say:

"Aphrodite Symmachia, Aphrodite our Ally,
Sly Goddess; shy, coy, mischievous Goddess,
You can send our hearts racing with a glance,
You are Seduction mixed with War,
Scrambling our senses, crumbling resistance, offering sweet surrender.
Aphrodite Symmachia, Goddess of Alliances,
Accept this sacrifice!"

_________________ make an offering of oil and say:

"Aphrodite Praxis, Aphrodite of Action,
Lusty Goddess who enflames our passions, urging us on
You are the drive, the need; making hearts pound
Making the blood rise!
You bring us to union, finding sweet fulfillment,
Joining bodies for a night or a lifetime.
Aphrodite Praxis, Goddess of Sex...
Accept our sacrifice!"

Everyone sing the Beltane song (allow your sense of play to come forward; dance, laugh, enjoy yourself as you are so moved):

chorus:
"Beltane, Beltane, Beltane, Beltane
Beltane, Beltane, Beltane, Beltane

I am the calm, I am the quickening
I’m the intoxication and the force
I am the silence, I am the singer
I’m the stallion galloping to its source

chorus

Maiden touch my hand, lift me up,
Spark my blood, in a field of flowers
Green man sweep me up, lay me down,
Quench my thirst, in a field of flowers

chorus

I am the bright pavilion and the feasting
I’m the wedding couple and the bed
I am the morning chorus and the heartbeat
I’m the goal to which all paths are led."

_________________ say:

"In the elder days, the Sidhe-folk, the Tuatha de Danann ruled the earth. They were gentle and fair, just and compassionate, full of mirth and music. Now we call to them to open the way to the people of peace, open the pathway to the people of the Goddess Danu. Now, on the feast of Beltane the veil between the worlds are thin. We can honor the noble clans of the otherworld, the people of the hills, to receive due offering. Come to our rite, gentle and lovely ones. Hear our call, we the children of Earth remember you, we offer reverence and our blessing. Sidhe, you who rule in the wildwood, who give luck or bane, you who teach us the hidden ways and aid the wise, receive now these offerings made in your honor!"

_________________ make an offering of violets and say:

"To the mighty Queens under the hill - Ladies of Air and Darkness, of Night and Moonlight... accept our offering!"

_________________ make an offering of wine and say:

"To the handsome Kings under the hill - Lords of Light and Shadows, of Sun and Shade... accept our offering!"

_________________ make an offering of parchment and say:

"To all the Sidhe-folk of poetry and wisdom - inspirers and singers, you who grant sight and hearing... accept our offering!"

_________________ make an offering of dragons blood and say:

"To all the Sidhe-folk who are warriors - wardens and keepers, champions and hunters, wrathful protectors and gentle hearthkeepers... accept our sacrifice!"

_________________ make an offering of a dime and say:

"To all the Sidhe-folk of the makers - silver Sidhe and gold Sidhe, wood Sidhe and clay Sidhe, and the folk of the loom... accept our offering!"

_________________ make an offering of a stone and say:

"To all the Sidhe-folk of the soil - tillers and reapers, cattle Sidhe and arbor sidhe and the folk of hearth and home... accept our offering!"

_______________ make an offering of a cat's whisker and say:

"To all the Sidhe-folk of the Earth - stone and soil, stream and pool, bird and beast... accept our offering!"

_______________ make an offering of water and say:

"To all the Sidhe-folk of the sea - merrow and selkie, of the sunlit shallows and the deeps... accept our offering!"

_________________ make an offering of incense ash and say:

"To all the Sidhe-folk of the air - trooping sidhe, the frightening Sluagh, the voices on the wind, singers of the song... accept our offering!"

All say together:

"To all of you we give these gifts and ornaments, asking you to bless us in the joy of the living. We honor the gifts you bring and are grateful for your friendship. Noble Sidhe - accept our sacrifice!"

Priestess of Aphrodite choose the King and Queen of the May, say:

"In the blooming of the Spring, I choose this man and this woman to light the sacred May fires. You are the embodiment of the King and Queen of the May! Kindle the fires with joy in your hearts to work the spell of the Beltane fires to drive away ill and bring us luck in the coming summer."

May King and Queen join hands and light the two candles for the May fires and say:

"We kindle these magic fires
In the presence of the mighty ones
Aphrodite and the Sidhe,
Beltane fires, spring from darkness into light.
Grant us strength, grant us magic, and grant us wisdom.
Fires rise as the warmth of the summer's sun
Kindle within our hearts
A flame of love and wit and might
To friend and foe and all beings
Bring peace and beauty of the land
As life begins anew."

May King say:

"Now prepare to leave your winter cares behind. This is the time to start anew, to leave behind the old woes and look forward to the growth of spring. Receive the blessing of the Shining Ones as you pass between the faery fires. Go now, pass through the flames of purification and join in the joy of May!"

Everyone walk, skip, or dance through the fires, then go between them again and return to the Circle.

May Queen takes a red candle and lights it from one of the Beltane fires, then says:

"We have passed between the Beltane fires and they have burned away the accumulated detritus of the winter. May this light bring joy and enrichment to all our future endeavors. We now leave the season of inside and prepare to enter the season of outside. Let us join together in harmony and pass the three-fold kiss of peace."

May Queen offers a kiss to each person... a kiss on each cheek and one on the lips. As you give the third kiss, say to each person:

"I give to thee the gift of peace. May only good come to thee this season."

May Queen then passes the candle deosil and the next person offers the kiss of peace to those in the Circle. Continue until the candle returns to the May Queen.

May King and May Queen clasp the wand and hold it up, say together:

"Rise, rise the power within us,
Joy and beauty, flesh and blood!
Here we celebrate in the springtime
All are caught in the festivities of May...
Singing, dancing, feasting, and play.
Aphrodite is calling to us,
Heed her voice and join in the splendor
To Her power, our hearts are open,
Feel it blazing hot as the Sun
Deep inside we burn with the power
Through Her blessings, our will be done!"

Aphrodite's Priestess say:

"Aphrodite
Strong like the ocean
Gentle like rain
wash our tears and cares away
Aphrodite
Sea spawn, sea spray
Love us, love with us, we pray
Aphrodite"

Nyx's Priestess make an offering of wine mixed with honey and ash, then say:

"At the beginning there was only dark Nyx. Black-winged Nyx laid a germless egg in the bosom of the infinite depths and from this, after the revolution of long ages, sprang forth Lucifer with his glittering golden wings. Mother Nyx, goddess of sweet repose, from whom at first both Gods and men arose. Decked with starry light, in sleep's deep silence dwells the ebon Night! Dreams and prophecy attend thee and with darkling coursers you ride round the earth. Goddess of phantoms and shadowy play, whose power divides the natural day: by Fate's decree you quench the light and surround the globe with adamantine bands of night. Be present, Goddess, to thy priestess's prayer, you who are desired by all, whom all revere! Blessed, benevolent, dispeller of fears... accept the sacrifice we have made in your honor, Dark Mother!"

Make other offering to Patrons or Patronesses as felt neccessary.

_________________ prepare to take the omen, saying:

“Gift of blessing, gift of destiny,
We have opened ourselves to the Gods
And the Kindred Spirits of this place
That surrounds and upholds us.
We 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 Midsummer?”

_________________ draw three cards and interpret them.

May King hold up the athame and say:

“See in this blade the essence of the God, the creative spark of light and life.”

May Queen hold up the chalice and say:

“See in this chalice the womb of the Goddess, the fertile darkness from which all life springs.”

May King lower the athame into the chalice and King and Queen say together:

“Behold! Existence is made manifest
Two made one,
Male and female,
Light and dark,
Matter and spirit
As above, so below
As within, so without
Infinite balance is created in the union of all things.”

Everyone say:

“Blessed be!”

_________________ say the final blessing:

“Bless us, O great and bountiful Ones,
Bless us, our kin, and our friends,
Bless our work and our wealth,
Bless the material and immaterial.
From day to day, through the turning of the moon,
Through the seasons of fire and frost,
Through all the sacred year,
May our ancestors guide us in wisdom,
May the Sidhe-folk open our ways,
May the Gods and Goddesses grant us our heart's desire.
Let the seeds of spring blossom and bud
And let our lives bloom with the May.
By our magic and by the blessings of the old ways,
Let all our blossoms come to fruit!
Now the blessing of this High Day fills us
We carry it with us into our lives.
The worlds are in us, and we are in the worlds
The spirit is in us and the spirit is in the worlds
By Gods, Kindred, and Sidhe;
The blessing flows and shines in we!”

_________________ say:

“As has been done in the past, so we have done now, and so it will be done in the future. We have once again forged a link in the chain of tradition and the Gods have heard us. Now we prepare to go into the world in the secure knowledge that this ritual has pleased our Gods and we go forth with their blessing.”

_________________ raise cakes and say:

“Behold the gift of the God!”

Raise the wine (keep the cakes raised) and say:

“Behold the gift of the Goddess!
Eat and drink;
Be filled with the blessing of the Deities
and in the silent mirror of our souls
behold that we are divine!
May we never hunger!
May we never thirst!”

_______________ perform the Piacular offering:

“If out of ignorance or faulty memory,
If for any reason we have made offense,
Gathered Deities and Kindred Spirits,
Hear me now!
Accept this offering as recompense
And know that our hearts and our intent was pure.
Accept this sacrifice!”
(Place the offering in the dish.)

Open Circle then place the offerings outside.

Eidolon Moon's Notes:

Obviously this ritual is very Aphrodite heavy, while I don't usually work with love Goddesses I have a particular aversion to Aphrodite. Not because I don't like her or because she doesn't like me; but because I have this wierd hang up with her because of the story behind my birth name. Aphrodite wasn't very nice to the mythological personage who had that name and I tend to shy away from her. With that said, she is invoked here because one of the women in our group has her as a Patron. And I wanted her to feel very welcomed and safe in this ritual

She was just starting to go through a divorce at this point, and her soon to be ex was the May King in ritual. There was no way to not make that not be awkward, so I wanted the rest of the ritual to really call to her and help her feel loved and wanted. The reason he was part of the ritual is because I am a sneaky witch... I hijacked the ritual after they walked through the Beltane fires to add a small section asking them to help to start healing from the end of their relationship, to give them both strength through this time and the ability to be clear headed through the divorce.

I don't think my words helped at all, but I am hopeful that over time they can start to heal and that this ritual will eventually spread some peace to them both.