This artwork is actually a greeting card, and can be purchased here
I'd like to note here, before you read any further, that although I have posted the ritual in the "regular" way, because that is how it was written, I would not perform it exactly like this. You see, I have a very firm belief that North actually represents Air, and East represents Earth. This is not a generally accepted belief, but my logical brain says this makes more sense. Air & Fire complement each other, and Water and Earth compliment each other. In the generally accepted layout, you have Earth & Fire across from each other. Logic tells me that they would be struggling against each other, as Earth will smother Fire. You also have Air & Water facing each other, but as we all know, Air "dries up" Water.
In the layout I use, you have Air (In the North) and Fire (in the South) across from each other - Air feeds Fire, which would die without it. You also have Earth (in the East) complimenting Water (in the West). Again, Water feeds Earth, which needs it to be anything beyond a barren stretch. It just seems you would have much better chance of success if the elements were working together, not against each other...
This is how I do rituals, and it has worked for me. But I truly believe this is right, and that may be why it works. In the back of my mind, that little voice tells me "If you don't want your knowledge being used by any but those you give it to, make sure that anything that may be "found" or overheard, is slightly incorrect" and that is the philosophy that caused our ancestors to make one little change to keep this power form those who shouldn't have it...
Just my thoughts...
Houndel-the-Matriarch's Beltane Ritual
The Beltane ritual should start before sunrise or in the evening of April 30th. This is to welcome the sun in and to make effective use of the bonfire. The party or the ritual should finish some time after sunrise.
Incense, Perfumes :- Frankincense, Lilac, Rose
Stones :- Emerald, Orange Carnelion, Sapphire, Rose Quartz
Candles :- Green. Gold, Silver, and the 4 elementel colours, (yellow, red, blue, green.)
Flowers/Herbs - Angelica, Ash, Belladonna, Bluebells, Cinquefoil, Clover, Daisy, Hawthorn, Ivy, Marigold, Rose, Rowan, Sorrel, Woodruff, Yellow Cowslip
Tools :- Wand (preferably Oak), Athame, Cup with wine, Sword, Pentacle, Cauldron, White and/or Green Alter cloth, Fire, Salt, and Water containers. 3 lots of coloured ribbon.
Music :- Celtic, Irish Dance
Altar :- Lay the tools on the altar cloth or near it. The altar can be on the ground, a table, a rock or a stump. The altar should be in the center or in the Eastern quarter of the Circle.
Sigils :- make using the preferred method, Charge the sigils several hours/days before the ritual commences and leave in your sacred place until you require them.
Casting the circle
I raise this circle Weaving a web of Beltane power.
Circle of death, Circle of birth, Circle of the Mother Earth.
Shining, forever Spinning, Ending never.
Drawing down the light. Perform the Tau Cross
The Banishing/Cleansing Ritual.
Facing East. before you, draw the flaming blue Pentacle in the air, walking deosil draw the Pentacle in the South, West and North.
Facing East: Guardian of the watchtower of the East Mighty Raphael assist and attend our Beltane ritual if you will, lend us the protection of all the creatures of the air.
Facing South. Guardian of the watchtower of the South Great Michael assist and attend our Beltane ritual if you will, lend us the protection of all the creatures of the fire.
Facing West, Guardian of the watchtower of the West Mighty Gabriel assist and attend our Beltane ritual if you will, lend us the protection of all the creatures of the water.
Facing North, Guardian of the watchtower of the North Great Urial assist and attend our Beltane ritual if you will, lend us the protection of all the creatures of the earth.
Return to the centre .
For about me flames the Pentacle, and above me the six pointed star.
Light up a candle in each of the four cardinal directions.
By these flames we invoke the powers of Air, Fire, Water, Earth.
light the incense,
By these perfumes we invoke the powers of the ancient ones.
Light the gold and silver candles (representing the feminine and the male aspects of the deities)
(Lighting the Silver Candle)
"Lady of the Night, wake from your winter slumber, I call to you.
Join us in this Beltane Celebration with joy, light and love.
(Lighting the Gold Candle)
"Lord of the Day, hunting through the forest, I call to you.
Join us in this Beltane Celebration with joy, light and love."
start the music and begin the ritual Work.
(Lighting the Green Cauldron Candle)
As we kindle the Beltane fire. "Ancient Ones, Listen to this Beltane call. Bring us the glimmer of wishes, the light of hope and the mystery of magick by your presence."
" Let the Oak King live again.
May the great Mother become fruitful once more".
(Pass the wand through the Green Cauldron Candle's flame)
As the wand is to the earth, so the male is to the female.
Joined they bring happiness.
(Take the athame place it in the cup of wine)
As the Knife is to the cup, so the male is to the female.
As the sun to our blossoming world, joined they bring forth life.
Here do what ever invocation is intended. Bless and charge the sigils etc.
The Priestess holds the ribbons in her hands let each person present hold the other end of a ribbon raising her hands the Priestess calls down the blessings of the God and Goddess.
As the May Queen and the great Horned God bestow their blessings upon us and all of the creatures of the earth, we who are one with them rejoice, and ask that their happy union become the example for all humanity to live in love and harmony.
Closing the circle.
Facing North. I thank you great Urial my love & energy I offer freely to you, in gratitude for your assistance this day, leave now if you will, fare you well and harming none as you go your way.
Facing West, I thank you great Gabrial my love & energy I offer freely to you, in gratitude for your assistance this day, leave now if you will, fare you well and harming none as you go your way.
Facing South I thank you great Michael my love & energy I offer freely to you, in gratitude for your assistance this day, leave now if you will, fare you well and harming none as you go your way.
Facing East, I thank you great Raphael my love & energy I offer freely to you, in gratitude for your assistance this day, leave now if you will, fare you well and harming none as you go your way.
Clap your hands three times. The ritual is ended.
From Bewitching Ways,
By Houndel-the-Matriarch May 1st 2004
It is the child's unrestrained expression of bliss and delight that is what Beltane is all about. It is the sheer joy of running through fields, picking flowers, rapturing in the sunlight, delighting in the fragrance of spring, dancing in the fresh dew covered grass. Our children guide us through the natural abandonment of our adult sensibilities and show us how to take grand pleasure, warmth and bliss from the gift of Beltane.
Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.
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