Friday Form A Circle - Autumnal Equinox Sabbat Ritual for a Solitary Witch

* Autumnal Equinox Sabbat Ritual for a Solitary Witch *
Ritual written: Sept 21st 1996, Wytewitch

Secure your room, turn off as many lights as is comfy, or if ya like it bright so be it: I just like to keep things natural!

The setting:

The altar cloth and candles should be red. The circle should be decorated with autumn flowers acorns, pine cones corn sheaves. A bowl of fruit is on the altar.

You'll need:

• altar candles
• quarter candles
• incense
• salt
• water
• oil
• wine/fruit juice
• fruit
• and offerings (see below).
• bell
  

And now we begin.......

Light Altar candles
Light incense
Ground and center yourself, take a few minutes to reflect upon things and make yourself ready. State why you are doing this ritual!
Say the following:
"Lady Autumn, Queen of the Harvest, I have seen You in the setting sun with your long auburn tresses blowing in the cool air that surrounds you. Your crown of golden leaves is jeweled with amber, amethyst, and rubies. Your long, flowing purple robe stretches across the horizon. In Your hands You hold the ripened fruits. At Your feet the squirrels gather acorns. Black crows perch on Your outstretched arms. All around You the leaves are falling.You sit upon Your throne and watch the dying fires of the setting sun shine forth its final colors in the sky. The purple and orange lingers and glows like burning embers. Then all colors fade into the twilight. Lady Autumn, you are here at last. We thank You for Your rewards. We have worked hard for these gifts. Lady Autumn, now grant us peace and rest."

Place point of athame into flask of water. Say:

"Oh element of Water,
I do banish and cast out from thee
all that is impure and unclean,
So that thou may be a fitting tool for my magical use."

Place point of athame into salt saying:

"Oh element of Earth,
I do banish and cast out from thee
all that is impure and unclean,
So that thou may be a fitting tool for my magical use."

Drop three small portions of consecrated salt in the water and say:

"I now do blend this salt of the earth with this water,
to form the sweet elixir of the Mother's womb,
from which we have all come
and unto which we must all one day return."

Take portion of consecrated salt, drop it in oil and say:

"May the cleansing powers of this sacred salt
make this oil ready for my magical use."

Then take the oil and anoint yourself saying:

"I consecrate myself
in the names of the Dionysus and Bacchus,
and bid them welcome to this their Temple."

Move to the Center of the circle and in the Goddess position say:

"Spirit, spirit fill this place.
Powers of the divine consecrate this place.
I now direct the energy of the universe
to forever fill and bless this place."

Take a few seconds to allow the power to be raised, when the energy begins to subside lay your hands upon the altar and say:

"May this dedication serve them well."

Take athame and first touch chalice then wine then hold over heart. Say:

"Athame to chalice, Spirit to flesh,
Man to Woman, as the God and Goddess within,
Conjoined they bring blessedness to life."

Call the Quarters. East Quarter - Light Candle and say:

"Hail! Thou Element of Air, Lord of the East!
May you bring the knowledge of the Mother,
and watch over this Circle."

South Quarter - Light Candle and say:

"Hail! Thou Element of Fire, Lord of the South!
May you bring the energy of creation,
and watch over this Circle."

West Quarter - Light Candle and say:

"Hail! Thou Element of Water, Lord of the West!
May you bring the gift of rebirth,
and watch over this Circle."

North Quarter - Light Candle and say:

"Hail! Thou Element of Earth, Lord of the North!
May you bring the promise of the Child,
and watch over this Circle."

Sprinkle, Censer and salt the circle. Now, start the Mabon rite by saying:

"I now enjoy the fruits of my labors.
Now it is time I celebrate the harvest
as was sowed in the spring, now it is taken.
Now let us pay our dues and enjoy our just rewards."

Bell is rung three times.

Move slowly doesil around the circle three times. As you circle, say:

"Here is the balance of Day and Night. At no point does time stand still. Ever does the wheel turn and turn again. Children are born and grow, age advances. Death will come to visit as surely as the sun doth rise. Since death is inevitable, greet him as a friend. Remember, he it is who opens the door that leads forward into life. Life to death and death to life. Balance and Harmony; ever moving on."

When the circling stops, take up the bowl, take a piece of fruit. Say:

"I give thanks to the gods for this sign of a joyful harvest."

The bell is rung 7 times, Sit and enjoy the fruit, At this time there can be happy conversation. When it has been eaten, the bell is rung 3 times. Stand again and say:

"Although the season of plenty draws to a close yet are the gods with us. Our Lord watches over us as does his lady. To the good seasons that have past us, the Lord and Lady give us blessings. To the beauty of Autumn and to the friends we treasure. Peace, joy and love to the World! To that we give our blessings. The ground is well cared for, the crops are bountiful and plenty. And our lives are the harvest of the gods. Now that I have enjoyed the fruits of the labors, the harvest of our lives, let me never forget those who are less fortunate, I offer a part of our fortune to go where it may be needed. SO MOTE IT BE. Then may the Lord and Lady bless these offerings, bless the giver and bless those who will receive."

Bell is rung three times.

West - snuff candle and say:

"I thank the forces love, purification and healing
for their help in this circle."

South - snuff candle and say:

"I thank the forces of love, transformation and passion
for their help in this circle."

East - snuff candle and say:

"I thank the forces of freshness, thought and movement
for their help in this circle."

North - snuff candle and say:

"I thank the forces of freshness, thought and movement
for their help in this circle."

Raise athame to the sky and then touch it to the earth, stand arms open and say:

"The circle is open, but unbroken,
May the peace of the Goddess Be ever in my heart,
Merry meet, and merry part.
And merry meet again. Blessed be."

Draw a Banishing Pentacle, say:

"So it was So Mote It Be"

(Ritual written: Sept 21st 1996, The author says: "this ritual is bits and pieces of many sources from over the years: Buckland, the Farrars, and Cunningham".)