Friday Form A Circle - Celtic Connection's Mabon Ritual

* Celtic Connection's Mabon Ritual *
Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys

Pre-Ritual Preparation:

Needs:

• A fallen tree branch
• several small pine cones
• several small shells
• dried flowers
• other items that remind you of the late spring & summer months
• string
• yarn or ribbon
• yellows
• oranges
• reds
• gold
• very thin strips of colored paper
• silver thread
• small bells (optional)

Find a fallen tree branch. It need not be a large one, for it will adorn your altar, then go on display in your home. The more smaller offshoots from the main branch, the better. Mine has four, which I think is awesome! With some string, tie the pine cones, small shells, dried flowers and other items to each of the offshoots. Also tie the yarn or ribbon to one end to the offshoots. Then, on the paper, write down some projects to work on during the upcoming "dark" months. Wrap these around the offshoots (like little cocoons) and tie closed with the silver thread. These you will open over the next couple of months when you start feeling lethargic or without a sense of direction. I tie on a couple of small bells, to add some ambiance to my ritual...

Tools:

• Your magical tools
• a red altar cloth
• a wicker basket
• a red apple
• assorted fruits and vegetables of the Second Harvest (berries, squash, corn, etc)
• a bell
• your fallen tree branch
• a bolline
• a sprig or two of ivy
• an Autumn blend incense
• any other personal props
• a red cord, or low vibrational stones

Preparation:
Sweep area, moving in a deosil manner.
Outline your circle with the cord, stones, or various Harvest items such as wheat, corn, beans, etc.
Set up your altar and place the red altar cloth over it.
At center top, place the wicker basket, filled with the assorted fruit and vege-tables.
Place the apple and the bolline on your pentacle or a plate.
Place the tree branch to the right of the basket.
Place the rest of your tools and props according to your personal preference.
Take a shower or bath for purity. Sit quietly and meditate to ground and center. When you are ready, begin by playing some soothing music associated with the Sabbat and your ritual.

Cast the Circle and call Quarters..


Pick up your wand in your right hand, face your altar, and with arms stretched out above your head, say: 

"I honor Thee, Autumn Queen, and Thy consort, the God of the Harvest.
The Wheel has once more turned, and the change of season begins.
What will be is. What was will be. 
The Equinox is upon us, and the time to reflect, at hand. 
All time comes together, here and now in this sacred space. 
and I, but a moment in time, feel the change as I pass 
from one season to the next. 
The Second Harvest has been reaped, 
and the time of rest is deserved.
Go now My Mother and slumber.
Go now My Father and dream of re-birth.
I shall be here to greet Thee on Your return."

With arms still out-stretched lower your head and close your eyes. Contemplate what you have just spoken. When ready, open your eyes and lower your arms.
Pick up the apple and place it in the center of the pentacle/plate. Cut it crosswise with the bolline, to reveal the natural pentagram at it's core. Then lift half the apple, pentagram up, as if in offering, while saying: 

"As the Wheel turns, the seasons pass, 
and the years give 'way to the next. 
Guide me most Wise Ones, 
lest I forget every beginning has an ending 
and every ending is a new beginning. "

Take a bite of the apple. Put the rest aside to share later with the wildlife.
Pick up the tree branch and shake once in each direction, starting with North, saying: 

"As the days grow colder, and the nights last longer, 
may I remember the summer past. 
With sunlight fading, and hearth inviting, 
my memories will warm my soul. 
From a season of hard work and hard play, 
I hear Mother's voice calling me forward. 
While I rest, shall She lull me, 
with songs of a dream, as close to Her bosom I cling."

Face the altar and hold the branch out in front of you with both hands, saying: 

"With memories of the summer, lest I ever forget, 
and aspiring for the colder months to come, 
lest I ever stop striving, 
I honor Thee with this symbol of nature, 
keeping it and Thee in my home and heart, 
that I may see it 
and pause to reflect on the Ancient Mysteries, 
leading me to a better understanding of myself 
and of others, and all that is Life."

Put the tree branch on the alter, into the basket of fruit so that it sticks out, back in your direction. Contemplate on the various memory symbols that you have attached to it. Also contemplate on the various projects for autumn and winter that you have attached to it. Close your eyes and feel the seasons pass within the circle from summer to autumn. When ready, say: 

"Between the worlds I stand in this sacred place. 
All time is here and now.
As I leave this circle, the season shall have changed, 
and I will have changed with it.
May I use the short time of Winter Finding 
to draw the strength and power from within 
as I quest for vision, understanding, and peace."

Pick up the sprig(s) of ivy, and wrap them around your arms, from the elbow to the wrist.
Pick up the Bell with your right hand, and ring thrice, to toll the passing of the first 3 seasons of the year. Now place it in your left hand and ring once to usher in the 4th and last season of the year. Place the bell on the altar and the ivy in your cauldron (for burning later). Say: 

"In Life is Death, and in Death is Life. 
The Sacred Dance goes on and on.
From whence we came, we shall return, 
and come again. Seasons pass, and pass again, 
The circle stays unbroken. 
Heed the words of your child, here, 
through Your wisdom I have spoken."

It is now time for meditation and spellworking. Associated spellworkings would include those for protection, wealth, security, and self-confidence. If there is no spellworking, celebrate with cakes and ale, then release the circle. Clean up. You are done. Find an appropriate place in your home to display the decorated tree branch.


Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys
From Celtic Connections

 
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