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Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com
SHADOW WEAVER GROVE ADF
BELTANE RITUAL 5/5/1990
This is a transcription of the original planned ritual for Beltane forthe
Shadow Weaver Grove, transcribed with permission by Joseph Tellerof the
Wonderland BBS 508-663-6220 WWIVNet Node 5803 for distributionto the Pagan
Community at large. Shadow Weaver Grove can also bewritten to via Surface
mail at : PO Box 5451, Billerica MA 01821.Distribution for non-commercial use
of this document is granted, solong as the wording and information contained
herein remains unchangedin the process of distribution.
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I. Starting the Ritual
A) Processional : (starting Chant {Ku-Wa-Te})
To enter the circle each person must pass through four "gates"
representing each of the Three Worlds (Land, Sea & Sky) and Fire. Each person
steps to the first Gate Keeper and is asked: "What do you ask of the Gate of
Earth (Sea) (Air)?" AN answer is given or left unspoken, and the person is
marked by the Guardian (with mud, water and brush of a feather) and proceeds
to the next Gate and is questioned again. The Guardian of the last Gate,
Fire, smudges the person before they enter the circle. When everyone is in
the circle, the chant continues ("Ku-Wa-Te") as the Gatekeepers come into the
circle and prepare themselves.
B) Statement of Purpose :
We are here tonight to honor the Goddess Danu, called the Earth-mother
and to honor the God Belemos, Called the Sun King. We honor them and ask them
to bless us and rekindle the warmth of the world.
C) Centering Meditation:
Group meditation and collective consciousness: All present are brought
together with a group meditation, to form a "group-mind"; to help everyone
center and bring themselves together to work in accord.
D) Earth Mother Invocation :
Oh Earth-Mother
We praise thee
That seed springeth
That flower openeth
That grass groweth
We praise thee
For winds that whisper
Through the shining Birch
Through the lively Pines
Through the mighty Oak
We praise thee
For all things
Oh Earth-Mother who gives lifeII.
The Active Ritual
Invocation of Ogma the Gate Keeper or Mannanon in English:
(Visualization is a triangle shaped iris opening)
Gate Keeper of Fire:
O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, open the ways for us
O Mannanon, master of the realm beyond the seas, grant us passage to your
kingdom.
O great God of knowledge, we wish to walk your roads.
Reveal to us your teachings, reveal to us the safe path.
Come wash the nighttime clean;
Come Close the gap of darkness in between.
We praise you for the brightness of your power.
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We praise you for the gift of knowledge.
Guide us to the place we seek.
Walk with us Ogma!
Walk with us Mannanon!
CHANT: We invoke thee Ogma, opener of every Gate
We invoke Mannanon, opener of every Gate.
You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
B) Consecration of the Waters:
[After each cup is consecrated it is passed around the members of
the circle so that each may drink from it. When the cup returns to the start
the remaining liquid is spilled unto the Earth or into the fire. Contents may
be spring water, or an alcholic brew if alcohol it is preferred to have been
brewed by a member of the Grove.]
Druid of the Gate of Land:
Spirits of nature, of the trees and rocks, of the animals and Earth,
give us your favor and your companionship, share with us the bond of spirit
and of life on Earth. Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your
teachings and laughter, become one amoung us here tonight, Consecrate these
waters. Behold the Waters of Life!
{All Chant "Fur and Feather"}
Druid of the Gate of Sea:
Ancestors of Long ago, be with us, give us your favor and your
wisdom, share with us the bond of kinship and of life upon Earth.
Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your knowledge and your
blessing, become one with us here tonight; Consecrate these waters.
Behold The Waters of Life! {All Chant "Blood of the Ancients")
Druid of the Gate of Sky:
Gods and Goddesses, be with us, give us your favor and blessings,
share with us the bonding essance and our existence upon your sphere of life.
Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. give us your strength and your
peace, become one amoung us here tonight. Consecrate these waters.
Behold the Waters of Life! {All Chant "Mother I feel you"}
C) Individual Offerings and prayers:
At this point, all present that wish to may make an offering or
offer prayers. If anyone has an offering or a prayer they would like to make
they step forward and do so, individual offerings to particular patrons or
spirit helpers are done at this time.
D) Sacrifice with the Willow Branch:
Gate keeper of fire makes a final offering of a willow branch, to send
the energy to the deities of the occasion. It is sacrificed into the central
bonfire.
Gate Keeper of Fire:
Our praise goes up with thee on the wings of eagles; our voices are
carried up to thee on the shoulders of the wonds. hear now O Belemos, O Danu,
we pray thee, as we offer up this sacrifice of life. Accept it we pray thee,
and cleanse our hearts, giving to us of your peace and life.
E) Divination :
A scrying is done with crystal/flame, to find if the gods have
accepted our prayers and will be with us. If the omen is bad, offerings are
made again. If they are rejected thrice, the circle is broken immediately and
the ritual ended.
F) The Fourth Consecration:
Here the wards are set to protect us during the magic working.
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Druid #1 (Fire):
We greet you, Brother Wabun, Golden Eagle of the East. We ask that you
watch over us this night, and share with us your wisdom, Let your keen vision
guide us over the obstacles before us. We greet you, Brother Shawnodese,
Guardian of the South, great Coyote. We ask that you walk with us this night,
and guide us as we walk this path of learning. We greet you, Waboose, White
Buffalo Woman of the North, Grace us with your company, and walk with us
night as we seek the wisdom that surrounds us. We greet you, brother
Mudjekeewis, Great Bear of the West. Walk with us this night and aid us in
our journey to wisdom. At this time, would each of you please meditate on
your personal needs and desires.
G) Induction of Receptivity : (Litany of the Waters)
[D1 can be Guardian of Fire, D2 can be the Group response. If the group
doesn't know the responses one of the other guardians should lead them into
them]
D1: Of what does the Earth-Mother give, that we may know of the
continual flow and renewal of life?
D2: The waters of Life.
D1: From whence do these waters flow?
D2: From the bosom of the Earth-Mother,the ever changing All-Mother
D1: And how do we honor this gift that causes life?
D2: By partaking of the waters of life.
D1: Has the Earth-Mother given forth her bounty?
D2: She has
D1: Then give me the waters!
Final consecration and sharing: A fourth cup is consecrated.
O Belemos, O Danu, hear us and answer us! Hallow these waters! We
your children have praised you, and now we ask from you healing, blessing,
power and inspiration...Behold the waters of life!
{Passing chant: "Ku-Wa-Te"}
III. The Work of The Circle
A) The Magic Working:
Tonight we pray for the prosperity of all those here. May our fortunes
increase, may the Goddess and God smail on our endeavors and bring us good
luck in all that we do.
We ask that you bless these small tokens of our wishes, and grant us the
success that we ask for. {Here a small basket with a crystal and appropriate
symbols of general prosperity were passed around so that all might add
energy to it}
B) Affirmation of Success:
D1: Belemos and Danu have Blessed us!
D2: Every time we invoke them, they become stronger and more
alert to the needs of their people.
D1: With joy in our hearts let us return to the realm of mortals to do
the will of the Gods and our own.
D2: Yet, before we leave, we must give thanks to those whome we have
invited here today.
IV. Closing:
A) Thanking and closing of the Quaters:
We thank you, Brother Wabun, Golden Eagle of the East. You have watched
over us this night, and shared with us your wisdom, Your keen vision has
shown us the ostacles before us. We ask you, go in peace, as you came in
peace. So we may walk together again. We thank you, Brother Shawnodese,
Guardian of the South, great Coyote. Once again your lessons have helped us,
and shown us the truth in ourselves. We ask you, go in peace, as you came in
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peace, So we may walk together again. We thank you, Waboose, White Buffalo of
the North. You have graced us with your company, and walked with us this
night. You have helped us see the wisdom that surrounds us. We ask you, go
in peace, as you came in peace. So we may walk together again. We thank
you Brother Mudjekeewis, Great Bear of the West. You have shown us your power
and kept us safe in our journey to wisdom. We ask you, go in peace, as you
came in peace, so we may walk together again.
B) Thanking of the Gods and Goddess:
Gods and Goddesses of the old times, spirits of the old times and
of this place, people of the old times and of our ancestors, our kindred we
thank you.
C) Closing the Gate:
Gate Keeper of Fire :
O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of KNowledge, we thank you. O Mhannon,
we thank you. Now let the Gates between the Worlds be closed!
D) Return from the group-mind, grounding and centering.
Reverse the Tree Meditation.
Relaxing of the Grove's Wards.
Libation:
D1: To thee we retrun this portion of thy bounty, O Danu our Mother,
even as we must someday return unto thee.
D2: We have finished this ceremony.
D1: So be it!
ALL: Biodh se!
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CHANTS USED DURING RITUAL:
{Ku-Wa-Te}
Ku-Wa-Te Lay-no Lay-no Ma-ho-teHi-ano, Hi-ano, Hi-anoKu-Wa-Te Lay-no
Ma-ho-teHi-ano, Hi-ano, Hi-ano We are one with the infinite sun Forever,
Forever, ForeverWe are one with the Infinite Sun Forever, Forever, Forever.
{Mother Nature Waits}
Mother Earth provides Mother Earth Provides Mother Earth Provides all for us
to surviveMother Earth Provides Mother Nature Waits Mother Nature Waits Beca-
use life never ends, she always begins again Mother Nature waits.
{Hoof and Horn}
Hoof and horn, Hoof and hornAll that dies shall be reborn.Corn and Grain,
corn and grainAll that falls shall rise again.
{Blood of the Ancients}
It's the blood of the AncientsThat runs through our veinsAnd the forms
pass,But the Circle of life remains.
{Fur and Feather}
Fur and Feather and scale and skin
Different without but the same within
Great of body but one of soul
Through all creatures are the Gods made Whole
{Mother I feel You}
Mother I feel you under my feet
Mother I feel your heart beat
Mother I feel your heart beat
Father I see you where the eagle flies
Spirit gonna carry me higher and higher
Spirit gonna carry me higher and higher
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