Windy Esbat 2004 CO1

 May 5, 2023 (Flower Moon)

Windy Circle, Esbat 2004

Altar Devotions

Purify the Area

Salute

Calling Quarters

Boreas, Notus, Eurus, Zephyrus - Winds of North, South, East, West, Gather close at my behest. Join with us on this dark night - And lend your energies to our rite.

Winds merge and intertwine - Your essential energies now combine

BOREAS, Spirit of Earth, Midnight and Winter - we call for strength and protection, ground us

NOTUS, Spirit of Fire, Midday and Summer – bring to us the energy to fill our need, empower us

EURUS, Spirit of Air, Sunrise and Spring - we call for spirit and knowledge, guide us

ZEPHYRUS, Spirit of Water, Sunset and Autumn - for the journey that is to come, move us

Casting the Circle

Four winds form our Circle and weave a spell, North, South, East, West, your tale to tell. As above, so it is below, Keep out all that would cause us woe. As within, so it is without, Safe we’ll be, there is no doubt. Three times round this Circle’s cast

Anoint

Unite energies

Invocation

Gracious Goddess of the night, woman of the Moon, and Mother of all that may be, I ask for your assistance and presence for my rite. 

Gracious God of the day, Man of the Sun, and Father of all that may be, I ask for your assistance and presence for my rite.

Name the Working

(To empower stones to be talismans for safe travel)

The stones will be cleansed and emptied by the energy we raise. Once cleansed they will be ready to absorb any negativity that we may come into contact with. In this way they will protect us from harm. As we breath in we are going to bring in energy from the Mother as we breath out we will expel that energy into the sphere of our Circle, filling it with the power for our purpose. The powers to cleanse these stones and prepare them for the task we have described.

Raising Energy

Breathing - Listen to the sound of the breath of your Coven Mates. Become synchronized together, become one together. Breathe in as one, breathe out as one. 

Cakes & Ale

Thanking the Divine

Gracious Goddess of the night, woman of the Moon, and Mother of all that may be, thank you for your assistance and presence during our rite. Stay if you will, go if you must, Hail and Farewell.

Gracious God of the day, man of the Sun, and Father of all that may be, thank you for your assistance and presence during out rite. Stay if you will, go if you must, Hail and Farewell.

Release the Circle

Four winds formed our Circle at our behest, North, South, East, West, 

You lent your energy above and below, To keep us safe and free from woe

Your presence assured within and without, Safe travel we’ll have, there is no doubt. Stay if you will, go if you must, Hail and Farewell. This Circle is open, but unbroken, Merry Meet, Merry Part, until we Merry meet again.

Feast

Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives

https://circleofone1.blogspot.com

Go Mbeannaigh    (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Beannaichte Be    (Gaelic, Scotland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

   (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl     (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)

Seja Abençoado     (Portuguese, Portugal - Blessed Be)

HandFasting, 2002 CO1

HandFasting, 5/4/2002

 

HPS:

The Lord and Lady have always been there for us, since before time was.                    

They were there in the scents of the Earth

           in the whisper of the Wind

           in the warmth of the Sun

           in the refreshing coolness of a Mountain Stream.

 

They have always been there for us, even before we understood.

They are there in the magick of the Moonlight

           in the wonder of a Sunrise

           in the freedom of an Open Field

           in the comfort of a Sheltering Forest.

 

Today, they will be here with us as we ask them to walk beside this couple who come before us to pledge their Love.  

 

Cast Circle

HP:    We cast this circle in the name of the Golden Lord.  We set its boundaries with elements of his choosing.  May he protect us this night.

            Protection: cast with fire and Air

            Hope: cast with seeds

            Love: cast with Water and Earth

We cast this circle in the name of the Silver Lady.  We seal its boundaries with elements of her choosing.  May she hold us in her embrace.      

We cast this circle in the name of Hope.   Let all who dwell within it’s boundaries find Hope in themselves and in their futures.   We bless this circle with these offerings.  Let them find fertile ground and take root.   As they grow may the love of this couple grow with them.   This Circle is now sealed.  So Mote It Be.

Call Quarters

We call upon Earth. Let your presence provide the foundation for this union.

We call upon Fire. Let your flames ignite the passion of life within this couple.

We call upon Air. Let your wind enrich this joining with the knowledge of communication. 

We call upon Water. Let your essence caress this commitment in it’s loving embrace. 

Anoint

May the presence of the Divine be ever in your heart.

 

Invocation

Groom:  Father Sky, Lord of the beasts, and Protector of the Light, be with us now.

 

HP:    I am already here…

            in your shadow on the ground,

            and the whisper on the wind.

            I am here in the sunlight on your hair,

            and the soft sounds of a gentle rain…

            I have always been here for you.

 

Bride:  Mother Earth, Lady of the Grain, and Source of the Light, be with us now

 

HPS:    I am already here…

                in the beating of your heart,

                and the innocence of a child’s smile,

                I am here in the light of your Lover’s eyes,

                and the understanding of a true friend…

                I have always been here for you

Drawing Down the Moon

Maiden:    Hear now the thoughts of the God and Goddess.  You, who have been with us since before time was, share with us now your message  this night.

 

HP:    In an earlier age I was called Herne, Osiris, Zeus, Cernunos and by many other names.  I am the strength of the rock at thy back, the roots of the tree that anchor the Earth and deepest of tides in the black depths of the ocean.  I am the Hunter and the Sacred Prey, the warmth of the sun in the swelling grapes and the call of the road that leads over the hill. 

HPS:        In the mists of time I was called Brigid, Demeter, Hera, Cerridwen, and by many other names.   I am the quickening of the seed in Springtime, the glory of ripe fields in Summer, and the peace of the quiet woods as the snow calms the Earth in Winter.  I am the lilt of the maidens' melody in the morning, the patient hand of the Mother and the deep river of the mysteries taught by moonlight. 

HP:    I give you, my children, the fire of love, the power of the wind on your face, shelter from the darkest storm.  You are dear to me, and I instill in you my power...the power of peace hard earned, the power of vision and magical sight, and the spark of elemental fire, which is the primal light in the darkness.

HPS:    I give you, my children, the gifts of song rising from the heart, the joy of autumn sunset, the cool touch of the renewing waters, and the compelling call of the drum in the dance.  To you I give the joy of creation and the companion of beauty to light your days. 

HP:    By the powers of  the running stag and the glorious sun, I charge thee; by the darkest depths of night and the lingering tendrils of dreams, I charge thee; and by the beauty of your own creation, I charge thee; Follow your heart and your instinct, wherever they lead you.  The wealth of the heart will guide you where the cold edge of logic cannot take you.  Take joy in the powers of your bodies.  The form your body takes is unique in the universe and is chief among your tools. 

HPS:    By the powers of the steadfast Earth and the wheeling stars I charge thee; by the darkness of death and the white light of birth I charge thee; and by the terrible strength of your human spirits, I charge thee:  Strive always for the growth of your eternal soul, never intentionally diminish your strength, your compassion, your ties to the earth or your knowledge. Challenge your mind, never accept complacently that which has been the standard merely for the reason that it is the standard by which the majority judges. Act always for the betterment of your brothers and sisters.  To strengthen them is to forge the true chain of humanity, and a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. 

HP:    Lastly, always remember the path you have left behind you.  Learn to take your power from the foolish things you have wrought as well as the good you have done for others and for your self.  You can never usurp another's power, and yours is the well upon which you must rely.

HPS:    You are my children, my brothers and sisters and my companions.  You are known in great part by the company you keep, and you are strong and wise and full of the powers of life.  It is yours to use them in my service, and I also, am known by the company I keep. 

HP:    I am with you always, just over your shoulder, running with you through the tall grasses and forests that surround you.  I possess you and I am your Sacred Prey.  I am the Lord of Death, and when you have come to the end of your life on this world, I will be there; to take you between the worlds, to offer you peace and rest.  Look upon my face; know me.  I am the spirit of the wild things, but you too, are wild in your souls and we are forever intertwined."

HPS:    Go forth in joy and the light of my love, turning to me without fear when the darkness threatens to overcome you, and turning also to me to share your triumphs and your achievements, and know in your heart of hearts that we are together in blood and spirit ‘til the last star darkens in the sky and winter comes to the universe.

 

Introducing the Couple

(Bring the couple to the center of the Circle)

Tonight, ... and ... renew their vows of devotion to each other. They come as two people, separate, different.   They accept and love each other as they are, both the dark and the light, the good and the bad. Two halves of a perfect whole. Complete.

 

Trials will come, and tests, for there is much in this world that would long to pull you apart.   Come with us now on a journey which will bring strength and vision to your relationship, courage and understanding.

North:    Oftentimes family and friends can create a wedge between

those who are bonded.  Are you prepared to look to each other for comfort?

South:    Do your understand that you will not always agree and that

there will be times of heated disagreement?

East:    Do you realize that there will be times when

communicating your thoughts and desires to your partner will be difficult?

West:    Do you acknowledge the fact that your bonding will bring

both tears of joy and tears of pain?

 

Joys will come, graces and blessings will warm your souls and give you wonder. The path you have chosen will bring thanksgiving and rejoicing to this relationship, laughter and abandon.

 

Do you, ..., take ... to be your beloved

partner, to love, honor and cherish?

Response:    I do.

 

Do you, ..., take ... to be your beloved

partner, to love, honor and cherish?

Response:     do.

 

Rings

(Take the rings and recite the Blessing of the Rings)

These rings represents a journey with out beginning or end, they are a symbol of the Circle of Life.   In the presence of the Lord and Lady, we ask that they bless these rings so that your Journey of Love never ends. 

 

(Hand the rings to bride and Groom and ask them to repeat the vow as they place their rings on each others fingers)

 

North, South, East, West

To the Lord and Lady we do attest

West, East, South, North

To love each other from this day forth

Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives

https://circleofone1.blogspot.com

Go Mbeannaigh    (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Beannaichte Be    (Gaelic, Scotland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

   (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl     (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)

Seja Abençoado     (Portuguese, Portugal - Blessed Be)

Altar Tools 1995 CO1

Altar Tools 1995

Bell, Book & Candle

Athame:  Represents the element of air or the masculine.  It is a ritual knife with a double-edged blade that can be sharpened, or kept dull, and may be engraved.  The Athame is only used on the non-physical plane and should never be used on the physical.

Bell:  Is used to summon spirits or deities or to signal the beginning or ending of a ritual.  Bells are rung at funeral rites to bless the soul of the person who has crossed over.

Bolin: Is a working blade for the physical plane.  The Bolin is a white-handled, single edged knife which is used for practical purposes such as harvesting herbs, cutting a branch for a wand, inscribing a candle, etc.

Book of Shadows:  This is a personal book of information on spells, rituals, recipes, invocations, dreams, etc. kept for a reference.  It’s also known as a BOS or Grimoire.

Candlesnuffer:  You always snuff or pinch out a flame; one element should never be more than the next.  Blowing out a candle symbolizes air being more powerful than fire.

Candle:  They represent the Goddess and God.  They also have different meanings according to their colors and represent the four quarters; Earth, Air, Fire & Water.  

Cauldron:  Symbolizes the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, & Water and represents the divine womb of the Goddess.  The cauldron is often a black, cast-iron pot, which is used for brewing potions, or burning incense.  Some fill their cauldrons with water on Samhain night and use them to gaze into the future or past.

Chalice:  Represents the element of air or the feminine, and is used to hold wine or water during rituals.  Traditionally, the chalice was made of silver, however many use pewter, ceramic, brass, or even crystal chalices.

Libation bowl:  Come in all shapes and sizes, and various materials.  They’re used to collect food/drink offerings that are later tossed into the garden with a blessing.

Pentacle:  Represents the element earth.  The pentacle is a flat disc made of any material, and is used during rituals to hold consecrated objects.

Staff:  Generally made of wood, these can be no more than a large stick, or an incredible hand carved staff. 

Sword:  Represents the element of fire and is a symbol of strength.  It is sometimes used in place of the Athame to cast and un-cast the circle.  It may also be used to store and direct energy during Magickal rituals, and to control and banish elemental spirits.

Wand:  Represents the element of fire.  The wand is fashioned from the branch of a tree, and is traditionally 21 inches in length.  It is used for directing energy, drawing Magickal symbols into the air or ground, and for various other purposes.

Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives

https://circleofone1.blogspot.com

Go Mbeannaigh    (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Beannaichte Be    (Gaelic, Scotland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

   (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl     (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)

Seja Abençoado     (Portuguese, Portugal - Blessed Be)

May Day Nichols 2003

Beltane

May Day, by Mike Nichols 2003

There are four great festivals of the Pagan Celtic year and the modern Witches’ calendar, as well. The two greatest of these are Halloween (the beginning of winter) and May Day (the beginning of summer). Being opposite each other on the wheel of the year, they separate the year into halves. Halloween (also called Samhain) is the Celtic New Year and is generally considered the more important of the two, though May Day runs a close second. Indeed, in some areas—notably Wales—it is considered “the great holiday”. 

May Day ushers in the fifth month of the modern calendar year, the month of May. This month is named in honor of the Goddess Maia, originally a Greek mountain nymph, later identified as the most beautiful of the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades. By Zeus, she is also the mother of Hermes, God of magic. Maia’s parents were Atlas and Pleione, a sea nymph. 

The old Celtic name for May Day is Beltane (in its most popular Anglicized form), which is derived from the Irish Gaelic Bealtaine or the Scottish Gaelic Bealtuinn, meaning “Bel-fire”, the fire of the Celtic God of Light (Bel, Beli, or Belinus). He, in turn, may be traced to the Middle Eastern God Baal. 

Other names for May Day include: Cetsamhain (opposite Samhain), Walpurgisnacht (in Germany), and Roodmas (the medieval church’s name). This last came from church fathers who were hoping to shift the common people’s allegiance from the Maypole (Pagan lingam—symbol of life) to the Holy Rood (the cross—Roman instrument of death). 

Incidentally, there is no historical justification for calling May 1 ‘Lady Day’. For hundreds of years, that title has been proper to the vernal equinox (approximately March 21), another holiday sacred to the Great Goddess. The nontraditional use of ‘Lady Day’ for May 1 is quite recent (since the early 1970s), and seems to be confined to America, where it has gained widespread acceptance among certain segments of the Craft population. This rather startling departure from tradition would seem to indicate an unfamiliarity with European calendar customs, as well as a lax attitude toward scholarship among too many Pagans. A simple glance at a dictionary (Webster’s 3rd or O.E.D.), encyclopedia (Benet’s), or standard mythology reference (Jobe’s Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore & Symbols) would confirm the correct date for Lady Day as the vernal equinox. 

By Celtic reckoning, the actual Beltane celebration begins on sundown of the preceding day, April 30, because the Celts always figured their days from sundown to sundown. And sundown was the proper time for Druids to kindle the great Belfires on the tops of the nearest beacon hill (such as Tara Hill, Co. Meath, in Ireland). These “need-fires” had healing properties, and skyclad Witches would jump through the flames to ensure protection. 

Frequently, cattle would be driven between two such bonfires (oak wood was the favorite fuel for them) and, on the morrow, they would be taken to their summer pastures. 

Other May Day customs include: walking the circuit of one’s property (“beating the bounds”), repairing fences and boundary markers, processions of chimney sweeps and milkmaids, archery tournaments, morris dances, sword dances, feasting, music, drinking, and maidens bathing their faces in the dew of May morning to retain their youthful beauty. 

In the words of Witchcraft writers Janet and Stewart Farrar, the Beltane celebration was principally a time of “unashamed human sexuality and fertility”. Such associations include the obvious phallic symbolism of the Maypole and riding the hobbyhorse. Even a seemingly innocent children’s nursery rhyme “Ride a cock horse to Banburry Cross …” retains such memories. And the next line, “to see a fine Lady on a white horse”, is a reference to the annual ride of Lady Godiva through Coventry. Every year for nearly three centuries, a skyclad village maiden (elected “Queen of the May”) enacted this Pagan rite, until the Puritans put an end to the custom. 

The Puritans, in fact, reacted with pious horror to most of the May Day rites, even making Maypoles illegal in 1644. They especially attempted to suppress the “greenwood marriages” of young men and women who spent the entire night in the forest, staying out to greet the May sunrise, and bringing back boughs of flowers and garlands to decorate the village the next morning. One angry Puritan wrote that men “doe use commonly to runne into woodes in the night time, amongst maidens, to set bowes, in so muche, as I have hearde of tenne maidens whiche went to set May, and nine of them came home with childe.” And another Puritan complained that, “Of forty, threescore or a hundred maids going to the wood over night, there have scarcely the third part of them returned home again undefiled.” 

Long after the Christian form of marriage (with its insistence on sexual monogamy) had replaced the older Pagan handfasting, the rules of strict fidelity were always relaxed for the May Eve rites. Names such as Robin Hood, Maid Marion, and Little John played an important part in May Day folklore, often used as titles for the dramatis personae of the celebrations. And modern surnames such as Robinson, Hodson, Johnson, and Godkin may attest to some distant May Eve spent in the woods. 

It is certainly no accident that Queen Guinevere’s ‘abduction’ by Meliagrance occurs on May 1 when she and the court have gone a-Maying, or that the usually efficient Queen’s guard, on this occasion, rode unarmed. 

Some of these customs seem virtually identical to the old Roman feast of flowers, the Floralia, three days of unrestrained sexuality that began at sundown April 28 and reached a crescendo on May 1. 

There are other, even older, associations with May 1 in Celtic mythology. According to the ancient Irish Book of Invasions, the first settler of Ireland, Partholan, arrived on May 1, and it was on May 1 that the plague came that destroyed his people. Years later, the Milesians conquered the Tuatha De Danann on May Day. In Welsh myth, the perennial battle between Gwythur and Gwyn for the love of Creiddyled took place each May Day, and it was on May Eve that Teirnyon lost his colts and found Pryderi. May Eve was also the occasion of a fearful scream that was heard each year throughout Wales, one of the three curses of the Coranians lifted by the skill of Lludd and Llevelys. 

By the way, due to various calendrical changes down through the centuries, the traditional date of Beltane is not the same as its astrological date. This date, like all astronomically determined dates, may vary by a day or two depending on the year. However, it may be calculated easily enough by determining the date on which the sun is at fifteen degrees Taurus (usually around May 5). British Witches often refer to this date as Old Beltane, and folklorists call it Beltane O.S. (Old Style). Some covens prefer to celebrate on the old date and, at the very least, it gives one options. If a coven is operating on ‘Pagan Standard Time’ and misses May 1 altogether, it can still throw a viable Beltane bash as long as it’s before May 5. This may also be a consideration for covens that need to organize activities around the weekend. 

This date has long been considered a “power point” of the zodiac, and is symbolized by the Bull, one of the tetramorph figures featured on the tarot cards, the World and the Wheel of Fortune. (The other three symbols are the Lion, the Eagle, and the Spirit.) Astrologers know these four figures as the symbols of the four “fixed” signs of the zodiac (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius), and these naturally align with the four Great Sabbats of Witchcraft. Christians have adopted the same iconography to represent the four Gospel writers.

Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives

https://circleofone1.blogspot.com

Go Mbeannaigh    (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Beannaichte Be    (Gaelic, Scotland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

   (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl     (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)

Seja Abençoado     (Portuguese, Portugal - Blessed Be)

Chocolate Ritual, Beltane 4.30.23

 
Chocolate Ritual, Beltane 4/30/23

1993, John L. Shepard

(Begin by introducing yourself and encourage others to do the same)

 

Altar Devotions

(Light all the candles on the Altar)

 

By the powers of the Ancient Ones, in the names of all who have gone before; we remember you, we honor thee.

 

Anoint

(Use oil to anoint the group - walk the inside of the circle to anoint and welcome each person in whatever fashion feels comfortable)

  

Purify the Area

(Take the Chocolate Sprinkles and Chocolate Milk)

 

Chocolate sprinkles where thou art cast, no calories in your presence last.

Let no harm adhere to me, and as I will So Mote It Be!

 

Chocolate where thou art cast turns this milk to chocolate, fast.

Let all good things come unto me, and make my milk all chocolatey!

 

Cast Circle

(Take the Chocolate Candy (Athame) and walk once around the circle)

 

In the beginning, there was the word.  And the word was Chocolate.  And it was good.  Confections: 1.5 ounces, 240 calories

 

Call Quarters

 

MR. GOODBAR, NORTH:    Rocky Road of the North, Cold one!

Great prince of the palace of crunchy comfort food! Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all cheap imitations approaching from the North.

 

BETTY CROCKER, EAST:    Mousse of the East, Fluffy one!

Great princess of the palace of dessert! Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all moochers approaching from the East. Messed Be.

 

PILLSBURY DOUGH BOY, SOUTH:    Fondue of the South, Molten one!

Great prince of the palace decadence! Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all diets approaching from the South.

 

SWISS MISS, WEST:    Cocoa of the West, Satisfying one!

Great princess of the palace of thirst quenchers! Be present we pray thee, and guard this circle from all carob approaching from the West. 

 

Invocation

 

HPS:    Listen to the words of the Mother of Chocolate, who was of old called Godiva, Suzi Q, Little Debbie, Dolly Madison, Fanny Farmer, Sara Lee, and by many other names.

 

MOTHER OF CHOCOLATE:    Whenever you have one of those cravings, once in a while and better it be when your checkbook is full, then shall you assemble in a great public place and bring offerings of money to the spirit of Me, who is Queen of all Goodies. In the mall shall you assemble, you who have eaten all of your chocolate and are hungry for more. To you I shall bring Good Things for your tongue. And you shall be free from depression. And as a sign that you are truly free, you shall have chocolate smears on your cheeks, and you shall munch, nosh, snack, feast, and make yummy noises all in my presence. 

 

MOTHER OF CHOCOLATE:    For mine is the ecstasy of theobromine, and mine is also the joy on earth, yea, even into high orbit for my law is "melts in your mouth, not in your hand." Keep clean your fingers, carry Wet Ones always, and let none keep you from Me.  For Mine is the secret that opens your mouth, and Mine is the taste that puts a smile on your lips and comfy padding on your hips. Upon earth, I give knowledge of all things delicious, and beyond death well, I can't do much there. Sorry about that. I demand only your money in sacrifice, for behold, chocolate is a business, and you have to pay for those truffles before you eat them.

 

HPS:   Hear now the words of the Goodie Goddess, she in the dust of whose feet are the cheap imitations, whose body graces candy racks and finer stores everywhere.

 

GOODIE GODDESS:    I, who am the beauty of chocolate chips, and the satisfying softness of big bars, the mystery of how they get the filling inside truffles, and fill the hearts of all but Philistines with desire, call unto your soul to arise and come unto Me. For I am the soul of candy, from Me do all confections spring, and unto Me all of you shall return, again.... and again... and again.... and again. Before My smeared face, beloved of women and men, thine innermost divine self shall be enfolded in the rapture of overdose.

 

GOODIE GODDESS:    Let My taste be within the mouth that rejoices. For behold all acts of yumminess and pleasures are My rituals. Therefore let there be gooeyness and mess, crispness and crackling, big slabs and bite size pieces, peanut butter and chocolate covered cherries all within you. And you, who think to seek Me, know that your seeking and yearning shall avail you not unless you know the Mystery: "We shall sell no chocolate until you pay for it" For behold: I have been with you since you were just a baby, and I am that which is attained at nearly any shop in the land. Messed be.

 

HPS:    Hear now the words of the Chocolate God, who was of old called Milton Snavely, Hershey, 3 Musketeers, Fudgesicle, Devil Dog, Mars, Willy Wonka and by many other names

 

CHOCOLATE GOD:    I am the strength of the candy rack, and the piece that fell on the floor but looks like it may not have gotten too dirty, and the deepest bitterness of dark chocolate. No matter how you try to resist the call of chocolate, I will hunt you out, and I will become your sacred prey. I am warmth of hot cocoa in the dead of winter, and the call of the road that leads you to that really expensive Godiva store downtown. By the powers of the half melted bar in the glorious sun, I charge you, by the darkest depths of the bottom of the cocoa pot and lingering smell of bittersweet chocolate, I charge you, and by the beauty of a perfectly formed Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, I charge you.

 

CHOCOLATE GOD:    Follow your heart and your instinct, wherever they lead you. The wealth in your pocket can buy you treats that a Mayan king would envy. Take joy in that first bite of lecithin emulsified cocoa and in the last satisfying slurp of Yoo-Hoo. Yet you must be wary of deceit. Eat not of that which is called "baking chocolate," for it is vile and bitter. Lastly, always remember to leave some chocolate behind you. Be not greedy, but let yourself be known as a connoisseur. Leave a little for someone else. I am the spirit of the wild child, the inner child who can never get quite enough. If you are a true chocolate lover, then your soul and mine are intertwined.

 

Name the Working

 

Sacred Space

(While in sacred space – ask if anyone needs/wants anything special.  

Ask if anyone has any questions, concerns, or comments.  

Take care of the wish box)

 

Great Rite

 

CHOCOLATE GOD:    Be it known that milk Chocolate is not better than dark Chocolate.

CHOCOLATE GODDESS:    Nor is dark Chocolate better than milk Chocolate.

TOGETHER:  For both are better than the falsely named white Chocolate and neither one is carob.

 

CHOCOLATE GOD    As the frosting is to the cupcake

CHOCOLATE GODDESS:    So the creamy nougat is to the Milky Way Bar.

TOGETHER:  And when they are eaten, they are yummy in truth, for there is no greater snack in the entire world than one made of Chocolate.  Messed Be.

 

Cakes and Ale

 

HPS:    Frosting is keen, and the filling is neat. All this Chocolate is waiting, Great Goddess! Let's eat!

Release Quarters

 

SWISS MISS, WEST:    Oh, ye mighty goodies of the West, we thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle. Before you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, we say unto you, "N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestles makes the very best." "Chooooc-laaate"

 

PILLSBURY DOUGH BOY, SOUTH:    Oh, ye mighty goodies of the South, we thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle. Before you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, we say unto you, "N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestles makes the very best." "Chooooc-laaate"

 

BETTY CROCKER, EAST:    Oh, ye mighty goodies of the East, we thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle. Before you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, we say unto you, "N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestles makes the very best." "Chooooc-laaate"

 

MR. GOODBAR, NORTH:  Oh, ye mighty goodies of the North, we thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle. Before you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, we say unto you, "N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestles makes the very best."  "Chooooc-laaate"

 

Open Circle

 

HPS:    As I open this circle, I give thanks to the Ancient Ones for being here with us on this night. May those who guide us with their light, protect us in the dark and walk beside us on the roads traveled, go now in perfect love, perfect trust, and perfect chocolate - this Circle is open but unbroken, merry meet, merry part and may we merry meet again!

 

Feast

Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives

https://circleofone1.blogspot.com

Go Mbeannaigh    (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Beannaichte Be    (Gaelic, Scotland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

   (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl     (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)

Seja Abençoado     (Portuguese, Portugal - Blessed Be)

Coven Hierarchy 1996 CO1

Basic Coven  Hierarchy and Structure

CircleofOne 1996

High Priestess (HPS)  basically you - whether you choose to accept the title or not, people will always look to you for guidance. You are their leader. You can, however, allow someone different to assume the role at each Circle event.

High Priest (HP) your cohort, assistant, partner in crime. This can be a single individual you trust to co-lead the group, or it can be someone different at each Circle event.

HPS/HP - These people are most often the ones responsible for well, EVERYTHING. They are the spider sitting in the center of the web, aware of what's going on in the Coven. They tend to have a sense of humor, are very calm, level headed individuals who are not power hungry. They're just well versed in leading a group of people on a spiritual journey. They're responsible for the other members Spiritual Welfare. They provide guidance, counseling, prayer, support, whatever their Coven Mates need. 

They're also the physical embodiment of the God and Goddess on earth WHILE WITHIN THE SACRED CIRCLE outside the Circle, they're just themselves. 

Sage and Crone

Also know as the Elders of the Pagan Community. Often over age 60, they wish to let someone else lead the Coven while they offer guidance and teaching as needed. They're in charge of guiding the HP and HPS on their journey. 

Maiden and Warrior

These are the people training to be High Priests and Priestesses. They are the understudies for the HP and HPS. If the HP or HPS are unavailable for ritual, one of these people will step into their place. They're typically in charge of a specific part of the Rituals. Their duties also entail leading a few of the smaller Rituals themselves. They will learn about channeling Deity and begin to take on more and more until they can branch off and start their own covens. 

Guardians (x2)

These individuals are the ones in charge of keeping everyone safe during Circle. Sometimes they're inside the circle, and sometimes not, depending on what is being done. They're responsible for smudging/cleansing the Circle space before every Ritual. They are also responsible for issuing the Challenge and Smudging all who enter Circle. They report directly to the HP/HPS if there are any issues.

Bard

This is the poet, the singer, the songwriter, this is the creative core of the circle. This person often leads chants, songs, group Om's, writes poetry and spoken word about coven events and happenings, and sings to the Gods. They often lead Grounding or guided Meditations. They're in charge of raising energy within ritual space while the HP/HPS gather and direct it.

Scribe

This person keeps notes of the Coven and what they do. They're in charge of updating the Book of Shadows for the Coven, transcribing all rituals and spells and recipes into its pages. They also maintain the Coven's calendar of events and classes. If anyone other than the HP/HPS present Circle, it's the Scribes responsibility to review/edit every Ritual before it's presented.  

Inner Court

Initiated or dedicated members of the Coven. These are the people who attend nearly every Ritual or Class. They generally volunteer to assist with Ritual as needed, often standing in for the Quarters. Some may even wish to present Circle for the Coven. As a group they tend to manage setup and cleanup of Feasting. They keep track of any supplies, and report back to the HP/HPS when something is needed.

Outer Court

These are the people who don't attend on a regular basis, often attending only the Sabbats. Those who are new to the coven, visitors from out of town, members of other covens. They're not always members of the Coven itself, but still just as important to the Coven structure. 

Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives

https://circleofone1.blogspot.com

Go Mbeannaigh    (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Beannaichte Be    (Gaelic, Scotland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

   (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl     (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)

Seja Abençoado     (Portuguese, Portugal - Blessed Be)

Smudging 1995 CO1

Smudging 1995 

Let's talk about smudging before Circle. Smudging is often done for a number of reasons...to set the tone, calm the energies, clear negativity, claim the space, and many others. Contrary to popular understanding it's not always done with herbs and smoke. It can be done with drums (my favorite) flowers, bowls, feathers, water, tuning,  glitter, bells, singing, if you can imagine it, you can do it. Just remember to clean up when done!  In my group, smudging changed dependent on the season, the reason, and the intent of the Circle.

For us, Circle space was always cleared, smudged, and set up before anyone else was allowed in. Then everyone was smudged, individually, as they entered Circle space. Participants were encouraged to leave all their worries and woes outside. As the Smudgee, while you're being smudged, your responsibility is simple...let it go. That nasty customer...let it go...that sibling argument...let it go...traffic lights...let it go...sour milk...let it go. A deep breath in, exhale, and let it go. Smudging is not so much about clearing the environment for Circle, but it's about clearing the space inside your head. Whether you're working alone, with a small private group, or attending a large public Circle, smudging is a great way to prepare for what's about to happen.

Now as the Smudger, you do have some work to do. And a lot of it depends on what resonates with you or your group. Do you work deosil (clockwise) to draw in, or do you work widdershins (counterclockwise) to remove? Do you ground any negativity, or do you draw in universal energy? Sometimes it's simply to focus on the vibrational energy of whatever you're doing to bring their energy in line with the purpose of the Circle. And then there are the mantras...nothing elaborate, nothing that even needs to be spoken out loud. But a few simple words to repeat in your head to help you stay on track while smudging other people.  Examples of mantras might be...'I remove any heaviness or negativity' - 'May you live in harmony of mind, body, and spirit' - 'I release all energies that do not serve the greater good.'

Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives

https://circleofone1.blogspot.com

Go Mbeannaigh    (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Beannaichte Be    (Gaelic, Scotland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

   (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl     (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)

Seja Abençoado     (Portuguese, Portugal - Blessed Be)

Barbie Esbat 2024 CO1

 

Pink/Barbie Moon Esbat

4/20/24

Community Workings, Thanks, Dedications, Initiations, Earth Focus

(Everyone is invited to wear pink or dress as a Barbie or Ken)

 

Altar Set-up/Devotions

 

Cleanse the Area

(Pink salt or pink salt in water and/or rose incense)

 

Smudge/Anoint Participants

HP/HPS – Ask participants to join in line

(Welcome all; rose/Barbie inspired oil; something pink or flower broom

 

Unite energies

 
HP: Many Full moon names date back to our own Native Americans. Those Nations of a few hundred years ago kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. April’s full moon is called the Pink Moon due to the pink moss phlox that often blooms around this time of year. The Algonquin people also call this the Breaking Ice moon, and the Dakota refer to it as the Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable. It’s also known as the Egg Moon, The Sprouting Grass Moon, The Hare Moon, The Wind Moon and the Fish Moon.
 
 
HPS:    Winter is a time of hibernation for many plants and animals, including humans. For countless generation it’s been a time of turning inward; of hearth and home, of spending quiet time with family and friends. We may still be getting up and going to work, but we may find that we’re a little slower, a little more tired. We may lack the energy to start new projects or really get things moving until we start to feel that spring fire kindling within us again. The Pink Moon is a time of shifting into spring, when the ice begins to truly melt. Humans are much more connected to these seasonal rhythms than we often realize, and so we may also find that there are streams within us that are, at last, becoming navigable again.
 

Cast Circle

(Done with a hand clap ‘wave’ clockwise around the circle)

 
HPS:    We’re going to Cast Circle tonight with a ‘wave’ around the group, and a song. We’ll begin in the North. When we start, take the bag of rose quartz and pass it to the person to your left. Don’t start until you receive the bag. Once you’ve passed it on, begin clapping and singing along with everyone else. Keep repeating the song until everyone is done. Then we’ll place the stones on altar.
 
SING:    And Pink! Goes with everything. Beautiful from head to toe. It’s pink! We all like the colors, but pink just looks good on us! North, South, East and West, Circle round and seal the rest!
 

Quarter Call

(HP/HPS invite everyone to stand, facing the quarter to be called).

 
North:    Hey, Barbie! Barbie in the North, whose pink high heels walk the Earth with style! Enter our circle and blessed be!
 
East:    Hey, Barbie! Barbie in the East, with your free-flowing hair in the wind! Enter our circle and blessed be!
 
South:    Hey, Barbie! Barbie in the South, with your lipstick fire red, with a smile! Enter our circle and blessed be!
 
West:    Hey, Barbie! Barbie in the West, with your black and white swimsuit free in the ocean! Enter our circle and blessed be!
 

Invocation

 
HPS:    I call upon the blessed Lady. Hey, Barbie! Pretty in pink. Giver of inspiration, empowerment and ambition, all while being fashionable! Join your energies with us tonight!
 
HP:  I call upon the blessed Lord. Hey, Ken! Not afraid to wear pink! Giver of friendship, adventure, and chill, all while being fashionable! Join your energies with us tonight!
 

Working

(HP: Slowly, pour the water into a clear bowl. HPS: Sprinkle with pink salt and stir)

 
HP:  The flowing waters obtained from a rushing waterfall or river symbolize masculine energy. The still waters obtained from a serene pool symbolize the energy of the feminine.  As the water from the falls represents the male and the water from the pool represents the female, the two joined together represent the God and Goddess as one.  
 
HPS:    With the Pink Moon, we shed our winter lethargy along with anything we wish to let go of.  And we welcome the bright new energy and fire of a promising spring.
 

(HPS: Place a couple of crystals into the bowl, add a floating candle and a

 few drops of oil or pink rose petals)

(HP: Light the candle, and arrange the remaining crystals around the bowl)

 
 
HP:  Now we’ll write on a piece of paper anything you wish to release. It can be a word, a sentence, or entire paragraphs full of detail – whatever feels necessary to release at this time. While we’re doing that, we invite you to speak out loud what you need to let go of. Understand that we do this in Safe Space. What happens in Circle, stays in Circle. And should not be repeated again.
 
HP/HPS:  What happens in Circle, stays in Circle.
 
HPS:    When you are done writing, please come up to the altar and place your paper into the water, allowing the God & Goddess to take your painful energy and do with it as they will. Now those painful memories can be cleansed and transformed, let them go. The flame from the floating candle is a purifier and will neutralize any negativity emanating from the note and will also symbolize your firm intention to let go of any difficult feelings attached to it.
 

Welcoming New Energy

 
HP:  Once again, we welcome everyone to come up to the alter and take a crystal and a pink flower.

(Allow everyone time to return to the seats)

 
HPS:    Now place the flower on your lap, and hold the crystal in your hands.
Think about the new energy you’d like to draw into your life.
Think about any new projects you’d like to begin.
Think about those positive emotions you want to welcome into your life.
While we’re doing that, we invite you to speak out loud about those positive energies you will draw in. For some, speaking out loud strengthens their resolve, increases their energies.
 
HP/HPS:    Words spoken in Circle, stay in Circle.
 
HP:    Now take your crystal and hold it near your third eye, just above your nose, in the middle of your forehead. And we’re going to ‘program’ your crystal to draw in those positive energies for the new season. Remind yourself, and your crystal, about all those new beginnings we just thought and talked about. When you leave tonight, take your crystal and your flower home with you. Enjoy the flower, and place the crystal where you will see it and it will remind you of those positive energies you bring into your life.
 

Wishbox

 

Great Rite

(HP/HPS Stand facing each other, HP w/ athame, HPS w/ Chalice)

  
HP: Let it be known that no man is greater than any woman.
HPS:  And Barbie can be anything she wants!
 
HP: Together Barbie and Ken complement each other!
HPS: And Ken can wear pink too!
 
HP: As the Athame is to the male    (hold up the athame, point down)
HPS:  The Chalice is to the female    (hold up the chalice, below the athame)
 
HP:  In affirmation of fulfillment to come            (dip the athame, once)
HPS:  In celebration of the balance                        (dip the athame, again)
BOTH:  And the union of the life-force within!    (dip the athame, again)
BOTH:  So, Mote it be!
 

Cakes & Ale

(Pink Lemonade and/or Hippie Juice & Pink moon pies or macarons)

 
HPS/HP:    May the God & Goddess bless this food and drink. All that we do is in service and honor of Barbie and Ken. May we never hunger - May we never thirst. So, Mote It Be!
 

Release

 
HPS:    Barbie, Barbie, Barbie and Barbie! We thank you for your presence here tonight and we release you to return to your journey with our love. We bid you well as you depart, may there be peace between us. May you always, Blessed be!
 
HP:  Ken, Ken, Ken, and Ken! We thank you for your presence here tonight and we release you to return to your journey with our love. We bid you well as you depart, may there be peace between us. May you always, Blessed be!
 
HPS:    May those who guide us with their light, protect us in the dark and stay beside us on the roads traveled, whether it be in pink pumps or convertible. The circle is open but never broken!
 
HP:  Barbie & Ken are back in their Dream House! Merry Meet, Merry Part, and may we Merry Meet again.

Feast

Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives

https://circleofone1.blogspot.com

Go Mbeannaigh    (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Beannaichte Be    (Gaelic, Scotland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

   (Quechua, Peru - May the Heart of the Mountain bless you)

Xut Kala Xetl     (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)

Seja Abençoado     (Portuguese, Portugal - Blessed Be)