House Blessing 2014 CO1

House Blessing, 2014

Altar Devotions

***Pass through the torii (entrance gate)

***Find the stone wash basin and proceed to wash your hands and rinse your mouth. Use the dipper to pour water over your hands, left first then right. Then pour water into your left hand and into your mouth. Do not touch the dipper with your mouth.

***Ring the bell that hangs from a rope in front of the offering box. Bow twice, clap your hands twice, bow once more, and then throw coins into the offering box.

Unite energies

This house belongs to ... now, known to you as ..., this is her home now.

... do you claim this house as your own?

This is her home, her sanctuary, a place of healing, safety and happiness for herself and her family.  So Mote it Be.

We are here tonight to bless the home, to cast out from its boundaries any influence of previous inhabitants and all malignant energies, and to bring in only those energies created for the greater good of all. We will create a living space that will nurture the spirits of ... and her family and support their personal and spiritual growth as long as they choose to live within these walls.

Ground & Center, Cast Circle

Tonight we leave the Circle unbound

The first is a Circle of Protection - as we ask Spirit to cast a protective eye upon all who dwell within these walls.

The second is a Circle of Hope – as we understand that all who pass through these doors will find hope in themselves and in their futures.

The Third is a Circle of Love – as we know that all who live beneath this roof share the love of family and friends.  So Mote It Be.

Call Quarters

Guardians of the Eastern Face, we call you to this spiritual space.

Spirits of Air aid our spell, bring wisdom here where loved ones dwell.

Hail and welcome. Blessed be.

Guardians of the Southern Face, we call you to this loving space.

Spirits of Fire aid our spell, bring passion here where loved ones dwell.

Hail and welcome. Blessed be.

Guardians of the Western Face, we call you to this healing space.

Spirits of Water aid our spell, bring healing here where loved ones dwell.

Hail and welcome. Blessed be.

Guardians of the Northern Face, we call you to this protective space.

Spirits of Earth aid our spell, bring power here where loved ones dwell.

Hail and welcome. Blessed be.

History

Shinto ("the way of the gods") is the indigenous faith of the Japanese people and as old as Japan itself. It remains Japan's major ‘religion’ alongside Buddhism. The earliest Japanese writings do not refer to a unified "Shinto religion", but rather to a disorganized folklore, history, and mythology. Shinto does not have a founder nor does it have sacred scriptures like the sutras or the bible. Kami are defined in English as "spirits", or  "essences", that are associated with many understood formats; in some cases being human-like, in others being animistic, and still others being associated with more abstract "natural" forces in the world such as mountains, rivers, lightning, wind, waves, trees, and rocks. Kami and people are not separate; they exist within the same world and share its interrelated complexity.

Setsubun (節分, or Bean-Throwing Festival is the day before the beginning of Spring in Japan. The name literally means "seasonal division", but usually the term refers to the Spring. Setsubun is a festival held to drive off evil spirits. Families shout “oni wa soto” (get out demons) and “fuku wa uchi” (happiness come in) when they throw the beans. The next day is Risshun, which means the first day of spring, and is thought to be the beginning of the year according to the lunar calendar. Risshun (立春) is celebrated yearly on February 3 as part of the Spring Festival. In its association with the Lunar New Year, Spring Setsubun can be and was previously thought of as a sort of New Year's Eve, and so was accompanied by a special ritual to cleanse away all the evil of the former year and drive away disease-bringing evil spirits for the year to come. Setsubun has its origins in tsuina a Chinese custom introduced to Japan in the eighth century.

Roasted soybeans (called "fortune beans" (福豆) are thrown either out the door or at a member of the family wearing an Oni (demon or ogre) mask, while the people say "Demons out! Luck in!" (鬼は外! 福は内) and slam the door. This is still common practice in households but many people will attend a shrine or temple's Spring festival where this is done. The beans are thought to symbolically purify the home by driving away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them. Then, as part of bringing luck in, it is customary to pick up and eat the roasted soybeans, one for each year of one's life, plus one more for bringing good luck for the year to come.

Officially the most prestigious kami is Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.  Ama means heaven and terasu is shining: she is, literally, the Heaven Shining one.  Since early times she has been championed as ancestress of the imperial line.  Traditionally, the first thing Japanese did after getting up in the Land of the Rising Sun was to give thanks to her for bestowing her life-giving light.  Some still do.  Gratitude for her daily presence is one of the key elements in Shinto.  

Invocation

Amaterasu, Great Spirit Who Shines in the Heavens, we respectfully ask you to join us tonight and aid us in our work as we gather here to cleanse and bless this home. We ask that the spirits of this place, this land, this unique and individual spot upon Mother Earth, smile upon our endeavor and grant us help and blessings.

 

Workings

Here within your newly blessed space, may your guardians always be near.

Let Earth's strength, grace your home, and let the passion of Fire be here.

May the wisdom of Air, keep your mind clear, and healing Waters keep you well.

And all around you, throughout this place, may the Blessed Spirits dwell.

Wish Box, Cakes and Ale

Thank Spirit, Release Quarters

Tonight we honor and bless the energies of this new home.  Amaterasu, we thank you for your presence in our lives, reminding us of family and friends.  We shall continue to bask in their love and companionship throughout our lives.  We bid you well as you depart, - domo arigatou gozaimasu

Guardians of the Eastern Face, you've blessed this home and brought it grace

Your gift of wisdom we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell. Blessed be.

Guardians of the Southern Face, you've blessed this home and brought it grace

Your gift of passion we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go. 

Hail and farewell. Blessed be.

Guardians of the Western Face, you've blessed this home and brought it grace

Your gift of healing we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell. Blessed be.

Guardians of the Northern Face, you've blessed this home and brought it grace

Your gift of healing we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell. Blessed be.

Open Circle

May those who guide us with their light, protect us in the dark and walk beside us on the roads traveled.  This Circle is open but unbroken.  Merry Meet, Merry Part and may we Merry Meet Again.

Feast

Go Mbeannaigh

          (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

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

Xut Kala Xetl

          (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)



Craft 101 Classes 2007 CO1

Craft 101 Classes, designed for the raw beginner who's looking for answers to the most basic questions. This is also a great understanding class for friends and family. Each class focuses on a different aspect of the same thing – understanding Ritual. Every class begins as an open discussion and ends with actual experience.

Craft 101 Classes, 2007

2-Hour Classes - $40.00 Due 1st, 3rd, 5th Class

Class Schedules:

1st Class - Lifting the Veil

    Why are you here, where are you going

    An exploration of History and Myth

    Tossing out common Myth conceptions

2nd Class - Preparing the Space

    Altar tools, to have or not to have and where do you find them

    Altar setup, What, When, Where and Why

    Cleansing, Smudging and Anointing

    Consecrating and Charging Tools

3rd Class - Finding the Goddess

    Getting in touch with God

    Understanding Meditation

    Conversing with Divinity, and why should Divinity listen to you

    Common Courtesies, let's not get insulting

4th Class - Creating Sacred Space

    Casting the Circle

    Calling the Quarters

    Releasing Quarters

5th Class - Learning about Sabbats and Esbats

    Following the Phases of the Moon

    Turning the Wheel

    Merging your holidays with theirs, and leaving room for everyone

6th Class - Raising Energy

    What to do with it when you've got it

    Making it happen

    Understanding the different types of energy

    Sharing with others

    Tapping into other's, the truth about Vampires

    Laughter, truly the best medicine

7th Class (free) - Graduation, presenting Ritual for others

Dragons Blue Moon 2018 CO1

Dragons, Blue Moon 2018

Tonight we’ll be doing a Dragon Circle.  Dragons, and the easily visible Dragon Flies, have always been my Energy Spirits.  So tonight I’ve brought some of my buddies with me, and others from the surrounding area will probably join us. They come in all sizes, some no bigger than a Dragon Fly, others the size of a house.  If the big guy from the North shows up, don’t worry about him…he’s truly bigger than he seems and just a nice grounding teddy bear.  So don’t be surprised if you feel a slight breeze, or a warm touch.  Just say hello and let us know.

Calling

Dragons of the North, South, East & West – hear my call, attend to me!  Those who live on this property and dwell in this space – gather round, we have work to do.  Tomorrow will be time to play.  Set the wards, awaken the guards – I charge you with the protection of those who fill this room.  Let no harm come to them. Circle round; reflect back without malice anything that comes will ill intent.  Allow entry only to those who come for our own greater good. Allow only those energies that arrive in peace and good will. So Mote it Be.

Altar Devotions

By the power of the Ancient Ones, in the names of those who have gone before. We remember you, we honor you.  So Mote it be.

Anoint

It's the blood of the Ancients that runs through our veins. As these forms pass, the circle of life remains.

Unite energies

Close your eyes.  Breathe deeply three times, in through the nose, out through the mouth.  Visualize the Tree of Life, branches reaching far up into the heavens and roots extending to the core of the Earth. Sit down beneath the tree with your back against it.  Feel its strength. Connect with its life force.  Relax in this setting, letting all your tensions and worries pour into the tree, down through its roots and into the soil.  You feel renewed and completely alive. When you’re ready, open your eyes and rejoin our circle.

Cast Circle

Three times round this Circle’s bound.  From the North and the East to the South and the West then back to the North again. 

 

We call upon the Dragons of Spirit - Rulers of the center of the circle. 

Dragons of Power, Dragons of Light, Dragons of Wisdom, Dragons of Might

Lend us your magic; lend us your aid, lend us your guidance as the spell is made. We summon you to this circle.  Power, peace and protection will come in and bind us together with the Divine through Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.  

On the mists, East, South, West, and North, come the Dragons, we call you forth. At our bidding, Magick bring, stay with us in our Sacred Ring.  Three times round, this Circle is bound.  As above, so it is below.  As without, so it is within, this circle is sealed. So Mote it Be.

Call Quarters

Dragons of the North; You who manage the land, the mountains and gemstones.  We receive and ask for your positive features of stability, decision, and grounding even as we recognize your negative attributes of stubbornness and indecision.  Enter our circle and be welcome. Blessed Be.

Dragons of the East; You who command the winds and breezes.  We appreciate and request your positive attributes of intelligence, renewal, and teaching while acknowledging your negative traits of gossiping, bragging, and confusion.  Enter our circle and be welcome. Blessed Be.

Dragons of the South; You who control the sunbeams and fire. We welcome and ask for your positive aspects of change, action and transformation even as we accept your negative attributes of fear, jealousy, and conflict.  Enter our circle and be welcome. Blessed Be.

Dragons of the West; You who direct the seas, the springs and lakes.  We understand and request your positive elements of emotion, intuition and healing while we recognize your negative attributes of instability, anger, and hatred.  Enter our circle and be welcome. Blessed Be.

Invocation

With the utmost respect I request the assistance of the Chivani of the Roma.  Sara Kali, Mother, woman, sister, queen, the source of all Romany blood; this altar is dedicated to you.  Sara Kali, tonight I request your help – please watch over my Kumpania, protect my familia from any who would do them harm.  Let the things that happen tonight be only for the greater good of all.  

CircleOfOne, in this evening hour, place all Nature within our power.  The sun with its brightness, the moon with its whiteness, the winds with their swiftness, the sea with its deepness, the rocks with their steepness, the earth with its starkness; all things in place with Divine’s help and grace.  So Mote it be.

Working

Impossible Dreams

Cakes and Ale

Earth Mother, Father Nature

Bless what we eat, bless what we drink, bless what we harrow, and bless what we sow.

Earth Mother, Father Nature

With all these things, let us rejoice, You give to us, and we give to you.

All that we do is in service and in honor to the Devine Spirit.  So Mote It Be!

 

Wish Box

Sacred Space

Thank Spirit

With malice towards no-one, and harm to none.  If the Goddess so desires it let our Magick be done.  Thank you Sara Kali, I am honored by your presence in my life.  I know that you walk beside me each day, guide my heart, my tongue, my spirit.  In your honor, So Mote it Be.

 

Release Quarters

Dragons of the North, South, East and West please accept our thanks that you are here tonight.  Four points of the circle that joined us here, we thrill in the knowledge that you were near.  Back to the homes from whence you came, until the next time when we call you by name.  We bid you well as you depart, may there be peace between us. Hail & Farewell

Open Circle

Open now this sacred space; send all dragons back to place.  Fare thee well and safe return.  May those who guide us with their light, protect us in the dark and walk beside us on the roads traveled - this Circle is open but unbroken, merry meet, merry part and may we merry meet again!

Feast



Imbolc Sabbat 2011 CO1

 Imbolc Friday, February 3, 2023

Imbolc, Sabbat 2011

Altar Devotions

By the power of the Ancient Ones, in the names of those who have gone before.  

We remember you, we honor you.  So Mote it be.

Anoint

It's the blood of the Ancients that runs through our veins. Welcome and Blessed Be

Unite energies

Imbolc, Candlemas, Festival of Lights, Oimelc, Brigit's Day, Groundhog's Day

Imbolc is the day the Cailleach — the hag of Gaelic tradition — gathers her firewood for the rest of the winter. Legend has it that if she intends to make the winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, people are generally relieved if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, as it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over.  

Today, this holiday is chiefly connected to weather lore. Even our American folk-calendar keeps the tradition of 'Groundhog's Day', a day to predict the coming weather, telling us that if the Groundhog sees his shadow, there will be 'six more weeks' of bad weather (i.e., until the next old holiday, Lady Day). This custom is ancient. An old British rhyme tells us that 'If Candlemas Day be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year.' 

Imbolc also just happens to be the sixth week after Yule.  In many traditions the end of the year is also the beginning…the time of year when the Gods are reborn.  In ancient times it was once a tradition to keep newborns hidden for a period of six weeks.  It was done not only for the baby’s safety, but the continuing health of the mother.  If the newborn survived the first six weeks of life it was determined that the child would be a new addition to the family.  Babies were first revealed to the community with family celebration, a baby shower or baby blessing. So it makes sense that Imbolc as a sacred Holiday would also be the time for new beginnings.  It is a time to consider new hopes for the year.  This is what we’ll be doing tonight.

Cast Circle

Three times round this Circle’s bound.  From the North and the East to the South and the West then back to the North again. 

 

The first is a Circle of Protection - as we ask Father Nature to cast a protective eye upon all who dwell within these walls.

The second is a Circle of Hope - as we understand that all who pass through these doors will find hope in themselves and in their futures.

The third is a Circle of Love - as we know that our Mother Earth shines the light of Her love upon all who gather here beneath this roof.

Three times round this Circle’s bound.  North, South, East and West from edge to edge this Circle is cast.  So Mote It Be.

Call Quarters

Dragon of the North; You who manage the land, the mountains and gemstones.  We receive and ask for your positive features of stability, decision, and grounding even as we recognize your negative attributes of stubbornness and indecision.  Enter our circle and be blessed.

Dragon of the West; You who direct the seas, the springs and lakes.  We understand and request your positive elements of emotion, intuition and healing while we recognize your negative attributes of instability, anger, and hatred.  Enter our circle and be blessed.

Dragon of the South; You who control the sunbeams and fire. We welcome and ask for your positive aspects of change, action and transformation even as we accept your negative attributes of fear, jealousy, and conflict.  Enter our circle and be blessed. 

Dragon of the East; You who command the winds and breezes.  We appreciate and request your positive attributes of intelligence, renewal, and teaching while acknowledging your negative traits of gossiping, bragging, and confusion.  Enter our circle and be blessed.

Invocation

With the utmost respect I request the assistance of the Chivani of the Roma.  Sara Kali, Mother, woman, sister, queen, the source of all Romany blood; this altar is dedicated to you.  Sara Kali, tonight I request your help – please watch over my Kumpania, protect my familia from any who would do them harm.  Let the things that happen tonight be only for the greater good of all.  

CircleOfOne, in this evening hour, place all Nature within our power.  The sun with its brightness, the moon with its whiteness, the winds with their swiftness, the sea with its deepness, the rocks with their steepness, the earth with its starkness; all things in place with Divine’s help and grace.  So Mote it be.

Working

Cakes and Ale

Earth Mother, Father Nature

Bless what we eat, bless what we drink,

Bless what we harrow, and bless what we sow

Earth Mother, Father Nature

With all these things, let us rejoice,

You give to us, and we give to you

All that we do is in service and in honor to the God and Goddess.  So Mote It Be!

 

Wish Box

Sacred Space

Thank Spirit

With malice towards no-one, and harm to none.  If the Goddess so desires it let our Magick be done.  Thank you Sara Kali, I am honored by your presence in my life.  I know that you walk beside me each day, guide my heart, my tongue, my spirit.  In your honor, So Mote it Be.

 

Release Quarters

Dragons of the North, South, East and West please accept our thanks that you are here tonight.  Four points of the circle that joined us here, we thrill in the knowledge that you were near.  Back to the homes from whence you came, until the next time when we call you by name.  We bid you well as you depart, may there be peace between us.

Open Circle

Open now this sacred space; send all dragons back to place.  Fare thee well and safe return.  May those who guide us with their light, protect us in the dark and walk beside us on the roads traveled - this Circle is open but unbroken, merry meet, merry part and may we merry meet again!

Feast

Go Mbeannaigh

          (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)

Sonqongi Apukuna Wak'aychasunkiku

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

Xut Kala Xetl

          (Tlingit, Alaska - Blessed Be)