Midsummer, GreenSong Grove, 2003
Drumming Circle
Smudge/Anointing
(3 Drummers and 3 Dancers form a gauntlet, right and left. Participants walk through a Drum/Dance smudge. HPS and HP do anointing and greeting.)
Statement of Intent
Welcome, tonight we gather to pay Tribute to the Drum and the Dance. It’s said that Drums are the oldest instrument known to man. Unfortunately, it’s one of those things we’ll never be able to prove because Drums are normally made from bio-degradable materials – hides, woods, gourds, etc. Throughout history, Drums have been used for many purposes – War, Celebration, Trance, Awakenings, Communication, and many other reasons. Even today, Drums are currently being used in healing research…there are cancer studies going on in which the participants are showing remarkable improvements simply by enjoying the environment created by a Drumming Circle. Who would have thought?? And of course it’s difficult for even the most rhythmically challenged of us to sit and listen to a great Drumming session without at least wiggling in our seats a little bit. So probably as long as there have been Drums to sound, there has been Dance to celebrate…and tonight we enjoy them both. Tonight, we may do things a little unusual…but we invite you all to participate. We have a Primary Drummer and Dancer…please take your cues from them. We’ll begin by calling the Quarters and Casting the Circle. Join us, listen, play and if the spirit moves you, then Dance. You won’t be interrupting us, because that’s why we’re here tonight…to pay Tribute to the Drum and the Dance.
Call Quarters
(Will be called by the Drummers and the Dancers)
HP & Primary Drummer and HPS & Primary Dancer move to each quarter. Quarters will be called in with a drum call, drum response, and dance welcome, North – South – East – West
When all Quarters are called, HPS will signal the Dancers to place cloths over the drums
Cast Circle
(Drums play muffled heartbeat)
While playing HP and HPS walk the Circle Clockwise three times, spiraling in. Drummers and Dancers will invite others to join in as the Circle is cast. Drummers will watch HPS for the signal to stop drumming. Once the signal is made all Drummers and Dancers will move to the Center.
Invocation
(HPS/HP will move to the center of the Circle, flanked by drummers on the right, Dancers on the left as they chant in the God and Goddess)
Dancers: Ruler of the Drum; Child, Hunter, Sage.
Drummers: Ruler of the Dance; Maiden, Mother, Crone.
HPS: You measure out the beats of our lives.
HP: You measure out the steps on our path.
Together: Together our Sacred Harmony brings Balance and Blessings.
Perform the Work
HPS: Throughout time, Drummers have been our connection with the heartbeat of the Earth. Dancers are the way of being grateful for the physical form that the spirit enjoys. Drumming and Dancing have always been sacred because of what they give to us. Since tonight is a Sabbat Celebration we will not be doing any workings…instead, please join us as we rejoice and enjoy ourselves as we pay tribute to the Drum and the Dance!!
Signal the Drummers to remove the cloths and begin the Celebration. Drummers will watch HP for the signal to stop playing, allowing all participants time to ground and return to their chairs.
Cakes and Ale
HPS Thank you!! We’ll now bless the Cakes and Ale and release our Quarters and the Circle.
HP/HPS stand before the Altar with Plate and Chalice raised. Drummers begin a slow steady beat as Dancers take the Cakes and Ale to be blessed.
When all Cakes and Ale have been blessed, the Drummers are offered first, followed by HP/HPS and all the participants. Dancers are last. While the Drummers play the HP/HPS & Dancers will pass Cakes and Ale to all the participants. When everyone is finished HP/HPS will offer Cakes and Ale to the Dancers. When Cakes and Ale are done Drummers will continue playing until all Quarters are released by HP/HPS.
Release Quarters
HP and HPS will begin in the North, HPS will silence the Drummers and HP will still the Dancers. Primary Drummer and Dancer will remain in Center until HP/HPS return to the Center, hug each other to release the God/Goddess and turn to the Primary's to quiet them.
HPS: This Circle has been opened, will remain unbroken, Merry Meet, Merry Part and Merry Meet again!!
Feast
Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives
Go Mbeannaigh (Gaelic, Ireland - Blessed Be)
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