Circle of One 1995: Community, Esbat 2002 CO1

Tampa CUUP’s, 2002

Building Community

Anoint

(Two greeters outside the doors to challenge and welcome. Two greeters inside the room to anoint.)

Statement of Intent

Purify the Area

(While HPS is talking each quarter approaches the altar, takes whatever their element is and walk counter clockwise around the circle beginning in their quarter.. Each quarter is responsible for supplying their own element…East, fan or feather - South, lantern or candle - West, water and bowl or mister - north, salt and bowl. Return all elements to the altar.)

Call Quarters & Cast Circle

(The Quarters are sung in through rounds, starting in the East. Everyone will follow, standing in their quarters facing in and ending in the center facing out. As the Quarters are sung in HPS and HP walk the inner circle clockwise to cast.)

EAST: The Air brings us wisdom, listen to the wind, The Air brings us wisdom, listen to the wind. Sing Now to bring in the East, Sing Now to bring in the East

SOUTH: The Fire lights our passion with its burning flame, The Fire lights our passion with its burning flame. Sing Now to bring in the South, Sing Now to bring in the South

WEST: The Water gives emotion, feel the moving waves, The Water gives emotion, feel the moving waves. Sing Now to bring in the West, Sing Now to bring in the West

NORTH: The Earth is our body, we return to it, The Earth is our body, we return to it. Sing Now to bring in the North, Sing Now to bring in the North

ALL: The Center is the Spirit, joining us as one, The Center is the Spirit, joining us as one. Rejoice Now the Circle is cast, Rejoice Now the Circle is cast

Unite energies

(HP Will lead the room in a triple wave. Beginning in the East.)

HP: Building Community means learning to work together. It’s knowing that you can do your part and trusting that the person next to you will do theirs when it’s their turn. With this in mind we’re going to create an ongoing wave just like you’ve probably seen on TV or at a sports game. Beginning in the East I want everyone to stand up with a shout, raise your hands up high and sit back down again. As the people to your right sit down then it’s your turn to stand up, shout and sit down again. We’ll do this three times sending the wave around the room three times. Let’s all see just how smooth we can make this happen before the third time comes around.

Invocation

HP: In an earlier age He was called Herne, Osiris, Zeus, and by many other names. He is the strength of the rock at thy back, the roots of the tree that anchor the Earth, and the call of the road that leads over the hill. By the powers of the running stag, by the darkness of night and the lingering tendrils of dreams, by the beauty of your own creation, He will charge thee: Always follow your heart and your instinct. The wealth of the heart will guide you where the cold edge of logic cannot take you. And so He joins us this night, to watch over and find joy in our gathering. So Mote It Be

HPS: In the mists of time She was called Brigid, Isis, Hera, and by many other names. She is the quickening of the seed in Springtime and the peace of the quiet woods in Winter. By the powers of the steadfast Earth, by the darkness of death and the white light of birth, by the strength of your human spirits, She will charge thee: Strive always for the growth of your eternal soul. 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 itself. And so She joins us this night, to watch over and find joy in our gathering. So Mote It Be

Name the Working

(Continue speaking about Community as the balloons are passed out.)

HP: Everyone is being given a balloon…now don’t blow it up yet and when you’re done don’t tie it off…just hold it.

(Get the participants involved in talking about what they want or need as well as what they may feel they can give back to their Community. Keep them talking until all the balloons are passed out)

Perform the Work

HPS: Ok…now it’s time to really think about what you would like to receive from your community. Blow up your balloons and fill them with all your wishes. Blow them up as much as you can and DON’T tie them off!! When everyone is finished we’ll hand our balloons filled with our wishes to someone else in the circle that we don’t yet know. (allow people time to move around and pass on their balloons) Now once you have someone else’s balloon take a few moments to think about what you might have to offer to your community. Place those abilities on the outside of the balloon. Once everyone is ready lift your balloon up as high as you can and let it go!! You’ll be releasing all your wishes and dreams as well as your abilities into the Universe. Now since we’re a very responsible community everyone gets to clean up after themselves…everyone pick up the balloons!!

Raise Power

HPS: We need everyone who can stand without discomfort to come into the middle of the room and make a really large circle.

(Circle Mates move around the room getting people up and into the center of the room. Once everyone is up the quarters assemble around the altar and wait until the participants are given further instructions. HPS moves around the inner circle counting off 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 etc.)

Ok…now we’re going to meet and get to know each other. All the number 1’s turn to your left and the number 2’s turn to your right. Take a moment to introduce yourselves, bow, curtsy, hug…whatever feels comfortable. When the singing starts everyone step forward, swing your partner around and move on to the next partner. When the music stops it’s time to introduce yourselves again to whomever is now standing in front of you. We’re going to do this a couple of times to give you a chance to meet some new people tonight.

Cakes and Ale

(HP & HPS: Each holds up a basket of apple cakes for the blessing, then hand them off to two of the Quarters who return to their quarters and begin passing them out with the same blessing - “eat and be blessed.” They follow the baskets around the room to be sure everyone gets one.)

Together: He is the sowing seed, She is the fertile land,

He is the harvester’s blade, She is the hands of life,

They are the blessings of this cake. Eat and be blessed.

(HP & HPS: Each holds up a bottle of apple juice for the blessing, then hand them off to two of the Quarters who return to their quarters and begin passing them out with tiny cups and the same blessing - “drink and be blessed.” They follow the bottles around the room to be sure everyone gets one.)

Together: He is the nurturing sun, She is the rich earth,

He is the sweet fruit, She is bearer of life,

They are the blessings of this wine. Drink and be blessed.

Release Quarters & Open Circle

(The Quarters are released through chant (x3) while HPS and HP walk the inner circle counter-clockwise to release the circle.)

Quarters: Elements of East, and West, South, and North! With a rousing chant we called you forth, We release you now to carry the spell. Quarters all, hail and farewell

HPS: This Circle is open, but unbroken, Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry shall we all Meet again.

Feast

SONGS

She danced on the water, and the wind was Her horn; The Lady laughed, and everything was born. And when She lit the sun and the light gave Him birth. The Lord of the Dance first appeared on the Earth.