Thanksgiving Ritual, 11/23/01
Circle of One, Blacksburg
Anointing
(Hug and say) How do you enter this sacred space?
(Response) In perfect love and perfect trust.
Invocation
(Hold and slice an apple in half lengthwise, revealing five point star, and dip in lemon water)
We call upon Pomona, the Roman Goddess of
fruits, harvest and garden. Caretaker of
the sweet delicious apples and fruits.
Join us in this harvest feast.
(Hold a bunch of grapes)
We call upon Vertumnus, the Roman God of
seasons and changes. The patron of
gardens and fruit trees. Join us in this
harvest feast.
Quarter Calls
NORTH: We
look forward to the winter season. The season of rest and rejuvenation. We call
upon your presence here today to remind us to take a moment and find the inner
sanctuary where the seeds of life and inspiration await the spring.
EAST: We
know the spring will come. The season of new life and the unfolding of
mysteries. We call upon your presence here today to remind us that everyday
brings a new thought or idea into our lives.
SOUTH: Summer
shall arrive. The season of warmth and prosperity. We call upon your presence
here today to remind us that prosperity lies within all our lives through our
friends, family and foes.
WEST: Autumn
is here. The season of harvest and family. We call upon your presence here
today to remind us of our family and friends. To bask in the love and
companionship of those around us.
Statement of Intent
Pomona loved her garden and trees more
than anything else. This was her
passion, her pursuit and she rejected the advances of every suitor. Vertumnus, who loved her more than anyone
else, tried many disguises to get close to her.
One day he appeared as an old woman who entered the garden to admire the
bounty. Greeting Pomona, they sat down
on a bank and looked up at the branches all around them laden with fruit. Opposite was an elm tree entwined with a vine
loaded with swelling grapes. The old
woman praised the tree and its associated vine and said, "But, if the tree
stood alone, and had no vine clinging to it, it would have nothing to attract
or offer us but its useless leaves. And
equally the vine, if it were not twined round the elm, would lie prostrate on
the ground. Why then, will you not take
a lesson from the tree and the vine, and consent to unite yourself with some
one?" Then she continued, "I
know of one young man, Vertumnus, who would do anything to prove his love for
you. He loves the same things as you,
delights in gardening and admires your labors.
He cares not for anything else, except your love." When Vertumnus dropped his disguise, he
appeared to Pomona like a ray of sunlight bursting through the clouds. To this day, they remain together, tending
their garden. Which allows us to gather
together, giving thanks for the harvest and expressing what we are thankful
for.
Cleansing
(Go to bowl in west and pour feminine water into left hand and masculine water into right hand of each person. They then combine and wash hands.)
We call upon this masculine and feminine
water, given from the forest mountain stream, during the harvest time of the wheel. We use it to bless, cleanse and anoint us
for this feasting of the harvest.
As the water from the pool represents the
female and the water from the falls represents the male, the two joined
together represent the God and Goddess flowing as one.
Raise Energy
(Setting the table for feasting)
Feasting Prayer
Nuts and Berries, Roots and Leaves, Bounty born of all that lives,
Fruit in trees and grain in sheaves, Praise for all the good Earth gives.
Feasting
Quarter Release
WEST: Autumn
is here. The season of harvest and
family. We thank you for your presence here
today, reminding us of family and friends.
We shall continue to bask in their love and companionship throughout the
upcoming year. Go if you must, stay if
you will. Hail and farewell.
SOUTH: Summer
shall arrive. The season of warmth and
prosperity. We thank you for your
presence here today, reminding us of the prosperity within our friends, family
and foes. Go if you must, stay if you
will. Hail and farewell.
EAST: We
know the spring will come. the season of
new life and the unfolding of mysteries.
We thank you for your presence here today, reminding us that everyday
provides a new thought or idea with our lives.
Go if you must, stay if you will.
Hail and farewell.
NORTH: We
look forward to the winter season. The
season of rest and rejuvenation. We
thank you for your presence here today, reminding us to take a moment to find
the inner sanctuary where the seeds of life and inspiration await spring. Go if you must, stay if you will. Hail and farewell.
Release God, Goddess
Vertumnus and Pomona
Closing
Welcome to the CircleOfOne Archives
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)
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