Windy Circle 2004 CO1

New Moon, Windy Circle
May 2004 Circle of One
 
Altar Devotions
(place windmills at the 5 points, additional windmills on alter)
 
Purify the Area
(clarify, water, salt, incense)
 
Smudge/Anoint
 
Calling Quarters
 

HPS:         Bores, Notes, Eurasia, Zephyrs

                    Winds of North, South, East, West

                    Gather close at my request,

 

                    Join us all upon this night and

                    Lend your energies to our rite.

                    Winds shall merge and intertwine

                    Your essential energies will combine!

 

HP:            BOEARS, Spirit of Earth, Midnight and Winter - we call for Healing.

Surround us within your earthen cloak of knowledge.

 

                    NOTUS, Spirit of Fire, Midday and Summer – we call for Wisdom.

Teach us strength to fill our need, & empower our enlightenment.

 

                    EURUS, Spirit of Air, Sunrise and Spring - we call for pure Innocence.

Guide us to what healing must be.

 

              ZEPHYRUS, Spirit of Water, Sunset and Autumn - we call for Resolution.

So that we will know healing.

 

At the Northern Point:  I join you all to heal all within you.

 
Casting the Circle
 

HPS & HP:        The Four winds form our Circle, we weave our spell into your tapestry tonight, North, South, East, West, your tale shall tell. As above, so below, remove all that would could cause us woe. As within, so without, at peace we'll be, there is no doubt.  Three times round this Circles cast

 
Unite energies

Invocation
 

HPS:         Gracious Goddess of the night, woman of the Moon, and Mother of all that is, I ask for your assistance and presence for our rite.

 

HP:         Gracious Goddess of the day, Woman of the Sun, and Mother of all that is, I ask for your assistance and presence for our rite.

 

Name the Working

 

The windmills will be empowered by being "blown upon" with the energy we raise. Once cleansed they will be ready to absorb any negativity that we may come in contact with: as it is now & as it may be in the future.  In this way they will protect us from negativity & allow us to heal at will. As we breath in we are going to bring in energy from the winds of all four quarters as we breath out we will expel all the woes that hold us back from all we need to be. Fill it with the power for our purpose, the power to cleanse ourselves. Prepare the windmills for the task we have described.

 

Raising Energy
 

HPS:         Breathe, listen to the sound of the breath of your circle mates. Become synchronized together, become one together. Breathe in as one, breathe out as one. 

 

Cakes & Ale
 
Thanking the Divine

 

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

 

HP:            Gracious Goddess of the day, woman of the Sun, and Mother of all that is, thank you for your assistance and presence during out rite. Stay if you will, go if you must, Hail and Farewell.

 

Release the Circle

 

HPS/HP:  Four winds formed our Circle at our request, 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.  Healing 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)

Strawberry Moon 2013 CO1

Strawberry Moon

UU Tampa, May 14, 2013 CO1

 

(As participants enter the room, greeted by a gauntlet and smudged with silk flowers dipped in water. HP & HPS stand at the end and pass out pencils and Popsicle sticks. Everyone is encouraged to move deosil (clockwise) to seat)

 

Cast Circle

(HP stands at the Altar and speaks, as HPS walks the Circle)

 
Three times round this Circles bound.
 
The first is a Circle of Protection – as we ask the great God 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 the great Goddess shines the light of her love upon all who gather here beneath this roof.
 
Three times round this Circle’s bound. East, then South, then West and North from edge to edge this Circle is cast.  So, Mote It Be.
 
Call Quarters
(HP & HPS walk the Circle, at each Quarter hands over the item for that element)
 
EAST:       We call upon the element of Air, and as the breeze surrounds us, cool and refreshing, we ask the energy of Air to aid us in cultivating our wishes so that they may be fruitful.  (Sound the Brass Bell)
HP/HPS:  We welcome you into our Circle, Blessed Be
 
SOUTH:   We call upon the element of Fire, and as the heat surrounds us, passionate and strong, we ask the energy of Fire to aid us in cultivating our desires so that they may be fruitful. (Sound the Clay Rattle)
HP/HPS:  We welcome you into our Circle, Blessed Be
 
SOUTH:   We call upon the element of Water, and as the rain surrounds us, gentle and cleansing, we ask the energy of Water to aid us in cultivating our dreams so that they may be fruitful.  (Sound the Rain Stick)
HP/HPS:  We welcome you into our Circle, Blessed Be
 
WEST:      We call upon the element of Earth, and as the soil surrounds us, vibrant and alive, we ask the energy of Earth to aid us in cultivating our endeavors so that they may be fruitful. (Sound the Brass Bell)
HP/HPS:  We welcome you into our Circle, Blessed Be
 

Invocation

 
HP:            Soft scented stillness that warns of the storm.
Whisper of wisdom full living and warm
BOTH:      Goddess breathes into us wonder at all we may know. Welcome, wise wind, from wherever you blow.
 
HPS:         Bright spark of courage, blaze of desire.
The passion for change is a wild, raging fire.
BOTH:      Kindled by Gods will, it burns in our veins. Welcome within us, our hearts are your flames
 
HP:            Power of water, power to feel.
Father within us, ancient and real.
BOTH:      Soothed into calmness or tossed to extremes. Welcome, wild waves from the depths of our dreams
 
HPS:         Mother in waiting, child in the womb.
Newly strung thread waits the night on the loom.
BOTH:     Earth that we come from, Earth where we go. Welcome, as you welcomed us long, long ago.
 

Name the Working

(HP/HPS Present large flower pot with plants already in place. Advise participants to write their wishes on the popsicle sticks and hold on to them. They will be ‘planting’ their sticks after energy raising. And the pot will be placed outside in the community)

 

Perform the Work

 

Raise Power

(Each Quarter instructs their section as HP & HPS walk the Circle. When all Quarters are participating, encourage a brief rise in energy, then HP & HPS walk the Circle again calming each Quarter as they pass, spiraling into the center to focus all energies)

 
East;          brushing hands
South;        snapping fingers
West;         hands on knees
North;       stamping feet
 

Great Rite

(HPS sits with HP standing)

 
HP:            The calm waters gathered from still pools and quiet eddies represent the Magick of the Goddess.
          (The bowl of water is given to HPS; she holds it up for all to see)

HPS:    Let my worship be within the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. Therefore, let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
 
HPS:    The forceful waters gathered from racing streams and surging waterfalls represent the Mystery of the Gods.
                   (The pitcher of water is given to HP; he holds it up for all to see)
                  
HP:    Let my reverence be within the soul that aspires, let there be desire and fear, anger and weakness, joy and peace, awe and longing within you.  For these too are parts of the mysteries.  All beginnings have endings, and all endings have beginnings.
 

(As the water is poured into the bowl)

BOTH:    Spirit to Flesh - Masculine to Feminine - As the Goddess and God within, together they bring blessedness to life.
 

Cakes and Ale

(As part of feasting the water from the Great Rite is poured into the Flower Pot)

 

Loving God and Goddess, we thank you for this food and drink, and for your blessings and wisdom you have given us. Come be our guests and take your place at this table.  As this food and drink feeds our bodies, so we ask you to nourish our souls. So, Mote it Be.
 

Release Quarters

(HP speaks as HPS walks the Circle widdershins (counter-clockwise) to collect the Elements.  As each Quarter is released that person sits)

 
We thank the vibrant and alive element of Earth for helping us cultivate or endeavors.  (Sound the Staff)
 
We thank the gentle and cleansing element of Water for helping us cultivate or dreams. (Sound the Rain Stick)
 
We thank the passionate and strong element of Fire for helping us cultivate or Desires. (Sound the Clay Rattle)
 
We thank the cool and refreshing element of Air for helping us cultivate or wishes. (Sound the Brass Bell)
 
BOTH:    We bid you well as you depart, may there be peace between us, may you always Blessed Be.
 

Open Circle

(HP & HPS move to the center of the Circle to place items back on the altar)

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

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)

Wedding Ceremony 2006 CO1

Wedding Ceremony

March 5th, 2006

 

INTRODUCTION

 

It was the great medieval philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, who, when asked to define true love, said that it was "To will the good of the other person".  If you truly love someone you want their success, their happiness, and everything that is best for them.  In the history of mankind, great lovers have died for the one or the ones they love.
 
Nothing like that is called for here but (Name) and (Name) do want you to know why they are getting married today.  They could have chosen simply to live together.  This unquestionably "safer" course would seemingly give them more options, seemingly sustain their freedom, and have fewer risks attached.  They have thought about this and have decided that for them it is not enough.
 
They see this ceremony today as a stronger commitment to their relationship.  They call you together, their friends, and family, to share in making this commitment and to call on your acknowledgement and support.  (Name) and (Name) recognize that they are very happy with one another.  They recognize that they would not be happier with anyone else and that no distant fields are greener.
 
There is another element in all this.  They love each other.  With the philosopher, they will each other's good.  They will each other's success, fulfillment, and happiness.  They know the main danger in a marriage relationship is the danger of taking each other for granted, of not appreciating each other enough.
 
So, they want to stay aware of each other.  They know they must communicate with each other and be open to communication.  This, they know, is a lot harder than it sounds.  Words must be said softly, and listened to carefully.
 
Their relationship must be sustained by the will to express it, the loving word, the loving smile, the loving embrace, the loving favor, and the giving with graciousness and generosity.  They know not to take without giving, but give without taking.  A true lover knows what the demands of love sometimes costs’ their partner so they will to be sensitive, to be appreciative.  And they remind themselves today that they must do these things without dominating, without smothering, and without suffocating the other.
 
They have assessed happily that their relationship is for life.  They have found each other, they like each other, they love each other, they want it to last, they intend it to last, and they will it to last.  More than that, they will it to get better; they will it to get deeper.  They want to be Husband (Partner) and Wife (Partner).  They want people to look at them and quote, as it were, the poet, Homer, who said 800 years before Christ:    "There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and Wife (Partner) confounding their enemies and delighting their friends."
 

Vows

(Name), please repeat after me:
 
I, (Name) give myself to you, (Name), completely and unconditionally.  With my heart, my hands, and my words, I will respect you and protect you.  In sunshine and in rain, in joy and in pain, in plenty and in need, I will be your Husband (Partner), best friend, and lover, so long as we both shall live.
 
(Name), please repeat after me:
 
I, (Name) give myself to you, (Name), completely and unconditionally.  With my heart, my hands, and my words, I will respect you and protect you.  In sunshine and in rain, in joy and in pain, in plenty and in need, I will be your Wife (Partner), best friend, and lover, so long as we both shall live.
 
Do you (Name) take (Name) to be your Wife (Partner)?
 
I Do.
 
Do you (Name) take (Name) to be your Husband (Partner)?
 
I Do.
 
Exchanging of the Rings
 
May we have the bride's ring, please?
 
(Name), please place the ring on (Name)’s finger, and repeat after me:
 
(Name), I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity, love, respect, and trust.
 
May we have the groom's ring, please?
 
(Name), please place this ring on (Name)'s finger and repeat after me:
 
(Name), I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity, love, respect, and trust.
 

Rose Ceremony

 
Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.  You now have what still remains today to be the most honorable title that may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "Husband (Partner)" and "Wife (Partner)."  Now it is time for you to exchange your first gift as Husband (Partner) and Wife (Partner).
 
Throughout history the rose has always been considered a symbol of love.  A single rose always meant only one thing - "I love you.”  So, it is appropriate that your first gift to each other as Husband (Partner) and Wife (Partner) should be a single rose.
 
In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all.  Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose.  In some ways, a marriage is like this:  tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday.  But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.
 
(Name) and (Name), I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that together pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.
 
In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words.  It is always easiest to hurt the ones we love most.  It might be difficult at times to say the words "I’m sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I’m hurting".  If this should happen, if you simply cannot find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose more than anything says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.
 
That rose says the words: "I love you."  You should accept the rose for the words that cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.  (Name) and (Name), if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love that can make it a glorious union, and it is by love that your marriage shall endure.
 
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.  No man is greater than a woman, nor is a woman greater than a man.  For what one lacks, the other can provide and what one needs, the other can supply. 
 
May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light for you. 
 
As you have consented together in Lawful marriage in the presence of these, your family, friends and witnesses and by the giving and receiving of two rings and by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you to be Husband (Partner) and Wife (Partner).
 
You may now exchange a kiss! 

                                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)