Mabon Sabbat, Tampa CUUPS, 9/20/97
Entering the Circle
(Drumming while folks are entering the circle)
Purify
(As people enter, smudge with cauldron)
Anointing
Response: In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust
If no response ask: You enter this circle with Perfect Love and Perfect Trust, do you do so willingly?
Response: Yes
Response: Yes
Statement of Intent
HPS: Welcome to the CUUPS Fall Equinox, or Mabon Ritual. Once more the wheel has turned. The thread of life has been measured and is now ready to be cut. Those dreams only just realized at Spring Equinox are now coming into fruition. We gather here tonight in this Sacred Space, in a place that is not a place, in a time that has no time, between the Worlds, to give thanks for the simple things that give life pleasure. Tonight is also a time of gathering in, a time for looking inward. Now is a time for remembering the experiences of the past, of savoring those memories once more before storing them away in preparation for life’s winter.
Grounding Tree
HP: Now we'd like everyone to get comfortable, both feet on the ground, eyes closed. We're going to begin with a deep breath, in through the nose, and out though the mouth. And relax. Breath slowly, comfortably, and relax. Each time you inhale take in the positive energy that surrounds you. As you exhale release the stress and worries of the day. As you breathe, imagine a strong, beautiful, steady tree. Imagine yourself stepping into this tree, where your arms become the branches reaching up into the sky, your body is the trunk of the tree strong and healthy, and your legs and feet become the roots buried deep in the earth. Picture yourself in this tree and feel the strength and support of the trunk and roots. Shift your attention to your breath. Breathing in strength from the sky and universe through the branches. Breathing out and releasing distress through your roots to the earth and the ground under your feet. Continue to breathe, feeling your body, be steady, and at ease. Picture yourself stepping out of the tree, feeling calm, connected, and grounded. Take a moment and when you're ready open your eyes and rejoin our Circle.
Casting the Circle
HPS: Always has life fulfilled its cycle and led again to life in the eternal wheel of the living. In honor of the Old Ones, we mark the fullness of our lives and the harvest of this year's lessons. Everyone may now concentrate on the richness of life, this moment of balance between light and dark, and the harvest of our life's lessons, while we honor the changing of the season by casting this circle.
Maiden: To the good seasons that have gone and the good ones yet to come. The circle is cast once, in Balance and Alignment. So Mote it be.
(Walk 1 time clockwise, begin in the East, sprinkle the water on the altar)
Maiden: To the Earth! May she bring peace, bounty, and fulfillment to all her children. This circle is cast Twice, in Compassion and Generosity. So mote it be.
(Walk 1 time clockwise, begin in the East, sprinkle the salt on the altar)
Maiden: To the Sky! May he empower us, protect us, and bring prosperity and joy. This circle is cast Thrice, in Strength and Unity. So Mote it be.
(Walk 1 time clockwise, begin in the East, point the Athame down & out)
HP: Here is the boundary of the circle. Naught but love shall enter in, Naught but love shall emerge from within. Charge this by Your powers, Old Ones.
Quarters
(Begin in the East, invite everyone to stand and face East)
East: Guardians of the Watchtower of the East. We do call You to protect us in our rite. Come to us now on the cool breath of Autumn's sigh which heralds the advent of Winter and the close of harvest time. Breathe into us the spirit of the pure joy of life. So Mote it be!
South: Guardians of the Watchtower of the South. We do call You to protect us in our rite Come forth from the cook fires and smokehouses where food is being made ready for the coming cold months. Kindle within us the flame of spiritual awakening. So mote it be!
West: Guardians of the Watchtower of the West. We do call You to protect us in our rite. Come to us now from the rainbow hued morning dew that covers the fields, and is soon to be frost. Water our deepest roots that we may find peace of mind. So mote it be!
North: Guardians of the Watchtower of the North. We do call You to protect us in our rite Come forth from the fertile bosom of our Blessed Mother Earth, and nourish us so that our hopes may grow to fruition. So mote it be!
Invoking the Goddess & God
HP: I call upon the blessed Lady, Queen of the harvest, giver of life and plenty since before time began. I ask that you bestow upon us your joy and beauty, power and prosperity. Join your energies with us tonight!
HPS: I call upon the Lord of the Harvest, sacred King, giver of riches and protection since before time began. I ask that you bestow upon us your strength and laughter, power and prosperity. Join your energies with us tonight!
Rise Power, Chanting x3
We all come from the Goddess,
And to Her we shall return.
Like a drop of rain,
Flowing to the Ocean
Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Innana
We all come from the Sun God,
And to Him we shall return.
Like a spark of flame,
Rising to the Summerland’s
Pan, Poseidon, Dionysus, Cernunnos, Mithras, Loki, Apollo
Workings
(In the middle of the circle - In the middle a basket with multi-colored Spirit bags. The Wheel decorated with fall leaves, flowers. Around the Wheel colored candles and baskets)
East - yellow candle with basket full of multi-colored feathers.
South - red candle with basket full of multi-colored birthday candles.
West - Blue candle with basket full of multi-colored seashells.
North - green candle with basket full of small multi-colored stones.
HPS: What do you wish to harvest from your experiences this summer? What lessons have you learned? Soon we will go to the wheel and harvest what we need for the long winter ahead. Whenever you are low in energy...take your bag and think of your harvest. But before we can reap...we must dance, sing and celebrate what we have earned. All join hands and move closer to the center. Those that would like to drum can stay where they are. Everyone facing in and moving to their right, clockwise. The energy that is raised tonight will be directed into the center of our circle to empower the objects of our harvest.
Chanting
(Pass out baskets of cloth and ribbon)
HPS: As these baskets are passed around pick out a colored Spirit bag for your harvest. Now, when you are ready pick what you will need for the winter.
Quarters: Each take the basket for their quarter, starting in that quarter, begin passing out the feathers, candles, shells, and stones.
HPS: May you understand the harvest better this day and take with you the memories of the past harvests.
Blessings
HP: Gracious Goddess of Abundance,
Bless this wine and infuse it with Your love.
In Your names, Mother Goddess and Father God,
May we never thirst
HPS: Powerful God of the Harvest,
Bless these cakes and infuse them with Your love.
In Your names, Father God and Mother Goddess,
May we never hunger
Releasing the Quarters
(Begin in the North, invite everyone to stand and face North)
North: Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, return now to the Earth where worms burrow deeper and seeds nestle awaiting the long sleep of Winter. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!
West: Guardians of the Watchtower of the West, return now to the Autumn rains which cool the Earth's fevered brow baked in the heat of Summer afternoons. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!
South: Guardians of the Watchtower of the South, return now to the dying fires of Autumn's heat soon to give way to Winter's chill. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!
East: Guardians of the Watchtower of the East, return now to the brisk Autumn breezes which are brimming with the excitement of the year's climax. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!
Opening the Circle
HPS: Equal night and equal day, Soon the light will fade away.
Equal day and equal night, This circle fades as does the light.
Thus the Magick we invoke, Fades away like wisps of smoke.
Until we next decide to play.
Everyone: So Mote it Be!
Open Circle
In honor of the Old Ones, we mark the fullness of our lives and the harvest of this year's lessons 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 merry meet again.
Feast
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)
