Lammas Sabbat 2017 CO1

Lammas - 5 Senses 

8/12/17 Co1

 
LAMMAS: The First Harvest. Lammas is traditionally celebrated as the 1st harvest of the season. It’s the grain harvest - still the most important harvest, because most of the world uses grain as 90% of their diet. A bad harvest means starvation. A good harvest means survival. For many the festival of Lammas marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Here in Florida, it simply means we've reached some of the hottest, most uncomfortable days of the year.
 
'Lammas' was the medieval Christian name for the holiday and it means 'loaf-mass', for this was the day on which loaves of bread were baked from the first grain harvest and laid on the church altars as offerings.
 
Lammastide was also the traditional time of year for craft festivals. The medieval guilds would create elaborate displays of their wares, decorating their shops and themselves in bright colors and ribbons, marching in parades, and performing strange, ceremonial plays and dances for the entranced onlookers.
 
Here in Florida, we have a unique situation. This isn't a time of harvest for us. This is the time when nothing grows. In the scorching heat only the strongest can survive. This is our winter when it comes to crops and food sources. The ‘lazy days of summer’ is an old phrase that aptly describes us now - not many want to expend much energy outside. For us it’s a time of looking inward, and moving inside. Air-conditioning is such a wonderful thing, isn’t it?!
 
Looking inward – seeing the small things that gift our lives - every day there are so many treasures that brighten our lives that we simply just aren’t aware of. Life affirmations we simply ignore, gifts of hope we take for granted, memories carelessly forgotten, simply because many of us walk through life blinded by our sight. For many of us we rely on our sight so much that we don’t experience many of the gifts we receive from the universe all around us.
 
Tonight, we’re going to explore our senses a bit. Many scientists say we actually have nine senses - sight, sound, taste, touch, smell - pain, balance, thirst, and hunger. Hearing, sight, taste, touch, and smell are known as our external senses. They provide information about the outside world. Pain, balance, thirst, and hunger are considered to be our internal senses. They provide information about the body and its needs. Tonight, we’re going to work with only four – sound, taste, touch and smell. Tonight, I’m going to ask you to keep your eyes closed during ritual. The goal is not meant to blind you, only make you more aware of how much we all rely on our sight. Tonight, we’re going to give our eyes a rest and play a little bit with our other senses.
 

Altar Devotions

 
Let what I feel, fill me but not consume me;
Let me follow what I feel, but not be forced;
Let me become the kind of soul, who never clings too hard,
Who let’s go and yet loves;
Let me imagine better worlds, yet work in this one;
Let me touch, and treasure, even people I can never hold,
And let me learn from all my losses;
Let me out and let me in, Let me see and let me be,
A window - maybe broken - but through which
A bit of air and sunlight comes.

Call Quarters

 
NORTH:   Essence of the North, we bid you welcome. We ask you to join us in our Circle this night. Bring to us your gentle touch that gives life and encourages growth in all as we share these moments with our friends and family. We welcome you with a solid sense of touch and joy in our hearts for this celebration. Blessed Be.
 
EAST:        Essence of the East, we bid you welcome. We ask you to join us in our Circle this night. Bring with you the aromas that remind us of the past as we share these moments with our friends and family. We welcome you with an intuitive sense of smell and joy in our minds for this celebration. Blessed Be.
 
SOUTH:    Essence of the south, we bid you welcome. We ask you to join us in our Circle this night. Entice us with the flavors that warm and excite our lives as we share these moments with our friends and family. We welcome you with an imaginative sense of taste and joy in our souls for this celebration. Blessed Be.
 
WEST:      Essence of the West, we bid you welcome. We ask you to join us in our Circle this night. Send to us the vibrations that create the sounds of our lives as we share these moments with our friends and family. We welcome you with a loving sense of hearing and joy in our bodies for this celebration. Blessed Be.
 

Anoint

(Greet each person, anoint with something to treat the sense of smell)

 
You are the sense of Smell, we invite you to experience Smell and in so doing heighten and renew your own senses.
 

Cast Circle

 
Tonight, we’ll cast our circle hand to hand - a circle of Community, Friends and Family. As you receive the gift from your neighbor to the right, take a moment to experience the sense before passing it on to your neighbor on the left. Three times round this Circle’s bound.
 

(Walk the Circle with something to treat the sense of taste)

You are the sense of Taste, we invite you to experience Taste and in so doing heighten and renew your own senses. The first is a Circle of Protection - as we ask Father Sky to cast a protective eye upon all who dwell within these walls.
 

(Walk the Circle with something to treat the sense of hearing)

You are the sense of Sound, we invite you to experience Sound and in so doing heighten and renew your own senses. 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.
 

(Walk the Circle with something to treat the sense of touch)

You are the sense of Touch, we invite you to experience Touch and in so doing heighten and renew your own senses. The Third is a Circle of Love – as we know that Mother Earth 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.
 

Unite energies

(Have everyone stand quietly, listening to each other’s breathing for a moment)

 

Invocation

 

We call forth the Goddess, Mother of the Moon, to witness this rite. Because of You the night is filled with illuminations, help us to become enlightened also. Instill in us the sight of those things that remain unseen.
 
We call forth the God, Sun King, to witness this rite. Your light and brightness warm the Earth, help us to grow also. Enable us to see the wonders of the mundane world around us.
 
Together, you are the sense of Sight, of things both seen and unseen, we invite you to heighten and renew our own senses and in doing so experience Sight.
 

Name the Working

 

Perform the Work

 

Raise Power

 
With malice towards no-one, and harm to none.
If Spirit so desires it, then let it be done.
 

Wish Box, Sacred Space

 

Cakes and Ale

 
From the Golden rays of the Sun, to the fertile Earth, to the healthy grains, to bread - May you never hunger.
 
From the Silver beams of the Moon, to the quiet Earth, to the fruits, to wine - May you never thirst.
 

Thanking Spirit

 
Tonight, we thank the Goddess of the Moon and the God of the Sun for joining us. Shade and Shadow, Dark and Light, you are two halves of a perfect whole. We welcome you to walk beside us as we return to the mundane world. Guide our minds, our tongues and our hearts. Blessed Be.
 

Open Circle

 
This Circle has served us well. It has protected and aided us. It has stood as a boundary between time and space. I now open this Circle. Essence of the West, South, East, and North, thank you for your presence here tonight. We appreciate those gifts you have chosen to bestow upon us. For now, we bid you pleasant parting, know that you are always welcome in this place.
 
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

 

Lammas Sabbat 2017 CO1

Lammas 8/12/17 Co1

 

LAMMAS: The First Harvest. Lammas is traditionally celebrated as the 1st harvest of the season. It’s the grain harvest - still the most important harvest, because most of the world uses grain as 90% of their diet. A bad harvest means starvation. A good harvest means survival. For many the festival of Lammas marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Here in Florida, it simply means we've reached some of the hottest, most uncomfortable days of the year.

 

'Lammas' was the medieval Christian name for the holiday and it means 'loaf-mass', for this was the day on which loaves of bread were baked from the first grain harvest and laid on the church altars as offerings.

 

Lammastide was also the traditional time of year for craft festivals. The medieval guilds would create elaborate displays of their wares, decorating their shops and themselves in bright colors and ribbons, marching in parades, and performing strange, ceremonial plays and dances for the entranced onlookers.

 

Here in Florida, we have a unique situation. This isn't a time of harvest for us. This is the time when nothing grows. In the scorching heat only the strongest can survive. This is our winter when it comes to crops and food sources. The ‘lazy days of summer’ is an old phrase that aptly describes us now - not many want to expend much energy outside. For us it’s a time of looking inward, and moving inside. Air-conditioning is such a wonderful thing, isn’t it?!

 

Looking inward – seeing the small things that gift our lives - every day there are so many treasures that brighten our lives that we simply just aren’t aware of. Life affirmations we simply ignore, gifts of hope we take for granted, memories carelessly forgotten, simply because many of us walk through life blinded by our sight. For many of us we rely on our sight so much that we don’t experience many of the gifts we receive from the universe all around us.

 

Tonight, we’re going to explore our senses a bit. Many scientists say we actually have nine senses - sight, sound, taste, touch, smell - pain, balance, thirst, and hunger. Hearing, sight, taste, touch, and smell are known as our external senses. They provide information about the outside world. Pain, balance, thirst, and hunger are considered to be our internal senses. They provide information about the body and its needs. Tonight, we’re going to work with only four – sound, taste, touch and smell. Tonight, I’m going to ask you to keep your eyes closed during ritual. The goal is not meant to blind you, only make you more aware of how much we all rely on our sight. Tonight, we’re going to give our eyes a rest and play a little bit with our other senses.

 

Altar Devotions

 

Let what I feel, fill me but not consume me;

Let me follow what I feel, but not be forced;

Let me become the kind of soul, who never clings too hard,

Who let’s go and yet loves;

Let me imagine better worlds, yet work in this one;

Let me touch, and treasure, even people I can never hold,

And let me learn from all my losses;

Let me out and let me in, Let me see and let me be,

A window - maybe broken - but through which

A bit of air and sunlight comes.

 

Call Quarters

 

NORTH:   Essence of the North, we bid you welcome. We ask you to join us in our Circle this night. Bring to us your gentle touch that gives life and encourages growth in all as we share these moments with our friends and family. We welcome you with a solid sense of touch and joy in our hearts for this celebration. Blessed Be.

 

EAST:        Essence of the East, we bid you welcome. We ask you to join us in our Circle this night. Bring with you the aromas that remind us of the past as we share these moments with our friends and family. We welcome you with an intuitive sense of smell and joy in our minds for this celebration. Blessed Be.

 

SOUTH:    Essence of the south, we bid you welcome. We ask you to join us in our Circle this night. Entice us with the flavors that warm and excite our lives as we share these moments with our friends and family. We welcome you with an imaginative sense of taste and joy in our souls for this celebration. Blessed Be.

 

WEST:      Essence of the West, we bid you welcome. We ask you to join us in our Circle this night. Send to us the vibrations that create the sounds of our lives as we share these moments with our friends and family. We welcome you with a loving sense of hearing and joy in our bodies for this celebration. Blessed Be.

 

Anoint

(Greet each person, anoint with something to treat the sense of smell)

 

You are the sense of Smell, we invite you to experience Smell and in so doing heighten and renew your own senses.

 

Cast Circle

 

Tonight, we’ll cast our circle hand to hand - a circle of Community, Friends and Family. As you receive the gift from your neighbor to the right, take a moment to experience the sense before passing it on to your neighbor on the left. Three times round this Circle’s bound.

 

(Walk the Circle with something to treat the sense of taste)

You are the sense of Taste, we invite you to experience Taste and in so doing heighten and renew your own senses. The first is a Circle of Protection - as we ask Father Sky to cast a protective eye upon all who dwell within these walls.

 

(Walk the Circle with something to treat the sense of hearing)

You are the sense of Sound, we invite you to experience Sound and in so doing heighten and renew your own senses. 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.

 

(Walk the Circle with something to treat the sense of touch)

You are the sense of Touch, we invite you to experience Touch and in so doing heighten and renew your own senses. The Third is a Circle of Love – as we know that Mother Earth 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.

 

Unite energies

(Have everyone stand quietly, listening to each other’s breathing for a moment)

 

Invocation

 

We call forth the Goddess, Mother of the Moon, to witness this rite. Because of You the night is filled with illuminations, help us to become enlightened also. Instill in us the sight of those things that remain unseen.

 

We call forth the God, Sun King, to witness this rite. Your light and brightness warm the Earth, help us to grow also. Enable us to see the wonders of the mundane world around us.

 

Together, you are the sense of Sight, of things both seen and unseen, we invite you to heighten and renew our own senses and in doing so experience Sight.

 

Name the Working

 

Perform the Work

 

Raise Power

 

With malice towards no-one, and harm to none.

If Spirit so desires it, then let it be done.

 

Wish Box, Sacred Space

 

Cakes and Ale

 

From the Golden rays of the Sun, to the fertile Earth, to the healthy grains, to bread - May you never hunger.

 

From the Silver beams of the Moon, to the quiet Earth, to the fruits, to wine - May you never thirst.

 

Thanking Spirit

 

Tonight, we thank the Goddess of the Moon and the God of the Sun for joining us. Shade and Shadow, Dark and Light, you are two halves of a perfect whole. We welcome you to walk beside us as we return to the mundane world. Guide our minds, our tongues and our hearts. Blessed Be.

 

Open Circle

 

This Circle has served us well. It has protected and aided us. It has stood as a boundary between time and space. I now open this Circle. Essence of the West, South, East, and North, thank you for your presence here tonight. We appreciate those gifts you have chosen to bestow upon us. For now, we bid you pleasant parting, know that you are always welcome in this place.

 

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

 

Lammas Sabbat 2000 CO1

Lammas Sabbat, 8/5/00

Purify the Area/Prepare Altar

Ground HP/HPS

Anoint/Smudge Participants

(Drummers will stand to either side of the doorway as HP and HPS lead the participants into the hall.  All Quarters will stand in the center of the hall creating an inner circle facing out and chanting as all the participants are led around the outside edge of the hall and allowed time to find places to settle.  ManInBlack and the two Angels of Mercy stand in the very center facing inward wearing black cloaks.)

Oh tell me why, oh tell me why

Oh tell me why must the clouds come to darken the sky

Oh tell me why, oh tell me why

Oh tell me why must the clouds come to darken the sky

This is the wake of Lugh, the Sacred King

He gave his life on Lammas day

This is the wake of Lugh, the Sacred King

He steps into the dark to lighten our way

Statement of Intent

HP:  Tonight’s ritual is a little different than what most people will expect.  While Llamas is a harvest holiday and a time of celebration, it is also known as Lughnassa in honor of the Sacred Kings of the Celts.  Many people believe that sacrifices were never performed, in truth the Sacred Kings often gave up their lives in times of great need to insure prosperity for the lands and their people.  You see...the Kings held a sacred bond with the land so that in times of famine, drought, or pestilence, the King would offer himself as a sacrifice.  If the King was still young and chose not to be sacrificed then a substitute would be allowed, such as a great warrior or it was then offered to a prisoner - the choice to die with honor as the sacrifice.  With the Sacred King chosen, he was then anointed and presented to the people as the living God.  When the sacrifice was made it was very important to make sure that the blood was spilled upon the ground to insure the land’s prosperity.  Looking back through history some possible Sacrificial Kings of the past might have been Sir Francis Drake, William Rufus, William Wallace or perhaps Thomas Becket.  And one that most people might not have thought about may have been Joan of Arc.  It’s even suggested that Jesus Christ might have served as a Sacred King when you consider the way in which his blood was spilled on the earth.  So tonight we gather to honor these Sacred Kings of the past and the great God Lugh.

Cast Circle

HPS: We conjure thee by spirits of power a Circle now around us stands.  We trace the path between the worlds a boundary line of Gods and man.  Once around I trace the path, twice it turns into a flame, thrice around a wall of fire, within whose space we shall remain.  This ground is Sacred, Consecrated by the power of Earth and Air, we conjure Fire to cleanse our hearts, and Waters deep to guard us here.  In the name of She who watches, in the name of He who stands, this Circle bright is bound around us while Spirit works it’s mighty plan. As above from Crown of heaven, now below it is revealed, Magick Circle of nature’s fortress, by my words your power is sealed.

Call Quarters

NORTH:  Guardian Spirit, Earthly one, We invite you into our Circle.  In your fields of abundance, teach us to know where to best plant ourselves, so our spirits will grow. Join us this night and witness these rites.

EARTH:   “I am your Mother.  From me come the fruits and grains and animals which feed you.  I am your support, and my pull on your bodies keeps you held firmly to me.  I cherish you and need your respect to survive.  Without me you will die.  I am here.

NORTH:  Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.  So Mote it Be!

EAST:   Guardian Spirit, Winged one, We invite you into our Circle.  On the warm winds of Summer, help our late-summer dreams take flight.  Join us this night and witness these rites.

AIR:   “I am  everywhere.  I fill your lungs, I stir all things from the smallest blade of grass to the tallest tree.  I can cool you with my breezes and could destroy you with my storms.  Without me, you would die.  I am here.

EAST:   Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.  So Mote it Be!

SOUTH:   Guardian Spirit, Fiery one, We invite you into our Circle.  With long sun-filled days, and clear starry nights, bring us the passion to spice up our lives.  Join us this night and witness these rites.

FIRE:   "I  live in the guarded embers of campfires and the pilot lights of stoves.  I  spring from the lightning and the hands of men, I can warm you with my glowing cinders and I could destroy you with my raging flames.  Without me you would die. I am here.

SOUTH:   Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.  So Mote it Be!

WEST:  Guardian Spirit, Watery one, We invite you into our Circle.  On your soft flowing waves that can lull us to sleep, teach us the Mysteries of your briny deep.  Join us this night and witness these rites.

WATER:   "I rise from the moist crevices of the Earth, I wash upon the shores of Her body, I fall from the skies in silver sheets.  I can nourish you with my gentle rains, and I could destroy you with my furious storms.  Without me you would die.  I am here.

WEST:  Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.  So Mote it Be!

Unite Energies

(Group OM)

Invocation

HPS:    Oh mighty Lugh, God of death and rebirth.  You who are the center of the Spiral, the Sacred King.  Come to us.  Share with us your wisdom and knowledge.  Participate in this rite as we honor your sacrifice in this Sacred Space.  So Mote It Be.

HP:    Oh lovely Brighid, Goddess of life and beauty.  You who are the Spiral of Life, Death and Rebirth, Mother of all.  Come to us.  Bring the strength of your hearth to us.  Participate in this rite as we honor your sacrifice in this Sacred Space. So Mote It Be.

Name the Working

HPS:    Tonight, ... will be representing the Sacred King Lugh.  As he walks around the Circle tonight with the Corn Dolly concentrate on something you would like to release or change in your lives in order to make room for future prosperity.  The Corn Dolly represents those things you wish to release and let go.  Tonight is not necessarily a time for grieving over our losses, but rather a time to celebrate those positive things that we experience in our lives, the prospects of an enjoyable future, and the knowledge that the God and Goddess will bless us with a prosperous year. 

HP kneels before the HPS as she places the crown on his head.  HP walks around the circle and the drummers are now free to drum a slow steady rhythm

Blessings

Sacrifice

HP:    If it is not your will, then let this duty pass from me, but if it is your will, then So Mote It Be.

(HP takes the Athame from the altar, presents it to the God, walks to the Western quarter to present the Athame to ManInBlack.  MIB stands in the Western Quarter dressed in black and covered by a black cloak, flanked by two Angels of Mercy dressed in white.)

MIB:    Blades flashing by light of sun or moon or fire, deeds done by stealth or more often in full view of witnesses, Murder or Willing Sacrifice??

HP:    Willing Sacrifice.

MIB:    The Living God must be released for the good of the people.

(MIB accepts the Athame, once the HP is seated on the ground, MIB covers the HP with the cloak, he removes the Corn Dolly covers it in black and places the doll and the Athame back on the altar.  The two Angels of Mercy move to lift the HP from the ground and escort him to the Western Quarter)

HPS:    To the sky from the earth in lofty flight. From the hills awash in the colors of fall. So away with thee shall I fly, shall I fly. From this place to a land so far away.

Softly now with the dusk I ride with the wind. O’er the hills, thru the mist on the wings of thee. Sprit fly, spirit fly to a place on high. Spirit fly to a place beyond the sky.

Cakes and Ale

(w/Drumming)

MIB:    My Lady, it is done.  Now is not the time to mourn a death, but a time to celebrate Life.

(The two Angels of Mercy then assist HPS in passing the Cakes and Ale.  Drummers will begin and participants are encouraged to dance.)

MIB:    My Lady Brighid we thank you for joining us this night.  Go now and await the return of your husband.  Hail and Farewell

HPS:    I leave you with Blessings and Thanks

Release Quarters

North:    Mother Earth we thank you for you presence here tonight.

Quarter - I leave you with Blessings and Thanks. Hail and Farewell

West:    Guardian Sprit of the Waters of the West we thank you for your presence here tonight.

Quarter - I leave you with Blessings and Thanks. Hail and Farewell

South:    Guardian Spirit of the Southern Flames we thank you for you presence here tonight.

Quarter - I leave you with Blessings and Thanks. Hail and Farewell

East:    Father Sky we thank you for you presence here tonight.

Quarter -  I leave you with Blessings and Thanks. Hail and Farewell

Open Circle

We are a circle within a circle, without an ending, with love ascending.  Go now in peace, prosperity and joy and remember to keep the energies of this ceremony safe in your heart. This Circle is open, but never broken, Merry Meet, and Merry Part until we Merry Meet again.  We are the people, we are the power, we are the change.  So Mote It Be.

Feast

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Harvest Home2014 CO1

HARVEST HOME, Māori

Lughnasa 2014, CO1

The first cultivation of food plants, or what we think of as farming, came into being about twelve thousand years ago. The ability to grow food products had a dramatic impact on the human way of life. Farming meant clans and tribes could settle in one area, creating communities and commerce. Rather than living a nomadic life of stalking herds of edible animals, people could settle in one place and venture out of their growing communities to forage only when hunting and the gathering of non-farm plants were needed.

These settled communities grew fast. Our ancestors discovered that this was an excellent arrangement for raising children, teaching survival skills, sharing work, and—most importantly—sharing food during the long winter months.

On the first or second day of August, Pagans and other rural people celebrate the harvest of the first grains; they have a variety of names for this festival. The most common in the English speaking west are Lammas and Lughnasadh. Lammas literally means "loaf mass”. And Lughnasa is Irish for the month of August, although many believe the word originally meant "Lugh's wedding." Lugh was a solar and fire deity, and Lughnasadh linked his Godly attributes to the archetype of mother earth's harvest bounty.

Native Americans in eastern North America celebrated the Festival of the Green Corn as a grain festival in honor of the Corn Grandmother. In ancient Rome the first harvest was known as Ceresalia, named for the grain Goddess Ceres, from whose name the English "cereal" is derived.

Many traditions from ancient celebrations have been preserved. Making small dolls or poppet out of dried grain is a common practice even now in the twenty-first century. These are kept as talismans of the harvest, treated like sacred objects, and then are usually burned when the winter and the risk of starvation has passed.

When the heart is torn from the flax bush where will the Bellbird sing?

You ask me what is the greatest thing on Earth, my reply is this:

It is people, it is the people

Altar Devotions

This is the journey of sacred footsteps - journeyed about the earth, journeyed about the heavens.  The journey of the ancestral gods who ascended into the heavens where they found the parentless source

From there they retrieved the baskets of knowledge.  These were distributed and implanted about the earth.  From which came human life, growing from dim light to full light - there was life.

Call Quarters

 Spirits of Earth, We call to you.

Lend your traits of wisdom, grounding, and patience.

The Flesh of life, the Strength of life, it moves from thee to me

May you be blessed and smile upon this rite. Hail and welcome!

 

Spirits of Air, We call to you.

Lend your traits of intelligence, psychic development, and innocence.

The Breath of life, the Knowledge of life, it blows from thee to me.

May you be blessed and smile upon this rite. Hail and welcome!

 

Spirits of Fire, We call to you.

Lend your traits of compassion, intuition, and empathy.

The Heat of life, the Will of life, it burns from thee to me.

May you be blessed and smile upon this rite. Hail and welcome!

 

Spirits of Water, We call to you.

Lend your traits of passion, inspiration, and creativity.

The Blood of life, the Passion of life, it flows from thee to me

May you be blessed and smile upon this rite. Hail and welcome!

 

Cast Circle

Three times round this Circle’s bound. 

The first is a Circle of Protection - as we ask Rangi, Father Sky 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 Papa, Mother Earth 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.

 

Anoint

 

A hongi is a traditional Māori greeting in New Zealand. It is done by pressing one's nose and forehead (at the same time) to another person at an encounter. The head is regarded by Maori as tapu, the most sacred part of the body. The hongi is used at traditional meetings among Māori people and on major ceremonies and serves a similar purpose to a formal handshake. In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life), is exchanged and intermingled. The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both party's souls.

Unite energies

 

Welcome all welcome. Bring forth your love to the Marae.  Good health to everyone here. Bring forth your love to the Marae - Good health

 

Invocation

Cease the winds from the west, Cease the winds from the south, Let the breeze blow over the land, Let the breeze blow over the ocean, Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air - A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.

 

Greetings to the sky father, Rangi, the great heavens, the expansive heavens - the heavenly winds, the life-giving winds, the winds that caress the skin of all people.

 

Greetings to the earth mother, Papa, extending beyond the visible land and beyond the visible heavens - the earth mother trampled by our ancestors, the earth mother left in heritage by the ancient ones.

 

Name the Working

Personal Space

You cannot see it but it is there.  We view our space as a part of us, its part of what we call our self.  It gives us a feeling of security and allows us the 'space' to breathe.  It keeps others away from us, keeps them at a distance. Yet is also welcomes those we love and trust.

 

It is our invisible 'comfort zone'

It is ours and aligned individually to us

It has breadth and capacity but no substance

It gives a margin to keep things out and away from us

It defines our own personal territory

It can expand or contract according to the situation

It is our final refuge when all other barriers are down

Cakes and Ale

 

Welcome the gifts of food, from the sacred forests, from the cultivated gardens, from the sea, from the fresh waters.  We acknowledge Rangi who is above us, Papa who lies beneath us.  Let this be our commitment to all!  Draw together and Blessed Be!

 

Thank Spirit

 

Draw on, draw on, and draw on the supreme sacredness -To clear, to free the heart, the body and the spirit of mankind. Rongi, suspended high above us, Papa, resting below us - Draw together and Blessed Be!

 

Release Quarters

 

Spirits of Water, we thank you.

The Blood of life, the Passion of life, it flows from me to thee

Your gift of healing we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell.

 

Spirits of Fire, we thank you.

The Heat of life, the Will of life, it burns from me to thee

Your gift of passion we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell.

 

Spirits of Air, we thank you.

The Breath of life, the Knowledge of life, it blows from me to thee

Your gift of wisdom we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell.

 

Spirits of Earth, we thank you.

The Flesh of life, the Strength of life, it moves from me to thee

Your gift of power we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell. Blessed be.

 

Open Circle

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)

Pagan Māori Circle 2014 CO1

Māori Circle

8/2/14 CO1

HARVEST HOME

 

The first cultivation of food plants, or what we think of as farming, came into being about twelve thousand years ago. The ability to grow food products had a dramatic impact on the human way of life. Farming meant clans and tribes could settle in one area, creating communities and commerce. Rather than living a nomadic life of stalking herds of edible animals, people could settle in one place and venture out of their growing communities to forage only when hunting and the gathering of non-farm plants were needed.

 

These settled communities grew fast. Our ancestors discovered that this was an excellent arrangement for raising children, teaching survival skills, sharing work, and—most importantly—sharing food during the long winter months.

 

On the first or second day of August, Pagans and other rural people celebrate the harvest of the first grains; they have a variety of names for this festival. The most common in the English speaking west are Lammas and Lughnasadh. Lammas literally means "loaf mass”.  And Lughnasa is Irish for the month of August, although many believe the word originally meant "Lugh's wedding." Lugh was a solar and fire deity, and Lughnasadh linked his Godly attributes to the archetype of mother earth's harvest bounty.

 

Native Americans in eastern North America celebrated the Festival of the Green Corn as a grain festival in honor of the Corn Grandmother. In ancient Rome the first harvest was known as Ceresalia, named for the grain Goddess Ceres, from whose name the English "cereal" is derived.

 

Many traditions from ancient celebrations have been preserved. Making small dolls or poppet out of dried grain is a common practice even now in the twenty-first century. These are kept as talismans of the harvest, treated like sacred objects, and then are usually burned when the winter and the risk of starvation has passed.

 

When the heart is torn from the flax bush where will the Bellbird sing?

You ask me what is the greatest thing on Earth, my reply is this:

It is people, it is the people.

 

Altar Devotions

This is the journey of sacred footsteps - journeyed about the earth, journeyed about the heavens.  The journey of the ancestral gods who ascended into the heavens where they found the parentless source

From there they retrieved the baskets of knowledge.  These were distributed and implanted about the earth.  From which came human life, growing from dim light to full light - there was life.

Call Quarters

 

Spirits of Earth, We call to you.

Lend your traits of wisdom, grounding, and patience.

The Flesh of life, the Strength of life, it moves from thee to me

May you be blessed and smile upon this rite. Hail and welcome!

 

Spirits of Air, We call to you.

Lend your traits of intelligence, psychic development, and innocence.

The Breath of life, the Knowledge of life, it blows from thee to me.

May you be blessed and smile upon this rite. Hail and welcome!

 

Spirits of Fire, We call to you.

Lend your traits of compassion, intuition, and empathy.

The Heat of life, the Will of life, it burns from thee to me.

May you be blessed and smile upon this rite. Hail and welcome!

 

Spirits of Water, We call to you.

Lend your traits of passion, inspiration, and creativity.

The Blood of life, the Passion of life, it flows from thee to me

May you be blessed and smile upon this rite. Hail and welcome!

 

Cast Circle

Three times round this Circle’s bound. 

The first is a Circle of Protection - as we ask Rangi, Father Sky 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 Papa, Mother Earth 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.

 

Anoint

 

A hongi is a traditional Māori greeting in New Zealand. It is done by pressing one's nose and forehead (at the same time) to another person at an encounter. The head is regarded by Maori as tapu, the most sacred part of the body. The hongi is used at traditional meetings among Māori people and on major ceremonies and serves a similar purpose to a formal handshake. In the hongi, the ha (or breath of life), is exchanged and intermingled. The breath of life can also be interpreted as the sharing of both party's souls.

 

Unite energies

 

Welcome all welcome. Bring forth your love to the Marae.  Good health to everyone here. Bring forth your love to the Marae - Good health

 

Invocation

Cease the winds from the west, Cease the winds from the south, Let the breeze blow over the land, Let the breeze blow over the ocean, Let the red-tipped dawn come with a sharpened air - A touch of frost, a promise of a glorious day.

 

Greetings to the sky father, Rangi, the great heavens, the expansive heavens - the heavenly winds, the life-giving winds, the winds that caress the skin of all people.

 

Greetings to the earth mother, Papa, extending beyond the visible land and beyond the visible heavens - the earth mother trampled by our ancestors, the earth mother left in heritage by the ancient ones.

 

Name the Working

Personal Space

You cannot see it but it is there.  We view our space as a part of us, its part of what we call our self.  It gives us a feeling of security and allows us the 'space' to breathe.  It keeps others away from us, keeps them at a distance. Yet is also welcomes those we love and trust.

 

It is our invisible 'comfort zone'

It is ours and aligned individually to us

It has breadth and capacity but no substance

It gives a margin to keep things out and away from us

It defines our own personal territory

It can expand or contract according to the situation

It is our final refuge when all other barriers are down

Cakes and Ale

 

Welcome the gifts of food, from the sacred forests, from the cultivated gardens, from the sea, from the fresh waters.  We acknowledge Rangi who is above us, Papa who lies beneath us.  Let this be our commitment to all!  Draw together and Blessed Be!

 

Thank Spirit

 

Draw on, draw on, and draw on the supreme sacredness -To clear, to free the heart, the body and the spirit of mankind. Rongi, suspended high above us, Papa, resting below us - Draw together and Blessed Be!

 

Release Quarters

 

Spirits of Water, we thank you.

The Blood of life, the Passion of life, it flows from me to thee

Your gift of healing we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell.

 

Spirits of Fire, we thank you.

The Heat of life, the Will of life, it burns from me to thee

Your gift of passion we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell.

 

Spirits of Air, we thank you.

The Breath of life, the Knowledge of life, it blows from me to thee

Your gift of wisdom we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell.

 

Spirits of Earth, we thank you.

The Flesh of life, the Strength of life, it moves from me to thee

Your gift of power we will know, we give you thanks and bid you go.

Hail and farewell. Blessed be.

 

Open Circle

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)

Llamas Sabbat 1998 CO1

Llamas Sabbat, 1998

Presented By Circle of One

Statement of Intent

HPS    August 1st marks the Celtic holiday of Lughnasadh (pronounced loo-na-sa), which is the beginning of the grain harvest. The importance of grain to life is evident in virtually every deity structure in every religion on Earth. The entire preparation of grain from seed to harvest parallels the life-in-death and death-in-life aspects of the Great Goddess, Mother Earth. 

HP     Lughnasadh marks the last heyday (hay day) of the Sun God (Lugh). It's the time of the Barley Moon, a time when the symbolic aspects of the life-sustaining elements of grain spill over into every part of life. In ancient times the last chaff of wheat or grain to be cut was kept and crafted into a corn doll. At Lughnasadh, she is called Corn Mother. In the spring, she becomes Corn Bride, the Maiden Goddess Bride. She is Macha, one aspect of the three-form goddess, The Morrigan (Maiden, Mother, Crone), who presides over the Celtic calendar of holidays.  While the various Celtic Gods wax and wane in power, Macha retains her strength and intensity in all Her aspects. 

HPS    This is a time of robust health and erotic energy. The ancient tribes met during this time of the year to gather news, settle any disputed arguments, arrange marriages, and show off strength and skill. As might be expected, celebrations are held outside, under the bright blue sky, and in addition to sporting events and horse races, there is mighty feasting.

HP    Now the Corn King dies as his body is harvested from the fields so that we may be fed, so that we may live, so that we may go into the winter months of darkness rich with his blood and love in our veins. The Dark King, Shepherd of souls, becomes stronger now. With Winter we will go inward, to the inner depths of our own souls. And He will embrace us with His love in the coming trials and celebrations of the Wintertime. Some of our hopes and dreams of the past year are harvested and tonight we give thanks. Some are not yet ready and we must insure their harvest.

Calling the Quarter

EAST:    HPS    Walks to the East, with incense, & calls quarter:

Guardian Spirit, Winged one, We beseech you into our Circle.  On the warm winds of Summer, Join us this night, and help our mid-summer dreams take flight.

Quarter Response    “I am  everywhere.  I fill the fleshy pouches of your lungs, I stir all things from the smallest blade of grass to the tallest tree.  I cool you with my breezes and destroy you with my storms.  Without me, you would die.  Am I not Holy and worthy of praise? "        

HPS    Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.  So Mote it Be!

(HPS Gives Air (red) the incense burner symbolizing the element of air)

 

SOUTH:   HP     HPS    South, with Candle, & calls quarter:

Guardian Spirit, Fiery one, We beseech you into our Circle.  With long sun-filled days, and clear starry nights, bring us the passion to spice up our lives.      

Quarter Response    "I  live in the guarded embers of campfires and the pilot lights of stoves.  I  spring from the lightning and the hands of men, I warm you with my glowing cinders and I destroy you with my raging flames.  Without me you would die. Am I not Holy and worthy of praise? "

HP     Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.  So Mote it Be!

(HP gives Fire (white) the candle symbolizing the element of fire)

 

WEST:  HPS    Walks to the West, with water, & calls quarter:

Guardian Spirit, Watery one, We beseech you into our Circle.  On your soft flowing waves that can lull us to sleep, teach us the Mysteries of your briny deep.

Quarter Response    "I rise from the moist crevices of the Earth, I beat on the shores of Her body, I fall from the skies in silver sheets.  I nourish you with my gentle rains, and I destroy you with my furious storms.  Without me you would die.  Am I not Holy and worthy of praise? "               

HPS    Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.  So Mote it Be!

(HPS gives Water (gray) the water vessel symbolizing the element of water)

 

NORTH:  HP     Walks to the North, with salt, & call quarter:

Guardian Spirit, Earthly one, We beseech you into our Circle.  In your fields of abundance, teach us to know where to best plant ourselves, so our spirit will grow

Quarter Response    “I am your Mother.  From me come the fruits and grains and animals which feed you.  I am your support, and my pull on your bodies keeps you held firmly to me.  I cherish you and need your respect to survive.  Without me you will die.  Am I not Holy and worthy of praise? " 

HP     Welcome to our Sacred Circle. Rest and be refreshed.  So Mote it Be!

(HP gives Earth (black) the bowl of salt symbolizing the element of earth)

Casting the Circle

(All four quarters begin to walk around the circle holding the Air, Fire, Water, and Earth and the HP and HPS stand in the center)  

HPS     Black spirits and White, Red spirits and Gray;   Hearken to the words I say.  Four points of the circle, weave the spell, East, then South, then West, and North, three times circle round, I call you forth.  East is Red for the break of day, South is White for the noontide hour.  In the West is twilight Gray, and North is Black for the place of power.  Three times round this circle’s cast.  Great one, spirits from the past, Witness it and guard it fast.  It Is Done. 

Invocation Goddess and God

HPS    Gracious Goddess, You who art the Queen of the Gods, Lamp of the night, the creator of all that is wild and free.  Mother of man and woman, lover of the Horned God and protectress of all;   Descend, I pray, with Your Lunar ray of power upon our circle here! 

HP    Blazing God, You Who are the King of the Gods Lord of the Sun, master of all that is wild and free.  Father of woman and man, Lover of the Moon Goddess and protector of all;   Descend, I pray, with Your Solar ray of power upon our circle here! 

Healing

HP    Tonight is a night to gives thanks for our abundance, however tonight our Earth needs Healing as well.  You are all probably aware of the Fires that have plagued our own East Coast.  Tidal Waves, flooding and other natural disasters have also caused considerable damage to other large areas.  Numerous lives have been changed by these episodes and many lives are still at risk trying to contain the havoc that is being done.  The Earth now has some horrific scars that will take many years to heal.  Tonight we can help start the healing.  We need to raise some energy that can be focused back into the Earth to repair the devastation that has been done.

HPS    At this point I would like everyone to join hands.  We will be doing a group OM.  I would like to do three separate OM’s.  On the first OM I would like everybody to visualize a green mist of healing energy forming in the middle of the circle.  On the second OM I would like you to visualize the healing energy forming a bright glowing globe in the center of the circle.  On the third OM I would like everyone to visualize that healing globe sinking into the earth to heal any damage that has been done.

Rounds

Spiraling into the center, Spiraling into the center,

The center of the Shield. The center of the Shield.

I am the Weaver,

I am the Woven One.

I am the Dreamer,

I am the Dream.

Workings

(Large bowl of Popped Corn)

HPS     Now is the time of the First Harvest, when bounties of nature give of themselves so that we may survive.  O God of the ripening fields, Lord of the Grain, grant us the understanding of sacrifice as you prepare to deliver yourself under the sickle of the Goddess and journey to the lands of eternal summer.  O Goddess of the Dark Moon, teach us the secrets of rebirth as the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold.

HP     We partake of the first harvest, mixing its energies with our own that we may continue our quest for the starry wisdom of perfection.  O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun, gracious ones before Whom the stars halt their courses, we offer our thanks for the continuing fertility of the Earth.  May the nodding grain loose its seeds to be buried in the Mother’s breast, ensuring rebirth in the warmth of the coming Spring.  

HPS    As this basket is passed, take some for yourselves and offer some to the God and Goddess with a blessing of thanks and a wish for the coming season.

(There will be a cauldron placed in the center of the circle)

Cakes & Wine

HP     Father Sky, Strong One, bless this bread with strength and optimism, that we may meet each day with confidence and vitality

HPS    Mother Earth, Great Healer, bless this cider with health and harmony, that we may live each day in peace and happiness.

Together    All life is your own, All fruits of the earth, Are fruits of your womb, Your union, your dance. Blessed be!

Releasing the Quarters

North:  HP    Mother Earth we thank you for you presence here tonight.

Quarter    I leave you with Blessings and Thanks. Hail and Farewell

West:  HPS    Guardian Sprit of the Waters of the West we thank you for your presence here tonight.

Quarter    I leave you with Blessings and Thanks. Hail and Farewell

South:  HP    Guardian Spirit of the Southern Flames we thank you for you presence here tonight.

Quarter    I leave you with Blessings and Thanks. Hail and Farewell

East:  HPS    Father Sky we thank you for you presence here tonight.

Quarter    I leave you with Blessings and Thanks. Hail and Farewell

Closing the Circle

(All four quarters begin to walk around the circle , counter clock wise, holding the Air, Fire, Water, and Earth and the HP and HPS stand in the center)

HPS    Dear Lord and Lady    We thank you for today, walk beside us all the way.  Keep us safe from all that would, cause us heartache if it could.  Guard our eyes and ears and lips;   give us strength to come to grips;   with each new problem we must face and some courage just in case.  Never let our footsteps stray, ‘lest perhaps we lose our way.  And whatever may befall, keep us humble through it all.  If a weight must be our share, make it one that we can bear.  And through shadows of the night, hold us close till morning light.  This Circle is now open, but never broken.  

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)