Tag: Earth

Calendar of the Moon for March 10th

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

Significance of Colors for Ostara Eggs

Significance of Colors for Ostara Eggs

Black – Absorb and dispel negative influences, Mystery, Rememberance, Eternity, Constancy

Blue – Healing, Peace, Astral projection, Fidelity, Sleep, Unity

Brown – Animals, Helps connect to the rythms and energies of the Earth

Gold – Activity, Money, The God, The Sun

Green – Abundance, Calm, Fertility, Prosperity, Neutralize difficult situations, Renewal, Freshness, Hope

Indigo – Clairvoyance, Healing, Past lives

Orange – Attraction, Energy, Friendship, Willpower, Endurance, Strength

Pink – Romantic love, Peace

Purple – Communication with higher level beings, Connection with the Divine, Ending quarrels, Healing, Tranquility, Patience, Trust, Deep Sleep, Healing serious illnesses

Red – Courage, Lust, New life, Desire, Passion, Sexuality, Strength, Enthusiasm

Red Violet – Hidden knowledge

Silver – Psychic abilities, Spirituality, The Goddess, The Moon

Turquoise – Spiritual Knowledge

White – Good fortune, Healing, Purification, Virgin Goddess

Yellow – Creativity, Communication, Intellect, Knowledge, Youth, Mind Power, Light, Purity, Happiness, Wisdom

Ostara (Poem)

Ostara
Raven Spirit

Pink and green, yellow and light blue
These are the colors of the Springtime hues

The light returns to a frozen Earth
The Lord and Lady court in lusty mirth

He brushes her face
She brushes his horns
Tis not a thing to shun or scorn

Look there is a songbird
And over there is a hare

Excitement in our souls so sacred and fare

The signs that are given of a promise fulfilled
The rebirth of all nature
Flowers in the fields

But this is a beginning
Your goals don’t forsake
We must continue to water, continue to rake

To nurture and care for the still fragile seeds
Till they grow strong in to our magickal deeds

To pull the weeds and nurture with care
And watch your goals manifest
As we Will, stay Silent, and Dare

So salute the Lord and the Lady
As they explore and make marry
For your life will be prosperous
With strength, hope, and caring

Calendar of the Moon for Friday, March 9th

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

The Daily Cosmic Calender for Friday, March 9th

Every so often the universe falls into a lull and decides not to bombard earthlings with excessive stormy weather, cosmically speaking. That is the scenario today as very few alignments happen compared to tomorrow and the four days thereafter as each day becomes a thrill ride every couple of hours. Right now Libra Moon suggests your continuing to improve the deeper and more sensitive aspects of your key relationships. In addition, explore the fine or graphic arts and take a friend to lunch at a favorite cafe. Visiting a gallery, museum or national landmark makes total sense. Your productivity quotient can rise in tandem with a Ceres-Uranus parallel (6:13AM PST). On the other hand, don’t be completely shocked if surprising events infiltrate the lives of maternal figures within your family. Be open to changing your diet or using a juicer to add vitamins and minerals to your daily intake of food. Realize that the two days that follow a Full Moon constitute a 48-hour time-period to disseminate the enlightening energies received when the Sun and Moon were at high tide in their monthly dance in the zodiac. Attend a play, piano recital, the ballet or a symphonic performance this evening under the welcoming aegis of Libra Moon. If going to the theater and having a night on the town is not your cup of tea, enjoy an impromptu party or gathering at your place. Love vibrations increase in wavelength as Mercury approaches a flowing trine in fire signs to Juno (forming exactly at 12:54AM PST on Saturday).

Daily OM for Thursday, March 8 – Earth Living

Earth Living
Following Nature’s Cycles

 

We cannot have harmony and balance in our lives if we forget to include the earth and natural rhythms in our lives.

Nature, in all its myriad forms, is the most powerful force on earth. Although mankind has tried, we have not found a way to match its awesome power, but we have found ways to work with it. Science often confirms the wisdom of the ancients who observed and then harnessed nature’s rhythms and cycles to shape and enhance their lives. We can begin to do this in our own lives by first paying attention to our own natural rhythms, such as when we wake or when we feel the need to sleep. If possible, we may want to try to rise and sleep with the sun or live without electricity for a weekend and then monitor how we feel. We can make the choice to eat the foods of the seasons and to seek fresher, locally grown, or organic produce whose own cycles have not been tampered with by technology.

We can create harmony in our homes by making a smooth transition between our indoor and outdoor spaces. By bringing some of the outdoors inside and taking some of our indoor décor out, we can simultaneously enjoy nature and the comforts of home and the feeling that our living space is expanded. Then, whether inside or out, we can lounge on a comfortable piece of furniture and feel the wind, inhale the scent of deeply breathing plants, listen for the many songs of life, and observe the moon and the stars. As we do this more often, we may find ourselves noticing the pull of the full moon on bodies of water, as well as the water in bodies, or the music of the night acting as a lullaby.

When we seek balance in our lives, we want to balance not just our roles in life but also the natural elements in our spaces. Having representations of the elements in the colors, shapes, and textures of our homes will appeal to our mind, body, and spirit. We may find that when we sync ourselves with nature’s rhythms, we ride the waves of energy to feel more in harmony with life and the world around us.

Calendar of the Moon for March 8th

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

Calendar of the Sun for March 8th

Calendar of the Sun

Media Hiems

Color: White and grey
Element: Earth
Altar: Set out a cloth of white and grey, a vase of bare branches, a single grey candle, a pitcher of melted snow or rainwater, pots of earth, and seeds to be sown and nurtured in the greenhouse.
Offering: Seeds, preferably saved from the year before.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian.

Media Hiems Invocation

Earth that lies asleep
Waiting for the touch of the Sun
To grow in strength and light
And awaken thee to life,
We warm thee with our breath,
We prepare thee with our hands,
We plant thee with our hopes,
We await thy awakening
With faith in the coming of Spring.

Chant:
Breath warms thee
Hands prepare thee
Hope sows thee
Sun awaken thee.

(All take seeds and plant them in the pots of earth, water them, and breathe onto them, visualizing the seeds awakening and growing. The remainder of the water is poured out as a libation to the Earth. The pots are then taken to the greenhouse in procession to be nurtured until planting time.)

Dragons of Darkness Chant

The following call or brief ritual are meant to be included in your other rituals, within a cast and sealed circle. They are used to add greater power to any spell working because they specifically call the elemental dragons of Spirit. This taps into a vast reservoir of power current which can amplify any other power raised within the magical circle.

Dragons of Darkness

This element “feels” heavier even than the element of Earth. It give a sense of floating in the womb, of the time when each of us was being created. Choose deep, somber music with occasional rushes of energy. Dance as if you were awakening from a deep sleep and stretching for the first time in your life. Let your dancing reflect your desire to be reborn in a new and better image.

Note: Use black (or very dark) candles or other objects along with your chosen element color. Correspond the herbs and oils to the other primary element. Repeat this chant three times:

Dragons of Darkness, your power will run

Until the time of my magic is done.

Teach me your secrets, the dark not to fear.

For dark is receptive, not terror or tear.

Dreams of the Spirit, soar with the night.

Wrap me in guidance, you balance of light.
(The Charm of Making may be chanted here.)

(Ring gong five times, pause, ring once.)

Dragons of Light Chant

The following call or brief ritual are meant to be included in your other rituals, within a cast and sealed circle. They are used to add greater power to any spell working because they specifically call the elemental dragons of Spirit. This taps into a vast reservoir of power current which can amplify any other power raised within the magical circle.

Dragons of Light

The music for this element should be the astral, airy kind. It should make you think of floating through space, circling the Sun, and visiting the stars. Express yourself in dance as if you were dancing through the universe itself.

Note: Use white candles or other objects along with your other chosen element color. Correspond the herbs and oils to the other primary element. Repeat chant three times:

Light of the Spirit, symbol of Sun,

Be with me now ’til this spell working’s done.

Help me to balance all karma and force.

‘Til I reach to the truth of my life on this Earth.

Guide me and teach me, O Dragons of Light.
Sparkle my magic with power on this night.

(The charm of making may be chanted here.)
(Ring gong once, pause, ring five times.)

Dragon of Earth Chant

The following call or brief ritual are meant to be included in your other rituals, within a cast and sealed circle. They are used to add greater power to any spell working because they specifically call the elemental dragons of Spirit. This taps into a vast reservoir of power current which can amplify any other power raised within the magical circle.

Dragons of Earth

As humans, we are so familiar with the feel of Earth energies that it is often difficult to imagine what being Earth is like. Earth energies are creative, maternal, slower than those of other elements. Perhaps you can best identify with this element by feeling as if you are the mother of all, a parent who cares for her/his creations. Music should be slower and perhaps heavier, the dance more stately.
Note: Use candles or other objects of a pure dark green color. Choose herbs and oils that are listed as of the element of Earth. Repeat this chant three times:

From your mountain caverns deep,

Rise, Northern Dragon, from your sleep.

Grael (grail)! (Ring gong four times)

Lead me to riches, purpose true,

Endurance strong, I call on you.

Grael! (Ring gong four times)

Dragon of Water Chant

The following call or brief ritual are meant to be included in your other rituals, within a cast and sealed circle. They are used to add greater power to any spell working because they specifically call the elemental dragons of Spirit. This taps into a vast reservoir of power current which can amplify any other power raised within the magical circle.

Dragons of Water

There are several good environment tapes that play the actual sounds of the ocean or running streams. Some harp music is also reminiscent of Water. Let yourself be Water in your dance and singing; feel yourself flowing along a streambed or riding the ocean waves.
Note: Use candles or other objects of a pure blue color. Choose herbs and oils that are listed as of the element of Water.

Repeat this chant three times:

Calm Water, moving Water, seas and lake

I call upon the Water Drake.

Naelyan (nail’-yon)! (Ring gong three times)

Teach me the psychic. Grant to me calm.

And peace of mind, compassion warm.

Naelyan! (Ring gong three times)

Basic Dragon Ritual

Basic Dragon Ritual

This is the basis of all Dragon rituals in the practice of Dragon Magick. The
practicing magician can insert his / her own music, dance, meditation, or
personal rituals that they have written in appropriate places without disrupting
the flow of energy. When you read through this ritual you will see that certain
things are to be done at certain times other than that the Magician can do what
feels right to her / him. It is important that you have all the appropriate
tools and materials you will need before starting. Make any preparations so
that nothing disturbs you. If you are practicing decreasing Magick it is
important to remember that anywhere in the ritual that it says “circle
clockwise” ,you should circle counterclockwise. Another way of doing this is to
cast a clockwise outer circle with a counterclockwise inner circle.

Setting up Ritual :

Begin the ritual by going to the East, with sword in power hand “draw” Magickal
circle on floor around ritual area. This is done by pointing sword at the floor
and seeing great flames shooting from it. Move clockwise around the circle with
this flame ; end by overlapping it in the East. While drawing the circle, say:

By Dragon Power, This Circle is Sealed.

Return to the altar. Point the Sword at Dragon Pentacle and say:

Dragons of Spirit, Highest of Dragons and Most Powerful, Bless This Altar With
Your Fire. Let Us Be One In Magick, O Dragons Great and Wise.

Set the Water Chalice on the pentacle. With the wand in power hand, circle the
chalice three times clockwise with the wand and say:

Air, Fire, Earth, Bring Power Forth. Water Of Land and Sea, Purified Be.

Hold the Chalice high and say:

Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!

Sprinkle the water lightly around the circled area beginning and ending in the
East. Set the dish of salt on the Pentacle. Circle it three times clockwise with
the wand and say:

Water, Air, Fire, Hear My Desire. Salt of Earth and Sea, Purified Be.

Sprinkle a few grains of salt to each corner of the altar. Circle the incense
burner three times with the wand, say:

Fire of Dragons, Fire of Earth, You Are Purified. Bring Power Forth.

Circle the Incense and Herbs three times clockwise with the wand, say:

Incense Magickal, Incense Bold, Awake The Dragons, As Of Old. I Call You
Purified.

Put a small amount of incense onto the burning coals. Lift the burner by the
chains and touch it lightly to the Pentacle. Lift it high over the altar, say:

Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!

Then carry it clockwise around the circle, beginning and ending in the East.
Return the burner to the Altar. Take up Sword in both hands and kneel before the
Altar. Mentally dedicate self to the study of Dragon Magick. Project your
interest and love for Dragons as strongly as possible. Continue doing so for
several minutes, then rise and point the Sword at the Dragon Pentacle and say
with power and confidence:

Behold, All Dragons and Rulers of Dragons, I am (magickal name), a Magician Who
Seeks Dragon Magick. With (name of Sword) In My Hand, I Enter the Realm of The
Dragons, Not For Physical Battle, But For Knowledge and Power. I Greet You, O
Dragons Ancient and Wise, and Await Your Blessing and Guidance.

Continue holding the Sword outstretched until you feel the blessing of the
Dragons. It is for this reason that a light sword is best used in ritual. When
the flowing power of the Dragons Blessing has lessened, lower the sword. Still
holding the sword in Power hand, take up the Dragon Pentacle in the other and go
to the East. Point the sword at the Eastern position and hold the Pentacle
facing outward. Draw a Invoking Pentagram with the Sword,
say:

From Sairys (sair’-iss), Ruler Of The Eastern Dragons Fair, Comes Now The
Wondrous Power Of Air

Invoking Pentagram

Feel the power of Air entering body with sword outstretched. When the flow
stops, go to the South. Hold up the Dragon Pentacle again , draw an invoking
Pentagram with the Sword, say:

From Fafnir (faf’-near),Ruler Of Dragons Of The South, Comes Cleansing Fire
From Dragon Mouth

Note: Feel the power of Fire entering body and when it stops go to the next
direction. Repeat the process of Holding up the Dragon Pentacle and drawing a
invoking pentagram for each of the directions. Go to the West, say:

From Naelyan (nail’-yon) Ruler Of Dragons Of The West, Comes The Power Of Water

Draw into the body the power of Water. Go to the North and say:

From Grael (grail), Ruler Of Dragons Of The North, The Power Of Earth Does Now
Come Forth

Draw into oneself the power of Earth. When it stops return to the Altar, lay
aside the Sword and Dragon Pentacle. Add the appropriate herbal incense to the
incense burner according to the ritual you are performing. At this point insert
the appropriate chants and workings for the particular spellworking or
meditation to be performed. If there is a problem that is unsolveable by
physical means or by magic then now is also the time to ask the Dragons for
advice on how to solve it. The Dragons are able to give new insight into ways of
solving it. Continue to feel their power and direction as their directions are
written down. When finished with the spellworking, tap staff three times and
chant:

I Thank You, Dragons Old And Wise, Of Earth And Fire, Water, Skies, For Sharing
Wisdom Here With Me. As We Will, So Shall It Be

Always approach the Dragons as Equals not as a force to be ordered or conquered.
Set the Wine Chalice on the Pentacle. Circle it three times with the wand, say:

Cup Of Power, Cup Of Might, Dragon Magick, Be Here This Night

Drink the Wine (apple cider or grape juice may be substituted if unable to drink
wine), saving back some to be poured outside on the ground later as an offering
to the Dragons. If it is not possible to pour the offering outside then leave it
on the Altar for about an hour, after closing your ritual. Now is the an
excellent time to chant and use free-form dancing and invite the Dragons to
share in the raised energy and joy of being a Magician. Talk to them about hopes
and dreams, listen to see if they have suggestions or words of encouragement.
This is an opportunity for close friendships to be forged.

Closing the Ritual

To close the ritual, take the sword and go to each of the directions draw a
banishing pentagram and say the appropriate words for that
direction.

Banishing Pentagram

To the East, say:

Go In Peace, Dragons Of The East, And Return Again In The Ritual Hour

To the South, say:

Go In Peace, Dragons Of The South, And Return Again In The Ritual Hour

To the West, say:

Go In Peace, Dragons Of The West, And Return Again In The Ritual Hour

To the North, say

Go In Peace, Dragons Of The North, And Return Again In the Ritual Hour

Return to the Altar. Raise both arms, say:

Farewell To You, O Dragons Fair, Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Together We Make
Magick Well By Power Deep and Dragon Spell. In Peace Go Now. Return Once More To
Teach Me Magick and Ancient Lore. Draconis! Draconis! Draconis!

Cut the circle with a backward sweep of the Sword across the boundary line.
Extinguish the candles. Clear the Altar of all tools except any offerings to the
Dragons if unable to pour outside.

This ritual is the basis of any and all rituals of Dragon Magick. Any specific
spellworkings need to be placed within this framework at the appropriate times.

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – March 7

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – March 7

“We are responsible for the condition of the Earth. We are the ones who are responsible and we can change that. If we wake up, it is possible to change the energy. It is possible to change everything.”

–Hunbatz Men, MAYAN

The environment we want outside will be created by the mental pictures we have inside our heads. We must have the right environmental picture as well as the right values. These values will give the mental picture its true meaning. If we respected Mother Earth, we would not throw garbage on Her, nor would we put poison in Her. We would not misuse Her in any way. Mother Earth is like She is today because of the mental pictures of previous generations as well as the mental pictures of our own generation. If we want the environment to change, each individual must change their mental picture. “As within, so without.”

Great Spirit, today, let me be alert to Your guiding voice.

*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*

Astronomy Picture of the Day for Mar. 7 – The Witch Head Nebula

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

IC 2118: The Witch Head Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Gimmi Ratto & Davide Bardini (Collecting Photons) 

Explanation: Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble — maybe Macbeth should have consulted the Witch Head Nebula. This suggestively shaped reflection nebula is associated with the bright star Rigel in the constellation Orion. More formally known as IC 2118, the Witch Head Nebula glows primarily by light reflected from bright star Rigel, located just below the lower edge of the above image. Fine dust in the nebula reflects the light. The blue color is caused not only by Rigel’s blue color but because the dust grains reflect blue light more efficiently than red. The same physical process causes Earth’s daytime sky to appear blue, although the scatterers in Earth’s atmosphere are molecules of nitrogen and oxygen. The nebula lies about 1000 light-years away.

Calendar of the Moon for Wednesday, March 7th

Calendar of the Moon

Ash Tree Month

Color: Pale Blue
Elements: Water and air
Altar: On a cloth of pale blue set a great bowl of salt water in which are set many shells and stones, a shell full of salt, incense, and the figures of sea-birds and fishes.
Offerings: Wash something clean, or air it out.
Daily Meal: Either fish or seafood, or poultry.

Nion/Anthesterion Invocation

Call: Now is the time of wind and water.
Response: Now is the time of sea and sky.
Call: Now is the time of the Gods of weather.
Response: Now is the time of the great waves.
Call: Now is the time of terrible flooding.
Response: Now is the time of needed rain.
Call: Now is the time of battering gales.
Response: Now is the time of winds of change.
Call: Now is the time of fear of change.
Response: Now, and always, change will win.
Call: The wild winds disturb our dreams.
Response: The wild winds awake our minds.
Call: The heavy rains flood our hearts.
Response: The heavy rains water our future.
Call: The sea will sweep us away.
Response: The sea will bear us up.
Call: The sea is cold and unending.
Response: The sea is the source of life.
Call: We are ships on the lost expanse of the ocean.
Response: We are winds that call to one another.
Call: We will brave the wind and water.
Response: We will bring together mind and heart.
Call: We will come home safely after wandering.
Response: We will anchor safely after our journeys.
Call: We will come through wind and water!
Response: We will come through wind and water!
(Repeat last two lines twice more.)

Chant:
We will come through wind and water
We will come through sea and sky

Calendar of the Moon for Tuesday, March 6th

Calendar of the Moon
6 Nion/Anthesterion

Rhea’s Day – Pre-Initiation for the Greater Mysteries

Color: Green
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a green cloth set a sheaf of grain saved from the previous year’s harvest, laid in a winnowing basket, and a chalice of fresh-pressed fruit juice.
Offerings: Care for the Earth.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian

Rhea’s Invocation (to be spoken by a priestess who is invoking her)

I am the Earth before you walked on it.
I am the mountains before humans tracked them.
I am the fields before they were grazed
By any except the wild herds.
I am the trees before they were cut down,
When they grew so thick that no light
Could be seen between their branches.
I am the stones before they were dug.
I am the plants before they were bred
For your use, and then harvested.
I am the grandmother who saw you born.
I am the mentor who watched your first steps.
I am the Old One who watched you grow.
From my loins came my daughter Demeter
Who knew that you must eat more
Than my wilderness could give you,
And fed you from her bounty.
From her loins came my grandchild Persephone
Who gave herself to your Dead
That you might be nurtured both before and after.
I have watched you grow, my grandchildren,
But you were not my first children.
Tell me, then, what you will do for me?

(Each person comes forward and speaks an oath, saying how they will protect the earth for the elder children of Rhea, the plants and animals who were here before us. The juice is shared around, and the remainder poured as a libation for Her.)
Chant:
The Earth is our Mother, we must take care of her,
The Earth is our Mother, we must take care of her,
Hey and a ho and a ho na hey and a ho and a ho na na

Closing the Circle

Closing the Circle

There are two ways to close the circle:

Draw a banishing pentagram while standing in the center of the circle. Say: “Guardians of the East, South, West and North. Powers of Earth, Air, Fire and Water I thank you for joining in my circle and I ask your blessings are you depart. May peace be between us now and forever. Blessed Be!

Once the rite is ending, face North, hold the wand up and say: “Farewell, Spirit of the North. I give thanks for your presence here. Go in power and love.

Repeat this at each point. When done, take your athame and go to the North. Pierce the energy field of the circle and bring the power into the athame. When you return to the North, the circle is no more.

It is important to close the circle properly. The energy you raise during the ritual is trapped in the circle. When you release the circle, the energy is released into the universe. Never leave a circle unopened.

Circle Casting #2

Circle Casting #2　

Clean the space physically with your broom or even a vacuum. Purify by burning incense. As you purify, visualize all the negative and disturbing energies leaving your sacred space.

The altar should face the North (the direction of Earth, representing the Goddess) or East (the direction of the rising sun and represents the God). At each of the four Watchtowers, place some sort of mark or object. North is Earth (bowl of salt, a crystal, or bowl of soil). East is Air (incense, flowers or a feather). South is Fire (red or orange candle, obsidian stone). West is water (a bowl of water or shell).

Take your athame or wand to the North. Trace the outline of the circle. Visualize energy extending out to the circle boundary. Do this 3 times. Say as you trace:

“I cast this circle to protect me from outside influences. I charge this circle to draw in only loving and helping vibrations. I create sacred space.”

When you return to the North, face toward your circle’s barrier. Raise your athame or wand. Say:

“God, Goddess and Guardians of the North. Powers of the Earth. I call you to attend my circle.”

Move to the East. Raise your wand or athame. Say:

“God, Goddess, and Guardians of the East, I call you to attend my circle.”

Move to the South. Raise your wand or athame. Say:

“God, Goddess, and Guardians of the South. Power of fire, I call you to attend my circle.”

Move to the West. Raise your wand or athame and say:

“God, Goddess, and Guardians of the West. Powers of water, I call you to attend my circle.”

Return to the altar and proceed with ritual work.

Circle Casting #1

Circle Casting #1

Stand in front of your altar with your athame or wand raised above your head. Ground and center to relax and become focused. Saying:

“I conjure ye, circle of power, so that you can be for me a boundary between the worlds of men and the realm of the mighty spirits. A Meeting place of trust, love and joy, containing the power I raise herein.”

Now go to the north side of the circle. Walk around the boundary 3 times with your athame or wand. Visualize a white energy or light coming from the tip to energize the circle and form a sphere of protection around you.

Return to the altar. Light the incense. Let the smoke fill your circle and visualize it cleansing the atmosphere. Say:

“The circle is cast. I am between the worlds, beyond the bounds of time. Where night and day, birth and death, joy and sorrow meet as one.”

Go to the Eastern quarter of the circle. Raise your arms high in salute. Say:

“Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtower of the East. By the air that is Her breath, send forth your light. Be here now.”

Trace an invoking pentagram in the air (an invoking pentagram starts at the top point and moves to the bottom left point).

Now move to the South. Say:

“Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South. By the fire that is Her spirit, send forth your flame. Be here now.”

Trace an invoking pentagram in the air.

Now move to the West. Say:

“Hail to the guardians of the Watchtower of the West. By the waters of Her living womb, send forth your flow. Be here now.”

Trace an invoking pentagram in the air.

Now move to the North. Say:

“Hail to the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North. By the Earth that is Her body, send forth your strength. Be here now.”

Trace an invoking pentagram.

Return to the altar. Say:

“Welcome all kind and wonderful spirits. The circle is cast. Let the ritual begin!”

Now perform the ritual you came before the Gods to do. Here is one way to close the circle.
Take the athame or wand from the altar. Walk counterclockwise around near the boundary. Draw the circle’s energy into the tool. When all is absorbed, return to the altar, ring the bell once or tap the altar and say:

“Let the circle now be open. Thank you wonderful spirits. Mother and Father for attending my circle. May we all go in peace and love. Blessed Be!”