Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

124 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
And let the Will of the People and the work done here
Be rooted in the Earth
In the name of Gaia, we will prevail.
Then we invoked Gaia, whom I identified as the Great Mother and First cause, the sine
qua non, for which I used the lovely Homeric Hymn, with all its images of bountiful harvests,
fine children, heavy-laden vineyards, and noble rulers.
Taking up a chalice of spring water, I explained water sharing and offered water to Dan,
saying: Water shared is Life shared…never thirst! Smiling and misty-eyed, he drank.
I thanked Athena that she might depart, but since Gaia is always with us, the very ground
is her bosom, the wind her breath, the waters her blood, Gaia’s votive figure and her presence
would remain here always. Blessing Dan again, I concluded the rite.
I realized as I got into my priestess groove that they were all with me, paying close
attention, respectful, and smiling. Later, during the munching and wine tasting part of the
celebration, several very disparate people thanked me and remarked on how moved and
uplifted they felt during my ritual. For months afterward, every now and then I would encounter
someone who would stop me right there in the Safeway or at the courthouse to tell
me similar things. It was most gratifying.
I left a non-denominational altar, with Gaia, in the center of the offices. I encouraged
people to put a token of themselves and their gods on the altar. Today, below a poster of Dan
giving the peace/victory sign (just before he went to get arrested at a Headwaters rally) is a
relief globe of Mother Earth. Under her is a round mirror, placed so that a person standing in
front of the planet can see his or her own face. Objects representing the four Elements are
arrayed around, as well as a pot of honey for sweetness and a lump of sugalite for sanity.
It is a formidable act to vote from the heart for someone or something good, rather than
succumbing to fear and voting against the scarier of the “Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee”
mainstream candidates. Pagans and political and environmental activists who see themselves
as champions of the Earth face this choice at every election, and other choices like it every
day. We walk our talk by recycling, simple living, personal health and social hygiene, kindness
and authenticity. In our Magick Circles, we ask our gods in our prayers and invocations
to help us manifest a green and living future for our children and our future incarnations. We
vote with our magickal and mundane energy for the health of our Mother and her biosphere,
our home. We can vote with our ballots for a healthy, fully representative political future. We
can make the mundane act of going to the polls a journey of Earth magic, a sacred act of
speaking out for what is good. Politically, it’s the least we can do.
The Druid on the battlefield manifests today as the Pagan in the campaign office, at the
rally, and on the front lines of civil disobedience actions. Most modern political combat takes
place in offices, in the media, at rallies, and over the phone. We can do that and we can do
more and, if we’re really good, Momma will reward us with cheesecake and victory.
148. City Council Invocation
By Bryan Lankford, Interfaith Director, Betwixt & Between
Delivered in Texas before the Dallas City Council on Wednesday, October 4, 2000
Mother Goddess, Father God: we thank you for life and the world we share.
We ask that you bless this council and the mayor with the wisdom to lead this city into our
tomorrows, that it may flourish in harmony and prosperity.
We ask this city be transformed with the harmony and balance that faith in a greater power brings.
Just as the ancient alchemists felt the elements of life were Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, the
elements of spiritual alchemy are Honesty, Love, Compassion, and Faith.
We pray that our words and deeds be open and honest, without malice or deceit, so others will always
be able to trust our actions, believe our words, and see that our motivations are pure.