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

140 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
suitable for outdoor working:
Hold a cup of water (if you are working near a river, ocean, pond, etc., take water from
there) in both hands. Ground and center.
Imagine that the water in the cup is beginning to glow in light—and also realize that you are
actually standing on a very big Circle—the Earth. Expand your awareness around you until you
can visualize the whole Earth as a sacred Circle. Become one with it. Then, sprinkle the water
around you, saying, “I am standing on holy ground. I call the sacred Earth to attend this ritual.
Blessed Be!”
It’s very simple, but an effective form of creating sacred space for outdoor rituals. It really
helps you to become one with the Earth and nature.
When you’ve finished the main ritual, just thank the Earth, ground the excess energy, and
slowly return to your normal consciousness.
As you can see, this is not exactly a “Circle casting,” but more of a way to increase awareness
of the sacredness of the Earth for the purpose of the main ritual.
161. Blessed is the Earth
Blesséd is the Earth—
Our Mother and our Home.
Blesséd is She whose spirits dance
In the forests and grasslands
And in all living places.
Blesséd is She who brings forth all things
Living and non-living;
Our sustenance, our comfort, our shelter,
To Whom we return when our living ceases,
With Whom we are One always
In the perpetual cycle of taking and giving back.
Blesséd are we for we are Her
With all creatures and plants—
With all of Life.
—Julie Carter, 1974
Plant a Tree - Blessed Be!
By Dawnwalker
“Plant a Tree,” sung to the tune of “Let it Be,” was the unofficial theme song for
Forever Forest’s 12th annual New Year’s tree planting, held this year at Harbin Hot Springs,
California. Attended by more than 100 people from Forever Forests and the Church of All
Worlds’ extended family, the Earth Stewards Network, and residents of Harbin, this was the
best-organized and most enjoyable of Forever Forest’s annual treeplantings. It was a true
celebration of renewal and hope in the darkest and coldest time of the year.
We began Friday morning with an opening invocation and the creation of a sacred space
for the entire weekend. Just before the first group of planters left the warmth and comfort of
Harbin’s conference center, the rain stopped, leaving the Earth soft and moist for the new
seedlings. That evening’s variety show gave us a wonderful opportunity to get to know each
other through music, poetry, and theatre, all followed by a midnight global peace meditation.
Saturday was the peak planting day with five crews going out both morning and afternoon.
Saturday night was New Year’s Eve, which was celebrated with a powerful ritual
journey. We met three ancient Crones who warned us that the threads of the tapestry of life
were very thin at this time. And we met the Green God of life and growth, who sent us into
the devic realm of the tree spirits to hear their messages and feel our connectedness. This was
followed at midnight, the “witching hour,” by flowing champagne, drumming, dancing, and
music – along with much hugging, kissing, and merry-making.
Sunday was a delightful sunny day for the planting of the last of the weekend’s 2,000
trees, as well as the completion of an erosion control project by the Pan Trans road crew, and
the building and dedication of a medicine wheel. In the afternoon, slides were shown of
previous years’ plantings, featuring Gwydion, the departed founder of Forever Forests, and a
colorful collection of Faeries, elves, and various and assorted ents.