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

Book II: Rites & Rituals 175
Have each person reach in and take a mirror.
Leader: Look at your reflection. Study your face. (Pause for a few moments of contemplation.)
The face you look upon is the face of a Goddess or God. (Pause for a few moments.)
That face is the key to the mysteries…and your body is simply a vessel to contain the Mysteries.
When seeking the mysteries, you must reflect upon yourself.
While group is still looking at their reflection, ritual leader should begin the chant:
When I seek the Mysteries,
The key is found inside of me.
Group should join in. Continue the chant until the energy has reached its peak. At that time
the ritual leader should yell:
NOW!
Each participant should take energy back into them, and relax with their eyes closed.
Leader: Hear the words of the Goddess…*
*During this ritual, the traditional “Charge of the Goddess” was read. But ritual
leaders should feel free to substitute any reading they feel appropriate
Leader: Always remember the key to all the mysteries of the universe, as the Mysteries
themselves are found within you. Look within and know yourself in order to unlock them.
Ritual leaders should anoint participants foreheads at this time.
Leader: May you always be able to find the Mysteries. So mote it be!
Awakening Gaia
by Oberon & Morning Glory (with much material by Anodea Judith & others)
Main Ritual for Summerland Festival 2003
PROPS & COSTUMES:
Central altar (round)
Magick refilling ewer
Inflatable Earth ball
Central altar cloth
Gong or bell
Small chalice
4 Quarter altars
4 large chalices
4 round mirrors
4 statues of Millennial Gaia
Elemental-colored altar cloths
Elementals: Appropriately-colored tabards
Priestess: Green robes, tabard, and veil
Fauna: Animal mask, horns, furry costume, etc.
Florus: “Green Man” mask, leaves, green
tunic, etc.
___________________________________________________
GROUNDING (Priest):
We come into the Circle today and we
stand alone—each of us apart and unique,
like a cell or a seed.
We come from our small circles of sepa-
ration into this larger Circle of cooperation.
We come with a common purpose: to heal
the pain of separation and transform the world
by awakening our planet—our beloved
Mother Gaia—into consciousness.
But before we can transform the world
we must be willing to make some changes in
ourselves. The magick we need to work for
awareness is the ability of keeping our focus.
So take a breath and release it.
Focus on the face you accept and acknowledge
as you:
Your eyes and nose and laughing mouth.
Claim your face. Take a breath and release it.
Focus on your own heart beating, beating
and never stopping.
Your heart that has courage and love, passion
and hope, and desires unique only to you.
Love your heart and claim it. Take a breath
and release it.
Focus on your body. Your physical vessel:
Your spine. Your chest. Your hands. Your
feet on the earth. Your hips. Your sex, and
the wonderment of your living self.