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

Book II: Rites & Rituals 179
And then, running the film forward again,
watch it dividing and replicating back up the
entire evolutionary Tree of Life until you feel
your own presence in all life, and the presence
of all life within you.
Now let your consciousness rise high above
the Earth as you watch teeming life spread
across its surface—all one vast planetary organism.
See that beautiful blue and white sphere
floating in space, and realize how much it resembles
a single cell on a cosmic scale. Look
at the cloudy swirls veiling the continents, the
shape of mountains ranges reduced to fine textured
lines. See it resolve into the face of the
Mother Goddess. And now see her eyes open
to penetrate deep into your soul. She smiles at
you and says, “Now you know me.”
Now, open your eyes and behold her…
FOUR ELEMENTALS: (Take up statues of
Millennial Gaia and pass them deosil around
the Circle from each Quarter.)
Ps: (Standing, veiled in green, with green
crushed velvet tabard, holding aloft a large
inflated Earth ball. She sings or plays recording
of “Gaia’s Voice,” by D.J. Hamouris:)
Sacred land, sacred place
Sacred people, I have come
We are one, all in one.
Through my tears I saw you birthed
Little ones, sacred ones.
Birthed with me in tears of joy.
You have grown.
We have grown .
Move with me and make my will
Be my will, we are one.
I see through your eyes,
I act through your hands,
Your hands are mine,
Our will is one,
Thy will be done.
Children of my womb
Live in me, live through me
We are one, all in one.
I heard your call
I felt your call
Bringing me to your sacred place.
But I have always been here,
Will always be with you, where you are
Till you return into me.
Sacred land, sacred place
Sacred people, we are One.
FOUR ELEMENTALS: (Receive back and replace
statues of Gaia. Then take up half- full
chalices of water and bring them to PRIEST-
ESS in center. Take positions around her,
go down on one knee, holding chalices aloft
for her to bless and fill.)
Ps: (Pouring water from pitcher into each
chalice.) My children, I give you the Waters
of Life. For Water shared is life shared.
(After filling Quarter chalices, she fills
one on central altar, which PRIEST
holds. They share water at the same time
as Elementals take sips.)
FOUR ELEMENTALS: (Each take a sip from
their chalice, then take chalices back to their
Quarter and pass them into the Circle during
following chant. When the chalice reaches
the following Quarter, that ELEMENTAL receives
it and places it on Quarter altar.)
CHANT (Ps): We all come from the Goddess
And to her we shall return
Like a drop of rain
Flowing to the ocean… (x3)
CIRCLE DANCE: (ELEMENTALS help
position people.)
P: Now every other person take two steps
forward into the Circle. Now, the inside ring
of people turn around and face the outside
ring. Take the hands of those on either side
of you. The inside ring will move deosil
(sunwise), while the outer ring moves
widdershins (counter-sunwise). That is, everyone
move to your right!
CHANT (Ps): Mother, I feel you under my feet;
Mother, I feel your heart beat! (x9)
Ps: (Ends dance with gong or bell.) Without
leaving your spot in the Circle, stand opposite
a partner—they don’t have to be the opposite
sex! If there is someone left without a partner,
please raise your hand. (PRIEST joins with them.)
Now, hold both your partner’s hands
and stand close to them. Gaze into each
other’s eyes. See how unique and special