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

Book II: Rites & Rituals 185
Preparation:
Pre-lay a council fire. Erect a small teepee
arrangement around a set of sure-catch
fire starters. Then, build a log cabin structure
around the teepee (be sure to leave openings
at the base for lighting the fire starters).
For safety purposes, have buckets of water
and one to two shovels concealed nearby.
For best effect, conduct this ritual after dark.
The Event:
Have participants assemble at the Fire
Circle. A ritual procession and entry may be
used, with a ritual call and response if desired.
Once in the Circle, silence should be kept.
The firelighters enter the Fire Circle from
the four Cardinal Directions. They should be
robed in ceremonial garb and carrying a light
stick, lighted wand, or enrobed flashlight (the
idea is to cast a soft light over their chests and
faces, while not illuminating them clearly).
They each take position around the fire,
standing at their Cardinal Points and facing
each other across the still-unlit fire. They raise
their arms to the sky and speak, one at a time,
beginning with the West and going deosil:
Spirits of the West, place of water,
Cauldron of the greatest ocean, hear us!
Spirits of the North, place of Earth,
Panticle of stone, hear us!
Spirits of the East, place of Air,
Hall of winds, hear us!
Spirits of the South, place of Fire,
Crucible of the rising sun, hear us!
The four then lower their arms and take three
backwards steps, then remain still. A voice
comes out of the darkness:
Kneel always when you light a fire.
Kneel reverently, and thankfully,
For earth’s unfailing charity.
And on the ascending flame we share
A little prayer that shall upbear
The incense of our thankfulness,
That this great gift of warmth and light
Is given again for our delight.
(—John Oxenham)
The firelighters stand and move to the
edge of the fire, where they kneel. With as
Campfire Ritual
By Moonwriter
much uniformity as possible, they use “strike
anywhere” matches to light the fire from the
four Directions simultaneously.
When the fire lights, they stand, take three
steps backward, then turn to their right and file
out of the Circle, one of them leading (this
should be arranged before the ceremony).
An elder steps forward to ask a blessing
or benediction. Example: “Voices of the wilderness,
be with us.”
Another gives a short message about the
importance and meaning of fire.
Then, there is the passing of the Elements.
First a chalice of Water is passed from
person to person deosil around the Circle. The
chalice should be as rough or simple as possible—a
large seashell or wooden bowl is ideal.
As it is passed to each person, the person doing
the passing says, “The gift of Water.”
Second, a stone is passed, with the saying,
“The gift of Earth.”
Third, a feather or stick of incense is
passed, with, “The gift of Air.”
Last but not least, a candle is lit from
the central fire and passed from person to
person with, “The gift of Fire.” As each person
holds the candle, they may pause to offer
a prayer or blessing. When the candle has
completed its circle, it is given to the fire.
After this, another intones (there is music
to this, or it can be spoken):
Thou has made me known to friends
whom I knew not,
Thou hast given me seats in homes
not my own.
Thou hast brought the distant near,
And made a brother of the stranger.
I am uneasy at heart
When I have to leave my accustomed shelter
I forget that there abide the old in the new
And that where also life abidest,
In birth and death, on this world,
And on others,
Wherever thou leadest me, it is all the same.
The one commandment of this endless life,
Whoever linkest my heart with bonds of
joy to the unfamiliar.