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

200 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
It is now time to internalize your goals and
the strength to reach them by consuming
this egg.
As you eat the egg, know that you are absorbing
your goal. Making it a part of you and
taking in the vitality it takes to achieve it.
You have the energy!
You have the ability!
So mote it be!
After the coveners have finished eating the egg,
you may now move on to the feast. It’s pos-
sible, however, that not many will want to eat!
Here are some helpful discussion questions
to bring to the feast:
• How did you decorate your egg?
• What did that decoration mean to you symbolically?
• Was the intent for your egg the same as
your seed exercise on Imbolc?
• If not, what has changed since then?
• What are some of the traditional Ostara
activities you plan to do?
After the celebration is over, the coveners may wish to save their eggshells and use them
to help fertilize their Imbolc seeds. Other activities often include spring cleaning, the perfect act
to both physically and symbolically clear out the clutter of the year as we make room for new life
and growth. Tomorrow, the sun begins to rule longer than the moon. Celebrating the first long
day of the year by greeting the sunrise is a delightful way to attune to these changes. Of
course, planting is still an appropriate activity, and some even bury charged and decorated
eggs to “grow” into fruition. Do not dig these up, however, as they tend to get rather smelly.
Eostre Rite
(Source unknown)
Materials needed: Eostre incense, cauldron or bowl of water, fire wand
(short fire-stick), firewood and kindling, plants, seeds, etc.
Circle setup: Prepare and lay fuel for the fire in North, place altar in South
or Center, and place plants, seeds, etc. around bowl or cauldron of water.
Introduction (by Priestess):
This is the time of spring’s return—
the joyful time when life bursts forth from
the Earth and the chains of winter are broken.
It is a time of balance, when all within
us must be brought into a new harmony.
Developing in new directions, we see
things in a new light.
The God stretches and rises, eager in
his youth and bursting with the promise of
summer. Blood surges, feelings stir deep
within with the desire to grow and manifest.
The Maiden, blossoming now into
womanhood, brings cleansing and renewal
with the first spring rains that, conjoined
with the growing warmth of the sun, create
and nourish new life upon the Earth.
This is a time of love – of laughter,
dance, and play in the sunshine. Put your
trust in your vision and dance into the light!
Cast Circle, call Quarters.
Invoking the Spring Maiden:
Priestess stands before the altar, facing
North. The Priest faces her and invokes:
Maiden of the Earth, Daughter of
Spring
Fair Lady of the Flowers,
Come into our Circle.
Bring to us the Breath of New Life,
Fill us with music and laughter,
Let blossoms rise from beneath Thy feet,
And the sweet sounds of water by Thy voice.
I call upon Thee to descend upon this
The body of Thy servant and Priestess.
Priest gives her the 5-fold kiss, then moves
to the North quarter and faces the centre.
Invoking and Arming of the God:
Priestess goes to stand in front of the Priest,
and invokes:
Thee we invoke, O Lord of Light;
Be Thou a Bright Flame before us,
A smooth path beneath us.
Kindle thou within our hearts
A flame of Love and Warmth.