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

232 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
Go back to the water, turn the world around!
We come from the water—
Go back to the water, turn the world around!
VI. The Bison of the North
(Suddenly a raging Bison charges into the Circle and
stamps around the perimeter, menacing with all his horns:)
Halt, strangers! None pass here save by leave of me! I am the powerful Bison of the
North, and I could gore your belly with my horns and pulverize your bones beneath my
pounding hooves! But I will give you one chance—you may pass unharmed if you can answer
my riddle:
Wht is the heart of the mystery? (Audience response: “Life!”)
So. That is correct. You are wiser than you look. Who are you and why come you this
way? (Audience response)
Ah, well, that is a noble quest indeed. Let me grant you a boon—a crystal of the Earth to
support your spirits. (Passes crystal into Circle) Take this token of
your natural heritage and go forth upon your quest. Blessed Be!
Chant: We come from the mountains, living in the mountains—
Go back to the mountains, turn the world around!
We come from the mountains—
Go back to the mountains, turn the world around!
VII. The Lady of Life and the Green Man
(During the last chant, Pan is dancing at side of Circle opposite throne, drawing audience’s
attention to him. The Lady of Life and the Green Man surreptitiously slip from behind the
throne to take their places: She sits on throne, while he kneels beside her. At end of chant, a
yellow spotlight illuminates the throne and tableau: they are clasping hands and mooning over
each other. A certain sadness is felt. She sees audience and they rise together, still holding hands.)
Pan: Hail, Lady. These seekers have come from a far away place on a noble quest.
Lady: Welcome, beloved ones. How lovely you are and how brave! Greetings, Lord Pan!
Are you behaving yourself with these gentle folk?
Pan: Alas, my Lady, that I am.
Lady: (Gazes longingly and with regret at the Green Man, steps away from him and says:)
So, my children, and what is the object of your quest? (Audience response)
Perhaps I am she whom you seek—Let me tell you who I am, that you may decide for
yourselves (recites “Hertha” by Algernon Swinburne).
G.M.: (To the audience) If you claim the Queen of Life as your true Mother, then bring forth
the Elemental tokens of your natural heritage and offer them to her in fealty. (The four
people holding the feather, candle, seashell, and crystal bring them forth.)
Speak, and tell the meaning of each. (Pan cues the audience and urges the right people
to come up if necessary. Lady takes each one and lays it on the small table with the bowl,
as each person says a few words relating the significance of the object.)
Lady: A feather of the air, a candle in the darkness, a shell from the sea, and a crystal from
the Earth. These are indeed the gifts of Nature to her children. Truly, you must be mine. I
recognize you, my children; can you tell me my name? (Audience responds by calling out
names of the Goddess.)
Well done, my children! Truly, it’s a wise child that knows its Mother! And yet I have
other faces you must come to know also, if you would truly know me. Take hands together,
and let Lord Pan lead you in a spiral dance inward to view the mystery in my