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

236 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
while. They circle widdershins to opposite the throne, attracting all eyes while the Queen of
Death slips onto the throne from behind. Suddenly she is illuminated by the red spotlight. Her skin
is white, her eyes are black and her lips are blood red. She is gazing into the omega mirror.)
Queen: How strange! My Lord the King comes to sojourn the winter with me, as he does
each year. But lo! He is followed close on by trembling mortals—and they are yet alive!
How can this be? Where is my Gatekeeper? …Oh, here also is Lord Pan, stinking of wine
and barley malt. Curiouser and curiouser. Ah, well—all who come here pay the price, be it
before they pass my gate or after! Still, how extraordinary!
(Green Man and Pan come before the throne. Green Man and Queen have eyes only for
each other, and meet in a passionate embrace. She smiles and seems softened, kisses him
again, then leaves his embrace. Her face is mocking.)
Queen: Well, what have we here? Living mortals intruding into the kingdom of the dead?
Ignorant fools! You know not what you have wrought for yourselves.
Pan: O great Queen, these harmless idiots have traveled from a faraway place, through
travail and hardship, faced fierce Elementals, etc., etc., you get the picture. They were sent
here by your sister, the Lady of Light, and now they beg your indulgence to ask a burning
question. (Pulls forward seeker spokesperson and nudges spokesperson broadly.)
Seeker: Oh, mighty Queen who devours all, we are humble seekers and we wish to know the
truth, no matter how dreadful it may seem. Is it true that you are our Mother also?
Queen: My sister sent you. Aye, I might have known. Your innocence and sincerity are
refreshing, like the waters of my deep, deep wells. But you must also be the bearers of keen
wits and powerful desires if you are truly my children. Let me tell you who I am that you may
decide for yourselves. (Recites “Charge of the Star Goddess,” by Doreen Valiente.)
Queen: (continuing) So, if you are truly my children, bring forth the symbols of your inner
magickal heritage.
(Seekers bring the wand, pentacle, chalice, and sword forward, urged by Pan if necessary,
and lay them at the feet of the Queen with any appropriate words they choose to speak.)
Queen: Well done, I see that you are truly my children as well. And to prove it, you may gaze
into my magick mirror and see the face of our souls combined. Be not afraid, for you are in
me and of me, and when you have merged with me then you need never fear the face of
Death, for you will see through her veil and know her secret. Thus, when you see our faces
become as one, then speak to me my name. (Queen of Darkness passes around the Circle
carrying the omega mirror to each person and allowing time to adjust it to each person’s
viewing. She prompts the seekers if necessary, asking “What is my name?” During this
process the Circle sings “Children of the Night,” by Phillip Wayne:)
We are the Children of the Goddess,
We are the Children of Delight,
We are the Children of Her pleasure,
We are the Children of the Night!
Pan: A thousand thanks, my Lady, for your kindness towards these mortals. We now ask
your leave to depart this place, leaving you to the pleasures of the marriage bed.
Queen: Don’t be ridiculous, Pan, as if you can help it. None depart this place as they entered it. No
mortal departs at all, save by way of my crystal cauldron, gateway to the Infinite. (Indicates large
punch bowl with many glowing red light sticks and dry ice boiling within)
(Addressing the seekers:) You may now abandon your bodies, let them fall where they
may, and be cast by my hand into the well of souls, there to be cleansed of all memory of self,
ultimately to be reborn into new mortal bodies. (Shocked silence) Well? Do you need help?