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

Book III: W heel of the Year 237
(Queen draws an athame.)
Lady: Greetings, sister!
Queen: (turning, astonished, to the Lady, not lowering the blade) My sister! You! Here in
my chamber! Will wonders never cease! You, who are the Lady of Life, how is it possible
for you to enter this realm of death?
Lady: I come with these, my children. For wherever two or more are gathered in my name,
there am I also.
Queen: O night of joy! Our husband returns to me hale and well, and you, my beloved sister,
appear as if by magic in my chambers. Let us raise our cups to this rare and exquisite
moment! Let us… oh, fie! I must finish with my mortal children. I won’t be a moment…
Lady: Wait, sister! Grant me a boon!
Queen: A boon!?! From the Lady of Death to the Lady of Life? Whatever you wish, my
sister! If it be in my power, it is yours.
Lady: Spare these mortals, for they are my children as well and much beloved of me. It was
they who brought me into your presence, fulfilling the true purpose of this quest to restore
the great balance of light and darkness.
Queen: Alas, you ask that which is not mine to give. For by those very laws of balance, none
may enter the realm of the dead and exit again unchanged, unsacrificed. They must die if
ever they are to live again; for the answer to the great riddle may be life in your realm, but
we are in my domain, dear sister, and the answer here is always death.
G.M.: (Cutting in) It has always been so, my loves, yet there be a third answer encompassing
this duality, and if we can satisfy the riddle test once more, then I too beg that these poor
souls be ransomed. For I am Lord of Love, and by my presence and claim on them, and in
the name of LOVE, may they die only the small death tonight, sworn as they are to return
inevitably to your land, my Dark Queen, in their proper time.
Queen: As you well know, I am most fond of surprises. I accept this challenge. (Turning to
seekers) Answer me now:
What is the fruit of birth? (Audience response: “Love!”)
G.M.: What is the flower of sacrifice? (Audience response: “Love!”)
Pan: What is older than the sea? (Audience response: “Love!”)
Lady: What is the heart of the mystery? (Audience response: “Love!”)
Queen: (Amused in spite of herself) Very clever and very true. How did you come to learn this?
Lady: (With a laugh) ’Tis the Green Man who teaches us that love alone is greater than
either life or death. Now, let us gaze into the omega mirror, my sister, I and thou together,
and with the power of our love let us once again restore the balance of light and dark.
(They raise the mirror between them and gaze into the images there, pivoting so that
both images are seen by seekers as they slowly turn. Both Queens begin an “om” chant.)
Together: (when the “om” becomes quiet) So mote it be.
Lady: My children, you may return to your lives, but you must die the small death by leaving
a sacrifice here in my sister’s cauldron. Therefore, knot into your shadows those things
which you willingly leave here in darkness, and do not carry back with you into the world
of light. Cast away old habits and outworn beliefs and any other things that would destroy
your own balance.
Queen: These I accept as sufficient sacrifice—for now. Do not hesitate! Bind your sacrifice