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

242 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
are unaware that these images and customs survive from ancient Pagan religions, most Americans
have yet to let go of the holiday that acknowledges the place of death in life.
Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in many parts of the United States and “is the
result of a fusion between a medieval Spanish-European tradition honoring souls of the dead
and pre-Columbian indigenous rites of the dead.” 2 In the mid-tenth century, Pope Gregory
IV established All Souls’ Day and the Feast of All Saints on November 1st and 2nd respectively.
Dia de los Muertos is a time set aside in many families to honor their ancestors by
bringing offerings of yellow marigolds, photographs, copal incense, fanciful toys, food, and
alcoholic libations to special altars and to the gravesides of relatives for family reunions. The
atmosphere of this festival is light-hearted and loving.
Quest through the Shadows
A Samhain Mystery Play
By Oberon & Morning Glory Zell, and Candice & Alan Campbell, 1975
Props: The most important prop is the Scarecrow Throne, set in the West edge of the Circle.
This is a straight-backed chair with arms. Four 6-foot-tall poles are taped securely to the legs,
arms, and back of the chair, and brought inwards at the top to support a 6-inch square
platform. Then a thin black drape is arranged over this frame, to close or open all the way
down the front. Cornstalks are placed over the drape around three sides, and tied at the top
below the platform, leaving the front open. Finally, a lit Jack-O-Lantern carved like a skull sits
atop the platform, supported on the sides by the tops of the cornstalks (this could be a
plastic Hallowe’en prop). Before anyone enters the ritual area, the Green Man takes a seat
inside this Scarecrow, and closes the black drape around him so that nothing of him shows.
He should be able to see through the material enough to follow the action. He remains utterly
still until his surprise appearance at the climax of the rite.
Thirteen numbered cue cards are prepared before the ritual, with lines of the Riddle. These
will be handed out by the Crone to 13 people around the Circle, in order, along with 13 lightsticks,
of which one is red and 12 are green. The red one goes to the first person, who gets cue card #1.
All people in the Circle will need to be seated for this rite, either in chairs or cushions on the
floor. No one may sit behind the Scarecrow Throne. A low black-draped altar is set in the center
of the Circle, with a platter of nutcakes and a chalice of apple-pomegranate juice. Animal bones,
skull, etc. are on the altar, along with a deer antler, dead leaves, an apple, and half a pomegranate.
(The Circle is cast by whatever method is preferred; all motions are conducted widdershins.
Enter the Witch-Crone with a Black Book, cue cards, and 13 lit lightsticks in a basket.)
Crone: Come hither all beings mortal and immortal,
living and dead. We welcome you
to this celebration! We are gathered this
evening in a Circle outside of time and
space. Here at Summer’s ending, the
magick door between the worlds opens and
we find ourselves in the hall of the Lord of
Shadows. (lights switch to red) I have cards
for some of you. When you are questioned,
you must give the answer on your card.
(Crone goes around the Circle widdershins,
handing out cards and lightsticks, starting with
the red lightstick and card #1. When all the
cards are handed out, she reads from the Black
Book, remaining always on the opposite side
of the Circle from Fauna.)
Hear then the tale of the Goddess Fauna—
Who is the sovereign of all creatures:
Our Lady of the Beasts…
(At the beginning of this invocation, Fauna
enters dressed as a huntress in animal skins
and makeup. She carries half a pomegranate,
cut open to expose seeds. Circling widdershins,
she begins a mime of the actions described by
the Crone while very soft drum, bells, and finger
cymbals add accent:)
She, who is at once the vixen and the hen.
Hawk-eyed, deer-footed, cat-whiskered Lady;