Beltaine 2004

Midnight Desert Moon
Written by: Lynne Parton

Casting the Circle:

HP: I conjure thee, circle of power, that you may be for us a boundary between the worlds of humans and the realm of the spirits. Where we can meet in a place of trust, love and joy on this Beltane, containing the energy we raise within this circle.

(walk the circle 3 times, starting at the north, using wand or athame)
Return to altar, light incense.

HP: The circle is cast. We are between the worlds, beyond time. Where night and day, birth and death, joy and sorrow meet as one.

Call quarters:
HP/North: (start in North) Hail to the Guardians of the North. From the earth which we take our strength, be with us.

East: Hail to the Guardians of the East. With the air that gives us breath, be with us.

South: Hail to the Guardians of the South. With the fire that warms us, be with us.

West: Hail to the Guardians of the west. With the Water that cools us, be with us.

(return to altar)
HPS: Welcome all kind and wonderful spirits! Bless our ritual.

HP: We are together to celebrate Beltane. It is also known as Mayday, Walburgal in the Germanic tribes, Rudemas in Mexico, and the Festival of Tana by the Strega. This is one of our great holidays, directly opposite Samhain. We celebrate the joy of coming through the hard winter, and watching the earth come back to life, and wonder at the miracle of reproduction. This festival goes back before the Ancient Greeks, but we will use them as our deities today. Dionysus, god of the vine, and joyful abandon, and Demeter, goddess of Agriculture.

Invitation of the Deities:
HP: Dionysus, God of joy and wine, join us to celebrate the warming of the earth, and the growth of spring. We invite you to be with us in our rite. Welcome Dionysus!

All: Welcome Dionysus!

HPS: Demeter, goddess of agriculture and husbandry, whose return from the underworld each year brings back the warmth to the earth, and the fertility of all living things, We invite you to be with us in our rite. Welcome Demeter!

All: Welcome Demeter!

HP: On this joyous Beltane, we are here together with you both, Dionysus and Demeter, to give thanks for the beauty and bounty of the earth which you share with us. Your gifts, and those of all gods and goddesses, we are grateful for each year. To watch the earth come back from the dark of winter is a gift we sometimes never really appreciate. To see the flowers bloom, trees turn green, animals giving birth to new life, is an awesome sight to behold. We ask that the joy of all this be shared with all peoples, so we all know how precious your gifts are, and that we can share all this in harmony and love.

Light green candle on altar.
HPS: The darkness of winter gives way to the greening of life!

SYMBOLIC GREAT RITE
(Ring bell 3 times)
HP: The blessing of this season the joy of love and life. We re-create this with the Great Rite, which is how life begins. It is when two people come together and have their souls touch, that we can truly come close to the divine.

HPS: (holding goblet) This is the vessel of life, the womb of the world, from which life comes forth. We humbly offer this to the Gods.

HP: (holding athame) This is the staff of life, which give the spark of creation to the womb of the earth. We humbly offer this to the Goddesses.

HP lowers athame into goblet.

HP: As male and female come together in joy to create life, so let the Earth be fruitful, and let her wealth be shared with the world for the benefit of all.

CAKES & DRINK
HP: (showing cakes) We offer this to the Gods and Goddesses, to nourish and sustain them. We take it into ourselves to sustain and nourish our selves, and our souls on our journey through this life.

HPS: (showing drink) We offer this to the Gods and Goddesses, to quench and refresh them. We take it into ourselves to refresh us and our souls on our journey through this life.

HP: (going to each person) Remember, life is sweet

HPS: (going to each person) Remember to drink deep of life.

HP: In this joyful season, it is time for growth. May you each look within yourselves to see what may be holding you back from your own growth. The ribbons on the Maypole hold the things you feel may be stopping you from growing. Let them be burned away, and show you a clearer path in your growth. Show the ones you love that you want them to fullfill their personal growth also, and share the joy and warmth of the season, until it is time to harvest what has been sown here today.

HPS: Thanks to you Gaia!

All: Thanks to you Gaia!

HP: As our time of ritual ends, let us thank the Gods and Goddesses that we share our lives with, and showing us the path we need to be on. May the Gods and Goddesses that you follow bless you and your loved ones.
HPS: Demeter, Goddess of the growing season, thank you for sharing our rite with us. Help us to treat your land with the love and respect it deserves. Thanks to Demeter!

All: Thanks to Demeter!

HP: Dionysus, God of the vine and joy, thank you for sharing our rite with us. Help us to learn how to enjoy the fruits of this growing season! Thanks to Dionysus!

All: Thanks to Dionysus!

HP takes the wand and thanks and guardians for their protection during the ritual. Starting in the west and ending in the north.

Then HP takes wand and releases the circle

HP: Our rite is done, let the joy of the season stay with you ti1 we meet again. Go with the Blessing of the Gods and Goddesses. Merry meet and Meny part and Merry meet again!

All: Merry meet and Merry part and Merry meet again!