Now with names.

I want to make it perfectly clear that, should you want to change a line because you think you can word it better, of you don't agree with the sentiment, do so please.

Also, if people can bring light sources, and their own plates and cutlery, it means I might not be quite so panicked about finding enough for everyone *grins*.


Beltane, 2008

The Opening

Caroline: By the power of star and stone,
By the power of the land within and without,
By all that is Fair and Free,
We welcome you to this rite of Beltane.

Warren: We have come from East and West, North and South to be here together today.

Ruth: Let us take three breaths...
Together with the Earth beneath us...
Together with the Sky above us...
Together with the Sea around us...

Greg: With the blessings of Earth, Sea and Sky may our ceremony begin!

Elizabeth: O Gods and Goddesses, we greet you and honour you, and ask for your blessings! O Spirit of this place, O Spirit of this circle, we ask for your blessings, your guidance, and your inspiration on this our ceremony.

James: Let us begin by giving peace to the quarters, for without peace there can be no work.
May there be Peace in the North.
May there be Peace in the South.
May there be Peace in the West.
May there be Peace in the East.

All: May there be peace throughout the whole world.

Warren Let us hear this prayer that unites all Druids and think about its meaning for us:

Ruth: Grant, O Gods and Goddesses, thy protection,
and in protection, strength,
and in strength, understanding,
and in understanding, knowledge,
and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice,
and in the knowledge of justice, the love of it,
and in the love of it, the love of all existence,
and in the love of all existence,
the love of the Gods and Goddesses and all goodness.

Greg: Let all disturbing and distracting thoughts be laid aside.

Elizabeth: The circle of our horizon - of our lives and lands, of time and of the year, of seasons and of goodness, of birth and of growing, of dying and of rebirth...

James: Let us mark out this circle with symbols of the season.

Warren As this circle is cast, the enchantment of the apparent world subsides. We stand together in the eye of the sun/by the light of the stars, here and now, between past and present. The earth below us, the sky above us and the sea around us. This is sacred time. This is sacred space.

Ruth: Let this circle be consecrated with Water and with Fire.

Caroline: May our circle be purified and blessed with the Element of Water.

Greg: May our circle be purified and blessed with the Element of Fire.

James: We gather as equals, in our physical form here upon the earth. Each presence is a blessing, and with every breath we take let us breathe light and life into this circle.

Elizabeth: Let the four directions be honoured, and let the gateways of the Quarters be opened, that power and radiance might enter our circle for the good of all beings.

Ruth: With the blessing of the hawk of dawn soaring in the clear pure air, we call upon the powers of the East.

Greg: With the blessing of the great stag in the heat of the chase, and the inner fire of the sun, we call upon the powers of the South.

Caroline: With the blessing of the salmon of wisdom who dwells within the sacred waters of the pool, we call upon the powers of the West.

James: With the blessing of the great bear of the starry heavens and the deep and fruitful earth, we call upon the powers of the North.

All: May the harmony of our circle be complete.

The Rite

Caroline: Within this circle and in the apparent world, I declare the opening of this ceremony of Beltane

Elizabeth: We have rested with the world through the winter, quiet with contemplation.

Ruth: We have worked with the land through the spring, to prepare for the year ahead.

Warren Now it is the start of summer, and we celebrate with the world the life that is around us.

James: The world is awake, and alive, filled with the energy of the young and the free. The sun climbs high, and warms the world, stirring blood and filling the mind with thoughts of play. All around us there is colour and vibrance, joy and vitality, creation and passion.

Elizabeth: The Lord and the Lady now take their sovereignty over the wild, and call us to join the dance. In our hearts, we hear the call. We come here today with open hearts and minds, to answer, and to welcome the summer.

Warren We have worked hard, preparing for what we must do, so that our goals might be reached. But now is the time to lay down tools and to celebrate what we already have. Let us now think on what, in our lives, gives us joy, and what we want to celebrate on this day. Let us celebrate the colour in our lives.

(Take turns to share thoughts)

Greg: As these things shine for us in our darkness, so the Sun shines for all. Let this Bel-fire now be a symbol of that brightness. Let us take it into our homes, and into our hearts, and always remember that the light shines on.

(Light a candle from the bel-fire to take away)

Caroline: I invite you all now to jump the Bel-fire, and may it bring you the good fortune you seek.
(Those who want to can now jump away!)
NB. If people want to bring instruments, there can be music as this goes on

Elizabeth: And now, three toast. To friends and loved ones, to the divine, and to that which inspires.
(Toasts)

James: We give thanks for all this, and for our lives on this earth. We ask the Gods and Goddesses to watch over us, and to keep the brightness burning within. Blessed be.

Warren I speak for the abiding Earth and its laws, now and for ever. Be wise!

Ruth: I speak for the seed of Life, and the flow of change, now and for ever. Be renewed!

Caroline: I speak for the blessings of Water, the power of Love, now and for ever. Be true!

Greg: I speak for the blessings of Fire, the power of Spirit, now and for ever. Be blessed!

The Closing

Warren It is the hour of recall. As the fire dies down let it be re-lit in our hearts. May our memories hold what the eye and ear have gained.

All: We swear, by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand in hand.
Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now,
Confirming this, our sacred vow.

Elizabeth: May the spirits of the Four Directions be thanked for their blessings.

James: In the name of the great bear of the starry heavens and of the element of earth, we thank the powers of the North.

Caroline: In the name of the salmon of wisdom and the element of water, we thank the powers of the West.

Greg: In the name of the great stag and the element of fire, we thank the powers of the South.

Ruth: In the name of the hawk of dawn and the element of air, we thank the powers of the East.

All: May the harmony of the land be complete.

Caroline: May the blessings of the Gods and Goddesses be always with us. With earth below us, sky above us and sea around us I declare this ceremony of Beltane is closed in the apparent world. May its inspiration continue within our beings.