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Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999], at sacred-texts.com


 
                      SHADOW WEAVER GROVE ADF 
                      BELTANE RITUAL 5/5/1990 
 
 This is a transcription of the original planned ritual for Beltane forthe
 Shadow Weaver Grove, transcribed with permission by Joseph Tellerof the
 Wonderland BBS 508-663-6220 WWIVNet Node 5803 for distributionto the Pagan
 Community at large. Shadow Weaver Grove can also bewritten to via Surface
 mail at : PO Box 5451, Billerica MA 01821.Distribution for non-commercial use
 of this document is granted, solong as the wording and information contained
 herein remains unchangedin the process of distribution.
 ___________________________________________________________________________
 I. Starting the Ritual
   A) Processional : (starting Chant {Ku-Wa-Te})
      To enter the circle each person must pass through four "gates"    
 representing each of the Three Worlds (Land, Sea & Sky) and Fire. Each person
 steps to the first Gate Keeper and is asked: "What do you ask of the Gate of
 Earth (Sea) (Air)?" AN answer is given or left unspoken, and the person is
 marked by the Guardian (with mud, water and brush of a feather) and proceeds
 to the next Gate and is questioned again. The Guardian of the last Gate,
 Fire, smudges the person before they enter the circle.  When everyone is in
 the circle, the chant continues ("Ku-Wa-Te") as the Gatekeepers come into the
 circle and prepare themselves.
    B) Statement of Purpose :
       We are here tonight to honor the Goddess Danu, called the Earth-mother
 and to honor the God Belemos, Called the Sun King. We honor them and ask them
 to bless us and rekindle the warmth of the world.
    C) Centering Meditation:
      Group meditation and collective consciousness:  All present are brought
 together with a group meditation, to form a "group-mind"; to help everyone
 center and bring themselves together to work in accord.
   D) Earth Mother Invocation :
          Oh Earth-Mother
          We praise thee
             That seed springeth
             That flower openeth
             That grass groweth
          We praise thee
          For winds that whisper
             Through the shining Birch
             Through the lively Pines
             Through the mighty Oak
          We praise thee
          For all things
          Oh Earth-Mother who gives lifeII.
 
                              The Active Ritual
 
     Invocation of Ogma the Gate Keeper or Mannanon in English:
     (Visualization is a triangle shaped iris opening)
 
  Gate Keeper of Fire:
    O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, open the ways for us       
   O Mannanon, master of the realm beyond the seas, grant us passage to your
 kingdom.
    O great God of knowledge, we wish to walk your roads.
          Reveal to us your teachings, reveal to us the safe path.           
         Come wash the nighttime clean;
          Come Close the gap of darkness in between.
          We praise you for the brightness of your power.
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          We praise you for the gift of knowledge.
          Guide us to the place we seek.
          Walk with us Ogma!
          Walk with us Mannanon!
 
 CHANT:         We invoke thee Ogma, opener of every Gate
                We invoke Mannanon, opener of every Gate.
          You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.        
         You shall reach us, You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
    B) Consecration of the Waters:
         [After each cup is consecrated it is passed around the members of   
  the circle so that each may drink from it. When the cup returns to the start
 the remaining liquid is spilled unto the Earth or into the fire. Contents may
 be spring water, or an alcholic brew if alcohol it is preferred to have been
 brewed by a member of the Grove.]
 
       Druid of the Gate of Land:
      Spirits of nature, of the trees and rocks, of the animals and Earth,
 give us your favor and your companionship, share with us the bond of spirit
 and of life on Earth. Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your
 teachings and laughter, become one amoung us here tonight, Consecrate these
 waters.     Behold the Waters of Life!
      {All Chant "Fur and Feather"}
 
      Druid of the Gate of Sea:
     Ancestors of Long ago, be with us, give us your favor and your    
 wisdom, share with us the bond of kinship and of life upon Earth.    
 Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. Give us your knowledge and your
 blessing, become one with us here tonight; Consecrate these waters.         
  Behold The Waters of Life!     {All Chant "Blood of the Ancients")
 
       Druid of the Gate of Sky:
      Gods and Goddesses, be with us, give us your favor and blessings,    
 share with us the bonding essance and our existence upon your sphere of life.
 Remember us and speak to us in our hearts. give us your strength and your
 peace, become one amoung us here tonight. Consecrate these waters.
      Behold the Waters of Life!      {All Chant "Mother I feel you"}
   C) Individual Offerings and prayers:
      At this point, all present that wish to may make an offering or    
 offer prayers. If anyone has an offering or a prayer they would like to make
 they step forward and do so, individual offerings to particular patrons or
 spirit helpers are done at this time.
    D) Sacrifice with the Willow Branch:
      Gate keeper of fire makes a final offering of a willow branch, to send
 the energy to the deities of the occasion. It is sacrificed into the central
 bonfire.
       Gate Keeper of Fire:
      Our praise goes up with thee on the wings of eagles; our voices are
 carried up to thee on the shoulders of the wonds. hear now O Belemos, O Danu,
 we pray thee, as we offer up this sacrifice of life. Accept it we pray thee,
 and cleanse our hearts, giving to us of your peace and life.
    E) Divination :
      A scrying is done with crystal/flame, to find if the gods have    
 accepted our prayers and will be with us. If the omen is bad, offerings are
 made again. If they are rejected thrice, the circle is broken immediately and
 the ritual ended.
    F) The Fourth Consecration:
      Here the wards are set to protect us during the magic working.      
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 Druid #1 (Fire):
       We greet you, Brother Wabun, Golden Eagle of the East.  We ask that you
 watch over us this night, and share with us your wisdom, Let your keen vision
 guide us over the obstacles before us.  We greet you, Brother Shawnodese,
 Guardian of the South, great Coyote. We ask that you walk with us this night,
 and guide us as we walk this path of learning.  We greet you, Waboose, White
 Buffalo Woman of the North, Grace us with your company, and walk with us
 night as we seek the wisdom that surrounds us.  We greet you, brother
 Mudjekeewis, Great Bear of the West. Walk with us this night and aid us in
 our journey to wisdom.  At this time, would each of you please meditate on
 your personal needs and desires.
   G) Induction of Receptivity : (Litany of the Waters)
      [D1 can be Guardian of Fire, D2 can be the Group response. If the group
 doesn't know the responses one of the other guardians should lead them into
 them]
       D1: Of what does the Earth-Mother give, that we may know of the       
  continual flow and renewal of life?
       D2: The waters of Life.     
       D1: From whence do these waters flow?
       D2: From the bosom of the Earth-Mother,the ever changing All-Mother   
      D1: And how do we honor this gift that causes life?
       D2: By partaking of the waters of life.
       D1: Has the Earth-Mother given forth her bounty?
       D2: She has
       D1: Then give me the waters!
 
       Final consecration and sharing: A fourth cup is consecrated.
       O Belemos, O Danu, hear us and answer us! Hallow these waters! We    
 your children have praised you, and now we ask from you healing, blessing,
 power and inspiration...Behold the waters of life!
       {Passing chant: "Ku-Wa-Te"}
 
  III. The Work of The Circle
    A) The Magic Working:
      Tonight we pray for the prosperity of all those here. May our fortunes
 increase, may the Goddess and God smail on our endeavors and bring us good
 luck in all that we do.
      We ask that you bless these small tokens of our wishes, and grant us the
 success that we ask for. {Here a small basket with a crystal and appropriate
 symbols of general prosperity were passed around so that all might add    
 energy to it}
    B) Affirmation of Success:
      D1: Belemos and Danu have Blessed us!
      D2: Every time we invoke them, they become stronger and more        
 alert to the needs of their people.
      D1: With joy in our hearts let us return to the realm of mortals to do
 the will of the Gods and our own.
      D2: Yet, before we leave, we must give thanks to those whome we have
 invited here today.
 
  IV. Closing:
    A) Thanking and closing of the Quaters:
      We thank you, Brother Wabun, Golden Eagle of the East. You have watched
 over us this night, and shared with us your wisdom, Your keen vision has
 shown us the ostacles before us.  We ask you, go in peace, as you came in
 peace. So we may walk together again.  We thank you, Brother Shawnodese,
 Guardian of the South, great Coyote.  Once again your lessons have helped us,
 and shown us the truth in ourselves.  We ask you, go in peace, as you came in
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 peace, So we may walk together again. We thank you, Waboose, White Buffalo of
 the North. You have graced us with your company, and walked with us this
 night. You have helped us see the wisdom that surrounds us.  We ask you, go
 in peace, as you came in peace. So we may walk together again.      We thank
 you Brother Mudjekeewis, Great Bear of the West. You have shown us your power
 and kept us safe in our journey to wisdom.  We ask you, go in peace, as you
 came in peace, so we may walk together again.
   B) Thanking of the Gods and Goddess:
       Gods and Goddesses of the old times, spirits of the old times and    
 of this place, people of the old times and of our ancestors, our kindred we
 thank you.
   C) Closing the Gate:
     Gate Keeper of Fire :
       O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of KNowledge, we thank you. O Mhannon,
 we thank you. Now let the Gates between the Worlds be closed!
   D) Return from the group-mind, grounding and centering.
     Reverse the Tree Meditation.
 
      Relaxing of the Grove's Wards.
       Libation:
       D1: To thee we retrun this portion of thy bounty, O Danu our Mother,
 even as we must someday return unto thee.
       D2: We have finished this ceremony.
       D1: So be it!
       ALL: Biodh se!
 ___________________________________________________________________________ 
                         CHANTS USED DURING RITUAL: 
                                  {Ku-Wa-Te}
 Ku-Wa-Te Lay-no Lay-no Ma-ho-teHi-ano, Hi-ano, Hi-anoKu-Wa-Te Lay-no
 Ma-ho-teHi-ano, Hi-ano, Hi-ano We are one with the infinite sun Forever,
 Forever, ForeverWe are one with the Infinite Sun Forever, Forever, Forever. 
 
                            {Mother Nature Waits}
 Mother Earth provides Mother Earth Provides Mother Earth Provides all for us
 to surviveMother Earth Provides Mother Nature Waits Mother Nature Waits Beca-
 use life never ends, she always begins again Mother Nature waits.           
                               {Hoof and Horn}
 Hoof and horn, Hoof and hornAll that dies shall be reborn.Corn and Grain,
 corn and grainAll that falls shall rise again.
 
                           {Blood of the Ancients}
 It's the blood of the AncientsThat runs through our veinsAnd the forms
 pass,But the Circle of life remains. 
 
                              {Fur and Feather}
 Fur and Feather and scale and skin
 Different without but the same within
 Great of body but one of soul
 Through all creatures are the Gods made Whole
 
                             {Mother I feel You}
 Mother I feel you under my feet
 Mother I feel your heart beat
 Mother I feel your heart beat 
 Father I see you where the eagle flies
 Spirit gonna carry me higher and higher
 Spirit gonna carry me higher and higher
 ________________________________________________________________________
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