Ritual: 

By:

By L. Justice

Date & Time:

March 21, 2004 at approx 2 p.m.

Location: 

Covenstead

Purpose: 

Celebration of Ostara, finding of Goddess energy and asking one of her aspects’ blessings for the upcoming year.

Attended By:

Justice & current Seeker class

Absent:

Set-Up & Preparation

Ritual Roles:

N/A  - ritual performed by Justice. 

     CPS:
     CP:
     Maiden:
     Summoner:

Quarter Callers:

     North:  

     East:

     South:

     West:

N/A – circle cast performed by Justice

In the center I do begin and cast this circle from within.

I take it now to the Northern gate,

Where earth’s firm foundation does await.

Oh Northern Spirits do attend and to this ritual your energies lend.

The northern spirits have drawn near unto this sacred ground.

I cast it now from north to east where Airs bright energies do abound.

Oh Eastern Sprits do attend, and to this ritual your energies lend.

The Eastern Spirits have drawn near unto this sacred ground; I cast it now from East to South where Fires hot flames shall not be doused.

Oh Southern Spirits do attend, and to this ritual your energies lend.

The Southern Spirits have drawn near unto this sacred ground; I cast it not from South to West, where water cleans without rest.

Oh Western Spirits do attend, and to this ritual your energies lend.

The Western Spirits have drawn near unto this sacred ground; I cast it now to West to North, creating sacred ground.

From North to center, where it all begins, With Love and Will and Energy, I seal this Circle again.
 

Items Needed:

Each student is to bring 3 to 4 dyed eggs. These eggs were created earlier in class. Each egg is to be represented with various aspects of the Goddess (i.e. Maid, Mother, Crone, and Dark Maid). 

Anointing Oil

Smudge Stick

Alter set up stuff

Pre-ritual blah:

See Ostara Class materials.

Ritual

Circle Set-Up

Smug and Anoint each other with lavender oil & smug

Calling Quarters

See above

Inviting Deity
God
Goddess

Go around the circle and have each person invoke God, then Goddess.

Casting Circle

See above

Body of Ritual

Today we come together to celebrate Ostara, the Spring Equinox.  This is a special time, as we seek to establish our bonds with mother earth.  We also seek to find balance in our lives, the same balance that is represented by the equality of night and day. 

Deity is inherent in each of us.  Although each of us is guilty of ignoring God and Goddess at time, we know that we only have to listen to hear their voices.  Today we shall take a journey

Read Ostara Meditation found at Lipp, Deborah, The Elements of Ritual,  p 62-70.

Cakes & Wine

Today, we have several eggs in this basket. Each egg is decorated to represent one aspect of the Goddess, be it maiden, mother, crone, or dark maiden.  As you may remember, the maiden represents the energy of new beginnings and the power of youth.  The mother represents the energies of balance and fertility.  The Crone represents the energies of the healer, the scholar and teacher. 

These eggs are going to be used to represent ASPECT of Goddess that we most need in our lives in the coming year.

The basket is carried around.  Each person is told “chose your gift.”  That person reaches into the basket in pulls out one egg.

Thanking Deity:
     Goddess
     God

Each person thanks Deity

Dismissing Quarters

See below

Opening Circle

In the North I do begin, and take the circle back within.  I take it up from North to West, where waters energies now must rest.

Spirits of the West, thank you for your attendance at this rite, Hail and Fare Well

I take it up from West to South, where Fires great energies now are doused. 

Spirits of the South, thank you for your attendance at this rite, Hail and Fare Well

I take it up from South to East, where Airs bright energies now shall cease.

Spirits of the East, thank you for your attendance at this rite, Hail and Fare Well.

I take it up from East to North, where Earth, the circles foundation shall be no more.

Spirits of the North, thank you for your attendance at this rite, Hail and Fare Well.

I take it back to circles start, which we all know is the heart.  I pull this Circle back to me, this rite is done, So Mote It Be!