Rituals for Special Days

For All-Hallow's Eve

Source	The Crone's Book of Words
Author	Valerie Worth
When the white dog is out And trots all about Under the clouds That are over the moon, And the hag with her broom Rides high on the wind, And the cat on the fence Spits even at friends, Then it is right To conjure a light Against every spirit That shadows the night. Thus say: Let the pumpkin's Candle glare Into darkness Everywhere; Burn all evil From the air! When it is dark And the black trees roar, Set up Jack-o'Lantern To watch by the door.

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The Rite for Candlemas Eve

Source	The Grimoire of Shadows
Author	Ed Fitch
This rite is celebrated on February 2. The place of the meeting should be decorated with berries and boughs of rowan, or mountain ash, if this is possible. If there be singing, music and rhyme before the rite, it should concern the quickening, the return of life, of new life. If there is dancing, the Priestess and Priest shall see that it is slow and sensuous. The meal before the ceremony should feature red-colored foods. A small ship model of archaic design should be placed on the altar for this ceremony, symbolizing the return of the Goddess after many cold months, after many cold years, and after many cold centuries. The ship should be placed on the altar between the Goddess and the God figures. The Great Circle shall be cast in the usual manner. To begin the rite, the Priest stands before the Magic mirror to the north of the altar, holding the ship up before him. He looks within the mirror for the space of five heartbeats and calls: Three Ladies came out of the east With rhyme and herbs And iron wrought fair. Return again, O thou White Swan, Bride of the Golden Hair. The Priestess, from where she sits in the Eastern part of the Circle, responds in a low voice: The times are ill, and thou of my Craft Shall someday make them right. Sad the town yonder, Sad, those that are in it; I am the White Swan Who shall again Someday be Queen of them all. The Priest, still facing the mirror, says: I will voyage in the Lady's Name In likeness of deer, in likeness of horse, In likeness of serpent, in likeness of king, To bring back the High One once again More powerful will it be with me Than with all the others, O thou gracious Goddess All: So may it be in thy Name. The rite of Calling Down the Moon shall follow. Then the rest of the night shall be spent by all in divination with the mirror, with cards, with crystals, or with other means. Blackberry wine shall be drunk. Finally the Great Circle shall be closed.

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Chant of the Year

Source	The Grimoire of Shadows
Author	Ed Fitch
The following is of archaic Celtic origin. On the surface it is a triple recital of the thirteen months of the lunar year. Each word, however, is the name of one of the sacred trees, which in turn each have deep philosophical and Magical implications. Additionally, the thirteen, taken in sequence, tell in rich detail the life of the Sacred King and the archaic Legend of the Goddess. All Witches should know or be strongly encouraged to study and research the hidden meanings behind this, working from the material provided by the poet Robert Graves. Prior to commencing the chant, all shall gather in the circle, with the implications of the chant being described by the Priestess or the Priest. There shall be a pause of thirteen heartbeats while all do meditate on what has been said, then the Priestess or Priest shall intone loudly and in a rich voice, the following. The chant shall be recited with all in the circle responding, three or nine times, as deemed appropriate. It shall be closed by the final invocation. If available, incense or Magical condenser may be thrown into the incense brazier. Then all shall remain silent for a while afterwards. Chant by Priest/Priestess with repeat by all the circle, slowly, and in sounding each letter long and resonantly: B E T H L U I S N I O N F E A R N S A I L L E U A T H D U I R T I N N E C O L L M I N G O R T P E T H R U I S Repeat three or nine times, as desired. Then close with Priestess or Priest calling: Benignissime, Solo Tibi Cordis, Devotionem, Quotidianam Facio. Blessed Be!