BELTANE SABBAT
30 APRIL 1995
tHERA
This Sabbat is the Great Fertility festival, the sacred marriage of the Goddess and God within the craft. The Maiden Goddess comes of age. Flora is now in the flowers, trees, herbs, crops, gardens, and animals. All of which are fertile. Our Lady of May grants rebirth to the world.
This is the time when sweet desire weds wild delight. The Maiden of Spring and the Lord of the waxing year meet in the greening fields and rejoice together under the warm sun. The shaft of life is twined in a spiral web and all nature is renewed. We meet in the time of flowering, to dance the Spiral Dance of Life.
A Maypole is crowned with flowers and hung with multi- colored ribbons and set up in an outdoor clearing. Flowers, fruits, grains cookies are hung on branches, brushes or within natural woven baskets and eaten at the end of the ritual.
A fire is built in the cauldron or homemade fire pit, built out of earthy stones in the South, well within the boundaries of the circle. Jumping the flames in itself can act as a purification and brings luck. Or to get rid of something and leave it in the flames. Lovers leap together, to cleanse their relationships of petty disharmonies.
BELTANE SABBAT
The bell is rung again three times. Flutes are blown three times. Rattles shaken and drums beat three times.
HP: Hear ye thy words of thy Star Goddess….
The dust of whose feet are thy hosts of heaven, she whose body encircles thy universe.
We are the beauty of the green Mother earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters and the desire of human hearts…
Call unto your soul: Arise and come unto me. For I am thy soul of nature who gives Life to thy universe. From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return.
Before my face, beloved of all, let your divine innermost self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.
Let our worship be in the heart that rejoices. For behold, all acts of love and pleasure are our Rituals.
Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and pride, mirth and reverence within you.
And you, who think to seek for us, know your seeking and yearning shall avail you not. Unless you know the mystery:
That if that which you seek, you find not within you, you will never find it without.
For behold, we have been with you from the beginning, and are that which is attained at the end of desire.
ALL: (Bend your heads for a period of silence to contemplate the Goddess’ presence.)
HP: (Offers proper libations by pouring some wine on the earth.)
CONSECRATION OF SALT AND WATER
PRIEST (ESS): (Lifts up the cup of salt with left hand.)
Salt from the Sea, by the Goddess be blessed.
PRIEST (ESS): (Lifts up the cup of water with right hand.)
Water from the darkest depths, by the Goddess be blessed.
HPS: (Pours three scoops of salt into the cup of water, stirring it three times clockwise.)
HP: (Lifts bowl of salted water and says the blessing.)
Cleanse from contamination! Wash away impure wickedness. Preserve us with purity. Protect us with Wiccan power. By thou Goddess of thy elements and the Horned Consort, the Satyr Lord and the Sacred Stag.
So Mote It Be!
COVENORS: So Mote It Be!
HPS: (Traces an invoking pentagram upon the forehead of the Priest.)
By this water from the soul of our Great Mother, beist thou purified in this Holy ancient rite.
HP: (Traces an invoking pentagram upon the forehead of the HPS.)
By this water from the soul of our Great Mother, beist thou purified in this Holy ancient rite.
The cup of purified water is passed deosil. Covenors bless each other by invoking pentagram of water on the forehead.
CASTING THE CIRCLE
HP: (Casts circle by saying and walking deosil with Athame three times.)
I conjure and create thee sphere, of mighty power. Woven in Golden lights by the shields of thy spirits. A sphere of protection to preserve and contain all powers rose within. Let now this guarded circle be a place of Peace, Love, and Worship.
So Mote It Be!
COVENORS: So Mote It Be!
COVENOR: (Takes the bowl/ cup of salted water from the altar and walks deosil.)
Thouest sphere be blessed…
Thouest circle be consecrated…
Thouest sphere be blessed…
Thouest circle be consecrated…
Thouest sphere be blessed…
Thouest circle be consecrated…
HPS: Oh, Goddess Artemis, lover of women protect us now. Nurture our children and gardens with blessings of Love and happiness.
Oh sacred animals of deer, fox, quail, Horned Stag, appear along with the Goddess for health and wealth.
So Mote It Be!
COVENORS: So Mote It Be!
HP: (Takes athame in his right hand and raises it to spirit in the sky.)
I devote this Sabbat circle to the Goddess Artemis. Queen of the universal heavens. Supreme ruler of the astral plane, mother earth and the underworld, and to her Horned Consort Lord, a divine victim, bring forth hope.
This magickal, sacred circle is a devotion of our Pagan craft according to our ancient rite.
So Mote It Be!
COVENORS: So Mote It Be!
HPS: We are now in the entrance of Spiritual transition. The threshold amongst the Goddess and Gods…
We have crossed over the threshold of our sacred circle. We are now in the invisible land, beyond the doors of the day, where the light and dark are lost.
We have entered the sphere of the glorious spirit world. Amongst the green hills and darkest forests, we have invoked the company of fairies to dance with us.
Our ancient elders and wise ones will assist us now to sanctify our circle…
All ye assembled in my sight, Bow before my spirit bright!
(All covenors will bow slowly…
Covenor places a lit charcoal into the cauldron along with three scoops of incense. Takes the cauldron and walks slowly deosil around the circle. While all says:)
ALL: Goddess of air,
Goddess of fire,
Goddess of earth,
Goddess of water,
Goddess of spirit.
We invoke you for protection,
Spiritual blessings with
Inspiration and insight…
HP: Now is the time our Ancient Rite be witnessed by the brilliance of the Goddess!
The Watchtowers shall call forth the elements!
(Light torch first before invoke saying.)
WEST: (Water) Lovely Goddess Aphrodite, Sea- born Goddess of Life! Enter our emotions with Your gentle delight. Let our sexuality rise like the waves on the seas! Kundalini, white serpent, rises like the waves on the seas! Let each of us be you, possessed by your love. Keep all evil away from the Corner of the West!
So Mote It Be!
COVENORS: So Mote It Be!
North: (Earth) Powerful Mother Demeter! Without whom there is no life, no grain, and no food for the living. Fertile Mother of life- giving things, enter our hearts and let us feel Your earthly passions.
Let us smell, touch and stroke in Your name as the ancient passions rise.
Keep all evil from the North, away from us and bestow Your warm blessings on our great rites!
So Mote It Be!
COVENORS: So Mote It Be!
EAST: (Air) Powerful Mother Ishtar! I invoke You by your favorite colors of purple and red. You who gave birth to the dawn, to civilizations, You who reveal Yourself through Love! Come and join this spiritual circle of friends, as we worship You according to the ancient rites!
Keep all enemies and envious eyes from the East, far from us, and bless this circle.
So Mote It Be!
COVENORS: So Mote It Be!
SOUTH: (Fire) Conjure, Conjure, O’ Goddess of Love! Conjure and appear through us! Fiery passions, woman- loving Goddess, Come! Enter the hearts of all here present, as we worship Thee in love! Keep all enemies from the South. Allow no evil to enter from Your Corner. Only thy good and sacred shall come.
So Mote It Be!
COVENORS: So Mote It Be!
GODDESS INVOCATION
HPS: I call upon the Goddess Flora.
I crown thee Queen of May,
Put on thy cloak of green,
With every brush in bright array,
Appear as Heaven’s Queen!
Put on thy floral crown,
Inspire each son with joy and mirth,
And banish every frown!
Take up thy hawthorn stake
And pierce the lies of those who would,
Our Women’s freedom take!
Display thy whitened face,
With terror strike the hearts of those
Who women would disgrace!
Hold high the ribboned pole
Inspire the dance with earthly joys,
And thrill each woman and man’s soul!
Haze in the dew- pond still,
And as thou seest thy true love there,
Do with her what thou will!
When all is rightly seen,
Each Maiden fair assembled here,
Along with thy Sovereign Satyr Lord Appear as Heaven’s Queen!
Be among us now, as we celebrate Beltane, the blessing of thy Bridal Bed!
Blessed Be!
COVENORS: Blessed Be!
INVOCATION OF THE SATYR LORD
HP: Mighty Horned God of power and play, we hear thy melodious popes, enchanting our ears upon the evening wind!
Beneath the plenum of thy May Eve Moon, thy silhouette frolics amongst the shadows of silver tipped trees.
Thy hooves- striking sparks like shooting stars, as they step in fairy patterns to the palpating ways of the Wild.
Holy Pan- Horned Goat Footed God, we implore thee to be here amongst us now. Beneath the flowing ribbons of the phallic staff, dance the Spiral weave and jump the glow of the Balefire.
Sovereign Satyr Lord, be pleased. Within this circle to remain, as we celebrate BELTANE and the beginning of thy reign!
COVENOR: (Lights the fire pit, and walks deosil around it.)
Strike the fire and let it rise, BELTANE flames beneath Spring Eve Skies! Ancient customs we now renew, between dusky dark and evening dew! Fire with warmth of thy shimmering glaze. Invoking Gods from Ancient times for fertile crops with sun fed rays, for our gardens to be plenty and have remaining golden days!
LOVE SONGS OF THE MAIDEN
Flute musicians play a melody…
MAID I: (Steps forward 5 times into the circle, looking worried and upset.)
Where is She? Who is fair as the dawn. The Maiden is missing from Her bedchamber.
Where is She? Who christens the morning with light. The Maiden is missing from Her emerald throne in the palace of Spring.
Where is She? Who waves Her wondrous flowered wand. The Maiden is missing from Her gardens among the orchards of paradise.
MAIDEN: (Step forward 5 times into the circle, face the maids.)
Fear not, young maids, your Lady has been summoned away by one who would initiate Her into the Rites of the Mystery of Spring. It is He who comes to me in dreams filled with strange desire. It is He who beckons me to leave my throne, for a grassy bed of forest green. It is He who stands naked before me in the morning mist. Wandering along meandering water tr4acks of brook and stream, stepping softly through whispering fields, searching out the sturdy groves of sacred oak.
I call for him, yet he answers not. But lo!! I hear him calling to the depths of my untamed stirrings!
I feel weak unto fainting, enraptured am I, as before he appears! I am overcome by obsession. I am driven by yearning in my innermost parts. I am stirred by the impulse of desire. I see the draping curls upon his forehead with sprouted horns emerging from His tousled locks. Upon his massive chest a sea of swirling hair, the tips of his firm formed nipples adrift upon its waves. I lust for the embrace of his animal legs tangled with hair, muscular, strong, and between them the gift of God, ever resilient, His Hardened Horn of Plenty!!
Come, My Goat footed Satyr, for I have a private chamber of which young maids share no knowledge. Take my hand, for its window is opened wide in which you may enter in at your will. Pierce me through with love, as I die a little death in the cradle of your arms, carried along upon ragging currents of ecstasy!!!!
MAID II: (Steps forward 5 times into the circle, looking worried.)
Where is She?? Who christens the morning with Her light, the Maiden is missing from Her Emerald throne in the palace of Spring.
Where is She?? Who waves Her flowered wand; the Maiden is missing from her gardens among the orchards of Paradise.
MAID III: (Steps forward 5 times into the circle, facing all maids and looking worried.)
Where is She?? Who is fair as the dawn, the Maiden is missing from Her bedchamber, when we came to rouse Her from Her dreams.
Where is She?? Who resides in the emerald throne in the palace of Spring.
Where is she?? Who wears the flowered crown upon Her head, the Maiden is missing from her crystal floral garden.
SATYR LORD: (Step forward 5 times, and face the maids into the circle, also face maiden holding her left hand.)
Fear not, young sweet maids, for your Lady has been summoned by the God of Wilderness, initiated into Ancient Mysteries.
It is I, who came to Her in dreams filled with passions.
It is I, who beckoned Her to leave her throne to my grassy bed of green.
It is I, who stood naked before Her in the morning mist.
Beloved Maiden, I have drawn you into the wilderness, watching your wanderings by rambling waters of forgetfulness, that You find not Your way again. Till our bodies are one beneath the cream- clad Moon!
SATYR LORD:
But lo!! See My Lady standing before you, the firm framed form of earthly desire, for Beltane’s Horned Pan am I, living Lord of the Greenworld! Come close, My Maiden, and gaze into My scarlet face ablaze with celestial fire. Aglow by the fiery lust of the Gods! Wonder no longer, My Love, at the torso of a god, but feel the muscled flesh of your fevered fantasies! Explore my mountains and rippled plains, as I search for Your hidden caverns. Let your arms entwine me, like two grape vines upon a swaying tree. For my hardened horn is unbridled as a bolting stallion, loosing itself from all constraints!
(Still holding the Maiden’s hand) (Both facing the maids and altar)
Fear not, young maids, for your Lady has a private chamber of which you share no knowledge. There she has taken me, through it’s window open wide, and there have I taken Her- an initiate into Ancient Mysteries- in the cradle of my arms…
(Satyr Lord and Maiden embrace each other slowly, hold for one minute- then one step back then ones step forward and kiss.)
Crowning of the May/ Beltane Queen
HPS: (Takes from the altar the flowered crown hands it to the Satyr Lord. Maiden bends down on one knee, while the Satyr Lord places it on her head slowly. He then takes her left hand to raise her up and proceeds to kiss her hand. Still holding her hand he speaks the words of her Coronation:
Satyr Lord:
I give praise to Thee, vibrant Goddess most youthful and sensual Lady of Spring, Earth Maiden who dances with the fairies around the Maypole. Wherefore I offer onto thee, this floral crown of the creation laid now upon thy daughter’s head. A piece of nature’s art, woven splendor colored crown of May, fragrant with the Mystery and Majesty- that is thee, Maiden. All Hail! Lady Fair! With flowered garlands for thy hair!
(All covenors raise their right hands high, while the Maiden and Satyr Lord walk hand in hand deosil within the circle once.)
COVENORS: (As the Satyr Lord, and Lady are walking, say onto them three times…)
All Hail! Lady Fair! With flowered garlands for Her hair!
HPS: This is the time when sweet desire weds wild delight, the greening of the year. We weave this web of Spider Woman and of Ishtar to affirm life, to honor desire, to rejoice in the Spiral dance around the Maypole. We meet in the time of flowering to renew the earth with our dance.
(All covenors now hold hands and meditate for about a minute. HPS takes the hand of the HP and guides him while we are all connected and lead entire coven around the Maypole once. We then proceed choosing a ribbon, and meditate on banishing old dark habits or whatever you choose, then meditate again on the positive wish for the entire year. Make it a good one! Then we weave the weave. HPS makes sure everyone is in their proper places. At the end of the weave, we tie our ribbons into a knot for final security.
Then walk over to the Bale Fire pit and jump over it. A couple at a time, remember while jumping you are casting out all negative energy- throwing it out into the universe. We walk back to the circle- hold hand once again and walk around the Maypole one more time- then release hands.)
CONSECRATION OF CAKES AND WINE
HPS: (Holds up plate of food and Chalice of Wine.)
All life is your own.
All fruits of the earth are your own.
Give us thy guidance needed to
Resonate with and emanate the
Expressions of compassion and Love
In richness of our bodies and souls.
We thank the Goddess and Gods
For their blessings and abundance.
Join us now as we feast!
Blessed Be!
COVENORS: Blessed Be!
(HP offers plate of food to the HPS, HPS offers plate of food to the HP. Then the plate is past deosil to all covenors.)
(Chalice is picked up by the HPS and takes a sip, then offered to the HP, and then the Chalice is past deosil to all covenors.)
THE PARTING
HPS: Maiden Lady, queen of May, bestow upon us in overflowing measure.
Thy youthful passion for Love and life, continue to flourish as we rejoice in the sensual stirrings of the season.
In Love and Ecstasy, Farewell!
Blessed Be!
HP: Sovereign Satyr Lord, Pan of the Pagan ways, at this Sabbat of Springtime’s warmth, bestow upon us Thouest heated breath- of thy lust for living.
As we depart this sacred space, we thank thee for thy rapturous blessings of thy Beltane Benediction!
In Love and Ecstasy, Farewell!
Blessed Be!
DISMISSAL OF THE WATCHTOWERS
(Extinguish flame after banishing.)
North: (Earth) Powerful Mother- Demeter!
We thank thee, for witnessing our rites and watching our circle. We signal to thee our fond farewell!
Blessed Be!
COVENORS: Blessed Be!
WEST: (Water) Lovely Goddess Aphrodite!
We thank thee, for witnessing our rites and watching our circle. We signal to thee our fond farewell.
Blessed Be!
COVENORS: Blessed Be!
SOUTH: (Fire) Goddess of Love, Ashtoreth!
We thank thee, for witnessing our rites and watching our circle. We signal to thee our fond farewell.
Blessed Be!
COVENORS: Blessed Be!
EAST: (Air) Powerful Mother goddess Ishtar!
We thank thee, for witnessing our rites and watching our circle. We signal to thee our fond farewell.
Blessed Be!
COVENORS: Blessed Be!
(Covenors, if you have any poems to read, now is the time to do so, before the circle is drawn down.)
HPS: Our Ancient rite of BELTANE has ended. May the Love of the Maiden and the Satyr Lord go with us now. As we feast, dance and venture onward into the warming fullness of Summer’s security.
HP: (With his athame now draws down the circle, counter- clockwise by walking- starting at the altar, then returning.)
COVENORS: Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again!
Thank you,
Bright Blessings!
tHERA
30 April 1995