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




          *********** The Religion Forum  10/28/92 22:50:38 
           
          HPS  | Relax...  Let your body and mind be at ease... Breathe 
               | gently; regularly... 
               | This is the time of Inward turning, of saying goodbye to 
               | our Dead. 
               | We have descended into the night, and the veil between the
               | worlds is at it's thinnest. 
               | The Sun King has become the Lord of Shadows, sailing West:
               | We follow Him into the dark. 
               | Life declines; the season of barrenness is on us, yet we 
               | give thanks for that which we have reaped and gathered. 
               | We meet to turn the Wheel and weave the cord of life 
               | that will sustain us through the dark. 
               | I take these Creatures of Earth and Water, and do Cleanse
               | and consecrate them to bring into this Circle,
               | to do the Lady's Will. 
               | I purify this sacred space in the Lady's Name. 

          HP   | I take these creatures of Air and Fire and do Cleanse and 
               | consecrate them to bring into this Circle to do the Lady's
               | Will.  I do cleanse and consecrate this Circle in our 
               | Lady's Name, to do the Lady's Will! 
                
          HPS  | I cast this Circle... 
               | a glowing blue orb... 
               | glowing, growing... 
               | surrounding all of us... 
               | surrounding us in protective blue-white light... 
               | expanding to touch all of us... 
               | connect us into the web... 
               | a place that is not a place, a place which is all
               | places... 
               | a time which is not a time, a time which is all times... 
               | connect us into the web . 
               | The Circle is Cast. 

          HP   | (facing the West, feeling the essense of Water rush
                    through me) 
               | (hearing the sound in the blood of my veins) 
               | Hail Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Spirits of 
               | Water... 
               | I call upon you to come this night 
               | and attend this our Lady's Rite... 
               | Guard us and Guide us in this request 
               | that we might tonight... 
               | Do the work by Her great Light. 
               | (lighting candle, passing taper to Gail) 
               
          Gail:  The North: Power of Earth... 
               | Join our ritual circle 
               | Send your protection to us as we perform this sacred
               | ritual tonight 
               | You, the force from which all life springs, 
               | Hold us in your heart through the winter 



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               | That we may be re-born with you at Beltaine 
               | Empty us of fears so that we may be strong 
               | Strong in the Goddess' light to do her work 

          nise nekheba: facing the east I call upon the powers of the
               | air, the winds to join our 
               | sacred circle.  Come obatala, Olofi, and chango, ancient 
               | orishas of the east 
               | come and bless us 
               | uplift us 
               | caress us with your powerful, forceful breeze 
               | and guard us through the Spring. 
               | go ahead south 

          Frodo: Spirits of the South Remember. 
               | Spirits of the South, hear my call... 
               | Spirits of the South, Remember. 
               | Spirits of the South, you are here. 
               | South. 
               | Red. Fire. 
               | The heat of summer. 
               | The passion of adolescence. 
               | Feel the South. 

          HP   | (turning to HPS) 
               | Blessed Be thy feet, that walk in the Way of the Wise 
               | Blessed Be thy knees, that kneel at the sacred altar 
               | Blessed Be thy Womb, without which we would not be 
               | Blessed be thy Breasts, formed in Beauty 
               | Blessed be thy Lips that shall speak the Sacred words 
               | Blessed be thy Eyes, that they shall see the truth 
               | and Blessed be thy Mind, that it shall know and
               | understand. 
               | Gracious Goddess, Holy Maiden, Mother, and now, Crone... 
               | Descend upon this thy Priestess, we do humbly beg... 
               | Join us tonight in your circle as we assemble to once
               | more... 
               | Spin the Wheel of Life and Death.  Great Goddess, mother
               | of us all, you have brought us to life, and you walk with
               | us to Death's Door and beyond. 
               | Goddess of Life and Goddess of Death, Cerridwyn, I call
               | you Home! 
               | (kneeling) 

          Cerridwyn: (greets HP, looks upon him) 
               | By the Flame that burneth bright O' Horned One! 
               | We call thy name into the night, O' Ancient One!
               | Thee we invoke, by the moon-lit sea, by the standing stone
               | and the twisted tree. 
               | Thee we invoke, where gather thine own, by the nameless 
               | shrine forgotten and alone. 
               | Come where the round of tdance is Trod. 
               | Horn and Hoof of the Goatfoot God! 
               | By moon-lit meadows on dusky hill, when the haunted wood
               | is hushed and still. 



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               | Come to the charm of the chanted prayer. 
               | As the moon bewitches the midnight air, evoke thy powers, 
               | that potent bide. 
               | In shining stream and the secret tide, in fiery flame by 
               | starlight pale, in Shadowy host that rides the gale, and
               | by the fern-brakes fairy-haunted of forest wild and woods 
               | enchanted. 
               | Come!  O' Come! 
               | To the heart-beat's drum! 
               | When the broad white moon is climbing slow. 
               | Through the stars to the heaven's height. 
               | We hear thy hoofs on the wind of night! 
               | As black tree-branches shake and sigh, 
               | By Joy and terror we know thee nigh, 
               | We speak the spell thy power unlocks, 
               | At Solstice, Sabbat, and Equinox. 
               | Word of Virtue the veil to rend, 
               | From Primal Dawn to the wide World's end, 
               | Since time began, the blessings of Pan 
               | Blessed be in strength and love, 
               | Blessed be, wher'ere we rove, 
               | Vision fade not from our eyes 
               | Of the Pagan Paradise. 
               | Past the gates of Death and Birth, 
               | Our inheritance of Earth. 
               | From our soul the song of Spring 
               | Fade not in our wandering, 
               | Our life is one, 
               | By blackest night or the noonday Sun. 
               | Eldest of Gods on thee we call, 
               | Blessing be on thy Creatures all. 
               | I call upon thee, O' Ancient Horned One 
               | Who art the Comforter and the Consoler of Men 
               | I call upon thee, O' Great God of the Witches. 
               | Ruler of the Sabbat, Lord of the Wild Woods, 
               | I call upon thee, for I am thy Lady. 
               | Come out of the North upon the back of the Winds. 
               | And join the Lady Cerridwin at this Holy Sabbat/Esbat. 
               | I call thee by thy most ancient name Cernunnos. 
               | Descend upon this thy Circle NOW! 
               | We welcome thee Home! 
               | We welcome thee, Cernunnos! 
               
          Cernunnos: I am here. 
               | My Children call, from woods and from stream    
               | from fields fair and snow crested mountains. 
               | Once more the Wheel of Life has turned, the Gods of Spring

               | and Summer are gone.  Now's the time of the long night... 
               | and my white cloak spreads forth upon the land. 
               | Breath shoots steaming into the night, moonlight glints
               | off shining horn. 
               | Strength answers strength as I bugle my challenge... 
               | Calling you to me I bring you nigh 
               | Walk with me a while, 



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               | and dance the dance of Life awhile. 

          Cerridwyn: It is Samhain... 
               | It is the year's ending. 
               | The crops have all been gathered in, 
               | those few remaining on the vines and stalks allowed to
               | seed next year's crops. 
               | It is Samhain. 
               | It is the year's ending. 
               | It is time to take new stock of ourselves 
               | It is time to allow our roots to grow quietly, 
               | deep and strong. 
               | The year's ending. 
               | The new year's beginning 
               | signified in that ending. 
               | Silence. 
               | Visualize a shadowy triangle of your fellow coveners
               | around you, 
               | with point facing West, and the ties of the past year
               | about your hands. 
               | It is the great cold of the night, it is the dark. 

          Cernunnos: The Woman Lives, she passes, she dies. 

          Cerridwyn: It is the great cold of the night, it is the dark. 

          Cernunnos: Fear Lives, it passes, Fear dies. 

          Cerridwyn: It is the great cold of the night, it is the dark. 

          Cernunnos: Laughter lives, Laughter passes, Laughter dies. 

          Cerridwyn: It is the great cold of the night, it is the dark. 

          Cernunnos: Hope Lives, Hope passes, Hope dies. 

          Cerridwyn: It is the great cold of the night, it is the dark. 

          Cernunnos: We Live, We pass, We die. 
               | Look around you, see the threads of Life and Death that 
               | connect you with the world. 

          Cerridwyn:  "Weaving the silver ship's thread 
               |   We cross the darkening night 
               |   Sailing across the Sunless sea 
               |   Enter the Dark Lord's sight. 
               |   Weaving the silver ship's thread 
               |   We cross the darkening night   
               |   Sailing across the Sunless sea 
               |   Enter the Dark Lord's sight. 
               |   Pearl-Grey warrior, ghostly quest; 
               |   Prince of Twilight, Sailing West. 
               |   Pearl-Grey warrior, ghostly quest; 
               |   Prince of Twilight, Sailing West." 
               | Please light your fires, incenses. 



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               | Visualize your ties breaking with the flame. 
               | Gently but firmly breaking away. 

          Dark Lord: You are in sight of the far shore. 
               | See the light on the waves, a shroud, 
               | A track to follow. 
               | Step into the surf, step ashore. 
               | Cast off your bonds, and be free!" 
               | For here there is no binding. 
               | Cast off the veils that cloud your sight!" 
               | For here all eyes are opened! 
               | You Warriors- Here your battles are over. 
               | You workers- Here your tasks are done! 
               | You who have been hurt, here find healing! 
               | You who are weary, here find rest. 
               | You who are old, here grow young again! 
               | For this is the land of Youth, 
               | The Shining Land, the Isle of Apples. 
               | Here woods never fail; 
               | Here there is a tree, the Heart of Light, 
               | And a well of silence. 
               | Gaze into the Fire, my Children 
               | Let your mind soar, 
               | Follow me, for I am here    
               | The Comforter, the Consoler, 
               | Heart's Ease, and Sorrow's End 
               | I AM the Guide: 
               |     the Gate is open. 
               | I AM the guide: 
               |     the way is clear. 
               | I AM the Guide: 
               |     Death is no barrier 
               | For I AM Lord of the Dance of Shadows 
               | King in the realm of dreams. 
               
          Cerridwyn: Give to me your fears, that they may die 
               | and be reborn... 
               | Speak to me Fear's name. 
               
          Shadow Hawk: I fear isolation 
               
          Cerridwyn: Each of you, as you wish, type aloud the thing of fear
               | you release.
           
          Gail    | I fear pain 
               Shadow Hawk: (burning paper in incense fire) 

          Asondrea| I fear loneliness 

          Frodo   | I fear failure 

          nise nekheba: I fear love 
               
          Cerridwyn: I fear hurt. 
               | I fear making wrong choices. 



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          Gail | I fear the boredom of loneliness 
               | I fear the cold that brings sickness 
               
          nise nekheba: I fear pain (burning paper) 
               
          Cerridwyn:    Burn the paper 
               | Release 
               | continue on to form a Circle 
               | around the Altar in the Center 

          Gail: Let my fears dissipate in the fire <burning paper>
           
          HPS  |    HP & HPS stand in the center, by the altar. 
               | Envision a pomegranet before you... 
               | whole and green... 
               | take it, and envision it as you slice it open... 
               | spilling its red pulpy seeds before you: 
               |   Behold the Fruit of Life 
               |   Which is death.  <taste the pomegranet> 
               | Envision an apple before you... 
               | whole and red... 
               | take it, and envision it as you slice it open through its 
               | equator... 
               | see the pentacle formed in the apple before you: 
               |   Behold the fruit of Death 
               |   Bestowing Life! 
               | Look about you and see the Circle here! 
               
          Dark Lord: (kneeling) 

          Cerridwyn: This is the circle of rebirth. 
               |  "This the circle of Rebirth.  
               | Through you all passes out of 
               | Life, 
               | but through Me all may be born again.  Everything passes, 
               | changes. 
               | Seed becomes fruit; fruit becomes seed. 
               | In birth, we die; on death, we feed.
               | Know Me, and be free of all fear.  For My womb 
               | is the Cauldron of Rebirth, 
               | in Me, the Circle is ever Turning." 

          Dark Lord: Blessed Be! 
               | (kissing HPS hand) 
               | (standing up) 

          Cerridwyn: Now go forth into the world 
               | Death and Rebirth have transformed you 
               | Life begins again! 

          Dark Lord: Gracious Guardian of the West, Spirit of Water 
               | Thank you for attending this our rite of Samhain 

          Shadow Hawk: And as you depart to your watery realm, we bid you



                                                                            2185

               | fair journey 
               | until we meet again.  Blessed Be! 
               | (blowing out candle) 
               | (turning to SOuth) 

          Frodo: Spirits of the South 
               | We thank you for attending our Circle, 
               | and for your firey gifts. 
               | As you return to your lovely realms, we bid you Hail and 
               | Farewell! 
               | <to east> 

          nise nekheba: Oh African spirits of the East 
               | oh chango, obatala, and others 
               | we thank you for attending our sacred Circle and for your 
               | graceful, peaceful 
               | breeze.  We bid you farewell. (blowing out candle) 

          Gail:  Spirit of the gentle earth and fertile soil 
               | Thank you for your blessings 
               | Sleep deep into the night 
               | Keep us safe within your heart 
               | Blessed be to all that have shared your gifts 
               | <blowing out candle> 

          Cernunnos: (turning to My Lady) 
               | My Lady, it's the time when we walk the land again 
               | Our children call us, and the fields and forests grow 
               | barren as the leaves dance their way to death.  Now 
               | it's time for us to leave this space and walk the Circle 
               | of Life and Death again.  Gracious Goddess, you who 
               | the Stars shine for, You who I dance and Live for... 
               | you who Bring us Life and Death and Life again... 
               | I thank you for your presense here tonight... 
               | so that once more we could dance together.. 
               | As you depart this space, we will always remember 
               | you, and the love that you have for us. 

          Cerridwyn: Hunter, you who trod the paths of the Wild and
               | untamed, I thank you for your presence here tonight. 
               | Cernunnos, ancient one, your song of the Earth itself, 
               | In love and in change, we will always hold you dear. 
               | Farewell. 

          HPS  |   The Circle which surrounds us, glowing blue and white...

               | fades gently counterclockwise 
               | spirals inward, 
               | Gently, gently. 
               | ... 
               | Fire seal the circle round 
               | Let it fade beneath the ground 
               | let all things be as they have been 
               | since the beginning of time. 
               | Merry Meet, Merry Part & Merry Meet again!! 



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