Mabon

Merry meet all –

We give-away our thanks to the earth which gives us our home.
We give-away our thanks to the rivers and lakes which give-away their water.
We give-away our thanks to the trees which give-away fruit and nuts.
We give-away our thanks to the wind which brings rain to water the plants.
We give-away our thanks to the sun who gives-away warmth and light.
All beings on earth: the trees, the animals, the wind and the rivers give-away to one another so all is in balance.
We give-away our promise to begin to learn how to stay in balance with all the earth.
‘Give-Away Thanksgiving Chant’ for Equinox Festival, from La Chapelle, Dolores, Earth Festivals

Leaves are falling below the fold.

Rite for Mabon

Quarter Calls
East
Hail to thee guardians of the watchtowers of the East, the Powers of Water.
Autumn brook with crisp waves flowing. Flow within to cleanse away what is no longer needed. Help us to find the right course to inner strength and wisdom.
So mote it be.

South
Hail to thee guardians of the watchtowers of the South, the Powers of Air.
Autumn winds of warm gales and chilly nights. Clearing away old thoughts and habits. Help us to listen to the voice within and heed it’s wisdom.
So mote it be.

West
Hail to thee guardians of the watchtowers of the West, the Powers of Fire.
Autumn fires of fallen leaves. Burning away the old debris. Spark the flame within us and show the way to inner knowledge and wisdom.
So mote it be.

North Hail to thee guardians of the watchtowers of the North, the Powers of Earth.
Autumn leaves with red and golden hues. Bringing forth the transformation of life. Guide us towards the inner transformation of the mysteries and wisdom.
So mote it be.

In Greek mythology, Autumn begins as Persephone returns to the Underworld to live with Hades, her husband. The myth says that Demeter’s daughter, Kore, had taken a day to pick flowers in a meadow when the Earth opened up, and Hades pulled the girl into the Underworld to become his bride. Kore’s name became Persephone when she married Hades. For nine straight days, Demeter searched for Kore, with no success. In misery and despiration, Demeter questioned Helios, the Sun God, who informed her that her brother, Zeus, had given the girl to Hades. Furious, Demeter left Olympus to roam the Earth disguised as an old woman, ending up settled in her temple at Eleusis. Soon after, she cursed the Earth so it would yield no crops. Zeus sent her a frantic message inquiring as to why she had prevented growth on the planet. She replied that there would be no regeneration of vegetation on the Earth until her daughter, Kore, was safely returned.

Zeus immediately dispatched Hermes into the Underworld to retrieve the girl. Hades, not wanting to relinquish his bride permanently, convinced Persephone to eat some pomegranate seeds before she returned to her mother, Demeter. Demeter was yet again distraught when she learned of this trickery! Finally, Zeus declared that Kore-Persephone would live with her mother during one half of the year and return to her husband, Hades, during the other half. In thanks, Demeter lifted the curse on the Earth, creating Spring. Every year hence, during her time of greatest sorrow, Demeter renews the curse, as her daughter returns to Hades and the Underworld.

Have I ever revealed this before? That’s my personal myth-cycle, (very compatible with the CAW metaphysic) the Eleusinean mysteries.
There’s not too much I can say about that…….

except, of course, however you spin it, a blessed Mabon to you and yours, from….us and ours.

Ablutions (Bless all participants)
Evoking Lady & Lord

Goddess
Ladies of the Harvest,
Goddess Mother,
Brighid, Goddess of Transformation,
Keeper of the Cauldron, Cerridwen.
As the balance of nature starts it’s shift
from Mother to Crone.
We look within to partake of the knowledge and wisdom you have given to us.
We call upon you to help guide the way.
Blessed Be.

God
Lords of the Harvest,
Great Father, Dagda,
Horned One, Great Warrior,Cernunnos.
Now is the time of the second harvest,
when the sun enters his waning time.
Before the last rays of light descend behind the night.
Illuminate our path to our inner being.
We call upon you to help guide the way.
Blessed Be.

Reason for Rite
In the trees seeds ripen as the sap runs down again into the earth, reminding us that the balance is about to shift as we turn from the lightness into the dark.

All around us trees are starting to change their colors, each according to it’s own schedule. The second harvest has been brought in and the sun is mellower and less fierce than he was.

Now comes the dusk of the sun a time of banishing and cleansing. The second harvest turns our attention within, while without, the world prepares for sleep.

Magik
The nuts of hazel trees are associated with wisdom and particularly with occult and ancient wisdom. Amulets of hazel nuts strung together on a red thread are protective against harmful magick and necklaces of hazel nuts might be worn when seeking occult wisdom or learning magick.

Charge Charms – Sing these chants:
“She changes everything she touches”
“Touching her Deep”
“Horned One”

never thirst

Thank the Lady & Lord
Ladies of the Harvest,
the journey of a lifetime starts with one step.
With your guidance the journey we will make will lead us down the path of wisdom.
May we always heed your call and reap the knowledge you offer us.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Blessed Be.

Lords of the Harvest,
The path of illumination is not always clear.
The light you send to us has a dark time.
With your guidance we will learn,
that even when it is dark,
There is a light that shines within to light the way.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Blessed Be.

Quarter Dismissals

East
Hail to thee guardians of the East, the Powers of Water.
The ever-present flow of water within us, guides us to our inner being. As ye depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee hail and farewell. Harm ye none on your way.
So mote it be.

South
Hail to thee guardians of the South, the Powers of Air.
The inner voice inside us all calls us to partake of our inner wisdom. Let us heed the call. As ye depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee hail and farewell. Harm ye none on your way.
So mote it be.

West
Hail to thee guardians of the West, the Powers of Fire.
The eternal flame of knowledge and wisdom that burns within us, shows us the way. As ye depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee hail and farewell. Harm ye none on your way.
So mote it be.

North
Hail to thee guardians of the North, the Powers of Earth.
The evaluations of life guides us to the caverns of knowledge and wisdom within. As ye depart to your mighty realms, we bid thee hail and farewell. Harm ye none on your way.
So mote it be.

Four Lights Prayer
Eye of the World Prayer
(or whatever closing ceremonies you prefer)
Ground Circle

The circle, always open, never broken.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

^{and never again the burning}