Ritual of the Great Rite
The God has been reborn at Imbolg and has reached manhood, desiring the Goddess, who in turn, desires him. The sacred union of the God and Goddess is marked by the Great Rite, which brings forth new life so that the land may begin to live again. Animals are mating and giving birth, flowers are in full blossom and we also feel the stirring of new life within us.
As the Sword is representative of the God, so is the Cauldron representative of the Goddess. Today we celebrate their union.
Lord:
I am he who shone forth from the Dark of Night, when time was begun.
Lady of the Earth and Sea, join me, and let all things be formed of our union.
Thou who art called Arianrhod, Cerridwen, and Rhiannon
Giver of love, protection and the joy of life
Goddess of the Earth, Moon and Sea
Ruler of the night
Mistress of Magick, Keeper of the Mysteries
Ascend to me on bright and silvered wing
For lo, I receive these gifts of Thee
Life and love and gifts from the Sea
I am the Sun, the Sun that covers Thee
Come unto Me, my Lady, come unto me, and be welcome.
Hail and blessed be.
Lady:
I am She who rose from the depths of the Sea, when Time was begun.
Lord of the bright sky, join me, and let all things be formed of our union.
Thou who art called Belenus, Cernunnos, Lugh
Giver of strength, guidance and the will of life
God of sun, sky and winds
Ruler of the Day
Bringer of justice and voice of truth
Descend to me on bright and golden wing
For Lo, I receive these gifts of thee
Life and strength and fullest ecstasy
I am the Sea, the Sea that calleth Thee
I am the waiting Earth that welcomes Thee
Come unto Me, my Lord, come unto Me, and be welcome.
Hail, and Blessed Be.
(Lady anoints Lord and hands him the Sword)
Lord:
Dark Lady, Thou art the moon, giver of dreams and visions
Wise One, teacher of mysteries
Here is the Cauldron
Earth and Water are contained within it, as are their powers.
Lord:
I am the spark of life, the well of flame wherein dwells all power and potential
Lady:
I am primal matter, the core of the Earth that gives shape and form to that power.
Both:
Neither one can work without the other. One without the other is incomplete.
Lord:
Mine are wisdom and knowledge, passion and pride
Lady:
Mine are love and dreams, silence and mystery
Both:
To learn, you must suffer
To live you must be born
To be born you must die
The beginning and the end continue… again and again.
Lord:
The Sun brings the Earth light
Lady:
The Moon holds it in darkness
Lord:
As above
Lady:
So below
Lord:
(Raises the Sword) As the Sword is one half our divine nature
Lady:
So the Cauldron is the other.
Both:
(Sword into Cauldron) And conjoined they be, one in truth
For it is in the Dance that Life is born
In the Balance that Truth is found
And there is no greater power in all the world than that of Love