Shadow Weaver Grove ADF Beltane Ritual
5/5/1990

I. Starting the Ritual

A) Processional: (starting Chant: Ku-Wa-Te)

To enter the circle each person must pass through four "gates" representing each of the Three Worlds (Land, Sea & Sky) and Fire. Each person steps to the first Gate Keeper and is asked: "What do you ask of the Gate of Earth (Sea) (Air)?" An answer is given or left unspoken, and the person is marked by the Guardian (with mud, water and brush of a feather) and proceeds to the next Gate and is questioned again. The Guardian of the last Gate, Fire, smudges the person before they enter the circle. When everyone is in the circle, the chant continues ("Ku-Wa-Te") as the Gatekeepers come into the circle and prepare themselves.

B) Statement of Purpose:

We are here tonight to honor the Goddess Danu, called the Earth-mother and to honor the God Belemos, Called the Sun King. We honor them and ask them to bless us and rekindle the warmth of the world.

C) Centering Meditation:

Group meditation and collective consciousness: All present are brought together with a group meditation, to form a "group-mind"; to help everyone center and bring themselves together to work in accord.

D) Earth Mother Invocation:

Oh Earth-Mother
We praise thee
That seed springeth
That flower openeth
That grass groweth.

We praise thee
For winds that whisper
Through the shining Birch
Through the lively Pines
Through the mighty Oak.

We praise thee
For all things
Oh, Earth-Mother, who gives all life.

II. The Active Ritual

Invocation of Ogma the Gate Keeper or Mannanon in English: (Visualization is a triangle shaped iris opening)

Gate Keeper of Fire:

O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, open the ways for us.
O Mannanon, master of the realm beyond the seas,
grant us passage to your kingdom.
O great God of knowledge, we wish to walk your roads.
Reveal to us your teachings, reveal to us the safe path.
Come wash the nighttime clean;
Come close the gap of darkness in between.
We praise you for the brightness of your power.
We praise you for the gift of knowledge.
Guide us to the place we seek.
Walk with us Ogma!
Walk with us Mannanon!

CHANT:

We invoke thee Ogma, opener of every Gate
We invoke Mannanon, opener of every Gate.
You shall reach us,
You shall teach us and reveal our fate.
You shall reach us,
You shall teach us and reveal our fate.

B) Consecration of the Waters:

After each cup is consecrated it is passed around the members of the circle so that each may drink from it. When the cup returns to the start, the remaining liquid is spilled unto the Earth or into the fire. Contents may be spring water or an alcoholic brew, especially if it has been brewed by a member of the Grove.

Druid of the Gate of Land:

Spirits of nature, of the trees and rocks,
of the animals and Earth,
give us your favor and your companionship,
share with us the bond of spirit and of life on Earth.
Remember us and speak to us in our hearts.
Give us your teachings and laughter,
become one among us here tonight.
Consecrate these waters.
Behold the Waters of Life!

(All Chant "Fur and Feather")

Druid of the Gate of Sea:

Ancestors of Long ago, be with us,
give us your favor and your wisdom,
share with us the bond of kinship and of life upon Earth.
Remember us and speak to us in our hearts.
Give us your knowledge and your blessing,
become one with us here tonight;
Consecrate these waters.
Behold The Waters of Life!

(All Chant "Blood of the Ancients")

Druid of the Gate of Sky:

Gods and Goddesses, be with us, give us your favor and blessings,
share with us the bonding essence and our existence upon your sphere of life.
Remember us and speak to us in our hearts.
Give us your strength and your peace,
become one among us here tonight.
Consecrate these waters.
Behold the Waters of Life!

(All Chant "Mother I feel you")

C) Individual Offerings and prayers:

At this point, all present that wish to may make an offering or offer prayers. If anyone has an offering or a prayer they would like to make they step forward and do so, and individual offerings to particular patrons or spirit helpers are done at this time.

D) Sacrifice with the Willow Branch:

Gate keeper of fire makes a final offering of a willow branch, to send the energy to the deities of the occasion. It is sacrificed in the central bonfire.

Gate Keeper of Fire:

Our praise goes up with thee on the wings of eagles;
our voices are carried up to thee on the shoulders of the wands.
Hear now O Belemos, O Danu, we pray thee,
as we offer up this sacrifice of life.
Accept it we pray thee, and cleanse our hearts,
giving to us of your peace and life.

E) Divination:

A scrying is done with crystal/flame, to find if the gods have accepted our prayers and will be with us. If the omen is bad, offerings are made again. If they are rejected thrice, the circle is broken immediately and the ritual ended.

F) The Fourth Consecration:

Here the wards are set to protect us during the magic working.

Druid #1 (Fire):

We greet you, Brother Wabun, Golden Eagle of the East.
We ask that you watch over us this night,
and share with us your wisdom.
Let your keen vision guide us over the obstacles before us.
We greet you, Brother Shawnodese, Guardian of the South, great Coyote.
We ask that you walk with us this night,
and guide us as we walk this path of learning.
W greet you, Waboose, White Buffalo Woman of the North,
Grace us with your company, and walk with us this night
as we seek the wisdom that surrounds us.
We greet you, brother Mudjekeewis, Great Bear of the West.
Walk with us this night and aid us in our journey to wisdom.

At this time, would each of you please meditate on your personal needs and desires.

G) Induction of Receptivity : (Litany of the Waters)

[D1 can be Guardian of Fire, D2 can be the Group response. If the group doesn't know the responses one of the other guardians should lead them into them]

Druid 2:

Druid 1:

Druid 2:

Druid 1:

Druid 2:

Druid 1:

Druid 2:

Druid 1:

A fourth cup is consecrated.

O Belemos, O Danu, hear us and answer us!
Hallow these waters! We, your children have praised you,
and now we ask from you healing, blessing, power and inspiration...
Behold the waters of life!

(Passing chant: "Ku-Wa-Te")

III. The Work of The Circle

A) The Magic Working:

Tonight we pray for the prosperity of all those here. May our fortunes increase, may the Goddess and God smile on our endeavors and bring us good luck in all that we do. We ask that you bless these small tokens of our wishes, and grant us the success that we ask for.

(Here a small basket with a crystal and appropriate symbols of general prosperity were passed around so that all might add energy to it)

B) Affirmation of Success:

Druid 1:

Druid 2:

Druid 1:

Druid 2:

IV. Closing:

A) Thanking and closing of the Quarters:

We thank you, Brother Wabun, Golden Eagle of the East.
You have watched over us this night, and shared with us your wisdom,
Your keen vision has shown us the obstacles before us.
We ask you, go in peace, as you came in peace.
So we may walk together again.

We thank you, Brother Shawnodese, Guardian of the South, great Coyote.
Once again your lessons have helped us,
and shown us the truth in ourselves.
We ask you, go in peace, as you came in peace,
So we may walk together again.

We thank you, Waboose, White Buffalo of the North.
You have graced us with your company, and walked with us this night.
You have helped us see the wisdom that surrounds us.
We ask you, go in peace, as you came in peace.
So we may walk together again.

We thank you Brother Mudjekeewis, Great Bear of the West.
You have shown us your power and kept us safe in our journey to wisdom.
We ask you, go in peace, as you came in peace,
So we may walk together again.

B) Thanking of the Gods and Goddess

Gods and Goddesses of the old times,
spirits of the old times and of this place,
people of the old times and of our ancestors, our kindred
we thank you.

C) Closing the Gate:

Gate Keeper of Fire:

O Ogma, Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, we thank you.
O Mannanon, we thank you.
Now let the Gates between the Worlds be closed!

D) Return from the group-mind, grounding and centering.

Reverse the Tree Meditation.
Relaxing of the Grove's Wards.

Libation:

Druid 1:

To thee we return this portion of thy bounty, O Danu our Mother, even as we must someday return unto thee.

Druid 2: We have finished this ceremony

Druid 1: So be it!

All: Biodh se!

Chants used during ritual

(Ku-Wa-Te)

Ku-Wa-Te Lay-no Lay-no Ma-ho-te
Hi-ano, Hi-ano, Hi-ano
Ku-Wa-Te Lay-no Ma-ho-te
Hi-ano, Hi-ano, Hi-ano

We are one with the infinate sun
Forever, Forever, Forever
We are one with the Infinate Sun
Forever, Forever, Forever.

(Mother Nature Waits)

Mother Earth provides
Mother Earth provides
Mother Earth provides
All for us to survive
Mother Earth provides

Mother Nature waits
Mother Nature waits
Mother Nature waits
Because life never ends,
she always begins again
Mother Nature waits.

(Hoof and Horn)

Hoof and horn,
Hoof and horn
All that dies shall be reborn.
Corn and Grain,
Corn and Grain
All that falls shall rise again.

(Blood of the Ancients)

It's the blood of the Ancients
That runs through our veins
And the forms pass,
But the Circle of life remains.

(Fur and Feather)

Fur and Feather and scale and skin
Different without but the same within
Great of body but one of soul
Through all creatures are the Gods made Whole

(Mother I feel You)

Mother I feel you under my feet
Mother I feel your heart beat
Mother I feel your heart beat

Father I see you where the eagle flies
Spirit gonna carry me higher and higher
Spirit gonna carry me higher and higher