Rituals

As my year and a day studies continue, we have been asked to look at rituals. I have been on this path, for a few years now, and have both participated in and held my own rituals.  Before a ritual, I always take a shower, and get dressed in colors that fit the season.  Here is one of my first rituals.

Mabon Apple Ritual

Set up your altar decorating it with four candles, grapevine, fall leaves, place an apple in the center.

Light the candles and the incense

Cast a circle:

Touch athamé to water. Visualize the banishment of negativity and say: 
I consecrate and cleanse this water 
That it may be purified and fit to 
Dwell within this sacred circle of stones 
In the name of the mother goddess and father god 
I consecrate this water.

Touch athamé to salt and say: 
I consecrate and cleanse this salt 
That it may be purified and fit to 
Dwell within this sacred circle of stones 
In the name of the mother goddess and father god 
I consecrate this salt 
Hold athame at you waist, start at north and walk clockwise saying:

Here is the boundary of the circle of stones 
Naught but love shall enter in and 
Naught but love shall emerge from within 
Charge this by your powers, old ones. 

Starting at the north again walk clockwise and sprinkle salt your circle is now sealed.

Face the altar and hold the apple in both hands. If you can do this rite outside, raise the apple up to the sky, and feel the wisdom and energy of the gods coming to you.

Saying:

The apple is sacred, a symbol of the gods,
and holds the knowledge of the ancients inside.
Tonight I ask the gods to bless me with their wisdom. 
Slice the apple in half across the middle. Where the seeds are, you will see a five-pointed star. Place the two halves in the center of your altar.

Say:
Five points in a star, hidden inside.
One for earth, one for air, one for fire,
one for water, and the last for spirit.
  
Turn to the north, arms raised to the heavens, and say:
The world passes from light into darkness,
and the golden fields of the earth bring the promise
of food and nourishment through the winter.Face east, and say: 
I stand on the threshold of the darkness,
and know that the summer breezes give way to autumn chill,
which bring forth the blazes of color in the trees.Next, turn to the south and say:
I call upon the wise ones, the ancient gods,
as the sun moves away and fire fades,
to be replaced with the chill of the night.Finally, face west, and say:
I will reflect on the guidance of the gods,
and let the cool autumn rains wash over me,
cleansing my heart and soul.

Raise the cup of wine or cider to the sky, and toast the gods. Say:
The wild god returns this night to the belly of the Mother.
The mother goddess tonight becomes the Crone.
As the Wheel of the Year turns, the earth dies a bit each day.
I willingly follow the old gods into the darkness,
where they will watch over me, protect me, and keep me safe. Sip from the cup, and as you drink your wine or cider, think about the power and energy of the Divine

(cakes and ale)

Extinguish the god candle, and say:
The wild god has gone to rest in the Underworld.
I look to the darkness for renewal and rebirth.
  
Extinguish the goddess candle, and say:
The mother goddess has entered her most powerful stage.
She is the Crone, the wise one, and I ask for her blessing. Reflect upon all the changes that are to come, and those things that will stay constant. Feel the energy of the gods as you connect to them, and understand that even though winter is coming, the light will return again.

Extinguish all candles and release the circle by walking counter-clock wise stopping at each corner and saying.

Farewell, Spirit of the [direction] Stone 
I give thee my thanks for your attendance here
Go in power.

The Circle is open, but unbroken.
Blessed Be