Beneath
heaven’s vault
remember always walking
through halls of cloud
down aisles of sunlight
or through high hedges
of the green rain
walk in the world
highheeled with swirl of cape
hand at the swordhilt
of your pride
Keep a tall throat
Remain aghast at life

Enter each day
as upon a stage
lighted and waiting
for your step
Crave upward as flame
have keenness in the nostril
Give your eyes
to agony or rapture

Train your hands
as birds to be
brooding or nimble
Move your body
as the horses
sweeping on slender hooves
over crag and prairie
with fleeing manes
and aloofness of their limbs

Take earth for your own large room
and the floor of earth
carpeted with sunlight
and hung round with silver wind
for your dancing place

~~ May Swenson ~~

(Nature: Poems Old and New)

Guardians of the Watchtowers of the Powers of East, Element of Air,
Season of Spring, Hour of Dawn,
We invite thee, we invoke thee, we summon thee.
Bring to us the breath of bright ideas, the sweet zephyrs of inspiration,The winds of intelligence, the storm fronts of epiphany.
Be here now!South:Guardians of the Watchtowers of the Powers of South, Element of Fire,
Season of Summer, Hour of  Noon, We invite thee, we invoke thee, we summon thee. Bring to us the flicker of inspiration, the BBQ lighter of commitment,The bonfire of passion, the blast furnace of transformation.
Be here now!West:Guardians of the Watchtowers of the Powers of West, Element of Water,
Season of Autumn, Hour of Evening, We invite thee, we invoke thee, we summon thee. Bring to us the dewdrops of understanding, the waves of wondering,The rip currents of emotion, the torrents of renewal.
Be here now!North:Guardians of the Watchtowers of  the Powers of North, Element of Earth,
Season of Winter, Hour of Midnight, We invite thee, we invoke thee, we summon thee. Bring to us the seeds of change, the kudzu of organization, The  mighty bonsai of growth, the tectonic plates of stability.
Be here now!Center:Lord Buff: “Old Ones of the-”
Spirits: “Spirits!”
Lord Buff: <blink> “Old Spirits of-” Spirits: “We don’t get old, you know.” Lord Buff: “I beg your pardon?”
Spirits: “Well, you can’t age if you’re immortal, now can you?” Lord Buff: “I was just trying to address you properly, with respe-” Spirits: “And how would you know the proper terms of address?” Lord Buff: “Well, I am Lord Buffalo Wearsakilt, 3rd Degree High Prie-” Spirits: “And who made you a High Priest, O Lord Baboon-on-stilts?” Lord Buff: “Why none other  than Moondream Whalesong, who was initiated by Happy Fairy Corvid canine, who was initiated by the honorable Raymond Buckland, who was himself initiated by none other than Gerald Gardner, who was initiated by the indisputable Old Dorothy, herself a witch in an unbroken tradition handed down from grandmother to second cousin since
the time of the Ice Age cave painters of Lascaux, France!”
Spirits: “You don’t really expect me to believe that, do you?! Religious and spiritual authority isn’t a simple matter of whom begat whom begat whom begat whom begat whom. You have to be chosen by the Spirits- Other Spirits: “Not that  everyone is chosen by the Spirits.” Other Other Spirits: “True, but if you’re chosen, then you’ve definitely been Chosen – if you know what I mean.” Other Spirits: “Oh, yes, no mistaking it. You’re right there.” Other Other Spirits: “And don’t forget it takes a lot more than just being Chosen.”Other Spirits: “True, true. <nodding head sagely> But if you’re chosen, at least you’re know you’re Chosen.” Spirits: <Very annoyed by now:> “RIGHT! <turns back to Lord Buff> As my compatriots here agree <eyes the various other spirits>, you have to be chosen by the Spirits, not by some contrived rite of passage cobbled together from Masonry, Malaysian customs, and the never-before-published
writings of Aleister Crowley! Lord Buff: “Now just wait a minu-” Other Spirits: “Oh! And what about this ‘Be Here Now!’ nonsense? Properly addressed, indeed! If I told my great, great, great uncle, seven times removed, to ‘Be Here Now!’, he’d send me off to feed the hounds of Hades with nothing but myself and an empty bowl. For that matter, who are the ‘Guardians of the Watchtowers’ and where do you fi-”
Lord Buff: “Enough already!!” <launches into invocation:> “Old Ones of the Earth and Sky,” Spirits: “Oh no, you don’t!”Lord Buff: “Ancestors of all that crawls and runs and flies,” Other Spirits: “Oh, now we’re’ancient’, are we?” Lord Buff: “Wise keepers of the hidden lore,” Other Other Spirits: “Well, that’s better.”Lord Buff: “We humbly invite you to-” Other Spirits: “Taken the hint, I see.” Lord Buff: <scowls> “.to join our circle and share your wisdom wi-” Other Other Spirits: “Share our wisdom? And what do we ge-” Lord Buff: “In exchange for our heartfelt thanks and this precious token of our appreciation.” <takes goblet of mead from altar, gives to spirit> Spirits: “O! Well, then!” <smacks lips> “I see you do know the proper terms of address, after all. Carry on, then. I’ll just, um, take this back to share with the fellas, eh?” Lord Buff: <turns back to center,mutters:> “Now where was I?” <and makes great show of thumbing through the script>Deity InvocationsLady Moon: (Hathor) Het-Hert, known as Hathor, Lady of drunkenness, music, dance, Of frankincenseand the crown, we call your name in love! We ask you to thrust back darkness and make merry with us. May you help us find wisdom thru laughter, And take your fill of joy in our sport.Lord Buff: (Bes) O Bes, mid-wife’s aid and children’s protector, Great Dwarf of dance and drums and merriment, We bid you welcome and ask that you Ward our circle and inspire us with your music. May you delight in our hospitality and find pleasure in our revels.Circle CastingLady Moon: <ad-libbed the-circle-is-cast-so-mote-it-be type of thing>Spiel About LughnasadhLady Moon: <reads from the Witch’s Bible about Lughnasadh><Meanwhile, whispering starts around the circle, as folks look for a Novice, who is duly found and announced, as below. The ‘Circle’ in this case are the ritual celebrants who did the first four Cardinal Invocations. While they were wearing funky hats representing their element and a sign saying their direction’s name, now they have removed the hats and turned the signs around to display something different – such as ‘Visitor’, ‘CTC Member’, ‘CTC Member’s Friends and Relations’, ‘Stranger Passing By’, ‘I heard there was food.’>Rabble Rouser: <whispering> “Is there a novice here? Does anyone know if someone here is a novice?” Rabble Mob: <This Rabble, That Rabble, and The Other Rabble all start whispering, looking for a novice> This Rabble: <still whispering> “Here’s one! Here’s a novice!” Rabble Rouser: <no longer whispering> “A Novice!” That Rabble: <beginning to yell> “Yes, a novice!” The Other Rabble: “A Novice! A Novice!” Rabble Rouser: “We have found a Novice! We must initiate her/him!” That Rabble: “Yes, initiate her/him!” The Other Rabble: “Initiate her/him!”Lady Moon: <makes calming motions> “How do you know s/he is a Novice?” Rabble Rouser: “‘Cause s/he acts like one!” That Rabble: “Yes, s/he acts like one!” This Rabble: “Initiate her/him!”
Lady Moon: “And just what do Novices act like?” Rabble Rouser: “They ask lots of questions!” The Other Rabble: “They don’t talk very much!” That Rabble: “They buy books published by Llewelyn!” This Rabble: “They dress in black and wear silver jewelry!” Lady Moon: “Don’t experienced pagans also dress in black, wear silver jewelry, and buy books by Llewelyn?” Rabble Rouser: “Uh. Oh. Right.”
Lady Moon: “Do you know how to initiate someone?” Rabble Rouser: “Tie her/him up!” That Rabble: “Hold a sword to her/his neck!” This Rabble: “Make her/him swear an oath!” The Other Rabble: “Shove her/him into a gingerbread oven!” Lord Buff: “No! No! And, no! You initiate someone by showing them how to be a true, bona fide, genuine, and verified Pagan. You give them the tools of
their craft, challenge them to surpass their limitations, and. and. um. and send them on their merry way! <smiles with beatific stupidity>”Rabble Rouser: “Wait a minute! How do you if you’re a true, bonfired, genuflected, and ratified Pagan?” The Other Rabble: “I haven’t surpassed my limitations.” That Rabble: “And I haven’t been given any tools.” This Rabble: “I’m not a real Pagan!” The Other Rabble: “I need to be initiated, too!”This Rabble: “Me, too, please!”
That Rabble: “Oh, yes, I want to be initiated!” This Rabble: “Make me into a real Pagan, pleeeaaaasssseeeeee?!” That Rabble: “Don’t forget me!” Lord Buff: “Oh, very well. Come this way, everyone!”Beginning of Initiation<Before the challenges, participants will be given three wooden tokens (poured out of a Lucky Charms box into three large cereal bowls, to be distributed with large spoons), to use when they must offer something to the Challenger. Each time a token is given, the Challenger will put it into a
bag. Then, at the end of their challenge, they hand the bag to the next Challenger. At the end of the ritual, the tokens can be burned.><Challengers will issue their questions to the group of participants as a whole. Individual participants may then come forward and make their offering/answer to the Challenger. The Challenger, however, has the right to refuse the offering/answer and send the person back to come up with something better. This affords the ritual celebrants the opportunity to
go up and make outlandish/hilarious/off-topic offerings/answers – and thus, by example, offers the participants the opportunity to do the same. Of course, the Challenger could accept a silly offering/answer, thus holding the person to their word. 😉 >First Challenger<HP and Lord Buff lead Circle into the woods, to the First Challenger. Note: the Keepers of the TOAKHID are the same ritual celebrants as the ‘Circle’, above, but led by one in particular.>Keepers of the TOAKHID: “The Goddess is Alive! And Magick is Afoot! The Goddess is Alive! And Magick is Afoot!”<Ritual celebrants cringe in fear and horror>Lord Buff: “Who are you, that you confront us like a Trickster, challenging our assumptions and piercing our comfortable, mundane existence?” Keepers of the TOAKHID: “We are the Keepers of the Tome of Arcane Knowledge Hidden in Darkness! Wielders of the Sacred Phrases ‘Merry Meet’, ‘Merry Part ‘, and ‘So mote it be’!” Lord Buff: “O Keepers of the Tome of. <pause> O Keepers of the Book, we seek your wisdom and guidance upon the Pagan path, and would be honored if you grant us but a glance within your Tome.”Keepers of the TOAKHID: “Those who would look upon the one and only Tome and who would speakthe sacred phrases must surrender to us a sacrifice!” Lord Buff: “O Keepers of the Sacred Text, what must we surrender?”Keepers of the TOAKHID: <eyes Circle dramatically> “What will you give up in exchange for the power of knowledge?! Name to us this sacrifice and with
your words, let your first charm be taken from you and given up as a sign of your commitment.”< Ritual celebrants start the answering, and the Keepers accept the offerings. If any silly offerings are made, the Keeper has the discretion to accept or refuse – if refused, a participant must return with a more appropriate sacrifice. Once all sacrifices have been offered and accepted,
the HPs will begin leading the Circle past the Keepers and on into processing around towards the next Challenger. As each participant
passes, the Challenger hands them a copy of ‘Yore Verye Owne One
und Onley Olden Tome of Arkane Gnowleje Hidden in Darkenesse’>Interlude< During Tim’s performance, Clueless Jane, wearing a ‘Clueless Jane’ sign now, begins interjecting and commenting on the ritual – including answering her cell phone, which will be called by a cell phone concealed by another celebrant.>Tim: “HALT! Go no further unless you be Pagan peoples of true heart and soul!” <eyes the Circle piercingly>Lady Moon: “And who art thou to bar our path and question our intent?”

Tim: “It is not I who bars your path or questions your resolve. No, it is not I at all. <eyes Circle again> There are those who know me as. Tim.”

Lady Moon: “I ask you again, O Tim, why do you block our pa-”

Tim: “Beware the Enemy Within! Each and every one of you carries the seeds of your own discontent, your own shortsightedness, your own unease, your own failure! Verily! Your worst enemy is yourself! Pass me if you dare, for doubt, discomfort, and drivel await you all with ignorant, pointless interjections!”
<Tim withdraws to the side. Circle proceeds past him.>

Second Challenger

<As the Circle proceeds, Clueless Jane – who is the type of ritual attendee who really shouldn’t be at ritual, has no tact, and is oblivious to proper ritual conduct – begins whispering (loudly) questions about what is going on,why is it taking so long, my feet hurt, who is that speaking, etc. She continues in this vein right to the Second Challenger, quiets down at first, and then starts up again, interrupting the challenge.>

<The Second Challenger stands, awaiting the Circle, and is addressed by the Keepers of the TOAKHID, who came with the Circle>

Keepers of the TOAKHID: “O Sister Keeper, I bring to you seekers upon the true path, who have made great sacrifice that they might receive wisdom from us and peek within the Tome of Arcane Knowledge Hidden in darkness. Yet, knowledge alone is not enou-”

Clueless Jane: <interrupts with another loud whisper>

Keepers of the TOAKHID: <glares at Clueless Jane, turns back to Second Challenger> “Knowledge alone is not enough. What else do these humble folk need?”

Second Challenger: “The mind may be misled by too much knowledge. The heart may be troubled by fear and doubt, by cell phones and dinner plans, by day planners and stock market forecasts, by email and snail mail, by-”

Clueless Jane: <interrupts with yet another complaint>

Second Challenger: <faces Clueless Jane> “What troubles you, child? Are you not at ease among your fellow seekers? Do you seek excuses and distractions to avoid the work of becoming a true Pagan?”

Clueless Jane: <looks wide-eyed and speechless>

Second Challenger: “Sister Keeper, consult the Tome of Arcane Knowledge Hidden in Darkness.”

Keepers of the TOAKHID: “Tome of Arcane Knowledge Hidden in Darkness, Chapter 9, Exercise 55: Smaller Expulsion Ceremony and How to Find the Center of Your Spiritual Tootsie Pop, page 178, paragraph 1, second phrase: ‘You are in your safe space – a place in which you are in touch with
your inner power. Now turn & face the East. Attend to what you see & hear & feel & sense. Pause. Now turn & face the South. Attend to what you see & hear & feel & sense. Pause…'”

Second Challenger: “Skip ahead, please, Sister.”

Keepers of the TOAKHID: “‘Take your bell and ring it once, like so (see diagram 81). Now listen to the bell. Feel the sound of the bell as it fades into silence. Pause. Take a deep breath. Pause. Inhale. Pause. Exhale. Pause.
You are now ready to begin your working.'”

Second Challenger: “Thank you, Sister. Remember this simple meditation and ponder its power as you meet your second challenge on the pagan path. Surrender your second charm, and answer me this: ‘What distracts you from your path?'”

<Ritual celebrants start the answering, and the Second Challenger accepts the offerings. Once all sacrifices have been offered and accepted, the HPs will begin leading the Circle past the Challenger and on into processing
around towards the next Challenger. As each participant passes, the Challenger hands them a jingle bell.>

Third Challenger

Third Challenger: “Greetings, O Seekers! Knowledge and power you may have. But you must also learn compassion and determination if you would wield your power. These things we cannot teach you. You must learn them by the example of others and by your own mistakes. Yet, we can point the way. <lights candle> Behold the sacred flame of pure intent, divine inspiration, and creative passion. <holds candle aloft>

<Ritual celebrants light their charcoal lighters, hold them aloft, and begin singing breathily ‘We are the world, we are the.’ – only to be cut off by Lord Buff, doing the ‘Stop that! Stop that!’-type routine, like the Yorkshire king from the Holy Grail.>

Third Challenger: “Seek the sacred fire within you.”

<Ritual celebrants now break into the pagan chant “Touching her deep, deep in her center.” – only to be cut off again by Lord Buff.>

Third Challenger: “Nurture this fire and let it sustain you through life’s lessons. As a symbol of the flame within, surrender your third charm to me and answer this question: ‘What ignites your passion?'”

<Ritual celebrants start the answering, and the Third Challenger accepts the offerings. Once all sacrifices have been offered and accepted, the HPs will begin leading the Circle past the Challenger and on into processing
around towards the next Challenger. As each participant passes,
the Challenger hands them a birthday candle.>

End of Initiation

<This draws inspiration from the bumbling guards in the Holy Grail, trying to get their orders right (“No, you stay here, and make sure ‘e doesn’t leave.”
“Right. We’re not to leave unless you come to get him.” “No.”)>

Lord Buff: “We have faced our challenges and been granted the tools of our craft. We have but one last task before us. Each of us must answer one final question. After splitting into three groups, we will each approach,
one at a time, one of the former Challengers. Each Challenger will ask the same question of each of us, in private.”

Lady Moon: <pompously> “So each asks a question of the Challengers. Three groups per Challenger.”

Ritual Celebrant: “You mean, we each ask the Challengers a question and then divide into three groups?”

Lady Moon: “No, no, no. Three groups of questions.” <etc. etc. etc. Celebrants and HPS carry on ad lib.>

<Meanwhile, Lord Buff starts tearing out his hair and pantomiming frustration; then he starts quietly dividing the participants into three groups, and finally cuts off the HPS & Co., like so:>

Lord Buff: “Thank you! Thank you! I think we’ve got it all sorted out now. Thank you! That’s enough.” <turns back to three groups> “Is everyone
ready?” <pause for affirmation. Turns back to ritual celebrants> “Alright. Now it is time for us to be serious, to end our jester’s dance, and prepare ourselves in silence.” <brief pause. Celebrants remove costumes and props> “Approach the nearest Challenger, one person at a time. After you have given your answer, return to the circle around the may pole and wait
quietly for the others to finish.”

<Lord Buff, the HPS, and (Not-So-)Clueless Jane will select and guide each individual from the three groups to the Challengers and ensure that the waiting folks remain quiet and focused. One of the first three people should be someone picked before ritual to begin drumming lightly back at the may pole circle after they have answered the question, ‘What makes you pagan?’ If someone does not seem forthcoming with an answer, the Challengers may try to draw them out, or, if need be, allow them to pass on,
asking them to think on it. LB, HPS, and NSCJ may send folks from
other groups to other Challengers if one Challenger finishes ‘early’.>

Cakes and Ale

Or, rather, Cupcakes and Ginger Ale! 😉

Deity Devocations

Lord Buff: (Bes) Merry-maker, guardian, wise child of play, We thank you, Bes, for your gifts, caring and festive, And for your presence in our revels. With words and smiles both, we bid you farewell.

Lady Moon: (Hathor) Golden One, Het-Hert, thank you for bringing us your love, protection, and laughter. May the lessons learned here – of playfulness and solemnity – remain ever in our hearts. In gratitude and reverence, we bid you farewell.

Cardinal Devocations

Center:

Spirits of the Earth and Sky, we thank you for your gifts of wisdom and your lessons in respect. ‘Be here’ if you wish – come and go as you will; We bid you farewell.

North:

Spirits of the North, we thank you For your gifts of change, growth, and stability. ‘Be here’.if you wish – come and go as you will; We bid you farewell.

West:

Spirits of the West, we thank you For your gifts of understanding, renewal, and wonder. ‘Be here’.if you wish – come and go as you will; We bid you farewell.

South:

Spirits of the South, we thank you For your gifts of passion, challenge, and transformation. ‘Be here’.if you wish – come and go as you will; We bid you farewell.

East:

Spirits of the East, we thank you For your gifts of inspiration, intelligence, and delight. ‘Be here’.if you wish – come and go as you will; We bid you farewell.

End of Ritual

<Lord Buff and the HPS pour beer and mead into two goblets and hold them up. As the following is spoken, the beer and mead are poured as libations>

Lord Buff: If we mortals have offended, Then with this off’ring, all is mended:
As all our antics have inspired, And mirth with wisdom here conspired, So, gods and spirits, we offer you This drink of grain and honey-dew, That, with behavior most uncouth, Reveals in laughter hidden truth. Thus we end and so reflect, And laud you with sincere respect.

Note: You may also want to include the use of two cups (or coconut halves) so that you are properly prepared
for travel as needed during the ritual.

Source: http://www.bewitchingways.com/humor/python.htm

Tools:

In addition to your m’jyk-l tools you will need:

· A Red Altar Cloth
· A Wicker Basket
· A Red Apple
· Assorted Fruits and Vegetables of the Second Harvest (Berries, Squash, Corn, etc)
· A Bell
· A Fallen Tree Branch*
· A Boline
· A Sprig or Two of Ivy
· An Autumn Blend Incense
· Any other Personal items of choice

Preparation:

Sweep area, moving in a deosil (clockwise) manner.
Outline your Circle with a red cord, low vibration stones, or various Harvest items such as wheat, corn, beans, etc.
Set up your altar and place the red altar cloth over it.
At center top, place the wicker basket, filled with the assorted fruit and vegetables.
Place the apple and the boline on your Pentacle or a plate.
Place the tree branch to the right of the basket.
Place the rest of your tools and props according to your personal preference.
Take a shower or bath for purity.
Sit quietly and meditate to ground and center.
When you are ready,
begin by playing some soothing music associated with the Sabbat and your ritual.

Cast the Circle and call Quarters:

Pick up your Wand in your right hand, face your altar, and with arms stretched out above your head, say:

“I honor Thee, Autumn Queen, and Thy consort, the God of the Harvest.
The Wheel has once more turned, and the change of season begins.
What will be is. What was will be. The Equinox is upon us, and the time to reflect, at hand. All time comes together, here and now in this sacred space. And I, but a moment in time, feel the change as I pass From one season to the next.
The Second Harvest has been reaped, and the time of rest is deserved.
Go now My Mother and slumber. Go now My Father and dream of re-birth.
I shall be here to greet Thee on Your return.”

With arms still out-stretched lower your head and close your eyes.
Contemplate what you have just spoken.
When ready, open your eyes and lower your arms.
Pick up the apple and place it in the center of the Pentacle/plate.
Cut it crosswise with the Boline, to reveal the natural pentagram at it’s core.
Then lift half the apple, pentagram up, as if in offering, while saying:

“As the Wheel turns, the seasons pass, and the years give ‘way To the next, Guide me most Wise Ones,
Lest I forget Every beginning has an ending And every ending is a new beginning.”

Take a bite of the apple.
Put the rest aside to share later with the wildlife.
Pick up the tree branch and shake once at each direction, starting with North, saying:

“As the days grow colder, and the nights last longer, May I remember the summer past. With sunlight fading, and hearth inviting, My memories will warm my soul. From a season of hard work and hard play, I hear Mother’s voice calling me forward. While I rest, shall She lull me, with songs of a dream, As close to Her bosom I cling.”

Face the altar and hold the branch out in front of you with both hands, saying:

“With memories of the summer, least I never forget, And aspirings for the colder months to come, Least I never stop striving, I honor Thee with this symbol of Nature, Keeping it and Thee in my home and heart, That I may see it and pause, To reflect on the Ancient Mysteries, Leading me to a better understanding of myself, And of others, and all that is Life.”

Put the tree branch on the altar, into the basket of fruit so that it sticks out, back in your direction.
Contemplate on the various memory symbols that you have attached to it. Also contemplate on the various projects for autumn and winter that you have attached to it.
Close your eyes and feel the seasons pass within the circle from summer to autumn.
When ready, say:

“Between the worlds I stand in this sacred place.
All time is here and now.
As I leave this circle, the season shall have changed,
And I will have changed with it.
May I use the short time of Winter Finding
To draw the strength and power from within
As I quest for vision, understanding, and peace.”

Pick up the sprig(s) of ivy, and wrap around your arms, from the elbow to the wrist.
Pick up the Bell with your right hand, and ring thrice, to toll the passing of the first 3 seasons of the year.
Now place it in your left hand and ring once to usher in the 4th and last season of the year.
Place the bell on the altar and the ivy in your cauldron (for burning later).
Say:

“In Life is Death, and in Death is Life.
The Sacred Dance goes on and on
From whence we came, we shall return,
And come again.
Seasons pass, and pass again,
The circle stays unbroken
Heed the words of your child, here,
Through Your wisdom I have spoken.”

It is now time for meditation and spellworking. Associated spellworkings would include those for protection, wealth, security, and self-confidence. If there is no spellworking, celebrate with Cakes and Ale, then release the Circle. Clean up. You are done. Find an appropriate place in your home to display the decorated tree branch.

*Find a fallen tree branch. It need not be a large one, for it will adorn your altar, then go on display in your home. The more smaller offshoots from the main branch, the better. Mine has four, which I think is awesome! Next, take a couple of pine cones, small shells, dried flowers, or any other item that reminds you of the late spring-summer months. With some string, tie each to the offshoots. Also take yarn or ribbon of yellows, oranges, reds, and gold and tie one end to the offshoots. Then, on very thin strips of (colored) paper, write down some projects to work on during the upcoming ‘ dark ‘ months. Wrap these around the offshoots (like little cocoons) and tie closed with silver thread. These you will open over the next couple of months when you start feeling lethargic or without a sense of direction. I tie on a couple of small bells, to add some ambiance to my ritual…

**This ritual and the accompanying activity planner are dedicated to MadaRua, as she gracefully transcends from one season of Life to the next. Our prayers and blessings are with you…

–Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys to share with all her friends and those of like mind–
Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection
wicca.com. All rights reserved. http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/mabonrit.htm

be a
flower, not an arrow
be a sparkled, lavender, diamond-scaled dragon
not a bird

be a
song that bursting out
cannot be unescaped.

go in
spirals if you are exploring
not the straight-edged line of the drill

you
are not a spell
you become one
written not by the mind
but the heart

follow
the etchings of the membranes
steal the patterns of the scars
trace your fingers on the crevices
take the vibrations into your own
leap into the gentle abyss

look
not forward but around

give
yourself space for movement
arch yourself into a circle
fall back, move forward
toe,
heel
hands
splendor

rapid
time
ease into a new line

go
don’t stop

eat
harried daisies

come
into this world
come
come

Tasara stands in a midpoint of her path, ten years of witchcraft and ten years off shamanic study. In the magickal world, she serves as a community organizer, a teacher and a shamanic healer. She also has been a vendor, selling beaded amulets at festivals like Faerieworlds. As a child, Tasara played a game where she waited for the perfect word to come down, even if it took forever, before continuing to write a poem. You can learn more about her practice at: http://www.northwestceremonies.com and you can peruse her poetry, graphic art and motion graphics at: http://www.jen.candleroot.com

“At every level of manifestation, humor
spells freedom in some sense …
Humor means freedom; this is one of its most distinct characters
and virtues …
The freedom to laugh which moves within the conflicts, doubts
and tensions of life …
becomes the freedom to laugh on the other side of enlightenment.

[They] who are no longer in bondage to desire,
to the self, to the law …
[they] who are no longer torn apart by alienation and anxiety
and who are no longer determined and defined primarily by seriousness
can now laugh with the laughter of children and great sages.”

Conrad Hyers, in his book Zen and the Comic Spirit

 

Pumpkin Marble Cheesecake

1 1/2 c Gingersnap Crumbs
1/2 c Finely Chopped Pecans
1/3 c Margarine, Melted
16 oz Cream Cheese, Softened
3/4 c Sugar
1 t Vanilla
3 ea Eggs
1 c Canned Pumpkin
3/4 t Cinnamon
1/4 t Ground Nutmeg

Combine crumbs, pecans and margarine;
press onto bottom and 1 1/2-inches up sides of 9-inch springform pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F., 10 minutes.
Combine cream cheese, 1/2 c sugar and vanilla,
mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended.
Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Reserve 1 c batter, chill.
Add remaining sugar, pumpkin and spices to remaining batter; mix well.
Alternately layer pumpkin and cream cheese batters over crust.
Cut through batters with knife several times for marble effect.
Bake at 350 degrees F., 55 minutes.
Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan.
Chill.
Servings: 10

From
MistWraith: http://www.stormfront.org/archive/t-41740.html

 

Pumpkin Cider Bread

2 cups of canned pumpkin
2 cups of flour, and then enough to keep the consistency just right
2 tblspns dry yeast in 1/2 cup of 110 degree water
1 tblspn salt
2 tblspns vegetable oil
1/3 to 1/2 cup molasses
2 cups of fresh cider

Start with two cups of flour, then slowly sift in more after wet ingredients are added.
After the flour and salt are combined, mix in the rest of the ingredients from wettest to most solid
(cider, then yeast mix, and so on).

Once mixed, pour the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it in rise until it’s
doubled in size in a warm place. (Generally, this takes from half an hour to an hour).
Punch down the doubled dough.
Roll the dough out into a long, thin, relatively narrow strip and roll from one end.
Place in a greased pan (probably circular in this case), and let rise until doubled again.

Baking bread is not for the impatient!

Finally, put it in a preheated oven at about 400 degrees F for about 50-60 minutes.
If it looks like it’s browning too quickly turn the temp down a notch or two. ZZZ
You’ll know it’s done when you can poke it with a fork and the fork comes out clean. If the fork has some
dough on it, let it bake a little longer.

From MistWraith: http://www.stormfront.org/archive/t-41740.html

Elder Flower Fritters

Fritters are a nice variation on pancakes, and the bonus for this particular
recipe is that they are sweet without any additions, requiring
no syrup, sugar or jam. Many people have had fritters of various
types, especially the popular apple variety. But . . . “elder
flower” fritters? Yes, these actually contain elder flowers!

Flowers were a common ingredient in cooking during medieval times, which is where this recipe comes from (England, specifically). In this recipe’s case, the flowers mixed into the batter help add a kick and a minty taste.

Because of the elder flowers, these sweeties have been associated with
faeries in folk myths. Because of that, they have been used at
Pagan celebrations of Beltane, Litha, and Lughnasadh to help as
a protection against the malevolent and mischievous fair folk,
and sometimes these are even made at Samhain season as a symbol
of keeping away bad spirits.

If you’ve never made a recipe incorporating flowers before, you might start
with this one–you’ll be pleasantly surprised! (Read on after the directions for variations and notes.)

Ingredients:
1 egg
1 teaspoon rose water
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons brandy
1 cup self-rising flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups elder flowers, freshly picked and cleaned

Mix egg, rose water, honey, and brandy in a bowl,
then stir in flour and cinnamon. Should be thick like pancake batter. (Add
flour if it’s too thin, and add more brandy if it’s too thick.)
Fold in the flowers.
Fry like pancakes, OR drop by the teaspoonful into a deep-fat fryer until golden brown.
Serve with orange water sprinkle and fresh lemon, or dip in sweet cream.

Yield: Fried like pancakes: About 10. Deep fat fryer: About 2 dozen.

Source: Paraphrased from Telesco, A Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook

Use for: Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Samhain

Note: In many areas it may be tough to find fresh elder flowers. I myself
made this recipe with dried elder flowers ordered from Living
Earth Herbs. It still tasted fine. If you order from somewhere
or pick them yourself, make sure they are the Nigra variety because
there is a kind you shouldn’t use due to high toxicity.

IF YOU CANNOT FIND ELDER FLOWERS or you are squeamish about eating flowers, there is a variation:

You can make this recipe by substituting very finely diced apples–about
a cup’s worth–for the flowers, and adding a little fresh mint. If you do this substitution I urge you to not neglect the mint, because with either elder flowers or with apple-and-mint, the minty taste is really what makes it so good.

From
Swankivy: http://tinyurl.com/33kl3k

I am the redwood that is cut and regrows seven fold
I am the ancient stone upon which endless waves crash and spray
I am the Moon’s reflection in the deep still lake
I am the Sun’s ray upon Summer’s sweaty brows
I am the outcast and the exalted
The snake and the mouse
The pilgrim and the shrine
I am the dancing feet and the dust they kick up
I am the standing Heron and the glittering minnow
I am the fox’s full coat in winter’s frost
I am the light of fireflies on a steamy summer night
I am the poison and the cure
The heart that burns with green fire
The cleansing flow of a mountain stream
The long expanse of endless sky on windswept plains
I am you and you are me
And We are all that IS

Sylver Rowan is a seer, healer, Celtic Shaman, poet, storyteller, artist, Bard, humorist and dreamer. Although he has been draconian in many of his past lives, he is a Satyr in his current incarnation. He and his Sidhe wife — Willow — currently live in Arkansas, but are longing for the Redwoods.

Redwood photo above was taken by him.

Interested in commissioning a mystic painting created from aspects in your spirit world or ordering an artistic rendition of your dream beast?  Write to Sylver at  telperionmoon@hotmail.com  — with details and dimensions — for an estimate.