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This will aid you in carrying out your duties within the Circle.
The asterisks (* * *) indicate the passage of time between your parts.
Keepers: elemental altars are brought into place and set by their respective keepers; in the canonical quarters of the working-space.
South has a red candle and a hurricane cover, lighter, a red ribbon.
* * *
Summoner: goes off through the forest to fetch the Bride.
Keepers: stand before their altars, moving around to the inside of their altar when each in turn calls in their respective powers.
East goes first, then South....
Priestess: turning to the South:
Powers of South, Powers of Fire, I call thee forth.
South Keeper: lighting the candle, raising for all to see
Hail, guardians of the South!
Come forth and bear witness to G-- and B--, who will make a daring leap together into partnership.
Hail and welcome!
She turns and bows to the South, turns again and replaces candle on altar
* * *
Priestess:
And now we shall introduce G-- and B-- to the Elemental Powers to seek their blessings upon this enterprise.
East goes first, then South....
Maiden: leads the couple to the South:
Hail, fires of the South!
South Keeper: standing, raising the candle, facing the couple:
What is it you seek from the Powers of Fire?
Groom: responds
We seek your blessing and guidance for our marriage.
Bride: hands bouquet to Maiden:
South Keeper: hands the couple the lit candle to hold together:
Blessed be your marriage with these gifts from the South:
Shared discoveries as a family, experiencing new things together.
Inspiration to find new ways to surprise one another.
Opportunities to take on new ventures, and receive great rewards, together.
She collects the candle from the couple, replaces it on the altar, hands Maiden a red ribbon, motions the party onward, and sits down:
Maiden: leads the couple to the West...
* * *
[Note: the text of the Blessing Prayer, appropriately adapted to the circumstances, was given here; the same text was given in the Order of Service so that everyone could, if desired, join in.]
Priestess and all Keepers will close the Outer Circle.
Priestess:
Thanks be to the Lord and the Lady.
And now, from East sunwise round to East, let us do what we must do.
East Keeper: stoking incense, raising censer overhead
Hail, guardians of the East! Thank you for your attendance at our rite. We bid you, hail and farewell!
[altar bell 3x]
She replaces censer on altar
South Keeper: raising candle overhead
Hail, guardians of the South! Thank you for your attendance at our rite. We bid you, hail and farewell!
[altar bell 3x]
She blows out candle, replaces candle on altar
* * *
Priestess: salutes the East once more:
Come now to the Centre.
Priestess: clap hands 3x, with deliberation.
Thus what is Hers in truth, and mine in trust, returns to me for safekeeping. It be done!
She extinguishes the Lord and Lady candles, but leaves the Providence lamp lit. The remaining people all come together and together speak the Rune of Ending, as appropriate to the circumstances. They then go out to join everyone else, once they have packed the altars and tools away, and made sure that no flame, fire, or sharps remain.
The address of this page is: http://www.oocities.org/Athens/Agora/2416/am1south.html
Written by: Brigantia Stone, June 1999.
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