Preparation

Prepare the ritual space, cleaning the room or altar. Set up the altar. Prepare yourself by cleansing your body and clearing your mind. Put on your robe and/or cord and jewels.

Attunement

All sit quietly in the circle and center.
The Summoner, Storm, begins to chant with rattle accompanyment.
After a few minutes Sharky stands and lights the purple candle saying:

Akasha, forger of the Elements
We call you from the far places to our present awareness.
Envelop us in your omnipresent power.

Stating the Purpose

HP, Nemo, says:
Though it be yet darkest winter
We see the promise of returning light.
The Maiden Goddess turns the Wheel of the Year
and waits for the return of the Young God who will bring back warmth and life to the world.
We are assembled to cleanse ourselves of all things negative,
To see a bit farther along the path,
And to practice our craft in safety.

Asperging

HPs, LunaC, points the tip of the athame at each in turn, visualizing them glowing with a pure light and says:

I exorcise thee, Spirit of salt,
casting out all impurities which may lie within.
Likewise do I exorcise thee, Spirit of water,
casting out all impurities which may lie within.

Place three athame-tips worth of salt in the water and mix them deosil. Sprinkle the area and participants with salt-water walking deosil around the circle beginning at the north, saying:

With salt and water I cleanse and purify thee.
Thou children of magick and light.

Casting the Circle

HP, Nemo, casts the circle, walking deosil around the circle beginning at the north with his athame, visualizing a line of blue fire growing at the edge, and saying:

With athame bright
I concecrate and invoke thee
O circle of magick and light.
Be for us a boundry between the mundane and the extraordinary,
A guardian and protection for those gathered within,
And a ring of fire to contain the power we raise.

Calling the Quarters

North, Dan, takes the athame in right hand and with the tip of the blade, draws a pentagram in the dish of earth, saying:
Spirits of the empty fields, waiting silently under a blanket of snow,
Join us as Our Lady turns the Wheel of the Year
And the Young Sun returns.

East, Feather, lights the incense saying:
Spirits of the warming winds, blowing ever stronger from the east,
Join us as Our Lady turns the Wheel of the Year
And the Young Sun returns.

South, Blade, lights the Red Candle saying:
Spirits of the shining flame, burning in the infant Sun,
Join us as Our Lady turns the Wheel of the Year
And the Young Sun returns.

West, Nonnie, touches the athame tip to the dish of water saying:
Spirits of the forest streams, breaking free from your prison of ice,
Join us as Our Lady turns the Wheel of the Year
And the Young Sun returns.

Invoking the Goddess
HPs, LunaC, lights the Candle Wheel and invokes the Goddess saying:
Lady Brigid, Maiden Goddess.
We call you to our circle!
Fill us with your wisdom!
Teach us your arts!
Let the old ways live again
And let us feel your presence within our circle!

Invoking the God
HP, Nemo, leans the Besom against the Altar, and invokes the God saying:
Taliesin, beloved of the Goddess,
We call you to our circle!
Fill us with your joy!
Show us your paths!
Let us celebrate this night
And feel your presence within our circle!

Drumming and Chanting

Blessed be the light which warms us.
Blessed be the young Sun God.
Blessed be the maiden Goddess.
Blessed be the wheel she turns.

Ah, ah, beautiful is the Maiden.
Ah, ah, beautiful is the Sun.

Workings of Magick

As the chanting continues, the Young Sun, Nick, lifts the Besom and holds it up to the HP and HPS who sprinkle it with salt water and smudge it with incense. Each covenar in turn takes a handful of potpouri from the cauldron and holding it in their right hands turns to face outward from the altar. Covenars meditate silently seeking within for negative feelings that they are ready to release: feelings of anger, grief, pain, and the like. Project the feelings into the potpouri and then release it to scatter on the floor. The Young Sun takes the Besom and walking widdershins around the outside of the circle of covenars, sweeps outward toward the edge of the magick circle.

LunaC takes the Besom and leans it against the Altar saying:
The Young Sun has returned.
The Maiden Earth grows warm again.
The Wheel of the Year is turned.

Dedication Rite

Nemo:
There is one among us tonight who wishes to dedicate themselves to the study and practice of the Old Religion with us in The Elder Grove.

Meditation

Sharky: We all have our strengths and weaknesses which we bring with us to the Grove; our goals and our dreams for the Grove's future. Gently close you eyes and breathe deeply as you listen to the sound of my voice....

Talking Stick

A RainStick is passed clockwise around the circle and as the each one receives it they may either share or remain silent and then pass the stick.

The Questions

LunaC: Have you come to this circle to learn and practice the Old Religion?

TJ: Yes, I have.

LunaC: By what name shall you be known within this circle? (candidates answer one after the other clockwise around the circle

TJ: I will be known as ________.

LunaC: The hand of the Goddess will be upon you, and She changes everything She touches. Are you ready for the transformation?

TJ: I am ready.

Nemo: Do you promise to live your life by the Rede, "An it harm none, do as ye will"?

TJ: I promise.

Nemo: Do you promise never to reveal outside the circle any personal information about other members, without their express permission.

TJ: I do so promise.

Nemo: Do you commit yourself to work diligently at the study of the Old Religion and your chosen path in particular?

TJ: Yes, I do.

Nemo: Bearing in mind that family and job responsibilities come first, will you share some of your time and energy to help do the necessary work of The Grove?

TJ: Yes, I will.

Blessing

TJ dips her fingers into the silver chalace , repeating after Nemo:

Bless me, Mother, for I am thy child.
Bless my eyes that I may see beauty in all creation. (touch eyes)
Bless my mouth that I may speak words of truth and kindness. (touch mouth)
Bless my heart that I may be steadfast and faithful. (touch chest)
Bless my knees that I may stand proud and strong. (touch knees
Bless my feet which are set upon Thy path. (sprinkle feet)
Bless me, Mother, now and forever.

Presentation of the Cord

Nemo: A white cord is the sign of a Dedicate within this circle.

LunaC gives the cord to TJ who ties it around her own waist as Nemo says:

Whenever you wear this cord, remember this night and the promises you have made.
Sisters and brothers, ____________ has come to this circle to learn of the Old Religion, have promised to live by the Rede, and to keep the secrets of the circle. Now, greet one her and be glad.

Cakes and Wine

HPS, LunaC, blesses the cakes saying:
Lady Bridgid, infuse these cakes with your warmth.
May you never hunger.

HP, Nemo, blesses the chalice saying:
Young Sun, Taliesin, infuse this wine with your energy
May you never thirst.

Farewell to the Goddess.
HPs, LunaC, says:

Lady Brigid, thank you for your presence with us tonight.
Let your wisdom go with us as we leave this circle.

Farewell to the God.
HP, Nemo, says:

Young Lord, Taliesin, thank you for your presence with us tonight.
Let your joy go with us as we leave this circle.

Dismissing the Quarters

Nonnie: Spirits of the Stream, Rejoice.
The Wheel has turned.
Soon you shall flow free!

Blade: Spirits of the Shining Flame, Rejoice.
The Wheel has turned.
Soon you shall burn bright.

Feather: Spirits of the warming Breeze, Rejoice.
The Wheel has turned.
Soon you shall blow softly.

Dan: Spirits of the fertile Earth, Rejoice.
The Wheel has turned.
Soon you shall be green once again.

Skarky: Mighty Akasha.
The Wheel has turned.
We rejoice.

HP, Nemo, takes the Athame, cuts open the circle, and walks widdershins around the circle taking up the energy of the circle into it's blade.

HPs, LunaC, says:

The circle is open but ever unbroken.
Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.
Blessed Be!