Dedication Ritual
Based on a ritual by Amber K
Preparation
Prepare and physically cleanse the ritual space. Set up the altar. Prepare yourself by cleansing your body and clearing your mind. Put on your robe and jewels.
Attunement
All sit quietly in the circle and center.
After a few minutes Blade and Nonnie lead The Grove in trance drumming.Asperging and Casting the Circle
As the drumming continues, Dan walks counterclockwise smudging the members and the ritual area while Feather walks clockwise around the circle with the wand visualizing a glowing blue-white line forming on the ground to enclose the members and the ritual area.
Calling the Quarters
Russell: We call upon you, Golden Eagle of Dawn,
asking the gifts of intellegence, imagination, and inspiration.Blade: We call upon you, Red Serpent of Noon,
asking the gifts of energy, will, and passion.Nonnie: We call upon you, Blue Dolphin of Dusk,
asking the gifts of love and empathy.Luna: We call upon you, Black Wolf of Midnight,
asking the gifts of health, strength, and prosperity.Sharky: Akasha, forger of the elements.
We call you from the far places of the universe to our present awareness.
Envelop us in your omnipresent power.Invoking the Lady
Goddess of the Moon, the Earth, the Seas,
by your many names we call Thee.
Eternal Maiden, Mother of all, and Crone of darkness,
pour forth magic and power, peace and wisdom.
Bless your children this night.Invoking the Lord
Dan:
Sun of creation, Spirit of the horned stag, Endless Harvest,
by your many names we call Thee.
King of the heavens, Greenman, Horned One,
teach us the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Bless your children this night.Stating the Purpose
Dan:
We gather tonight to celebrate _____________'s dedication 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 candidates receives it they may either share or remain silent and then pass the stick.
The Questions
Feather: Have you come to this circle to learn and practice the Old Religion?
Candidates: Yes, I have.
Feather: By what name shall you be known within this circle? (candidates answer one after the other clockwise around the circle
Candidates: I will be known as ________.
Feather: The hand of the Goddess will be upon you, and She changes everything She touches. Are you ready for the transformation?
Candidates: I am ready.
Dan: Do you promise to live your life by the Rede, "An it harm none, do as ye will"?
Candidates: I promise.
Dan: Do you promise never to reveal outside the circle any personal information about other members, without their express permission.
Candidates: I do so promise.
Dan: Do you commit yourself to work diligently at the study of the Old Religion and your chosen path in particular?
Candidates: Yes, I do.
Dan: 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?
Candidates: Yes, I will.
Blessing
Each Candidate in turn dips their fingers into the silver chalace , repeating after Dan:
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
Dan: A white cord is the sign of a Dedicate within this circle.
Feather walks around the circle clockwise giving a cord to each Candidate. When all have received their cord they tie it around their own waist as Dan says:
Whenever you wear this cord, remember this night and the promises you have made. Sisters and brothers, we have 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 another and be glad.
Cakes and Wine
Dan, holds up the plate of cakes with both hands toward the sky and says:
Mighty Lord of the Harvest,
Bless these cakes and infuse them with your love.
Offering the plate to the person on his left saying:
May you never hunger.Feather holds up the chalace of wine toward the sky and says:
Gracious Lady of Abundance,
Bless this wine and infuse it with your love.
Offering the chalace to the person on her left saying:
May you never thirst.Farewell to the Goddess
Feather: O Lady, who are the Earth and our Mother.
We thank you for your love, life, and presence.
May there be everlasting love between us.
Go in peace and loving tranquility.Farewell to the God
Dan: O Lord, who are both the Sun and the Harvest
We thank you for your blessings, protection, life-giving energies.
May there be everlasting love between us.
Go in peace and loving tranquility.Farewell to the Quarters
Sharky: Akasha, Forger of the Elements,
Bless this time and place and we who are
enveloped within your omnipresent force.
Go in PeaceRussell: Golden Eagle of Dawn,
thank you for your gifts of intellegence, imagination, and inspiration.
Go in peace.Blade: Red Serpent of Noon,
thank you for your gifts of energy, will, and passion.
Go in peace.
Nonnie: Blue Dolphin of Dusk,
thank you for your gifts of love and empathy.
Go in peace.Luna: Black Wolf of Midnight,
thank you for your gifts of health, strength, and prosperity.
Go in peace.Opening the Circle
Feather walks with the wand countercockwise around the circle saying:
I open this Circle
Releasing it's energy to heal our planet.Merry Meet
Merry Part
And Merry Meet Again
Blessed Be!