Preparation

The area has been cleaned and swept. Stones are set for the quarters. A balefire is built in the center of the circle and the altar placed north of the fire. Photos or momentos of Coventar's departed loved ones are placed on the altar along with a wand, athame, chalice of wine, plate of bread, and Lord and Lady candles. Participants should prepare by cleaning body and mind.

Attunement

All sit in the ritual area. After a few minutes drumming will begin to help focus the ritual.

Asperging and Creating the Circle

Blade moves counterclockwise smudging the members and the ritual area.
Nonnie combines salt and water visualizing the purity of the mixture. She then dips the wand and walks clockwise visualizing energy streaming from the wand creating the circle.

Calling the Quarters

GarnetMoon: Guardians of the West, Spirits of Water,
We ask your everflowing presence at our circle tonight.
Join us in celebrating this season and our Goddess and God.

Dan: Guardians of the North, Spirits of Earth,
We ask your comforting presence at our circle tonight.
Join us in celebrating this season and our Goddess and God.

Feather: Guardians of the East, Spirits of Air,
We ask your cleansing presence at our circle tonight.
Join us in celebrating this season and our Goddess and God.

Sharky: Guardians of the South, Spirits of Fire,
We ask your transformative presence at our circle tonight.
Join us in celebrating this season and our Goddess and God.

Invoking the Lady

Nonnie raises the Chalice from the altar.
Blessed Goddess, Lady of the Night,
You who are the Crone of this season,
We humbly ask your presence at our circle this night.

Covenars: Blessed be the Lady.

Invoking the Lord

Blade raises the athame from the altar.
Blessed Lord, Lord of the Dance,
You who are the Old God in this season,
We humbly ask your presence at our circle this night.

Covenars: Blessed be the Lord.

Stating the Purpose

Blade: Tonight is the Night of Death, when the Old God passes through the veil of death to the mysteries beyond.

Nonnie: Tonight is also the Night of Life, when we honor the Goddess who as the Crone, will guide us through this dark season to life renewed.

Blade & Nonnie approach the altar and each pick up their respective candles. They hold the candles so that the flames are united.

Blade: Tonight the Goddess and God are of two different worlds.
They are separated from one another.

They pull the candles apart and the HP blows out his candle.

Nonnie: Farewell, Blessed Lord.
May your journey through the veil be a safe one.

Works of Magick

All move to the balefire.

Nonnie: As the Old God passes through the veil, it is cast aside for a time.
Those who have passed over before us wish to seek their loved ones again.
Let us call to them so they may join our festivities.

Nonnie calls out to the loved one whose photo or object she has placed on the altar.

Blade calls out to his loved one.

Starting on Nonnie's left, covenars in turn call to those they wish.

Blade: Friends and friendly spirits.
Blessed be the New Year.

Blade tells a brief memory and a lesson the deceased taught him.

Blade takes the chalice of wine, stands and raises it saying:

I drink to my _________
May you find peace and love
On your journey beyond the veil.

Coventars respond with words of agreement such as "Here, here! or So mote it be!"

Blade places the chalice back on the altar and proceeding to his left around the circle the other Coventars share memories and lessons of their deceased loved one and toast them as well.

When all are finished, Blade takes the plate of cakes passing them to the left and begins to tell a good joke or funny story. When he finishes the Coventar to his left tells a joke or funny story, preferably one loved by the deceased. The plate continues to pass around with each taking as they will until all have told their joke or all the food has been consumed.

Blade takes the chalice and raising it high says:
From the time of your birth
To the sunset of your death
We honor you.
From your time beyond the veil
Til your earth entrance back again
May our healing love reach you.

Blade pours the remainder of the wine out as a libation.

Nonnie takes the wand raising it high:
The Wheel of the Year has turned again.
We are at a time of endings and new beginnings.
Farewell, blessed summer.
Welcome Winter, start of our New Year.

Blade: As it was and shall be,
We pause to look at times gone by,
And to look to times to come.

Nonnie: We are one with all things.

Farewell to the Lady

Nonnie: Lady of the Night,
We thank you for your love and presence.
Go in peace.

Farewell to the Lord

Blade: Blessed Lord,
Thank you for your presence this night.
We joyfully await your return.
Go in peace.

Dismissing the Quarters

GarnetMoon: Guardians of the West,
Thank you for your presence this evening.
Go in Peace.

Dan: Guardians of the North,
Thank you for your presence this evening.
Go in Peace.

Feather: Guardians of the East,
Thank you for your presence this evening.
Go in Peace.

Sharky: Guardians of the South,
Thank you for your presence this evening.
Go in Peace.

Opening the Circle

Nonnie: Though we are apart,
We are ever together in the spirit of the Goddess and the God.
Merry Meet.
Merry Part.

Covenars: And Merry Meet again.

All: Blessed be!