submitted by Carolynn Zoll
(Altar is set with items that speak of "Woman-ness" such as flowers, perfume, tampons/menstrual pads, etc. To include a chalice of red wine, cakes and bowls of mud type masks (or washable body paints) which may have non-staining red or brown pigment added. Keep in mind that only the Goddesses will be invited to this "Girl's Night Out")
The circle is cast in the manner of the tradition using a visualization that allows for an open circle that allows all participants to pass freely.
East:
(Lighting the East candle)
I light the East,
the home of Moonlight and Consciousness,
the realm of the Spirit.
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Whirlwinds,
Guardian of the East.
Let your essence be as one with ours
as a witness at this gateway between the worlds.
We bid you Hail and welcome!
All:
Hail and Welcome!
South:
(Lighting the South candle)
I light the South,
the home of Fire and Inspiration,
the realm of the Awareness.
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Solar Orb,
Guardian of the South.
Let your light be as one with ours
as a witness at this gateway between the worlds.
We bid you Hail and welcome!
All:
Hail and Welcome!
West:
(Lighting the West candle)
I light the West,
the home of Waves and Completeness,
the realm of our Watery Beginnings.
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Mysterious Depths,
Guardian of the West.
Let your fluid be as one with ours
as a witness at this gateway between the worlds.
We bid you Hail and welcome!
All:
Hail and Welcome!
North:
(Lighting the North candle)
I light the North,
the home of All that is Green and Fruitful,
the realm of the Remembrance.
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Forest and Field,
Guardian of the North.
Let your fruitfulness be as one with ours
as a witness at this gateway between the worlds.
We bid you Hail and welcome!
All:
Hail and Welcome!
HPS:
(Spirit)
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Heavenly Vault,
Guardian of the Divine Kingdom.
Let your wisdom be as one with ours.
For as above, so below
so the Universe, so the soul,
as without so within,
let our rite now begin.
So mote it be!
ALL:
So mote it be!
HPS:
(Lighting Goddess candle)
Holy art thou Lady of Creation,
for you are our Life and Light
Lovely Lady of the night,
Of mist and of moonlight.
Eternal Mother of the Silver Wheel,
Mother at whose altar we kneel.
Guide each of us in work and deed,
and grant to us that which we need.
Hear us Great Lady
the time of magick draws near,
hear our invoking words we pray and appear.
For with arms outstretched
we stand in your light
and beseech thee
Grant us our magick works
(humor alt: midnight marguerites)
this night.
(At this point all participants should take some time to personally call their Goddess to them and feel her presence around them. Each of them then has the opportunity to allow their bodies to become the canvas for the mud mask as everyone takes turns "finger painting" Goddess symbols on them. This is a time for everyone to be able to feel their Goddess with them. Participants are encouraged share poetry and song and someone may want to read the Charge of the Goddess and/or other such works. When everyone has been "painted" then move to cakes and ale.)
HPS:
(over cakes)
I summon Thee by Witches Rune,
Waxing Light and Waning Moon
With the turning of the Tide
All that's past be laid aside
Threefold Goddess of the Night
Bless us from the shadow's light
Banish now all trouble and fear
Bring us happiness for every year
Watch us each and every day
As we now embrace the Women's Way!
(over wine)
Let now the knowledge of the light
Bring us wisdom and inner sight
For all that was has passed away
That new beginnings shall come our way
(Participants may now partake of the cakes and ale and a "party atmosphere" should follow with the HPS leading the group in discussions of women's mysteries and games. Any topic should be fair game as the intent is to have a sacred space for women to feel the Goddess part of themselves.)
HPS:
Blessed be our Lady,
Mother of all,
thou who was before mankind,
thou art our inspiration and hope
for thou hast been with us from the beginning
and shall be with us at the end of time,
we ask your blessings this day.
Be with us now and forever.
So shall it be!
(extinguishing Goddess candle)
Our Lady of life and light,
we bid thee hail and farewell this night.
ALL:
Hail and farewell!
North:
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Forest and Field,
Guardian of the North.
We thank thee for thy Blessings and bid thee
hail and farewell!.
ALL:
Hail and farewell!
West:
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Mysterious Depths,
Guardian of the West.
We thank thee for thy Blessings and bid thee
hail and farewell!.
ALL:
Hail and farewell!
South:
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Solar Orb,
Guardian of the South.
We thank thee for thy Blessings and bid thee
hail and farewell!.
ALL:
Hail and farewell!
East:
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Whirlwinds,
Guardian of the East.
We thank thee for thy Blessings and bid thee
hail and farewell!
ALL:
Hail and farewell!
HPS: (Spirit)
Hear me, O Mighty One,
Ruler of the Heavenly Vault,
Guardian of the Divine Kingdom.
We thank thee for thy Blessings and bid thee
hail and farewell!.
ALL:
Hail and farewell!
(Close the circle in the manner of the Tradition and this rite is done.)