All at the place of ritual should dress brightly and gaily; all should wear flowers and greenery in their hair and clothes. a pole about eight feet high is raised, decorated by everyone prior to the rite with ribbons, greenery, and flowers. It may also be circled with thirteen candles or torches. a wreath or archway of branches and leaves (preferably birch), large enough to walk through, should be fashioned near the Beltane Pole...from the living branches of a tree, if possible. A glass ball or "black mirror' should be wreathed in leaves and flowers and placed nearby. Several cups of herbal incense may be placed about the ritual area and lit. All at the ritual should bring along refreshments (cakes are traditional) for the feasting afterwards. If the rite is done outdoors all should carry torches. If indoors, candles should be held. The alter should be set to the east and arranged as usual. Five candles should be placed on or about it. As all do stand facing east (women with men if possible) the woman choosen to be priestess shall take the wand in her hands and, holding it over her in salute, shall say:
Friends, light the brands you hold.
For here we celebrate
The sacred night of Beltane
And the flowering-forth
Of the woods and meadows.
The man choosen to be the priest then takes the wand similarly and says:
We here do call and bid
Our Goddess to be with us.
She once called "The Lady of May."
The Goddess of things wild
of trees, of skies, and of waters.
Be with us here.
Blessed Be!
All:
Blessed Be!
The priestess may take the wand and place it in her sash or belt, or near the pole. The priest, or one choosen by him, shall place a crown of flowers on the head of the priestess. Then the priestess, or one choosen by her, shall place a mask or garland of leaves on the head of the priest. The priestess and priest lead the others into a circle about the Beltane Pole; the procession circles it once clockwise, then all place their candles or torches to the outside. All should stand in a circle about the pole, linked by hands (man to woman, if possible) or hands about each others' waists. All should begin moving sunwise (clockwise) as the priestess slowly chants:
Here we gather once again.
Let the sleeper wake.
May the old ones now return.
Let the sleeper wake.
Once again let earth and sky be clean.
Let the sleeper wake.
Once more let stream and field be pure.
Let the sleeper wake.
Forests spreading, peace returning...
Let the sleeper wake
May the Lady's touch touch touch be
On the land once more
Let the sleeper wake.
Blessed Be!
All:
Blessed Be, Blessed Be, Blessed Be, etc.
This should continue until nine turns are made about the pole, then all halt. The priestess takes the wand and points at the Beltane Pole, saying to all:
All of you, friends, look upon the pole
Seeing in your minds' eye the pure life force
Rising through it from the earth,
Blossoming overhead,
And cascading down through us
Flowing out from us to the Lady's world beyond...
Look...and see life!
She should let all remain for the space of about 25 heartbeats, or possibly longer, as she sees fit.
Then the mirror or crystal is brought forth, wreathed in its garland. The priestess or priest directs each, in turn, to look within it and tell what feeling, impression, or picture comes. All may discuss it as they do rest.
Afterwards, there may be used other forms of divination. Feasting and dancing are in order for as long as all do desire.
Taken from "A Book Of Pagan Rituals"
