An Ostara Ritual Performed Cajun Style
MoonPathCUUPS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
March 17, 2007
© 2007 Jane "Swamp Witch" deLacour
Smudgers: Let us gather now to honor Ostara. Meditate as we join our circle, on how to bring balance into our lives. *HPS and HP lead procession.* *Cue Music.* *Once group is assembled music softens.* HPS: We gather together tonight to celebrate Ostara. We are upholding the covenant we made with the Gods - To meet and celebrate the Sabbaths. HP: Before we continue, this is a closed circle celebration, once the circle is cast, please, do not wander in or out unless it is absolutely necessary, thank you. HPS: Ostara is the spring equinox, balance between dark and light, balance between male and female. HP: But the power of light grows stronger, thus the time of the God grows near, and light will hold sway over dark. *Fire tender ignites fire.* HPS: It is also a time for cleansing and a time to bless the fields and animals so that there would be prosperity for the coming year. HP: We gather here now to help bring positive change and blessings into our lives. HPS: We will now call out the quarters starting with the East. *Music sound increases until quarter assembles* EAST: East – The element of air - The power of change – the symbol as seen in the tradewinds that turn the wheel of our seasons, so that the land me be renewed. We call your presence to us!! Join our circle protect us this rite!!! *Toss powder into the fire.* *Music louder until quarter returns than soften.* HP: We now call the South. *Music louder until quarter assembles than soften* SOUTH: South - The element of fire - The power to burn away the negative - The symbol as seen in the dragon with the ability to burn away the old so the new may grow. We call your presence to us!! Join our circle and protect us this rite!! *Toss powder into the fire.* *Music louder until quarter returns than softens.* HPS: We now call the West. *Music.* WEST: West - The element of water - You cleanse and heal us with yourself - The symbol as seen in the gator - The very symbol of healing - We call your presence to us!! Join our circle and protect us this rite!! *Toss powder into the fire.* *Music.* HP: We now call the North. *Music.* NORTH: North - The element of Earth - The power of stability and strength - Symbolized by the mighty cypress - You give us shelter and nurture us - We call your presence to us!! Join our circle and protect us this rite!! *Toss powder into the fire.* HP: We now close this circle. *HPS walks doesil outside the circle* HPS: I draw this circle in the presence of the Goddess and God where they may come and bless their children. This is the boundary of the circle!!! Only what we summon may enter!!!! The circle is cast!!! *Plunge sword before fire.* HPS: No entity that means us harm will dare to enter!!!! HP: We will now summon the Goddess. Our Lady - We call upon you to join our circle. We are your children and we need your presence. Our Lady who is entering the Maiden stage after shaking off the vail of the Crone, we, your children demand your presence at our circle! *Sacrificial item into the fire.* HPS: We now call the God. Our Lord - We call upon you to join our circle. We are your children and we need your presence. Our Lord, who is now gathering strength for the coming season, we your children, demand your presence at our circle! *Sacrificial item into the fire.* HP: Hail to the elements at the four quarters!! Welcome our Lady and Lord to this rite!! I stand between the worlds with love and power all around!! HPS: I call upon the blessings of our Ancestors, as merry we meet at this springtime rite!! Lady and Lord, hear your children, for we are here to celebrate with you as we greet the spring together. HP: We will now summon energy to bless our endeavors. *Music and dancing.* HPS: Springtime is the time to sow the seed, and it is time to plant what we want to grow. This season brings hope and joy, expectations for desires realized; and inspiration for new ideas. Our lives are brought into balance, and I am reborn with the Earths renewal. *Have the group repeat last sentence.* ALL: Lady and Lord, receive the seed of my desire, and let it grow and prosper, that it may ripen and bear fruit. *Moment to meditate.* HP: We summon the Quarters to pass the cakes and ales, Please do not eat nor drink until told to do so. *Quarter teams distribute paper cups, cakes and ale. Wait until everyone is served.* HPS: Take your cake - turn to your neighbor, feed them and say “May you never know hunger”, then have your neighbor do the same for you. HP: Take your cup and tell your neighbor as you offer the cup “May you never know thirst”, then have your neighbor do the same for you. HPS: When finished, toss left-overs into the fire. HP: Lady and Lord, we are blessed by your sharing this time with us, watching and guarding us, and guiding us here in all things. As male joins female for the benefit of both, let the fruits of their union promote life. Let the Earth be fruitful and let her wealth be spread throughout the lands. HPS: Love is the law and love is the bond. Lady and Lord, part with our love. HP: We dismiss the Quarters starting in the North. NORTH: Depart in peace elemental Earth, our blessings take with you. WEST: Depart in peace elemental Water, our blessings take with you. SOUTH: Depart in peace elemental Fire, our blessings take with you. EAST: Depart in peace elemental Air, our blessings take with you. HP: Beings and powers both seen and unseen, depart in peace. HPS: You aid in my work, whisper in my mind, and bless me from the Otherworld, and there is harmony between us. My blessings take with you. The circle is cleared. HP: The circle is open yet the circle remains as is its magical power is drawn back into me. HPS: The ceremony has ended, blessings have been given and received. Go in peace. We have a tradition where at the end of a ritual we hug each other.