2nd Degree Initiation & Ostara Ritual


My Second Degree Initiation and Ostara 2000


Tools:
Sand
Incense
Candle
Water
White cloth, circular, large enough to cover a body in the fetal position
Gold cord
Knife
Pentacle
Anointing oil
Paper
Pens
Cauldron
Bell
Small pots with soil
Seeds

Space Cleansing:

High Priestess (Denise) starting in the East, moving deosil/clockwise:

I cleanse and purify this space
I cleanse and purify this space
It is illuminated
It is illuminate
I cleanse and purify this space
Because it’s free and flowing
Bad vibes are gone and going
I’ve cleansed and purified this place

Circle Casting:

HPS (Denise) starting in the North, moving deosil/clockwise:

Over the Earth that supports us
Through the Air that fills us
With the Fire that motivates us
Next to the Water that sustains us
This Circle is made

(Circle Casting by me)

As people enter,
HPS (Denise):
Welcome to our magickal Circle.
Do you enter in love and light?

Supplicant (me) enters, HPS (Denise) binds my wrists with a gold cord and leads me to a white circle of fabric in the center

Calling Quarters:

HPS (Denise) starting in the North, moving deosil/clockwise:

We are entering the stillness before creation
We are entering the ground of Goddess and God
May our bodies be still
May our minds be peaceful
May our hearts be ready

Spirits of Earth in the midnight North
Your fertile fields and forests of green
Touch  us, heal us, help us grow
To be still like a mountain, silent, serene
With open arms, we embrace the stone
And feel your soil and root and seed
Your living strength within our home

And into the stillness of your cold dark womb shall you accept Tressa’s death
The death of her former self

You are welcome here

Spirits of Air in the dawning East
With your winds that gently blow
Touch us, fill us, help us sing
Move our minds that we might know
With open arms, we embrace your sky
And laugh and dance and chant and sing
Your breath of life within our breast

And as the sun rises in the East so shall you guide Tressa into the rebirth of her new life

You are welcome here

Spirits of Fire in the noontide South
With your flames that light our way
Touch us, warm us, help us dance
Fire our will to transform our day
With open arms, we embrace your light
And dance and move with your energy
Your burning life within our heart
And you shall be Tressa’s protector
as she goes forth from here along her new path

You are welcome here

Spirits of Water in the twilight West
With cleansing rains from high above
Touch us, calm us, help us dream
Shape our hearts to dare to love
With open arms, we embrace your mists
And hear your joy in the laughing stream
Your flowing life within our vein

And you cleanse Tressa’s spirit and make it ever pure
From now and into her future

You are welcome here

Spirit of All in the spiraling Center
Hear us, guide us, protect us
And share with us your wisdom
We honour all aspects of you

You are welcome here

(Quarter calls adapted from http://www/eng.utah.edu/~holt/Forest/shadows.htmand from David Sands Wicca Course)

Calling Goddess:

HPS (Denise) before altar:

Hail to thee, Great Mother of All
From your womb abundant life will flow
Fruit and flower, hare and stag
Though yet the land be graced with snow

Hail to thee, the Crone returned
From the underworld, cold and dark
Return as Maiden, pure and true
We light this flame, we see your spark

Hail to thee, oh Maiden fair,
Rub the sleep now from your eyes
Cast off thy blanket of snowy white
Awake and dance, arise, arise
Calling God:

High Priest (Tony) before altar:

Hail to thee, Great Father of All
From your seed abundant life will flow
Fruit and flower, hare and stag
Though yet the land be graced with snow

Hail to thee, Old King returned
From the underworld, cold and dark
Return as Warrior, accept your arms
We light this flame, we see your spark

Hail to thee, oh Warrior true
Drive the Dark King from the skies
Melt off this blanket of snowy white
Awake and sing, arise, arise

(Goddess/God Call from http://www.eng.utah.edu/~holt/Forest/shadows.htm)

Altar Blessing:

HPS (Denise):

May you be charges with the power of the Earth,
And be strong and safe in the North,
Between the worlds and in all the worlds

(sand)

May you be charged with the power or the Air,
And be strong and safe in the East,
Between the worlds and in all the worlds

(incense)

May you be charged with the power of fire,
And be strong and safe in the South,
Between the worlds and in all worlds

(candle)

May you be charged with the power of Water,
And be strong and safe in the West,
Between the worlds and in all the worlds

(water)

May you be charged by the Center above and below,
Throughout and about, within and without.
May Spirit be cherished here,
May you stand with strength and in safety,
To be a haven between the worlds and in all the worlds

(Altar Blessing-Cleansing Rite from Family Wicca by O’Gaea)

The Charge of the Goddess:

Mother (Denise), Maiden (Audrey), Crone (Heather) circle Supplicant (me) moving deosil/clockwise and recite:

Hear My words and know Me
I shall be called by a million names by all who speak
I am the eternal Maiden, I am the Great Mother
I am the Old One who holds the Immortal key
I am shrouded in mystery, but I am known to every soul
Hear My words and know Me
Whenever the moon rises in the heavens
Shall My children come to Me
Better it be once a month when the moon is full
Shall ye assemble in some secret place
Such as this adore the spirit of I
I who am Queen of the Witches
And under My watchful eye, My children shall be taught
The mysteries of the earth and nature,
And the ways of all Magicks
That which is unknown shall be known
That which is hidden shall be revealed
And even the secluded soul shall be pierced with My light
From My cauldron shall be drunk
All knowledge and immortality
Ye shall be free from slavery
And ye shall dance and sing and feast
Music shall surround you for Mine
Is the ecstasy of the spirit
And Mine is also the joy of the earth
I do not demand sacrifice for behold
I am the Mother of all living things
Create and heal
Be strong and gentle
Be noble, yet reverent
Bring forth and replenish
And as the cycle of the moon ever begins to wax and wan
And to grow forth again
As do the seasons from one to the next flow
In smooth rhythm
From sowing to reaping to seeming death and rebirth
So will My children know their pattern in both worlds
And ye shall say these words
I will love and harm none
I will live, love and die and live again
I will meet, remember and know and embrace once more
For the free will of all and with harm to none
This we will it now it is done, so mote it be

(this version of The Charge of the Goddess by Doreen Valiente)

The Charge of the God:

Father (Tony) stands before Supplicant (me) and recites:

Listen to the words of the Horned God
The Guardian of things wild and free
And Keeper of the Gates of Death
Whose call all must answer
I am the fire within your heart
The yearning of your soul
I am the Hunter of Knowledge
And the Seeker of the Holy Quest
I who stand in the darkness of light
I am He whom you have called Death
I the Consort and Mate of Her we adore
Call forth to thee
Heed My call beloved ones
Come unto Me and learn the secrets of death and peace
I am the corn at harvest and the fruit on the trees
I am He who leads you home
Scourge and Flame
Blade and Blood
These are Mine gifts to thee
Call unto Me in the forest wild and hilltop bare
And seek Me in the darkness bright
I who have been called Pan, Cernunnos and Hades
Speak to thee in thy search
Come dance and sing
Come live and smile
For behold this is My worship
You are My children and I am thy Father
On swift night wings it is I
Who lay you at the Mother’s feet
To be reborn and return again
Thou who thinks to seek Me
Know that I am the untamed wind
The fury of the storm
And the passion of your soul
Seek Me with pride and humility
But seek Me best with love and strength
For this is My path
And I love not the weak and fearful
Hear My call on long winter nights
And we shall stand together
Guarding Her Earth as She sleeps

HPS (Denise):

O red and rosy Mother
O black and velvet Crone
O silver crescent Maiden
In thee my soul is one

Behold the all wise Goddess
As She resides in the Underworld
Great is the miracle of the truths She has learned
For She has been separated from Her mother
And confronted Her immortal self
And She has created life and form
With the power of Her own mind and desires
And with simple love
She has dissolved all undesired pain
Soon She will rise up once again
And with Her will come the spring
Soon She will be reunited with the Mother
And we will welcome Her with joy
As we will it so mote it be

Maiden (Audrey):

The Origins of Witches, A Lithuanian Tale

Once upon a time, a young woman went off into the woods to pick mushrooms and with her she took her new hope chest.  While she was searching for mushrooms it began to rain very hard.  She quickly removed her clothes and placed them in her hope chest; then stood naked under a tree, until the rain subsided.

Later, she dressed and continued picking mushrooms, until she was spotted by Velnias (VEHL-niahs), (Lithuanian Horned God of the Underworld).  Velinas asked if she had been picking mushrooms during the rain storm, and if so, how she had remained dry.

The young woman replied she had a secret that prevented rain from touching her.

Velnias was intrigued and pressed the woman for her secret.  The young woman agreed to tell Him, but only if He revealed all His magickal arts.  So a bargain was struck and Velnias taught the woman all that He knew of magick and healing.

It was then that the woman told Velnias how she had avoided the rain.  Velnias spit and flew away, raging and screaming that he had been tricked.

Thus, the woman became the first Witch and passed on her teachings to others from that time on.

And so, Witches flourished.

(Author Unknown)

Mother (Denise):

Maria

When I was a child
my Goddess wore blue
She was the mother of a King
Hallelujah Heavenly Queen
I could hear the Angels sing

And the Grandmothers' wore black
curled on bended knees
they prayed to my childhood Goddess
called her Maria

Now Maria wears red
Now Maria wears green
Now Maria stands naked
She's proud to be seen
No longer a Queen
No longer a Queen

When I was a child
my Goddss stood alone in corners everywhere
patiently listening to the Grandmothers' troubles
Her own story
never shared

There She stood in the gardens
January to December
waiting in silent white plaster
for us to remember Her

Now Maria is angry
Now Maria has flown
Now Maria takes lovers
She's out on her own
Come down from Her throne
Come down from Her throne

And I'm bigger than before
still I'm smaller than I was
and I'm standing on my own feet
til I see what that does
til I see what that does
til I see what that does
see what that does
see what that does

When I was a child
my Goddess's body was covered in robes of stone
floating in clouds of Heavenly grace
She had no flesh or bone

Still She gave love eternally
never a thought of Herself
frozen in marble compassion
up on her shelf

Now Maria runs sweating
Now Maria screams Her pain
Now Maria has the sense to stay out in the rain
Laughing in the rain
Laughing in the rain

And I'm smaller than I was
still I'm bigger than before
and I'm standing on a threshold
opening a door
I'm opening a door
We're opening a door

(by Kiva from Finding The Balance Within)

Crone (Heather):

Imagine A Woman

Imagine a woman who knows it is right and good she is a woman.  A woman who honors her experiences and tells her stories.  Who refuses to carry the sings of others within her body and life.

Imagine a woman who knows she is good.  A woman who trusts and respects herself.  Who listens to her needs and desires and meets them with tenderness and grace.

Imagine a woman who has acknowledged her past’s influences on the present.  A woman who has walked through her past.  Who has healed into the present.

Imagine a woman who authors her own life.  A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf.  Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and to her wisest voice.

Imagine a woman who names her own Goddesses and Gods.  A woman who imagines the Divine in her image and likeness.  Who designs her own spirituality and allows it to inform her daily life.

Imagine a woman in love with her body.  A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.  Who celebrates her body and its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource. 

Imagine a woman who honors the face of Goddess in her changing face.  A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.  Who refuses to use precious energy disguising the changes in her body and life.
Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.  A woman who sits in circles of women.  Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.

Imagine yourself this woman.

(sent online to Denise Nov. 1999, Author Unknown, adapted)

Supplicant (me) lays down, cloth is draped over entire body

Maiden (Audrey), Mother (Denise), Crone(Heather) chant:

Nijole (Nee-JOH-lay), Velnias (VEHL-niahs)
Dark ones take me in
Nijole, Velnias
Let me be reborn

(3x)

I feel the peace of the Crone and Sage
I feel myself flow into Goddess and God

(3x)

I feel at peace within myself
I feel myself flow into the cold Earth

(3x)

Nijole, Velnias
Dark ones take me in
Nijole, Velnias
Let me be reborn

Maiden (Audrey), Mother (Denise), Crone(Heather) move slowly around Supplicant (me) chanting:

We all come from Goddess and God
And to them we shall return
Like a drop of rain
Flowing to the ocean

HPS (Denise):

The Triple Goddess and God
Give knowledge of the Spirit Eternal
They are there, beyond life
They are there, beyond death
The Crone and Sage give peace and freedom
The Mother and Father give encouragement
The Maiden and Youth give inspiration

The Maiden and Youth give inspiration
The Mother and Father give encouragement
The Crone and Sage give peace and freedom

Let go, let go, let go
Drastic change is always painful
Release your past
Release it to the Earth
Release it to the Mother and Father
Bitterness is gone
Let it go, let it go, let it go
Depression is gone
Let it go, let it go, let it go
Hurting is gone
Let it go, let it go, let it go
Confusion is gone
Let it go, let it go, let it go

Death is a transformation
Death is a season
Death is a loving restoration
Let this death of self be a healing time
A time to strengthen yourself
A time of calm introspection and inner discovery
You are changing yourself
You are transforming yourself
You are recreating yourself

And go, out of the darkness,
Go to the light
Go
Out of the blackness of the universe
Go to the incandescence of the universe
Go
Out of the place where you were old
Got to the place where you are new
Come
Come into the light, out of the darkness
Come
Come into the new you, emerging from the past
Come
Come and be reborn
Reborn into you new self
Your new life

HPS (Denise) takes shroud off of Supplicant (me):

Arise and awake
Stand and be recognized
What is your name?

Initiate (me): Tressa

HPS (Denise) uncoils gold cord from Initiate’s (my) wrists:

You are released from your past

HPS (Denise):

At this time and in this place
A Witch comes into her sacred space
Acquired knowledge from magickal books
Spiritual guidance she has took

I ask thee, Tressa, in this hour
Are you ready to take on the Power?

Initiate (me): Yes

HPS (Denise): Why have you chosen to be a Second Degree Initiate?

Initiate (me): It is my choice, my first, best destiny

HPS (Denise): Dost thou feel that thou has accumulated knowledge of the seasons and their symbolism?

Initiate (me): Yes

HPS (Denise): Dost thou feel thou has educated yourself in the mysteries of Goddess and God and all Their aspects?

Initiate (me): Yes

HPS (Denise): Dost thou feel that thou art capable of assuming the responsibilities of a Second Degree Initiate?

Initiate (me): Yes

Crone (Heather):

We welcome thee before us
In the names of the Crone and Sage
I give thee praise to thy resolve
I gift thee with Wisdom and Healing
Will you search for Wisdom and give Healing?

Initiate (me): Yes

Mother (Denise):

We welcome thee before us
In the names of the Mother and Father
I give thee praise for thy inner strength
I gift thee with Caring and Responsibility
Will you Care for others and accept Responsibility?

Initiate (me): Yes

Maiden (Audrey):

We welcome thee before us
In the names of the Maiden and Youth
I give thee praise for thy courage
I gift thee with Intuition and Adventure
Will you head your Intuition and sense of Adventure?

Initiate (me): Yes

Initiate (me) kneels

Crone (Heather) picks up knife from altar:

Hear us now, Great Lady and Lord
Tressa is now recognized as fit and ready for Your service
To judge for Thee and defend Thee
I ask Thee to always guide her hand and passion

Crone (Heather) gives knife to Initiate (me):

Tressa, may thy hand be steady, thy heart strong
In the service of thyself, thy family and thy friends
Do you swear you will defend them with all your abilities?

Initiate (me): Yes

Crone (Heather) takes knife and places it on altar

Mother (Denise) picks up water from altar:

Hear us now, Great Lady and Lord
Tressa is now recognized as fit and ready for your service
To nurture for Thee and guide for Thee
I ask Thee to always guide her heart and head

Mother (Denise) gives water to Initiate (me):

Tressa, my thy heart and head be open and searching
In the service of thyself, thy family and thy friends
Do you so swear you will comfort them with all your abilities?

Initiate (me): Yes

Mother (Denise) takes back water and places it on altar

Maiden (Audrey) picks up pentacle from altar:

Hear us now, Great Lady and Lord
Tressa is now recognized as fit and ready for your service
To discover thee and worship thee
I ask thee to always guide her spirit and her soul

Maiden (Audrey) gives pentacle to Initiate (me):

Tressa, may thy spirit and soul seek the union with the Divine
In the service of thyself, thy family and thy friends
Do you so swear you will encourage them with all your abilities?

Initiate (me): Yes

Maiden (Audrey) takes back pentacle and places it on altar

HPS (Denise):

Then arise and take your rightful place beside me
Stand proud at the altar of the Crone and Sage
Stand loving at the altar of the Mother and Father
Stand reverent at the altar of the Maiden and Youth
Hear and harken,
O universe and all within,
I proclaim Tressa to be
Second Degree Initiate of MoonQuest Clan
Know this now and for always

Second Degree Initiate (me) anoints the representatives of the Triple Goddess, God, and guests

Ostara Spring Equinox Ritual


HPS (Denise):

Winter bareness has subsided, from the death of Winter springs new life!

Spring is coming to the land.  The days grow longer, warm breezes begin to stir.  All around us we see the signs of Persephone’s return.  The growing things are beginning anew.  It is a resurrection of the dance of life.  The dance of the stems and the stalks as they push forth from the Earth.  It is the season of creation.  Growth has turned outward.  The land has become fertile again.  The Earth is caressed by the loving touch of the Mother.  Where her hand passes; atoms twin together to create growth.  Buds burst open, leaves and vines unfurl.  She creates a vision of green beauty.  Beauty so breathtaking after the stark solitude of dark Winter.  It is this vision we celebrate on Ostara.  This hope of life after death.  The world recreating itself. It is the death of Winter and the life of Spring.  Through the blessings of  the Lord and Lady.

(facing North)

The time of change is upon us again
The Equinox comes and the Wheel turns
The Wheel of the year spins on and on
Bringing us all to and from each season
And from one to another
What will be is. What was will be.
All time is here and now in this Sacred Space
Reflect
Close your eyes and be still a moment
Pause to watch the Wheel turn
Feel the Wheel turn
Let us sense our place upon the Wheel on this blessed day
On this Vernal Equinox
Let us celebrate this new season known as Ostara
We shall celebrate the time of birth and beginnings
In this moment of time
We praise the bountiful young Goddess
And her Son-Lover, the great vital God
Let us receive Their blessings of fertility
Warmth and renewed energy
We give thanks to the Divine for providing for us
Emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually
We give thanks to the Divine for helping us help ourselves
Emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually
We give thanks to the Divine for the loving relationships
That support us
Emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually
As our relationships grow with time
As we our hearts and souls grow
With the relentless turning of the Wheel of Life
The Wheel of the year
So do we now acknowledge our Wheel of Death and Rebirth on the day that night and day are equal
Light and Dark are balanced
O Great God of strength
Beginnings and fertility
Lord of the forest and field
Grant us strength, power and understanding
Through this season and always
O Great Goddess of love
Beginnings and fertility
Lady of the moon and ocean
Teach us the secrets of the Mysteries
And the ways of Magick
Through this season and always

(hand out paper and pens)

Write down a wish
This is a joyous time of year
A time for planting

As you light it on fire and drop it into the cauldron say

With joy and trust
I place this request in the hands of the Lord and Lady

(each person in turn does this)

These thought-sees we do willingly place into the Hands of the Lord and Lady, that these desires and dreams may manifest and become reality.  Be the free will of All and with harm to none.  As we will it, so shall it be done.

See in your mind what the outdoors looks like
See the change in the trees
See the change in the animals
See the change in yourselves
Behold the magick of nature.
Behold the Lord and Lady
Without Her Lord
The Goddess is barren
Without His Lady
The God has no life
Each is needful for the Other
Each is desirous for the Other, for completion and power
As the sun is to the earth
As the athame is to the chalice
As the spirit is to the flesh
As the human is to the human

(rap the cauldron)

O Great Goddess
Be with us now in Your light aspect of Maiden
The fair One who brings us joy and new life

(ring the bell)

O Great God
Be with us now in your vital aspect of the Youth
The vital one who brings us love and new life

(rap the cauldron)

May the strength of the old enter in to the new
Great Lord and Lady
Make all things strong and grow true
Blessed Be

(ring bell around circle)

Awake
All creatures in the realm of Earth
Awake
Greet the Maiden and Her Lover
Who herald the coming of Spring

(get pots of soil ready with seeds)

Hold a seed in your hand.  This is your thought seed.  This is your dream seed.  Imagine something you desire to happen within the next twelve months.  Let the seed hold your dream.  Let the seed help your dream.  Let the seed symbolize your desire manifesting, entering into creation, growing and blossoming into the world.

As you place the seed in the soul say

As this tiny plant begins life
So I do now begin to manifest my new desires
For the coming year

(each person does this)

Now we cast behind us the darkness of Winter and the past
We look to that which lies ahead
Our future
This is the time for us to plant our seeds
In the physical world
As well as the mental and spiritual realms

(adapted from Stormwing’s Ostara Ritual webpage)

Thanking Goddess and God:

HPS (Denise) and HP (Tony) before the altar:

Lady and Lord
Our thanks to Thee
For all the light and life You bring
The chance to dance, the chance to sing
For now, farewell
And Blessed Be

Dismissing Quarters:

HPS (Denise) starting in the center than moving widdershins/counterclockwise:

Spirit of All in the spiraling Center
Our thanks and love we send with thee
Go if you must but stay if you will
Hail and farewell

Spirits of Water in the twilight West
Our thanks and love we send with thee
Go if you must but stay if you will
Hail and farewell

Spirits of Fire in the noontide South
Our thanks and love we send with thee
Go if you must but stay if you will
Hail and farewell

Spirits of Air in the dawning East
Our thanks and love we send with thee
Go if you must but stay if you will
Hail and farewell

Spirits of Earth in the midnight North
Our thanks and love we send with thee
Go if you must but stay if you will
Hail and farewell

HPS (Denise):

We give thanks to the Eternal One
Our Ritual is almost done
At this time and at this place
In our Holy and Sacred Space
We give honour to the Lady
We give honour to the Lord
We are blessed and blessed again
With magickal and loving friends

Dismantling Circle:

HPS (Denise) beginning in the North and moving widdershins/counterclockwise:

Over the Earth that supports us
Next to the Water that sustains us
With the Fire that motivates us
Through the Air that fills us
This Circle is open yet unbroken

END