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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Out of the blackness of the universe

Go to the incandescence of the universe

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