1) Ground and center
2) Circle Casting: “Hear my voice, a sacred sound, as I speak of magick lost and found! Round and round the sacred ground, as I walk, the circle’s bound!”
3) Quarter Calls: “May there be peace in the North! May there be peace in the East! May there be peace in the South! May there be peace in the West! May there be peace throughout the whole world!”
4) The Horned God: “Horned one of the wilderness, Winged one of the Shining Skies, Rayed one of the Splend’rous Sun, Fallen one of Samhain cries! I call amidst the Tow’ring Trees, praying that you, O ancient one, will deign to bless our mystic rite- O fiery Lord of the blazing Sun!”
5) The Triple Goddess: “Crescent one of the starry skies, flowered one of the fertile plain, flowing one of the ocean’s sighs, blessed one of the falling rain! I call amidst the Tow’ring Trees, open us to your mystic light! Waken us to your silver tones! Be with us in this sacred rite!”
6) Call to the Faeries: “Kindly spirits of the land / Join us now, come hand-in-hand! / Fae of the Wylde Hunt and dragons great / Join us now, don’t hesitate! / Gnomes and pixies, the elves so fair / Hear our call rise on the air! / Dwarves below us, sylphs above / Come celebrate with us in love! / But leave behind the folk malign / Who’d seek to end our joyous time! / Nature spirits don’t be late! / Come and help us celebrate!”
7) Beltaine Invocation: “Maypole rises to the heavens / Lengths of colored ribbon / Flutter in the setting light / Tokens kept and given. / Costumed Lords and Ladies / Step quick in deosil around / Weaving love and harmony / As the Sun goes down! / Circle in to touch the sky / And out to manifest! / Spiral dance around the ring / Grant us our request!”
8) Statement of Purpose: “We’ve gathered here today to celebrate the festival of Beltaine, a holiday that dates back to the ancient Celts. This day marked the beginning of Summer and the season of coming-of-age ceremonies and marriages. In legend, this was the time of year when the Maiden Goddess of the Earth and Moon was wed to the Horned God of the Sky and Sun. Their union was a joyous one, ensuring the rebirth of the God and an abundant harvest. Happy Beltaine!”
9) Choosing the May Queen: (The flower pendants are passed out to the girls, the recipient of the blue flower is crowned Queen) “Hail the Maiden Queen so fair! Flow’rs and ribbons in her hair!”
10) Choosing the May King: (The May Queen chooses her consort) “Hail the Mighty King of May! Come to claim his bride the day!”
11) The Great Rite: (The King and Queen are danced around the circle, ending in the center by end of poem) “The land is green, the soil fertile, warmed by the bright Sun / Dance around the Maypole, children, Summer has begun! / Goddess green, the land and fields meet the spark of life. / Flow’rs and ribbons celebrate the end of Winter’s strife! / As days grow warm and ever longer / The Sun’s great power is burning stronger! / Maiden Goddess and Hunter Prince dance the circle ‘round, / And disappear amongst the trees for true love has been found! / In an ancient grove, they meet this night, / To join together in the Great Rite! / God and Goddess joined in passion, / Their union this day is made. / In the grove, warm and green, / The Chalice joins with blade!”
- (The King and Queen’s hands are bound with a red ribbon. The Queen is given the chalice, and the King holds the athame) “Hand to hand, King and Queen are bound / Within the sacred circle round. / As the chalice meets with blade (King lowers athame into chalice) / May blessings of the Earth be made! / Bless the farms, gardens large and small! / Bless our people, one and all!” (All drink from the chalice)
12) Maypole Dance
13) Prayer Ribbons
14) Cakes: “From the Sun to the land, from the land to the stalk, from the stalk to the grain, from the grain to this cake. I bless and consecrate these cakes in the name of the God! May his blessings shower upon us throughout eternity! So Mote it Be!” (Everyone gets a cupcake)
15) Ale: “From the Moon to the land, from the land to the vine, from the vine to the berry, from the berry to this juice. I bless and consecrate this drink in the name of the Goddess! May her blessings shower upon us throughout eternity! So Mote it Be!” (Everyone gets a drink)
16) Send Healing Energies
17) Farewell to the Fae: “Blessed spirits of the land / We give thanks for lending a helping hand! / Stay if you like, but leave if you must / In perfect love and perfect trust / Until next time, our magickal friends, / Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again!”
18) Goddess: “Blessed be, my Goddess. The ritual is done, but magick is everywhere. With great love in my heart, you remain, abundant of energies you sustain. Thank you, Glowing Goddess of the Earth and Moon. I bid thee farewell. Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again.”
19) God: “Blessed be, my Lord. The rite is done; our celebration had reached its end. With great love in my heart, you remain, abundant of energy you sustain. Thank you, loving God of the Sky and Sun. I bid thee farewell. Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again.”
20) Release Quarters: “I thank you, Spirits of the Center! I thank you, Spirits of the West! I thank you, Spirits of the South! I thank you, Spirits of the East! I thank you, Spirits of the North!”
21) Open Circle: “Magick cast and blessings sent, the magick rite has reached its end. Circle open, Circle fade. I open thee with silver blade!”
