Walking the Hedge

(Leader script, not the abberviated version for particpants. Without proper formatting because converting to make WordPress happy is a pain and I’m tired)

Processional In

Building the Belfires

Brooms Stand Guard

Fire Blessing & Fire Dance

Meditation

Inviting Guardians

Sacred Landscape

Planting the World Tree

Parting the Veil

Lady at the Cross Roads

Lord of the Gates

Ancestors Join Us

Flower Maiden & Greenman

Beltaine Poems: Flower Maiden & Oak King

Seed Blessing

Honouring Danu & Bile

Offerings

Housle

Open Floor to Group

Oracle

Farewell Summer Queen & Greenman

Farewell Ancestors

Closing the Veil

Lowering the World Tree

Sacred Landscape

Meditation

Removing Brooms

Processional Out

 

Building the Belfires

v The group enters the grove to see the ritual area set up and the (bon) belfire burning, Solaren tending it.

v Juniper leads group to the south altar (where Solaren’s oil lamp is burning) and places her candle on it and continues to circle around the grove. Solaren will tend the two fires and aid the group.

v The group follows suit, filling the altar with candles (lanterns etc) and then forming a ring around the ritual space.

(Allow time for everyone to get settled and tuck away offerings etc)

Juniper: Let the ritual begin!
Solaren: A h-aon, A dha, A Tri Kells x3
Group: Kells x3

Juniper: When we do the kells please feel free to do so in any way you wish, as loudly as you wish. Clap, stomp, hop, do a little flourish, go nuts. Same with the poetry…
So here we have two fires for Beltaine as is traditional. One has been built by Solaren who is our Oak King for this ritual.

And the community we have created here at Misty Acres this weekend has built the other fire.

One fire is the result of the efforts of an individual working in service to his community and faith, and this candle-fire was built by the hands of a whole community acting together in celebration and joy.

Here we see symbolized some of the most meaningful aspects of paganism and spirituality.

In this fire we see community, family, tradition, light, blessings and celebration.

And here we see the less glamorous and often over looked aspects, ones that are no less important, such as Service: to the community, the gods, ancestors and spirits, and service to the land. As well as the hard work and effort we all must put in for our own personal and spiritual growth.

Solaren also has something to say about what the Belfries were lit from …

And thus, I present to you, our Beltaine Fires.

 

Brooms Stand Guard

 Solaren: Will the winners of the best-in-show besom competition please step forward.
Juniper: We want to be able to freely come and go from this ritual space without having to bother with cutting doorways and such. It is very traditional for brooms to guard thresholds and keep unwanted energies out, so you are going to lay your brooms down across the entrances to the grove.
v Winners place their besoms across the entrances to the grove and tap the handles three times.

Winners:

Be a gate,
A very good gate,
And keep all in
Or out!
But let pass all those
who would do us well
Solaren: When using this gate you will carefully step or hop over the besoms, as if stepping hopping over a low garden wall. Thus not opening the gate, but still passing over it.

Juniper: It is traditional to pass over with your left foot first.

 

Fire Blessing & Fire Dance

Solaren: For Beltaine we pass between two sacred fires for purification, protection and blessings in general. Some folk even dare to jump the Beltaine fires.
Juniper: We are going to begin our Beltaine rite by passing through the fires.
If you wish to keep up the energy and fun from the processional we can walk, skip, hop, dance and even jump through or over the fires three times.

Once for the past and purification

Twice for the present and protection

And again for the future and blessings

Those who are tired or can’t walk the ring around the grove can take a break in the designated area and sit or stand, rattle, chant and encourage the others.

Solaren: The May Queen & King will now bless the fires with sacred herbs.
(give sachets to May Queen and King)
v The May Queen stands before the candle-belfire & The May King stands before the bon-balefire.

Queen: Danu! Great Mother, Queen of the Earth
King: Bile! Shining One, patron of Beltaine
Q: We bless these fires in your honour
K: And in honour of the coming Summer
Q & K: Beltaine fires be blessed!
Group: Beltaine fires be blessed! Kells x 3
v May Queen sprinkles some herbs around the candle fire and places the sachet amongst the candles.

v May King will toss his herb sachet into the fire.

v The Queen & King may now say any words of their own here to bless the fire.

v The Queen & King walk between the fires moving Sunwise, the group will follow the Queen and King through the fires and around the edge of the grove.

Solaren: Eadar da theine Bhealltuinn

Once for the past, twice for the present and three time for a future yet to pass

Through, between and over the Beltaine Fires!

Juniper: Once to cleanse us, twice to guard us, and three times to bless us. Here we pass
Through, between and over the Beltaine Fires!

v Juniper and Solaren will take up the rear of the line, this will cause Juniper and Solaren to walk directly in front of the King and Queen.

v The group walks, skips, hops or dances around the edge of the grove. The group will pass through the fires at least three times.
v Once the group has passed through the Fires three times, it will stop, in a ring facing inwards.

v Juniper will step up to the altar; Solaren will stay in the ring with the group.

 

Meditation

v Solaren will lead the group on a slow and steady march widdershins around the edge of the grove.

Juniper: Now we will shift gears slightly, and we will turn around and move widdershins in a slower and more relaxed manner … winding down into a walking meditation to center ourselves before we go any further.
Those of you who are worried about walking widdershins in a circle do not fret; the rules are a bit different in Hedgewitch ritual. We walk widdershins to draw inwards and downwards and within, which works well for centering and grounding and such. (leading the way Solaren)

To begin you will focus on your breathing and matching it to your own footsteps and the rhythms of the drums and rattles. If we could rattle and drum in a soft and slow heartbeat please … Slowly and completely fill your lungs … and then slowly and completely empty them, and now again … breath deeply as you walk ‘round the grove and through the Belfires … Breathe deeply … breathe with each other … breathe with the forest …

Be aware of your feet as they make contact with the ground, the pattern and rhythm of their step, the sound and vibration of the others footsteps … Listen and feel for your heartbeat`… feel it growing into a slow but steady, strong but sedate rhythm … Breathe with the land … Listen for the trees, the wind, the rattles and drums … Smell the fire, the incense, the candles, the clean country air … Feast your eyes on the beauty of nature and drink it in …

Breathe deeply, breathe with the land …

Each time you take in the Air you are taking in the whole world, and you are taking a breath with the very Earth and the whole system itself … The trees that produce the oxygen which we breathe, while we produce the carbon dioxide the trees breathe … The wind that moves the air, the other species that breathe the same air as we do … We are all part of the same system, a tiny piece in that greater whole … We are all connected to the universe around us, for we are part of it … It is just a matter of opening the door … Breathe with the land …

Let your body become relaxed and fluid. This does not mean you cannot dance or drum, but do so in a gentle, slow, deliberate manner …

Now, reach out with your heart, your mind and spirit deep, deep down into the Earth … into the land below you … connect with it as best you can … From deep within the black Earth a heartbeat matches yours … Lightly drag your feet as you walk, feel the resistance, feel the heartbeat of the land in the soles of your feet … with each beat of the life-pulse of the land, you feel yourself sinking into the ground, the heartbeat drawing your spirit down … your feet sliding just a little deeper with each step, with each breath, with each heartbeat … Breathe with the land …

All lands are one land … this land is connected with the ancestral lands … it is connected with all lands, deep down beneath mountain and sea … the heartbeat of this land is the same in any other … Through the thinning Veil this grove is also connected with every sacred grove, every holy well, every humble shrine, throughout time and space …

Slowly, with each breath and each step, you bring this grove, and all of us, a little deeper … we connect a little more with the sacred heart of the land … Breathe with the land …

Visualize a furrow, as if from a plow, or a small ditch, being dug with your steps and the steps of the others … The deeper you dig this furrow the deeper we sink into the Mythic Landscape … Where the worlds, where time, where the many lands all meet … Feel yourself sinking into the ground to about knee-deep … perhaps it feels as though you are wading through water or pushing through thick underbrush … the heart beat of the land growing stronger and stronger … feel it in your feet and legs, feel it match the rhythm of your own heart …

Breathe with the land …

Deep, deep down is a wellspring of energy, a wellspring of the Earth’s life force, a river of power, of Creation … feel yourself dip your toes into this river … Here we turn our hearts and minds inwards, drawing the energies of this place, and of the land, gently and slowly inward … into the center of this grove … and into a ring circling around its very edge … Breathe with the land …

Now begin slowing, slowing … and gently stopping, now turn so that you face outwards …

Slowly and completely fill your lungs … and then slowly and completely empty them…

Allow the power of the Earth to move up through and around your body … feel it filling the furrow you dug around the grove, filling it like light, and like water it laps against your shins … Breathe slowly and deeply and let this happen for a time…

Feel the very roots of the trees and shrubs growing up around you being fed by energy in the furrow … and by the powers of Earth and Sun and of Water and Air … Let the Earth’s energy feed the land around the grove … the plants, the animals, the stones, the mountainside and us … See and feel the power rising up into the land and the forest, filling stone and tree and shrub … Breathe with the land …

Picture in your minds eye a thick, deep, lush, green hedgerow growing up around the grove … The hedgerow begins to grow 360 degrees around the edge of the grove, including the pond … filling in any gaps in the trees and shrubs and strengthening the plants that already live here … In the part of the hedge directly in front of you, your favourite trees and plants begin to grow … Trees spring up from the ground, flowers bloom in brilliant color … If you face an exit, then visualize the broom across it as a low garden wall covered in ivy or a hedgerow full of short shrubbery … Perhaps some favourite birds and small wildlife live within this hedge, maybe animal totems peek at you through the branches … thorns grow sharp, deep within the hedgerow … Vines and branches fill-in any gaps … small animals sit upon a leaf-strewn ground … Let the energy flow from the furrow and the Earth to feed the hedge, making it “alive”, making it a deep and thick, great green wall around us … protecting us and making us separate from the ordinary world out there.

Now begin slowing that flow of energy, slowing … slowing … and gently bring it to a trickle … just enough to feed the hedge and keep it thriving … Let the energies in the furrow settle like water in a ditch …
Juniper with group repeating:
Blooms and birds let good spirits in
Thorns and bees drive the bad away

Herbs and shrubs protect me and my kin
Vines and snakes keep naughty spirits at bay

We circle ‘round and raise and the Hedge
We gather here with this pledge
A Beltaine’s work to be done
Here where the worlds do meet! Kells x3

Juniper: One last deep breath … Breathe with the land, breathe with each other, breathe with the grove, and breathe with the universe … and then you may now face inwards again.

v Solaren moves to the main altar.

 

Inviting Guardians

Solaren: You who surround us
Guardians, Watchers, Familiars, Totems

Help us, guide us, bless us, and guard us

Group: For we are one and at one
In spirit and in life

(Adapted from Robin Skelton)

Group: Kells x3

Solaren: People usually have their own manner for inviting the spirits they work with, so we will take a few moments to invite any personal, or familiar, spirits such as totems, guardians, and guides to join us and to help keep things peaceful and joyful. You can do this silently or if you wish you can speak up and say a few words as well.

Sacred Landscape

Group faces North

Volunteer: I call upon the Monashee Mountains
Group: Strength of stone and earth and rock
V: We call upon the wild woods
Group: Home of trees and lakes and wild things
V: We celebrate upon your ground this rite
Group: Hail Peaceful Mountains! Kells x3

Group faces Pond

Volunteer: I call upon the spirit of the sacred pond
Group: Spirit of water and door to the Underworld
V: We celebrate before your waters this rite
Group: Hail sacred pond! Kells x3

Group faces East

Volunteer: I call upon the Eastern Winds
Group: Eastern sky, where the sun does rise
V: Each dawn a promise of rebirth
Group: We face the way to ancestral lands
V: We celebrate the Summer dawn this rite
Group: Hail Eastern Winds! Kells x3

Group faces South

Volunteer: I call upon the Southern Skies
Group: Where the Sun makes its daily journey
V: We call upon the Kettle River Valley
Group: Sunlit valley, river, pasture, garden
V: We celebrate your fertility this rite
Group: Hail to sunshine in the valley! Kells x3

Group faces West

Volunteer: I call upon the Western Winds
Group: That blows this way from distant sea
V: Each sunset brings the hallowed night
Group: And Spring rains and Summer breeze
V: We celebrate the Springtime dusk this rite
Group: Hail Western Winds! Kells

Group faces Center

Volunteer: I call upon the spirit of the land
Group: The sacred soul of this very place
V: Spirits and faeries do not fear tonight
Group: We welcome you to this sacred space
V: We celebrate and dance with you this rite
Group: Hail Misty Acres! Kells x3

Planting the World Tree

v Group faces the maypole. (Bring maybasket)

Juniper: We will be using the maypole combined with the stang as our symbol for the Bile Tree.

v While the group recites, Juniper and Solaren will tie Juniper’s stang to the maypole, as a symbol of the World Tree. Juniper will bless and “water” it with maywater, while Solaren lights the “maypole” candle on the altar.

Group: Great World Tree
Foundation and axis of the Worlds

You connect us to those who have gone before

and those who will come after
You connect the past and the future with the present
You connect the Underworld and the Upperworld
with this one here in the Middle

Great World Tree aid us in this rite
Support a tear in the Veil tonight! Kells x3

Parting the Veil

v Juniper anoints the Bile Tree with a dab of flying ointment as the group recites.

Solaren: Here we create a gap in the Hedge
Group: A thinning in the Veil
A place that is no place
A moment that is timeless
A gate between all things
Solaren: A threshold at the edge of everything
Here we stand upon the ninth wave

Group: Let the worlds meet
Let the Veil be parted

Let this place be filled

Solaren: With the mists of time and space
Group: Kells x3
v Juniper takes up maybasket and scatters the contents in the Belfires as an offering, as well as around the Maypole.

Solaren: Lady at the Cross Roads
Group: Raven in flight, owl at night
Lady of Secrets, Queen of Witches

Who walks the trackways of the Moon

Cunning, Ancient and Wise One

Lady of Mystery, Mistress of the Craft

Solaren: We ask that you guard the Crossroads this rite
Group: Kells x3
v Solaren takes up maybasket and scatters the contents in the Belfires as an offering, as well as around the Maypole.

Juniper: Mighty Horned God of the forest green
Group: Who walks the threshold of the unseen
Lord of the Gates, King of the Hunt

Who walks the pathways of the Sun

Sage, Archer, Stag and Father

Lord of Sun-lit woods, Master of the Art

 

Juniper: We ask that you guard the Gates this rite
Group: Kells x3

Group: We cross the shoreline
To meet with the spirits of place, of nature

To meet with the gods and ancestors

On their ground, in their realm

Solaren: Osclaitear na geatai
Group: Let the gates be open! Kells x 3

Ancestors Join Us
v Group faces ancestor shrine

Juniper: Now we will invite the ancestors for a visit. Fill your heart with warmth and welcome, for your ancestors should be welcomed like a favoured grandparent or some respected and wise elder.
v Juniper will pour a libation of maywater into the ancestor dish, while the group recites.
Solaren: Ancestors of blood and bone and spirit!

Group: Ancient wise ones hear our plea
we welcome thee, we invite thee
Come and join us in peace and love and joy
to share knowledge
to receive offerings
To celebrate Beltaine

Hail the Mighty Dead! Kells x3

Honouring the Flower Maiden & the Greenman

v Group faces the main altar

v Solaren lights the red candle on the altar while the group recites.

Group: We honour the Flower Maiden,
who blesses the blooms

Who is made of meadowsweet,

oak-blossom and broom
We are the ones who dance

with the Blooming Bride

Ancient and modern rites

to celebrate May-tide

We gather here, to witness your wedding

Where two sacred fires aid winter’s fading

She who dances in the springtime dew

We welcome you here,

to help the land renew

Flower Maiden dance with us,

here on this May Eve! Kells x3

v Juniper lights the white candle on the altar while group recites.

Group: We honour the Greenman,
who stands for the trees
Who speaks to the people

who do as they please
We are the ones with respect for the woods
Respect for old trees

and the land where they’ve stood

We gather here, ‘round the Green God’s feet

Where budding flowers

make spring air sweet

He who once guarded

Druids’ ancient groves

We welcome you here,

to make this your home

Greenman dance with us,

here on this May Eve! Kells x3

(adapted form the Bog Brothers)

Beltaine Poems: Flower Maiden & Oak King

Juniper: We will now have a little while where we don’t have to move around so if you want to be seated facing the Bile Tree, that’s fine. Just leave paths to the fire etc.
v Solaren takes up maybasket and circles the Maypole scattering the contents, as well as the Belfires to toss in a handful as an offering.

Juniper: Not from mortal mother or father was I created
My body was made and blooded

By the powers of nine most sacred

Group: From the first of fruits
From the fruits of creation

Juniper: Of highland primroses
Of woodland blossoms

Of earth and fertile soils

Of the flower of nettles

Of ninth wave waters

Group: She is immortal
She is conjured

Juniper: By the enchantments of sage and bard
By the Druid of Briton

Of Eurwys, of Euron
Of Euron, of Modron

Magick greater than five hundred druids

Group: Mighty and wise as Math
Made the Flower Maiden

Juniper: Forged in the fires of Creation
Made by the Magician of magicians

Group: Made by the Sage of sages
When the world was in its youth

(By Juniper, inspired by the Cad Goddeu)

v Juniper takes up maybasket and circles the Maypole scattering the contents, as well as the Belfires to toss in a handful as an offering.

Solaren: Like antlers, do twist the forests branches
and sprouts make patterns upon the fields
I am thought of by all plants!
Group: He is thought of by all plants!
Solaren: The birds eat the first berries of the season
and trees awaken to a warm and gentle rain
I rise with the sap!
Group: He rises with the sap!
Solaren: The hedges are thick with May blossom
as the wildwoods honour its leaf-covered King
I am crowned with the leaves of the oak!
Group: He is crowned with the leaves of the oak!
Solaren: The trees are rattling as though ready for battle
guarding the grove where the Earth waits for Her lover
I burn with desire!
Group: He burns with desire!
Solaren: The land is eager for Summer’s warmth
Brown and green Earth touched by golden kiss
I shine with the sun!
Group: He shines with the sun!
(Adapted from The Greeman by Stardancer)

Seed Blessing

Juniper: We will now bless these seeds and this pond water mixed with maywine, which will act as offerings, as well as to help us symbolize the fertility of the land, there is lots here so the rest can be sown about the property. (Tell about what kind of seeds) As the items are passed, each person will give it some small blessing, energy, a prayer and such and then pass it on to the next person. You can do this silently or say a few words or shake your bell branch over it and so on.
Solaren: At Beltaine we bless things like fields, herds, and seeds to ensure that when the Wheel turns we will have a good harvest to keep us fed in the dark part of the year. What we sow today, we will reap come Lughnasadh, Mabon and Samhain.
Chants (see chant page)
v Juniper and Solaren hand the seed basket and pitcher to the May Queen and King, who will bless the items and pass them on. Juniper and Solaren will bless the items last.

Honouring Danu & Bile

 
v While the group recites, Juniper and Solaren will sprinkle seeds and pour water around the base of the maypole as a blessing and to symbolize the land’s fertility.
Group: I stand beneath the Bile tree
the sun comes down
in blazing gold
touches upon warming Earth
which holds the Sun’s power
in great green boughs

of forest groves

and small brown seeds

in Danu’s green bower
Oh Bile tree
its digging root
through moss is led

to cool dark bed
to river’s course, Earth’s dark source
which bears the spark
of Summer’s birth

of forest groves

and small brown seeds
the Sun comes down
the Bile tree
I stand beneath

v Juniper and Solaren kiss, standing at the base of the maypole, to symbolize the Sacred Marriage.

v Group is encouraged to hug, kiss, cheer, drum, dance, chant etc.

Offerings

Juniper: Now everyone can have the chance to gather any offering they have to give and move about the witchring, placing items in the appropriate offering dishes. There is also a large one on the main altar if you are not sure where to place your offering. Only items such as coins, jewellery, knives and the like can be placed in the pond, nothing that might compost or float.
Solaren: People usually have their own way to give to the spirits they work with, you can do this silently or if you wish you can speak up and say a few words as well. Chanting and drumming during this time is also welcome.
Chants (see chant page)

 
(After offerings and everyone is settled again)

Solaren: From us, to the Earth, to the Gods. From the Gods, to the Earth, and to us. Glac an h-iobairt seo muid!

Juniper: Accept our sacrifice!
Group: Earth accept this sacrifice!
Spirits accept this sacrifice!

Ancestors accept this sacrifice!

Gods accept this sacrifice! Kells x 3

Housle

v While Solaren recites, Juniper will uncover the food basket and get the drinks ready etc.

Solaren: The Lord of Misrule rests in death
Wearing his ivy and holly crown

He awaits rebirth with Summer’s peak

The Lord of Sun-lit woodlands

Wears his flowered and oaken crown

He rules now until the Autumn breeze

The Lady of the great green Earth

Wears her hawthorn and blossom crown

She now prepares for her wedding feast

v Solaren and May King place their hands (bellbranch etc) over the food basket and Juniper and the May Queen place their hands (bellbranch etc) over the maywine and maypunch.

Juniper: Here is drink, from the fruits of the Earth
Filling the cup with abundance
I consecrate it in honour of the Flower Queen

Bless this cup with the essence of knowledge

May Queen: And let us feast with your blessings
Be blessed!

Group: Be blessed! Kells x 3

 Solaren: Here is food, the gift of the Earth
Blessed to give us life and strength
I consecrate it in honour of the Oak King
Bless this food with the sustenance of the Land

May King: And let us feast in gratitude
Be blessed!

Group: Be blessed! Kells x 3
(Adapted from Robin Artisson “The Horn of Evenwood”)

Juniper: As we have made this grove sacred to dance, rejoice and sacrifice in your honour, we now ask that you bless this humble meal in return.

Group: Earth bless this meal!
Spirits bless this meal!

Ancestors bless this meal!

Gods bless this meal!

Solaren: Go raibh maith agaibh
Group: We thank Thee

v Juniper will hand out maywine, May Queen maypunch, Solaren bread, and the May King the apples.

v Each member of the group will get a slice of bread, a slice of apple and a cup of either maywine or maypunch or a small amount poured into their own cup.

Chants (see chant page)

Open Floor to Group

v Allow everyone a chance to do or say or sing something for Beltaine.

Oracle

Juniper: We have honoured the Gods and ancestors with our remembrance and our offerings. And now is the time for us to open the lines of communication with them. We will now ask them for guidance, knowledge or just a little nudge.
Solaren: Everyone will draw one card, take a good look at it, make mental note of what it is, and what imagery catches your eye. Think of how this gift can be helpful to you. I suggest you do some further study when
you get home. Learn all you can about your animal, plant or tree. There is wisdom for you there, directly from the Gods. We will have a few books with information available to you after the ritual as well.

v Solaren picks up the decks and carries around for people to choose.

Juniper: As we have made this grove sacred to dance, rejoice and sacrifice in your honour, we now ask to be blessed with a small gift of knowledge or insight. May we all get what wisdom we need, animal, plant or tree.
v The group is given time to look at their cards and discuss them a little.

v The cards are placed back on the altar by Solaren.

Solaren: Go raibh maith agaibh
Juniper: We thank thee
Group: We thank thee! Kells x3

 Farwell Summer Queen & Greenman

v Solaren puts out the red candle.

Group: We honour the Summer Queen,
Maiden no longer

Who brings berries and fruit

and makes the days stronger

We gathered to witness

you pledge your troth

Where bud and blossom

promise Summer’s growth

Summer Queen we thank you

for blessing our Beltaine rite

And dancing through the Belfires

with us tonight

Kells x3

v Juniper puts out the white candle.

Group: We honour the Greenman,
lord of oaks and birches
Who speaks to the druids,

pagans and witches

We gathered here,

‘round the Green God’s feet

Where warming Earth

makes Summer Sweet

Greenman we thank you

for blessing our Beltaine rite

And dancing through the Belfires

with us tonight

Kells x3

Farewell Ancestors
v Group faces ancestor shrine

Solaren: Samhain is a time
for grief and to morn

At Beltaine we remember

with joy and with love

Juniper: And to honour descendants
yet to be born

This Beltaine the Wise Ones

danced in our grove

Group: Thank you for coming
but we must say good-bye

Now we bid you farewell

in peace, love and joy

Hail the Mighty Dead! Kells x3

Closing the Veil

Solaren: Lady at the Cross Roads
Group: Raven in flight, owl at night
Who walks the trackways of the Moon

Solaren: We thank you for guarding the Crossroads this rite
Group: Kells x3

Juniper: Mighty Horned God of the forest green
Group: Who walks the threshold of the unseen
Who walks the pathways of the Sun

Juniper: We thank you for guarding the Gates this rite
Group: Kells x3

Group: Now we close the gap in the Hedge
Now we seal shut the Veil
And return this grove

To the ordinary and mundane

Solaren: Duntar na geatai Kells x3
Group: Let the Gates be closed! Kells x3

Lowering the World Tree

v Juniper and Solaren untie the stang. As Juniper removes it, Solaren pours the last of the water from the pitcher onto the base of the maypole.

Volunteer: Great World Tree
Foundation and axis of the Worlds

Group: With reverence we now lower you tonight
Thank you for supporting a tear in the Veil this rite! Kells x3

Sacred Landscape

Group faces North

Volunteer: I thank the Monashee Mountains
Group: And the greening wild woods
V: We thank you for joining us this rite
Group: Hail Peaceful Mountains! Kells x3

Group faces Pond

Volunteer: I thank the spirit of the sacred pond
Group: Spirit of water and door to the Underworld
V: We thank you for joining us this rite
Group: Hail sacred pond! Kells x3

Group faces East

Volunteer: I thank the Eastern Winds
Group: And where the sun does rise
V: We thank you for joining us this rite
Group: Hail Eastern Winds! Kells x3

Group faces South

Volunteer: I thank the Southern Skies
Group: And the valley down below
V: We thank you for joining us this rite
Group: Hail to fertility in the valley! Kells x3

Group faces West

Volunteer: I thank the Western Winds
Group: And Spring rains and Summer breeze
We thank you for joining us this rite

Group: Hail Western Winds! Kells x3

Group faces Center

Volunteer: I thank the spirit of the land
Group: And all who dwell upon and within
V: We thank you for joining us this rite
Group: Hail Misty Acres! Kells x3
v Solaren tosses the last of the contents of the maybasket into the belfire.

Juniper: Go in peace and love and harmony
always welcome when you bring good tidings
and wisdom to our grove

Grounding Meditation

v Group: Rattles and drums in a soft and slow heartbeat rhythm.

Juniper: We will now walk the witchring Sunwise for this.
To begin you will focus on your breathing and matching it to your own footsteps and the rhythms of the drums and rattles … If we could rattle and drum in a soft and slow heartbeat please … Slowly and completely fill your lungs … and then slowly and completely empty them as you walk ‘round the grove and through the Belfires … Listen and feel for your heartbeat … Feel the heartbeat of the Land move through your body … Breathe deeply … breathe with each other, breathe with the forest … Let your body become more and more relaxed …

As you move around the witchring, feel yourself back within that furrow, that ditch filled with power … Breathe deeply … With each step, you feel your self rising a little more, and the power draining away back into the land … Breathe with the forest, breathe with the land … Slowly you rise back upwards, out of the Mythic Landscape and ever back to wards an ordinary reality … Breathe deeply … Feel yourself rise back out of the furrow completely into the mundane world … feel the last of the power, the energy seep back into the land … down deeper and deeper … feel the heartbeat of the land slowly move away, deeper into the Earth …

Now begin slowing, slowing … and gently stopping … Turn so that you face outwards and take one big step backwards, inwards … Breathe deeply … sit, crouch or lay down in a way that you can make as much contact with the land as possible …

v Solaren takes position at the edge of the witchring with his sickle.

Juniper: Close your eyes and breathe deeply … Be aware of your feet, your hands, your heart, as they make contact with the ground … Listen for the trees, the wind, and the fire … see again, in your mind’s eye, the hedgerow we created … now open your eyes … Make the hedgerow sink back into the earth, a kind of reverse growth … let leaves fall and birds fly away … You may want to visualize a kind of autumn and winter happening in the Hedge … Let the energy you spent to create the hedgerow return to the Earth … Breathe deeply … breathe with each other, breathe with the forest … Let your body become more and more relaxed …

 
v Solaren slowly walks around the witch ring with his sickle, “trimming” the Hedge (in whatever direction feels right at the moment)

Juniper with group repeating:
Blooms and birds now go to sleep
Thorns and bees rest for the day

Herbs and shrubs go underground
Vines and snakes can slither away
I trim this Hedge with this pledge
This Beltaine’s rite is now done
Here where the worlds did meet
Group: Kells x3

Removing the Brooms

Solaren: Will the winners please remove their besoms.

v Winners now to the gates and knock on their besoms three times.
Winners: Open up,
Open I say,
Let the ordinary world in
The Hedge has gone away

v And the winners remove their besoms

Processional Out

v Group collects any personal lanterns but leaves the candles and heads back down processional trail. Seeds are scattered as they go.

Related posts:

1. Beltaine FAQ
2. Happy Beltaine!