Mabon with Circle of the Sacred Earth

One of the members of the Pagan Fellowship at Roanoke College is also a member of the Circle of the Sacred Earth, a Wiccan coven here in the Roanoke Valley. (Incidentally, this is the same group behind the first ever Roanoke Pagan Pride Picnic.) Circle of the Sacred Earth was kind enough to allow me to visit for tonight's Mabon ritual, and I have to say I'm glad I was able to go!

College organizations aside, I've never attended a group ritual before. For part of my Paganhood I did consider myself at least quasi-Wiccan, by way of Cunningham and not by initiation, and Athena's Circle at Bryn Mawr conducted rituals in a Wiccan manner (casting circles, calling elemental quarters). The energy of a working coven, full of members who know (and, presumably, trust and at least somewhat like) each other, and who are all basically on the same page as far as theology goes, is completely different than anything I've experienced before. Having an outside bonfire doesn't hurt in setting the mood, either.

The best part about Circle of the Sacred Earth is that everyone is so... well. Down to earth. Friendly, warm, very Southern. The High Priestess is a very no-nonsense sort of woman with a wickedly wonderful sense of humor, and her husband is nothing but kind and welcoming. I felt my shyness start to creep back in (what if they didn't like me? What if I set the altar on fire?), but it didn't take long before the group and I were swapping stories and jokes. Ultimately I felt accepted by the group, like a visiting friend welcomed by a close-knit family.

I've been thinking of giving another look-see at Wicca, especially since I'd like to share at least one full-blown Wiccan ritual with my college's Pagan group this semester. Though it wasn't the first Pagan path I discovered, Wicca was the one I researched most heavily, and there's a fond remembrance for it now. (In the past I've had problems with Wicca, especially regarding how some trads approach the gender/sexual duality of the deities. Being told time and time again that I should connect more with the Goddess because I'm a woman, and that it was strange that I only really wanted to hang out with the God, made me resentful for quite some time.) Now that I'm out of a primarily single-sex environment and getting a better sense of the diversity present in Wicca, I'm glad to report those feelings aren't really so much an issue anymore.

Also, I got to wear ritual robes for the first time ever. Red, crushed velvet, perfect for keeping mosquitoes away. I thought I'd feel silly in them, but honestly? Robes are pretty fantastic. Definitely need to get myself one.

Walk With The Earth Mother (Chant)

I came up with this in the middle of my Solstice ritual tonight.


I will walk with the Earth Mother all of my days
Dancing and singing and giving her praise (x2)

Luna, you shine from above
Full of limitless love (x2)

I will walk with the Earth Mother all of my days
Dancing and singing and giving her praise (x2)

Helios, you race in the sky
With humanity you laugh and cry (x2)

I will walk with the Earth Mother all of my days
Dancing and singing and giving her praise (x2)

Samhain 2009 - Details

Possibly pics to come soon? I know I saw someone at that house with a camera...

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Invoking Athena + Others
In the name of all those we hold dear
In the name of all the gods and goddesses, known and unknown
In the name of Athena Sophia, our patron and friend
In the name of the spirits we honor and the loved ones we adore
We acknowledge this space and this time as sacred
We guard and protect our circle and this rite
Benevolent energy shall be welcomed with open arms
Malevolence will be cast out and kept out with the drawing of the circle.
In the names and powers of gods, mortals, and the very spirit of Samhain
So mote it be.


Persephone Chant
Persephone
Maiden of Spring
Life to all the earth you bring
Persephone
Queen of the Dead
One day with you we'll break our bread.


I tried my hand at getting a loose Spanish translation and while it's not perfect, I think I got the rhyme and rhythm to do what I wanted.

Persephone
Primavera (Spring)
Al mundo trae la vida (To the world you bring life)
Persephone
Reina Muerte (Queen Death/Queen of the Dead/Reign of Death)
Sea nuestra guía fuerte. (Be our strong guide)

Better a late start than never

Samhain with Athena's Circle went really well. During the feast beforehand (which was, of course, delicious), it was like like I was home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. As ridiculous as this will sound, I felt like it really was a holiday, and I was surrounded by family and friends. It was a good feeling, and much preferable to Samhain last year - then again, just about everything in my life at Bryn Mawr this year is better than the last. That's the way it should be, though - life gives you tough lessons, you learn a little here and there, and then you go out to kick ass and take names.

More about the actual ritual - note to self, invest in a camera - the leader of AC and I wrote the ritual together and decided we wanted to break with our traditional (and very Wiccan) format a bit. The focus of Samhains in the past has been some form of divination or ancestor communication and this year we decided to take a break from all that. This year the ritual was going to be entirely devotional, dedicated to honoring the ancestors and their passing. What follows is a basic outline for the ritual - I'll put in specifics later, in a different post.

Invoking Athena/Stating Purpose - we decided to call the deities (only invoking Athena by name) and ancestors before casting the circle and then calling on no one once the circle was cast. This was to allay fears of any Shit Going Down, as it has in the past on Samhain.
Casting the Circle - we had three methods: a round of hugs while singing "We Are A Circle", a circle of tealights behind us, and walking the circle thrice with an athame.
Calling the Elements - no lanterns this time! We decided on the quarters (I was North) and passed around smoldering incense and a bowl of salt water.
Persephone - so we only specifically invoked Athena, but I was totally able to sneak Persephone in here anyway. I told her story (in abridged form) and shared a chant I had created for her.
Main Ritual Work - as a group, we constructed an altar to the ancestors. First, in total silence, we set our offerings for those that had past on. I brought a small piece of wood with an intricate tree burned/carved into it I found at the Goodwill, a miniature chalice, a small Buddhist prayer wheel, and four Tarot cards: The High Priestess, the Hierophant, the Moon, and the Sun. After this, we shared stories about those who had past, recently or long ago.
Thanking the Elements - same as Calling, but reversed. Thanks Momma Earth.
Opening the Circle - same as Casting, but reversed, and using the chant "The Circle Is Open".

All in all, I was pretty pleased with how things went. I'm glad Athena's Circle is expanding, not just with new people but also with a willingness to experiment with ritual style. We're still heavily influenced by Wicca, but there seems to be more self-awareness with that fact. I'm already excited for Yule. :)