Beltaine

From "The Wheel Of The Year At Muin Mound Grove, ADF"

By Rev. Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison

© 2001

1) Consecration of Space followed by Musical Signal when finished. (Bell)
The musical signal is usually given by ringing a bell a total of nine times in groups of threes.

2) Processional.
This chant is usually sung as people are approaching and entering our Nemeton area over the bridge.

Chant - Blessed With The Waters of Life (Words & Music by Alex DelBusso) - MP3
We are blessed with the waters of life
And the air that we breathe
Will bring us freedom

And the fire that we kindle tonight
On this sacred earth
Will bring us together
Spirits together

3) Aspurging and Censing as people enter the area. (Water and incense)
Aspurging is done by sprinkling each person with water from a chalice while saying
" May we wash away all Earthly cares."
Censing is done by fanning incense smoke around each person while saying
"May the Spirit rise within you."

4) Sigil Marking / Opening Prayer.
A short declaration of why we are here is spoken, such as:
"In a circle formed of flesh and blood and bone. In a circle formed of spirit, of song, of love, we stand. We stand on sacred ground. We stand under a hallowed sky. We stand together as one."
(Forcefully) "We are here to honor the Gods!" *
"TÁ MUID ANSEO CHUN ONÓIR A THABHAIRT DO NA DÉITHE!"
(ta mid anshow khun onoh'r a havart do na day-a)
(All repeat) "We are here to honor the Gods!"
*This line is spoken forcefully, first in English, then in Gaelic, and the English part repeated by those assembled, while two people mark the Sigil by stepping back a pace outside the circle, then crossing to the opposite side and through the circle by a pace, then returning to their starting positions.

5) Honoring the Earth Mother. (Cornmeal offering).
In our Grove, we usually honor the Earth Mother with a poem written by one of our members (Gloria), followed by a chant. An offering of cornmeal is poured to the Earth around the circle as the poem is being read. One of her poems for Beltaine is given here.

"Earth,
O Woman of Passion, sensual, free,
- with abandon - with more than creation,
Your flesh cries out to know the one
who seeds your children to Life -

Woman of Mystery, Shadow and Light,
Temptress to Gods, Hours, and Man -
Gently, Intensely, as Sea, Fire and Wind,
You hint unspeakable Joy -

Woman of Beauty, of ageless Intent,
For whom do You perfume Your body with May
- for whom do You bare Your breasts
Like a Woman in Love -

O, Keeper of Secrets, perhaps there's a star
- Each night You raise Your eyes to the sky
and fall in Love all over again."

Chant - As One (Author Unknown) - MP3
As One we join with Her, our Mother.
As One we sing to Her our song.
As One we touch Her
As One we heal Her
Her heart beats with our own as One.

At this time, it is our custom to bestow a kiss upon the Earth, either directly or via our fingertips, while the presiding Druid says:
"And it is the custom among our people, our folk and our grove, to bestow a kiss upon our Mother."

6) Invoking the Bardic Deities
This is usually done by the presiding Bard.
"As the flame, you enter my being with your spirit. Your presence is with me at all times. You have taught me to know my voice and the power it has over others. You have shown me the powers within myself. Brid, you are the voice of the Bards. You are the words of the poet. I call to you now to be with us. To show us the words, the phrases that are the best, to let us send our thoughts sweetly to the Kindred. Brid we call upon you now to give us the powers of inspiration. Brid we call upon you now!"

7) Expression of Unity.

Chant Deep Peace (Author Unknown)- MP3
Deep peace of flowing air to you
Deep peace of the sacred flame
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth

May peace, may peace, may peace fill your soul
Let peace, let peace, let peace make you whole.

8) Two Power Meditation Earth & Sky.
Two people, male and female, with one doing the Earth part and the other the Sky part usually lead this meditation. We do this to incorporate the subtle energy difference between the sexes. We start by having the people get ready to meditate. Slow their breathing down, take deep, full breathes, clear their minds, etc. We then tell them to start using their "inner vision," that's found in their mind's eye.

"(Voice One) Close your eyes and find that quiet still place. Breathe deep. Listen to the sounds of spring around you. Listen as the Earth comes alive again. Feel your toes wiggle down into the soil. Reach down deep into our Mother. Let your toes become roots, seeking the quiet waters beneath the Earth and then drawing it up, up like the sap in spring. Up, into your roots, up further still into your legs. Up and let it pool in your groin. Draw it up your spine. Up, and let it pool in your heart. Up further, to pool in your mind. And still it comes until it flows down and out and back into the Earth."

"(Voice Two) And with that energy of the Earth, flowing in you, look now with your inner vision. Look up to the Skies. Look up above. Look up all the way to the stars above. See the energy of the stars. See it flowing down from the stars. Down, down to you. And as that energy of the stars flows into you, you can feel it fill you. Fill you to overflowing. And as that energy of the stars mingles with the energies of the Earth moving up through you, feel those energies combining. Filling you to overflowing. And as that energy moves out, feel it move to the person next to you, and then the person next to them. Feel it moving around, from you and from all the others, mixing and moving around and around the Nemeton. We are all one within our grove. We are all one within our grove. We are all one within our grove. Be at peace."

9) Creation Myth
This myth was borrowed from Sassafras Grove located in Pittsburgh, PA. It was written by Eric Cannali and shared with us at the Wellspring Gathering in 1998.
"THE CREATION MYTH
Who are we? From whence do we come? What is the story of Our People?
Ni ansa…
(Pronounced Nee an-sa)
Not hard...
A great misty cloud had gathered together in the void
Swirling and spiraling; spiraling and swirling
Drawing ever-in upon itself.

At its center a radiance shone forth
And drove outward the surrounding cloud
gathering the waters together here below.

And so it was that the stuff of creation drew apart
To form the Fire Above
And the Waters Below.

The Solar Fire warmed the Cauldron of Creation
And stroked upon its waters with thunderbolts
And begat upon it Life.

And the Life begat the Creatures
And the Creatures begat the Ancestors
And the Ancestors begat Us; the Living People.

Upright, like you, Great Tree
We bear upon us the mark of Creation
Then, now, and for all time.

Rooted in the ancestral waters of the World Below,
Spanning this Middle-World of form
And reaching ever-upward to embrace the Fire Above."

10) Historical Precedent
This section is when a little history of the holiday is given. It is usually done by the presiding Druid.
"This is the time when sweet desire weds wild delight. Beltane celebrates the beginning of a bold and virile season, when the God of Nature lustily impregnates the Earth Mother. Life springs eternal, with joy and beauty. Now is the time for celebration of the powers of life, sensuousness, and newness. For richness and plenty now bless the land. This is the time for all things to grow, a time to build, a time to explore. Let us exult in the glory of the earth, and celebrate our own strengths."

11) Naming the Deities of the Ritual
Angus Mac Óg (pronounced An-gus mac Og) and Bláithíne (pronounced Bla-heane).
GOD "Angus Mac Óg,
Son of Dagda and Boann,
God of love, youth and beauty,
Winner of the Brug na Bóinne"

GODDESS "Bláithíne,
Daughter of Midir,
Lover of Cú Chulainn
You gave up all to be with your lover."

In unison - "We acknowledge you."

12) Establishing the Vertical Axis. (Silver (Well) and Oil (Fire & Tree) offerings)

Chant Portal Song (Words by Ian Corrigan)- MP3
Come we now to the well, the eye and the mouth of earth
Come we now to the well, and silver we bring
Come we now to the well, the waters of rebirth
Come we now to the well, together we sing

Chorus:
By fire and by water, between the earth and sky
We stand like the world tree, rooted deep, crowned high
By fire and by water, between the earth and sky
We stand like the world tree, rooted deep, crowned high

We will kindle a fire, bless, all and with harm to none
We will kindle a fire, and offering pour
We will kindle a fire, a light neath the moon and sun
We will kindle a fire, our spirits will soar
Chorus

Gather we at the tree, the root and the crown of all
Gather we at the tree, below and above
Gather we at the tree, together we make our call
Gather we at the tree, in wisdom and love
Chorus

13) Establishing the Boundaries. (Cornmeal (Land), Water (Sea) & Incense (Sky) offerings)
First person pours corn meal around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Earth not open up and swallow us."

Second person sprinkles water around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Seas not rise up and drown us."

Third person throws incense and flour into the fire saying,
"We ask that the Sky not fall down upon us."

14) Evoking the Gatekeeper. (Oil offering)
Chant - Gatekeeper open the portals (Words and music by Richard MacKelly) - MP3
Gatekeeper open the portals,
Between the Gods and mortals,
Power freely flows,
As our magic grows.

"Manannan, Once again we call upon you. We ask you to be our gatekeeper. We ask you to come across the waves in your coracle 'Wavesweeper'. To come across the waves and to open the ways for us. Manannan, we ask you to be our Magician, our Druid and we ask you to hold the ways open for us tonight. Manannan, we give you this offering of oil in praise of your wonders and in love of you.

Manannan, once again I ask, let the well open as a gate, let the fire open as a gate, and let the tree open as the connection between all the planes."
(Forcefully) "O Manannan, open the Gates for us!"
"A MHANANNAIN, OSCLAÍTEAR NA GEATAÍ!"
(awananan, oscleechar na gyatee)
(All repeat) "O Manannan, open the Gates for us!"

15) Acknowledgement of Outsiders. (Ale offering)
A cup of ale is taken to the south, outside of the ritual space, and given to the outsiders after saying:
"Once again we call upon the Outsiders. You who stood against our Gods. You from the primordial time. We know that you are still out there. We also know that we harbor, within ourselves, things that are not needed during this time of ritual. We want to set these things aside. Outsider, we ask that you help us take these things that we don't need and set them aside for this time. Things that are not appropriate for this time of ritual. Outsiders, to you we give this offering of ale to aid us in setting aside all that is not needed at this time."

16) Triad Invocations:
A) Ancestors. (Cornmeal offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"Ancestors, we ask that you be with us tonight. Mothers and Fathers of us all, not just the people gathered here tonight, but to those of the earlier inhabitants of this land as well. We call to you tonight and ask you to join with us and lend us your wisdom."
(Forcefully) "Ancestors, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Ancestors, be with us tonight!"

Chant - Listen To The Voices (Words originally by Holly Near, modified by Phoenix) - MP3
Listen to the voice of our ancestors.
Listen to the voice of our ancestors.
Calling out the messages between space and time,
Telling us what we need to know in order to survive.
Listen to the voice of our ancestors.
Listen to the voice of our ancestors.

B) Nature Spirits. (Herbal mix offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"Nature Spirits, we ask that you accept this sacrifice of sweet smelling herbs and join in our ritual. Spirits of this land and all the lands around it, spirits of the waters on this land and of the air and skies above it, we call to you now. We ask that you join with us and lend us your strength."
(Forcefully) "Spirits of the Earth, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Spirits of the Earth, be with us tonight!"

Chant - Fur And Feather (Words and music by Sable) - MP3
Fur & Feather & Scale & Skin
Different without but the same within.
Many of body but one of soul
Through all creatures are we made whole.

C) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"We call now to all the Gods and Goddesses that haven't been named. We give you this offering of oil and ask that you join with us for our ritual tonight. We ask that you join with us and lend us your power."
(Forcefully) "Shinning Ones, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Shinning Ones, be with us tonight!"

Chant - Hail all the Gods (Words: First verse, Trad. Second verse, Richard MacKelley; Bridge section, Gwynne Green. Music: Paul Maurice, Sean Miller, and Gail Williams.) - MP3
Hail all the Gods,
Hail all the Goddesses,
Hail all the Holy Ones,
We dwell together.

Lords of the sky,
Ladies of sacred earth.
Spirits and the ancestors,
We dwell together.

Hail all the Gods!
Hail all the Goddesses!
Hail all the Gods...and Goddesses
(repeat 3x)

17) Invocation of Deities Angus Mac Óg and Bláithíne. (Oil offerings)
As each invocation is spoken, an offering of oil is poured to the fire. Two people usually do this.
"And now we call upon Angus Mac Óg, son of Dagda, you who resided at Brug na Bóinne. Angus the young. We ask you to come and join with us. We ask you to bring your fertility of youth to join with us here in our ritual. And to bring that fertility of youth through to our fields to make our crops grow strong through the summer. Angus, to you we give this offering of oil and ask you to join with us tonight. Angus Mac Óg, be with us tonight!"

"Bláithíne, I have named you and so I call you forth. I call with the power within me. I call with my own voice. I use my hands and my soul as the bridge across. Bláithíne, I invoke you. I have named you blossom. I have named you flower face. You, whose wisdom comes with the fertility of the land. Whose power is in that which shapes our soil. Whose power is in that which causes trees to grow, flowers to bloom. Bláithíne, I invoke you. I call you forth with the word, with the power within me, with the power of the Folk of the Grove. Bláithíne, I invoke you."

"And at this time we call upon our Grove patron and matron, Dagda and Morrigan, and ask them to join with us tonight for our working."

18) Praise Offerings.
Done through individual offers of song, poetry, story, dance, artwork, etc.

19) Omen.
As the omen is being taken, the chant 'Speak to Me' is softly sang in the background and continues until the omen has been taken. The name of any individual God/dess, Ancestor, or Nature Spirit can be substituted for the words 'Goddesses' and 'all the Gods' after the first repetition.

Chant - Speak to Me (Words by Phoenix) - MP3
Speak to me
Speak to me Goddesses
Speak to me
Speak to me all the Gods
One person with either runes or ogham cards or sticks usually does the omen. After the omen is interpreted, people are given time to reflect upon how the omen is relevant to their personal lives and the grove as a whole.

20) Return Flow
It is our belief that having given offerings to the Kindreds, that they will return the blessings to us, magnified many times. The return flow section is started by having three people, the Presiding Druid and two members of the Folk of the Grove, hold up the Heartstone, a large cup of water and a large horn of ale. The Presiding Druid then calls for the return flow to begin.

"Once again, turn your vision inward. Look to the area around us, to the trees. Look at the faces of the beings gathered here around our ritual. Listen to the noise they make as they move through the trees. Now let your vision turn upwards, up to where the gate shines above us like a ring of gas jets, a circle of flame. Looking up through that circle, you can see a host gathered there as well. Looking down on us with love. Now we call upon all those gathered around and above us to take the offerings we've given and to return some to us. A return that has been magnified by your wondrous powers. See how the flow of energy and love streams down from above and in from around us! See how the Heartstone glows and shimmers as the energy flows into it! Now watch as the energy fills it and spills over to flow into the cup of water and the horn of all. See how they sparkle and shimmer as well. Gods and Goddesses, Nature Spirits and Ancestors, we thank you for this gift in return!"
(Forcefully) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"
"SEO AN USICE BEATH!"
(show un ishkuh byah)
(All repeat) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"

The cup of water and the horn of ale are then taken around and given to the people. It is the custom in our Grove to give the first offering of the return flow to the ground while saying:
"We give this first offering to those of the Folk and of the members of the Grove that couldn't be with us tonight. May these blessing give them the strength and nourishment to do what they need!"
If people want to make a toast of things they have done since the last holiday, or make a boast of what they will do before the next holiday, before they drink the blessing is the best time for it.

21) Thanking the Deities - Bláithíne and Angus Mac Óg. (Oil gifts)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Bláithíne, we thank you for joining with us and for brining your fertility to our fields. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Bláithíne, We thank you!"
"Bláithíne, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIT!"
(Bla-heane, gora ma-agit)
(All repeat) "Bláithíne, We thank you!"

As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Angus Mac Óg, we thank you for joining with us and for bringing your fertility to our fields. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Angus Mac Óg, We thank you!"
"Angus Mac Óg, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIT!"
(An-gus mac Og, gora ma-agit)
(All repeat) "Angus Mac Óg, We thank you!"

22) Thanking the Triads.
A) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"We call once again to the Shinning Ones. We thank you for joining with us tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"
"NA DÉITHE, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Na Day-uh, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"

B) Nature Spirits. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"We call once again to the Spirits of this Place. We thank you for joining with us tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"
"SPRIDEANNA NA TALAIMH, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Shprih-dennuh nuh tulluv, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"

C) Ancestors. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"We call once again to the Ancestors. We thank you for joining with us tonight. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Ancestors, We thank you!"
"ÁR SINSIR, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Aur shinshur, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Ancestors, We thank you!"

23) Thanking the Gatekeeper and Closing the Gates. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Manannan, we thank you for coming to us tonight as our Magician, as our Druid and as our Gatekeeper. Now that our rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."

"Manannan, we ask you once again to, let the Well be again a well, and let the Fire be again a fire, and let the Tree be again a tree."
(Forcefully) "O Manannan, let the gates be closed!"
"A MHANANNAIN, DUNTAR NA GAETAÍ!"
(awananan, doontur na gyatee)
(All repeat) "O Manannan, let the gates be closed!"

24) Reversing the Two Power Meditation
This meditation is reversed at the end of the ritual by having the people allow the energies to move back to their source.
"(Voice Two) Once again, I ask you to look about using your inner vision. The gate has closed down, but the Spirits of Nature are still all around us. They never really leave. You can still see and feel the different types of energies swirling around our Nemeton. Take those energies from the Sky into your being and start to move them upwards. Back to where they came from. And as they pass through you keep what you need to remain energized and at peace."

"(Voice One) And once those energies from the Sky have left you, look around at the energies of the Earth that still flow around our Nemeton. Allow those energies to flow into your being and start to move them downwards. Back to where they came from. As they pass through you, keep what you need and let the rest go. Open your eyes and look around you to the other people here and to the Nemeton itself. Be at peace with yourself and with the others here."
(Forcefully) "Biodh amhlaidh! Be it so!"
(bee awlah)
(All repeat) "Biodh amhlaidh! Be it so!"

25) Announcement of End.
Everyone comes together in a group hug as the chant is sung. This chant is especially meaningful if everyone looks around the circle and into people's eyes as it is sung.

Chant All I Ask of You (Sufi chant - author unknown) - MP3
All I ask of you
Is forever to remember me
As loving You

26) Recessional
As the chant is sung, people start to leave the ritual area.

Chant - Walk With Wisdom (Words by Sable) - MP3
Walk with wisdom, from this hallowed place
Walk not in sorrow, our roots shall ere embrace
May strength be your brother, and honor be your friend
and luck be your lover, until we meet again

Last updated - 4/6/04