Items needed for this ritual: red or white candle, chalice & bowl of water, towel, staff & cloak for Cailleach, red dress or other appropriate garb for Bride.
Narrator: I ask that all of you be cleansed of all negativity by the Goddess. Please wash your hands and face with this towel and water.
(Celebrants go around the circle and wash all participants)
Woman representing Bride: (Brings in candle and lights it) I am the center of creation, the first fire at the beginning of time. I am the fire of every hearth, all fires are lit from me. I am the light which dwells in all of you. I, Bride, raise this fire here on the holy hearth.
Woman representing Cailleach:
Water: You are the mother of the Gods, the source of all life, You are the source of all wisdom, the keeper of all secrets. You are the source of all love who nourishes the world. You are the lady of the land, source of all sovereignty. Without you, there is nothing. With you, all is made whole.
Narrator:
(West) This is the place where ancient tales are told
(North) This is the home of valor, where battles are fought and won.
(East) This is the place of sacrifice which brings prosperity
(South) This is the home of inspiration.
(Center) This is the center of all things.
(Bride goes to “Underworld” and gets into fetal position)
Cailleach: I am Cailleach, the Hag of Winter, the Veiled One (cackles).
I ride a wolf and herd the deer, and with my staff, I have frozen the ground.
I have brought snow and storm, cold and darkness, danger and hunger to this land.
But I grow weary and stagnant; I must find a way to strengthen my icy powers.
(Wanders around circle for a while, comes to cauldron)
Ah! There is a well, I shall drink of it that I may be revived. (Drinks)
Gahh! (dramatically writhes and crumples, puts hands to sides of head and squints)
Why does the Sun shine so brightly? I feel the earth beginning to thaw!
I must leave, must return to the Underworld from whence I came.
(Goes away to edge of circle, gets into fetal position)
(Bridge emerges from the Underworld, getting up then standing tall, walks into the center of circle. Stands and extends her arms)
Narrator: Behold! The Goddess has transformed!
Be on your knees, open your eyes and let blessed Bride in.
Thrice welcome, noble lady. (All)
Bride: I am Bride, the Maiden of Spring, the Fiery One. I am the giver of poetic inspiration, the comfort of the hearth, the strength and creativity of the smith.
I bring light and warmth to this land. Have hope for slowly, underneath her blanket of snow, Earth stirs from her slumber. The winter will come to an end, but spring is not here yet. Now is the time to plant the seed of what we wish to create.
Take the ribbon in your hand. Gaze at it and think of what the color means to you, what seed do you wish to plant? What goal do you seek to achieve? Cleansed of impurities, you are now ready to face the coming spring, what do want this spring to bring you? Close your eyes and see this seed growing and becoming what you want it to be.
(pause)
Narrator: Now open your eyes as we come around the circle; tie your ribbon to the hoop. As you do so, visualize what it is you wish to create.
(Celebrants take hoop around circle, participants tie ribbons on)
Narrator: This hoop is the womb of the Goddess. All shall pass through this 3 times, each time renewing the energy you have been given. Women shall pass feet first and men right side first.
(Everyone goes through the hoop, then Bride and Narrator hand it over and go through 3 times)
Bride: The ribbon you have tied to the hoop is now a brat bride, a blessed object. For the coming year, keep it by you to ward off aches and pains.
Now is the time to close our rite.
Cailleach: You are the mother of the Gods, the source of all life, you are the source of all wisdom, the keeper of all secrets. You are the source of all love who nourishes the world. You are the lady of the land, source of all sovereignty. We take you into ourselves that we be made whole. (Cailleach drinks, passes cup to Narrator, who passes cup around the circle)
Bride: Fire: I am the center of creation, the first fire at the beginning of time. I am the fire of every hearth, all fires are lit from me. I am the light which dwells in all of you. Fire, you are saved within the holy hearth. (Bride blows out the candle)
Narrator: Bride, thank you for your presence here today.
The offering is made, the rite complete. Let us go from this place made whole and filled with love for one another. So be it. Thank you, Lady Bride