PAN Full Moon Ritual - Beltane 2005
by Blayze and Jo Dunster

Cast
HPS
HP
Maiden
King - to be chosen during ritual

Setup
Altar
Maypole is set up in the centre. 

Additional props
Moon bowl and water
Tokens for the King. 
Oak crown and Flower crown.
Be-ribboned aspergum.

Circle cast:
HPS to bless the elements, HP to take them around circle.
HPS to cast circle

Quarters called

Central Invokation

Invokations
HPS: By the flame that burneth bright...
HP: By bud of leaf...

Maiden steps forth.
 
HPS: "At the Spring Equinox we awoke the Maiden who in turn awoke the land. It is now  Beltane, time for Her to be crowned Queen and to take from amongst those gathered, her Consort and King. We stand under the light of the full and pregant Moon. She who guides the tides of fertility and the tides within us all, and so it is by the Moon's power that the Queen's Consort will be chosen."

Maiden to sit before the moon bowl.

HPS: "In the moon bowl are tokens. We will draw down the moon into the bowl and when they are empowered each man will have his chance to be the king".

DRAW DOWN THE MOON

HP draws down the moon into the bowl whilst everyone to performs howl at the same time.

When drawing down the moon is complete, Maiden to take to the bowl around to each male who will choose a token and not show anyone. 

Women to form a circle around the Maiden facing outwards.

Men to form an outer circle and face inwards. HP to call for the Man with the King's token to step forward. Cloak Him and take him around the circle of men. 

HP: "Here is your King. Chosen by the power of Moon as consort to the Queen. Men do you accept him as your representative?"

Men to answer

HPS: "Ladies, The King has been chosen, but you must test him. Guard the Maiden, our future Queen until you feel that he has passed your tests. You are the trees that Surround the Queen. You can call out challenges to him but dont let him through until you are satisfied."

Men can stamp their feet and clap, make noise and egg the King on.

Eventually the women will let the King through.

HPS: "The consort has been chosen, has been tested and won his Queen. Now as the season ripens towards Summer we celebrate both the crowning of the King and Queen and from their union, the fertility of the Land."

HPS asperges and censes the King
HP asperges and censes the Queen

HPS Crown the King
HP Crowns the Queen.

Everyone to move back into one circle.

They are given a branch twined with red and white. They take the branch and dip it into the waters of the moon bowl. They go around the circle and asperge everyone with the blessings of Beltane.

King and Queen: "May all that you wish for become fertile". 

The last of the water is poured out upon the land in libation and blessing.

HPS asks the King and Queen to lead everyone in the Maypole dance to celebrate the weaving of the union and the Spring into Summer.

Maypole dance to drums.

After everyone has danced, King and Queen perform Cakes and Ale. 

Quarters are farewelled and circle closed.