Beltane 2007

Cast:	
HP/God	
HPs/Goddess	
May King	
May Queen	
4 Quarter Guardians 
4 Quarter Maidens 

Non usual items required:
Maypole
Elemental altars
Brazier
Bower set up with red and white decorations and cushions.

Maypole is set some what centred in the middle of circle; cauldron is placed towards the North of the circle near fire quarter.

Ritual:
Circle is cast by Elemental maidens who stand over their elemental altar and recite in turn: Make these calls fast and dramatic with overly theatrical gestures.

Air Maiden: O creature of Air; symbol of the mind, with thee I will create a sacred space of peace and knowledge
Lights incense

Fire Maiden: O creature of Flame; symbol of transformation, with thee I will create a sacred space of warmth and light
Lights lantern

Water Maiden: O thee creature of Water; symbol of renewal, with thee I will create a sacred space of love and insight
Pours water

Earth Maiden: O creature of Earth; symbol of strength, with thee I will create a sacred space of Balance and protection
Puts salt and grain into bowl of earth.

They all then pace the circle with the elements together. (Incense=Air, Candle= fire, Water=Water and Salt=Earth).  On completion they place the symbols back on altar.

Circle is cast by HPS & HP

By the power of spirit, 
The elements combined
By sword and star
The circle defined.
By our will we conjure thee
The circle is cast, so mote it be.
Quarters (use the I call upon the winds of the world….etc)
To be called by Elemental warriors

Central invokation

HPS Invokes God into HP. Pour libation of Mead into bowl (½)

I call to thee O Horned One
From the forest of ancient dreaming
Awake ye to the dance of Summer's dawn

Thou art the Stag of Seven Tines
The rampant boar with tusks of gold
The gnarled oak of steadfast strength

O Lord of the Forest
Thy sap rises in our veins
As the season's turn by thy virility

Thy roots spread wide and deep
Thy branches enfold the Sun
Thy leaves cloak the verdant green

O Lord of Summer's yearning
Let thy shining presence descend to fill this place
By wind and rain, by earth and flame
We invoke thee. 

Pour rest of Mead into the bowl

HP Invokes upon HP. Pour libation of Milk into bowl (½)

By bud of leaf and bud of flower
By running stream & lovers bower
Goddess of Spring, of Maidens Call
We invoke thee 

By sacred well and sacred flame
By sovereign stone and field of grain
Goddess of Spring, Queen of May
We invoke thee

By scent of spring that carries our prayer
By fertile fields and snow white mare
Goddess of Spring of Hawthorns Bloom
We invoke thee

By Greenwood paths & scented leaves
Come ride as Queen, on Summers eve
Descend we pray into thy servant here
Goddess of Spring we invoke thee.

Pour rest of Milk into bowl.

HP and HPS face each other say the statement of purpose.

HP: the wheel turns again upon the Sabbat of Beltane,
HPS: we celebrate the turning of the season from Spring to Summer
HP: From dark to light
HPS: from bud to flower
HP: we weave the summer
HPS: we weave the web
HP: the summer returns!

HPS: Come forward he, who would be King!

Would be King then steps forward.

He is blind folded and stood next to the pole. 

Air maid: hear the whispers of life in the breeze
Air warrior: hear the words of wonder spoken by the trees

Fire Maid:  feel the warming rays upon thy face
Fire warrior: feel the warmth upon this place

Water Maid: sense the love of the Old ones within thee
Water Warrior: sense the love and set your heart free

Earth Maid: touch the flowers, scented sweet
Earth warrior: touch the ground beneath thy feet.

HPS: spirits enriched and spirits release
HP: Spirits set forth in search of peace.
HP and HPS: Blessed be!
All: Blessed be!

The May Queen then comes from the bower and she slowly moves within the circle.  

Each person is given a strip of fabric to tuck into the May Queen's girdle. The Queen teases the King, saying:

Queen: Come my love, my hunter, my king
Catch the ribbons that weave Summer from Spring
Come run through the trees in search of your Queen
For then you shall win me, the maiden unseen.

Come my love, my hunter, my king
Catch the ribbons that weave Summer from Spring
The hawthorn is blooming, the oak is awake
For I will be yours when these ribbons you take!

The King must try to catch the queen whilst blind folded. He has to acquire each strip of fabric before she is finally caught.  Everyone gathered makes lewd comments to try to confuse him.

He eventually catches the May Queen

HP: the chase is ended, Our Candidate has triumphed.
HPs:  does this suitor please you? (directed at May Queen)
May Queen:  He does!
HPS:  Then may he be prepared.

Warriors step forward and each will consecrate the King and Queen with their elements.

Air: I do consecrate thee by the Mighty Powers of Air. May your voices utter words of love.
Fire: I do consecrate thee by the Mighty powers of Fire. May your passions be always bright. (Give taper to King and Queen)
Water: I do bless thee by the Mighty Powers of Water. May your tears be those of joy.
Earth: I do bless the by the Mighty Powers of earth. May your union empower the land. 
HP:  I do bless thee with the Mighty Powers of Spirit. For without which we would not be! (Places Crown on Kings head)

Queen then kisses King and they embrace.  They walk over to cauldron and as they light it they say:

K: May the flames of summer be a blessing, 
Q: May all who dwell beneath the sky and upon the Earth find love, passion and truth.  K: May the fields be bountiful and the animals fertile.
Q: let us dance the dance of life and weave our lives to the energies of the Earth.

King and Queen walk around the circle bestowing blessings. HPS sings the Garland's Dance as this happens.

May pole dance and merriment. People may jump the fires and make a wish.

The King and queen are then seated in the bower.

Cakes and ale
Close circle.