COTH Beltane 2012
Altar is set up. Maypole is set in the middle of the circle. It is bordered by a rope pentagram.  A gateway of Red and White roses is tied to poles at the entrance to the circle. Be-ribboned Broom stave / bush are lying before the altar, the Stang and Maypole crown is placed to the side.
HPS and HP are wearing crowns of flowers.
The majority of this ritual is conducted silently (except for the music)
4 people hold elemental staves. 5 people hold elemental brooms and sweep on the first pass of the circle. (Sweepers lead the procession / dance).  Those not carrying staves carry baskets of flower petals and balsa roses. They scatter the petals around the outside of the circle as they dance.
Opening music: La Volta – Medieval Babes.
Everyone dances around the circle space three times. Keep dancing as the stave bearers plant their staves at their elements on the final circuit. When the music finishes, those with the brooms take them to the centre and lean them against the maypole. Baskets to the outside of the circle.
Circle Cast:
HP and HPS cast circle around the outside of everyone who is standing in the circle. As the circle is cast the participants begin to dance the An Dro. HP and HPS perform quarter calls as well – using the elemental gestures.
Circle Music: Andro Suite – Wolgemut
Power Raising: Dancing The Apple Reel. Music: Saltarello.
5 dancers come forth and take up the brooms that have been laid against the Maypole. Brooms are left in a pentagram around the base of the Maypole. Dancers retreat to the edge of the circle.
HP and HPS step to the centre holding the stang and crown. They perform Invocation gestures upon each other. (The one being invoked upon each time holds the stang and crown)
Together they crown the Maypole.
HPS and HP then return the stang to the altar and take up the broom bush and staff. They go to the King and Queen (who are standing in the circle with everyone else) and present them with broom makings (HPS with Stave to King, HP with bush to Queen). King and Queen are led into the centre of the circle.
As the Queen holds the bush, the King pushes the staff into it (Wrap the broom bundles around the staff). King and Queen hold the broom vertically and HP and HPS arrange the ribbons so that they fall around the King and Queen.
The 5 Apple Reel dancers will gather their brooms from around the Maypole and sweep around the couple. They take the brooms to the altar.
6 dancers come forward and each take up a ribbon from the broom stave.
Music: Goddesses – Wolgemut
King and Queen raise the broom high. Dancers weave the ribbons slowly around the broom handle (standard Maypole weave).  HP and HPS circle the dancers / King & Queen and weave the energies into a fertility spell around the broom.
When the weave gets to the base the HP and HPS take the ribbon ends and tie the broom bush to the staff – at power.  Dancers withdraw after sending their power into the broom.
King and Queen lower broom. They stand with the broom between them and embrace / kiss. HP and HPS crown King and Queen as this happens.
King and Queen walk broom around circle, letting everyone stroke it to add to the layers of energy. King and Queen place the broom at the gateway – under the rose gate.
King and Queen then each take up a ribbon of the Maypole. 8 dancers join them.
Dancing of the Maypole.
Music: Andro – Faun / Sharazula & Allemande – Wolgemut.
After the Maypole has been danced by all who wish to, it is tied off by HP and HPS.
Towards the end of the final Maypole dance, fire dancer prepare fire staff.
HPS and HP light a candle at the altar. They give this to the King and Queen.
Fire dancer approaches King and Queen and together they light the fire stick.
Fire dance.
Music: Nonesuch - Wolgemut
Cakes and Ale
Apple Reel Dancers take up the brooms and one other person takes the stang. Together they form an archway / honour guard to the gateway.
King and Queen enter the gateway and jump the Beltane broom and sent to greenwood.
Farewells / gestures by HP and HPS
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