Lughnasadh 2007 : Women's Rite
by Blayze

This ritual takes place in a separate area to the main ritual. HPS waits inside the sacred space and the women line up ready to come in. The Maiden, Mother and Crone enter first and HPS will anoint /smudge /flame them. Maiden will then take water, Mother Incense and and Crone flame to cleanse the rest of the women as they enter.

(A bowl of herbed and salted water is taken to each woman to anoint themselves on the third eye.
Incense is taken to smudge each woman. Candle taken run flame around each woman.)

HPS takes the sickle and holds it against each woman's throat in turn saying:

HPS: “There is mystery in the harvest, we are the raisers, the reapers and winnowers. We follow the paths of the seasons, we follow the paths of the moon. We know the potential of sacrifice as we hold the mystery of the harvest within the core of our very being. Failte Caraid (welcome friend)”

Each woman then takes her place in the circle.

When all have entered, cleansing tools are replaced upon the altar. HPS takes up three candles.

HPS: “Welcome sisters. It is Lughnasadh, the time of the first harvest, of the sacrifice of more than just the grain in the field. We know the power of the Three In One for each of us has been a maiden. As the mother, we will reap what we have sown. Eventually we will find the Crone and fly on raven's wings to the next stage of our lives. 

And so we acknowledge these stages and we draw upon them as we empower our representatives to bring this mystery to our menfolk.

I call upon the Maiden”

Maiden steps forward, takes a candle and lights the flame. 

Maiden: “I am the light of Spring's dawning”.

HPS: “I call upon the Mother”

Mother steps forward, takes a candle and lights the flame.

Mother: “I am the light of Summer's flame”

HPS: “I call upon the Crone”

Crone steps forward, takes a candle and lights the flame.

Crone: “I am the light of Autumn's mourning”

Triple Goddess: “Light of winter, darkness' bane”

All three place their candles upon the altar in front of the mirror.

Apple bearer steps forward with Maiden's white veil and crown that covers a basket of apples.

Apple bearer: “To the Maiden I give the mantle of purest white. I give the mystery of the apple, virgin, beautiful, eternal – the star shining within her heart.

She gives the basket of apples to the Maiden and veils her with the white cloth and crown.

Grape bearer steps forward with the Mother's red veil and crown that covers a basket of grapes.

Grape Bearer: “To the Mother I give the Mantle of deepest red. I give the mystery of the grape, fruit of the vine, spiralling, supporting and containing the blood of ecstasy set free.”

She gives the basket of grapes to the Mother and veils her with the red cloth and crown

Cake bearer steps forward with the Crone's black veil and crown that covers the basket of cakes.

Cake Bearer: “To the Crone I give the mantle of midnight black. I give the mystery of the winnowed grain. The bannock that holds the harvest and all that comes after. Sustenance from Sacrifice.

She gives the basket of cakes to the Crone and veils her with the black cloth and crown.

The Maiden, Mother and Crone hold up their offerings and say:

“Three In One and One In Three, light and bright and dark are we!”

They then each place their offerings into a large harvest basket that is brought to them by the HPS.

HPS: “See now the harvest in truth... But nothing comes without a price. It is Lammas, a time when one of our lovers / brothers / fathers / sons must make the sacrifice to become the Spirit Of The Harvest. We take with us the gifts of life and the gifts of death.

Apple bearer takes the bowl of apple seeds and presents them to the Maiden.

Apple bearer: Maiden of Apples I give to you the seeds of all potential. Our innocence is one with you.

Maiden: These seeds I accept as an offering in truth.

Grape bearer takes the jug of wine and presents it to the Mother.

Graper bearer: Mother Of Vines, I give to you the blood of fertility and renewal. Our creativity is one with you.

Mother: This wine I accept as an offering in love.

Cake bearer takes the flail and presents it to the Crone.

Cake bearer: Crone of Night, I give to you the flail that parts the ways. Our lives are one with you.

Crone: This flail I accept as an offering of trust.

The Maiden, Mother and Crone hold up their offerings and say:

“Three In One and One In Three, light and bright and dark are we!”

HPS: Then the time has come for us to join the menfolk. Sisters, arm yourselves with the harvest of old. Take up the sheaves of wheat as we bear them between the worlds.

Each woman takes a sheaf of wheat.

They are led by the HPS (who carries the harvest basket) out of the temple, Maiden, Mother and Crone follow, holding their offerings.

The women all sing the Lughnasadh Song and make their way to the main ritual site.