Ostara 2002
By Foxglove

Cast
Demeter, Goddess of Grain, it is she who allows the fruits of the earth to grow and be nourished.
Persephone/Kore, Goddess of the Underworld whose yearly descent and ascent herald the begging of winter and summer.  As Kore she is the Maiden of Spring, as Persephone she is Goddess of The Underworld.
Dionysus, Guardian of the winter months and God of fertility, after the winter it is he who gives the world, the urge to reproduce this includes plants and animals.
Apollon, God of healing and light, it is he who lights the world and allows the world to flourish.  He only returns from his “holiday” when Kore returns.  This is the beginning of the summer months.
  
Ritual outline
This ritual is in celebration of the spring equinox.  The first part of the ritual is the witches descent into the underworld where they plead with Persephone to return to earth again and to bring on the spring.  The Goddess agrees to return so that her mother (Demeter) will allow the earth to produce life once again.  

The second part of this ritual is in honour of Dionysus, who is the guardian of Delphi/the earth during the winter months. It is he who gives us the will to carry on through the cold dark seasons, as this time is a time where mankind spend indoors away from the toils of the fields.  However, at this time in the year he passes his reign back over to Apollon, who is then honoured as the protector of the summer months.  For it is his power that allows the fields, flowers and inhabitants of this earth to grow and become whole.

Circle is cast 

Quarters are called
Facing east with sword in hand say:
 
	Euros, guardian of the east wind, protector of the air element.  Be with us here to bless and witness our rites.

Facing North with spear in hand say:

	Boreas, Guardian of the North wind, protector of the fire element.  Be with us here to bless and witness our rites.

Facing West with Cauldron in hand say:

	Zephyrus, Guardian of the west wind, protector of the water element.  Be with us here to bless and witness our rites.

Facing South with shield in hand say:

	Notus, Guardian of the south wind, protector of the earth element.  Be with us here to bless and witness our rites.

Invocation of the Immortals
	Great ones from high Olympus
We do call unto thee, to descend unto earth and 
bless us with your presence.
Zeus, great Thunderer come!!
White armed Hera, come!!
Athena wise and knowing, come!!
Apollon of the silver bow, come!!
Artemis, great Huntress, come!!
Creative Hephaestus, come!!
Demeter, Grain Mother, come!!
Hermes, swift of feet, come!!
Thrice born Dionysus, come!!
Beloved Aphrodite, come!!
Poseidon of the mighty Sea, come!!
And all other gods and goddesses from above and below,  come!!
Come and bare witness to these rites.

High priest/ess then reads the Orphic Hymn to Demeter and the Orphic Hymn to Dionysus.  Demeter and Dionysus enter the circle when their Hymns have been read, everyone in circle bows to them in a gesture of welcoming.

Dionysus:	I am Dionysus, thrice born god. Son of Persephone, son of Semele and son of Great Zeus.  I have watched over you throughout winter, I have given you warmth through my love and my guidance through the dark.

Demeter:	I am Demeter of the Golden field, I have kept the darkness in its place, as I have promised to do so, since my dear daughter left me for the dark world below.  But now we stand at a time of equal day and night and it is time for me to keep my promise, the promise of new life in the spring.  But what of the promise made to me, many years ago in the city of Eleusis, where my worship was made?

Dionysus:	It is time for the Daughter of Demeter to return, but you must go below and go within yourself to bring her back.  So that the ancient promise made to great Demeter at the City of Eleusis is fulfilled.  Take these eggs as a gift to the underworld Goddess Persephone.  As the egg is a symbol of new life, when she see’ them, she will know that winter has ended.

Everyone is given an egg.  They the travel to the underworld one by one.

Underworld
Persephone:	Stop, who enters my realm?

Witch:		It is I (name), I have a gift for you, given to me by the God Dionysus.

The witch gives Persephone the Egg, she takes it and looks at it in amazement.

Persephone:	Do you know what this gift means?

Witch:		It is a symbol of new life.

Persephone:	This gift, given to you by the God Dionysus, is also a symbol of you. Do you understand?

Witch:		No

Persephone:	Then I will tell you.  This egg has a red shell, this is your winter protection, given to you by the God of the Vine throughout the winter. But when it is taken off (Persephone peels egg shell off) you have the clean and pure white beneath the surface.  By coming to this realm and giving me this gift, you have, like the egg, been purified.  Take the purified egg to the vine God and my mother and tell them that I will return as promised to my mother, but only when the sun has returned.

Witch:		I will.

The witch then returns to circle area, the witch then goes to Dionysus and Demeter and tells them what Persephone said about her return.  They are then to remain silent and reflect on what they have learned.

When all have returned

Dionysus:	You have journeyed to the realms of the dead.  You have all met its Queen.  She has told you that she will return, but only when the Sun has returned.  It is Apollon, the God light and healing that she waits for.  the dark of winter must retire to the light of the sun.  as the Guardian of winter I must hand my reign to the Great Lord Apollon, guardian of the Summer.

Let us call to him, take your egg, the symbol of new life and your newly purified spirit.  You must now open yourself to the light of the sun…. literally , by breaking open the white of the egg and finding within yourself….. the sun.

When all the eggs have been opened to reveal the yolk, Dionysus goes around and has everyone put their yoke into a bowl.  The high priestess then reads the Orphic Hymn to Apollon.  Who then enters the circle when he hears it.

Apollon:	I am Apollon, God of light, healing and prophesy.  I have heard your call and now that I have returned, the light has overcome the darkness.

Dionysus:	Welcome my brother, we have now reached the time of life, where I must pass my reign back to you.  Take this gift of yokes a symbol of the joy of your return.  These yokes represent the sun, found within the souls of the witches present here.

Apollon looks to see Demeter crying.

Apollon:	Daughter of Rhea, why are you crying?

Demeter:	I grow impatient for the ancient promise to again be fulfilled.

Apollon:	Then grow impatient no longer.  Let us call unto the maiden, so that she may return to her mother as promised in the ancient city of Eleusis.

Priest/ess then reads the Orphic Hymn to Persephone/Kore.  Kore the skips into the circle area tossing flower petals over everyone, she then goes to her mother and they embrace.

Kore:		I have dwelt long in the land of the dead, but now I have returned, to my mother and the world above.  It is with the gift of new life brought to me by you that I return.  I cast out winter!

She throws the egg shells into the fire).

Everyone then lets out a shout of happiness.

Demeter:	The Ancient promise has been kept, and so now the cycle continues.  The world shall now no longer know the cold of winter, but the budding of life in the Spring. The grain will grow and prosper, the trees and flowers will no longer slumber.  For I now bless the earth the power to flourish.  My children, I assure you will no longer be hungry or cold.  Farewell winter, well spring.

Cakes and ale is performed by Kore and Apollon.

Farewell Quarters 
East:		Euros, guardian of the East wind and protector of the air element, we do thank thee for attending this circle and witnessing our rite.   

North:		Boreas, guardian of the north wind and protector of the fire element, we do thank thee for attending this circle and witnessing our rite.  

West:		Zephyrus, guardian of the west wind and protector of the water element, we do thank thee for attending this circle and witnessing our rite.

South:		Notus, guardian of the South wind and protector of the Earth element, we do thank thee for attending this circle and witnessing our rite.      

Drychton prayer

Close circle 

Feast