Ostara 2005 - Circle Of The Hearth

There is a basket of eggs beside the altar, cord for spinning, a blindfold and 4 elements.

Circle Cast

Quarters

HPS: At Yule the light was born back into the Land and promises were made. At Imbolc we witnessed the transformation of Crone to Maiden and the promises were kept. We found the light within ourselves. Now is the time of Ostara, the Spring Equinox. the time when Night and Day are equal.

It is time for the Child of Promise, born at Yule, nurtured at Imbolc, to be initiated into his manhood, to take his first steps into sovereignty. To bring balance to the world before he takes his Crown in the Sun.

All to circle around the flame chanting:

"The Moon goes round the Earth, the Earth goes round the Sun, when day and night are equal, the greening has begun" 

HPS calls the Child of Promise.

"By the flame..."

The COP comes from between the trees.

HPS: Welcome. You are the Child of Promise, you hold within yourself the promise of Sovereignty, at this time of balance, of equal day and night, are you ready to undertake the trials that will bring the promise into being?

COP: I am

"Then as the world shifts into balance of equal day and night, so must you find that balance within yourself. It is the first step in awakening your spirit to the rhythms of the land."

COP is blindfolded and then taken around the circle three times by three different people. He is taken to the centre of riddled.

Riddle of Air:	Voiceless cries, wingless flutters, toothless bites, wingless mutters
The answer is Wind. 

Riddle of Water:	Alive without breath, as cold as death, never thirsty, ever drinking, all in mail never clinking
The answer is Fish 

Riddle of Earth:	What has roots as nobody sees, is taller than trees, up it goes and yet never grows?
Answer is Mountains 

Riddle of Fire:	Red cat upon the hearth, striped with gold, spitting and twisting… could eat the whole house if you let her.
Answer is Fire. 

After each riddle he is blessed by that element. 

He is then Spun into Spring.

HPS: You were born into darkness  and have circled the three worlds. You have been blessed by earth, air, fire and water. You have been spun into Spring, now remove that which blinds you and be balanced by the Light.

A lantern is held in front of the COP.

HPS: You have passed your trials. Now let us robe and crown you in preparation for your meeting with the Maiden as together you balance the world.

COP is robed and cloaked and crowned.

HPS: Bear witness that the Child of Promise has become a man, The Young Stag has become the Horned One. 

The Stag now holds the lantern and everyone dances around him once more chanting.

The HPS invokes the Maiden.

"From the bower of the green earth...

Maiden enters circle and responds with the Charge of the Spring Maiden. 

HPS: Lady, we thank you for your presence here. 

Maiden: There is one among you whose power I sense... The time of balance is near.

DARK TO DARK AND LIGHT TO LIGHT
BY FOREST, FIELD AND FLAME
I CALL TO THEE, MY HEART'S DELIGHT
LORD OF HUNT AND GAME

Stag comes out from the circle of dancers bearing the lantern.

Stag: Lady, I answer your call.

Stag performs Charge of the Sun God.

He gives Maiden the Lantern and they kiss. 

Maiden: Yes, all is now in balance at the turning of the tides of spring. Let the dance begin.

She places the lantern back in the centre of the circle and Maiden and Stag lead everyone in a spiral dance.

Maiden and Stag move to centre of the circle. 
Maiden: We are young yet in this cycle of our reign, yet we are balanced by the ages, we flow from the river of time. We have been awoken to the Spring but the time for our union is not yet here. Balance is a precarious and precious thing, it is fleeting. And though we have just found each other our journeys are not yet the same. I send you into the world to grow in strength and warm the days to come. But I give to you my own promise... 
When spring is turning to summer I will answer YOUR call. 
Maiden gives the Stag the lantern and opens a gateway for the Stag to exit.
Maiden: I thank you all for the fulfilment of your promises.

Maiden gives each person an egg 

Maiden: The days will now grow longer, the balance shifts once more.

She departs.

Cakes and Ale
Farewell quarters
Close circle.