Ostara 2009
By Bec. Chant, song and invocation by Blayze

Roles
HPS / Maiden / Air / Fire / Water / Earth

Items
Sabbat cord
White veil
Basket of seed bags (charms) from Yule
Each person to bring their seeds (if they still have them)
Arch decorated with Spring flowers and greenery at edge of circle 

Ritual

Everyone enters circle through the Spring arch

Circle is cast

Quarters:
Air: I call upon the winds of the world to attend our circle and witness our rite. Powers of Air, guard us. Hail and welcome.

Fire: I call upon the flames of the fire to attend our circle and witness our rite. Powers of Fire, guard us. Hail and welcome.

Water: I call upon the waves of the ocean to attend our circle and witness our rite. Powers of Water, guard us. Hail and welcome.

Earth: I call upon the stones of the earth to attend our circle and witness our rite. Powers of Earth, guard us. Hail and welcome.

HPS: The wheel has turned once more. It is Ostara – the time of equal day and equal night. The long cold Winter nights are behind us. 
The days begin to lengthen and the land blooms as we welcome Spring. 
The Maiden walks now upon the Earth, bringing new life with each step that she takes. 
Let us journey to the Maiden and hear her words.

Everyone joins hands and follows the HPS as she leads everyone on a journey out of the circle and around the garden. As everyone journeys they sing:

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

The HPS leads everyone back through the arch and into the circle once more.

The Maiden is found standing in the centre of the circle, Her face covered with a white veil and the Sabbat cord tied around her head to hold the veil in place.

Maiden:

I am She who graces the Wild Woods.
I make life renew within the land.
Fertile fields are my domain,
And all who look upon my face are reborn.
My voice is the gentle wind.
I teach the leaves my song and they
Sing of peace and new life.

I am the memory of pure white snow
Graced with shoots of green.
My birth was gentle and yours may be also.

Maiden am I!, Virgin am I!
Remember me when passions overwhelm.

Darkness and light are met within me.
I am the threshold unknown,
The mystery of fertility yet untested.
I am the gateway to the beginning,
And I stand guard at the time of endings.

I AM SPRING, I AM POWER, I AM GODDESS!

Each of you holds a pouch of seeds that have been in your possession since Yule. These seeds represent that which you want to flourish and grow as they bloom and shoot up towards the sun.

Those that do not have seeds may come forward and claim a pouch of seeds. Focus on the seeds in your hand and think of that which you would like to see bloom into fruition.

Take your seeds and scatter them over the land, remembering that which you focussed on at Yule.

Spring is a time of new beginnings, new life, abundance and growth. Remember these things as the wheel turns. May my blessings be upon all of you.

Maiden turns away to face the outside of the circle as the HPS guides everyone on another journey through the arch, around the garden. Each person takes their seeds and scatters them across the grass as they sing:

The Blooming Of The Land
Within the earth a tiny seed 
sends shoots towards the sun
The maiden sings her song of spring
And the blooming has begun

Call the seed, the root, the bud
Call the Sun so bright
Sing your song and bid farewell
To the cold of winter's night.

O lady of the scented leaves
Lay your cloak of vibrant green
Dance the wheel and dance the world
At the blooming of the land.

Within the egg the serpent sleeps
before the break of day
In colours bold he cracks the shell
And wakens all the fae

The ground is split by growing things
That weave upon the hills
The vines and flowers join the dance
To clothe the winter's chill

O lady of the scented leaves
Lay your cloak of vibrant green
Dance the wheel and dance the world
At the blooming of the land.

When everyone has finished scattering their seeds, HPS leads them all back through the arch and into the circle.

HPS: We have journeyed to hear the words of the Maiden. Hold close to your heart the words she has spoken and know that as the seeds grow so does that which you want to bloom and flourish.

Happy Ostara!

Cakes and ale

Farewell quarters
Air: I thank the winds of the world for attending our circle and witnessing our rite and the Powers of Air for guarding us. Hail and farewell.

Fire: I thank the flames of the fire for attending our circle and witnessing our rite and the Powers of Fire for guarding us. Hail and farewell.

Water: I thank the waves of the ocean for attending our circle and witnessing our rite and the Powers of Water for guarding us. Hail and farewell.

Earth: I thank the stones of the earth for attending our circle and witnessing our rite and the Powers of Earth for guarding us. Hail and farewell.

Close Circle