Solitary Beltaine Ritual
Notes:
In this manner, each dun and home in Erin was given a piece of the sacred fire of the sun, seen at this time of year in all its promise and glory, as it rises over a land that has sloughed off the last of winter, and is entering the height of a verdant spring.
The candle thus consecrated, as long as it is only lit within spiritual context, will carry a piece of the Beltaine sun throughout the year for you. Within our grove, we use this candle to represent the sacred fire at our rituals, and all other fires in the ritual space are lit from it.
For those who wish to truly emulate the original rite, all lights in the house should be turned off the night before the ritual, and no food cooked. After the ritual, upon returning home, light the Birch candle outside the house, and carry it in, then turn on the lights in each room as you pass through, and turn on the stove, oven, and microwave briefly.
Ritual Accouterments:
The Ritual
Before beginning the rite, carve the Birch Ogham (a vertical line, with a shorter line branching off to the right halfway up it)on one of the unused candles. At the site (preferably outdoors in the morning, where the Beltaine sun can be seen), arrange the ritual space with all tools and equipment needed within a ring of nine candles. Light all the candles, except the Birch candle, and light the coal in the censer.
Center and ground as you choose.
Strike the ground 9 times with the staff.
Hold up the container of triple water saying:
I bring water from beyond the ninth wave.
Which has come as rain,
Which has come from springs,
Which has come in rivers and streams.
I bring the sacred waters,
By the might of the primal waters
This grove is made sacred.
Let the Sea not rise,
And let no ill or bane
Pass these encircling waters.
Hold the central candle aloft, saying:
I bring the sacred fire.
Fire of inspiration.
Fire of transformation.
Fire of sacrifices.
O Light of Inspiration,
Be present in this vessel
And in this grove.
By the light of the sacred fire
This grove is enchanted
Let the Sky not fall,
And let only blessing
Be welcome at this fire
Hold the staff aloft, saying
I carry a piece of the sacred tree.
Which has sprung from the bosom of the Mother,
Which has grown strong by the light of the sun,
Which has caught the gentle rain in its reaching branches.
Bringing the power of growth to this rite.
The Fire, the Well, the Sacred Tree
Flow, and Flame, and Grow in me
In Land, Sea, and Sky
Below and on high
Let the Land hold fast beneath us.
Thus is the Sacred Grove
Claimed and hallowed!
Visualize the ritual area as separated from the mundane world.
Honored Ancestors.
You who have watched the passing years,
Join our gathering, and bless us with the ancient wisdom.
Sprinkle incense on the coals.
Shining Spirits.
You who fill the many-splendored world around us,
Join our gathering, and bless us with the wonder of the world.
Sprinkle incense on the coals.
Mighty Goddesses and Gods.
You who watch over and guide us,
Join our gathering, and grant us your blessings and inspiration.
Sprinkle on the coals.
In times long past, when the goddesses and gods ruled Erin,
All fires on the island were extinguished on Beltaine eve.
All candles within the sacred space are extinguished.
Houses were not warmed by a cheery flame in the hearth.
Nor lit by the gentle glow of a candle.
Food was eaten cold that night.
The Druids would lay a pyre upon the mound of Tara.
And they would wait for the sun to rise.
And the fire would be lit.
Today, I recreate that ancient rite.
I stand in a circle devoid of all fire,
Except that of the bright and shining sun.
For today, I am in the height of Spring.
All life around me is blooming forth,
Bursting from the Mother's embrace.
I am in the season of newness,
The season of hope.
As the Druids of old kindled sacred fire on this day,
I also light fire within this sacred space,
I light fire in the season of newness, the season of hope.
Light the Birch candle.
As the Druids of old took this sacred fire,
And with it, lit all fires on Erin anew from it,
I also light all fires from this single flame.
Relight each of the perimeter candles from the central candle, then extinguish the central candle.
Visualize the power of Spring infusing each of the candles around the perimeter. Smell the newness of life in the air, listen to the buzzing of insects, the call of birds, the gentle whisper of the winds. Feel the warmth of the sun, finally returning in its full strength after the months of winter.
Take the Birch candle, and touch it to the flame of each of the nine perimeter candles, as each one gives its flame to the Birch candle, say:
I kindle the sacred fire in the season of newness, in the season of hope.
When all nine candles have contributed to the Birch candle:
With the sacred fire kindled, under the bright face of the sun,
In a space made sacred by the Blessed Kindreds,
Upheld by Fire, Water, and Tree,
I return to the world now,
And I thank and release the powers I have invoked
Go now, Blessed Kindreds, enjoy the beauty of Spring.
Go now, Lugh of the Sun, stand tall beneath the bright fire in the sky.
Sacred well, pull the boundary waters back from this grove,
Sacred fire, open the sky again.
Sacred tree, return the ground beneath my feet to the solid world.
Extinguish the Birch candle, and center and ground.