Athenaeum
A Place for study of the arts
In ancient Greece students of the arts gathered in the temples of Athena to exchange ideas, philosophies, and techniques.  The purpose of the Athenaeum in Ravenwynd is the same.  Here you will find things from many different traditions.  And we hope you will find something useful to you on your path.

For the following Lammas ritual you will need:  Bowls of cornmeal (blue or yellow), braided grass crowns, and cornmeal cakes (we used a special pan that gave the cakes the shape of fruits and vegetables).
LAMMAS RITUAL

Cast the circle:  North, East, South, West. May this circle now be blessed.

Women:  Lady of the Land, Lady of the Sea, Join with us to celebrate your bounty.

Men:  Lord of the Forest, Lord of the Fields, Join with us to celebrate your blessings.

Women:  bring forward the crowns and crown the men,

BEHOLD THE GOD OF THE GRAIN!
HE HAS COME TO FEED US THROUGH THE WINTER.
SEED SOWER, GIVER OF GRAIN!
WELCOME ARE YOU,
DIONYSUS, FREYR, TAMMUZ, LUGH!

step back into circle.

Men:  gather around the dishes of cornmeal and bless it, saying:
BLESSED IS THE CORN!
BLUE AS THE SKY OVER US,
BLUE AS THE SEA AROUND US,
BLUE AS THE MOUNTAINS AROUND US.
BLESSED IS THE GRAIN, AS ARE THOSE WHO SOW IT!
BLESSED IS THE GRAIN, AS ARE THOSE WHO NURTURE IT!
BLESSED IS THE GRAIN, AS ARE THOSE.  WHO REAP IT!
BLESSED ARE THOU!

Women:  Kneel
Men:  repeat “BLESSED ARE THOU!”  and sprinkle the corn on the women’s heads.
ALL:  resume circle.
HP:   (taking cornmeal to each person) asks:  WHAT IS IT YOU FEAR?

All:  take a handful of cornmeal and voice their fear, repeat word to build chant as each voices their fear and joins in.  Chant gains strength and volume until at peak HP yells:

HP:  LET IT BURN!

ALL:  (Throw cornmeal into fire)

HPS:  (pass cakes around the circle) asks:  WHAT IS IT YOU WISH TO HARVEST?

ALL:  A new chant is built from these responses.  Free dancing, clapping, and singing may take place.  At the end of the song, sit down and earth power.

HPS:  EAT OF THE GRAIN OF THE EVER-LIVING AND EVER-DYING GOD, EAT OF THE GRAIN OF LIFE!

Share wine & cakes and open circle:

LADY AND LORD, WE THANK THEE FOR THY BLESSINGS AND THY BOUNTY.  GO IN PEACE.

WEST, SOUTH, EAST, NORTH, FROM THIS CIRCLE, NOW GO FORTH.  BLESSED BE.

The circle is open and yet unbroken, Merry meet, Merry part, and Merry meet again.

 

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