Of Calls
Of old there were many chants and songs used, especially in the dances. Many of these have been forgotten by us here but we know they used cries of IAU, HAU, which seems much like the cry of the ancients EVO or EAVOE. Much dependeth upon the pronunciation if this be so. In my youth when I heard the cry IAU it seemed to me to be AEIOU, or rather HAAEE IOOUU or AA EE IOOOOUU. This may be but the way to prolong it to make it fit for a call but it suggests that these may be the initials of an...
The Cone of Power
This was the old way. The circle was marked out and people stationed to whip up the dancers. A fire or candle was within it in the direction where the object of the rite was supposed to be. Then all danced round until they felt they had raised enough power. If the rite was to banish they started deosil and finished tuathil, so many rounds of each. Then they formed a line with linked hands and rushed towards the fire shouting the thing they wanted. They kept it up 'til they were exhausted or...
Esbat Ritual
Everything needed to cast a Circle, Wand, Scourge, Priestess' Athame Here is the sequence of modules in a standard Esbat ritual. Optional rare Declaim Ancient Call Optional rare HP declaims Ancient Call Great God Cernunnos Invocation generally omitted if Drawing Down the Sun Witches' Rune or other circle chant, eg. Ancient Call Insert optional Circle work here eg. Sabbat ritual Relax and chat Coven business discussion, teaching, etc. A standard BOS usually lists its owner's standard modules so...
Vernal Equinox Eostar
A Symbol of the Wheel is on the altar, flanked with burning candles, or with fire in some form - torches, or small tripods with fire in their cups. The Symbol of the Wheel may be a plain disc, or an eight spoked wheel, or the pentacle. Alex and Maxine Sanders used a circular mirror with a broad frame, also circular, decorated as a twelve-pointed star. In the centre of the Circle is either a cauldron full of inflammable material, or out of doors a bonfire ready to be lit. HPS then stands in the...
Great God Cernunnos Invocation
HPS and HP turn to salute altar with the Horned God s salute as HP says HP Great God Cernunnos, return to earth again Come at my call and show thyself to men. Shepherd of Goats, upon the wild hill s way, Lead thy lost flock from darkness into day. Forgotten are the ways of sleep and night -Men seek for them whose eyes have lost the light. Open the door, the door which hath no key, The door of dreams, whereby men come to thee. O Mighty Stag, O answer to me - akhera beiti lowering their hands...