Beltane Ritual

Heather Johnson

Coven walks in. Women have baskets of flower petals, and the men have branches with bells. Coven walks deosil three times sprinkling flower petals and shaking the branches. Each time around they chant:

Coven: "Blessed Be this sacred ground as we walk once (twice, thrice) round"

Covenors take their places, High Priest and Priestess by the altar and the rest at the four corners. Starting in the east, each person calls for the elements and salutes them with the proper symbol.

East: "Guardians, spirits, elementals, and powers of the east and of air, we ask your guidance and protection at our circle this day. Join us in celebrating this sacred season and the Lord and Lady."

South: "Guardians, spirits, elementals, and powers of the south and of fire, we ask your guidance and protection at our circle this day. Join us in celebrating this sacred season and the Lord and Lady."

West: "Guardians, spirits, elementals, and powers of the west and of water, we ask your guidance and protection at our circle this day. Join us in celebrating this sacred season and the Lord and Lady."

North: "Guardians, spirits, elementals, and powers of the north and of earth, we ask your guidance and protection at our circle this day. Join us in celebrating this sacred season and the Lord and Lady."

High Priest and Priestess calls forth the lord and lady. As each is called a candle is lit to represent them.

High Priestess: "Tonight is the lusty eve of May. Blessed be the fertile Goddess"

High Priest: "Tonight is the lusty eve of May. Blessed be the Horned God"

Coven: "Tonight is the lusty eve of May. Blessed be the sacred marriage that manifests all creation."

Hand Maiden: "We gather on this blessed day so that we might celebrate Beltane, the start of the fertile summer season."

Hand Master: "In this moment between time, we come to praise the bountiful Goddess..."

Hand Maiden: "...and her God consort..."

Hand Master: "...Who unite today in sacred marriage. We wish to give thanks, and to feel our selves a part of the relentlessly turning wheel of life, death, and rebirth."

The Hand Maiden and the Hand master walk to the alter and picks up the chalice and athame. They carry these to the High Priest and Priestess. The High Priestess holds high the chalice.

High Priestess: "Behold the womb of the Goddess. The well spring from which all life flows."

The High Priest holds high the athame.

High Priest: "Behold the phallus of the God. The fertilizing principal of the universe."

High Priest and Priestess: "Blessed be the divine life force in all it’s many forms"

Hand Maiden helps the High Priestess to the floor. The priestess can lie with her legs open or closed, which ever is more comfortable. She will hold the chalice with both hands over her belly. The priest will stand next to her knees, or in between them again which ever is more comfortable. Everyone take a moment to visualize life energy flowing into the priest and priestess.

High Priest: "Blessed be you, my Goddess, my holy bride of heaven and earth. Let me unite with you in the ancient rite of sacred marriage."

High Priestess: "Blessed be you, my God, my holy groom of heaven and earth. Let me unite with you in the ancient ritual of sacred marriage."

High Priest and Priestess: "As we become one, we are one. As we are one, we become one."

The priest kneels and brings the blade down into the chalice. Allow a few moments to feel love and life flow between the priest and priestess. When the priest and priestess are done, they motion to the hand maiden and master to help them up. For the rest of the ritual the priest and priestess will hold hands to symbolize their continual union.

Hand Maiden: "By this act of love, all life comes to be."

Hand Master: "By this act of faith, we proclaim our belief in our place on the eternal cycle of life."

Hand Master and Maiden: "Blessed be the Great Rite. The Lord and Lady reign eternal."

Now is the time for wish making. On a piece of paper (provided) write what you would like to come in to your life. Keep it simple and direct. Once everyone has their wishes written down, chant three times:

Coven: "Love and light and laughter be, Lord and lady bring to me. As above, so below. Make my prosperity grow."

The coven tosses their wishes in to the fire. Dismiss the elements and the Lord and lady.

"Stay if you will, go if you must, in perfect love and perfect trust"