Vernalia Lore and Rite
Pronounciation: ver-NAY-lee-ah
Date: On or about March 21
Other Names: Spring Equinox, Ostara, Eostar, Eostre, Oestre
The year's second celebration of fertility. The Latin "equinox" literally means "equal night," and this is indeed the first time of year when daylight and the dark of night last for the same duration. The God can be called a "young buck," hungry for the touch of his Maiden-Goddess love. It is now that fertility starts to be seen, as the first flowers, fruits, and vegetables can surely be planted. The old is banished for the new, spring cleaning on the physical level and beyond. Rabbits and eggs, ancient symbols of fertility and new life, are the calling cards of this Sabbat.
VERNALIA RITUAL
Needed are a sage smudge or large feather, selection of candles in green, yellow, red, blue, and silver, and a container to hold them out of sight.
Set the altar and cast the Circle as usual. Ignore the "P/S" speaking distinctions and directions if this is done as a Solitary rite, and change "we/you" to "I/me" as appropriate.
P: AT THIS TIME, DAY AND NIGHT ARE BALANCED. AS THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GROW, OUR LORD TOO GROWS IN STRENGTH AND RESOLVE AS HE SEEKS HIS MAIDEN LOVE
PS: NOW IS THE TIME TO HARNESS THE POWER OF GROWTH AND MOMENTUM, BRINGING IN NEW AND BANISHING OLD. JUST AS WE CLEAN OUR HOME, SO TOO DO WE CLEANSE OUR LIVES AND OUR SPIRITS. COME FORTH, AND CAST OFF THE BIND OF HINDRANCES!
If this is a Group rite, PS lights sage smudge/takes up feather, smudges/”dusts” P, then vice versa. All others are cleansed thus, P to females, PS to males. Each should think of something they wish to conclude or leave behind while chanting.
If this is a Solitary rite, perform this action on yourself.
ALL: RID ME OF STRIFE, BALANCE MY LIFE!
After all have been cleansed, dance round three times while still chanting. P will call “DOWN,” energy is sent to candles.
If this is a Group rite, PS presents candles.
If this is a Solitary rite, hold up the container of candles.
P: YOU HAVE DONE AWAY WITH THE OLD, NOW SEARCH DEEP WITHIN AND RECEIVE THE NEW. ALL YOU NEED IS HERE.
If this is a Group rite, the PS goes around the circle with the candles. Each will meditate briefly then select one candle.
If this is a Solitary rite, meditate briefly and then select your candle.
P: GREEN IS THE POWER OF SILENCE AND DISCOVERY
YELLOW IS THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS
RED IS THE POWER OF WILL AND ACTION
BLUE IS THE POWER OF COURAGE AND FEELING
SILVER IS THE POWER OF CENTEREDNESS AND DIVINE COMMUNION
THAT WHICH YOU HAVE TAKEN WILL GUIDE YOU
ACCEPT THIS WISDOM AND SEE CLEARLY THE PATH BEFORE YOU
All light their candles from God candle.
PS: LET THIS FLAME BE A LIGHT WHEN ALL ELSE IS DARK, FOR IT IS THE LIGHT OF ______ AND ______ THAT SHINES WITHIN US ALL. BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Now to Cakes and Wine.
Date: On or about March 21
Other Names: Spring Equinox, Ostara, Eostar, Eostre, Oestre
The year's second celebration of fertility. The Latin "equinox" literally means "equal night," and this is indeed the first time of year when daylight and the dark of night last for the same duration. The God can be called a "young buck," hungry for the touch of his Maiden-Goddess love. It is now that fertility starts to be seen, as the first flowers, fruits, and vegetables can surely be planted. The old is banished for the new, spring cleaning on the physical level and beyond. Rabbits and eggs, ancient symbols of fertility and new life, are the calling cards of this Sabbat.
VERNALIA RITUAL
Needed are a sage smudge or large feather, selection of candles in green, yellow, red, blue, and silver, and a container to hold them out of sight.
Set the altar and cast the Circle as usual. Ignore the "P/S" speaking distinctions and directions if this is done as a Solitary rite, and change "we/you" to "I/me" as appropriate.
P: AT THIS TIME, DAY AND NIGHT ARE BALANCED. AS THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GROW, OUR LORD TOO GROWS IN STRENGTH AND RESOLVE AS HE SEEKS HIS MAIDEN LOVE
PS: NOW IS THE TIME TO HARNESS THE POWER OF GROWTH AND MOMENTUM, BRINGING IN NEW AND BANISHING OLD. JUST AS WE CLEAN OUR HOME, SO TOO DO WE CLEANSE OUR LIVES AND OUR SPIRITS. COME FORTH, AND CAST OFF THE BIND OF HINDRANCES!
If this is a Group rite, PS lights sage smudge/takes up feather, smudges/”dusts” P, then vice versa. All others are cleansed thus, P to females, PS to males. Each should think of something they wish to conclude or leave behind while chanting.
If this is a Solitary rite, perform this action on yourself.
ALL: RID ME OF STRIFE, BALANCE MY LIFE!
After all have been cleansed, dance round three times while still chanting. P will call “DOWN,” energy is sent to candles.
If this is a Group rite, PS presents candles.
If this is a Solitary rite, hold up the container of candles.
P: YOU HAVE DONE AWAY WITH THE OLD, NOW SEARCH DEEP WITHIN AND RECEIVE THE NEW. ALL YOU NEED IS HERE.
If this is a Group rite, the PS goes around the circle with the candles. Each will meditate briefly then select one candle.
If this is a Solitary rite, meditate briefly and then select your candle.
P: GREEN IS THE POWER OF SILENCE AND DISCOVERY
YELLOW IS THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS
RED IS THE POWER OF WILL AND ACTION
BLUE IS THE POWER OF COURAGE AND FEELING
SILVER IS THE POWER OF CENTEREDNESS AND DIVINE COMMUNION
THAT WHICH YOU HAVE TAKEN WILL GUIDE YOU
ACCEPT THIS WISDOM AND SEE CLEARLY THE PATH BEFORE YOU
All light their candles from God candle.
PS: LET THIS FLAME BE A LIGHT WHEN ALL ELSE IS DARK, FOR IT IS THE LIGHT OF ______ AND ______ THAT SHINES WITHIN US ALL. BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Now to Cakes and Wine.