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To Index Gardnerian Book Of Shadows
Form circle in usual manner,
invoking the Mighty Ones.
The Cauldron of Cerridwen
is placed in the circle at the south wreathed with holly,
ivy, and mistletoe, with fire lighted within it. There should
be no other light except for the candles on the altar and
about the circle.
After all are purified, the
Moon should be drawn down.
Then the High Priestess stands
behind the Cauldron in pentacle position, symbolizing the
rebirth of the sun. The people, man and woman alternately,
stand round the circle. The Magus stands facing the High Priestess
with a bundle of torches, or candles, and the book of words
of the incantation. One of the officers stands beside him
with a lighted candle, so that he may have light to read by.
The people begin to slowly
move round the circle sunwise. As each passes him the Magus
lights his candle or torch from the fire in the Cauldron,
which may be simply a candle, till all have lighted candles
or torches. Then the people dance round slowly as he reads
the incantation. (A real fire must now be kindled in the Cauldron.)
Queen of the Moon, Queen of
the Sun. Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the Stars.
Queen of the Waters, Queen
of the Earth. Who ordained to us the child of promise:
It is the Great Mother who
gives birth to him, He is the Lord of Life who is born again,
Darkness and tears are set behind,And the star of guidance
comes up early.
Golden sun of hill and mountain
illumine the land, illumine the world, illumine the seas,
illumine the rivers,Grief be laid, and joy be raised.
Blessed be the Great Mother,
Without beginning, without ending, To everlasting, to eternity,
I O. Evohe, Blessed be."
The dance commences slowly,
in rhythm with the chant, all taking up the call "I. O. Blessed
be." The Priestess joins dance and leads them with a quicker
rhythm. The cauldron with burning fire is pushed so that the
dancers leap or step over it, in couples. Whichever couple
is passing it as it goes out, should be well-purified, three
times each, and may pay any amusing forfeit as the High Priestess
may ordain. Sometimes the cauldron is relighted several times
for this purpose.
Next:
The Eightfold Path or Ways
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