MABON
(Autumn Equinox - Equinozio Di Autunno)
This ritual used the STREGAN OPENING which is appropriate for any Stregan sabbat.
After the Stregan opening:
1. The Circle is Cast
2. High Priest at the altar says:
We gather at this sacred time to rejoice for the abundance which has come into the world. Yet also do we honor Kern, our Lord who is sacrificed for our sake. The time has come when all things have grown into their fullness, and are gathered by hunter and fieldsman. As it was in the time of our beginning, so it is now, so shall it be.
3. High Priest stands to the east, then moves to the west, bearing the god-flame, candle or torch. High Priestess addresses him at the west (giving him a chalice filled with the wine of farewell, containing also a sprig of me. The rue is taken from the whole plant of which two pieces are used at the Autumn Equinox, and the rest dried and saved for Winter Solstice. It is the symbol of death and rebirth, waxing and waning; it is the God-root plant. This plant is grown from the seed planted at Spring Equinox):
Farewell, 0 Janus, Lord of Two Faces, who stands in the Night and within the Darkness. The Hidden God who ever remains, and ever departs to the Hidden Realm through the Gate of Shadows; Ruler of the heights and of the depths. Farewell 0 Faunus. Lord of the Earth. Within you is the union of men and Gods. You dwell within the sacred seed, the seed of ripened grain and the seed off flesh. You are hidden in the Earth, and You rise up to touch the stars.
Maiden ties pouch of grain to the waist cord of High Priest, positioning it to hand above his pubic area.
Grove performs Rite of Union to the High Priest, as he stands in the God posture with ritual wand and god-flame.
4. Female drove members go to each quarter (beginning North) and dance from quarter to quarter. When they come to the High Priest, (hey ritually seize him by the arms. 1 he maiden then takes his ritual want in tier hand and, with tlie oilier females, leads him hack around each quarter, reluming to the West. Then the Maiden embraces him, gives him a kiss of farewell, removes the pouch suspended from his waist, and places it in the vessel set within the cauldron of offering. Maiden ilien hands him a sprig of rue and extinguishes the High Priest's flame.
5. High Priestess addresses Grove members:
The God has departed from His shining abode in the heavens, for the season has come. And Death shall come to the world for the Winter draws near. The Lord of Light now becomes the Lord of Shadows.
6. A vessel is brought out and placed in the west. Everyone will come forward, one at a time, and place some oak leaves within it. Then they will taste some of the grain which is placed beside the vessel.
7. High Priestess recites a portion of the Mythos:
In the earliest times, our Lord and Lady lived in the ancient forests of Nemi. Now our Lady seduced the Lord and there did she receive the sacred seed from which all things spring forth.
But our Lord know not the secret which only the Goddess understood, for She had drawn the life from Him. And the World was abundant with all manner of animal, and that which grows from the Earth.
Now there came a time when all things grew to their fullness, and were to be gathered the hunter and fieldsman alike. And in that time was the God slain and drawn into harvest.
8. High Priest is brought to the north. He is fully cloaked and his hood is drawn up over his head (which is bowed down). Female attendants hold him on each side. High Priestess leads the Grove from the South past him twice. Grove members salute as they pass each time.
9. The Hooded One assumes the God Posture at the West quarter. The High Priestess does and stands before the Horned One, and they begin the sacred dialogue.
(Goddess) I have come in search of Thee, if this where I begin?
(God) Begin to seek me out, and I shall become as small us a seed. so you may but pass me by.
(Grove) Then we shall split the rind, crack the grain, and break the pod.
(God) But I shall hide beneath the earth, and lay so still, that you may but pass me by.
(Goddess) Then I shall raise you up in praise, and place upon you a mantle of Green.
(God) But I shall hide within the Green, and cover myself, and you may but pass me by.
(Grove) Then we shall tear the husk, and pull the root and thresh the chaff.
(God) But I shall scatter, and divide, and be so many, that you may but pass me by.
(Grove) Then we shall gather you in, and hind you whole, and make you One again.
10. Maiden comes forward to the altar, passing first each quarter from the north, carrying the Sacred Loaf.
11. High Priestess addresses Grove members (holding ritual dagger, pointed at (lie loaf upon the altar).
Behold the Harvest Lord.
Grove responds:
Blessed be the Lord of the Harvest.
12. High Priestess cuts the loaf into pieces, one for each Grove member. Everyone then comes forward and receives a piece of tlie loaf. When ever onc has one, the High Priestess says:
Behold the Lord, the Green Man, the Stag King, the Hooded Man.
Let us take Him within us, and be as one.
Everyone eats a piece of the loaf (but leaves a small portion. Traditionally a piece of each loaf slice is placed within the cauldron. It is then ground into crumbs and distributed into the fields, forests, lakes, or hills.)
13. High Priestess passes the chalice of wine and bids all to drink, then speaks:
Behold, you are now as one. you are of the blood. That which was, at the time of the beginning, is now, and always shall be.
Grove responds:
As it was in the time of our beginning, so it is now, so shall if be. Blessed he all!
Celebration concludes with cakes and wine, music and merriment!