Thursday, December 22, 2011

Solstice Tree Of Life Rite....

The Tree of Life
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Panthea, Initiations and Festivals of the Goddess
 
Fellowship of Isis Liturgy
by Olivia Robertson
 
Part II. The Star of Ishtar. Eight Seasonal Festivals
 
The Tree of Life
Winter Solstice. 21st - 25th December
 
Ritual no. 12
 
ORACLE OF THE GODDESS FRIGGA 
 
Priestess: (Invocation) Holy Frigga, Mother Goddess, whose Consort is the God Odin, we invoke Thy Blessing on Your poor earth that we may redeem her from all the ills we have inflicted upon her in this cruel iron age.
Oracle: Be of good heart! An Age of Starry Space has dawned, as was foretold by the Seers of old. As you imagine, so it is. When you fear Ragnarok, the general destruction of Gods and men - lo it is there, not for the Deities who live forever, but with your earthly lives. You have as yet no idea of the power of your imaginations! To imagine is to co-create with the Deities. It is through the Divine Imagination that the galaxies were formed in a swirling of light, and the stars sang and the planets turned about them, for this was the imagining of the mighty Star Deities.
It is My Will that My children should create. Artists produce works that show forth the beauty that is inherent in all things, and philosophers through mind make logical systems of thought. Master Builders produce civilizations, and religious teachers give devotees noble religions.
But the greatest of all creations and the most despised, is the Family. Mention the family, and the intelligent, the creative, the spiritual, are bored! They feel the Mother was the restriction which they endured in the womb, from which they were glad to escape into the bright light of incarnation! The Wife suggests the binding responsibilities of home and children that distract the pilgrim on his quest for eternity. Indeed, in the day of the Patriarch it was often the practice of seekers for truth to abandon their homes and go forth into the wilderness, there to seek enlightenment, During the Iron Age the way of the monk and the nun, the scholar and the scientist, was regarded as the highest and best path to Heaven. Heaven was the mind, the spirit, the alienation from both earth and the family.
But now the time has come, when austere studentship has been achieved, for humanity to discover the Divine Family. Each of us has a Divine Family, whether they are My Families, the Aesir and the Vanir, the Family of the Olympian Gods and Goddesses, the Families of Parvati and Lakshmi of India, or your own true peers. Families do not mean separation, for all beings are akin: by venerating your own mother, you honour all mothers: by loving your wives and husbands, you respect all lovers. Care for your own children, and you care for the offspring of every creature throughout the Universe.
Your Spiritual Family will be discovered by you as you tread the Path of the Wise Ones. Drink deep from the Well of Wisdom, but do not ignore the humble, but rather respect the love within them. Therefore, be particularly careful when you do find your Spiritual Family that you give even more love and understanding to your earthly relations and friends! Otherwise you will lose the rainbow bridge with your Spiritual Family, and alienate your earthly friends. The Tree of Life shines through every Being and creature. It shines through Rainbow Bridges of flowing energy, bringing in accord the Almighty Deities and the humblest child and horse and bird and plant. Your pilgrimage will bring you at long last in a spiral from earthly home to Divine Haven. Both are One.
Assembly at the gate.  Celebrants including children in many-hued robes and leafy head-garlands, bearing symbolic unwrapped gifts.  Priestess in star crown and blue and white robes, holding wand.  Priest in gold headdress and red robes, with staff.  Maiden and Youth (Lifstrathir and Lif) in white.  Priest strikes ground 3 times with staff.
Priest: Fellow Celebrants, at this holy time of the Winter Solstice we are assembled to honour the Tree of Life. When the sun appears lowest in the sky, the stars shine forth in all their glory! The Tree of Life has its roots in the abyss of space and its branches encircle the Universe. Its flowers are the galaxies, and its leaves are all living souls.
Priestess: The Tree of Life is reflected about us in the World Tree, named Yggdrasil the Ash by our Norse forebears. Yggdrasil has three roots. One is deep within the earth, encircled by a fiery serpent. The second grows among the four stars of the Southern Cross, in the Realm of Muspell. The third rises from the Himinbiorg, Hill of Heaven, between the three Pole Stars. At the brightest is the well of Ultha. The Rainbow Bridge Bifrost joins these three roots from the North and South through the centre of the earth. The crown of Yggdrasil reaches the stars of Aquila, the eagle, Galactic Centre.
Priest: Bifrost also connects the mighty branches of the Tree as it ascends through the Seven Heavens. Souls journey over the Rainbow Bridge higher and higher from Valhalla, home of the valiant Alfheim, wherein dwell the White Elves, Ereidblik the beautiful to Glitnir, glorious with gold and silver.
Priestess: And at the Crown of the Tree are three Heavens shining with eternal Light, and these never pass away nor is the Rainbow Bridge to these ever broken. These are Gimlae, Andlang and Vilblain. The Tree is also within ourselves, for our spine is the trunk and our radiant psychic centres are the fruits.
Priest: Let us make procession to the Tree that has grown so wonderfully from a small seed shed by the Mother Goddess.
Procession to high altar which is draped with red and gold. On it is burning incense and 7 lighted candles. Before it, left, is small tree in tub of earth to be replanted with honour in 12 days; centre, a cauldron of water and cup, and right, a large unlighted candle entwined with mistletoe. There are unlighted candles in circle round temple. Food and drink are ready.
Celebrants: (place gifts in and round tree with these words) I offer this gift to Frigga and Odin, the Givers of gifts. 
Priestess: (makes loop in air with wand) I invoke the Goddess Frigga!
Frigga, Frigga, Frigga, Earth Mother,
Blessed be the fruits of Thy womb,
Blessed be the paps of the Cow Goddess Audhumla
That nourish all creatures.
Make our fields to increase and flourish.
The earth fruitful and healthy.
With shining harvest of shafts of millet,
Broad harvests of barley and all grains.
Hail to thee, Frigga, Mother of us all!
From the dark winter bring forth abundance
And bless us with noble progeny.
Priest: (lifts staff aloft and makes lightning flash sign) I invoke the God Odin. 
We call upon the Mighty Father, 
Husband of Frigga, strong to protect. 
Father of the Aesir and the Vanir, 
Powerful and glorious Deities, 
Odin, carry us over the Rainbow Bridge Bifrost 
To the beautiful Heavens. 
We sing praise of Odin the wise one. 

Priestess: Know that Lifthrasir and Lif are the Maiden and Youth who sheltered within the branches of Yggdrasil when the bright planet Asgard fell. They come forth renewed at the birth of the New age.
Priestess: (anoints maiden and youth's brows with water saying) May you receive the Water of Life. All brows are anointed.
Priest: Fellow Celebrants, let the Divine Mystery of the Tree and the Well be presented. Strikes ground twice with staff.
MYSTERY OF THE TREE AND THE WELL
Actors: The Wanderer is in black cloak with wide-brimmed black hat concealing face. He holds pilgrim's staff. 3 Women (Spaewives) in black cloaks and hooded faces with bare feet crouch in circle round cauldron. 7 Star Maidens in star crowns and white robes.
Wanderer: Weary and heart-sick am I, travelling through mountain torrents, cruel rocks and ice-fields. I have abandoned my loving wife and children for this arduous pilgrimage, seeking for wisdom to cure the ills of mankind! I despair at human folly. Children alone are joyful. But when they reach maturity they are taught of past injustice and, burning with hateful violence, join the bitter warfare of their tribes! The beautiful earth is ravaged through man's greed and envy. Clearly I foresee that such evil seeds can only produce catastrophe. Doom is upon the earth and all its creatures. Why, even this tree before me looks sickly and twisted with pollution! And these three wretched women crouching on the bare earth, meanly clad, feet bare, what refreshment can they draw from this contaminated well!
lst Woman: The joy of the morning to you, good Lord! Would you spare a coin for a poor old woman?
Wanderer: Greetings to you, Reverend Mother. Alas, I have no coins for you. Bad it is for you in your old age to be reduced to begging in the cold winter.
2nd Woman: A happy marriage for you, fine stranger! Shall I sing you a ballad of lovers who part and meet again?
Wanderer: Wrong it is to see a fine woman like yourself reduced to singing love ballads by the dusty wayside! You should be in your own home with a good husband and children.
3rd Woman: Greeting to you, melancholy Wanderer! Would you have good fortune? Shall I read your palm?
Wanderer: Sad indeed am I to see a young girl telling fortunes to travellers at the side of the road! You should be with your father and mother, safe, at home.
lst Woman: We three are Spaewives who greet strangers at the crossroads. We have some little skill in divination. From the roots of the past come the present. Answer me this, you with all you book learning! What would you give to save the wide earth from destruction?
Wanderer: This is easily answered! I would give all I have!
lst Woman: You need only give your memory.
Wanderer: My memory! It is a rich store. I remember my wife and children who for so long have awaited my return. Yet my own thoughts give me the lie. It is bitter memory of past injuries that cause cruel wars. Take mine if you can!
lst Woman: Drink this water. Gives Wanderer water to drink.  He does so.
Wanderer: Most strange and wonderful! I am happy for the first time for long years! I feel as I did as a child when I first saw a horse grazing in a glade, its coat dappled by sun through leafy trees.
2nd Woman: The task is not completed. You are joyful. Others remain unhappy. To transform the world you must give up all power and influence!
Wanderer: But it was my intention to return to my fellows filled with the wisdom to govern well and to teach the truth! Yet, when so many have tried to change the world through will and intellect and have failed, how may I succeed? I am willing to give up my power, if you can take it.
2nd Woman dips Wanderer's fingertips in water.
Wanderer: What is this strength that imbues my limbs and fills my being with glory? Vain are the deliberations and the edicts of rulers and teachers! I shine like the sun and so may awaken the sun in all so may the people govern and teach themselves!
3rd Woman: The task is not yet complete. Your clear mind foresees a terrible doom to fall upon the earth, as a necessary consequence of foolish and evil deeds. Will you surrender your farsighted vision and all faculties of your mind?
Wanderer: This would be my death, for I dwell in my mind: it is my heaven. Yet as foresight only shows me inevitable catastrophe, I must surrender that which I value most. Take my mind, if you can!
3rd Woman anoints Wanderer's head and brow with water.
Music: Wagner's Valhallah music is suitable.
Wanderer: Oh wonder! I stand upon the Hill of Himmelbiorg at the Pole Star! Below me is the Spring of Urtha, and above me spread the radiant branches of Yggdrasil! Bright are the fruits of Immortality, the golden apples of Iduna. Now I feel the Tree within my being. Its fire rises within my spine and the branches spread throughout my body. The fruits thereof glow within me and rays of love spread from my heart. With starlight on my brow I can truly see into the minds of all creatures, and a crown of stars about my head endows me with the wisdom of the Gods.
lst Woman: Look within the Well and see yourself.
Wanderer: (looks in cauldron) I remember myself. I am the God Odin!
lst Woman: You speak the truth. You are Odin the Wanderer Who after the destruction of the ill-fated planet Asgard roamed the stars seeking wisdom.
2nd Woman: You are Odin of The Rainbow Bridge. You bear souls to the seven Heavens on Your magical horse Sleipnir, and endow them with ecstasy through beautiful visions!
3rd Woman: You are Odin the Master Builder of the Halls of the Heavens. For what is divinely imagined must be embodied through all spheres. Those who work with You help to bring heaven upon earth, for what is beautifully pictured must of necessity be manifested. This is the Will of the Mothers, who wish their children to create noble new worlds throughout the Universe.
3 Women rise and throw back hoods.
Wanderer: Who are You that tower among the stars, the Well of Truth at your feet?
1st Woman: We are the Norns who determine the destiny of all creatures. My Name is Urtha, which is Fate.
2nd Woman: We are the Norns who bring progeny to every creature, in ever renewing life. My Name is Verthandi, which is Being.
3rd Woman: We are the Norns who nourish the Tree of Life with the Waters of Inspiration. My Name is Skulda, which is Necessity. Odin, return to Frigga and Your children, the Aesir and the Vanir, bright Deities; and bring with You the gifts of wisdom, ecstasy and inspiration to human-kind, that evil be transformed into good, hatred into love, and fear to hope!
Wanderer: May the Divine Will be done! Let the Seven Maidens of the Great Bear weave star-rays of harmony, shedding these gifts on earth!
Dance of Star Maidens. Music by Sibelius is suitable.
End of Mystery
Priest: (strikes the ground once with staff) Fellow Celebrants, let us meditate upon the Mystery of the Tree and the Well.
Priestess: Let us sit in tranquillity and with eyes shut travel by the Rainbow Bridge to the Fifth Heaven. . . the Heaven Gimlae shall stand when both the lower Heavens and earth shall pass away, and the good and righteous shall inhabit it for all times. Thus spake the Prophetess Volva: "I know where stands a Hall brighter than sunlight, better than gold, in Lee-of-the-Flame, Gimlae: hosts of the righteous shall it inherit, and live in delight everlastingly." ***
Meditation
Rays of understanding, joy and hope are sent forth. Oracle may be given. Reports.
Priest: At the Winter Solstice life is renewed as the sun strengthens on its course. Let Lifthrasir and Lif light the Solar Flame! Strikes ground 3 times.
Lif gives Lifthrasir lighted taper and he holds central candle while she lights it. They join fingertips over flame and kiss. Omnes light candles from central flame.
Priestess: Let us rejoice! A new Age is born!
Omnes hold hands in a circle, and move 3 times round the path of the sun.
Priestess: Let the children present the Dance of the Elves, faeries, dwarfs and trolls!
Children's dance. Pier Gint, Grieg, is relevant. General dance and song. Gifts are presented. Mulled wine and fruit juice and seasonal fare are enjoyed. Priest and Priestess give thanks to Frigga and Odin and send forth Omnes with blessing.

Sources: “The Prose Edda”, Snorri Sturluson, translation by Jean J. Young, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1973. “Gods & Myths of Northern Europe”,H. R. Ellis Davidson, Penguin Books, New York, 1964. “The Libretto of the Ring Cycle”, Wilhelm Richard Wagner, originally published between 1854 and 1874.“Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning", Richard Hinckley Allen, first published G. S. Stechert, 1899, Dover Publications reprint, New York, 1963.

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Monday, November 28, 2011

God sister Emakhets Hall of Amenti. Nice rite




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Emakhet's Hall of Amenti
Monday, June 21, 2010
1) Honoring the Light both within and without...how can you increase the healing Light of your Circle.
2) Doing a Fire ceremony that honors the gift of Fire. Fire partakes of the Sun and is considered the Sun within the Earth.
3) How can you as an individual and your Circle increase in your vitality and what activities can you do together (drumming, chanting, dancing) that give of your vitality to Earth and other beings.
4) Making a Prayer Stick or Prayer Tree upon which you place specific prayers for those who need healing, for the return to peace where there is no peace, for abundance in areas of the world where there is now poverty and scarcity.
5) How to absorb the beneficent power and strength from the Earth and Sun into your minds, bodies, hearts and souls just as are the plants, animals and other beings now drawing power and strength during this time.
Once you've done this drawing upon the power and strength available, ask for you and your Circle to be filled with the light and enlightenment needed to grow spiritually.
6) Creating a Circle that sends healing love to others round the Earth.
Circling together, find a way consciously to send your blessings and your love in such a way that you see "what you are sending" as encircling the globe of Earth.
One of the most important things to remember about ceremony is that it is a way for humans to give back to Creation some of the energy and blessings that we are always receiving. Mother Earth constantly gives us two leggeds and other creatures a surface on which to place our feet. The Sun's warmth provides the heat necessary for all living beings to prosper. The relationship of Earth, Sun, and Moon is the matrix within which all living beings evolve during their sojourn here on Earth. All ceremonies bring an awareness of this Unity with the larger Web of Being and Becoming.
"As Above, so Below" and "As without, so within" reflect the understanding that ceremonies are most powerful when the intention and the purpose of the ceremony is to align ourselves with what is occurring within the larger Web, the greater Pattern.
Posted by emakhet 0 comments
Saturday, January 17, 2009
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CEREMONY FOR POMONA 
POMONA COMMUNITY FARM
1/18/09
RITUAL OUTLINE
1.GROUND & CENTER/ PURIFICATION & CONSECRATION
2.ESTABLISH INTENTIONS
3.DEFINE RITUAL SPACE/ CALL CORNERS
4.INVOKE MALE AND FEMALE DIETIES
5.INVOKE FACETS OF NATURE SPIRITS AS GUIDES
6.RITUAL WORK
7.THE EXCHANGE/MAKING OFFERINGS
8.FRUIT & WINE
9. CLOSING THE CIRCLE 
10.FAREWELL TO THE GOD/GODDESS
11.TAKING DOWN CIRCLE 
12. FAREWELL TO ATTENDEES
*ALTAR- WHITE SAGE, CHALICE OF WATER, CHALICE OF WINE, BASKET OF FRUIT, FLOWERS, NOVEENA CANDLE WITH GODDESS IMAGE (IDEALLY POMONA HERSELF, ANY WOMAN WITH FRUIT OR FLOWERS)
1.GROUNDING AND CENTERING
TIME IS TAKEN TO SETTLE.
ATTENDEES ENTER CIRCLE AND SIT DOWN ON EARTH.
SAGE IS LIT AND EACH BEING IN CIRCLE IS SMUDGED.
LET US TAKE A FEW MOMENTS OF SILENCE FOR SOME DEEP BREATHS.
IMAGINE THE EXCHANGE OF CO2 AND O2 BETWEEN THE HUMANS AND PLANTS AROUND US. AS WE BREATHE OUT RELEASE THE TOXIC SUBSTANCES WITHIN INTO THE AIR.HEAR THE PLANTS AROUND RECIEVE OUR EXHALATION AS THEIR NOURISHMENT.
AS WE BREATHE IN WE TAKE IN THE ELEMENTS WHICH NURTURE US FROM THE SURROUNDING LEAVES.
REPEAT THIS PROCESS 
2.STATEMENT OF INTENTION
*TO HONOR THE ROMAN GODDESS POMONA AND HER CONSORT VERTUMNUS IN HER ASPECTS OF FRUITING AND BLOOMING. TO UNDERSTAND HER MYTHOLOGY IN RELATION TO OUR CONTEMPORARY WORLD AND THE POMONA COMMUNITY FARM
*TO OPEN SPACE FOR FURTHER CEREMONY @ THE POMONA COMMUNITY FARM
*TO EXPLORE THE IDEA OF 'ABUNDANCE' THAT SPROUTS, GROWS, DANGLES, WINDS AND VINES IT'S WAY TO US FROM THE FERTILE MOTHER EARTH.
*TO APPRECIATE EACH OTHER AND THE PATHS THAT HAVE LED US TO THIS POINT.
3.DEFINE RITUAL SPACE
TO THE EAST-AIR ELEMENT
(RAISE SAGE)
WE CALL UPON THE WINDS OF FLOWER POLLEN, THE AIR THAT WE BREATHE AND SHARE AS ONE WITH ALL BEINGS. 
MAY IT STAY CLEAN AND PURE. 
WE CALL UPON THE WINDS OF CHANGE TO STIR UP THIS GARDEN, 
SHAKING DEAD LEAVES FROM THE TREES
PREPARING THE SOIL FOR THE COMING YEAR;
MAY ABUNDANCE BE UPON US THROUGH ALL IT'S MOONS...
TO THE SOUTH-FIRE ELEMENT
(RAISE NOVEENA CANDLE)
WE CALL TO THE SPIRIT OF THE SUN AND IT'S GOLDEN RAYS OF LIGHT. 
TO THE FIREY STAR IN THE SKY WHICH LOOKS UPON ALL BEINGS ON EARTH AND ILLUMINATES ALL. MAY OUR HEART'S BE WARMED AND NURTURED BY THE ELEMENT OF FIRE. MAY IT GIVE US STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO HELP RETURN THIS EARTH TO THE GARDEN IT ONCE WAS.
TO THE WEST-WATER ELEMENT
(RAISE CHALICE OF WATER)
WE CALL TO THE LIFE GIVING WATERS THAT THE TREES DRINK UPON.
THE ARTESIAN WELLS BENEATH THE EARTH. THE CREEKS OF TOVENGAR NOW DAMNED. UNTIL YOU RUN FREE AGAIN WE KEEP YOU ALIVE IN OUR MEMORIES AND WE EAT THE FRUIT FROM TREES WHO'S ROOTS ARE BURIED SO DEEP THAT THEY DRINK FROM THEE. . TO THE RAINS THAT FALL SOFTLY ON OUR FIELDS, BE HERE WITH US TO BRING FERTILITY TO THIS LAND.
MAY THE WATER IN OUR BODIES BE AS PURE AS THEE
(DRINKS WATER)
TO THE NORTH-EARTH ELEMENT
ALLOW US TO BE AWARE NOW OF THE ROCKS AND THE SOLID WORLD. IT IS UPON THIS EARTH THAT WE TREAD. IT IS THESE MINERALS WHICH PROVIDE US FORM. IT IS OUR BODIES AND OUR GRAVE. HEAR OUR CALL! FERTILE SOIL AND STONE, GREAT SNOWY MOUNTAINS OF THE TONGVA: WE SEE YOU TOWER ABOVE US. GIVE US PERSPECTIVE ON HOW SMALL OUR COLLISIONS ARE. UPLIFT OF CONTINENTS, WE HARVEST THE FRUIT THAT GROWS AT YOUR FEET.MAY WHAT ROLLS OFF YOUR SURFACE FEED US.
(ALL EAT FRUIT)
TO THE ABOVE-THE STARS
WE CALL TO THE GREAT INFINITE ABOVE, SEAT OF THE STARS. MILKY WOMB OF MYSTERY, WE CALL YOUR GREAT LIGHT DOWN THROUGH OUR CROWNS AS A COLUMN THAT FLOWS THROUGH OUR BODY AND INTO THE EARTH....
TO THE BELOW-EARTH'S CENTER
MAY OUR ROOTS GROW DEEP INTO THE SOIL AND FEEL AWAYS CONNECTED TO IT'S SPINNING MAGNETIC CORE, REACHING UP THROUGH MAGMA, MANTLE AND CRUST. GREAT UNDERWORLD OF THE DEEP AND DARK, BE HERE WITH US AS WE DRAW THIS FORCE INTO OUR BODIES.
ALLOW THESE FORCES, FROM ABOVE AND BELOW, TO MEET IN ....
THE CENTER- OUR HEARTS
WHERE ALL DIRECTIONS INEVITABLY CONVERGE. FEEL YOUR HEARTBEAT AND THE LIFE OF THE ELEMENTS WITHIN YOURSELF.
SO MOTE IT BE!
4.INVOCATION OF NATURE SPIRITS
FIRST, GO AROUND CIRCLE AND ALLOW EACH PARTICIPANT TO THINK UPON AN ANIMAL OR PLANT THAT IS PART OF OUR LIFE COMMUNITY IN OUR AREA.
SHARE WHAT THIS PARTICULAR BEING CAN TEACH US AS A MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS TO YOU PERSONALLY.
RESTATE INTENTION:
5.RITUAL WORK
READ STORY OF POMONA
POMONA AND VERTUMNUS
Once, when the kings of the Silvian House reigned over the Latin people, there lived a nymph whose name was Pomona. She never went near the springs, or lakes, or rivers, nor near the wild woods; she cared only for places where grew trees that were laden with fruits. She was no huntress; the only implement that she ever held in her hands was a pruning-hook or a spade.
She would loosen the earth round the roots of some of her trees; she would cut away growth that was too luxurious; sometimes she would make a cut in a tree and would graft into it a twig from another tree, and she would rejoice to see one tree bearing two kinds of fruit. Sometimes she would train a vine to grow along an elm-tree. But all day she worked where fruits grew, leading water to flow by the roots, or destroying insects that came upon the leaves of her trees.
In the spring-time she would see Flora, her sister-nymph, in the fields, giving color and fragrance to the flowers, giving sweetness to the honey in the combs, giving grace to the boys and girls who came about her. To Pomona Flora would give all that she had to give. But Pomona would never go to her or call Flora to come to her amongst her trees. And sometimes she would see Venus, the great lady who had so many worshippers, but she would not leave her trees to go to where Venus had her shrine.
Pomona grew up supple and robust; she grew sound and handsome as an apple upon one of her trees. She gave herself no adornments; all she ever wore was a brown dress; all she ever put upon her head was a wreath of leaves to keep the sun from burning her face.
Silvanus and Picus were the first of the demi-gods to see that Pomona was becoming more and more good-looking as the seasons went on. She was shy, they knew; but each thought what a fine sweetheart she would make, if he could get her to walk or talk with him. And each knew that she had lots to give a fine garden and fruits of every kind--apples and pears, grapes and cherries. Silvanus was the first to go see her: he went in his hunter's dress, with a spear in his hand, and the game he had just killed in a bag at his side. Pomona would not come near him. Then he chased her so that she had to slip from him behind tree after tree. She wearied him out and he went away. But he came to her at another season: this time he did not come from the hunting; he came from lands that he had cleared and that he had sheep grazing on. He came to her as a shepherd, and he sought to woo her mildly, but she would neither speak to him nor let him come near where she was.
Picus came the very day that Silvanus came as a shepherd--Picus the son of old Saturnus who was god of the grain-sown field. Picus was handsome; Picus wore a scarlet cloak; Picus could talk well to any woman. But when he came near her Pomona dashed water in his face from her stream. Then Picus saw Silvanus and thinking that he was Pomona's favoured suitor, began to abuse him. Silvanus caught hold of him, and beat him, and tore his scarlet cloak from his shoulders. Pomona fled from both of them, and after that she would let none of the male divinities come near where she was. She built a wall round where her trees grew; she would not go outside the gate, and she was very careful to let no one who might turn out to be a lover come within it.
Young Vertumnus saw her through the gate; he saw Pomona and he loved her more ardently than either Silvanus or Picus had loved her--Silvanus who was much older than he looked, and Picus who was always in love with some girl. He came to her gate, but she would not let him come in. Back he came in the garb of a reaper, carrying a basket of barley-ears as an offering to her. She bade him go away. Another time he came as a mower, with grass binding his brow. She left him outside the gate, nor would she speak to him at all. And then he came as a ploughman, big and burly, holding in his hand a goad which Pomona might think that he had just used to drive the oxen in the furrows. She left him before the gate, and although he shook it with his hands, he could not force it open. And then, that she might think of him as one who had an interest in trees and fruit and be kind to him on that account, he came bearing a ladder upon his shoulder as if he were ready to mount to where the apples were growing and gather them. But Pomona knew him for one of the male divinities, albeit for one of the youngest of them, and she would not let him come to where she tended her trees.
One day Pomona saw outside her gate a bent and weary-looking old woman. She had on a head-dress that fell across her eyes, and she leaned upon a stick. Pomona, the kindliest of the nymphs, asked her to sit in the shade of one of her trees and rest herself and eat some of her fruit. The old woman came within. "How beautifully your garden is kept!" she said. "I have never been where trees grew so well, or where the fruits looked so bright and so refreshing. Do you live here all alone, my dear?" She ate the fruit that was given her and she looked at Pomona as she stood there in her brown dress and with the leaves about her head. "I have heard of you, my dear," she said. "Everything I heard about you made me think you were beautiful, but you are more beautiful than I thought." And saying this she kissed Pomona.
And as she went from tree to tree the old woman kept calling to her. Pomona came back and stood under an elm-tree near where the old woman sat. The elm-tree supported vines which were covered with bunches of grapes. "Look," said the old woman. "If that elm-tree stood unmated to the vine it would have no value except for its timber. And the vine that grows there! If there was no elm-tree for it to grow upon it would straggle along the ground, flat and unflourishing! So you see what good comes of mating two beings--the vine and the elm-tree. But you, my dear, refuse to be mated, refuse to be wedded, refuse even to know one who might be a sweetheart for you! Listen! Consent to having an old woman like me make a match for you!"
Pomona was so surprised to have someone talk to her in this strain that she sank down on the grass beside the old woman. "Be wise and choose Vertumnus! I know the lad well--I know him as well as I know myself! He is a lad who does not wander idly through the world. He has wide spaces to live in, and he dwells near at hand! He is not like the others who came to woo you--Picus, for instance, who went and fell in love with Canens, and who went on until he had an enchantress fall in love with him, and who, because he would not respond to her, has since been turned into a woodpecker. I'll say nothing about Silvanus! He has been in love with nearly all of the nymphs! Vertumnus is not like either of these divinities. You will be his first love, dear Pomona, and his last. And besides, he is interested in all that you are interested in--he deals in fruits, too! He was made to be yours, and you were made to be his, and I am here to tell you that!"
Even as these words were said the head-dress fell off the head of the one who spoke to Pomona. Bright and ardent were the eyes that she saw then. Pomona stood up and would have run away; but hands held her hands, gently, firmly. "You are Vertumnus," she said. She saw a face before her--a youth's face; the stick that the pretended old woman had leaned on fell away; the cloak fell off the figure. Pomona saw a youth who was tall and fine as one of her own trees. And until the evening star came they stayed amongst the trees, and when they parted Pomona had promised to wed her Vertumnus.
There they reigned over the orchards and lands. You can find their bodies in the elm and the grape.
5. INVOKE GODDESS/GOD DIETIES
INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS POMONA/ GOD VERTUMNUS
HAIL GODDESS POMONA! 
APPLE MOTHER OF THE FRUIT TREES !
CARRIER OF THE PRUNING SHEAR!
WE INVOKE THEE TO OUR CIRCLE!
WOOD NYMPH OF ROME!
GUARDIAN OF THE SACRED ORCHARD!
LADY OF THE FRUIT AND SEED!
WE BECKON THEE TO JOIN US!
WE HONOR YOU WITH OFFERINGS OF FRUITS AND INCENCE, WATERS OF THE EARTH AND FLAME OF THE SUN, BE HERE WITH US 
POMONA! 
GREAT GODDESS OF THE SWEET FLESHY WOMB ! 
BLESS THIS LAND WITH YOUR PRESENCE
SO OUR HARVESTS MAY FLOURISH THIS COMING YEAR...
GREAT GOD, VERTUMNUS!
CONSORT OF POMONA!
WE INVOKE THEE!
COME TO OUR CIRCLE AND BLESS US
YOU,WITH YOUR MYSTERIOUS DISGUISE
YOU, DRESSED AS AN OLD WOMAN,
LIKE A FRUIT RIPE WITH AGE 
SWEET AND NURTURING
YOU WHO WON THE HEART OF THE NYMPH
THAT NONE OTHER COULD WOO
GOD OF THE FIELD AND THE HARVEST
WE WELCOME YOUR PRESENCE UPON THIS LAND
BLESSED BE!
7. THE EXCHANGE/MAKING OFFERINGS
PASS FRUIT AROUND CIRCLE. EACH PERSON CHOOSE A PIECE OF FRUIT THAT THEY ARE DRAWN TO. STUDY THE FRUIT AND WHAT IT SYMBOLIZES TO US. COMPARE THE FRUIT TO A DISGUISE OF AN OLD WOMAN. WHAT DOES THE FORM OF FRUIT TEACH US? CREATE AN INTENTION OF WHAT THIS FRUIT MEANS TO US AND THEN PLACE UPON THE STATUE OF POMONA.
(**IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN IMAGE OF POMONA, OFFER AT THE BASE OF A FRUIT TREE, ESPECIALLY APPLE, OR UPON AN ALTAR OR GARDEN**)
8.CAKES AND WINES
PASS CHALICE OF WINE AS A SYMBOL OF LIFEBLOOD OF THE BLOOD OF THE GODDESS. DELICIOUS FRUITS AND GAZE UPON THE TREES AND FLOWERS. REFLECT UPON THE DELICIOUSNESS OF THE FRUITS AND ENJOY THE GIFTS OF POMONA.
9.CLOSING THE CIRCLE
WALK IN COUNTER-CLOCKWISE CIRCLE AROUND CEREMONY SPACE WITH WHITE SAGE
10. THANKING THE GOD/GODDESS & ANIMAL/ANCESTORS
GIVE THANKS TO POMONA 
TO THE FRUIT WHICH REACHES OUR MOUTHS
MAY WE TAKE LESSON FROM HER STORY
AND TEND TO THE BRANCHES AND VINES
AS IF WE WERE LOVERS AND FRIENDS
GIVE THANKS TO VERTUMNUS
TO THE CHANGING SEASONS OF THE WORLD
TO THE CONTINUALLY REVOLVING HARVESTS
BE THEY ON THE BRANCH THE VINE THE STEM OR THE ROOT
IT IS THE FOOD OF YOUR WORLD THAT FEEDS US
OFFER EXTRA WATER, WINE AND FRUITS AND THANK POMONA AND VERTUMNUS. ASK TO STAY IF THEY WILL AND GO IF THEY MUST.
11. TAKING DOWN THE CIRCLE
GATHER ITEMS AND PUT OUT CANDLES, INCENSE.
12.FAREWELL TO ATTENDEES
GIVE LOVE AND INVITE FRIENDS FOR DINNER, STAY IF THEY WILL GO IF THEY MUST!
BLESSED BE!
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

This precious rite was developed by Lady Isadora Forest, Priestess of Isis and great inspiration This and more of the Isis Magic Liturgy can be found at http://www.hermeticfellowship.org/Iseum/Rituals/OpeningOfTheWays.html
Isis Magic can be found on Amazon.com for apparently various pricing depending on your luck :)
The Opening of the Ways is meant as a meditation before your main practice Opening your inner qi flow and engaging in the life force energy that is Isis....I have performed this ritual with various results Some say they leave the ritual feeling very high and out of their bodies It is recomended to bring some sort of grounding food for after the ritual has been completed Turkey soup works wonders or chocolate chip cookies, which are always a comforting and sweet way to realign.
The Opening Of the Ways
About the Rite: This is the all-purpose opening ritual of the House of Isis. It can serve as an beginning of almost any other rite or it can be an entire working by itself. It is an excellent opening for personal work or communion with Isis. This version is slightly different from the versions given in Isis Magic in that it acknowledges Isis as Lady of the Otherworld when we open the Way which is symbolically beneath our feet. If you prefer, you can certainly use “Earth” at your feet as is given in the book.
Temple Arrangement & Ritual Tools: Nothing special needed.

ENTERING
The Priest/ess enters the temple, faces East, and gives the Sign of the Wings Of Isis.
Priest/ess:
I am a Daughter/Son of Isis. I am a Child of the Goddess. (Repeating until s/he feels it to be true.)

PURIFICATION & CONSECRATION
Priest/ess performs the purification and consecration learned as a Votary. When this is complete, s/he returns to center of temple, facing East, and makes the Sign of the Wings of Isis.
Priest/ess:
Isis is all things and all things are Isis.

THE OPENING
Standing in the West, facing East, the Priest/ess raises her/his arms in the Sign of the Wings Of Isis.
Priest/ess:
Open, O Heaven! Open, O Earth! Open, O East! Open, O West! Open, O South! Open, O North! The gates of Thy temple shall be flung wide for Thee, Goddess Isis!
S/he moves to the center of the temple; visualizes her/his aura as a glowing egg completely surrounding the body. S/he gives the Sign of Opening the Shrine.
Priest/ess:
Let the shrine of the East be opened unto Isis, only Isis. (Vibrating) ISET NEF.
S/he visualizes the Eastern part of her/his aura becoming as a glowing net—complete, yet open to the Goddess. Next s/he turns to the South and repeats the entire procedure.
Priest/ess:
(Facing South) Let the shrine of the South be opened unto Isis, only Isis. (Vibrating) ISET ASH.

(Facing West) Let the shrine of the West be opened unto Isis, only Isis. (Vibrating) ISET MU.

(Facing North) Let the shrine of the North be opened unto Isis, only Isis. (Vibrating) ISET TA.
Facing East once more, s/he extends her/his arms above her/his head, gives the Sign of the Opening of the Shrine.
Priest/ess:
Let the shrine of Heaven be opened unto Isis, only Isis. (Vibrating) ISET BA.
S/he repeats the Sign below her/himself.
Priest/ess:
Let the shrine of the Otherworld be opened unto Isis, only Isis. (Vibrating) ISET KA.
S/he repeats the opening motion, starting from the heart and moving outward.
Priest/ess:
Let the shrine of my Heart be opened unto Isis, only Isis. (Vibrating) ISET IB.
Let the Priest/ess visualize doors opening in her/his heart—chains falling away, shells breaking open.

INVOCATION
Priest/ess continues to face East and makes the Sign of the Wings of Isis.
Priest/ess:
I have opened the ways for Thee, Goddess Isis.
S/he turns her/his arms inward to the cup posture and invokes:
Priest/ess:
Come, therefore, Winged One and fill this vessel, Thy Priest/ess. Grace me, Isis, with Thy presence. Enter into Thy House and be with Thy daughter/son. O come Beloved One, Great of Magic, Beautiful of Wings, Bright of Face. Open my eyes to Thine everywhere-presence. Awaken my heart to the voice of Thy beating wings. Make bare my soul to the beauty of Thy Words of Power.
pastedGraphic_2.pdfI arise on wings of aspiration to Thee, O Isis. Come, descend from above, arise from below, expand from within—and fill me, Goddess. From the rising bud of the lotus, to the mighty branch of the sycamore, to the Moon and Sun which are Thine eyes, to the Stars which entwine Thy hair, all the Universe is Thine, Isis—as am I.
pastedGraphic_3.pdfO Isis, Goddess, Mother, Sister, Queen—the Ways are open unto Thee—I am open unto Thee. I invite Thee—enter in now! (Vibrating thrice) ISIS. ISIS. ISIS.
As s/he visualizes the Light of Isis filling the cup s/he is making with her/his arms. When s/he feels it is full enough, s/he slowly lowers her/his arms, letting the Light pour into her/his aura. Now is the time to commune with the Goddess or perform other work.

CLOSING
Facing East and giving the Sign of the Closing of the Shrine, the Priest/ess visualizes her/his aura as solid again. S/he begins at the heart and moves in reverse order.
Priest/ess:
Let the shrine of my Heart be closed.
Let the shrine of the Otherworld be closed.
Let the shrine of Heaven be closed.
Let the shrine of the North be closed.
Let the shrine of the West be closed.
Let the shrine of the South be closed.
Let the shrine of the East be closed.
Priest/ess thanks the Goddess, makes the Sign of the Wings of Isis, then quits the temple.
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Opening Of the Ways
The Herstory of the Goddess
the divine feminine and her temples past, present, and future

Holding Ceremony
weddings, funerals and healings. holding sacred space.
Magick Knots
learn to tie the knot of isis as well as other spells with string

The Art of Dreaming
guided visualization and archetypal symbolism

Astrology
greco, egyptian, chinese and mayan star calendars

Body Awareness
the body as a temple, egyptian neters
The Fire Element
candle magick- transformation through flame

The Earth Element
osiris the gardener, plant cultivation and agriculture

The Holy Shrine
creating altars for any environment

The Dieties
gods and goddesses old and new

The Language of the Goddess
poetry and prose, word/sound/power

Perfumes and Oils
scents of ancient times
The Water Element
full moon emoto water crystal ceremony

Goddess in Form
adorning the body and song and dance

Giving Blessings
giving and recieving the gifts of the goddess

Passion Plays
the art of acting in ritual

Goddess of Fertility
fertility awareness, midwifery and childrearing

Herbal Medicine
herbs for healing, magick, beauty and love!
Politics and Spirituality
the earth conscious ministry
The Air Element
kundalini breathwork, awakening the serpents
Seeing the Future
divination, oracles and scrying

Closing of the Ways

MAY ALL WHO ARE DRAWN TO THIS CIRCLE BE WITH THE INTENTION OF THE HIGHEST GOOD! HARM NONE! MAY ALL WITH GOOD INTENT BE WELCOMED AND BLESSED!
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Friday, January 9, 2009
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This site is as a new seed begins....full of potential and yearning to bear life... And so first, an intention must be set. This site is intended as a resource for the discovery of the deep mysteries of magick. It is intended to inform about the essence of diety. Diety is not some being living in the clouds far away. It lies within. There is nothing that is not Divine, no single being that does not contain the great seed of creative light. So, this is intended as a signpost to the seeker, that they can more closely discover and plant their own seeds of inner wisdom throughout the world's web...
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What Will ItTake? A Poem

A Poem From Soul to Self An Eight Part Sage of Self  I What will it take To take a chance To try on one’s life again?  Time has touched us  ...