Hello once more, As I started planning what I wanted for this issue I asked s semi local pagan friend of mine what he would like to see here. (My definition of semi local: anyone from 30 minutes to 2-hour drive away from me.) Jay suggested an article on Mabon. I nixed that idea because 1) if I do that I would like to do a bit of research on different traditions associated with it and 2) my student gets this newsletter also and that's her next assignment. (She wrote the poem in this issue.) But his suggestion sent me off in the direction of writing a Mabon ritual. I tried to write it so that groups or individuals can perform the ritual. I added notes to explain how to modify it to solitary settings. I'm counting the days until school starts, I love my children but they have reached the bored we will bicker about everything stage. Yesterday morning it was who would add what to make muffins. I find myself making rules I never thought I would have to make. (Don't lick your sister's cheek is one.) I have threatened to turn them into newts but they know I wouldn't do it. So all I can say is. "Come on 23rd get here soon." Tomorrow, on the dark of the Moon, I'm going to harvest quite a bit of my wormwood. It did not get nearly as big last year and since I'm only borrowing garden space I need to keep it a bit in check. Soon it will be drying. Seeds are being harvested to share with friends also and who ever I can palm them off on. If I let all the seeds sprout that I produced, well it would be lovely, but same note for the wormwood applies to the rest of the herbs. I can't let them overrun the place. Until next time Sheila K. Watkins Submissions are always welcomed and can be made to: Zeliziw@n... In submitting materials writers are agreeing that if accepted I may post them in the newsletter and on the web page (whenever I finally get back to work on it.) Works submitted must be the writer's own work and they must still retain the copyright OR it must be verifiably public domain. Works can have been published before but please nothing that has been around over and over again. Copyright remains in the author's possession. The Author also realizes that they will not be paid. (If I had money I would be hosting this on something other then Yahoo.) If a submission is accepted, I will check for punctuation, capitalization and spelling in submitted articles. I will fix minor errors if they are present. I will NOT reword things (except for an occasional "an" for "a" and vice versa.) Poems are published as submitted. ~*~*~*~ In the Light of Darkness By Autumn Moon In the light of darkness is where she'll be. Lady of the moon come shine on me. Tell me your secrets, and help me understand what they mean. You light up our paths with your loving beam. Your children surround you close and afar. It must be great to have a family full of stars. O'peaceful clouds up in the sky, hugging the moon as they go by. Then disappearing in a distance In the light of darkness what a beautiful existence. ~*~*~*~ Cool Link(s) of the week: Folk Medicine - This archive looks at how folk wisdom has been applied to treat or prevent a variety of conditions. The material was collected by Wayland D. Hand (1907-1986), his students and colleagues and includes writings from medical practitioners of the 18th century and "data from scientific journals, popular magazines, newspapers, and historical sources...over the past 200 years." ~*~*~*~ Mabon Ritual By Sheila K. Watkins Before the start of the ritual walk and gather the fruits of the season acorns, corn or maize, shafts of wheat, fall leaves, other things which are coming into season for picking at this time of year. These will be used for decoration. This can be used for either solitary or groups. If solitary modify so the person performing the ritual does all the speaking. This may be used as needed but I would appreciate feedback on how it goes from those who perform it. The setting for this ritual is outside. If done by an individual, bless two packets of seeds or bulbs. One to plant for yourself and one to give away to someone who you feel needs blessed. I would inform the person it's been so blessed but that is up to you. The candles are lit and the altar is laid out in the manner that the group or the person chooses. The altar is decorated with the items gathered. A basket containing a bit of cornbread is also on the altar. There is also a basket of either bulbs or seeds, which are to be planted in the fall. One bulb for each participant or bit of folded paper with some perennial seeds in each The priestess, using her athame, casts the circle by slowly circling starting in the east and making her way deosil chanting as she goes: "I call upon the Goddess three. Bless this circle so mote it be." If there this is used as a group ritual the priestess now cuts an opening in the circle to let in the members of the coven. Members file in from the east and circle deosil until all members are in the circle. The priestess now closes the circle once again. All face east. Caller of the East speaks the following: "Spirits of Wind hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face south. Caller of the South speaks the following: "Spirits of Fire hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face west. Caller of the West speaks the following: "Spirits of Water hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face north. Caller of the North speaks the following: "Spirits of Earth hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face inward. The Priestess speaks the following: "Gentle Goddess* hear our plea, come and be welcome." All face inward. The Priest (if present) speaks the following: "Gentle God* hear our plea, come and be welcome." Priestess takes up the cornbread. (Note: make sure it's fresh) Slowly she starts around the circle once again, dropping bits of the cornbread on the ground as she walks. She says the following: Circling giving back to thee The gifts of the harvest you have bestowed Summer's heat and rain Providing us with gifts of grain For this we thank you both Goddess and God Soon too soon it will be time for the Goddess to grieve As the God enters his tomb and winter shall come again But much like plants and grain We welcome the promise of your return The Priestess places what's left of the cornbread on the altar. She picks up the basket of bulbs or seeds and carries it around the circle. Each person takes a bulb or seed packet from the basket. The person hands it to the person beside him or her (deosil.) As s/he does s/he says "This is my wish for you (and name a blessing for the person, Health, wealth, happiness etc something positive.) May it grow as this bulb (these seeds) grow" This is the promise of new life For all that winter will soon be here When our lady, under winter's blanket, dozes A reminder that when the blanket is pushed away That life returns again And the God shall once more roam Graceful proud and strong The seeds or bulbs are to be taken with the people to be planted where they may grow and thrive with their promises of spring. A simple feast is shared. (People can sit for this part.) All face inward. The Priestess speaks the following: "Gentle Goddess* We thank you for thy care. May you leave only if you must." All face inward. The Priest (if present) speaks the following: "Gentle God* We thank you for thy strength. May you leave only if you must." All face north. Caller of the North speaks the following: "Spirits of Earth we thank you for thy presence. May you leave only if you must." All face west. Caller of the West speaks the following: "Spirits of Water we thank you for thy presence. May you leave only if you must." All face south. Caller of the South speaks the following: "Spirits of Fire we thank you for thy presence. May you leave only if you must." All face east. Caller of the East speaks the following: "Spirits of Wind we thank you for thy presence. May you leave only if you must." The priestess, using her athame, casts the circle by slowly circling starting in the east and making her way Widdershins chanting as she goes: "I call upon the Goddess three. Release this circle so mote it be." * You may use the deity name of your choice may be substituted, If you use an ungentle deity you might want to substitute gentle with mighty, fearful etc ~*~*~*~ All articles, poems, etc, except where noted are copyrighted by the writers of said items and are used with permission. They are not to be republished without the express permission of the writers. Contact information may be obtained by contacting the editor of Whispers of A Stone Circle at Zeliziw@n... Copyright (c) 2001 Sheila K. Watson. All Rights Reserved