I love being pagan. I love the way it lets me make connections that are meaningful with nature, with my community, and with myself. I love the way that simple archetypes and symbols are like mirrors to my self, how they let me explore all of life as a deep reflection of my own, and celebrate it. Read more
Archive for March 2012
Mars Ritual
Mars Ritual
Written by Astral and Megan
Friday, March 23rd – 7:00 pm, Second Dam up Logan Canyon
Altar:
- 3 Red Pillar Candles
- 1 Yellow Candle for Vesta, 1 White or Black Candle for Ianus
- Crossed knives in between the three pillar candles
- Mars cloth on the table
- Dragon’s blood on the left, food offerings for Mars in the middle, bowl with seed satchels on the right
- Circle made out of twigs and 10 tealights
Call attention by beating on shield; bring people together in a circle around the fire after sprinkling with blessed water upon entering the circle.
Give an intro/reason to the Mars ritual, Tubilustrium. Some history. Now with the history in mind, start the ritual.
I’m a Pagan Because… – Jason
In 1990 I was 14, LDS and beginning to understand that I could manipulate energy. This was energy no one seemed to talk about, but I could see the real effects of what it did to the world around me. I started looking into it at the local library and scared myself silly. The only information I could find that fit the description of what I did was “witchcraft” and as every good LDS boy knows…”witchcraft is evil”. I couldn’t figure out why what I was doing was evil but decided to put it on hold until I could find out more. Read more
Call to Artemis
Also largely from the Homeric Hymns, this is a call to Artemis I utilized for 2011 Beltane.
Artemis far-darter,
Arrow-pouring Virgin,
Twin sister, nurtured with Apollo.Artemis of golden shafts,
Modest maiden,
She loves the din of the hunt,
Shooting volleys at stags.Hers is the mighty heart,
She roams the forests
And destroys broods of evil beasts.
In Delphi she leads the graces and muses
In beautiful dance.May is dedicated to you,
Fierce hunter and protector,
Goddess of the night
Of fruitfulness
Of childbirth
Mistress of the wild beasts
Lady of bulls
Gorgeous moon
Eternal Virgin.
If you call both Artemis and Apollo together, you may want to wrap things up with the following.
Among the gods
Artemis and Apollo
Are best in deed and counsel.May they be propitious
As they join us,
We shall remember and sing of you.
Call to Apollo
I do not recall all of my sources, but namely the Homeric Hymns we have partially preserved. [Also see Artemis.]
I used this as my call at Beltane last season, so it might be something to inspire someone.
Turn memory to far-shooting Apollo,
The fields sing as your domain,
All the peaks and high ridges.
Rivers flowing, harbors, and beaches.You sprang to the light,
Bathed pure and clean with fresh water
And wrapped in white cloth,
Bound in golden bands.You wish only to hold the lyre and curved bow,
To prophesy for men
The unerring will of Zeus.Men forget and live
Unresourceful and thoughtless,
Unable to cure death
And repel old age alone.Favorite son of Zeus
God of Light
Archer
Law Giver
God of Prophecy
We provide tribute,
That your oracle speaks truth.
