(ritual written by Megan)

First, Megan explains the ritual and everyone takes their shoes off and enters circle through Eastern gate.

Directions and Deities
We will now call the directions for protection, strength, and support.

We call upon the powers of the East and welcome the winds of awareness to this circle.
May the winds continue to shape the land around us,
All the while providing us with the vision for change.
Let us see the beauty of the Earth through the eyes of the wind;
Let us see the rustling of the leaves, the soft bending of blades of grass.
Let us see the Earth as it is and as it can be.

We call upon the powers of the South and welcome the fires of change to this circle.
May the fires be tamed and provide only the destruction that is needed for rebirth,
All the while teaching us of the importance of transformation.
Let us see the beauty of the Earth through the eyes of the fire.
Let us see the cycles of life and death, the brilliant green that rises from the ash.
Let us see the Earth as it is reborn.

We call upon the powers of the West and welcome the waters of healing to this circle.
May the water heal the wounds of the Earth and bring forth new life,
All the while filling us with the desire to do the same.
Let us see the beauty of the Earth through the eyes of the water.
Let us see the winding rivers, hear the soothing splash of the creeks and majestic waterfalls.
Let us see the Earth as it is healed and renewed.

We call upon the powers of the North and welcome the lands of fertility, growth, and prosperity.
May the Earth energize and enlighten us,
All the while giving us a connection to life, the world, and each other.
Let us see the beauty of the Earth through its own eyes.
Let us see the power beneath its surface, the shifts and quakes,
Let us see the colorful rock, moist soil, and comforting grass.
Let us see the Earth both sustain and take away.

You may now call any deities of the earth or otherwise to the circle.

Meditation
I will now lead a meditation to enhance our connection and awareness of the Earth. You may sit or stand, whatever is most comfortable.

Close your eyes and listen to the sounds of the Earth around you.
Feel the blades of grass beneath you, tickling you, welcoming you, as you run your fingers through it or wiggle your toes against it.
Feel the sensation, the peace, that it brings and allow yourself to connect with it.

Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Feel the air filling your lungs, smell the sweet fresh air that the Earth provides.
Breath in and out slowly, concentrating only on the Earth.
Feel the pulsing of it beneath you and see yourself connecting to it.

You see your energy, your life force, in the formation of a tree.
Dark roots sink from you into the Earth and connect you to the power there.
Take a few deep breaths and feel yourself being nourished by it.
Golden branches rise from you and wander into the sky.
You feel the energy flow from your roots and into your branches, making you one with the Earth.

Feel the energy all around you as it pulses, calming and centering you in space.
Breathe deeply, feel it wash over you.
Reach out to the energy that the Earth offers you and offer yours in return.
Feel the strength of the circuit that is formed.
Let the Earth repair and renew you.

When you are ready, withdraw your roots and branches slowly.
Let them fade back into you.
Let the residual energy restore you and fade away.
Feel yourself grounded on this plane,
Remember the connection that you have shared with the Earth, and when you are ready, open your eyes.

Honoring the Earth
(pledge and chant to be decided on)

Close Circle
We thank all of the deities that have joined us and lent us their energy and support.

We thank the growth-enhancing powers of earth and close the Northern gate.
May we remember the lessons we have learned and the connections we have formed.

We thank the healing powers of water and close the Western gate.
May we see the wounds healed within ourselves and notice those to be healed in others.

We thank the change-inducing powers of fire and close the Southern gate.
May we see the possibility for change around us and have the strength to follow through with it.

We thank the eye-opening powers of wind and close the Eastern gate.
May we be more aware of the world around us and honor it.

[everyone exits the circle through the Eastern gate and has refreshments]