A FARE-THEE-WELL FROM SHADOWPATH GROVE

                              by SeaFire and Hank

ALTAR: 2 chalices, one with "spirits", one with a non-alcholic beverage

       3 candles, one lit before you begin the other not lit (it will
         be a gift).

I. Announcement of Ritual

II. Purpose of Ritual

III. Tree Meditation

IV. Opening of the Gates

V. Invovations:
   a) Nature Spirits
   b) Ancestors
   c) Gods and Goddesses

   Invocation to Danu and the Dagda

VI.Person leaving sits in the center of a circle of grove members. (S/he
   may dit, lie down, etc as long as s/he's comfortable.

   People in circle pass the candle that will be given to the person
   leaving, like a "talking stick", so that their feelings, thoughts, and
   energies go into the candle. Each person in circle may participate in
   the following, or pass:

   Three rounds: as the candle is passed, each person addresses the following:

   1) A significant memory of __________ (person leaving)

   2) A Thing I liked about ____________.

   3) A Thing I will miss about ________.

   [The candle goes around the circle three entire times, and then is given
    to the person leaving.]

VII. Asking of blessings upon the chalices.

IX. Chant : All (pass chalices during this)

          Walk with wisdom from this
          hallowed place
          Walk not in sorrow, our roots
          shall e'er embrace
          May Strength be your brother
          And Honor be your friend
          And Luck be your lover until
          we meet again.

X. Reversal of the Ritual:

   Thanking of Danu and Dagda
   Thanking Goddesses and Gods
   Thanking Ancestors
   Thanking Nature Spirits
   Closing of the Gates
   Reversal of Tree Meditation
   Declaration of the End of the Ritual.

Departures, whether temporary or permanent, can be painful things. We hope that 
this ritual reflects the emotional impact that intentional farewells have. As we 
strive to make definate beginings in our grove, so do we honor endings and major 
changes. A conscious, acknowledged Rite of Passage can speed the healing and 
ease the transition, and makes the change easier to deal with than those having 
a lot of "loose ends" and words left unsaid.

A "talking stick" is a custom I (SeaFire) learned from a Sioux teacher. It is a 
stick that may be highly decorated or not. It is large enough to enforce its 
purpose : its bearer speaks his/her heart until they willingly pass the stick on 
to the next person. They are to speak without interruption.