Mabon 


1995 Mabon Ritual

This is the 1995 Mabon Ritual of Triskellion Coven. It was written by Catherine
Osborne. It was written for five celebrants (denoted by Quarter Directions and
Center) but may be done by between 4 and infinity people.

Center lights a candle on the altar. East lights her candle from it and returns
to the proper place.

East: I, Merlin, Lord of the East, continue the Circle that has no end. The
Bright Lord is slain! I, who saw him born, now see him die.

South lights her candle from East's and returns to her place. West and North
will each light from the candle of the previous speaker.

South: I, Arthur, Lord of the South, continue the Circle that has no end. The
Bright Lord is slain! I, who saw him grow, now see him die.

West: I, Morgan, Lady of the West, continue the Circle that has no end. The
Bright Lord is slain! In my time he is slain, and I may only see him die.

North: I, Guinevere, Lady of the North, continue the Circle that has no end.
The Bright Lord is slain! I have seen him die, but I shall see him born again.

East goes and touches her candle to North's.

Center: A circle has no end, and the Circle is closed about this place.

All place candles in proper directions around room. Tree of Life or other
centering and energy-raising exercise is done. After, we sit in silence for a
short time, feeling the air and the ground. When South feels ready, she speaks:

South: Hear the great tale.

Center: He is the grain, he gives life.

West: She is the Earth, she gives life.

North: It happened once, a long time ago and every year, that the Lord and the
Lady of Light met and loved, for they saw in each other both something of
themselves and the differences between them.

East:And while it was summer, they sustained the people by the strength of
their passion alone, and life was good. The Earth gave forth much bounty, and
all were happy.

South: But as the Sun weakened and began to move towards winter, the people
cried out for aid. They knew they would be hungry when the cold came.

West:So the Lord sacrificed himself that all might be nourished, but he was not
afraid; for he knew that he would pass beyond the gates and become the King of
the Land of the Young.

Center: And the Lady waited to give him birth again in the time when the sun
began to grow strong.

North: He is the grain, he gives life.

South: She is the Earth, she gives life.

There is a second, longer meditation. You might think on the past year, on what
you have taken, given and learned during it. You might think on the nature of
sacrifice. You might just be aware of each and every breath.

The simple feast. The bread is cut and handed, the wine poured and drunk. A
piece of each person's bread and a bit of wine is left to be put outside after
the ceremony.

We come to the end. "The Autumn Bringer," a poem by our friend Leigh Denault,
is recited. We broke it up so each person said three or four lines.

There is a Crone, who's bowed with seasons,

By a brook that never ceases

In a tattered , ragged wood.

Maid no more, she's old as Winter

Her russet mantle choked with gold

Summer's lushness, early flowers

All to nothing on the cold.

Her hair is silent sliding silver

The torn cloaks whisper as she moves

They speak of frosts and brittle breezes

As she hangs the Harvest Moon.

When the moon is waxing, waning,

Then the wood shall bleed with red

Red and gold to hide the bareness

Yellow, brown to hide the frost.

Orange, silver in the meadows,

The Autumn Bringer hangs her shadows,

Banners festive, 'gainst the cold.

The wardens blow out their candles, thanking the spirits as they do so.

South: The Circle is open, yet unbroken.

West: Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again.

All: So mote it be.

"Blessed be" and "Peace be with you" are given between all in the circle.