22 Sep Fall Equinox Ritual
Whether you celebrate and mark this passage alone, or with family and friends, MABON, or Fall Equinox is a time to share the harvest, to set intentions for wealth, job, stability, protection and, above all give thanks for what we have harvested, and prepare for the winter to come. We call upon Demeter and Persephone in a tale that harkens back to the ancient Greeks. To begin your ritual, decorate your space/altar accordingly. Have one of your group read the tale of Persephone and Demeter to begin.
Demeter was the Goddess of the fecund Earth. It was She who taught man how to plant and cultivate the earth with reverence. Her daughter was Persephone, who was abducted by the dark god, Hades, to be his consort. Upon the loss of her daughter, Demeter turned her face away from the Earth in mourning, and so Winter was born. On the brink of starvation, human kind begged for her return. When she was returned, Spring burst forth with all its abundance! Unfortunately, Persephone ate 6 pomegranite seeds and was bound to return to Hades for six months of the year. And so the seasons came to be.
Welcome friends; Now is the time of change.
Calling in the Directions and casting the circle: Demeter and Persephone
EAST: DEMETER: I call to the spirits of Air – the powers of thought, clarity, change and connection. My daughter Persephone has been taken from me. I search the corners of the Earth and Sky for her. Please be with us here tonight. Help me find her and bring her home to me.
PERSEPHONE: Mother Demeter – Great Goddess of the Grain and Harvest – I am with you always, even if you cannot see me. Listen to the soft breezes, the mighty gales, the refreshing winds. Look to the spirits of the Air, birds, butterflies and fairies, and you will feel that I am there.
SOUTH: DEMETER: I call to the Spirits of Fire, the powers of spirit, inspiration, creation and destruction. My daughter Persephone has been taken from me. I search the corners of the Earth and Sky for her. Please be here with us tonight. Help me find her and bring her home to me.
PERSEPHONE: Mother Demeter. Look into fire – the hearth, the sun, the candle flame – I will be there. I am in the fire spirits – dragons, snakes and the great cats. Let them comfort you with their warmth and company until I return to you.
WEST: DEMETER: I call to the Spirits of Water, the powers of feelings, healing, dreams and depth. My daughter Persphone has been taken. I search the corners of the Earth, the depths of the waters for her. Please be here with us tonight. Help me find her and bring her home to me.
PERSEPHONE: Mother Demeter – I am with you in each salty tear you weep, in the deep emtions you feel. Look into the waters of the world and see me reflected back to you. Let the waters cool and calm you until I return to you.
NORTH: DEMETER: I call to the Spirits of the Earth, powers of the senses, Nature, instincts and security. My daughter Persephone has been taken. I search the corners of the Earth for her. Please be here with us tonight. Help me find her and bring her home to me.
PERSEPHONE: Mother I am with you in every step you take on the Earth, with every seed you plant. I will support you and protect you until I return to you.
ABOVE: DEMETER: I call to all the powers of the universe, the stars and planets and spirits beyond our knowing. You see all from your perspective. help me find my daughter Persephone.
PERSEPHONE: Mother I am being watched over by the Universe as we all are. I will be safe until I return to you.
BELOW: DEMETER: I call to the Powers of Below, all that supports and guides us. Help me find my daughter Persephone. – Protect her when she is with you.
PERSEPHONE: Mother I am with you as you ground yourself, as you feel the vibrations from deep Below. this is me calling to you to have patience and peace.
WITHIN: DEMETER: I call to all that is within me to be patient, looking deep within myself to find the strength to be without my daughter and continue the search for her. This is the strength that we all need to find those things we are searching for. We all need to change and transform in this time of darkness.
PERSEPHONE: Mother and all of you here – look deep into yourselves to find the guidance and strength that you need to transform and change until I return to Earth in the Spring, bringing light and growth and the opening of new life.
Casting the Circle: Hold Hands and walk about circle. Everyone circle with 4-breath meditation—feel each element within you. Where our feet tread we connect with the land. What we feel together, strengthens our connection. When we imagine together, we create protection. When we are mindful together, we step into sacred space. We are between worlds. Let the ritual begin.
Lighting the Fire: Spirits of Fire Come to Us, We will kindle the Fire. (repeat) We will kindle the fire, dance the magic circle round, we will kindle the fire. We will kindle the fire.
Take time to share a meditation or discuss ; What needs to be conserved so that new Life can grow again in Spring.What have you harvested? Throw grain into fire., as you make your wishes for the season known.
Thank and release directions. Open circle with this chant:
“Onward we go round the spiral,
touching darkness, touching light
Twice each year we rest in balance
Make choices on this night
Make choices on this night.
May the peace and the love of the Goddess be ever in our hearts. Merry Meet, and Merry Part and Merry Meet again!