Sperran: Welcome to the ritual. Please take a moment to focus and center. Breathe deeply. Relax, and prepare yourself to shed the mundane concerns of the physical world.
Sperran: As you inhale and exhale slowly, concentrate on the inner world of the spirit. Prepare yourself to create a shared sacred space.
Sperran: Lightly place your hands upon your chalice and your pot of earth. Take a moment to bless these tools, that they may serve you well in the following ritual.
Sperran: Continue to breathe evenly and slowly. Close your eyes and when you feel ready to begin, slowly open your eyes.
Sperran: When you feel ready to begin the ritual, signify this by typing ().
empire10001: ()
Star: ()
Shadow: <>
Sperran: ()
Sperran: Now that everyone is ready to begin, we are ready to invite the spirits of the four quarters. Shadow, please greet the Spirits of the East and the Air.
Sperran: Type () when finished.
Shadow: Hail to Thee, Spirits of East and Air. Bless this circle with your everchanging life.
Shadow: ()
Sperran: Ann, please greet the spirits of the South and Fire.
empire10001: Lords of the South, Guardians of the Flame, we invite you to join us in this circle, and grant us your energies and protection.
Sperran: Star, please welcome the spirits of Water and the West. Type () when finished.
Star: Hail to Thee, Spirits of the West and of Water. Be welcome to our circle.
Star: ()
Sperran: We welcome thee, Spirits of the North and the Earth. We ask you into our circle. ()
Sperran: If anyone else would like to welcome his/her chosen Deity, or other benevolent spirit, you are welcome to do so at this time. Please type () when you are finished. If you do not wish to add a welcome, simply type ().
empire10001: Lord Ganesha, join us if you will. :) ()
Sperran: Oh Divine Spirit, I welcome You to this gathering. May our words and deeds be pleasing unto You and beneficial to our fellow human beings. In your Divine Name, I ask your blessings upon all who gather here.()
Shadow: Hail to Thee, Beloved Apollo, Sacred Friend. Please join and celebrate with us now. ()
Star: ()
Sperran: The welcomes are extended; the Circle is cast. Blessed Be.
Sperran: We gather today in celebration of Beltane. The last ice of winter has been washed away by warm spring rains and we see the world budding and blossoming around us. The return of the sun's warmth reminds us of the sacred promises of many faiths given and fulfilled in the fullness of spring.
Sperran: The dedicants of ancient Greek faith recall the promise of Demeter to once again warm the earth and bless the fields when her beloved Persephone returns.
Sperran: The Jewish people observe Passover and recall their Lord's promise to always be with them and maintain them in even the most trying of circumstances.
Sperran: Followers of Wicca recall the sacred marriage of their blessed Lord and Lady bringing fertility to the new season.
Sperran: * Inserting space for easier reading*
Sperran: *
Sperran: As we recall the sacred promises made and fulfilled by the Divine, let us also be inspired to recall the sacred promises we have made in our own lives[0]to lovers, to families, and to friends.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Let us recreate the beauty and majesty of the Divine oath by tending and strengthening the promises we have made to love and nurture those around us.
Sperran: *
Sperran: At this time, begin to think of the person (s) with whom you have a special relationship that you wish to tend in the ritual today. Recall their faces, their voices, the way they walk, the sound of their laughter, the curve of their necks, all the things that make them special and dear to you.
Sperran: *
jon7215_2: *JOIN* Entered room.
jon7215: *JOIN* Entered room.
Sperran: At this time, please share the names of these persons with the group. Please type () when you are finished. If you do not wish to share, simply type ().
empire10001: Ron, Carl, and Audrey. ()
Sperran: Scott. ()
Shadow: ()
Star: Beth... Andrew... Mary.
Star: ()
jon7215: hi ()
Sperran: With the picture of your Beloved firmly in your mind, begin to think of your relationship with them.
Sperran: Think of times that you have been angry or disappointed or unfair with your Beloved.
Sperran: *
jon7215: jon
Sperran: What is your part in this unhappiness? Have you remained silent when an unkind word pained you? Have you allowed your anger to make you cruel and vicious?
Sperran: Take a moment to delve into that uncomfortable, unpleasant part of yourself. Please share with us now, this part of your relationship that hinders its growth to the fullest. Please type () when you are finished. If you do not wish to share, simply type ().
jon7215: ok
empire10001: ()
Star: ()
Shadow: unwillingness to believe. ()
jon7215: *PART* Left room.
Sperran: My anger. I allow anger to overtake good sense and i say cruel things.
Sperran: ()
jon7215_2: *PART* Left room.
Sperran: Visualize this negativity as a gritty, goopy, foul-smelling sludge. Cup your hands. Allow yourself to feel this sludge pooling into your hands.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Allow these toxins to seep from your body and spirit and ooze into your cupped hands.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Imagine a light beginning in the center of your solar plexus, and feel the light push the heaviness and weight of this burden outwards to slide into your hands. Allow yourself to feel the lightness and cleanness now pervading your body as your hands become heavier and heavier.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Know that your limbs are light and strong even as your hands sink. Know that your heart beats firmly as your breathe quietly and rhythmically. Know that your head is strong and erect as your hands sink slowly beneath the weight.
Sperran: *
Sperran: When you feel that your spirit and body are clear and your hands are full, pour your burden into the earth in your pot.
Sperran: Just as the earth takes foul-smelling compost and turns it into rich soil and beautiful plants, transform your past errors into wisdom. Feel the dark, absorbing soil beneath your fingers drain away the last of the sludge.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Allow the solid, grounding power of the earth to help you transform this unpleasantness into a richer, more beautiful relationship.
Sperran: Take a moment to visualize past hurts and conflicts dissolving into understanding as your relationship grows deeper roots and broader leaves. When you have completed this task, please type ()
Star: ()
empire10001: ()
Sperran: ()
Shadow: ()
Sperran: Turn your thoughts again to your relationship. Again, picture your Beloved. Think of the most joyous, most special, most comfortable moments with them. What is your part in these moments? How have you shown devotion and affection?
Sperran: Take a moment to delve into this positive loving part of yourself. Please share with us now, this part of your relationship allows it to grow to the fullest. Please type () when you are finished. If you do not wish to share, simply type ().
Star: ()
empire10001: ()
Sperran: Allowing myself to be affectionate, and remembering we are best friends.()
Shadow: ()
Sperran: Visualize this positivity as an intense golden light. Again, imagine the light emanating from your solar plexus. This time, allow the light to grow in heat and intensity. Allow it to fill your body; picture the light tracing your veins and capillaries.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Picture the flush rising in your face as the very warm golden light permeates your physical and spiritual self. Gradually focus this energy and direct it towards your fingertips.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Imagine a beam of pure light energy emanating from your fingertips.
Sperran: *
Sperran: When you feel that your spirit and body are filled with the golden light, place your finger tips into the chalice. Imagine this light charging the water, filling it with your energy and power.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Imagine the tiny water molecules vibrating and dancing with energy. When you feel that the water in the chalice has absorbed and assumed a portion of this energy, pour it into the pot.
Sperran: *
Sperran: As the water nourishes the seedling, allow your positive energy and love to nourish the relationship. When you have finished this task, please type ().
empire10001: ()
Star: ()
Shadow: ()
Sperran: ()
Sperran: Now place your hands upon the pot. Allow the emanations of the earth to fill you with new purpose and resolve. Contained within it are the symbols of those things necessary to maintain and tend your loving relationship.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Learn from your past mistakes, remember your kindnesses. Just as you must tend a plant to bring it to blossom, so you must tend your relationship so that it may continue to blossom.
Sperran: *
Sperran: What is something specific that you plan to do to help tend your relationship? If you would like, please share this with the group. Please type () when you are finished. If you do not wish to share, simply type ().
Star: ()
Shadow: ()
empire10001: ()
Sperran: I hope to keep my temper under control. :) ()
Sperran: If you have anything else you would like to share, please do so now. Type () when you are finished. If you do not wish to add anything at this point, simply type ().
Star: ()
Sperran: *
Shadow: ()
Sperran: ()
empire10001: ()
Sperran: If no one has anything further to share, we should bid farewell to our spiritual guests. First, we will address the quarters.
Sperran: Shadow, please bid farewell to the East and the Air.
Shadow: Hail and Farewell, Spirits of Air. Stay if you will, go if you must, we thank you for your presence here tonight. ()
Sperran: Ann, please address spirits of the South and of fire.
empire10001: Lords of the South, Guardians of Flame, we thank you for your presence and aid. Go if you must, stay if you will. ()
Sperran: Star, please address the spirits of the West and Water.
Star: Hail and farewell, Spirits of the West and of Water. We thank you for your presence in this circle. Go if you must, but stay if you will. ()
Sperran: We thank you spirits of the North and the Earth for joining with us. Depart as you must, stay if you wish.()
Sperran: Others who would like to bid farewell to a chosen Deity, or other benevolent spirit guests invited into the circle may do so now. Please type () when you are finished. If you do not wish to add a farewell, simply type ()
Shadow: thank you, Beloved Apollo, for being with us here tonight, and being with me always. ()
Star: ()
empire10001: Thanks for coming, Ganesha. See you whenever you feel like showing up. :) ()
Sperran: Oh Divine Spirit, my Creator, I thank you for your presence here tonight. I pray that you continue to bless and keep me and mine. ()
Sperran: As we resolve our ritual, take a moment to return to the mundane world. Again, concentrate on your breathing. Let it remain slow and methodical.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Take the energy and warmth that you have raised during this ritual and allow it to flow down, through your spine, right down to your feet and into the floor.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Allow yourself to feel rooted and solid. Feel yourself solid and present as you prepare to leave the mystic state of the circle behind. Remember that it might help to eat and/or drink something.
Sperran: *
Sperran: Thank you for coming. The Circle is now broken, Blessed Be.
Shadow: blessed be
empire10001: Blessed be!
Star: Blessed be!
Sperran: Yay! :P