Here in the British Isles Friday the 20th March 2015
was the Vernal Equinox but the day was also astronomically significant for
another reason. Across much of Northern Europe the same day would see a Partial
Eclipse of the Sun. Even before the realisation of that last significant event,
I had been invited by a party of friends to join them on a visit to the Nine
Ladies Stone Circle, which stands on Stanton Moor in Derbyshire. I was also
honoured by invitation of the host of the said group, to both write and lead an
Equinox Ritual for his party. I was pleased to accept, knowing that I had made
a positive impression on a previous occasion, when we had visited Lud’s Church
in Staffordshire.
So it was that several friends and contacts began to consider the
best or at least a suitable way of marking the dual event. My plan was to car
share with a friend, drive to the edge of the moor and walk to the Nine Ladies
to observe the event. There we would meet other friends including the party
from Nottingham, picnic and perform a ritual for the Vernal Equinox.
Unfortunately due to matters beyond anyone’s control, we were a
little late parking on the edge of the moor and were very much aware of a
darkening sky as we drove into the Peak District. After a short walk from our
parking space, we observed the Partial Eclipse not from the stone circle itself
but from the cliffs overlooking the Derwent Valley and the villages below. A
most beautiful prospect even with an overcast sky as we observed dancing
shadows and speckled sunbeams move across the valley.
We observed the precise height of the Partial Eclipse standing
amongst the rocks, a moment when enough cloud cleared to observe the sun safely
and stand in awe as the Cheshire Cat from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland looked down upon us. Unfortunately
I was unable to capture that moment, a very special moment photographically but
we saw the moment and that was enough.
Moving on, my friend and I met up with a Facebook companion from
the Derbyshire village of Brailsford, already settling down to picnic and
appreciating the attractive surroundings of the stone circle. Joining her,
we set our own equipment down and encamped far enough away from the stones to
admire the setting, without encroaching upon the other visitors.
A text conversation soon ascertained that the party from
Nottingham would not arrive until lunchtime and had observed the Partial
Eclipse from the bus station in Derby. Apparently in Derby the skies were clear
and not overcast at all, their views of the phenomenon were therefore, much
better than our own.
We three merry campers on the moor set off to explore, take
pictures and returned to our base for refreshments as necessary. As the morning
lengthened, the skies cleared and the day became, bright and rather warm.
The Nottingham party eventually arrived, having themselves been
delayed somewhere on the A6 road. My lift spent a few moments chatting but
being aware of the time and having plans for the afternoon, was forced to
depart. I chose to stay, as I had agreed to lead a ritual. This departure of my
original lift did not however, leave me stranded. Our companion offered to give
me a lift later to Brailsford, from whence home is easily accessible via public
transport.
The Nine Ladies circle itself was empty and we were free to enter
the circle for our ritual. We began the preparation for our observance with a
minimalist approach to the equipment needed. I placed my stang in the north of
the stone circle itself, four red painted horseshoes marked the compass points
of north, south, east and west. I provided joss sticks, biscuits, a chalice of
mead and a bottle of anointing oil, all of which was placed in the centre of
the circle.
Printed scripts were handed out and volunteers sought for the
various parts. Explanations were soon sought, the ritual was not what was
expected. No circle casting for example, no this is a compass and the Nine
Ladies is itself our circle. The elements are in the wrong places and again no,
I am using a different model to the usual Golden Dawn or Wiccan inspired
rituals, my inspiration is Robert Cochrane.
Once these matters were comfortably settled the ritual was
underway and I reproduce the same, in its entirety below.
Group gather in a circle and link hands, the Druid Oath is then
intoned three times by all:
“We swear, by peace
and love to stand
Heart to heart and
hand in hand
Mark, O Spirit and
hear us now
Confirming this, our
sacred vow.”
One person shall
say:
“Hail, Guardian Spirits of this place,
We ask for your blessings on this our rite.
We come here to celebrate the Spring Equinox.
We ask, in peace and with respect,
That you might accept our presence.”
(This is adapted from the Hearth of the Turning
Wheel Alban Eilir Ritual written by K. Clegg and performed by the group in
2007)
The calling
Robin: “Beloved Bloodmother of this our clan. Welcome us at this
time, with your heart and womb. Let us learn to live in love with all you are
and so our seeking spirit shall serve the Sacred Blood.”
Marion: “Beloved Father, speak to us in vision and do not abandon
us to the grave. Nor hand us over to Hard Fate utterly, nor those whom our love
protects.”
All in unison: “We call thee, we call thee, we call thee. By
flesh, blood and bone we call thee.”
Blessing and
anointing with oil and incense
A suitable oil is blessed using wand, blade or hand while saying:
“I do consecrate and bless this oil, to drive out all impurities and make fit
for use in this our rite.”
Each person will anoint the person to their left with a runic
symbol while saying: “You have walked this path in spirit (and) now (you) do so
in flesh.” Please note that the words in brackets are optional.
For an Equinox or a Solstice the Hearth of the Turning Wheel use
a version of the Sun rune:
Pick up the incense and say: “I scent this circle with air and
warm this circle with fire. This I do in the name and power of our God the Lord
of the Greenwood.” The compass points are scented, first north, then south,
east and west.
Hallowing the
compass: opening
Person “A” faces north and says: “From the sky, Crow Woman we call
thee.”
Person “A” walks across the circle to face south and says: “From
the earth, Hare Mother we call thee.”
Person “B” faces east and says: “From the rising sun, Goat King
and Witchfather we call thee.”
Person “B” walks across the circle to face west and says: “From
the underworld and the setting moon, Stag Lord we call thee.”
All in unison: “We call thee, we call thee, we call thee. By
flesh, blood and bone we call thee.”
Central focus
One individual reads this poem (Adapted from
Duff G. (2002) The wheel of the Wiccan year. Rider.):
“Ostara is new light, soft sweet air, the running hare and spring
flowers.
The bursting of buds and the straight following of new paths.
May the spirits of the air guide our thoughts when we set out on
new paths.
May the spirits of the Sun and fire give us vitality and passion
to make new ventures successful.
May the spirits of water help us to tread new paths with balanced
emotions.
May the spirits of the earth give us physical balance so we may
draw life and health from the strengthening Sun.
May the Gods watch over us this Springtime and may we continually
remember to give thanks to them for this new season.”
The rite of
communion
The goblet and plate are held high while one individual reads this
blessing from 'Sigdrifa’s Prayer' from ‘Sigdrifasmal.’
“Hail, day!
Hail, sons of day!
And night and her
daughter now!
Look on us here with
loving eyes,
That waiting we
victory win.
Hail to the Gods!
Ye Goddesses, hail!
And all the generous
earth!
Give to us wisdom
and goodly speech,
And healing hands,
life-long.”
The cup is passed to the left with the words: “May you never
thirst.” The person receiving the cup will drink and pass the cup to their left
with the same words.
The meal is passed to the left with the words: “May you never
hunger.” The person receiving the meal will take some of that offered and pass
the remainder to their left with the same words.
Hallowing the
compass: closing
Person “B” faces west and says: “Of the underworld and the setting
moon, Stag Lord we thank thee.”
Person “B” walks across the circle to face east and says: “Of the
rising sun, Goat King and Witchfather we thank thee.”
Person “A” faces south and says: “Of the earth, Hare Mother we thank
thee.”
Person “A” walks across the circle to face north and says: “Of the
sky, Crow Woman we thank thee.”
All in unison: “We thank thee, we thank thee, we thank thee. By
flesh, blood and bone we thank thee.”
Final closing
After a pause all in unison will say: “By the fire of dreams and
the compulsion of sorcery. By knowledge, daring will and silence. By the tides
of Earth, Sea and Sky. May all beings and powers of the visible and invisible
depart in peace. By flesh, blood and bone we do thank thee.”
After a pause one person will say: “May all beings and powers of
the visible and invisible depart in peace, with our blessings.”
Once the ritual had ended we again enjoyed our refreshments, some rest time and conversation. I was appreciative of the compliments made, as it was evident that the group enjoyed and were equally impressed by, both the ritual and my ‘performance’ as the Robin.
The Nottingham group eventually decided to set off and explore the moor proper. Stanton Moor itself, is famed for its beauty, its wildness and numerous Neolithic monuments. I on the other hand, knowing I had a private ritual to attend later that day, gratefully accepted a lift part of the way home.
References and further reading
Artisson R. (2006) The Witching Way of the Hollow Hill: the gramaryre of the Folk who dwell below the mound. Owlblink Bookcrafting Company USA.
Bellows H.A. (1936) (Trans.) The Poetic Edda. Forgotten Books.
Chattering Magpie (Griffith D.B.) (2010) Lammas ritual of sacrifice. Silver Wheel volume 2. Lear Books pp89-96.
Chattering Magpie (Griffith D.B.) (2010) For they who walk alone. The Hedgewytch: issue 51 August/Lammas 2010 pp31-34.
Chattering Magpie (Griffith D.B.) (2011) The Hearth of the Turning Wheel hallowing of the compass. Silver Wheel Volume 3. pp134-135.
Duff G. (2002) The wheel of the Wiccan year. Rider London.
Ellis Davidson H.R. (1964) Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. Pelican Books. London.
Ellis Davidson H.R. (1988) Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic Religions. Syracuse University Press, NY. USA.
Fries J. (1993) Helrunar: a Manual of Rune Magic. Mandrake of Oxford, UK.
Gary G. (2008) Traditional Witchcraft: a Cornish Book of Ways. Troy Books, Penzance Cornwall.
Grey W. (nd.) cited by Jones E.J. (1990) Witchcraft: a tradition renewed. Robert Hale, London.
Gundarson K. (1990) Teutonic Magic: the Magical and Spiritual Practices of the Germanic Peoples. Llewellyn Publications, USA.
Howard M. (1994) Mysteries of the Runes. Capall Bann, UK.
Jackson N.A. (1994) Call of the Horned Piper. Capall Bann UK.
Jones E.J. Cochrane R. Howard M. (2001) The Roebuck in the Thicket: an anthology of the Robert Cochrane Witchcraft Tradition. Capall Bann UK.
Jones E.J. (1990) Witchcraft: a tradition renewed. Robert Hale, London.
Clegg K. (2007) The Hearth of the Turning Wheel Alban Eilir Ritual.
Larrington C (1996) (Trans.) The Poetic Edda. Oxford University Press.
MacRath-MacPhalrain Ailean (Craw Alan) (2004) Altar and Stang. The Wytches’ Standard magazine. Issue #1 Winter Solstice/Yule 2004.
Oates S (2011) Tubelo’s Green Fire: Mythos, Ethos, Female, Male and Priestly Mysteries of the Clan of Tubal Cain. Mandrake of Oxford, UK.
Oates S (2012) The Star Crossed Serpent II: the Clan of Tubal Cain the Legacy Continues: Shani Oates 1998 -. Mandrake of Oxford, UK.
Stewart R.J. (1992) The complete Merlin tarot. Aquarian/Thorsons London.
Valiente D. (1978) Witchcraft for tomorrow. Robert Hale, London.
Text copyright D.B. Griffith the Chattering Magpie 2013 - 2015; all artwork and illustrations copyright D.B. Griffith the Chattering Magpie and the Hearth of the Turning Wheel 2015.
Text copyright D.B. Griffith the Chattering Magpie 2013 - 2015; all artwork and illustrations copyright D.B. Griffith the Chattering Magpie and the Hearth of the Turning Wheel 2015.
