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Form circle in usual manner, invoking the
Mighty Ones.
The Cauldron of Cerridwen is placed in the
circle at the south wreathed with holly, ivy, and mistletoe, with fire
lighted within it. There should be no other light except for the candles
on the altar and about the circle.
After all are purified, the Moon should be
drawn down.
Then the High Priestess stands behind the
Cauldron in pentacle position, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun. The
people, man and woman alternately, stand round the circle. The Magus
stands facing the High Priestess with a bundle of torches, or candles, and
the book of words of the incantation. One of the officers stands beside
him with a lighted candle, so that he may have light to read by.
The people begin to slowly move round the
circle sunwise. As each passes him the Magus lights his candle or torch
from the fire in the Cauldron, which may be simply a candle, till all have
lighted candles or torches. Then the people dance round slowly as he reads
the incantation. (A real fire must now be kindled in the Cauldron.)
Queen of the
Moon, Queen of the Sun. Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the Stars. Queen of
the Waters, Queen of the Earth. Who ordained to us the child of promise:
It is the Great Mother who gives birth to
him, He is the Lord of Life who is born again, Darkness and tears are set
behind,And the star of guidance comes up early.
Golden sun of hill and mountain illumine the
land, illumine the world, illumine the seas, illumine the rivers,Grief be
laid, and joy be raised.
Blessed be the Great Mother, Without
beginning, without ending, To everlasting, to eternity, I O. Evohe,
Blessed be."
The dance commences slowly, in rhythm with
the chant, all taking up the call "I. O. Blessed be." The Priestess joins
dance and leads them with a quicker rhythm. The cauldron with burning fire
is pushed so that the dancers leap or step over it, in couples. Whichever
couple is passing it as it goes out, should be well-purified, three times
each, and may pay any amusing forfeit as the High Priestess may ordain.
Sometimes the cauldron is relighted several times for this purpose.
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