Ordainment Ritual

Needed:

  • Bell
  • Personal oil (for the celebrant)

Cast of Characters:

  • Tiresias: EbonyDoe
  • Hephaestus: Stag
  • Artemis: (member)
  • Apollo: High Priest
  • Hestia: Mana

Clothing Colors:

  • Tiresias: Black
  • Hephaestus: Brown
  • Artemis: Green
  • Apollo: Red
  • Hestia: Blue
  • Celebrant: White

The circle is cast.

The Guardian of the East rings their bell once, stating: "Ye, Wanderer of the Wind, come join this moment of rest.
Come and let us speak of Thought and Concept.
Tell your tale here, that I might partake of your wisdom, and learn of your experiences."

The Guardian of the South rings their bell once, stating: "Ye, Wanderer of the Sun, come join in this moment of rest.
Come and let us speak of Passions and Glories.
Tell your tale here, that I might partake of your wisdom, and learn of your experiences."

The Guardian of the West rings their bell once, stating: "Ye, Wanderer of the Storm, come join in this moment of rest.
Come and let us speak of Love and Peace.
Tell your tale here, that I might partake of your wisdom, and learn of your experiences."

The Guardian of the North rings their bell once, stating: "Ye, Wanderer of the Earth, come join this moment of rest.
Come and let us speak of Honor and Home.
Tell your tale here, that I might partake of your wisdom and learn of your experiences."

Tiresias (EbonyDoe) invokes the God and Goddess:
“Divine are Your honors, Oh Mother of the Gods and Nurturer of All.
Yoke your swift chariot drawn by bull-slaying lions and,
O Mighty Goddess who brings things to pass, join our prayers.
Many named and reverend, You are the Queen of the Sky.
In the cosmos, Your throne is above all others, for You are
Queen of the Earth, and You give gentle nourishment to mortals.
Goddesses, Gods, and mortals were born of You,
And You hold sway over the rivers and all of the sea.
Hestia, Gaia, Demeter, Inanna, Isis, Astarte, Ishtar, Persephone, Diana,
Giver of prosperity who bestows upon mortals all manner of gifts,
Come to this Rite, Queen whom the drum delights.
Honored and loving Nurturer of Life,
Joyfully and graciously visit our deeds of piety.
Blessed Be.”

“Hear Our Prayer, O best and Many-Named God.
Fine-haired, solitary, and full of lovely song;
Many shaped and noble nurturer of all,
Maiden and youth in one, unwithering bloom, O Adonis
You vanish and grow again in the fair seasons' turn.
Kurnunnos, Pan, Myrddhn, two horned Spirit of growth and blooming;
Much loved and wept for are you,
O Fair and Youthful Hunter of the luxuriant mane.
Desire is in Your mind and You come to the Goddess
in reverence and respect,
in sensuous joy is your desire fulfilled
You are the seed planted in the depths of the Underworld
That springs forth, the Green God, that we may sustain our lives.
You sacrifice Yourself in gentleness when you are grown.
Come Kind-Hearted One, Come Blessed God,
and bring much joy to all.
Blessed Be.”

She then steps back and says: "We have been called forth from the edges of Time and Space by one who seeks entry to the coven's Priesthood. I am Tiresias, Prophet of Thebes, who, though blind, shall be his/her guide. (Member), come forth!"

Member is invited into the chat.

Tiresias (EbonyDoe): "Who seeks entry to this Priesthood?"

Member: "I, (name).”

Tiresias (EbonyDoe): "Before you enter, gaze upon one who sought what was not rightfully hers. Do you still desire entry?"

Member replies.

Tiresias (EbonyDoe)(If no, she/he leaves and circle is closed. If yes): "Then enter and ask passage of the Guardians of the Gods. Hail, Mighty Hephaestus, Craftsman of the Gods. With me is one who seeks entry to the Priesthood."

Hephaestus (Stag): "I am Hephaestus, Craftsman and Smith of the Gods. In my labors, I use Fire as a purifying agent, separating the metal from the stone, and for the actual forging of my Art. But remember that creativity requires forethought. Daedalus was a Master of my Craft, yet rarely considered the implications of his creations. He created the Labyrinth of Minos, who then imprisoned him within its intricacies. He crafted wing that he and his son might escape, yet in their flight Icarus died. Always consider the consequences of the which you create. How are you known, seeker?"

Member: "I am called (name)."

Hephaestus (Stag): "By what right seek you passage through the North?"

Member: "I have endured a year of the path of Earth and learned of my own mortality."

Hephaestus (Stag): "Pass with the Blessings of the Earth."

Tiresias (EbonyDoe): "Hail, Vigilant Artemis, Virgin Goddess. With me is one who seeks entry to the Priesthood."

Artemis (Member): "I am Artemis, Virgin Huntress. Through my will, no man has ever known me. Yet will must be tempered by intelligence. Remember Otus and Ephialtes, twin giants who were arrogant enough to think themselves better than the Gods. They continued their ill-wrought plans, even after Poseidon warned them. Through supposed desire, they chose to pursue me. They separated in pursuit of what they saw as a white hind, and, with simultaneous throws, slew each other. Thus blind will caused the death of all they truly loved. How are you known, seeker?"

Member: "I am called (name)."

Artemis: "By what right seek you passage through the East?"

Member: "I have endured a year of the path of Air and have learned the need for focus of will."

Artemis (Member): "Pass with the Blessings of the Air."

Tiresias (EbonyDoe): "Hail, Bright Apollo, Lord of the Sun. With me is one who seeks entry to the Priesthood."

Apollo (High Priest): "I am Apollo, God of the Sun and Keeper of Knowledge. Knowledge of Fire has allowed Man to forge a civilization. But seeking to advance without can lead to catastrophe. Witness Phaethon, who attempted to drive the Sun Chariot without proper knowledge, nearly causing the incineration of the Earth. Action without knowledge will often lead to ruin. How are you known, seeker?"

Member: "I am called (name)."

Apollo (High Priest): "By what right seek you passage through the South?"

Member: "I have endured a year of the path of Fire and have learned the need for strength of will."

Apollo (High Priest): "Pass with the Blessings of the Fire."

Tiresias (EbonyDoe): "Hail, Pure Hestia, Lady of the Home and Family. With me is one who seeks entry to the Priesthood."

Hestia (Mana): "I am Hestia, Goddess of Hearth and Home. The warm glow of emotion in balance is vital for proper growth and life. But when emotions are allowed to rule above all else, tragedy is soon to follow. Consider Paris, who upon seeing Helen, bowed to an all-consuming desire for her, kidnapping her without thought of the consequences. Thus began the Trojan War. Do not bury your emotions, but neither should you elevate them to the level of Ruler. How are you known, seeker?”

Member: "I am called (name)."

Hestia (Mana): "By what right seek you passage through the West?"

Member: "I have endured a year of the path of Water and have learned the right of perfect love and perfect trust."

Hestia (Mana): "Pass with the Blessings of the Water."

Tiresias (EbonyDoe): "Well done, most noble (member). Please, accept our blessing:
Blessed be these feet
Made to walk the path of the twice-born!
Blessed be these knees
Made to kneel at the altar of all things!
Blessed be the way of the creation of life!
Blessed be this breast
Formed in beauty and strength!
Blessed be these lips that speak the truth;
By all the names of Goddess and God!
May you be blessed! Blessed be!
I present to you all, (name),
Priest/Priestess and witch. "

At each mention of the blessed part, the celebrant anoints the part with their personal oil.

Guardian of the East: “We thank you East!
We thank you, Spirits of Air
For your presence here tonight.
Walk with us always
As you dance the cycles of life.
Blessed Be!”

Guardian of the South: “We thank you South!
We thank you, Spirits of Fire
For your presence here tonight.
Walk with us always
As you dance the cycles of life.
Blessed Be!”

Guardian of the West: “We thank you West!
We thank you, Spirits of Water
For your presence here tonight.
Walk with us always
As you dance the cycles of life.
Blessed Be!”

Guardian of the North: “We thank you North!
We thank you, Spirits of Earth
For your presence here tonight.
Walk with us always
As you dance the cycles of life.
Blessed Be!”

Tiresias (EbonyDoe): "Our work is completed for now. Let us rejoice and enjoy this company, remembering that though we may go our separate ways, we are always united as one. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again!"