OPENING OF THE SACRED SPACE - WINTER SOLSTICE 21.12.2010
(Christmas ale was poured onto the ground in each direction while the recitation took place)
EAST
To all our ancestors - to the wind from the east.
Today we are gathered here to mark both the full moon and the winter solstice. From this day on, we now leave the dark time behind us and move toward brighter days.
We ask you who have walked the same paths and climbed the same mountains
through many generations... play with us, laugh and protect us and take part in this
ceremony. Come, come, come and join us...
SOUTH
To all our beings of light - to the wind from the south
Today we are gathered for joy, and to remind ourselves of this great festival we are entering. May the message of peace be integrated into all thinking beings, all the way down to the cellular level... play with us, laugh and protect us and take part in this ceremony. Come, come, come and join us...
WEST
To all our helpers - to the wind from the west.
We who are gathered here today are gathered to mark what perhaps means most of all, love for one's neighbour. We know that through hatred and fear we become weak, but through love for our neighbour we experience what is called strength... the love that is so light and so difficult all at once.... play with us, laugh and protect us and take part in this ceremony.
Come, come, come and join us...
NORTH
To all our power animals - to the wind from the North.
Today we are gathered together with you here in fellowship to celebrate the song of life. Tonight we shall feel the rhythms of the drums in marrow and bone as we warm ourselves around our friend the fire. This evening we shall honour fellowship by filling this dark and long night with laughter and genuine joy. You power animals are, as always, warmly welcome to join us...
play with us, laugh and protect us and take part in this ceremony. Come, come, come and join us...
MOTHER EARTH
We turn to you, Mother Earth, the stone folk, the plant folk and the mountain spirits.
We are gathered here to honour and celebrate you all. Tonight we offer with joy our Christmas mead and our separate offerings. We are grateful that you, Mother Earth, our true mother, give us the daily nourishment we need and receive our heavy energies. In return, we who are here tonight shall work on all planes of consciousness so that this beautiful planet may become a better place for all and everyone... play with us, laugh
and protect us and take part in this ceremony. Come, come, come and join us... .
THE CREATOR
We turn to the universe and to you who are known by so many names: you are the Creator, God and Allah. You are a part of us and we are a part of you. We thank you for helping us to unmask the theatre of illusion and, with great patience, for being our steadfast mentor on this long and at the same time short and frustrating road. We need your presence and your healing power daily... play with us, laugh and protect us and take part in this ceremony. Come, come, come and join us...
Inca tradition
