Introduction:
Sheffield Dragon created this public ritual, which was first
held on the Waxing Moon of Sunday 14th May 2000. The
background to the campaign is available.
Grounding:
Start with a simple breathing meditation. Sit or stand comfortably
and breath deeply for count of whatever works for you. Focus on
the counting and cut out everything else.
Background:
Explain background of Nine Ladies site. See Campaigns.
Cast the Circle:
Choose an object with some magical, emotional or psychological
charge that is suitable to be passed round the circle. Pass the
object sunwise (clockwise) round to circle from one person to the
next. As the object comes to you visualize a cord of light passing
with it round the circle. Some people may want to hold the object
for a little while: Be patient, as this is a good indication that
the circle will be strong and focused. Once the object has completed
the circuit of the group, the circle is cast.
Elements:
Invite the element of Air (East) by whistling. There are old
stories of witches whistling up the wind, and sailors never whistle
on board for fear of calling a storm. Invite the element of Fire
(South) by clapping sharply and out of rhythm, like the cracking
of a wood fire. Dance about and whoop loudly if you feel like it.
Fire is pure energy and like attracts like. Invite the element of
Water (West) by making the sound of waves or of dripping water.
If you sway slowly as if you were at sea it helps too. Invite the
element of Earth (North) by drumming on the ground with your hands
or stamping with your feet. Getting down on your knees & slapping
the earth with your hands is great to connect with the element.
Invite the Spirits of the Place and the Fair Folk. Now the circle
is cast and the energies invited, the space and the group are ready
for the working.
As they feel appropriate, participants say a manifestation of the
element, and the rest of the group imagine and meditate on the element
in it's
various forms. Participants say things as they feel appropriate,
and everyone should say at least one thing (lest they feel alienated).
The group meditation on each element sounds a little bit like a
very slow paced game of 'word association.' An example with the
element fire might
sound a bit like;
. . . lightening . . . the Sun . . . warmth . . . flames . .
. etc.
Because the method sets up a group mind, people know
when to turn and begin the next element. When the last element is
done to satisfaction, the centering is complete.
Focusing Meditation:
People to face outwards.
Poem read; Stanton, My Derbyshire
Gold is your dawning
Dark is your night
Your beauty unending
In Moon and Sunlight
Your hills they are soft
Like a dragonflies wing
A paradise perfect
Where all birds do sing
Your peaks hold a passion so wild and so free
and I dream as I stand they are there just for me
My very soul is in your earth
Your outcropped rocks so wild
and as I look I think of birth
and know I am your child
Your dark granite hights
Fill my longest dark nights
When no light is there
I see the moor sprites
They always will guide me
And so keep me free
From all chains that hold me
In a life not to be
I have walked your bleak moorland
Your dales soft and green
Drank your sweet water non clearer I've seen
I've picked your bright flowers, lain in your sweet heather
You showed me a magic nothing can sever
Up through the bright trees where the Nine Ladies stand
Thank the old ones
I am blessed by a magical hand
Dian Case
The Rape of Derbyshire
Come go with me this night so dark
Away among the stars we'll walk
I'll show you things while others sleep
Come go with me let's take a peek
Push back the foulest Man made air
The hurt, the sorrow ,the deep despair
Look back in anger at seeds we have sown
See the harvest of hate that now has grown
From Mans darkest greed, in a land that's on loan
So clear can you hear the cry's of despair
Of cold hungry children, of souls laid bare
Look down in shame for the night shows all pain
Touch this great sadness, for our Moon's on the wain
There is no turning back from this Hell of our making
Mother Earth she gave all, and no one stopped taking
We poison and drain her then tear out her heart
Raped and despised her, and that s just the start
As we walk throu the tears of so many hearts
We see in the dawning the rise of the lark
We hear on the wind her magical song
And think that the dark will be gone before long
So as another day breaks think what it takes
Try to sow seeds of joy, for all of our sakes.
Dian Case
People to focus on words (people who have been out to Nine Ladies
may want to focus particularly on that site..) images and feelings.
When people ready, make the place visible
by projecting lots of light at the site, making all the dangers/problems/lies
about the place really visible.
Raising Power:
People to turn inwards. You could use the Dragon Rune as a tool
to raise energy for your working. Draw the rune on the ground and
circle round it with a simple chant. Also use movement, sound and
symbol to weave your magic. Follow your intuition, and trust yourself.
Include use of drums, movement and chanting, moving round sun wise
to raise power and direct it. Pass the object around the circle
and empower it with the raised energy of the group whilst still
chanting.
Chant:
Circle nine, three by three
Defend Her lands
So mote it be
SEE A BETTER FUTURE
Ground the energy in the beautiful fertile soil of
our Mother and there you go!
Closing the Circle:
This is just the reverse of the process of casting the circle.
Turn to each element in turn, and bid them Thanks and Farewell just
as you welcomed them into the circle. Your intent will be different,
and you will find the sounds will tail off as you finish each quarter.
Unwind the circle in the opposite direction that you cast it, passing
the object anti-clockwise.
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