Imagine the scene. The altar, a round table, is set with a red cloth, and the ritual tools.
Three antique glass bowls, the orange one has cold earth, the blue has salty water, and the green has blessed chocolate two-bite brownies. The small brass cauldron burns Dragons' blood incense and sage, while deep red pomegranate juice sparkles in a large crystal goblet. The quarter candles are set on poles in wind-proof candle holders and knotted glow sticks mark the perimeter of the circle. My Athame and bowls for the apple and pomegranate sit on a small table to the northeast of the circle.
As each of the participants take their turns to recite their parts of the ritual, Kyle stands ready to relight the candles on the altar that are periodically blowing out in the wind in my back yard.
It's about 8 p.m. when Amanda begins to lead us in casting the circle and our energies blend well to forge a good circle. I feel very alive and tingle from head to toe feeling how the group energies blend and build. It is exhilarating to do this with others again after so long alone.
The ritual progresses fairly smoothly, especially considering we are new to working together and it is the first one for some of us. We follow Amanda, Jen and Lyle's cues and improvise a lot. It is fun to watch how well people can fit together and support each other.
When the ritual is finished Cernunos, Cerridwen and the four quarters are thanked and invited to stay if they wish or leave if they wish. The exhilaration on the others' faces is evident in their bright smiles as we all embrace and laugh about our improvisations before scarfing the last of the pomegranates and 'sacred' brownies.
Then I notice that my new neighbours have been moving in while we, the Sault Ste. Marie Pagan Association, have been honouring our beloved dead, learning to embrace the cycle of life & death and marking another turn on the wheel of life.