Tree Higgins wrote a wonderful ritual for last night’s Welcoming Circle. Here is is as requested.

Ritual of Balance

Calling the Quarters

Hail, Guardian of the North! Hail! Come you now and bless this circle with your deep, nurturing ways, you from whom we spring, whom we dance, walk and love upon and return to time after time. Protect circle as we join together here and now.

Hail, Guardian of the East! Hail! Come you now and bless this circle with your ever-moving ways that carries off our woes, brings both the breath of life and inspiration time after time. Protect this circle as we join together here and now.

Hail, Guardian of the South! Hail! Come you now and bless this circle with your clearing, passionate ways, your flames that remove our obstacles, your light that lets us see more clearly and the ashes we rise from time after time. Protect this circle as we join together here and now.

Hail, Guardian of the West! Hail! Come you now and bless this circle with your Water of life, your ways of constant movement regardless of obstacles, your way of clearing a way so flow may be unhindered, your way of sustaining all life. Protect this circle as we join together here and now.

Plant children of these elements, I bring you here tonight to teach us balance, spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of what we need to connect to the divine.

Horsetail, Child of Earth Elemental, from you we take the understanding that we can heal, alleviate our sorrows, give burdens over to Earth so we walk steadily onward, sure of our place and our path. You whisper to us, “We are all connected on this Earth.” (Tree places herb in water. David lights the green candle. Both say “So mote it be.”)

Rosemary, Child of Air Elemental, from you we take the lesson that each breath is a new beginning waiting to be embraced, each wind can raise up and carry us over even the most troubled times. We are all capable of dancing in your air and elevating our spirits. (Tree places herb in water. David lights the yellow candle. Both say “So mote it be.”)

Peppermint, Child of Fire Elemental, you give us the ability and lesson that there always arrives a time to renew by burning away what we do not need, dancing in the ashes until we are free to rise again, Phoenix bright and reborn. We then carry the light within us as we travel our spiritual path. (Tree places herb in water. David lights the red candle. Both say “So mote it be.”)

Rose Petals, Child of Water Elemental, you give us the ability to flow continuously onward as we seek our paths and purposes, leaving our obstacles on the banks we pass. You teach us it is natural to be, at times, roaring wild and still as a lake’s reflection. (Tree places herb in water. David lights the blue candle. Both say “So mote it be.”)

Now, I want you to spend the next few minutes reflecting on what you need to grow spiritually, what you need to leave behind that hinders or hurts you, and where you need to heal. Remember, this is about finding your spiritual balance in using the four elements as healing and moving forward. After reflecting, if you wish, come up to the bowl of living water and elementals. Dip your fingers in and anoint yourself on your forehead and anywhere else it feels needed.

(Reflection Time Given)

All done? May you all be blessed with balance and spirit this summer. Walk your paths with growth and continued enlightenment. We will meet again in September!

We will release the quarters now.

Releasing the Quarters

Hail, Guardian of the North! We release you with great gratitude. Stay if you want, go if you must. Hail! Thank you with all out hearts!

Hail, Guardian of the East! We release you with great gratitude. Stay if you want, go if you must. Hail! Thank you with all out hearts!

Hail, Guardian of the South! We release you with great gratitude. Stay if you want, go if you must. Hail! Thank you with all out hearts!

Hail, Guardian of the West! We release you with great gratitude. Stay if you want, go if you must. Hail! Thank you with all out hearts!

Gather around the table if you want to help blow out the elemental candles! Do it gently! (Every gathers and gently blows out candles.)

Copyright ©2019 by Tree Higgins.