This is the ritual we did at Sunday’s Welcoming Circle at Asheville Raven & Crone. Feel free to adapt for personal or group use.

FIRE EMPOWERMENT RITUAL FOR WALPURGISNACHT

CASTING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

On Walpurgisnacht, bonfires burn brightly,
their flames kindle our imagination
and remind us of the creative spark each of us possesses.

Like it’s calendar opposite Samhain,
Walpurgisnacht is a time
when the veil between the worlds is thin.

This allows us easy access
to the voices of our ancestors
who have much wisdom to share
as we face the tumultuous times we live in.

May our ritual tonight fan the embers of creativity
as we shake off the slumber of winter
and enter into a time of growth and rebirth.

May the Ancestors whisper into our ears
all we need to know in order to prosper
and bring about positive change
in our lives and in our world.
So mote it be!

With this incense, we form a protective circle
that will shield us from any negative forces
who seek t0 hinder the sacred work
we are about to begin.

[Leader goes around the circle, fanning a protective incense such as frankincense or other solar/fire related incense. If you are doing this ritual outside around a bonfire, make sure the smoke reaches everyone in the circle.]

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Spirits of Air,
May our ears be attuned to any messages
You have to give us tonight.
May Heiðe, the mistress of magic, weave a web
of creative energy all around us!
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Spirits of Fire,
Light the way for us in these uncertain times.
May Wodan, the master of magic,
light a fire in our hearts
that will move us from apathy to action.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Spirits of Water,
Revive our weary souls with your hope,
peace, compassion and empathy.
Wash away any feelings of pessimism and despair
we carry with us tonight.
Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Spirits of Earth,
may the greening of spring rub off on us,
helping us to grow in ways that enable us
to reach our fullest potential!
Hail and welcome!

Great Spirit, who works in our midst
in ways both seen and unseen,
we ask you to bless our ritual tonight.
We are honored by your presence,
And treasure your wisdom.
Hail and welcome!

FIRE EMPOWERMENT SPELL—David Taliesin

Strips of paper, pen
Caudron
Red or white candle
Yarrow
Dragon's Blood or Rue Oil

Light the candle and anoint it with the Dragon’s Blood or Rue Oil. Place it in the cauldron. Sprinkle a pinch of yarrow in its flames as a symbol of courage. Write on strips of paper the things that are currently keeping you from reaching your fullest potential. Then, one by one, place each strip in the flame and let it burn as you verbally state the opposite of what’s on the paper, i.e. what you would like to see come into your life. Let it burn out in the cauldron. Ex. If you write “feeling overwhelmed” on the paper, say something like “I will be calm and peaceful.”

[If you are doing this outside with a bonfire, sprinkle the yarrow into its flames and, one by one, throw your pieces of paper into the bonfire.]

BLESSING FOR SETTING INTENTIONS—David Taliesin

Heiðe and Wodan, mistress and master of magic,
we’ve set fire to the roadblocks
that are preventing us from moving forward,
and stated our intentions for the future.
Bless and empower our work tonight.
Guide us in the days ahead that we might
change the world for the better!
So mote it be!

CLOSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Spirits of Earth,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your stability and strength travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will. go if you must!
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Spirits of Water,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your compassion and peace travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Spirits of Fire,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your guidance and clarity travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Spirits of Air,
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May your wisdom and insight travel with us
As we leave this place.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

Great Spirit, who is known to us by many names.
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

The circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Copyright ©2024 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com