This rite is meant to be used only once at a given site unless the site is deliberately desecrated. The goal is to establish the site as sacred space, even when not in use by the Stand or its members.
Requires:
Incense, candles, salt, water, fan, athame, foundation stone(s), chalice and wine, and bell (each stroke denoted by *).
DEFINING THE SPACE
Starting East, closely scribe the perimeter with athame. (If a group working, each member scribes the perimeter in turn.)
CLEANSING WITH SALT
Bless Salt. Cast 3 pinches in each farthing.
CLEANSING WITH WATER
Bless Water. Sprinkle thrice in each farthing.
CLEANSING WITH FIRE
Light candle and bless Fire. Elemental Cross in each farthing.
CLEANSING WITH AIR
Bless Air. Take fan and fan from up to down, left to right, down to up.
PURIFY WITH SALT & WATER
Take up Salt and Water.
"Salt of the Earth, Water of the Sea;
they combine... to purify...
With my Blessing..
So Mote it Be!"
Asperge partner and be asperged. Start in East. Offer at each Octant, then use 3 sprinkles starting middle, left, then right.
"What is, what was, What yet shall Be"Conclude in Center, one flick up, down.
PURIFY WITH FIRE & AIR
Light Incense from candle.
"Burn Bright Flame,Without and Within,
Consuming all ills."
Blow out flame on incense.
"Blow, Wind Blow,Scattering Distractions,
In accord with my Will."
Cense the circle, sweeping up, then down at each Direction, like a pulse. On returning East, Turn to Center and draw a vertical circle clockwise. Face center. Draw a spiral above head, then one below knees, then a double interlocking one at the Center. Bell.
SONIC CLEANSING
Face E:
"Nah-rah-lee-are" (Two-handed Pentagram)"Lokin" (Hands clasped chest-high. Extend left hand palm down to lower left, right hand palm up extend to upper right.)
Face SE:
"Ariana" (Hands crossed limply at wrist, held shoulder height, open arms outward.)Face S:
"Ee-vaid-nee-aa" (Two-handed Pentagram)"Janir" (Hands palm to palm overhead, draw straight down, spread out to sides, palm down)
Face SW:
"Rheya" (Bow legs slightly, left hand palm up below stomach, right hand palm down just below breasts. Rotate hands clockwise extending hands outward.)Face W:
"Iss-an-der-vaal" (Two-handed Pentagram)"Frelor" (Arms bent, hands palm down at sides, waist high, push to full extension of arms.)
Face NW:
"Morriwen" (Strong hand reach just above head, draw down to forehead, then to lips, then extend hand outward opening palm up.)Face N:
"Nor-an-de-kar" (Two-handed Pentagram)"Hadin" (Hands hanging at sides, raise, crossing at chest, hands curling to fists.)
Face NE:
"Gruag" (Reach up left, draw down to chest level, pass to right, reach up and release.)Face E (Spread arms):
"Shan-tar Ee-tie, Shan-tar Ee-tie,Joro-tie-nee-van Tee-aa-yay
Kan-tar Ee-lan, Shan-tar Ma-hon"
(Cross arms, bow head on last line.)
Face Centre(partner opposite, if you are group working):
(For even-numbered years, reverse God & Gidden)
"Aradia Ascends"
( Raise arms from sides to shoulder height, palms up.)
"Herne Descends"
(Lower arms from straight overhead to shoulder height, palm down.)
"And together we stand between"
(Hug partner, if you have one)
SEEDING OF THE STAND
Foundation stone(s) are placed in center of the space. As each is placed, say, "From this seed, Stand ____ _____ shall grow; tall and strong and free! Branches high and roots below; stands the Sacred Tree!"
If a group, when all Stones are placed, the group shall, in unison, add: "From these seeds, Stand ___ ___ shall grow; stronger, closer, as one."
UNIFYING THE STAND(if group ritual)
Group _Om_ is suggested.
DECLARATION OF INTENT
(Weardian)" I, (Name), STANDING WEARDIAN FOR (Stand Name), HAVING CLEANSED AND PURIFIED THIS SPACE; REQUEST THE BLESSINGS OF THE GODS IN ALL PHASES OF THEIR ASPECTS"
(********)
INVOCATION OF THE PHASES
(BELL)
Tinder, kindling, fuel and blaze
Racing ever onward
Growing excitement; fierce passions
Devouring all, set before
Spinning Spider.
Builder of Bridges, Weaver of Webs.
So many paths, so many choices
So few of them safe to tread.
Shrieking Storm-Crow.
Mocker of tradition, Spirit of disorder.
Overflowing the cup, severing the bonds,
Allowing none to chain him.
Capricious Coyote.
Bearer of gifts, bringer of grief,
Changing what he touches, touching what he changes,
Being changed by what he touched.
Lokin Showen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Ebbing tide
Seeping back into the womb
The ink fades; the writing is forgotten
The page becomes blank anew
Hear her!
In the howl of the wind.
At the height of the storm.
In the cry of a rock,
Assaulted by frost.
Seek her!
In the damp, musty smell,
of the old withered leaves,
In the sightless path,
In the slow drip of water,
Deep underground.
She is,
Liberator, Releaser,
Devourer of the Past!
Transformer and Changer,
Wellspring of the Future!
Gruag Droupen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Exhilaration exploding outward
Golden orb hanging on high
Now is the time; here is the place
None to match; all to balance
Spinning Spider.
Builder of Bridges, Weaver of Webs.
So many paths, so many choices
So few of them safe to tread.
Shrieking Storm-Crow.
Mocker of tradition, Spirit of disorder.
Overflowing the cup, severing the bonds,
Allowing none to chain him.
Capricious Coyote.
Bearer of gifts, bringer of grief,
Changing what he touches, touching what he changes,
Being changed by what he touched.
Lokin Fullfyllan, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Pouring forth from the void
Onto the plane of being
Spreading, surging, engulfing
Hammering the heights; the time approaches
Lady, she is---
Of the slow, Patient, Growth;
of root and stem,
Vine and creeper.
Mistress, she is ---
Of the brief, Brilliant, Existence;
Of bud and leaf,
Flower and seed.
Transformer, she is---
Of air, Water, And Fire;
Into the verdant life
That surrounds us.
Ariana Showen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Radiance dims; fury fades
Glowing embers sinking low
Spark visions of glories gone
Bask in the afterglow
Spinning Spider.
Builder of Bridges, Weaver of Webs.
So many paths, so many choices
So few of them safe to tread.
Shrieking Storm-Crow.
Mocker of tradition, Spirit of disorder.
Overflowing the cup, severing the bonds,
Allowing none to chain him.
Capricious Coyote.
Bearer of gifts, bringer of grief,
Changing what he touches, touching what he changes,
Being changed by what he touched.
Lokin Droupen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Exultation flowing forth
Silver circle sailing the night
Now is the time; here is the place
None to match; all to balance
Lady, she is---
Of the slow, Patient, Growth;
of root and stem,
Vine and creeper.
Mistress, she is ---
Of the brief, Brilliant, Existence;
Of bud and leaf,
Flower and seed.
Transformer, she is---
Of air, Water, And Fire;
Into the verdant life
That surrounds us.
Ariana Fullfyllan, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Tinder, kindling, fuel and blaze
Racing ever onward
Growing excitement; fierce passions
Devouring all, set before
In howl of wolf,
and leap of stag.
Hunter and Hunted.
In thrust of spear,
and blood from wound
Sacrificer and Sacrifice.
Clad in cloaks of
feather and fur,
scale and fin.
Soar the vast hollow of the sky,
Tread the green shadows of the land,
Swim the salt dark of the sea.
Janir Showen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Ebbing tide
Seeping back into the womb
The ink fades; the writing is forgotten
The page becomes blank anew
Lady, she is---
Of the slow, Patient, Growth;
of root and stem,
Vine and creeper.
Mistress, she is ---
Of the brief, Brilliant, Existence;
Of bud and leaf,
Flower and seed.
Transformer, she is---
Of air, Water, And Fire;
Into the verdant life
That surrounds us.
Ariana Droupen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Exhilaration exploding outward
Golden orb hanging on high
Now is the time; here is the place
None to match; all to balance
In howl of wolf,
and leap of stag.
Hunter and Hunted.
In thrust of spear,
and blood from wound
Sacrificer and Sacrifice.
Clad in cloaks of
feather and fur,
scale and fin.
Soar the vast hollow of the sky,
Tread the green shadows of the land,
Swim the salt dark of the sea.
Janir Fullfyllan, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Pouring forth from the void
Onto the plane of being
Spreading, surging, engulfing
Hammering the heights; the time approaches
Womb of the World:
Warm, dark and moist.
From her, we emerge:
And unto her, we shall return.
Cauldron of creation,
Bringing forth the Universe,
Out of her body.
She is the Gateway of Life:
The entrance to existence.
Behold her face,
Mirror_d in the bright Lunar disk.
Hearken to her breath,
Born on the waves of high tide.
She is Rheya;
Mother to us all.
Ship that bears us,
_Cross the starlit sea of darkness.
Rheya Showen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Radiance dims; fury fades
Glowing embers sinking low
Spark visions of glories gone
Bask in the afterglow
In howl of wolf,
and leap of stag.
Hunter and Hunted.
In thrust of spear,
and blood from wound
Sacrificer and Sacrifice.
Clad in cloaks of
feather and fur,
scale and fin.
Soar the vast hollow of the sky,
Tread the green shadows of the land,
Swim the salt dark of the sea.
Janir Droupen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Exultation flowing forth
Silver circle sailing the night
Now is the time; here is the place
None to match; all to balance
Womb of the World:
Warm, dark and moist.
From her, we emerge:
And unto her, we shall return.
Cauldron of creation,
Bringing forth the Universe,
Out of her body.
She is the Gateway of Life:
The entrance to existence.
Behold her face,
Mirror_d in the bright Lunar disk.
Hearken to her breath,
Born on the waves of high tide.
She is Rheya;
Mother to us all.
Ship that bears us,
_Cross the starlit sea of darkness.
Rheya Fullfyllan, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Tinder, kindling, fuel and blaze
Racing ever onward
Growing excitement; fierce passions
Devouring all, set before
Leader and follower,
With a will forged in the fires of self-discipline.
Protector of the weak;
Shelter from the storms of life.
Quiet hero,
Steadfast and strong.
Holding the children on bent knee;
Healing their fears, with his presence.
The experience of the years
Speaks in his voice.
Singer of songs,
Teller of myths, and the myth being told.
Frelor Showen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Ebbing tide
Seeping back into the womb
The ink fades; the writing is forgotten
The page becomes blank anew
Womb of the World:
Warm, dark and moist.
From her, we emerge:
And unto her, we shall return.
Cauldron of creation,
Bringing forth the Universe,
Out of her body.
She is the Gateway of Life:
The entrance to existence.
Behold her face,
Mirror_d in the bright Lunar disk.
Hearken to her breath,
Born on the waves of high tide.
She is Rheya;
Mother to us all.
Ship that bears us,
_Cross the starlit sea of darkness.
Rheya Droupen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Exhilaration exploding outward
Golden orb hanging on high
Now is the time; here is the place
None to match; all to balance
Leader and follower,
With a will forged in the fires of self-discipline.
Protector of the weak;
Shelter from the storms of life.
Quiet hero,
Steadfast and strong.
Holding the children on bent knee;
Healing their fears, with his presence.
The experience of the years
Speaks in his voice.
Singer of songs,
Teller of myths, and the myth being told.
Frelor Fullfyllan, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Pouring forth from the void
Onto the plane of being
Spreading, surging, engulfing
Hammering the heights; the time approaches
Womb-cave of Wisdom,
Echoing in the dark
The lives of our past,
Are painted on her walls.
Guardian of the gates,
Holder of the keys,
Before her watchful eys,
Must we walk.
Her age-worn hands,
Wield sickle and shears,
She cuts the golden grain in the fields,
And severs the silver cords of our fate.
Morriwen Showen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Radiance dims; fury fades
Glowing embers sinking low
Spark visions of glories gone
Bask in the afterglow
Leader and follower,
With a will forged in the fires of self-discipline.
Protector of the weak;
Shelter from the storms of life.
Quiet hero,
Steadfast and strong.
Holding the children on bent knee;
Healing their fears, with his presence.
The experience of the years
Speaks in his voice.
Singer of songs,
Teller of myths, and the myth being told.
Frelor Droupen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Exultation flowing forth
Silver circle sailing the night
Now is the time; here is the place
None to match; all to balance
Womb-cave of Wisdom,
Echoing in the dark
The lives of our past,
Are painted on her walls.
Guardian of the gates,
Holder of the keys,
Before her watchful eys,
Must we walk.
Her age-worn hands,
Wield sickle and shears,
She cuts the golden grain in the fields,
And severs the silver cords of our fate.
Morriwen Fullfyllan, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Tinder, kindling, fuel and blaze
Racing ever onward
Growing excitement; fierce passions
Devouring all, set before
Softly, Silently,
Stalks the Hunter.
Clad in robes of darkness,
Wrapt in shadowy veils.
Seen, Heard,
Felt by just one.
Peace brings the Hunter.
Calm for the restless ones.
Love, Mercy,
Oblivion for all.
Softly, comes his tender touch,
Death is a gentle hunter.
Hadin Showen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Ebbing tide
Seeping back into the womb
The ink fades; the writing is forgotten
The page becomes blank anew
Womb-cave of Wisdom,
Echoing in the dark
The lives of our past,
Are painted on her walls.
Guardian of the gates,
Holder of the keys,
Before her watchful eys,
Must we walk.
Her age-worn hands,
Wield sickle and shears,
She cuts the golden grain in the fields,
And severs the silver cords of our fate.
Morriwen Droupen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Exhilaration exploding outward
Golden orb hanging on high
Now is the time; here is the place
None to match; all to balance
Softly, Silently,
Stalks the Hunter.
Clad in robes of darkness,
Wrapt in shadowy veils.
Seen, Heard,
Felt by just one.
Peace brings the Hunter.
Calm for the restless ones.
Love, Mercy,
Oblivion for all.
Softly, comes his tender touch,
Death is a gentle hunter.
Hadin Fullfyllan, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Pouring forth from the void
Onto the plane of being
Spreading, surging, engulfing
Hammering the heights; the time approaches
Hear her!
In the howl of the wind,
At the height of the storm.
In the cry of a rock,
Assaulted by frost.
Seek her!
In the damp, musty smell,
of old withered leaves.
In the sightless path,
Of the worm in the dark.
Find her!
In the fall of a tree,
In the midst of a forest.
In the slow drip of water,
Deep underground.
She is,
Liberator, Releaser,
Devourer of the Past!
Transformer and Changer,
Welspring of the Future!
Gruag Showen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Radiance dims; fury fades
Glowing embers sinking low
Spark visions of glories gone
Bask in the afterglow
Softly, Silently,
Stalks the Hunter.
Clad in robes of darkness,
Wrapt in shadowy veils.
Seen, Heard,
Felt by just one.
Peace brings the Hunter.
Calm for the restless ones.
Love, Mercy,
Oblivion for all.
Softly, comes his tender touch,
Death is a gentle hunter.
Hadin Droupen, Bless this place!
(BELL)
Exultation flowing forth
Silver circle sailing the night
Now is the time; here is the place
None to match; all to balance
Hear her!
In the howl of the wind,
At the height of the storm.
In the cry of a rock,
Assaulted by frost.
Seek her!
In the damp, musty smell,
of old withered leaves.
In the sightless path,
Of the worm in the dark.
Find her!
In the fall of a tree,
In the midst of a forest.
In the slow drip of water,
Deep underground.
She is,
Liberator, Releaser,
Devourer of the Past!
Transformer and Changer,
Wellspring of the Future!
Gruag Fullfyllan, Bless this place!
(BELL)
(*****)
Background in unhurried motion
Slow powerful swells
Bear patterns of foam
Brief, intricate, and ever-changing.
Aradia, Mother; Bless this place!
(****)
Hearth holding ashes
Memory of warth past
Promise of blazes to come
Container for fuel and flame.
Herne, Father; Bless this place!
(****)
CLOSE
(Raising Chalice and Athame)
"As the Cup is to the Female, and the Athame is to the Male;
Together they are blessed; so may this place.
So mote it be!"
(DO NOT, REPEAT NOT, CUT THE PERIMETER YOU HAVE SCRIBED AT THIS TIME; YOU MAY CUT CIRCLES YOU CAST HERE AFTER THIS RITUAL)
Aspect & Phase Invocations by Volkhvy of Twisted Willow used by permission.
Valire'brand of Spiral Ash
121590, 122505, 021506
The idea of the Standbok is very simple; it provides a method for preserving and distributing Pagan lore that is cheap and that allows the member groups to retain their individuality.
First, the Standbok is the book of the Stand (Stand is the Twyern equivalent to Grove, or Coven.). It contains the myths, rituals, teaching practices, tests, stories, chants, songs; in short; the lore of the Stand. Second, the Standbok is the book of the stand's position on topics of Stand interest. There are always at least 2 copies of the book plus an archive file. (I'l go into this a little later) So, it will cost a group the price of 3 3-ring binders, plus some paper, to set the system up. Even most Pagan groups can swing that much money.
There are 2 copies of the book because one is a circulating copy that is loaned to other groups or, occasionally, individuals. The other is retained by the Stand, both to work from and to cross-check the loaner when it returns. The retained copy should be updated as soon as the loaner gets back.
The Twyern guidelines on the Standbok are as follows:
1. The Standbok is loaned to the leaders of a selected group. They will select the material to be copied for their group and determine what their group will add to the Standbok. The idea is to prevent disclosure of initiation (or other critical ) rituals to people who aren't ready for them.
2. There are at least 3 sections in the Standbok: ACTIVE, NEW, and INACTIVE. Obviously, these can be subdivided as desired.
ACTIVE - Material used or taught currently by the owners of the Standbok.
NEW - Any additions made within 1 year. If adopted by the owners, will be upgraded to ACTIVE at the end of the year; if not adopted it goes to INACTIVE.
INACTIVE - Material deleted from ACTIVE by owners of the Standbok; after 4 years retired to ARCHIVES at the Stand.
3. Material may be added, but NOT deleted by borrowing groups. Material is added to the NEW section.
4. All added material shall be attributed and dated. Persona of author, Group name, and date inserted or written.
5. Borrowing groups are allowed to copy material from any section; but must retain dates and attributions. Because the owners aren't using some material doesn't mean it is inferior, just that it doesn't fit their current needs.
6. Borrowing groups are required to agree to return the circulating Standbok within two months - intact, with originals.
7. Owners will correlate ASAP with Stand copy to keep both up to date. They shall update before loaning the Standbok to the next group.
Valire'brand 05/88rev. 04/10/03, 021506
