Past Rituals
Marking events from The Grove SFL
Our rituals are predominantly public. We strive to incorporate diverse practices without offending. Appropriate community members share all our rituals in a way that is open to all and typically light-hearted. We encourage other groups to draw inspiration from our activities. Blessed Be.
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Home Again music playing as a prelude and quiet time
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Summoner
Stands in front of entry facing out, staff resting at an angle in contact with the ground on one end
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Hand Maiden
Starting in the East sweep the space high and low, moving clockwise one time. Place the broom, bristles up, leaning against main altar and return to the group.
Sweep:
Sweep out the old, make room for the new
Let joy and contentment be all that is due
Sweep out the stagnant, sweep out the gray
Let blessings and beauty reside here today
Repeat as needed to get round the space once.
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Hand Maiden
Starting in the East using Florida water in a small misting bottle, mist high and low moving clockwise through the space one time. Place the mister on the main altar and return to the group.
Asperge:
Clean Water and strong Earth
Bring blessings to our Hearth
Gentle Wind and Fire’s spark
Let blessings shine and leave their mark
Repeat as needed to get round the space once.
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Priestess
Says to all waiting:
Please join us at our hearth. As you come in, please find a space where you are comfortable. If you are not able to stand comfortably for about 30 minutes, please be seated in one of the chairs.
Summoner to stand and place staff at his side, invite everyone to enter. Grove members form a “foyer” and greet everyone with “Welcome Home”, “ Welcome to our Hearth”, “Merry Meet”, “Happy to see you” or other phrases as appropriate.
After the last person enters, Summoner places the staff at an angle across the entry with the end on the ground and joins the group.
Quarter callers should stand opposite their Quarter so they are speaking into the circle and not moving around.
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Priestess
Today we gather as Chosen Family and friends in celebration of community and to welcome each other home. We come from many paths and hold differing beliefs, but we all follow a Path of Kindness.
Let’s begin by taking three deep breaths to clear our minds and center our focus on the here and now.
In…Out…In…Out…In…Out…
Crone, will you please take this ball of cord and mark our circle boundary? With this cord, we will build our sacred place, our safe place, where all are welcome.
Everyone please turn and face outwards.
As you receive the ball of cord, please unravel enough to pass to the person on your right while holding a piece of it in your hand. Introduce yourself and welcome your neighbor home.
Ball of cord passes hand to hand, each person welcoming the one to their right. When the ball returns to Crone, she ties a knot of Hercules and declares the circle sealed.
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Priestess
Let us call in our quarters, beginning in the East:
Everyone stays where they are and speaks across the circle to be heard. Grove members please help lead by facing the quarter being called.
East:
Spirits and creatures of the East - You are remembered!
Mighty Eagles on strong wings, Soft Doves on whispering breezes
Gentle morning light as the Sun rises anew and bathes our hearth stones with clarity
We welcome you to our rite!
Hail & Welcome!
South:
Spirits and creatures of the South – You are remembered!
Fierce Dragons glowing brightly, Bright Salamanders dancing in flames
Strong beams of the Sun kindling our hearth fires and protecting our homes
We welcome you to our rite!
Hail & Welcome!
West:
Spirits and creatures of the West – You are remembered!
Cunning Orcas traveling ocean waves, Wise Salmon circling in deep wells
Waning beams of the Sun coloring our hearth with warmth and contentment
We welcome you to our rite!
Hail & Welcome!
North:
Spirits and creatures of the North – You are remembered!
Stalwart giants standing tall, Quiet Gnomes shoring up walls
Darkness settling like a warm blanket covering our hearth as we rest and renew
We welcome you to our rite!
Hail & Welcome!
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Priestess
Thank you. We will now welcome in Lady Brigid and The Dagda
Brigid:
Bright Lady, Keeper of the Hearth, Mistress of Healing, Lady Brigid! We honor you and ask for you to join us today and bless us with your wisdom and healing prayers as we celebrate family, community and hearth. Welcome and Blessed Be!
The Dagda:
Great Father, Protector, Lord of Plenty, Dagda! We honor you and ask for you to join us today and bless us with your strength and legendary prowess as we celebrate family, community and hearth. Welcome and Blessed Be!
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Priestess
We stand together as family in sacred space created by our own hands. We all traveled different paths to reach this place. Each one of us bringing a different perspective, different views, different beliefs, and different life stories; but today we stand together to celebrate the unity in those differences that make us strong together. By being here now, we are all choosing a Path of Kindness through the difficult times around us. Together we will create a small well that we can all share and cherish to remind us of Community and that Kindness is not a weakness or the turning of a blind eye, but a source of strength to create change and foster understanding.
Please focus yourselves on this cauldron as Mother leads us through a meditation
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Mother
Insert appropriate healing spell here.
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Priestess
Thank you, Mother. Each person is invited to come forward and select a token from the cauldron to take with you. These tokens are now charged with the Kindness and Love we have generated here today. May they serve as a reminder to the connections we all have, regardless of where our individual paths take us.
Wait a short time until it seems everyone has chosen.
These tokens will be available throughout the remainder of our time together.
Let us close our circle now so we can enjoy Cake and Coffee together!
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Priestess
Brigid:
Beautiful Mistress, Loving Lady. We are grateful for your blessings of light and warmth. Although we must bid you farewell in this place, we carry you with us in our hearts. Hail and farewell!
The Dagda:
Bountiful Provider, Clear-sighted Protector. We are grateful for your blessings of plenty and comfort. Although we must bid you farewell in this place, we carry you with us in our hearts. Hail and farewell!
Let us now dismiss the quarters, starting in the North.
Everyone stays where they are and speaks across the circle to be heard. Grove members please help lead by facing the quarter being called.
North:
Spirits and creatures of the North – We are grateful!
Thank you for joining us and bringing your blessings of security and peace.
We bid you farewell and safe journey as you return home.
Hail & Farewell!
West:
Spirits and creatures of the West – We are grateful!
Thank you for joining us and bringing your blessings of wisdom and community.
We bid you farewell and safe journey as you return home.
Hail & Farewell!
South:
Spirits and creatures of the South – We are grateful!
Thank you for joining us and bringing your blessings of passion and drive.
We bid you farewell and safe journey as you return home.
Hail & Farewell!
East:
Spirits and creatures of the East – We are grateful!
Thank you for joining us and bringing your blessings of playfulness and caring.
We bid you farewell and safe journey as you return home.
Hail & Farewell!
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Priestess
Now as we prepare to open our circle, would everyone please turn and pick up the cord we laid at the beginning.
After Crone unbinds the knot of Hercules, please remain in place and holding the cord until it has been cut, leaving you a reminder of the sacred space we created today.
Crone unties knot and quarters step forward to cut the cord between each person in their “section” moving counterclockwise. Once the last cut is made, Crone announces the circle open.
Summoner removes staff from entrance.
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All
Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again!
Please join for Cakes and Coffee/Ale!
The festival of Lughnasadh translates to mean “the festival of Lugh,” and has its roots in ancient Ireland. The god Lugh is a warrior and master of many arts. He is associated with craftsmanship, blacksmithing, magic, poetry, the sun, war, and harvest. While Lughnasadh isn’t specifically a solar holiday, Lugh’s light-bringing aspect and his connection to prosperity and skill make him a central figure in this sabbat. In Wicca, Lugh is sometimes envisioned as a youthful Sun God whose strength begins to wane as the days shorten, and we enter the darker half of the year. {John Barleycorn}
The focus of this sabbat is to honor the first harvest, express gratitude for abundance, and prepare for the darker half of the year. It was one of the quarter-day festivals celebrated by the pre-Christian Celts, along with Imbolc, Beltane, and Samhain. It’s held on August 1 and marks the midpoint between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. The holiday is also known as Lammas in Anglo-Saxon tradition and is celebrated by Wiccans and neo-pagans through feasting, baking bread, and holding games or offerings tied to the land.
Early Lughnasadh celebrations included athletic contests similar to the Olympic games, horse racing, feasting, matchmaking, and storytelling, all activities which reflected Lugh’s skills and which they believed ensured a bountiful harvest. The festivities were often held on hilltops such as those in Telltown (Tailteann) in County Meath, Ireland.
Some Wiccans honor this turning point with ritual bread blessings and offerings to the land. Others focus on personal harvests, reflecting on what they’ve achieved since spring and what they’re ready to release as the wheel turns toward the darker half of the year.
Breaking Bread Ritual
Name one thing you are proud of accomplishing. Eat half of your bread
Now, name one thing you still plan to get done.
Let’s go outside, throw the rest in the fire, and drum to the full moon.
So Mote It Be or Even Better!!!
LITHA ART PROJECT
Deep cleansing breaths and fill yourself with energy
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We began the project by grounding and centering ourselves. We drew energy from the Earth to manifest our wards around the property.
Imagine Bougain-biscus hedge surrounding the property.
Sing the Grandmother chant at the corners.
• The chosen plant allies were the bougainvillea and hibiscus, which have grown together as one. They are the oldest plants on the property, hence the term " grandmother”
Offer reciprocity to the yard in exchange for plant material.
• Each participant takes a cup of wildflower seeds to the yard and picks a few items to add to their artwork.
Create a multimedia art project to honor the plants.
Sip mead and sing along with the Litha playlist.
After " The Circle is Open " plays, start the coffee and fire.
Desserts and divination.
10th Annual Hurricane Protection Ritual
All participants come into the circle carrying their non-perishable offering and a rattle.
“Riders on the Storm plays”.
Each is spritzed with Florida water as they enter.
They place their offering in the sacred shopping cart as they go around and find a chair, which is set in the circle.
When everyone is in their seat, Cleanser circles clockwise once more with Florida water, followed by Sealer who seals the circle with a piece of masking tape on each person's shoulder while all rattle.
HPS… Welcome to our 10th annual Hurricane Protection Ritual. Protection NOT Prevention. As Pagans, we respect the Weather Spirits and appreciate their place in Nature. Crone Hurricane spins Widdershins, and her destruction churns Life from the bottom of the ocean to the land. Just please, Grandmother, may our homes not get in the way. Lady Florida, will you lead us in a call and response to that end?
Lady Florida
May your Windows hold. ( May your Windows hold.)
May your windows hold (May your Windows hold.)
and keep you safe inside these walls
and keep you safe inside these walls
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
And protect you and yours
(and protect you and yours)
May your Windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
And keep out the bully winds that threaten to knock you down
(and keep out the bully winds that threaten to knock you down)
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
And protect Hearth and Home
(and protect Hearth and Home)
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
And though outside forces seem to ask for your submission
(and though outside forces seem to ask for your submission)
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
May your Windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
May your windows hold ( May your Windows hold.)
So Mote It Be!
HPS… Give us FIRE!!!
***The fire is lit***
Participants rattle and howl as the fire grows.
“Fire Transform Me” plays.
When song is over and energy peaks *GONG*
HPS… Let’s all chant together. Calling the quarters and building energy, repeating five times, and *GONG*
" In the East, the Wind is rustling" X5 (GONG)
" In the South, the Fire is Raging" X5 (GONG)
" In the West, the Water is rising" X5 (GONG)
" In the North, the Earth is rumbling" X5 (GONG)
HPS… " SILENCE! " Breathe. Here in the eye of the storm, the Spirit is calm. We have a reprieve in which to do our magick. The 10th tarot card is the Wheel of Fortune. Some see it as lucky, some see it as not, but all know it can be a sign to prepare. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best. This is how we meet each Hurricane Season with bravery and conviction!
I have prepared sachets of lucky herbs as an offering to our old friend, Crone Hurricane. She has her hand on that wheel at this time of the year. She will enjoy the spin we are taking with this magickal working.
The sachet consists of cinnamon, allspice, chamomile, and ginger to attract and enhance our luck.
“Wheel of Fortune, turn for me,
Bring change and luck, as you decree.
With each spin, let fate align,
Guide me to what’s rightly mine.”
“As the Wheel spins, so too does my fate.
May the currents be gentle and winds abate.
I trust the path that unfolds before me.
As I will it so mote it be.”
HPS… You may now give your offerings to the fire.”
HP... Please, Crone Hurricane, accept this offering to sweeten the disposition, calm the spirit, and turn the sound of thunder into shouts of praise. So mote it be.
The blessing of paying forward
HPS… Focus your attention on the sacred shopping cart.
Send your desire for blue skies and calm winds. Send your resolve for safe passage through any storm.
Send it with gratitude, knowing that in our time of need, we know we will find blessings.
As the Prosperity spell goes – “May the gifts we have placed within Come back to us times ten. Or even better! So mote it be.”
HP… Everyone, please stand. Let us proceed clockwise to pick up our “cakes and ale” and ask Mother Gaia to bless us.
“Earth Mother Song” plays
When the song is over and everyone is back in place,
Mother Gaia blesses the feast.
“Clean water in a time of need becomes more precious than the finest mead. May our cups always be full.”
“Plain crackers in danger’s wake become far sweeter than the richest cake. May we always know abundance.”
HP… "You may offer a portion to the Lady, Mother, Crone, and burn your cups in the fire."
HPS… "Let us thank the Powers that Be for their kind attention to our situation."
Lady Florida…"We thank you, Great Mother, for your attention on this clear night concerning a future time which may not be so bright. Hail and farewell!"
Mother Gaia… "We thank you, Lady Florida, for your attention now, so on a future date we won't worry about our fate. Hail and farewell!"
HPS… “And of course, we want to thank Crone Hurricane in advance for coming to our shores in peace and being aware of the needs of her tiny beasties. Hail and Farewell!”
HP… Please repeat after me
Earth may rumble. (Earth may rumble)
Water may rise. (Water may rise)
Fire may rage. (Fire may rage)
Wind may rustle. (Wind may rustle)
But the Goddess helps those who help themselves.
(But the Goddess helps those who help themselves)
Hail and farewell. (Hail and Farewell)
HPS… "May all things work toward the greater good.
Keep us safe. So mote it be!" (so mote it be)
HP… "May all entities attracted by this rite be on their way and go in peace." (Go in peace)
All Participants sing to open the circle
By the Earth that is Her body
By the Air that is Her breath
By the Fire that is Her bright spirit
By the Living Waters of Her womb
May the Peace of the Goddess be forever in your heart
This circle is open but unbroken
Merry meet and merry part
And Merry Meet Again!
Beltane Ritual 2025
Datura: Sweep circle Sage circle
Datura: Cast circle. Hand to hand I cast a circle.
Datura: Welcome to the Circle Welcome to Beltane. This is a time of transformation from spring to summer. When we celebrate the blooming of flowers, the warmth of the sun and the Earth's bounty.
*Call elements
Datura: Call Goddess *Light Candle We call Flora, goddess of flowers and fertility to be present tonight as we celebrate the coming of Summer in the glory of flowers. Hail and welcome. *Light Candle.
We call Cernunnos. God of forest and the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Protector of the earth. Join us tonight as we celebrate the fires of Beltane.
*Light fire.
Datura - Spell *Burn Letters. Flame of fire. Flame of light. Bring us the gift of second site. The answers we seek. Show to us. Bless us now to clearly see. I call the God and goddess to hear our call. With fire's might we ask to be aided in our requests for change. So mote it be.
Dance around the fire. Song: " The Humming" Enya
Datura- Gifts I call upon God and the goddess to bless these gifts. May they help us in our quest for transformation and bring love,healing and prosperity to the world.
Cake and ale Release elements
Datura- Release Gods Thank you Flora for your presence tonight. May your flowers continue to bring beauty to the world and nourishment to all creatures. Hail and farewell
Thank you Cernunnos for joining us tonight. We honor your protection of Earth and all of its wonderful flora and fauna. Hail and farewell.
Datura-Closing Thank you all for joining and tonight's ritual. May the circle be open but unbroken.
Merry meet and merry meet again.
Quarter Calls
East
Open: We call upon the element of air. Winds of change. The force that enables thought and wisdom. United with us tonight as we welcome this season of Summer and new life. Hail and welcome East Close: Winds of change and the power of new beginnings, new ideas and inspiration. Thank you for joining us tonight. Hail and farewell.
South
Open: Element of fire and transformation. Join us tonight as we celebrate the season of Summer. Give us your power to create what brings us joy and the power to destroy what no longer serves us. Hail and welcome. South Close: Flames of transformation. Thank you for being with us tonight sharing your flames of passion and desire. Hail and farewell
West
Open: We call upon the element of water. The power of emotional flow. We ask that you connect with us tonight to help us heal from uncertainty. Hail and welcome. West Close: Waters of ebb and flow. Thank you for joining us tonight with your healing powers and washing away our fears. Hail farewell
North
Open: We call upon the element of the earth. The powers of strength and endurance. Join us tonight and aid us in nurturing our desire to make the world a better place. Hail and welcome. North Close: Stillness of the ground. Thank you for joining us tonight and helping us connect to the natural world. For helping us remain steadfast in our convictions. Hail and farewell
Ostara Ritual 2025
RITUAL LEADERS
Narrator - Martha
Spirits of Place/Sacred Land - Moon
Quarter Callers -
Green Man - Karl
Ostara - Carolina
Announcements - Opal
MATERIALS
Dirt (Martha)
Table to put trough on (Opal)
Silver watering can (Opal)
Trough and Trowel (Opal)
Seeds (Opal)
Small paper cups (Martha; put under table))
Sound system to play selected music (Opal)
Extra water for watering can (put under table)
Selected music
Call to Ritual: Spirits Of The Plants
Fill-in as needed: Forest of the Druids 🌿 Celtic Fantasy Music 🌲 Enchanting Wiccan, Pagan Music 🌳
GM & O Dance: Lisa Thiel - Ostara (Spring Song)
Close Ritual: One Light, One Sun
BRIEF OVERVIEW
Table with dirt-filled trough will go under tree. Leave a good amount of space between table and base of tree for GM and O to move freely. Put extra water and paper cups under table. Encourage attendees to set up chairs in front of trough. Cue Spirits of Plants to Call folks to Ritual.
GM and O, in costume, hide behind tree; GM has seeds and trowel, O has watering can.
Stop Spirits of Plants as Narrator begins to speak.
NARRATOR explains what we're doing.
MOON talks about Spirits of Place/Sacred Land.
QCs invite elements of ESWN to be among us.
NARRATOR sets scene. (Also speaks as needed if there needs to be clarity of what happens next.)
Cue Forest of the Druids, not overly loud, to play in background during the GM and O pantomime.
GM cautiously emerges from behind tree. GM maintains demeanor of a very young man. GM notices trough, approaches, and begins to interact with dirt (smell, scribble, draw fingers through, rub into forearms, possibly face). GM gestures to people silently asking if they’d like to interact with the dirt. GM carries trough to the people, allowing them to feel the dirt and/or rub dirt on their hands/arms. GM returns trough to the table, then searches clothes for seeds and trowel. GM begins carefully placing seeds into dirt.
WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING …
O peeks at what GM is doing, taking care not to be seen by GM. O peeks from first one side, then the other, and back again as needed. As GM plants the last seed and surveys his work, O slowly emerges from behind tree with silver watering can. O maintains a queenly yet playful demeanor as she approaches.
In pantomime, O gently caresses GM’s face (GET PRIOR CONSENT FOR THIS!) and offers to water GM’s seeds. GM signals consent. O waters seeds, then gestures to people offering to pour water over their hands. O moves to chairs so people can extend their hands to be watered. O returns to GM, sets down watering can, and gestures to invite GM into a dance. Stop Forest of the Druids. CUE Ostara. GM and O dance until song is ended.
At end of dance, GM and O, in pantomime, invite people to bring a small cup to fill with the seeded and watered dirt. Cue One LIght, One Sun. As people finish getting their dirt and sit down, GM and O walk arm in arm back behind tree, waving farewell to the people. Stop One Light, One Sun.
QCs thank energies of ESWN for being with us. OPAL makes announcements. Cue Forest of the Druids. Everyone packs up and goes home.
Imbolc 2025
Cast the Circle with a new broom, sweeping away the old and sweeping in the new.
Sweep once around the Circle, starting in the east, widdershins to banish the old, then once deosil to bring in the new.
Call the Quarters:
East
From the East, we welcome the rising of the sun,
From winter’s darkness, we have won!
We welcome you, Brother Wind And claim you as our kin.
Well-come and blessed be!
South
From the South, we welcome the Light,
Winter has now taken flight! We welcome you,
Father Sun Our journey, like yours, is just begun.
Well-come and blessed be!
West
From the West, we welcome the Waters of the Womb,
From the darkness we emerge as from a tomb.
We welcome you, Sister Rain. Wash us clean and remove our pain.
Well-come and blessed be!
North
From the North, we welcome the solid land,
As you bring your blessing to our hand.
We welcome you, Mother Earth And claim our cleansing rebirth.
Well-come and blessed be!
The invocation
“Brigid, I welcome You to my sacred space.
As You enter, bring with You the fires of warmth and fertility.”
Play the song hold on and Everyone dance around the fire.
After this song finish say "I welcome the Light."
Walk up to the altar now and, taking the container of soil and seed in hand, raise it to the heavens, saying:
This soil of Earth is also the soil of my spirit.
Today, I plant the seed of (fill in with a quality that you wish to develop)
in this loam to be warmed by the returning sun, and grown with love.
Plant the seed in the soil, and put the container in front of you on the altar.
Take the container of partially thawed ice and raise it upward, saying:
This is the Water of the Maiden who returns to Earth today,
generating life and fertility with Her warmth.
Pour the melted ice into the container with the soil and seed:
This Water shall likewise nourish the seed of now growing in my soul.
Pour the remaining liquid out to Earth as a libation.
Cakes and ale
Release the quarters
North
From the North, we thank the solid land,
For bringing your blessings to our hand!
We thank you, Mother Earth And claim our cleansing rebirth.
Go with our blessings and our gratitude. Hail and farewell
West
From the West, we thank the Waters of the Womb,
From the darkness we emerged as from a tomb!
We thank you, Sister Rain For washing us clean and removing our pain.
Go with our blessings and our gratitude. Hail and farewell!
South
From the South, we thank the Light,
Winter has now taken flight!
We thank you, Father Sun For blessing the journeys we have begun.
Go with our blessings and our gratitude. Hail and farewell!
East
From the East, we hailed the rising of the sun,
From winter’s darkness, we have won!
We thank you, Brother Wind And call farewell to you as our kin. Go with our blessings and our gratitude. Hail and farewell!
Thank You, Brigid, for Your presence…
for sharing the fire from Your hearth to bless, inspire and heal me. May I keep these embers safely burning in my heart.
Hail and farewell
Play the song hold on once again Everyone dance around the fire to open up the circle.