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MABON:A POINT OF BALANCE
Special Thanks to Phil McDarby (Digital Artist) for permission to use his GreenMan Awakens Image
Event: September 20th 2009
History:
This rite began with an Esbat journey on July 7th 2009:
I wrote this Esbat to invoke the divine in each of us participating, in place of a traditional drawing down. The format of the journey was laid out ahead of time, so participants would know what they were seeking and have a very broad range of where to journey to. Instead of guiding the group through each step of the journey with a spoken dialogue, a drum beat was followed. Each person was free to travel as fast or as slow as they needed, and to gather messages and tools along the way that would aid them.
In the section below right, is the journey I found myself on during this rite (see the heading THE JOURNEY). I was surprised as I normally work with the feminine aspect of the divine. What became clear to me was that even as seasoned spiritual workers, clearly not new to this path, we do become unbalanced in our preferences.
The message was clear for me that I needed to embrace the masculine god form, if for no other reason than to integrate that power within myself....
And so this Mabon rite was born.
Mabon 2009:
Pre Rite Note: Following the invocation of the god, it was not my intention to use words to convey the messages... But who knows what will happen, once everything starts. Once the attendees have received their message/direction/charge, they will need to go to each of the directions where they will choose one item out of each bowl. The items in the bowls have symbols drawn on the outside and the one chosen will be what resonates closest to that attendee. The items are tools to aid the attendee in whatever fashion needed in the coming cycle. Even though I had not planned to use words, some may be spoken (again, who knows). Regardless the message will be conveyed.
Some of the reasons why I chose do this rite, in this manner is the fact that each of us is our own priest and priestess. I believe messages are private things. I have witnessed ego getting in the way during invokings and drawing downs. Yes ,we are all here doing the work, but sometimes (and I have seen it first hand), it becomes about the drama and not about the connection. I have also witnessed over thinking and processing in those seeking information. This could be because of the ego thing again, it could also be because we often get in our own way. So, I stress not to over think this, even if attendees receive no words, they will be given everything they need to choose the correct item. Because of this, aspects of this rite may not be appropriate for an open ritual, where there are many levels of experience and self knowledge among the practitioners, and some that attend may not be ready to own their process.
Intention: To connect the Ancient Primal God-form in his aspect of Wild Man Shaman Healer and to seek integration of primal forces with our own spirit. To honor and mesh with the cycles of nature as we use these energies empower ourselves as a tool for growth and a catalyst to move forward in this coming cycle.
Casting: Will be different, to drive home the simplicity of intent.
Element Allocations: Will be different, There are so many Pagan practices throughout the world and on this continent which differ in attribution of directions and elements. There is no wrong, there is only different, based on what the intent for the rite is, and what energies are being plugged into.
Altar: In the Center
Cleansing: Sage, ceremonial tobacco, cornmeal
Circle casting: Using sound (Rattle)
Directions for this rite: Based on land lines North America and First Nations directions:
Start in the North instead of East:
North: Air
Winds of the north carrying the voice of the ancient ones, join us in this rite (sacred space)
East: Fire
Fire of the east carrying the promise of a new day, join us in this rite (sacred space)
South: Earth
Earth of the south carrying the love of the Great Mother, join us in this rite (sacred space)
West: Water
Waters of the west carrying the wisdom of experience, join us in this rite (sacred space)
The workings:
Like a pebble on the water, these workings need to begin at the point of self and radiate outward into the world.
The template for this working:
Call forth that which we need for ourselves
Call forth that which is needed for our families & communities
Call forth that which is needed for our country/ nation
Call forth that which is needed for our planet:
There are four bowls one each, set at the four directional points, which will be holding symbols/tools and messages of power.
Each direction will hold the following bowl:
North: All forms of communication
East: Illuminations
South: All forms of healing
West: Transformations
In the Northeast corner of the circle will be two chairs facing each other: In this area I drew up the Shamanic aspect of this green-godform from the earth, during the invocation.
Invocation will be to call in the God in his most Ancient form as the Green Shaman/Wild Primal God form to assist us in this working.
During the Invocation attendees will focus on asking for guidance and wisdom to be given/ shared with us on what will serve our needs in the greatest fashion.
Cakes & Wine:
"By the power of the eternal, that which was, that which is, and that which will be, this sacred manna is consecrated. As it fills our bodies, may it nourish our spirits, and remind us ever of our roots."
Thanking:
The forces of Nature:
Prayers to the planet:
Dismissing directional energies:
Opening sacred space:
Post rite notes:
The attendees at this rite were seasoned practitioners. Even though the intent was not to give verbal messages, there were some given (could not say how many, or content of, but it did happen). The rite felt profound and everyone attending seemed to get what they needed from it. I also, felt fine following the return from the drawing down (up in this case), more clear than I had felt all day. The weather danced all around the spectrum, with clouding, lite mist, wind and clear with sun, during this rite.
Katarine Anu