Fall Equinox – Kore In Balance

Fall Equinox – Kore In Balance

Initiating the Rite

Light Hestia’s hearth candle and say:

I have come today to honor the Kindred, and to walk the cycle of the year, and explore the mysteries. Mighty Hestia, brighten this work with your fire.

Give offering to Hestia

Purification

Wash hands and face in bowl of water and center yourself for ritual.

Honoring the Earth Mother

Gaia, primal goddess of the world, great mother of all. You were the first to be born from Chaos
and from you all life has formed. With your name, we grow and change. Come forth and dwell in this space.

Give offering to Gaia

Statement of Purpose

The Greater Mysteries occurred during the harvest season, representing the days Demeter spent wandering the earth in search for Kore after her descent into Hades. Participants in this ceremony were blindfolded and taken into the sacred temple of Demeter. They were purified and crowned with myrtle wreaths before being given their final chance to leave.  It was then that the second initiation would begin and explored Kore’s descent into the underworld.  Today, we gather here to celebrate these Mysteries.

(Re)Creating the Cosmos

Sacred well, waters of wisdom, connected to the rivers of the underworld, carry our words to the beloved dead.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor them.  Sacred well, accept our offering.

Give offering of silver

Sacred fire, burning inspiration, your smoke rising to the heavens high above, carry our words to the many gods.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor them.  Sacred fire, accept our offering.

Give offering of alcohol

Sacred center, mighty Omphalos, marking the center of all the worlds, carry our words to all the realms.  Act as a gateway through which we can honor the Kindred. Sacred center, accept our offering.

Give offering of oil

Opening the Gates

I call now to Hermes, messenger of the gods. Swift footed god of the roads, we ask that you meet us at the boundary and guide our journey between the realms.  Come forth and dwell in this space.

Give offering of alcohol

Hermes, I ask that you aid me in opening the gates.  Let the fire, burning bright, open to Olympus.  Let the waters, flowing deep, open to Hades.  Let the Omphalos connect this realm with all others.  Hermes, join your magic with mine and let the gates be open.

Inviting the Three Kindreds

Ancestors, you who walked this world before me.  Heroes, friends, and family.  You helped bring my story into existence, so I remember your existence by telling your story.  Meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Ancestors.

Give offering of apricots.

Nature Spirits, you who share this realm with us.  Dryads, fawns, and nymphs.  Rabbit, lizard, and squirrel.  You share this realm with us, both when we see you and often when we don’t.  Meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Nature Spirits.

Give offering of bird seed.

Shining Ones, mighty Gods and Goddesses.  You who influence my path, and guide those I love on their own journeys.  You form this world and our experiences within it.  I ask you now to meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Shining Ones.

Give offering of wine.

Key Offerings

Blessed Kore, goddess of growth, maiden of the spring’s bounty.   Goddess of grain, fruits and bread.  You brought joy to the world as you danced with the nymphs in the flowery meadows.  Your descent with Hades brought darkness to the world.  Today, we stand equalized, before your descent but knowing it will come soon, balanced between the light and dark. We call to you today during this equinox and ask that you join us in this ritual.  Welcome, Kore.

Give offering of bread.

Prayer of Sacrifice

Place bones and veggie scraps into the fire.

In ancient practices, these gifts were given to the gods to honor them.  Kore, your journey brings us light and dark, joy and loss, give and take.  We give you these gifts to reflect the reciprocity and keep things in balance.  Kore, we give these gifts to you.  Accept this offering.

Take portion of sacred meal

Pour kykeon libations into the fire. 

To all who gather here, we give these gifts in love and respect.  Mighty Kindred, accept this offering.

Omen

Pull 3 stones from Greek Alphabet Oracle for omen

Calling/Hallowing/Affirming the Blessings

In the spirit of *ghosti, a gift calls for a gift. I’ve made my offerings to the Kindred, and in

return they bless these waters. Kore, you bring balance to the world as you descend and return.  Bless these waters with the balance of the equinox.  Behold, the waters of life.

Drink from the cup

Working

Meeting Persephone Meditation:

Take a moment to make yourself comfortable. Stand in a comfortable position, or sit on the

ground and adjust until you feel content and relaxed. Take a deep breath in and exhale as you

close your eyes. Take a deep breath in and exhale slowly.

While you continue to breathe deeply, allow your body to relax, releasing the tension

from your head and shoulders, from your arms and hands, from your chest and torso, and finally from your legs and feet. Allow that tension to flow away from your body as you relax into your position as you continue to breath slowly and evenly.

In your mind’s eye, see yourself as a beautiful flower, swaying in the breeze, brightly colored and full of life. Feel the wind upon you as it blows past. Feel the warmth of the sun shining down on you. Look around you and see that you are not alone, but instead you are one flower in a meadow of many, each growing and moving on their own, seeming to dance in the breeze.

Breathe deeply, feel your small roots grow down into the ground beneath you, through dark soil deep into the ground and the cool, nourishing waters below.

Once more, take a deep breath and feel the waters pull up through your roots. Feel the

waters climb up through the earth and into your body, flowing into the stem and filling the leaves that make up your body. Breathe again and feel the cool waters rise into your head, flowing into your petals.

As you stand, filled of the nourishing waters of the earth, breathe deeply and turn your attention to the bright sky above. See the warm sun high above.  Feel yourself reaching up, from roots to petals, stretching to feel the bright light above you. Feel the rays of light, warm and comforting, upon your face. Feel the light warm down through your head and into your body, warming the seeds of thought and down into your stem and leaves. Feel the warm light and cool waters dancing inside of you, combining and filling you with potential.

When you’re ready, feel yourself step forward, out of the flower and into the meadow surrounding you. Feel the soil beneath your feet. Watch the flowers dance around you.

Watch the flowers sway lightly, and then part, revealing a path in front of you. Follow this path

through the brightly colored field. As you approach the center of the meadow, you see many paths of different size and shape leading in the same direction, a labyrinth. Follow your path toward the labyrinth, but instead of taking your normal entrance you see an entrance covered in vines and enter.

As you step inside, you see a beautiful figure, waiting patiently for you to approach. This is Persephone, glorious goddess of spring and queen of the underworld. Persephone approaches you, welcoming you to this place. Speak to her. Ask her to teach you her secrets. The goddess looks at you and extends her hand with a smile. Take her hand and follow her through the labyrinth toward the place where her secrets are hidden. Listen to her words, and let her show you her mysteries. Listen to her message, meant for your ears only, and follow her words.

It is now time to return to our realm. Let Persephone guide you back to the entrance of the

labyrinth, watching the signs along the way so you can return to her again. Thank Persephone for meeting you at this place, and for providing you guidance along this path and listen to any

parting message she has for you.

As she turns to walk away, see your path returning into the meadow. Follow the trail, back to

your flower. Take a deep breath and step into the plant, feeling the warm light and cool

waters still flowing within. Take another breath and as you exhale, feel the two powers begin to

release, light energy flowing up from your roots, through your body, and back into the sky high

above. Feel the waters flowing down, through you, and into the soil below. Take another breath

and find yourself back in your own body, relaxed and comfortable. Wiggle your toes and

fingers. Take a moment to settle in, and then open your eyes.

Thanking the Beings

Blessed Kore, thank you for the balance you bring to the world.  By Hades side, you rule the underworld, yet return to bring us spring. For walking through the cycle of the year with us, beautiful Kore, we thank you!

Shining Ones, mighty gods and goddesses, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Shining Ones, we thank you.

Nature Spirits, you who share this realm with us, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Nature spirits, we thank you.

Ancestors, you who walked this world before me, thank you for joining us at the boundary tonight.  May our work continue to please you.  Ancestors, we thank you.

Closing the Gates

I call once more to you, Hermes, swift footed god.  Thank you for guiding our journey tonight. May our work continue to please you.  Hermes, we thank you.

Hermes, before you depart, I ask that you once again join me in closing the gates.  Let the fire, burning bright, be just a flame.  Let the waters, flowing deep, be just water.  Let the Omphalos standing firm, be just a stone.  Hermes, join your magic with mine and let the gates be closed.

Thanking the Earth Mother

Gaia, primal goddess of the world, thank you for upholding this rite.  May our work continue to please you.  Gaia, we thank you.

Closing the Rite

We gathered here to honor the Kindred and walk the cycle of the year.  This rite has ended, but our exploration of the mysteries continue.  Mighty Hestia, though we extinguish this flame, let your fire burn within us all. 

Extinguish hearth candle

This rite is ended.