Midsummer: Demeter’s Joy

Midsummer: Demeter’s Joy

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

Long before the existence of the mysteries, before the descent of Persephone, the earth was a place filled with the love and joy of Demeter.  Plants flourished, the world was fertile, and there was much rejoicing in the land.  That abundance disappeared when Demeter thought she lost her daughter and was only returned when Persephone returned home. It was this loss that created the cycle of the year we still have today.  Today, we stand in this space to celebrate the growth that Demeter brings to the world.

(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

We call now to Demeter, protective mother, goddess of agriculture and grain.  Your joy brings growth and sustenance to the world.  You who bring growth to our crops and fertility to our land.  We honor you and the cycle of the year.  Demeter, meet me at the boundary.  Welcome, Demeter.

Prayer of Sacrifice

Place bones and veggie scraps into the fire.

In ancient practices, these gifts were given to the gods to honor them.  We give these gifts to you now, Demeter, and ask that you join us in our feast.  I share these foods with you, just as you provide for us.  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. Mighty Kindred, bless these waters with potential and positivity.

Demeter, fill this waters with your joy and potential for growth.  Let the blessings flow through you and into this cup.  Behold, the waters of life.

Drink from the cup

Working

As we begin walking through the cycle of the mysteries, from life to darkness and back, we call out to Demeter to meet with her once more.

Meeting Demeter Meditation

Thanking the Beings

Demeter, you who gift us with the cycle of the year, we come today to honor you and build our relationship.  May our work continue to please you.   Thank you for joining us in this rite.  Demeter, we honor 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.