Spring Equinox: Helios’s Vision

Spring Equinox: Helios’s Vision

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

Today, my part of the world is still cold and dark, Persephone hidden in the underworld and Demeter is still mourning the loss of her daughter. But in the darkness we have reached a point of balance, when the day and night are equal, and bright Helios is high above.  It was Helios who witnessed Persephone’s fate.  While Persephone was stolen away to the underworld, Helios heard her screams and witnessed what happened.  It was Helios who told Demeter of her daughter’s fate, which helped lead to Persephone’s eventual return.  Today we acknowledge Helios’s role in the lore of the mysteries and honor him as the watchmen.   

(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 Hecate, goddess of magic. You who guard the crossroads, and shine your lantern through the darkness.  You heard the cries of Persephone, and lead Demeter to Helios.  Tonight, 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

Hecate, 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.  Hecate, 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 Helios, watchmen of men and gods.  You who drive your chariot across the skies and guard the oaths we make.  Bright shining sun, from high above you watched as the earth swallowed Persephone and took her from her mother.  It was you who told Demeter that Zeus had given their daughter to Hades as his wife.  It was your vision that helped lead to Persephone’s eventual return to the world, and the rebirth of nature.  Helios, we ask that your bright light shine down upon this cold winter day as you join us at our fire.  Welcome, Helios.  

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, Helios, and ask that you join us in this feast.  Let the fires burn these gifts and carry them up to you.  I share these foods with you, grown in your warming light.  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.

Helios, fill these waters with your vision and your light.  Let the blessings flow through you and into this cup.  Behold, the waters of life.

Drink from the cup

Working

Tonight we will be making sun catchers, to bring the light of the sun into our homes, and remind us of the beauty that Helios brings to us, even in the coldness of winter. 

We used this tutorial to create stained glass projects.  I created a multi-colored flower to shine some spring into my kitchen.  http://greenowlart.blogspot.com/2012/04/stained-glass-art-suncatcher.html

Thanking the Beings

Helios, 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.  Helios, 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, Hecate, magical goddess.  Thank you for guiding our journey tonight. May our work continue to please you.  Hecate, we thank you.

Hecate, 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.  Hecate, 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.