This ritual usually takes place in the fall, sometime between Autumn Equinox and Samhain. The ritual is written for five parts: Priest, Priestess, East, South, and West; Priestess doubles as North for invoking and dismissing the Elements. Some of these roles can be combined in a pinch, and the ritual would even work fairly well as a solitary rite. If the instruction "Cast Circle as usual" leaves you feeling bewildered, look at Anatomy of the Esbat - "Cast Circle as usual" is shorthand for Cast Circle, Invoke Elements, and Dance, but could be abbreviated to suit your ritual style.
Set up central altar; remove or cover everything not needed in the ritual.
Cast Circle as usual.
THIS IS THE SEASON WHEN THE VEILS BETWEEN THE WORLD OF THE LIVING AND THE WORLD OF THE DEAD ARE THINNEST. THE POWER OF THE DEAD CAN BE FELT CRACKLING IN THE AIR. PERSEPHONE IS NEAR, NO LONGER OF THIS WORLD, BUT NOT YET PARTED FROM IT. MAY ALL WHO STAND HERE WITNESS AND UNDERSTAND THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS.
IN THE SACRED GROVE THE BROWN LEAVES RATTLE AS KNIFE-EDGED CLOUDS SLICE THE PALE BLUE SKY. ACROSS THE GROUND THE DEER-MICE SCUTTLE FOR SEEDS AND NUTS AS THE SNOWS DRAW NIGH.
DARK SMOKE HANGS BETWEEN BROWN BRANCHES, RISING IN COILS IN THE CHILL CLEAR AIR. A DARK STONE ALTAR WITH SMOULDERING ASHES THRUSTS FROM THE MOULDERING FOREST FLOOR.
BEHIND THE STILL AIR, LIKE A DRUM-HEAD TREMBLING, BENEATH THE GROUND LIKE AN INDRAWN BREATH, A WORDLESS PROMISE IN BLUEBELLS' SINGING SHALL RISE LIKE A PRAYER FROM THE QUEEN OF DEATH.
THEN GO TO THE ALTAR AND STAND ALONE IN THE PRESENCE OF HER WHOSE NAME YOU SHALL SPEAK, AND KNEEL BEFORE THE MOSS-BLACKENED STONE; FROM BEAUTY AND STRENGTH, NAME THAT WHICH YOU SEEK.
IN THE HALL OF THE TREES, BENEATH THE BLUE DOME, WHISPER THE NAME OF PERSEPHONE -- MAIDEN OF FLOWERS, LADY OF BONE, WITHOUT WHOSE MAGIC WE WOULD NOT BE.
THEN GO TO THE THRESHOLD OF HER SHADOWED HOME WHERE SHE AWAITS, CROWNED WITH POPPIES SO RED, WITH SLEEPLESS SERPENTS TO GUARD HER THRONE IN THE HALL WHERE SHE GREETS THE SHADES OF THE DEAD.
LEAVE THERE THE GIFTS WE WOULD OFFER OUR QUEEN, THE RED-BLOODED FRUIT AND THE SEED OF THE GRAIN. COME MAIDEN, COME LADY, COME GODDESS UNSEEN! ACCEPT THEM, PROTECT THEM THROUGH COLD WINTER'S REIGN.
Priest approaches central altar from North carrying offerings on Pentacle (a plate or tray will do in a pinch). Priestess stands behind him in Osiris position. Priest places offerings on altar, kneeling. South rings nine bells (in 3 groups of 3).
PERSEPHONE. PERSEPHONE. I FEEL YOUR PRESENCE EVERYWHERE NEARBY: BEHIND THE WIND, BEYOND THE TREES, BENEATH THE SOIL. THOUGH I CANNOT SEE YOU, I FEEL CERTAIN YOU ARE LISTENING. I BRING YOU THESE GIFTS FROM MY PEOPLE, WATER FROM THE SACRED WELL, THE RIPE FRUIT OF THE POMEGRANATE, GOLDEN CORN FROM THE FIELDS. FOOD FOR THE DEAD, THE SEEDS OF NEXT YEAR'S HARVEST. AS LONG AS THERE IS MAGIC IN THE WORLD, WE SHALL HONOR THEE, PERSEPHONE.
Priest quietly meditates before the altar, then withdraws. Each covener in turn kneels before the altar for a few moments of silent contemplation.
Cakes and Wine.
Close Circle.