Feast/Black Mass Things (Cup/Plate/Bread/Wine)
Lustral Water Basin + Bay Leaves
All shall proceed to the place of the ritual in solemnity, led by the torch-bearer, where a circle is delineated upon the ground. Two torches should be placed on either side of the ring, ready to be lit. Offerings are given to the land itself in the form of fruits, nuts, water, honey, milk,Ā or tobacco.Ā
The lustral water is created outside of the circle. A branch of cedar or handful of laurel leaves are set alight, and dropped into the water:
Coveners all wash in the lustral water as they choose.
A fire is built and lit at the center of the ring, which is then charmed:
āBe this fire bewitched by knife and will and breath,
A beacon to alight the path of spirit,
A facsimile of the Shining Ones,
And a piece of the Divine Spark above and below.
Ablaze our calls for the hidden to draw near with us
To give light to this ring,Ā
And let our circle be ablaze in adamantine fire
The sign of the pentagram is made over the flame with the blade by all present, though the stave/wand may also be used.Ā
The cross is placed upon the ground before the marked ring, that any who wish to take part in the ritual must first trample upon it in the Devilās name as an act of renunciation, and turning away from Christianized civilization and entering the fold of the Other. Those who do will be smoke-cleansed by those who created the space. Once the entirety of the gathered company is present, all will disrobe. When naked unto the Way, the coven will anoint their bodies with the ointments, whispering these words (they need not be as one):
Janicot! Janicot! Janicot! Janicot!
Jauna Gorril, Jauna Gorril,
Akhera Goiti, Akhera Beiti.ā
The last line may be repeated at length as everyone together envisions the white fires of the heavenly realm descending, and the black fires of the underworld rising to balance within. The leader of the rite may give a signal when it is time to stop. The use of whispers here will aid the witches in aligning as one, as well as lead to the beginning of trance. The drum may start beating here, or the group may choose to rest in the silence for a moment.
Invocation of the familiar spirits of the coven. Incense and honey given with these words:
āBy honey and smoke do we conjure our familiar spirits,
Hidden allies and aids of our craft and art,
Stand with us in this place, and with us hold this space,
All coveners will take a moment to call to their familiar spirits however they choose.Ā
As one, the witches will begin to walk the round while conjuring the ring. At least one witch will carry a staff, and drag it upon the ground to create a furrow:
āThrice be conjured, Ring of Art,
This sacred ground we set apart,
By powers of land and sky and sea,
By Mountain Jay, Mole, Otter, and Bee,
By spirits black, white, red, and grey,
We open the roads and conjure the Way,
This sacred ground we set apart,
Thice be conjured, Ring of Art!ā
When the charm has been spoken thrice, the coven will cease movement. Blood will be brought to the edge of the ring and poured into the furrow to purify and bless the space. The leader will step to the center and extend the staff - in their right hand - to the sky while kneeling and touching their left hand to the ground. The coven follows this gesture:
āRight hand in Heaven,Ā
And all the world will serve us well!ā
With this action completed and all spirits and powers gathered in, a slow and purposeful round is trod widdershins, with all focusing intently and deeply upon conjuring forth the Devil into the place with the following chant:
āOne, two, three, and four,
The Devil is at the door,
Make Him welcome from floor to roof,
Drink to Him in a horseās hoof
Bring the cat, the toad, the bran,
Come to the feast as ye who can,
One, two, three and four,
Until Heās come we go once more
(The Devil is here, so no more!)
When His presence is strongly felt or signaled by phenomena, the coven will kneel for the Black Mass.Ā
*Black Mass is undertaken.*
At the completion of the Black Mass, the witches shall rise, and speak the following chant at length, beginning quietly at first, and growing in volume until the words are no longer words, but shouts and screams frothing at the mouths of the participants. Here the drums and rattles may be employed as desired, giving further body to the chants and calls. Let the body sway and writhe and move freely, destroying the faƧade of the human world. Be free. Be wild. Let the body move in whatever fashion it may choose. Let the self be enveloped in the ecstasy:
Let the civilized face fall away, and reveal thy true nature. Witch. Beast. Betwixt all things living and dead, betwixt all things civilized and wild. Neither fully human, nor fully beast. Dance, leap, crawl, and change. The ritual will give way to whatever the mood suits. Be free. Be wild. Fly from the body. Revel in ecstasy. Laugh, cry, moan, shout, shake, and in thine ecstasy, become one with all around until the body shall fall to the ground and the spirit enters in communion with the spirits of the darkling wood.
When all have fallen to ecstasy and return to their civilized state, a small meal is shared amongst all as stories are exchanged of experiences, workings done, and future goals.
The bewitched meal is undertaken.
Do I bewitch this meal - here where all conjoins beneath the Moon,Ā
On the altar of the land.
In the name of Old Fate, who wove together all things,
And by the Devilās horns,
The Devil is given thanks, as are the familiar spirits and land wights, and the coven salutes the moon. All take a piece of bread and offer a piece first to the fire before taking and eating for themselves. The cup is raised:
With her spinning wheel and thread,
Weaving stories by the fire,Ā
Working gold out of lead!ā
Drink should once again be poured as libation before partaking. The coven may choose to spend however much time they choose at this space before moving on to the next phase.Ā
An offering is poured out. This is repeated at the East, South, then West. When this is done, the staff is struck to the ground nine times and thanks are given to the familiar spirits for holding the space. The bell is rung, and the ring is swept away to the best of the witches ability.
*- Several aspects of this ritual are inspired by the works of Gemma Gary, whose words and work are a personal favorite of mine.