Night Rites

Spring Growth Rite

This rite is dedicated to the emergence of the spring season and new personal growth.

Supplies

Chalice of milk
Small bowl of fresh maple syrup
Plate of cornbread
Extra plate
Offering bowl

Kitchen knife

Potted tulip
Bowl of fresh snow/rain
Bird’s nest and eggs (artificial)
God and Goddess candles
Universal energy candle
Elemental candles
Feather
Matches

Rite

Sit down in a comfortable position and ground yourself in your traditional way.

When you are ready, stand up and cast a sacred circle.

Call forth the Elemental guardian winds at each of their quarters using a feather. Light a candle for each Element.

When you are ready, invoke the God and Goddess and welcome them to your circle.  Light the God and Goddess candles on your altar.

Light the center candle on your altar to represent the universal energy of magick, and say:

This rite has begun.

Hold up the bowl of snow/rain, and say:

We are beyond winter’s edge,
And the heavy snow’s ledge.

Hold up the plate of cornbread, and repeat:

Having survived by the harvest’s past,

The bounty has come to its last.

Hold up a bird’s nest, and say:

Spring has now returned once more,

As the red robin nests at our door.

Hold up the potted tulip, and repeat:

Green shoots emerge from the rich earth,
Gaia’s first gift, the miracle of birth.

Sprinkle some of the snow/rain onto the potted tulip’s soil.

Hold up the bowl of maple syrup, and say:

The sap of the maple runs brown and thick,

Flowing sweetly into the pail so quick.

Pause for a moment and think about the different signs in your area that announce the arrival of spring.  What plants, animals, and natural signals do you see that herald spring? Write and add any of your own symbolic verses here to honor spring in your own geographical area. Then, continue:

With this new cycle and season so bright,
I honor this change: morning, noon, and night.

As my devotion to you, my Gods, will not fade,

With this rite, I ask for your aid.

I seek the birth of a new trait,

As the Gods will it, so is my fate.

Place the plate with the square piece of cornbread in front of you. Turn the plate so that the square cornbread looks like a diamond. Cut the square piece of cornbread diagonally like an “X”, so that the cut cornbread becomes four smaller diamond shapes. Each of these smaller pieces represents the four cardinal directions: North, South, East, and West, like the points on a compass.

Think about what trait you would like to grow within you as spring begins to flourish. Choose the piece of cornbread that represents the corresponding direction/sacred element. For example, if you wanted to grow more love within yourself, you might choose the direction South, which would then be the piece of cornbread that aligns with the southern point on a compass. Take that piece of cornbread and place it on a separate plate. Drizzle the maple syrup on it:
I wish to be __[add your trait here]__….

Describe in detail what personal trait you would like to develop over the next few months and why.
My Gods, help me become the person I want to be!

I send this request on spring’s __[add the cardinal direction]__ wind to carry,
Along with my wish is this offering:  bread of corn and milk of dairy.

Hold forth the plate with the three pieces of cornbread that represent the remaining cardinal directions (that you didn’t choose) and offer them to the Gods. Place them respectfully into the offering bowl. Offer the chalice of milk to the Gods, and pour some into the offering bowl.

Partake of the remaining piece of cornbread (the one that put aside) and drink from the chalice of milk. Imagine the trait beginning to grow within you with each new spring day.

My thanks to the Gods, Ancient and True,

And Spring’s blesséd promise, long overdue.

Thank the Elemental guardian winds, and let them take their leave.  Thank the God and Goddess, and bid them farewell. Open the magick circle. This rite is complete.

Toss the offering bowl contents outdoors for nature’s creatures to enjoy. Place the potted tulip in a sunny spot inside your home until you can safely plant it outdoors.