Ordination Ceremony
   for Poohzen of DragonBears

Advance Prep:

~set altar and chair in North
~set up altar with candle, sage, water, crystal, Athame, oil, henna, veil, bell

Text in italics is spoken. (Text in parentheses are actions)

Cast Circle:

(Welcome guests. Explain concept of creating Sacred Space. Light Sage from candle)
    Sage is for cleansing the sacred space.
(Smudge the circle. Replace sage and get goblet of water.)
    I Bless this Circle with the Waters of Life.
(Asperse the Circle. Replace water and salute with Athame)
    For Justice, Balance, and Energy
(Replace Athame on altar and face center, arms raised)

Opening Invocation:

We enter this space with Love in our hearts,
To make it a place Between the Worlds and
Outside of Time.
May the Eyes of the Universe
Lend witness and support to our gathering together.
So Mote it Be!

Call Quarters:

East - (hold smudging fan to east. Guest1 reads:)

We summon and stir the powers of the East: The bright light of the Rising Sun and of the Cleansing Wind. Hail and Welcome.

South - (hold candle to the south. Guest2 reads:)

We summon and stir the powers of the South: The burning light of the Noonday Sun and of the Purifying Fire. Hail and Welcome.

West - (hold goblet to west. Guest3 reads:)

We summon and stir the powers of the West: The golden light of the Setting Sun and of the Cleansing Water. Hail and Welcome.

North - (hold crystal to North. Guest4 reads:)

We summon and stir the powers of the North: The Twilight of the Hidden Sun and of the Healing Earth. Hail and Welcome.

Invoke Deity: (Right hand makes invoking gesture)

We summon and stir the powers of Mystery: Above, Below, and About us, Containing the Energies of the Universe, Dwelling of the Divine. We open and let Mystery into our souls and into our circle to aid us in our rite. Hail and Welcome.

(Kneel. Raise hands in invocation) I call upon the Great Mother whom I serve, to Whom I swore my oath of love and service. Join us now in our Rite of Ordination, as we present you with another who is called to serve You. O Great Mother, my eyes are Your Eyes, my breath is Your Breath, my hands are Your Hands, my voice is Your Voice.

Explanation of Rite:

We are gathered here today to aid Poohzen in answering the Call of the Goddess. She has been called to deeper service; to dedicate herself to deeper truths; to control and direct her inner light; to reach a deeper level of commitment to the mysteries. We are gathered here today to acknowledge her vows of commitment as she takes on her new role. To this end, she will be taking the title of Reverend Mother, and taking the veil.

The Veil is an ancient symbol for women, one of empowerment and strength. It liberates us from the burden of public perception, and allows us to control what we reveal to the world. Poohzen will be taking on a Spiritual Veil, which will allow her to control and direct the intense inner light of the Seeker of Truth. She can choose what she will reveal of herself, on her terms. It is the filter of Consciousness.

“Reverence” means a feeling of profound respect, often mingled with awe and affection. We are all gathered together to show this respect and affection to Poohzen, as she takes on this responsibility. The title of Reverend Mother acknowledges this commitment and deeper connection to truth.

Vows: (Poohzen stands and faces Circle)

Poohzen, are you ready to speak your vows of commitment to the Goddess and to your Community?
“I am”(Poohzen reads her vows)

Consecration:

(Seat Poohzen before Altar again, and get oil. Anoint spiral on each palm)
With consecrated hands, make whole the Broken...

(Fold her hands across her breast. Lay hands on head)
May the Light of the Universe fill your Spirit...

(Anoint brow with oil, then place veil on her head)
May your Soul reflect the Face of the Goddess...

(Ring Bell)

Presentation:

(Raise Poohzen and turn her to face Circle)
I am pleased to present you with the Reverend Mother Poohzen.
May her path carry her to the realm of divine,
and her Spirit shine as brightly as the sun.

Blessing:

I invite all of you gathered here to please introduce your Spirit to the Energies of the Circle, and acknowledge your relationship to our newly anointed Priestess, and offer your own sacred Blessing upon her and her path of service.

Henna Closing:

(Take pot of henna from altar)
We shall now condense our Circle and connect it to Poohzen, so that the Sacred energy of these rites is sealed to her always. I shall take down the Circle that we have created, and send the energy of it into this Henna. I invite you all to then use the Henna to inscribe this energy upon Poohzen in whatever pattern or design you are inspired to do.

(Take henna pot and slowly pace the circle, charging the henna and taking down the circle.)

The Circle is Open, Never Broken...

May you all go forth from this space with peace and love in your hearts...

(Paint symbol or design on Poohzen, then pass the pot. Pick up the drum and begin playing.)

~Flame RavenHawk
   August 25, 2001