Paganistan: Notes from the Secret Commonwealth

In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.

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Liturgy for the Consecration of a Standing Stone

 

At solar noon, the people gather at the feasting-ground.

 

The Story

An elder tells the story of the moving and raising of the Bull Stone.

(Why is it called the Bull Stone? Because there's a golden bull buried beneath it.)

(Why is it only six feet tall, and why did you move it by hand? Because, though we hope and plan that it will be only the first of many standing stones to come, we wanted this first among them to come from the Land itself, and for it to be moved and raised in the old way.)

(What is the purpose of the Stone? The Stone marks the point on the horizon where the Sun sets at the Winter Solstice. Its purpose is to make the Great Rite with the Land, and so ensure fertility in crop, herd, and tribe.)

(The Stone was raised by men; is this, then, a Men's Shrine? No, it's a Shrine of the Great Rite, the most sacred offering an act of love.)

 

Procession

Horns sound. Led by libation bearers, the people process down the hill and through the woods to the Bull Stone.

 

Circumambulation

The people circle the Stone three times, moving always to the right.

 

Mass Anointing

Oil-bearers pour fine oil into the hands of the people. The people crowd in and anoint the Stone, then one another.

 

Crowning

The Wreath-Bearer, a young girl, is lifted to crown the Stone with a wreath of leaves and flowers.

Horns sound.

 

Ring-Dance

The people take hands and form concentric rings around the Stone.

Music up. Dancing around the Stone.

Horns sound.

 

Threefold Libation

Two women approach and pour libations of water over the Stone.

A woman and a man approach and pour libations of red wine over the Stone.

Two men approach and pour libations of milk over the Stone.

 

Procession

Horns sound. People process back up the hill to the feasting ground, leaving behind a young couple to make the initial love-offering to the Stone.

 

Feast

Feast follows.

(When, during the ensuing feasting, the young couple emerge from the woods, they are greeted with cheers, applause, and raunchy jokes.)

Drinking, dancing, and visits to the Stone continue long into the night.

 

The Bull Stone will be raised in June 2021.

The consecration of the Bull Stone is set for the Summer of 2022.

 

 


Photo: Kile Martz

 

 

 

 

 

Last modified on
Poet, scholar and storyteller Steven Posch was raised in the hardwood forests of western Pennsylvania by white-tailed deer. (That's the story, anyway.) He emigrated to Paganistan in 1979 and by sheer dint of personality has become one of Lake Country's foremost men-in-black. He is current keeper of the Minnesota Ooser.

Comments

  • Anthony Gresham
    Anthony Gresham Sunday, 28 March 2021

    It sounds lovely. May it be so.

  • Jamie
    Jamie Sunday, 28 March 2021

    Mr. Posch,

    That sounds awesome.

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