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.
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
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It sounds lovely. May it be so.