Spiritual Father: Welcome to the Ritual of the Longest Night
Spiritual Mother: Yes, welcome, thank you for coming!
Spiritual Father: This is a Ritual to celebrate the longest night of the year, an especially sacred time, when much lingers on the brink of death, existing in the places in between. Many celebrate the returning of the Sun, but we also celebrate its absence, for there is much that is beautiful about the Night. We are gathered in a time to connect with One’s own Darkness, to examine the journey. More than all else, to step outside the bounds of what we already know, and into the realms of the unknown.
Spiritual Father and Mother: We shall begin.
I call to thee Mother Layla (Lilith), Hecate, and Father Set; I call to thee to join me in Ritual this, the longest Night. Dark Lilith, come, celebrate this Darkness with me, come revel in the deep black. Lilith, Mother, Goddess, Vampyre Queen! To you I do sacrifice this Light (blows out candle) Hail Lilith Hecate, and Father Set!
Spiritual Mother: I call to thee Kali Ma, Kali Durga, kala, time, Mother, destroyer, bloodthirsty dancer! I call to thee and cry to thee “Ama!” Before me, you change shape, at once Layla (Lilith), at your feet are owls, and in your eyes are the Spirits of the Wind, and you are Mother still. Unto the Mother of Darkness I do sacrifice this flame (blows out candle)…
Hail Kali, Hail Lilith, Hail!
(Each Member “offers” the light to their Deity/Divine by “blowing out their candle”, until all are “standing in Darkness.”)
Spiritual Father: Darkness is often thought of as a ‘time for dreams’, for those of us who dwell in the dark, life can often seem a Dream. It is true, the Night is not reserved for Fantasy, but when the light has left, in the secret dark of our selves, there is Desire born.
Spiritual Mother: I would ask that each of you reveal to yourself, a piece of your Darkness, something born of your Desire. Speak it to yourself, or write it down where you can face it for what it is. Don’t share it here; this is for you and the Dark alone to know. (We will observe two minutes of silence in the chat for the completion of this activity.)
Spiritual Father: I draw this blade, and with no eyes to see it in the Darkness, I could be grasping the hilt or the blade. (Raises athame) I am spared, it is true to me. But had it not been, how easily a lesson learned, than to go grasping for things in the Dark. I do not deny Darkness, and it is true to me, but it can cut me quick, and I do not grasp it lightly. I have great respect for that which is Dark, and here on this, the longest Night of the year, I celebrate its power. I pass this blade to our Spiritual Mother. Hail the Darkness!
(All Members: Hail!)
Spiritual Mother: We are not monsters, we do not hide from the Light, but the Darkness is a part of us, just as integral, and equally as sacred. As we seek to achieve Balance, we must meter out as well a time for the Dark. This is that time! I pass this blade to ______
(Next Member) Hail!
(All Members “pass the blade” until it is “returned” to our Spiritual Father.)
Spiritual Father: Lilith, Dark Mother, drink with me of this Chalice if you will, for there are dark blessings on your lips, and I would have them! (Drinks of chalice) Ina Etuti Absu! Dwell in Darkness! I pass this chalice to Our Spiritual Mother…
Spiritual Mother: Darkness, drink with me of this cup, for from it the blood of my Ancestors is born, and I would have their Wisdom tonight. (Drinks of chalice) Ina Etuti Absu! Dwell in Darkness! I pass this chalice to ______
(Chalice is “passed” to all Members until it is “empty” and returned to Spiritual Father)…
Spiritual Father: Thank all those who have joined us this night for coming; we were honored to have you here…
Spiritual Mother: Yes, thank you for coming, and Dark Blessings!
Spiritual Father: The Ritual is ended…
© Rev. Samilyn and Rev. JP DDG