Ritual to Honor Artemis

Begin ritual by playing choice of "danceable" music. We enjoy "The Circle Is Cast" by Robbie Gass, On Wings of Song. If you are not familiar with this piece of music, it’s great. We actually cast Circle by it.. All should be dressed in outfits of their own choice that express their own womanhood. We like skirts or scarves and are topless for the Rites. Have warrior paint ready (red acrylic paint for the squeemish, menstrual blood for the not!, the chalice with beverage of choice, and music for dancing.

The Circle Is Cast

By the Earth , this is Her body,

By the Earth, Mother of us all,

By the Earth, future and past,

The Circle is cast, the Circle is cast.

By the Air, this is Her breath,

By the Air, sweet winds of life.

By the Air, from the first to the last,

The Circle is cast, the Circle is cast.

The Circle is cast, the Circle is cast.

By the Fire of Her bright Spirit,

Shining embers in the night,

By the Fire, Her bright spirit

Shining, shine your light on me.

By the Waters, this is Her blood,

By the living Waters, running slow, running fast,

The Circle is cast, the Circle is cast.

Yemaya, Inanna, Rhiannon, Cybele, Chicomecoatl, Akewa, Aphrodite, Demeter, Gaia, Athena, Shekina Gange, Pele, Uma, Kali, Hera, Hecate, Mboze, Oya, Paso, Wee, Diana.

Invocation of the Elements

Element of Earth, Spirits of the North, we ask that you send the hounds of Artemis so that we might experience their protection as they guard our Circle.

Element of Air, Spirits of the East, we ask that you send the hawk of Artemis so that our eyes may see as She does and hold clear vision in our rites.

Element of Fire, Spirits of the South, we ask that you send the swift footed deer of Artemis so that we may know Her shining Fire in our Rites.

Element of Water, Spirits of the West, we ask that you send the sacred fish of the underwater world ruled by Artemis that we might know the fluid essence of Her being

Invocation of Artemis

Protectress of Birth-Givers, bearers of life,

Artemis, the Warrior, all female’s mid-wife.

Caregiver of beasts, wild and untamed,

Women, unruly, virgin, unnamed.

Amazon Goddess who rules the night,

Runs with all creatures, bearer of light.

One who is hawk, lioness and bear,

Guarded by hounds who show you great care.

Your breasts are sensuous, full and giving

Meant to nourish and suckle the living.

Lady of Beasts, Lady of the Wild

Hear your daughter, Hear your child.

Artemis, Virgin, one who is free,

Huntress, Protectress, Great Shining Tree.

Mother of Mysteries, song of my soul

Enter my being making me whole.

Spirit of the Wild, Shining Fire

Enter this Circle as we desire.

Enclose us all, be with us today

Magically join in our sacred play.

Priestess moves around the Circle, speaking the following words, as she makes warrior marks with the red menstrual blood or red paint on cheeks, forehead, arms, and breasts of each woman present.

Since the dawn of creation, woman has been regarded with awe by men. She could bring forth new life from her womb! Without injury to herself, she could shed her sacred, fertile blood upon the earth. This sacred flow of blood was connected with the cycles of the Moon. In days of old this mystery was beyond comprehension. Through modern science we think we know and understand this event, but truly, it is still beyond comprehension. The bleeding time, our Moon time, is uniquely WOMAN. Our woman’s blood is powerful and it is our common WOMAN"S bond.

Whether you are young and experiencing your first few years of your bleeding cycle, or if you are now having and raising children, or even if you are past your bleeding times and have reached that special time when you hold your wise blood inside, we all share that bond. Wear your marks proudly. They mark your power. Your WOMAN POWER.

When fully painted chant the following together:

Beautiful Women

to hear click here  

Beautiful women, power in their struggle.

Beautiful women, there’s a power in their love.

Beautiful women, power in their struggle.

Beautiful women, there’s a power in their love.

(repeat as long as you like)

This is the time of sharing with each other - what it is to be a woman. What does empowerment feel like? What kinds of things can you do to feel empowered. Think of things to discuss with each other so that those feelings can be shared which will help each woman present to see herself in others. If you are doing this ritual alone, spend time thinking about different times in your life, moments in your life when you truly felt empowered. Feel those feelings again - right now.

Share chalice while talking. When everyone has had an opportunity to share sing the following song together. It can be sung as a "round" in two or three parts.

Woman am I (Loving, Happy, Beauty, Woman)

To hear, click here

Woman am I

I am the infinite within my soul

I have no beginning and I have no end

All this I am.

Close Circle

Protectress of Birth-Givers, bearers of life,

Artemis, the Warrior, all female’s mid-wife.

Caregiver of beasts, wild and untamed,

Women, unruly, virgin, unnamed.

Amazon Goddess who rules the night,

Runs with all creatures, bearer of light.

One who is hawk, lioness and bear,

Guarded by hounds who show great care.

Your breasts are sensuous, full and giving

Meant to nourish and suckle the living.

Lady of Beasts, Lady of the Wild

Hear your daughter, Hear your child.

Artemis, Virgin, one who is free,

Huntress, Protectress, Great Shining Tree.

Mother of Mysteries, song of my soul

Stay in our hearts keeping us whole.

Spirit of the Wild, Shining Fire

You entered this Circle as we desired.

Enclosing us all, and joined us this day

And magically entered our sacred play.

Thank you for coming and setting us free

May you ever - Blessed Be.

Element of Earth, Spirits of the North, we thank you for sending the hounds of Artemis so that we could experience their protection as they guarded our Circle. Return to your realms, as you will. Blessed Be.

Element of Water, Spirits of the West, we thank you for sending the sacred fish of the underwater world ruled by Artemis that we could know the fluid essence of Her being.

Element of Fire, Spirits of the South, we thank you for sending the swift footed deer of Artemis so that we could know Her shining Fire in our Rites. Return to your realms, as you will. Blessed Be.

Element of Air, Spirits of the East, we thank you for sending the hawk of Artemis so that our eyes could see as She does and hold clear vision in our rites. Return to your realms, as you will.

Blessed Be

The Circle is Open!