Different
points in the turning year may be understood as corresponding with
different stages of our lives – which may help us to make some
sense of our life experiences, and to go onwards more cheerfully and
trustingly.
May
Eve is a festival of the Moon celebrating the passing of the last
lingering traces of Winter, and the beauties and wonders of the
Spring we have enjoyed and now leave behind as we enter into the
Summertime. It is celebrated after
dusk on 30th
April, the eve of May Day.
The
short responsive liturgy, below, [posted early so you have time to prepare, is appropriate for use by any group
of people, and is particularly suitable for an outdoor gathering, if
possible around a safely managed bonfire, but it can easily be
adapted for use indoors around a table. If
possible, sit in a circle. There is a dance included in the liturgy,
so enough space needs to be allowed for this, and for the inclusion
of people who have mobility difficulties. A steady drum beat or some
music for the dance would be helpful. You will need a bonfire or a
large candle, a small candle or night-light for each person present,
and matches to light them. Please exercise common sense when lighting
and using fires or candles, and do not allow any risks: stay safe!
There may be one leader, or you can take it in turns to lead.
Everyone is invited to join in saying the words in bold
type.
The
liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered
on this blog are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and
experiences, woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting
the words others have used: I am indebted to their wisdom. Please use
these liturgies freely, adapting them as suits your own context. I am
always pleased to hear from people who have used them.
The
Welcome and Recollection:
Welcome
to you all, as we gather here
to
celebrate the passing of Spring into Summer.
As
dusk is the transition from day to night,
so
this evening is a threshold in time:
We
step from the season of Spring
into
the beginning of Summer.
As
we take this step, we recollect all the many steps we have taken:
We
recollect the changes we have been through in our own lives,
which have ultimately brought us together here and now.
Times of transition, as we shift our balance
which have ultimately brought us together here and now.
Times of transition, as we shift our balance
from
one stepping stone to another, can be difficult:
What
has gone before is familiar;
what
is to come is unknown.
But
from our conception onwards, we have everything we need:
We
have everything we need
to enable us to make our unique journey
into becoming who we are each born to be.
to enable us to make our unique journey
into becoming who we are each born to be.
Here
and now, as we stand in the doorway of Summer,
it
is safe for us to let go of everything and anything that disrupts,
or
holds us back, from our safe passage through life.
A
short time of quiet is kept
The
Thanksgiving:
Now
we are ready to step forward, in perfect love and perfect trust,
lifting
up our lives and our hopes for the future,
offering
up our thanksgiving for the glory and abundance of our world,
and
giving thanks that nothing in our universe lives in isolation:
We
give thanks!
We
give thanks that we can rely on the Sun for warmth and light,
that
we can rely on the atmosphere around our planet
to
enable life as we know it;
and
that we can rely on one another:
We
give thanks!
We
give thanks that that we are able to step beyond self-interest,
to
share with other people, to give and receive help in times of need,
and
to form relationships of friendship and love.
And
we give thanks for the passionate unions of men and women
which
enable new life:
We
give thanks!
We
give thanks for the delights and passions of our senses,
and
we rejoice in the passions and talents that bring us music and art
and science and literature, and all the ways our spirits are lifted
and united:
We
give thanks!
We
give thanks for the amazing variety of life on our planet,
for
the intricacies of nature, and the beauty of all the creatures;
and
we give thanks that every one of us is unique and equally valuable:
We
give thanks!
The
Circle Dance:
Part 1: Holding hands with your neighbours, sidestep left for 8 steps, then sidestep right for 8 steps. Repeat once.
Part
2: Run four steps forwards, swinging arms up; release
hands, and clap with hands high, then join hands again; take
four steps backwards bringing arms back down. Repeat
once. Part 1: Holding hands with your neighbours, sidestep left for 8 steps, then sidestep right for 8 steps. Repeat once.
Part 3: Repeat parts 1 & 2 once; then release your neighbours hands, and begin a chain, stepping or skipping, as you interweave all the way round the circle.
The Lighting of Fire:
As
we step over the threshold from Spring to Summer,
so
we light this fire:
Token
of the Sun that warms the earth,
giving
us light and life,
and
symbol of the light that guides each of us
on
our paths of life.
A
bonfire or central candle is lit.
Everyone takes a small candle.
Everyone takes a small candle.
One
person lights their candle from the bonfire/candle,
and then uses it to light the next person's candle,
and so on until everyone has a lighted candle.
and then uses it to light the next person's candle,
and so on until everyone has a lighted candle.
Like
the light of Sun, of fire, and of candle:
May
light guide us on the way of life, as we move
together
and separately through the season of Summer.
The
Closing:
Now
we break our circle, to enjoy the fire,
to
feast together, to sing and perhaps to dance again!
And
when we go to our homes, may we have hope in our hearts,
passion
for justice in our minds,
and
the blessings of love and life in our souls.
Happy
have we met, happy have we been,
happy
may we part, happy meet again!
The
candles are now extinguished.
If
a bonfire has been lit, please do not leave it unattended,
and
ensure it has either burnt out or is put out with sand or soil.
Food
for the Feast:
Ask
everyone to bring something with them for a shared pot-luck picnic,
whether you're in or out of doors.
Decorative
details:
If
you're celebrating of doors, then simply enjoy whatever nature is
surrounding you with. At home, of course we'll be making a wreath of
seasonal branches and greenery for our front door; there'll be a big
jug of fresh flowers on the hearth; and for the table, I'll be making
a ring of fresh flowers, with birds, bees, butterflies, and bugs
(ornamental ones of course!) to surround a big candle, inspired by
this beautiful creation:
