This is a lovely and meaningful group ritual that I
found from Kate West's book The Real Witches' Book of Spells and
Rituals.
Three Kings both great and high,
And they hath sworn a solemn oath,
John Barleycorn must die.
Put clods upon his head,
And they hath sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead.
And showers began to fall,
John Barleycorn got up again,
And so surprised them all.
The sultry suns of summer came
And he grew pale and wan,
His head well armed with pointed spears,
That on-one should do him wrong.
When he grew tall and pale,
His bending joints and drooping head,
Showed he began to fail.
He faded into age,
And then his enemies began,
To show their deadly rage.
They took a weapon long and sharp
And cut him by the knee,
They tied him fast upon a cart,
Like a rogue of forgery.
They laid him down upon his back,
And cudgeled him full score,
They hung him up before the storm,
And turned him o'er and o'er.
They filled up the darksome pit
With water to the brim,
They heaved in John Barleycorn
And let him sink or swim.
To work him further woe
And still as signs of life appeared,
They tossed him to and fro.
The marrow of his bones,
But old miller used him worst of all,
And crushed him mid two stones.
And drank it round and round,
And still more and more they drank,
Their joy did more abound.
Of noble enterprise,
For if you do but taste his blood,
'Twill make your courage rise.
You Will Need:
-
Several copies of the poem John Barleycorn by Robert Burns, printed in a reasonable sized font. - A
few ears of barley, or corn, with the stems and leaves still attached, tied
into a bunch.
- A
knife
- 3
short sticks
- Some
water
- A
small dish
- 2
stones
- A
cloth to cover the floor
- The
chalice with a good quality beer in it
- A
plate of freshly baked real bread, not the mass produced sliced stuff!
Before the ritual commences, choose three people to be the "Kings." If you can, choose people who will throw themselves into their roles! Give everyone else a copy of the poem with verses they are to read clearly marked. Try to ensure an even division of verses.
The Rite of Cakes and Ale which takes place immediately after the central ritual will take place using the beer rather than ale, and bread rather than the usual cakes or cookies.
Sabbat Explanation
Priest
Priestess
Priest
The High Priestess takes the barley and holds it out before her, saying:
"Behold the first of the harvest, symbol of the bounty of the land and of the Great Mother who sustains us. Let us give thanks for the fruitfulness of the land. Blessed Be."
The three "Kings" now step forward and take the barley from the High Priestess, and as the readers read their assigned verses of John Barleycorn, the "Kings" go through the actions in the poem. The readers should proceed slowly in order that all the steps can be accomplished.
Sabbat Blessing
The High Priest gives the blessing:
"I call upon the Old Gods, upon the Mother and upon the Sun God. Your bounty flows out upon the land, it sustains it and makes it fruitful, so that it is fertile and brings forth life. Smile upon us also, that we might have knowledge of you and walk in your ways. Ever watch over us, guard, guide and protect us. May we likewise be fruitful and bring forth life. And so the Wheel turns. Blessed Be."
Feasting and Social Hour