An Invocation To The Elements
INVOCATIONS TO THE 4 QUARTERS
EAST
(Invocation) Facing East:
Guardians
of the watchtower of the east, we do summon, stir, and call thee up to protect
us in our rite. Come to us on the cool breath of Autumn's sigh which heralds the advent of Winter and the close of harvest time.
Breathe into us the spirit of the pure joy of life.
So mote it be!
Responsorial:
So mote it be!
AIR
(Invocation)
(Celebrant
with the incense burner symbolizing the element of air):
"I
am everywhere. I fill the fleshy
pouches of your lungs, I stir all things from the smallest blade of grass to
the tallest tree. I cool you with my breezes and
destroy you with my storms. Without me you would die.
Am I not holy and worthy of praise? "
EAST
(Banishment) Facing East:
"Guardians
of the watchtower of the east, return now to the brisk Autumn breezes which
are brimming with the excitement of the year's climax. Take with you our blessings
and thanks. Hail and farewell!
Responsorial:
Hail and farewell!
SOUTH
(Invocation) Facing South:
Guardians
of the watchtower of the south, we do summon, stir, and call thee up to
protect us in our rite. Come
forth from the cook fires and smokehouses where food is being made ready for
the coming cold months. Kindle
within us the flame of spiritual awakening.
So mote it be!
Responsorial:
So Mote it Be!
FIRE
(Invocation)
(Celebrant
with the candle symbolizing the element of fire):
"I
live in the guarded embers of campfires and the pilot lights of stoves, I
spring from the lightning and the hands of men, I warm you and I destroy you.
Without me you would die. Am I
not holy and worthy of praise? "
SOUTH
(Banishing) Facing South:
"Guardians
of the watchtower of the south, return now to the dying fires of Autumn's heat
soon to give way to Winter's chill. Take with you our blessings and thanks.
Hail and farewell!
Responsorial:
Hail and farewell!
WEST
(Invoking) Facing West:
Guardians of the watchtower of the west, we do summon, stir,
and call thee up to protect us in our rite.
Come forth from the rainbow hued morning dew that covers the fields,
and is soon to be frost.
Asperge
us with your diadems and water our deepest roots that we may find peace of
mind. So mote it be!
Responsorial:
So mote it be!
WATER
(Invocation)
(Celebrant
with the water vessel symbolizing the element of water):
"I rise from the moist crevices of the Earth, I beat on
the shores of Her body, I fall from the skies in silver sheets. Without me you
would die. Am I not holy and worthy of praise? " (Celebrant asperges the
circle with water)
WEST
(Banishing) Facing West:
"Guardians
of the watchtower of the west, return now to the Autumn rains which cool the
Earth's fevered brow baked in the heat of Summer afternoons. Take with you our
blessings and thanks. Hail and
farewell!
Responsorial:
Hail and farewell!
NORTH
(Invoking) Facing North:
Guardians
of the watchtower of the north, we do summon, stir, and call thee up to
protect us in our rite. Come
forth from the fertile bosom of our Blessed Mother Earth, and nourish us so
that our hopes may grow to fruition. So mote it be!
Responsorial:
So mote it be!
EARTH
(Invocation)
(Celebrant
with the salt vessel symbolizing the element of earth):
"I am your Mother. From
me come the fruit and grain and animals which feed you. I am your support, and
my pull on your bodies keeps you held firmly to me.
Without me you would die. Am
I not holy and worthy of praise? "
NORTH
(Banishing) Facing North:
Guardians
of the watchtowers of the north, return now to the Earth where worms burrow
deeper and seeds nestle awaiting the long sleep of Winter.
Take with you our blessings and thanks.
Hail and farewell!
Responsorial:
Hail and farewell!
BLESSED
BE