Calendar of the Sun
20 Hrethemonath
Day of the Ram - Beginning of Aries
Quinquatria Day 2: Wrestling Day
Colors: Red
Element: Fire
Altar: Set with red cloth and a sheepskin, weapons such as swords and spears, a cradle with an
infant doll surrounded with spring flowers, a ram's horn, and above all a burning torch.
Offerings: Candles. Small weapons. An act of courage. In the morning, the exercise of
Gymnastika shall be wrestling, in honor of the second day of the Panathenaea when there were
wrestling competitions, and each shall name their opponent for a knotty problem they have been
wrestling with, and shall wrestle with each other in such a way that neither be hurt or harmed, but
give a fair struggle.
Daily Meal: Spicy food - chiles, cayenne, etc.
Invocation to Aries
Infant of the Springtime,
Warrior of the long spear
And the short temper,
Ram who protects his flock,
Fiery torch of First Light,
Whose gift is Bravery,
Bless us with the courage
To do what we know is right,
And to never walk ashamed.
By the power of all beginnings,
You challenge us
To defend each other from attack,
Abuse, scorn, and mistreatment,
Even if it endangers our own bodies and spirits.
May we all go forth
In courageous innocence.
Chant:
Fire burn, fire burn through me, bonfire, brush fire, lightning strike,
Fire burn, fire burn through me, fire heart, give me light.
(Let one who has been chosen to work for this ritual stand in the center of the room with a large
lit red candle, of a wax that will not burn skin but only make pain, and each shall come forth and
hold out their hand to receive the wax, and s/he shall say, "Have courage and hold fast," and
drip the wax upon them, until they pull away their hand. Then they shall say, "I am tested," and
stand back. At the last shall s/he receive the wax herself, and then set the candle to burn upon the
altar.)
[Pagan Book of Hours]