Calendar of the Moon
17 Muin/Boedromion

Greater Mysteries Day 3: Mother And Daughter

Colors: Gold and black
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of black and gold set a single white candle to burn, with incense of myrrh, and two cups of mint tea with barley in it. Before the altar lay the Kistai, the round box of holy objects, and the figures of pigs.
Offerings: Pork and grains.
Daily Meal: Pork and grains.

Mysteries Invocation III:

Hail to Demeter, Great Mother of the Fields!
Lady of the corn-golden hair,
You sent your only daughter, jewel of your heart,
Forth to play in the fields with the fair daughters of Oceanus,
Trusting for her return, for you loved no one as you loved her.
Hail to Persephone, Daughter of Demeter!
You went forth, a maiden on the brink of womanhood,
And forth in the field grew, to your wonder,
A great white flower, like unto none other.
You stepped forth to pluck it - you could not have said,
Later, who you were so compelled.
But it was your destiny, and forth from that hole
That cracked the ground in two came black smoke,
The scent of the underworld, and Hades came forth
In his black chariot and took you away,
For so it was destined that you would be his bride.
Hail to Demeter, Mourning Mother left behind!
You searched the Earth for your daughter,
Only to hear from Hecate where she had been taken.
In despair, you wandered the land
And no crops grew; the white barley was cast
Upon the earth many times in vain, and the plow
Curved into the earth to no avail, and the whole race
Of men would have starved, had great Zeus not noticed it.

Chant: Ancient Mother, I hear you calling,
            Ancient Mother, I hear your song,
            Ancient Mother, I hear your laughter,
            Ancient Mother, I taste your tears.
(The tea is poured out as a libation for both goddesses.)



[Pagan Book of Hours]