Calendar of the Sun
24 Solmonath
Regifugium - Day of the Abdication of the Sacred King
Colors: Gold and black
Element: Fire
Altar: On a black cloth set a crown of gold in a bowl of ashes, three lit black candles, and two
lengths of cloth - one golden silk sewn with trim and jewels, and one plain rough handwoven
cloth in the colors of the Earth.
Offerings: Prostrating oneself on the ground before the altar. Giving up something in which one
has great pride that is no longer useful to anyone.
Daily Meal: Food that is plain, unseasoned, simple, and coarse.
Regifugium Invocation
Hail to the King in his glory!
Yet turn away your eyes
For he has grown weary of his throne
And he finds that power
No longer brings him joy.
On this day in cold Solmonath
Before the coming of the Spring
He finds that pride has fallen
Into ashes
And that he longs for a morning
That breaks on a simpler life.
Hail to the King as he descends
From the high places
Where he has grown accustomed
To ruling and serving.
He will now serve a greater purpose
Within a smaller boundary.
May the Gods smile on those
Whose soul tells them
When they must step down.
Hail to him who is no longer King
And blessed be the rest of his days.
Chant:
The King hath died to the world of the Crown
Let the trumpets sound - away he rides
Yet life goes on - Regifugium.
(All prostrate themselves, are sprinkled with the ashes, and contemplate what they must give up.)
[Pagan Book of Hours]