Persephone and the Serpent
This is an exciting time of rebirth, youth, playfulness and wonder. Keep this energy in mind as you set up for your ritual. Everything you will find here is how I would celebrate. Feel free to change this and make it your own.
Preparing for Ritual
- Timing. Make sure to do ritual when you are relaxed, won’t be interrupted, and in the mood. Forcing ritual is never a good idea and you won’t get much out of it anyway
- Bathe. This is definitely recommended but not completely necessary. The act of physically cleansing yourself can set the intention to cleanse away your day as well. This enables you to step into sacred space ready to go. Don’t have time for a shower? Wash your face and hands in a bowl of moon water and rose petals. No moon water? A basin of water with a pinch of salt will do the trick.
- Meditate. I like to spend 15 minutes before I do ritual in meditation. This act cleanses the mind, brings you back to center, and better allows your spirit guides and the energy around you to communicate with you. Hard time meditating, mind always wandering? That’s the point! Every time your mind wanders and you bring focus back to your breath, you are doing it!! Turn on some binaural beats in your headphones or gaze at a candle flame to aid you in meditation.
- Clothing. If you like, you can wear ritual clothing. This can be a certain outfit that you wear only for rituals, or you can switch it up each time. Either way, I like to get dressed for the work I am doing. This physical act, again, helps my spiritual and mental body get in focus for upcoming ritual. Something comfortable that makes you feel good is the only requirement.
Tools
- 2 Yellow Pillar candles and holders. Chime candles will do as well
- 4 candles to mark your corners
- One water proof bowl
- Water (moon water or water with a pinch of salt)
- Three tea lights
- One bowl of peeled hard boiled eggs (three will suffice)
- Honey
- Dandelion flowers and leaves ( save the roots for later use)
- Paper and pen
- Stick of incense
- Image by Hermetic Sapp
Getting Started
Designate an area for the ritual. This can be done inside or outside.
Cleanse the area of all debris. You can use a broom to sweep away any energy in the area, or even simply cup your hands facing outwards, and move through the space, as if you are gently scooping and moving the energy around you. (shake your hands off when you are done)
Designate North South East and West in your space. Place a candle in each position. Envision where your circle lies.
Set up your altar. Place your bowl of water in front of you.
Place one pillar candle and tea light to the left and then to the right of the bowl of water
Place your bowl of hard boiled eggs, incense, and container of honey to the left of your bowl
To the right of your bowl place one tea light candle and your bowl of dandelions.
Image by Fiona Hsieh
Time to Start the Ritual
Creating Space
Now breathe. Close your eyes and breathe. Take three deep breaths, slowly, in through your nose, filling your lungs from the bottom to the top. Hold for a second or two, then breathe slowly out of your mouth, releasing air from your lungs, top to bottom. Hold here before you next inhale.
Ground and center into your space.
“HEKAS” (light the left candle)
“HEKAS” – light the right candle
“ESTE BEBELOI”– Clap loudly one time and throw your arms out in front of you and to your sides. Imagine a bright light emanating from your hands as you push all the negative energy away from you and out of the circle. Your space has been cleansed.
Stand and envision your circle, lined in a bright yellow light, glowing around you, forming a bubble above and below you.
Calling in the Corners
Stand and face each direction as you call them in
Hail to the Guardians of the East
Element of Air
Spirit of the Crow
I call you forth to join this circle
Bring your powers of communication, information, and new thought, Breathe life into my rights at this hour
- Stand in silence. Wait until you feel the presence of the East, envision a glowing orb of light standing at the gate of your circle
- Light the candle when they are there
Hail and Welcome
Hail to the Guardians of the South
Element of Fire
Spirit of the Serpent
I call you forth to join this circle
Bring your powers of passion, sexuality, and protection. Strengthen my rites at this hour
- Light your candle
Hail and Welcome
Hail to the Guardians of the West
Element of water
Spirit of the Toad
I call you forth to join this circle
Bring your powers of magic, divination, and dreams. Open the watery portals of birth at my rites at this hour
- Light your candle
Hail and Welcome
Hail to the Guardians of the North
Element of Earth
Spirit of the Hare
I call you forth to join this circle
Bring your powers of abundance, fertility, health and wealth. Lay the fertile soil for my rites at this hour.
- Light the candle
Hail and welcome
Calling in the Goddess
Hail Persephone!
Daughter of Zeus and Demeter
Hear my words at this hour
And grace my circle with your power
Oh great Persephone
You who are cloaked in gold
Crowned with flowers and coils of serpents
Lady of light and the darkness that contains it
You who walks wild and free
Queen of the Underworld
Consort of Hades
Surrounded by darkness, ghosts, and restless spirits
Yet is also the luminous maiden of the abundant garden
You who walks in beauty and youth
Goddess of the Spring
Bringer of life
Surrounded by flora, fauna, and hope
I call to you, hear my words at this hour
Grace my circle with your power
I call upon you in this time of change
I ask of you to walk with me
Through my ascent and into
( here put in your own words of what your goals are )
- Stand and breathe. Wait until you feel her presence. You may feel her right away. Light the tealight candle to the left when you do
She is here
Hail and Welcome
Calling in the Serpent
I call upon the spirit of the Great Serpent
Keeper of the mysteries
Healer
Protector
Guide
Creator
I call upon the Great Serpent
Your movement
Your sensuality
Your freedom
I call upon the Great Serpent
Death
Life
Rebirth
All that was and all that will be
I call upon the Great Serpent
Help me shed what no longer serves me
Help me step into my true power
Guide me in my ascension
Call of the Serpent
- I chant this three times ( usually more as i get carried away, but at least three)
- Can be chanted in Greek or English. I Prefer Greek but it can be tricky. I will have posted in the group me chanting the song so you can get an idea of pronunciation
- I find this chant is best done while moving. I like to move around the circle, starting in the east. This usually ends up in dance for me, just keep it moving. Raise that energy !!!
O OPHIS O ARXAIOS
- (O SERPENT! O ANCIENT ONE!)
O DRAKON O MEGAS
- (O DRAGON!O GREAT ONE!)
O EN KAI O ON KAI
- (WHO WAS AND SHALL BE!)
O ZON TOUS AIONASTON AIONON!
- (THE LIFE-FORCE OF THE AION IF AIONS!)
META TOU PNEUMATOS SOU!
- (MAY YOUR SPIRIT-FORCE BE PRESENT!)
Come back to the center. Feel the Serpent moving in you and around your circle
He is here
Hail and Welcome
- Light your candle
The Craft
Sit in meditation with Persephone and the serpent for a bit and journal
Feel the energy
Is it light or heavy, far or distant.
Is it in a direction or all around you
Do you see any colors
Do you feel any emotions
What thoughts are coming to you
Anything that pops into your head at this time, write.
Don’t make sentences, dont structure it, just write
When you are done journaling, sit for a bit and breathe. Enjoy being in their presence. Speak with them if you like or just be silent
Grab your bowl of water and your dandelions.
Place your dandelions into the water, one at a time, focusing your intentions as you do so. You want to see in your head what you desire as if it is already completed. Let your imagination run wild. But don’t stop there. You need to feel as if it has already happened. Really feel it. Sit and let those emotions of your success take you over. Let it start in your heart, and feel it pour out of your chest and down your arms, into your hands. Place your hands on the side of your bowl of water and infuse the bowl with all of this energy.
Stir the water three times with your dominant hand as you speak
“It is done, it is done, it is done.
By the power of three,
it is done, it is done, it is done.”
Light your tea light and place in your bowl of water
Closing
Take your bowl of eggs and your honey. Pour your honey onto the eggs as you state the following
Oh Perseophone, Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Underworld
I thank you for your presence and your blessings
I give honor and praise to you in all of your forms
Oh Great Serpent, Keeper of the Mysteries and Guardian of the Temple
I thank you for your presence and your blessings
I give honor and praise to you in all your forms
May all be pleased
May all be at peace
- Light your incense stick and place in one of the eggs so it stands up
Ego se etelesa
Cha ee ro! Cha ee ro! Cha ee ro!
Blow out your Goddess and Serpent candle if you like
Leave them lit if you want ( and can safely do so )
Releasing the Elements and Circle
Start in the North
Guardians of the North
Element of Earth
Spirit of the Hare
I thank you for your presence and blessing
May all be pleased
May all be at peace
- Blow out the candle in the north
Guardians of the West
Element of Water
Spirit of the Toad
I thank you for your presence and blessing
May all be pleased
May all be at peace
- Blow out the candle in the north
Guardians of the South
Element of Fire
Spirit of the Serpent
I thank you for your presence and blessing
May all be pleased
May all be at peace
- Blow out the candle in the north
Guardians of the East
Element of Air
Spirit of the Crow
I thank you for your presence and blessing
May all be pleased
May all be at peace
- Blow out the candle in the north
Leave your gifts for the Goddess and Serpent overnight and dispose of in the morning.
Gather your things. Pack your journaling away somewhere safe so you can revisit whenever you like. Strain the water from the dandelions and use to wash your face before bed. Make sure to keep some paper and a pen at your bedside on the night of your ritual. In the morning, journal before you get out of bed with any images, dreams, or thoughts that come to you.