Waylander Ériú's Wheel 1. Betwixt Times 2. As Samhain Comes The past, the present, the future are as one. The spirits of the dead, seek this mortal plane. Vibrations, subconsciouss, probing gently Buzzing bedlam rampant in your mind. The veil between the worlds fade slowly Otherworldly visions mesmerize. The Bards and the Brehons, the druids and the Seers, Assemble at Samhaim to greet the new year. Strip the leaves from the trees and quicken, the decay of the flesh of the year, feel the chill embrace of winter, As the warmth fades away. The leaves they fall, as Samhain comes, The wheel has turned, as Samhain comes, The harvest stored, as Samhain comes, Our kin we call, as Samhain comes. Set a place for our forebears, Together we’ll dine, Remember, give honour, Their memories enshrined. The bounty of our labour, The harvest complete, Winter is calling, In darkness we meet. Ward of the spirits of sinister intent, Wear masks of confusion to keep them at bay. Feast on the Flesh, Fresh from the Flames. Ritually fine with the souls of the dead. An Caileach, enshrouded in her winter robe. 3. Shortest Day, Longest Night Dormant land, in frozen sleep, Nothing stirs in this desolate place. The ancient which has strength, withers not, The roots run deep, safe from the frost A ray of light penetrates the womb of Mother Earth, Ensuring our survival, until growth begins again. Gather together as this Sacred site, Invoke the Sun God on the longest night. Late in his coming, short in his stay Profound is the feeling of the longest day. Re-Enact our primal wisdom, at his appointed time As Ritual, ages old, passed from the mists of time. Light flows like liquid gold, across the chamber floor, Illuminating hearts and minds our dreams alive once more. Night falls, devouring the light A darkness so dense It can sense your fears And taste your tears. Life from death, warmth from cold, The sun reborn, as hope returns. Adorn the hearth with holly For protection and for hope, Use the sacred golden sickle. As your cut the mistletoe. Light candles in the winter trees, hang the boughs with evergreen, Burn fires throughout the longest night To drive the dark away. 4. Imbolc Lazy northern wind, it bites Almost cutting you in two. Howling winter winds torment. Darkest times are almost spent. Days of promise, landscape bright, Evening lighter, shorter nights, Subtle hints of days to come, Shining sun, rain and snow. It’s time to plant our wishes, And watch them as they grown. Brighid, goddess of the land, Patroness of poetry and Bards. Inspire us, both in word and in deed, heal us, now that winter fades away. The lambs are born in icy fields, Count your blessings, cout the yield, Omens for what the future holds, Grow in strength of sacred Sun. I see faces in the flames, Ever moving in the haze Purify the land, With cleansing fire. The fire of spirit shines through her eyes, her inner fire touches the Sun, Inspiration, seer and guide, Lead us through the sacred spiral. 5. The Vernal Dance Goddess thawing, restless sleep, Animate from slumber leap, Sow the seeds, plant them deep Protect, sustain, oh Anú keep. Gathered in the unlight, longing for the sky enticed by the warmth of the air outside. The warmth increases, at time to grow, Life energising, above, below. As the earth turns, The stars and the sun rise. Light floods the sky In shining golden hues And in due course The solar disc above Blesses the land The Vernal equinox is here. The light strengthens, to rival the dark The power of the Sun God, soon leaves his mark, The earth in quickening to the beat of the sun, the buds burst forth, in glorious green. Life force of the fauna, Life force of the trees Growing day by day. The shamrock trinity From ancient times. The goddess of spring arrives. Winter is banished Life springs from death As Caileach returns To sleep’s soothing depth. 6. Beltine Douse the flames, renew, relight Arise with the dawn, focus your sight Fire on the water, healing our ills Spells of protection, gather your will. Burn, the twin fires of Beltine high, Awaken from thy winter sleep Anoint the earth with sacrifice Infuse the land with fertile dreams. Make love in the forests, cavort in the fields Cast off inhibition, lower your shield Salute the Gods, gulp down the wine An Caileach, transformed to maiden divine. The rhythms of the seasons The cycles of the moon Feel the power of the elements As the sun shines on you. Blackthorn dark, sister of the May Blaze thy trail once more. A vaguely ghostly vision Across the landscape sweeps Give offerings to Anú Our spirits safely keep. 7. As the Sun Stands Still Arise in glory, feel the power of the Sun The land sparkles like emeralds With every progeny of green I can feel the grass grow, beneath my feet. I can smell the bounty, yet to yield. And the night fades so fast, in a pre dawn sky, Golden Lúgh, eternal eye. Leap through the flames of the fire upon the hill. Today is the day when the sun stands still. May the rays of the sun Energise, light your way Feast, make marry, on the longest day. Dance skyclad by firelight From dusk until dawn. Celebration of life Worship the Sun. Partake of the gifts The fruits of the land As the God of the Sun Walks with Anú, hand in hand. The shadows shorten, the sun climbs high, Not a cloud to be seen, in the bluest of skies. Spirits of the land Spirits of this place hear our call hear our cry. I am the fire, that burns within your soul, I am the flame within, that will never die. I am the sacred light, that makes your whole, I am the mighty sun, that will never rise. 8. To Feast at Lughnasadh Gather here at Lúghnasadh, Assemble one and all. In memory of Tailtiú (and) The golden shining one. The champions and heroes An assembly unsurpassed. Contend and vie for victory. In honour of the Clan. The seeds that we have planted, nurtured and watch grow, Almost ready for the harvest, when we reap what we have sown. Sacrifice the sacred bull, cut the ripened corn, Tend the laden fields and trees, toil form early morn. Lúgh - Lámhfhada Lúgh -The shining one Lúgh - Samildánach Lúgh - God of the Sun. The moon is full, the stars burn bright. The people gather here this night. Invoke the blessings, call them down. For now we feast to Lúgh’s delight. Misty sun and cooling rain Falls upon the pregnant swelling earth. Drying trees and fertile fields, Await, the mystery of birth. The wheel keeps turning Last vestige of light We bask in the warmth Of the final summer sun. The stars are rising early, the days pass us by, the changes they are subtle, a dark tinge in the sky. The offerings are over, the rites said and done, The contest are all finished, the glory has been won. 9. Autumnal Blaze Pick the apples from the laden trees In the heart of Macha’s realm. In verdant hues of red and green An autumnal color scheme. The leaves are fading day by day Store the harvest, safe away. The land, divine, has blessed us, her bounty stored away. As the nights begin to lengthen, and the light in fades to grey. Gusting winds that brings the rain, the leaves they spiral down The moisture sinking deeper, softening the ground. The sun sinks toward the hillside. Bathing the mountains in blood. Rites performed at sundown By the light of the harvest moon. Summer has slowly passed away, The rising dark soon holds sway. Prepare yourself for winter The frost a warning sign. Twilight of the solar year Winter visions, drenched in fear. Ériú's Wheel turns round and round Blazing sun through frozen ground. Reap, reap, what we have sown. Now we reap what we have sown. Reap, reap, what we have sown, Dreams achieved, fully grown Ériú's Wheel