The Great Rite
In its "actual" form, the Great Rite is a sexual ritual, involving intercourse between the man and woman concerned. In its symbolic or token form, it may be called a ritual of gender, of male-female polarity but not involving intercourse.
To avoid misunderstandings, I must emphasize that to the Witch, sex is holy-- an unashamed and beautiful polarity-force which is intrinsic to the nature of the universe. It is to be treated with reverence, but without prudery. The Craft makes no apology for using intercourse between an appropriate man and woman (i.e.: the High Priestess and High Priest of a coven), in private, as a profound ritual sacrament, bringing in all the levels-- physical, astral, mental, and spiritual.
In the ritual, the body of the Priestess is regarded as the Altar of the Goddess whom she represents, and for whom she is the channel. Her womb is revered as the "fount of life without which we would not be" and no apology is needed for this ancient and holy symbolism either. The question, of course, would be "who are the appropriate man and woman" to enact the "actual" Great Rite instead of the symbolic one? It should only be a man and a woman for whom intercourse is already a normal and loving part of their relationship; in other words, husband and wife, or established lovers. And it should always be enacted in private.
Wicca is unashamed, but not promiscuous or voyeuristic. The "symbolic" Great Rite shouldn't be viewed as makeshift of ineffectual. It can be a powerful and moving rite, when sincerely worked by two harmonious friends who are not lovers. It, too, invokes all the levels, but in a way which a mature Brother and Sister of the Craft are well able to handle. In Witchcraft, sex is a sacrament, an outward sign of inward grace. That grace is the deep connection and recognition of the wholeness of another person. In its essence, it is not limited to the physical act-- it is an exchange of energy, of subtle nourishment, between people. Through connection with another, we connect with the all.
If you choose to include a symbolic Great Rite in your ritual you may use the water chalice as the symbol of the woman and the athame as the symbol of the man; the man holds the athame and dips it into the chalice- symbolic of intercourse. Do all appropriate consecration, banishing and evocation rituals to sanctify the area, dispel all negative energies and conserve all energies manifest in the ceremony.
Draw the sacred circle and setup your four directional gates. Incorporate all elements to boost the lunar/sexual energy. Set up your altar to soak in full moon beams, light the candles and incense or bonfire (if outside) and give praise to the Deity you will be drawing down energy from and also give awe and reverence to all parties involved in the ritual. Have your sigil(s) in plain view for easy reference.
Be in a position where the Full Moon beams are striking all involved parties. All parties should match breathing patterns and begin to enter into an altered state of consciousness. Sensuously undress each other, nice and slow and gentle, until all parties are skyclad. Rub your hands quickly together, creating an energy field and pass your hands over the other parties bodies. Anoint with more sensuous oils and perfumes, especially the Chakra areas. (For the sake of clarity and simplicity, a man and woman will be used for illustration purposes.)
In the center of the cast circle, the woman stretches out her arms while the man faces her and each begin slowly chanting mantras in unison to the Deity of Choice in order to continue to build up the sexual and lunar energy.
The couples then proceed with the Five-fold blessing... The man faces the woman and says... "Blessed Be your feet that have led you to me." (He kneels and sensuously kisses her feet.) "Blessed Be your knees that kneel at the sacred altar." (He sensuously kisses her knees.) "Blessed Be your womb that gives life." (He sensuously kisses her pubic area.) "Blessed be your breasts that symbolize our perfect love and beauty." (He sensuously kisses her right and left breast.) "Blessed be your lips that speak sacred words." (He sensuously kisses her.) The woman faces the man and says... " Blessed Be your feet that have led you to me." She kneels and sensuously kisses his feet.) "Blessed Be your knees that kneel at the sacred altar." (She sensuously kisses his knees.) "Blessed Be your manhood that gives life." (She sensuously kisses his phallus.) "Blessed be your breasts that symbolize our perfect love and strength." (She sensuously kisses his right and left nipples.) "Blessed be your lips that speak sacred words." (She sensuously kisses him and the lovers embrace.)
While tightly embracing, focus on the sigils and the mounting lunar/sexual energy Feel yourself soaking in the moonbeams. Visualize your partner becoming the Moon, with vast energy being released from all of his/her chakras. The man anoints the woman's breasts and womb with scented oil with his right forefinger and says... "I invoke the power of (the Deity) on this woman. I adore this woman forever and a day." Gathering more scented oil, he lathers her from head to toe. The woman anoints the man's chest and penis with scented oil with her left forefinger and says... "I invoke the power of (the Deity) on this man. I adore this man forever and a day." Gathering more scented oil, she lathers him from head to toe.
The couple then embrace and begin to make love, merging as deeply as they can with the Deity and each other while building the energy within and without. Stay focused and match each others breathing. Before the point of simultaneous climax, both focus on the Sigil and chant "We are one" over and over again through the climax, all the while sending the lunar/sexual energy toward the Sigil.
After all the energy has been released, say in unison..."So mote it be" or "Love is the law, love under will. "During the period of afterglow, moon bathe and allow any visions, images, impressions or sensations to flow with you. At this moment of time you can ask the Deity a question. Be sensitive to the answer. Toast the Deity with wine, thanking the Deity for his/her presence, for the desired achieved goal and for the answer. Then toast one another, saying, "Merry Meet and Merry Part, Perfect Love and Perfect Heart."
Close the circle and gather your belongings. This is beautiful if done in love and reverence and my husband looks forward to the Full Moon. it has strengthened our relationship. (It may be adapted for same sex lovers and partners with one taking a more feminine role.)
A Juicy Valentines Day: Loving Lupercalia
History
The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to the ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia. Held on February 15, Lupercalia honored the gods Lupercus and Faunus, as well as the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
In addition to a bountiful feast, Lupercalia festivities are purported to have included the pairing of young women and men. Men would draw women's names from a box, and each couple would be paired until next year's celebration.
While this pairing of couples set the tone for today's holiday, it wasn't called "Valentine's Day" until a priest named Valentine came along. Valentine, a romantic at heart, disobeyed Emperor Claudius II's decree that soldiers remain bachelors. Claudius handed down this decree believing that soldiers would be distracted and unable to concentrate on fighting if they were married or engaged. Valentine defied the emperor and secretly performed marriage ceremonies. As a result of his defiance, Valentine was put to death on February 14.
After Valentine's death, he was named a saint. As Christianity spread through Rome, the priests moved Lupercalia from February 15 to February 14 and renamed it St. Valentine's Day to honor Saint Valentine.
What's Cupid Got to Do with It?
According to Roman mythology, Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Cupid was known to cause people to fall in love by shooting them with his magical arrows. But Cupid didn't just cause others to fall in love - he himself fell deeply in love.
As legend has it, Cupid fell in love with a mortal maiden named Psyche. Cupid married Psyche, but Venus, jealous of Psyche's beauty, forbade her daughter-in-law to look at Cupid. Psyche, of course, couldn't resist temptation and sneaked a peek at her handsome husband. As punishment, Venus demanded that she perform three hard tasks, the last of which caused Psyche's death.
Cupid brought Psyche back to life and the gods, moved by their love, granted Pysche immortality. Cupid thus represents the heart and Psyche the (struggles of the) human soul.
Fun Facts
Approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year. Half of those are sent through Care2 (OK, maybe not HALF... or even half of half... but we are growing fast!)
In order of popularity, Valentine's Day cards are given to: teachers, children, mothers, wives, sweethearts, Koko the gorilla.
The expression "wearing your heart on your sleeve" comes from a Valentine's Day party tradition. Young women would write their names on slips of paper to be drawn by young men. A man would then wear a woman's name on his sleeve to claim her as his valentine. 
Imbolc
Also known as: Candlemass, Imbolg, Bride's Day, Oimelc, and Brid's Day Date: February 1st or 2nd
Symbols: Candles, Brides, Grain Dolly, Burrowing Animals, Ewes
Colors: White, Silver, and Pale Yellow
Deities: Virgin or Child Goddesses, Gods as Young Men or Boys
Herbs: Basil, Bay, Benzoin, and celandine may be burned; Angelica, myrrh, yellow and white flowers may be used as altar decorations.
*Imbolc is THE Sabbat which honors the Goddess as the waiting bride of the returning sun God. Before the Nordic influence, it was also the Sabbat in which the Celts saw the sun as being born anew. In Ireland it was, and still is, a special day to honor the Goddess Brid in her guise of bride. The modern Irish know this as St. Briget's Day, St. Briget being a vaguely disguise and Christianized version of the Pagan Goddess.
Celts would often dress grain dollies, representations made from dried sheaves from the previous harvest, as brides, and set them in a place of honor within their homes. They were usually placed in cradles called Bride's Beds, and nuts, symbols of male fertility, were tossed in with them.
This is also a Sabbat where candles are lit in profusion, often within a wreath, another symbol of the Wheel of the Year. These are symbolic of the heat and light of the returning sun.
At Imbolc the deities are still youthful and not yet joined as one through sacred marriage. They are innocent and fun-loving, and are waiting just as anxiously for spring as we are.
Here are a few suggestions for Imbolc activities, some of which can be incorporated into the Sabbat celebration or simply as someting to make the day more special, especially for children.
Burn the Yule greens to send winter on its way.
Make the Bride's Bed using the Corn or Wheat Doll made the previous Lughnassadh. Dress the doll in white or blue with a necklace that represents the seasons. Lay it in a long basket adorned with ribbons; light white candles on either side of the basket, and say:
"Welcome the bride both maiden and mother;
rest and prepare for the time of the seed;
cleansed and refreshed from labors behind her;
with the promise of spring she lays before me."
Next morning, remove the dress and scatter the wheat outdoors (or if you use corn, hang it up in a tree for the squirrels and birds). this can be seen in terms of the Lady's recovery from the birthing bed and readiness to begin the turning of the seasons anew.
The Imbolc Corn Doll represents the mother nurturing her son, who will grow and become her husband. This is the earth and the sun, which is still weak but gaining in strength.
On Imbolc Eve, leave buttered bread in a bowl indoors for the faeries who travel with the Lady of Greenwood. Next day, dispose of it as the "essence" will have been removed.
Place three ears of corn on the door as a symbol of the Triple GOddess and leave until Ostara.
Light a white candle and burn sandalwood incense.
Cleanse the area where you do card readings or scrying with a censor burning rosemary or vervain, and say:
"By the power of this smoke I wash away the negative influences that this place be cleansed for the Lady and her babe."
Cleanse the altar and equipment, do a self-purification rite with the elemental tools representing earth (salt) for body, air (incense) for thoughts; fire (candle flame) for will; and water (water) for emotions.
Make dream pillows for everyone in the family.
Create a Solar Cross from palm fronds, make enough to place one in each room of the house. Place a red pillar-style candle center to the front door; with palm crosses in hand, light the candle and open the door and say:
"We welcome in the Goddess and seek the turning
of the wheel away from winter and into spring."
Close door; take up the candle and go to each room of the house and say:
"Great Lady enter with the sun and watch over this room!"
Leave a Solar Cross in the room and proceed thusly throughout the house. This is great for the kids as you can divide up the tasks for each to do - one can hold the palms, another can open doors, another can carry the candle, and so forth. The last room should be the kitchen and here you say:
"Mother of the earth and sun,
Keep us safe and keep us warm,
As over our home you extend your blessings."
~ Goddess Lore; Imbolc~
by Ravensgrove Coven
The Goddess, Imbolc and the Ancient ways, are now concealed within what is entitled today as …Groundhog Day. But those traditions and perceptions held within; are true to their ancestry.
~Thy Goddess at Imbolc~
When thy Goddess is awakened by the Sun bright upon Her face; She seeks to rest for a while longer. Deepening Herself within Her snowy blanket of white, She sleeps and within Her slumber comes, six weeks more of winter.
When thy Goddess awakens unto a cold and dreary cloaked day. She unfolds Her frosty blanket unto the sweet dawn; Calling unto the warming radiance of the Suns embrace to bring forth spring. For She desires that winter now be, at its end ...
Lady Abigail
Be ye all Blessed!
Save Tara!
The government is legally required to answer your letter.
It's good to elaborate your own feelings, and change the language of the sample letter offered here, but please be businesslike.
I am considering these letters as a love offering to the Goddess Brighid, and my organization is bringing printed letters for people to sign at our Imbolc celebration.
For an evocative and personal article about Tara by Liz Guerra of the Connecticut Wiccan Pagan Network, go to
www.cwpn.org/savetara.html
