The Ritual Of The Granting Of A Boon

  

This ritual is to be performed once a year on the sixth full moon after Yule. The High Priestess grants a boon to each member as a gift for their good works for the previous year, or in some cases, she will place a woe upon some member who has been involved in ill deeds, or brought disrepute upon the College and Craft.

The High Priestess performs the part of the Goddess in this ritual. Indeed, she is the Oracle of the Goddess. It is wise to be mindful of this as one comes before her.      The member goes before the Goddess and kneels down.

GODDESS:      What is thy name? MEMBER:      I am (gives false name). GODDESS:      What is thy name?! MEMBER:      I am (gives a 2nd false name). GODDESS:      What is thy name?!! MEMBER:      I am (gives true name). GODDESS:      (true name) I know thee                        and I know thee full well.                        For I have seen thy comings and goings.                        (true name) what dost thou seek? MEMBER:      Great One, I pray that Thou                        will grant me a boon. GODDESS:     (true name) I have said that                        I know thee, and I have seen                        thy comings and goings.                        I have seen thy good works.                         (or, I have seen thy bad works, etc.)

Then the Goddess tells the member about their good works and commends them. Or if it is otherwise, a warning is issued. If it is a good work, then the Goddess says:

GODDESS:      I will grant thy boon!                         What wilt thou? MEMBER:     I pray, Great One, that Thou                        wilt grant me this, my boon.

The member then tells what it is that they are in hopes of, such as a new job, a new love, better health, etc.

GODDESS:      (true name), I grant it to thee!                         Continue to do well and prosper                        in all that thou mayest do! MEMBER:      Praise be to Thee, Great Mother!                         Blessed be! Blessed be! Blessed be!                         (bows on each blessed be and departs with gladness)

However, if the Goddess lays a woe on the member, it follows in this manner:

GODDESS:      (true name) I will not grant thy boon,                        but on thee I lay this woe!

The Goddess then tells of some task that the member must perform in order to free themselves of Her displeasure. Usually, this is some task that they must perform for the good of the College.

MEMBER:     Though this woe lays heavy on me                         I know it will be to my good, and                         I will perform it with gladness!                        Praise be to Thee, Great Mother!                        Blessed be! Blessed be! Blessed be!                        (bows three times and departs)