Walking with Mother Earth - Imbolc,2000

  Story written by Deirdre Pulgram Arthen
  Adapted by Eustacia Blackstar


Narrator:
Many, many years ago, when the world was still young, Mother Earth walked 
freely among her children every day.  The rivers and streams led her through 
forests and fields where she visited and nurtured her beloved ones.  The 
flowers and ferns loved and revered the wise woman who, with her wisdom and 
experience, guided their growth.  The tallest of trees bowed their branches 
in respect and admiration as she passed and spoke with each in turn.

(Enter Mother Earth at South. She slowly walks deosil, casting circle, ending 
at the South Quarter.)
ME: "I cast the circle round and round.  By its protection we are bound."

(ME continues to cast circle in low voice, going around once more, as 
Narrator speaks over.)  Never hurrying, never lingering, she made her way 
over the land, giving breath to the four winds, spark to the fires, moisture 
to fill the streams and oceans, and life to the many forms her children had 
taken.

Each day she followed her path without rest, until one morning, when she was 
atop a high mountain drawing down clouds to wet the waiting leaves below, 
from a cavern, a figure appeared. (Enter Lord of Death at South.)  He was 
tall and darkly clad, but pleasing to her eyes. He approached and addressed 
her in a deep voice, saying:

LOD:  "Hail Mother, bringer of life, I, the Lord of Death, greet you with 
love.  I have watched you in your work. Come, tell me of the wonders sprung 
from your heart and your hands."

(ME lights South candle)

So Mother Earth tarried awhile and spoke with him of fire, the way it creates 
and transforms life, the way it nurtures the heart.  But she would not stay 
long, and as the sun emerged, she made her way down the mountain to see the 
streams born of her clouds.

The Lord of Death found her sometime later along the shoreline of the ocean, 
leading a sea turtle from the water to the shore to lay her eggs.  He called 
to her saying:

LOD:  "Come, tell me of the wonders again, I come to you in love."

(ME lights West candle)

So she spoke to him of water, the birthplace of all life.  She told him of 
the life that it sustains within itself, of the tides and of the clouds.  But 
when the turtle returned to the sea, Mother Earth returned to her work.

The Lord of death pursued her still and found her once more deep in a forest, 
where the moss was thick and the smell of the soil was warm and wet.  He 
called to her again saying:

LOD:  "Come and speak with me once more.  I follow you for love and would 
hear more of your wonders."

(ME lights North candle)

Mother Earth smiled and showed him a spider weaving hr lacy web.  She told 
him of the soil and the trees, of the deer and the lizards, of the grasses 
and the flowers, but again she left him just as the spider had spun the last 
strand of her web.

The Lord of Death found her a fourth time in a field of clover, calling in 
the bees to suck on the nectar from which their honey would be made.  Her 
called out to her:
 
LOD:  "Come to me, my love, and tell me more of your wonders."

(ME lights East candle)

As the bees supped, she spoke to him of the four winds that bring water and 
warmth to the land, build waves in the sea, and spread seeds from the trees 
and flowers that they might multiply.  She turned to leave as the bees began 
flying homeward, but the Lord of Death gently put his hands on her shoulders 
saying:

LOD:  "I have seen many wonders.  You work long and hard, my love, toward 
good ends, but it has worn on you.  Come to my kingdom and let me care for 
you.  Let your travels cease, come rest with me in quiet and peace."

Mother Earth looked at him and knew that he was right. She was tired and 
dearly needed a rest.  But she looked about her and sighed:

ME:  "What of my children if I go with you?  They cannot survive without my 
love.  I cannot destroy them."

LOD: "They will not be destroyed.  When you leave, their spirits will go deep 
within to rest as well.  When you return, so too will they, refreshed with 
new life."

Mother Earth felt in her innermost heart that he was right, and so she agreed 
to leave with him.  He softly kissed her hand; transporting them both to his 
kingdom below the ground.

(LOD and ME leave ritual circle)

Above, the winds ceased, and the land became cold without their warmth.  
Animals burrowed under the ground to sleep.  Fish dove to the depths of still 
ponds.  The waters froze, and as they did, so too did the trees.  The world 
was barren and cold and desolate.  All life was turned within, hidden and 
still.  Mother Earth rested and was content deep underground. (Pause)

And then, one day, Mother Earth felt the urge to return.  Something was 
pulling her toward the surface and the light. The Lord of Death loved her and 
tried to persuade her to stay, but she could hear her children calling to 
her, and she could not resist:

Let's call to her now.  (All chant:  We are one with the soul of the earth, 
Mother Earth).

(ME returns and stands at altar with tray of cakes)

Ever since that time, we call to Mother Earth each Spring.  We send out our 
voices with the songs of birds and squirrels, the whispers of ferns and 
flowers, the trickling of streams, and the humming of bee.  All of us 
together urge her to return, to walk again among us, filled with renewed 
strength and beauty, bringing to her children the gift of life.

(ME hands tray to HP and stands by Maiden's chair)
(LOD returns with ale.  He hand ale to HPS and stands on other side of 
Maiden's chair)

HPS:  "This is the end of our story, but there is no end to the Circle of 
Life"