Prayer to Venus: Love Goddess Incantation

The Roman goddess of love, Venus, is associated with ultimate femininity, sexuality, fertility, and beauty. The word veneration means to worship Venus, and one way to do that is have a Friday-night goddess party! Ask the women you invite to bring an offering of flowers, candles, and crystals. Light a candle on your altar in tribute to Venus and say the words of this invocation spell: 

    Beautiful goddess of love, we ask you to bless us with your bright energy.

    We ask you to imbue us with your charm and grace.

    We honor your power, in gratitude with love eternal.

    Blessed be thee, so mote it be!

Spend time with your friends discussing how you want to express the love energy of Venus in your lives. When the rite is done, extinguish the candle. Enjoy the rest of your evening, sipping your Love Goddess Cosmopolitans! When everyone goes home, they should take an object from the altar that is not one they brought to keep on their nightstands to imbue their homes with the grace of Venus.

Libations for Ritual Gatherings

Whether it is a high holiday or a humble family get-together, festive beverages add to the celebratory aspect of the occasion and bring people together in joy and appreciation of each other. How many times have you been to an event where, after you were introduced to a food, dessert, or drink that was completely new to you, you loved it and were asking for the recipe? Parties and group rituals are a wonderful way to share delightful treats with the special people in your life. These gatherings make our lives meaningful and will become memories you will treasure.

Sharing the Love: DIY Beltane Brew

Honeyed mead is revered as the drink of choice for this sexiest of pagan holy days. It is an aphrodisiac and signals the ripeness of this day devoted to love and lust. This recipe is adapted from a medieval method.

• 1 quart honey

• 1 packet of yeast

• 3 quarts distilled water

• Herbs to flavor such as cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla, according to your preference

Step 1: Mix the honey and water. Boil for five minutes. You can add the herbs to your liking but I prefer a tablespoon each of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and all-spice.

Step 2: Add a packet of yeast and mix. Put in a large container. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise and expand. Store the mix in a dark place and allow it to set for seven days, ideally at the beginning of a new moon phase.

Step 3: Refrigerate for three days while the sediment settles at the bottom. Strain and store in a colored glass bottle, preferably green. You can drink it now, but after seven months, it has gained a fullbodied flavor. Always keep in a cool dark place.

- Nonalcoholic Mead -

• 1 quart honey

• 3 quarts distilled water

• ½ cup lemon juice

• 1 sliced lemon

• 1 half teaspoon nutmeg

• 1 pinch of salt

Boil all the mixed ingredients for five minutes and let cool. Bottle immediately in a colored glass jar. Keep this in the fridge to avoid fermentation and enjoy any festive occasion. This is a healthy and refreshing way to celebrate.

A Lovely Night for a Moon Dance - Saturn Day Night Fever

Here is a pagan party plan which is wonderful for weekend evenings. You can add many embellishments such as important astrological or lunar happenings, but you should gather your friends or coven and celebrate life any Saturday night of your choosing. If the weather is warm enough, have the festivities outside. Otherwise, make sure to choose an indoor space with enough room for dancing, drumming and major merriment. Ask each of your guests to bring cake, cookies and sweets of their choice along with their favorite beer, wine, mead, cider or ale and sitting cushions. Place the offerings on a center table altar and light candles of all colors. Once everyone is seated and settled, the host or designated circle leader chants:

Gods of Nature, bless these cakes.
That we may never suffer hunger.
Goddess of the harvest,
Bless this ale,
That we may never suffer thirst. Blessed be.

The eldest and the youngest should serve the food and drink to all in the circle. Lastly, they serve each other and the leader chants the blessing again. Let the feasting begin!