Use a white or pale blue cloth on the altar,
and decorate it with a picture of Areia, feathers, bells, stars, air-borne
seeds. In the centre light some fragrant incense.
Cast a circle, being
especially conscious of where your altar is in relation to different faces of
Areia - hot dry winds, cyclonic winds, sea breezes, the Southern Cross etc. In
each direction invoke an aspect of Areia: her clear insights in the icy winter
winds, her wisdom in the stillness, her gentle touch in the soft breezes, her
clarity of vision in the vastness of space.
Play background music
of air – bird song, leaves rustling in the breeze, bells ringing or just
gentle music. Sit quietly for some time listening to the music and to the sound
of your own breathing.
Using a large leaf or small branch,
gently move the air above and around each participant, with the words: 'May the
Goddess of the air bless you.' Place the leaf on the altar, with a prayer of
blessing and thanks to Areia.
Recite the Charge of the Goddess,
adding the names of the Australian Goddesses: Areia, Aqualena, Althera and
Hattannah.
Reflect on times and places
in your own life when you have encountered the Goddess of the air in Australia.
Think about the feelings that air invokes in you. Acknowledge that in these
times and places you meet Areia, the Goddess of the air. What was significant
about the encounter? Think about how you can get to know Her more, how you can
deepen your relationship with Her. Share some of these insights with others in
the group.
Name the many ways that we
meet Areia, with the invocation: Areia, Goddess of the air I/we see you in
……' (Repeated by one person, with others completing the sentence, as many
times as desired). When all the invocations have been said, offer thanks:
Goddess of the air I/we thank you'.
Share freshly baked bread
(or
any other fragrant white food). Offer a prayer of thanks to Areia for her gift
of air, and for your sense of smell.
Make an air bundle, using
feathers, scented herbs flowers and grasses, and sticks of incense, tied with
white or silver thread. Anoint the bundle with both lavender and eucalyptus
oils. Place it on the altar, offering it to Althera with thanks. When the ritual
is ended leave the bundle on your altar for a few days, and use it in a smoke
blessing in your next ritual to Areia.
Make a commitment to work
for Areia in some practical way e.g. to minimise emissions from your car, to use
public transport once a week instead of a car etc.
Open
the circle, thanking Areia for her presence.
