Asheville's 20th Annual Free Public Witch Ritual on Samhain (Halloween), French Broad River Park, West Asheville, North Carolina
Info:
Thousands have enjoyed our family-friendly Pagan ritual, celebrated every Halloween since 1995. With a newly expanded book and upcoming magical correspondence courses in vogue, Coven Oldenwilde’s 20th Annual Free Public Witch Ritual stands to be the best ever!
This year we’ll honor the tradition’s longevity. Families, groups, and folk who’ve already been will mingle with those who always wanted to at our mass Homecoming.
Full Circle, the theme of this year’s ritual, will mark the modern rarity of twenty years of appeasing restless spirits. So return, past participants — and boldly go those who’ve never been before! See what the brouhaha’s all about, and revel in the power of magic in action!
Make a magical weekend of it: Caravan and crash in the Covenstead! Help decorate the site. Dress in costume or Witch garb. Get blessed by letting Ol' Charmer nip your bum! Have sacred fun and take home a prize! Snap pix and email us copies. Lady Passion and *Diuvei will sell and autograph copies of their The Goodly Spellbook: Olde Spells For Modern Problems ($25.oo donation/copy).
Get a prize for: Wearing the most jewelry; being the fastest runner in a Pagan race; being the most graceful dancer; being the oldest or youngest Witch; being the best musician or most helpful; having attended the most years; having the funniest Craft name; and many more cool categories! All will get a freebie!
Musicians: Bring instruments that don't need to be plugged in — there is no electricity at this outdoor site. The recurring refrain throughout the rite will be the ancient
Lyke Wake Dirge:
Hear Lyke Wake Dirge instrumental arrangement (.mp3, by *Diuvei & his Technogremlins)
Read Pagan lyrics & translation for the Lyke Wake Dirge
Lyrics(from Reclaiming) |
Translation(from Jeff Duntemann) |
| This ae nighte ["neekht"], this ae nighte, Every nighte and alle, Fire and fleet and candle-lighte ["leekht"], May Earth receive thy soul. |
On this night, on this night, Every night and all, Hearth and house and candle-light, May Earth receive your soul. |
| When thou from hence away art past, Every nighte and alle, To Whinny-muir thou com'st at last; May Earth receive thy soul. |
When from here away you pass Every night and all, To Thorny Moor you come at last; May Earth receive your soul. |
| If ever thou gavest hosen and shoon, Every nighte and alle, Sit thee down and put them on; May Earth receive thy soul. |
If ever you gave hose and shoes, Every night and all, Sit then down and put them on; May Earth receive your soul. |
| If hosen and shoon thou ne'er gav'st nane Every nighte and alle, The whinnes sall prick thee to the bare bane; May Earth receive thy soul. |
But if hose and shoes you gave none Every night and all, The thorns shall prick you to the bare bone; May Earth receive your soul. |
| From Whinny-muir whence thou may'st pass, Every nighte and alle, To Brig o' Dread thou com'st at last; May Earth receive thy soul. |
From Thorny Moor then you may pass, Every night and all, To Bridge of Dread you come at last; May Earth receive your soul. |
| If ever thou gav'st silver and gold, Every nighte and alle, At t' Brig o' Dread thou'lt find foothold, May Earth receive thy soul. |
If ever you gave silver and gold, Every night and all, At Bridge of Dread you'll find foothold, May Earth receive your soul. |
| But if silver and gold thou never gav'st nane, Every nighte and alle, Down thou'lt fall till the stars be gane, May Earth receive thy soul. |
But if silver and gold you gave none Every night and all: You'll tumble down till the stars are gone, May Earth receive your soul. |
| From Brig o' Dread whence thou may'st pass, Every nighte and alle,
To purging fire thou com'st at last; May Earth receive thy soul. |
From Bridge of Dread then you may pass, Every night and all, To purging fire you'll come at last; May Earth receive your soul. |
| If ever thou gav'st meat or drink, Every nighte and alle, The fire sall never make thee shrink; May Earth receive thy soul. |
If ever you gave meat or drink, Every night and all, The fire will never make you shrink; May Earth receive your soul. |
| If meat or drink thou ne'er gav'st nane, Every nighte and alle, The fire shall burn thee to the bare bane; May Earth receive thy soul. |
But if meat or drink you gave none, Every night and all, The fire will burn you to the bare bone; May Earth receive your soul. |
| This ae nighte, this ae nighte, Every nighte and alle, Fire and fleet and candle-lighte, May Earth receive thy soul. |
On this night, on this night, Every night and all, Hearth and house and candle-light, May Earth receive your soul. |
"Lyke Wake Dirge" Google search (turns up lots of haunting performances)
Contact:
Email questions or offer to volunteer to help us prepare for, set up, conduct, and clean up after the rite to Lady Passion at: oldenwilde@gmail.com or phone: (828) 251-0343. (Volunteers are eligible to attend the After-party at our nearby Covenstead.)