The Witches' Rune

This can be used as an energizing opening ritual for covens, though it really doesn't have the same power in solitary circle. It can, however, be chanted with great energy and rocking, dancing, or spinning deosil by just one person for a similar opening.

The members hold hands, alternating men and women as much as possible, and the High Priestess begins the chant, which the coven takes up:

"Eko, Eko, Azarak,
Eko, Eko, Zomelak,
Eko, Eko, Cernunnos
Eko Eko Aradia!"

(These are the names of old Gods and Goddesses--Cernunnos and Aradia can be replaced with the coven's or individual's particular names for the God and Goddess if desired. This should be repeated three times after the High Priestess chants it.)

The High Priestess leads the coven in circling deosil, and at some point breaks the chain of hand-holding and weaves in and out within the circle to make a chain. No one must let go. The rest of the chant begins:

"Darksome night and shining moon,
East, then South, then West, then North;
Hearken to the Witches' Rune--
Here we come to call ye forth!
Earth and water, air and fire,
Wand and pentacle and sword,
Work ye unto our desire,
Hearken ye unto our word!
Cords and censer, scourge and knife,
Powers of the witch's blade--
Waken all ye into life,
Come ye as the charm is made!
Queen of heaven, Queen of hell
Hornèd hunter of the night--
Lend your pow'r unto the spell
And work our will by magick rite!
By all the pow'r of land and sea,
By all the might of moon and sun--
As we do will, so mote it be;
Chant the spell, and be it done!"

Now the "Eko, Eko" chant begins again, and continues until the Priestess is ready. She can signify this by joining hands with the last person again and restoring the ring, and then the verse that begins after she has linked hands again is the last. She will cry "Down!" and then the coven will sit where they stand.

In a solitary circle, sit down or signify readiness instead of yelling "Down," since there is no one to direct but yourself.

Source: The Farrars' A Witches' Bible

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