Intent: Remember and remind ourselves of Thesmophoria, the old beliefs as to why the dark/cold times are coming upon us.

In Service: Derek Johnson (Hades), Marcia Tirocke (Demeter)
Assisted by: Jessica Tirocke (Persephone), Kailin Miller (The Muse), Orren Whiddon (Zeus)

Quarter Callers:
East: Pamela Alexander
South: Douglas Fort
West: Kathy Carroll
North: Daniel McNiel

Quarters will be acknowledged first.

Derek will cast circle alone, then speak of Thesmophoria and its meaning. He then invokes the God (Hades) and is transformed. As Hades he again addresses the circle from his heart and will don the cloak, completely covering himself. He removes himself to the North.

Marcia & Jessica enter the Circle, stand at the altar and invoke the Goddess in her aspects as Mother (Demeter) and the Maiden (Persephone)

Demeter: Blessed Goddess & Mother we greet you in honor and love. In the name of Demeter please join us and aid us in this rite. Be here now.

Persephone: Blessed Goddess & Maiden we greet you in honor and love. In the name of Persephone, please join us and aid us in this rite. Be here now.

Demeter kisses Persephone and sends her around the circle with her flowers. Demeter then goes to the altar and speaks to the Circle of the harvest rites, the first being the harvest of grain in Lamas, then the beginning of the hunt in Mabon and finally the harvest of the grape in Samhain. She speaks of her freely given gifts and the blessings of plenty. She then cuts the cake.

Demeter: As Demeter I bless this food, with my love, my light and warmth that brings forth the food from the Earth. I bless this water/wine with my love, my light and warmth that brings life to all.

As Demeter blesses the food and drink, Persephone meets Hades as he stands aside. She is transfixed, takes his hand and they embrace. He then hides her under his cloak and walking around the Circle goes back to the North side of the altar. In passing Hades takes a piece of cake from the hand of Demeter.

Demeter beckons to the quarter callers and has them distribute the cakes, wine and water to the Circle. Demeter then calls out for her daughter, while the quarter callers work deosil, Demeter travels the circle widdershins looking for her daughter. In a growing frenzy of worry she grabs Zeus from the circle and demands to know where Persephone is. Demeter is told that Persephone has chosen to go away with Hades. Demeter in her grief threatens to take all light, warmth and leave the world of man a barren place. Demeter is then told that Persephone can return as long as she has not eaten any food from the hand of Hades.

The Muse enters the circle and sings a song of loss. Demeter wanders the circle, softly calling Persephone’s name. While The Muse sings, Hades opens his cloak and feeds Persephone the cake he had taken. The Muse’s song ends.

Persephone emerges from Hades cape saying: Mother I am here.

Demeter takes persephone’s hand to lead her away.

Persephone: No, I have eaten the food from Hades hand and I will remain with him.

Demeter is distraught, and again swears: Since my child, my love, my joy that lights my life is gone, then the earth will remain as cold and lifeless as my life has become. As I suffer so shall all!

Chaos ensues, the quarter callers wander through the Circle in lamentation, Demeter spills the wine and cakes on the floor.

Zeus enters and cries out: Stop! I cannot have this lamentation in my house of light!
Turning to address Demeter: Demeter, my sister, my friend. The people are in lamentation, their crops lie blasted in the fields. Their world is dark and dying, the little babes give suck to the dried breasts of their mothers. What is the cause of this?
Demeter repeats the cause of her grief and charges Hades. Zeus turns to question Persephone, did she willing eat from Hades hand? Persephone answers. Zeus laments that he must always be the one to bring peace to his house and proclaims that Persephone will stay with Hades for 1/3 of the year, but that in the spring, she will return again from the world of the dead, remain with her mother for the rest of the year, then once more she will descend unto the realm of Death, where Hades awaits her.

Hades and Persephone bow their heads in acquiescence, Persephone disappearing again underneath Hades cloak.

Hades and Persephone circle the Altar and exit the circle to the North.

Demeter returns to the altar and extinguishes all candles but one. She turns, then stamps her foot three times and addresses the Circle.

Demeter: As Zeus has spoken, so be it. But by the Maid, the Mother and the Crone, until the return of my daughter, this Earth will remain dark and cold; nothing will grow while this world fades to gray.

Demeter exits to the West.

The Muse then speaks: And so the dark time begins... etc.

Quarters are thanked.

The circle is opened.