Copy and paste into worship material
The following is the text of the ritual that was conducted in the early hours of Sunday 30th June 2002 as a Scandinavian celebration of the Solstice Ritual on Tor Myrvang's terrace in Rome without the communion element. It can be conducted by four readers A to D seated in a circle, with each part followed by the chorus said by everyone in its circle (thus forming a something like a figure of eight) and then the symbolic action. When the action is completed the next reader continues.
Everything that you can see
Is part of a great Unity.
Around your temples tie a band
And form a circle, hand in hand.
On this earth, our aim should be
To live in peace and harmony.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Hold hands.
The rocks and stones that pave our way,
In ancient crags first saw the day.
Weathered, sea-smoothed, flung to land,
Hold a pebble in your hand.
Heed the sermon in the stone,
And you'll never feel alone.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Hand round pebbles in a bowl and each person pick one up and place it back. Resume holding hands.
The world and all its wonders are
The wreckage of an ancient star.
This diamond, and its fires within,
Recalls our dazzling origin.
Our bodies of this kinship tell:
We have star-stuff in every cell.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Pass around a diamond or like a diamond stone. Resume holding hands.
Cleft from the rock, I bring to you
An amethyst of violet hue.
Mark its beauty, heed its name,
A virtuous life should be our aim.
Avoid excess and steadfast stay,
When temptation comes your way.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Pass around an amethyst or like an amethyst stone. Resume holding hands.
With contrite hearts, all passion spent,
For our faults let us repent.
Now rub some ashes on your brow,
And make a silent inward vow.
Seek forgiveness where it's due;
Forgive those who've offended you.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Pass round the bowl of ash to be rubbed on foreheads, either to oneself or one to the next person and the last to the first. Resume holding hands.
Steeped in hope and drenched with dew,
An olive branch [symbol of peace] I bring to you.
Now exchange a sign of peace.
May bloody wars forever cease!
Of ancient feuds, cut the cords,
And into plowshares beat your swords.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Pass around an olive branch [or symbol of peace] and shake hands at the same time. Resume holding hands.
From the deep where dangers dwell,
For you I bring a speckled shell.
The hollow shell, hold to your ear:
A melancholic sound you'll hear.
The sound evokes a distant shore,
Whence travellers return no more.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Pass around a shell and each person hold it to the ear. Resume holding hands.
Of those who suffered death and shame
For our faith, proclaim the fame.
With this rose of deepest red,
Honour now our martyred dead.
Like them, unflinching to the last,
Lets nail our colours to the mast.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Pass around a hammer. Resume holding hands.
Mysteries have been revealed
And the bond of friendship sealed.
Now release your neighbour's hand
And untie the sacred band.
For now our holy rites must cease;
Into the world, go forth in peace.
By the Sun that gives us light,
By the Moon that shines at night,
By the radiant Stars above,
To All, I vow unending love.
Unclasp hands.
The words of Unending Love