A BLESSED BELTANE

It has taken some time, but with a few friends' help I have been able to collect several wonderful pictures from my Beltane celebration to share with you. I freely admit that I was a little bit nervous hosting my first event at the Loch. And I was more than a bit busy at times as I performed the knighting ceremony for 3 extremely worthy gentlemen bringing them into the chivalry and the Order of the Red Rose, lit the Beltane fires whilst sending my voice into the æther for the first time, and juggling multiple IMs and chat conversations. Whew!!

Thanks to all who joined in the celebration. At one point we had nearly 50 people dancing around the Maypole!! It makes me very happy to be hostess to such a fine gathering of Caledonians and other friends.

IT WAS WONDERFUL!!

The unfortunate side of things is that I have very few pictures from the ceremonies themselves. I will share what I have been given, but I ask if you have pictures of Sir Adso or Sir Telemachus that you are willing to share, will you please send them along to me?

The following are the [edited] cermonial transcripts for the Knighting Ceremony and the Lighting of the Beltane Fires

Duchess Loch Avie:
The strength and stability of the State of Caledon lie in these virtues of its people: creativity, service and chivalry - for if any of these are lacking, Caledon fails. The fighters of the Kingdom defend it with their swords and with their honor bring it glory on the field; the scientists and artists provide avenue for advancement, and with their honor bring knowledge and beauty to the citizens and the State.

We are minded to admit ZenMondo Wormser to the Order of the Red Rose. Let him now come forth.

Candidate:
kneels in front of Loch Avie

Loch Avie:
ZenMondo Wormser right mindful of your skill in scripting, your code poetry on behalf of the State of Caledon, and your service to Loch Avie, and responsive to the wishes of your peers,
We are minded to create you
a Member of the Order of the Red Rose.

We are minded to admit Adso Krogstad to the Order of the Red Rose. Let him now come forth.

Candidate:
kneels in front of Loch Avie

Loch Avie:
Adso Krogstad right mindful of your prowess in the fields of science and exploration, and your service to Loch Avie, and responsive to the wishes of your peers,
We are minded to create you
a Member of the Order of the Red Rose.


We are minded to admit Telemachus Dean to the Order of the Red Rose. Let him now come forth.

Candidate:
kneels in front of Loch Avie

Loch Avie:
Telemachus Dean right mindful of your prowess upon the field, and your service to Loch Avie, and responsive to the wishes of your peers,
We are minded to create you
a Member of the Order of the Red Rose.


Will you accept this honor,
and will you swear fealty to Loch Avie and indeed the State of Caledon?

Candidates:
Yes, Your Grace

Loch Avie: Will you now give Us your word that you will henceforth comport yourself as befits a Knight of Our Realm, as you most surely have until now, and that you will attempt in all your endeavors to be a noble example to the people?

Candidates: I will.

Loch Avie: Will you promise further to treat all with Courtesy, and to uphold the Laws and traditions of Loch Avie and the Independent State of Caledon?

Candidates: I will.

Loch Avie: On what sword do you wish to swear fealty?

Candidates:
place sword on the ground at Loch Avie's feet

Candidates:
Here do I swear
by mouth and hand
fealty and service
to Loch Avie
to speak and to be silent
to come and to go
to strike and to spare
to do and to let be
in such matters as concern the Duchy and the State
on my honor
and the lawful commands of Her Grace
in need or in plenty
in peace or in war
in living or in dying
from this hour henceforth
until the Duchess depart this land
or death take me
or the world end
so say I ZenMondo Wormser.
so say I Adso Krogstad
so say I Telemachus Dean

Loch Avie:
And this do I hear,
nor fail to remember,
and I for my part do swear fealty to you,
ZenMondo Wormser,
Adso Krogstad,
Telemachus Dean,
to protect and defend you
and all your household,
with all my power,
until I depart from this land,
or death take me,
or the world end.
So say I, Eva Bellambi, Duchess of Loch Avie
I dub thee Knight.

Know, now that you are made a Knight,
that you must succor the defenseless,
seek justice for those of every station,
and maintain the honor of Knighthood.

Arise Sir ZenMondo. Knight of the Order of the Red Rose.
Arise Sir Adso. Knight of the Order of the Red Rose.
Arise Sir Telemachus. Knight of the Order of the Red Rose.


ZenMondo Wormser approaches his knighting


ZenMondo swearing fealty to Her Grace, Eva Bellambi, Duchess Loch Avie


Arise Sir Zen. Knight of the Order of the Red Rose



At the lighting of the Need Fires of Beltane

The fertile Goddess of Summer walks through the land
With the Great Horned God of the Forest,
And the dark time of Winter is behind me.

"The animals breed and the plants pollinate,
As the May Queen and Green Man
bestow Their blessings upon the Earth
and Earth's creatures.
We, their children,
rejoice with Them and ask that
Their happy union become the example
for all humanity to live in love and harmony."

"I burn thee Birch to honor the Goddess;
and now add thee Oak to honor the God.
Thou Rowan I add for a magickal life;
and add thee Willow to celebrate death.
Thou Hawthorne I burn for fairies near me;
thou Hazel I burn for wisdom you bring.
I add thee good Apple to bring me love;
and thou Vine whose fruit is the symbol of joy.
Fir you are added as the symbol of rebirth;
your sweet scent reminds me of my immortality.
My blessings I give to all of thee,
and thy blessings I call from thee upon me.

"I greet the time of unions and give honor to
the Lord and the Lady for Their fruitfulness!
Tonight I witness the marriage of the Goddess and God.
May Their union be fertile and productive!"

With the ancient words of my forebears I light the Need fires that their warmth and light might spread to all of Caledon.
"Tine"

"The dark days are cleared away
so that the May Day can now begin!"



The gorgeous Maypole created by Kate Nicholas and scripted by ZenMondo Wormser




Dancing with our tireless Caledon Librarian, and good friend, Mr JJ Drinkwater


Sir Edward Pearse proposes to Christine McAllister to the surprise and delight of the assembled crowd.


The Caledon debut of the fireworks created by my friend, and renowned script writer, Radslns Hutchence




May, clad in cloth of gold,
Cometh this way;
The fluting of the blackbirds
Heralds the day.
The dust coloured cuckoo
Cries welcome O Queen!
For winter has vanished,
The thickets are green.
Soon the trampling of cattle
where river runs low!
The long hair of the heather,
The canna like snow.
Wild waters are sleeping,
Foam of blossom is here;
Peace, save the panic
In the heart of the deer.
The wild bee is busy,
The ant honey spills,
The wandering kine
Are abroad on the hills.
The harp of the forest
Sounds low, sounds sweet;
Soft bloom on the heights;
On the loch, haze of heat.
The waterfall dreams;
Snipe, corncrakes, drum
By the pool where the talk
Of the rushes is come.
The swallow is swooping;
Song swings from each brae;
Rich harvest of mast falls;
The swamp shimmers gay.
Happy the heart of man,
Eager each maid;
Lovely the forest,
The wild plane, the green glade.
Truly winter is gone,
Come the time of delight,
The summer truce joyous,
May, blossom-white.
In the heart of the meadows
The lapwings are quiet;
A winding stream
Makes drowsy riot.
Race horses, sail, run,
Rejoice and be bold!
See, the shaft of the sun
Makes the water-flag gold.
Loud, clear, the blackcap;
The lark trills his voice
Hail May of delicate colors Tis May-Day, REJOICE!


A happy, thankful and truly blessed, Duchess of Loch Avie.

Thank you for sharing in this ancient celebration with me and my court. It will not soon be forgotten.