Long Island Open Circle
Reap What You Sow
A Hip-Hop Lammas Celebration
Welcome & Intro to History (mid-tempo)With a chill in the air and Fall upon us
Welcome everyone to a Hip-Hop Lammas
We are bringing together ritual and rhyme
Hoping everyone has a very good time
The theme of this ritual for y’all to know
Is an important message -- “Reap what you sow”
Now for all my witches, Pagans and freaks
Sheri’s gonna lay down a little history
HistoryHere’s the story of the God – He ain’t no fool!
He’s born in the dark of the year at Yule
He grows up with the corn and grain
Till the harvest cuts Him down again.
Lughnasadh is the name of the day
And Lugh is the God who hears us pray.
He’s a God of many talents, got a lot of skills
He’s helpin’ to turn the celestial wheel!
The harvest is on! The God’s goin’ down!
The sun is burnin’, the tides are turnin’!
The grape’s on the vine, His blood is the wine!
His body’s the bread that keeps us all fed!
Now Lammas is here, and we’re doin’ our best
To honor Lugh, the God of the Harvest!
Quarter Calls – Flow Changes (slow tempo)
Guardians of the East, now hear our call
Spirits of the Air, the cool breath of the Fall
We know the winds are comin', we know Lugh's gonna bite it
but we're gonna make it through, we know that we can't fight it
Put some faith into that breeze and blow it straight into our hearts
You gave us what we need, we're gonna do our part
Be with us here, Join us now!
Now we go to the Guardians of the South...
Guardians of the South, all firey and burnin'
Keep us warm through longer nights, as the wheel’s a turnin'
Spirits of the hearth, keep us warm when we’re chillin'
We know the sun's leavin', we gotta be willin'
To let it move away, it's that time of the year
So fill our hearts with warmth and let go any fear
Be with us here, Come be our guest!
Now we go to the Guardians of the West...
Guardians of the West, of the rivers, bays and ocean
Wash away debris from the fields we've been a sowin'
You brought us rain so the crops grew in good
Teach us to appreciate our bounty, as we should
Let our tears of old hurts flow away with fluid motion
We let go of the past, as the summer's end’s approachin’
Be with us here, please come forth!
Now we go to the Guardians of the North...
Guardians of the North... you are Mother Nature
You're the ground we walk on, you give us fruits of good flayvuh
The dirt between our toes is what grows our food
We be starvin' without your harvest, we know that’s no good
So thanks for what you gave us, it's gonna keep us goin'
Through the dark part of the year, 'til the next time we be sowin'
Be with us here, it's you we ask
Now the ritual starts 'cause the circle's been cast! Now we call on the Lord and the Lady tooCome on down, this party’s for You!
Come in Your power! Come in Your might!
Be with us in our Circle tonight!
Introduction to “Sow Love” (upbeat tempo)
Just put your wands in the air
And wave ‘em like you just don’t care
And if you came here to do
Is to honor Lugh
Somebody say
OH YEAH!!!
Somebody scream!!!!
Hit it!!! (Keep beat going)
Brothers and Sisters! You work and you play
But everybody comes to the harvest day.
Brothers and Sisters, you reap what you sow
So there’s just one thing you have to know
Sow love!
Sow love!
What did you sow in the Spring of your life?
Did you plant trouble? Did you plant strife?
It’s not too late to cut ‘em down!
The Lord of the harvest, He’ll bring you around
He’ll take you by the hand, tell you what you should know
He’ll teach you that Love is what you gotta sow
Sow love!
Sow love!
Sow the things that you need in the things that you do
Cause those are the things that come back to you
Be a friend to your brother, he’ll be a friend to you
Help a sister in need and she’ll help you too
Sow love!
Sow love!
Nothing’s permanent here, we come and we go
And the greatest thing you have to know
Be kind to each other every day
Cause love isn’t love till you give it away
Sow love!
Sow love!
Intro to Corn Blessing (slow tempo)A shaft of wheat, a kernel of corn
One must die to be reborn
What do you sacrifice? What do you give up?
Lay your burdens down and empty your cup
What is it you give thanks? What are you grateful for?
What blessings been bestowed that you want more?
What you want to release, whatever you desire
Take a handful of cornmeal and throw it in the fire
(Continue drumming to raise energy)Giving energy to those who need help or healing
Got a friend in need, got someone you love
Needs the help of the Goddess from above?
Put their name in the Circle, don’t delay
Soon the energy we work’ll be on its way
Shout their name out loud! Don’t be shy!
Lift ‘em to the Gods up in the sky!
(People call out the names of loved ones in need)
(Drumming on… all chant )
Let’s drum! Let’s dance!
Let’s give the energy a chance!
Let’s drum! Let’s dance!
Let’s give the energy a chance!
(repeat till whenever, drumming and dancing )Oracle
The Moon is full up in the sky
And while there’s things that mystify
Inspiration is all around
The words of the prophets are wherever they’re found
Ask a question, reach into the bowl
The words on the card will enlighten your soul
Cakes & AleSharin’ in the bread and the wine
Sharin’ in the food divine
Together now we undertake
The sacrament of the ale and cakes!
Circle ClosingGuardians of the Northern realm!
Thanks for bein’ at the helm!Guardians of the power of the West!
Thanks for comin’ and bein’ our guest!
Guardians of the Southern fire!
Thanks for bein’ here to inspire!
Guardians of the Air in the East!
Thankin’ You last but not least!
Lord and Lady high above
Thanks for givin’ us Your love!
Stay if You will, but if You gotta go
Come on back to us pronto!
And thanks for teachin’ us
We reap what we sow!
Closing (mid-tempo)
Now all the beats have been played
And all the words been spoken
The circle is open
But never broken
So from mind to mind
And heart to heart
Merry meet
And merry part!!!
Peace!!!
Long Island Open Circle
www.liopencircle.org