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SALEM REMEMBERED
by Sandy and Doug Kopf
presented at Pacific Circle XII
June, 1992
This year is the 300th anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials. This
ritual was presented in remembrance of those who died, and a reminder
that we must be aware and strong even now. The ritual was attended
by over 100 people and was very moving. Many wept.
It is being shared now, not only because it is beautiful, but to make
it available for others who might wish to use it. Sandy and Doug ask
only that there be no charge for attending the ritual. It would
disturb them greatly to find that such was the case.
.
The flash powder mentioned in the ritual was simply a mixture of sugar
and saltpetre (50/50). Should you chose to use this, be careful to
"dump" it rather than pour it. It will not only be more effective
this way, but will prevent the fire from climbing the stream of
powder back up to the hand of the person pouring it!
.
= = = =
.
Quarters are called:
.
EAST: Powers of the East! Lords and Ladies of Greece and Rome!
Guardians of the mysteries and honored dead! Pagans and witches who
dwell in the East, be ye spirit or be ye flesh! Come! Come one and
all who would join us in our right of remembrance, affirmation, and
protection! Be with us now, that the Craft
shall ever survive!
.
SOUTH: Powers of the South! Lords and Ladies of the two lands of
Egypt! Guardians of the mysteries and honored dead! Pagans and
witches who dwell in the East, be ye spirit or be ye flesh! Come!
Come one and all who would join us in our right of
remembrance, affirmation, and protection! Be with us now, that the
Craft shall ever survive!
.
WEST: Powers of the West! Lords and Ladies of the Land of the Celts!
Guardians of the mysteries and honored dead! Pagans and witches who
dwell in the East, be ye spirit or be ye flesh! Come! Come one and
all who would join us in our right of remembrance, affirmation, and
protection! Be with us now, that the Craft shall ever survive!
.
NORTH: Powers of the North! Lords and Ladies of the Viking Lands!
Guardians of the mysteries and honored dead! Pagans and witches who
dwell in the East, be ye spirit or be ye flesh! Come! Come one and
all who would join us in our right of remembrance, affirmation, and
protection! Be with us now, that the Craft shall ever survive!
.
AT CENTER, PRIEST AND PRIESTESS INVOKE GOD AND GODDESS AND SPIRITS OF
THIS PLACE.
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ALL SING 'LADY WEAVE YOUR CIRCLE TIGHT' AND 'LORD, LORD GUIDE US' (OR
OTHER SUITABLE SONG.)
.
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PRIEST: Three hundred years have gone by since that dark time of
history we all remember as the "Salem Witch Trials," yet, even after
three hundred years, we dare not allow ourselves to forget! We must
remember what can happen wahen hatred, fear, and intolerance gain a
stronghold over love, sanity, and tolerance. Innocent people died in
Salem. They died horrible deaths, tried and sentends for the "crime"
of witchcraft. They died for the crime of practicing an alternative
religion, and they were not even part of that religion. They died,
not for their own beliefs, but for ours! They died in the name of our
Gods, yet they did not know Them.
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PRIESTESS: They were not witches, but we ARE! They were not pagans,
but we ARE! It is our task to remember, and to be sure history cannot
repeat itself today. Therefore, we now call their names into our
circle, to be remembered and honored here. .
THE NAMES OF THE VICTIMS OF SALEM ARE PROCLAIMED, ONE BY ONE, AND A
CHIME IS SOUNDED AFTER EACH NAME.
.
Rebecca Nurse
Sarah Good
Sarah Wilde
Susanna Martin
Briget Bishop
John Proctor
John Willard
George Jacobs
George Burroughs
Martha Carrier
Samuel Wardwell
Giles Corey
Alice Parker
Martha Corey
Mary Parker
Margaret Scott
Ann Pudeator
Mary Esty
Wilmot Redd
Sarah Osborne
.
PRIESTESS: Sisters and Brothers! We will not allow your deaths to
have been in vain.
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SONG: "BURNING TIMES". ALL JOIN IN WITH THE CHORUS OF "ISIS, ASTARTE"
AND THE CHANT BLENDS INTO "WE ARE THE OLD PEOPLE".
.
WHEN THE SONG HAS REACHED THE PEAK OF ENERGY, THE PRIEST SAYS: .
We ARE the old people. We ARE the new people. We ARE getting stron-
ger every day. We are stronger, and we are no longer in hiding. We
are here, and none need fear us, for our way is love and our ethic is
harmlessness, but we say to the world that all may hear: We WILL
stand against hatred! We WILL stand against intolerance! We will not
stand silent in the face of harm to others or to our own. The few
have become many, and our Gods are awake and strong! Never more the
burning! We won't be burned again!
.
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PRIESTESS (LIGHTS FIRE IN CAULDRON): Let the cauldron burn with our
love and our faith! Let it illuminate the world with the light of the
Old Religion. Let negativity and fear be banished in its flames, and
let it kindle love in the hearts of those who hate us. (LOUDLY,
POINTING AT CAULDRON) Fire! Burn high on all planes, that strength
and protection come to us from all directions, as we join hearts and
hands to weave a destiny of peace and freedom! (TO CIRCLE) Let us sing
and dance, that all may remember Salem, and the Craft shall ever
survive.
.
SONG: "WE ARE THE WEAVERS". ALL JOIN HANDS AND DANCE SLOWLY IN A
CIRCLE. ALL WHO ARE UNABLE TO DANCE SHOULD STEP INTO THE CIRCLE, NOT
OUT OF IT.
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THE SONG SHOULD BE SUNG FOR SEVERAL ROUNDS, ENDING WITH A VERY EN-
THUSIASTIC "WE ARE THE WITCHES, BACK FROM THE DEAD!
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STARTING WITH THE EAST, THE REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH QUARTER WALKS TO
THE CENTER, POURING FLASH POWDER FROM A BOWL INTO THE
CAULDRON, PROCLAIMING:
.
EAST: From the guardians of the mysteries of the ancient temples, from
the windswept mountains of Greece and Rome, I bring protection and
wisdom! Remember Salem and the Craft
will survive!
.
SOUTH: From the guardians of the mysteries of the towering pyramids,
from the burning deserts of the Two Lands of Egypt, I bring protection
and courage! Remember Salem, and the Craft will survive.
.
WEST: From the guardians of the mysteries of the Standing Stones, from
the lakes and groves of the land of the Celts, I bring
protection and love! Remember Salem, and the Craft will survive.
.
NORTH: From the guardians of the mysteries of the sacred runes, from
the snow and ice of the Viking Lands, I bring protection and strength!
Remember Salem and the Craft will survive!
.
PRIEST: Great Lady! Bright Lord! Lords and Ladies all! Guardians and
Honored Dead! Spirits of this place! All in flesh and spirit who
have joined us here! We thank you for attending! Go if you must,
stay if you will! REMEMBER SALEM! MAY THE CRAFT SURVIVE!
.
Circle is ended.
.
= = = =
.
Written by Doug and Sandy Kopf, Coven Ashesh Hekat, Circle of Circles,
1992
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Next: Elven (Modern Mythic Prose by Par Garou)