Last Rite / Ritual of Summer

A remarkable Pagan ritual/rite for the last part of the summer season.  A passing on from one season to another.

Last Rite of Summer

Soon the trees will be bare of the last of summers dress
Reminding us to shed our own excess
As the seasons turn round and round about
We look towards tomorrow
And lay our plans out

Hail Mother Earth, soon to your rest will go
In your garment of white and snow
Blessing of peace be upon us

Hail Sister Winds, whose breathe turns cold
Dance of the leaves and Fairy bright
Blessing of Peace be upon us

Hail Brother Fire, as we gather around
Basking in the warm glow of the last fires of harvest
Blessing of Peace be upon us

Hail Father Water, softly fallen snow
Creator of a haven of silence to show
Blessing of Peace be upon us

The Harvest is in, the goods stored away
We are ready for the winters stay
Now we have moments of quite ways
To spend the darker hours in peaceful days

Now is the time to create and reflect
On all the year behind us and what's to come yet
As soon the new year will be here to remind us
That we, like the crops, must grow in our trust

Hail Persephone as you return to the Underworld
The time you spend away counts the season of winter
Hail Giver of light in the dark pathways
Gracious is your care that guides our footsteps to the light
Ever and always bright Mother do you guide our ways right

Hail Great Horned one, Father of the forest shades
Protector of all the furred one
Who roam the forest glades
Give to us your shielding grace
Protect us from Winters ways

Onward we seek
To tomorrow we yearn
Now is the time lay all the plans
For the Year to come we make our play

Your blessings Sweet Mother Persephone
We ask for you to light the way
We follow in the light you bring
We are protected by the Fathers stay
Hail and blessed be

Hail Mother Earth, soon to your rest will go
In your garment of white and snow
Blessing of peace were upon us

Hail Sister Winds, whose breathe turns cold
Dance of the leaves and Fairy bright
Blessing of peace were upon us

Hail Brother Fire, as we gather around
Basking in the warm glow of the last fires of harvest
Blessing of peace were upon us

Hail Father Water, softly fallen snow
Creator of a haven of silence to show
Blessing of peace were upon us