ACT OF POWER '>3
Grail Procession

Our third Act of Power is an adaptation of the Grail procession from the story of Peredur/Percival.

You may remember that in the story of Peredur the young knight comes to the castle of his uncle, the Grail King, who is crippled by a wound or illness. The Grail King is of course the Old God, the lame Sun of Winter, and His illness represents death.

That night during a feast at the castle of the Grail King Peredur witnesses a sacred procession. It is led by two men in polar colors who carry a long spear or sword between them. The spear or sword appears to drip blood from its tip. Behind a woman follows with a grail (a cauldron, not a chalice) in which is an image of a human head or skull. In some versions three women carry the grail, being the Triple Goddess.

This is very ancient imagery. Peredur is asked what the procession means but does not answer. Later he is told that had he answered the Grail King would have been restored to health.

Staging a version of this as part of the Yule ritual can be very moving.

Ideally you will need two men, dressed in polar colors: white and black, red and black, red and green, etc.. Between them they should carry an Athame, sword, or spear according to availability. In a pinch one man can carry the blade alone. Then you will need a representation of a head or skull in a large bowl or cauldron –again the plastic cauldrons sold at Hallowe’en work very well. This will be carried by a woman.

Begin by having the men go to the altar and dip the tip of the blade into a vessel of red wine or grape juice, to represent blood. Then have the men with their blade and the woman with her grail process around the ritual area. You may wish to sing a chant as this is done. A good choice might be:

 

“A Circle of Mystery -a Circle of Might!
Deep as the galaxies -a Circle of Night!
Holy and ancient –the Mystery revealed!
If we can answer the Question –then the King shall be healed!”

When the procession has finished, ask the group sacred question “What are these things and who do they serve?”

The answer, of course, is the most important part of the rite. Make sure that at least one-person present can give the answer, as otherwise it is a very bad omen indeed –for reasons which are obvious.

The answer to the question is this: The spear/sword represents the God. It is the power of life, which is demonstrated by the blood/grape juice. It is linear in form, moving always forward. But it is born by Polar Powers, Birth and Death, which are the vehicle which moves it forward. The grail represents the Goddess, Who is the origin and inner essence of all things. It is the womb of creation. It is circular in form because it has neither beginning nor end and is separate from considerations of space and time. The head inside the cauldron represents the soul which is hidden in all things: the Celts like many peoples regarded the head as the seat of the soul. Thus we see that the physical proceeds from the spiritual, propelled by the cycle of birth and death, with the soul/Spirit at its center.

When the question has been answered, say something like:

“Behold! The Mystery is revealed! The Sun is healed and reborn! From this night forward He shall grow stronger again, and health and joy shall return to the land!”

If you like, another chant and dance might follow here –something fast and joyful. A good chant might be:

 

“Return! Return! Oh Sun return!
Born of darkness, Lord of light!
Return! Return! Oh Sun return!
From the middle of this darkest night!

“Return! Return! Grow brighter still!
The days shall longer grow!
Return! Return! Grow brighter still!
For the dawn shall come and darkness go!

“Return! Return! Oh Sun return!
Born of darkness, Lord of light!
Return! Return! Oh Sun return!
From the middle of this darkest night!”

Then continue with the ritual.

Variation

If you do not have space for a full-fledged procession, a variation on this is to place the Epopteia, or sacred items, in a bowl or basked covered by a lid or veil. Uncover the basket and show it to all present, asking the sacred question “What are these things and Who do they serve?”

Variation

Another interesting variation to this Act of Power for the more theatrically inclined group is to have someone play the part of the Grail King. The Grail King’s outer costume should appear old and ill, even mortally wounded. But when the question is answered, the Grail King can through off his outer costume and emerge as the reborn young Sun King. Then he can declare his healing and rebirth himself.