Calendar of the Moon
14 Luis/Gamelion
Lenaia Day III
Colors: Purple and green
Element: Water
Altar: A large post is set up behind the altar, draped in robes of purple and green, with a mask of
Dionysus upon it, and arms raised upwards made of grapevine and fruit tree branches. The altar
is draped in purple and green, and upon it set two purple candles, a wreath of grapevines, two
jugs of wine (one white and one red), and a chalice.
Offerings: Dancing. Drumming. Music. Transforming dreams into reality.
Daily Meal: Wine. Goat or lamb. Lentils. Grape leaves. Greek food if possible.
Lenaia Invocation I
Hail, son of Semele! Iakkhos, Giver of Wealth!
Not only wealth of body and thought,
But wealth of spirit as well,
Numinous in sacrifice,
One whose mysteries
Cannot fully be spoken,
One who we can only truly know
Through the way of unknowing,
We ask for fertility of soul
Not merely for us, but for
The whole world of humanity.
We dance for the soul's creation
And re-creation, again and again,
You who understand the cycle
And know that all endings
Are simply beginnings.
From our souls down through our bodies,
From our bodies into your Soul,
From your Soul into the Earth,
We give you our open eyes
That you may fill them with vision.
(Instead of a particular chant, a drum circle is formed and all dance for at least an hour. Any
appropriate chant may be used. After the drum circle is closed, the red wine is passed around
and shared, with the worker saying, "Behold the blood of Iakkhos." The remainder is poured out
as a libation. Then the white wine is passed around and shared, with the worker saying, "Behold
the dreams of Iakkhos." The remainder is poured out as a libation.)
[Pagan Book of Hours]