For this ritual you will need: altar cloth (white or patriotic print), white taper or votive csndle, a quill pen, a tea-light in holder, a small carafe or glass and a bowl, a miniature or picture of the Washington monument, a plate, bread, and a chalice or goblet and some Samuel Adams beer. It would also be helpful to display photos of all the monuments on the Capital Mall, pictures of the Founding Fathers, and/or a facsimile copy of the Constitution.
In this ritual, we call upon the spirit of Liberty as our goddess, and the fathers of our country as our guardians, to preserve the freedoms on which this nation was founded
Blessing the space
Oh Lady Liberty, Mother of Exiles,
We call upon you to send forth your light
to pierce the darkness of ignorance and oppression
until liberty enlightens the world.
(carry candle clockwise around circle)
Invoking the Elements
Air
James Madison, you said:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
(here you may add the rest of the First Amendment, or whichever part of it is currently being threatened…”
Your words have become
the most fundamental law of the land.
Forever guard them, and may the eagle
that sits atop the Tree of Liberty fan inspiration with his wings. (hold up quill pen)
Fire
Thomas Jefferson, you said:
“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.,”
Let the light of Reason you served burn in every heart,
illuminating our choices and decisions. (light tea-light)
Water
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, you said:
“The second (freedom) is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way — everywhere in the world.”
May the waters that cascade over the stones of your monument, like the seas that wash the coasts of this land,
carry our faith in the four freedoms from America to the world. (pour water into bowl)
Earth
George Washington, you said:
“We have abundant reason to rejoice that in this Land the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person here may worship God according to the dictates of his own heart.”
Father of our country, watch over this American Earth.
This shaft of stone links earth and heaven,
let it connect your spirit to the place that bears your name.
(set image of Washington monument by plate)
Meditation
The words the leaders of our country have written inspire us, but it is for us to bring their spirit into our own age. I ask you therefore to close your eyes and…
visualization of WDC – the mall and the tidepool,
location of monuments.
From the monuments, the figures of the fathers take on life and come forth.
Light shafts down WA monument and flows through earth to White House and Congress.
Their words reverberate through the land…
The law shall protect the right of each person to worship as he or she desires
There shall be no tyanny over mind
Between Church and state there is a wall
preservation of each faith depends on equal rights for all
Hold these truths in your mind, remember and repeat them. During political campaigns and confirmation hearings, beam them towards our lawmakers and candidates.
return.
Feast
You who we have have called back to aid us, we share with you these offerings–
Fill chalice or horn with Samuel Adams beer-
As this beer fills the goblet,
May the Spirit of Freedom
fill our souls.
Pass the goblet, inviting each to toast one of the founders.
Display the platter of bread.
American earth sustain and support us
Whether we worship one or twenty,
Gods please grant us peace and plenty!
All sing: “America the Beautiful”
Thanks:
George Washington,
anchor us to the ideals you fought for
so long as your monument shall stand.
(Lift and replace image)
Thomas Jefferson,
In our hearts may the light of freedom continue to burn.
(blow out or turn off tealight)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
May the Four Freedoms endure
So long as the waters flow.
(Lift and replace glass)
James Madison,
Protect the Bill of Rights
and teach its meaning
to those who interpret the law of this land.
Torch of freedom, burning bright,
Lead us with your holy light!
Banish hate and bigotry,
Free all faiths from sea to sea.
(Circle counterclockwises with candle)