Calendar of the Sun
9 Wolfmonath
Baubo's Day of the Midwives
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a red cloth place a single red candle, a chalice of fresh milk, and a Sheela-Na-Gig.
Offerings: Give aid to a midwife.
Daily Meal: Center around milk or dairy.
Baubo Invocation
Hail Baubo, Mother of Laughter, / Great open door upon your belly, / You who open all things, / The woman's womb, the hard-bound heart, / The eyes shut tight in fear, / The belly full of mirth repressed, / All these you tear open like a child / Reveals their holiday gifts with glee. / We are your packages, your presents, / To undo as you will! / Today no weeping will sound through our halls, / And only mirth shall walk our paths, / O Baubo upon the bridge! / You watch those who walk down to the dark places, / You see those who weep their sorrow / Like Mother Demeter trailing in the dust, / And your great heart of understanding / Knows that no word of sense will ever help / When the shadows are darkest. / Only absurdity, only paradox / The extravagant, the foolish, the incredible, / The outlandish and preposterous, / Only these can make their way / Under the tight doors of desolation, / Through the cracks of misery. / A small thing, laughter, yet without it / We drown in the rivers of our own self-importance. / Hail Baubo, Mother of Mirth!
(One or more who have been chosen to do the work of the ritual come forth to do Baubo's job. They must shed their clothing, and naked wear faces painted on their bellies, and tell jokes until laughter is rampant. Finish with the chant listed on Ilithyia's Day.)
Pagan Book of Hours
Order of the Horae
First Kingdom Church of Asphodel
http://www.paganbookofhours.org/