Calendar of the Moon 15 Ngetal/Maimakterion Day of the Yew Tree Colour: Ivory or bone-white Element: Earth Altar: Upon a bone-white cloth set a vase of yew branches, a single ivory candle, a pot of soil, seeds of a sometimes-poisonous medicinal plant, a bowl of water, and a bell. Offerings: Plant seeds. Care for a cemetery. Daily Meal: Vegan Invocation to the Green Man of the Yew Tree Hail, Green Man of the Autumn! As the leaves fall and turn to brown, As their breaking bodies crack beneath our feet, As the earth itself browns and fades And every stalk and tree gives way To withering, the evergreens alone Hold up their heads, and watch over A kingdom which begins in death. This is your kingdom, sacred yew, Whose wood made bows to shoot Flying death into the hearts of enemies. Wreath of sacrificial bulls, beloved of ghosts, Barrel-maker's joy, coffin of the vine, Churchyard tree whose roots spread One to each corpse's mouth, Whose scarlet berries bring still more death, Spell of knowledge, King's Wheel, Boundary of autumn and winter, Saturn's tree, slow to grow and slow to die, Eagle who shrieks and dives to kill, Whose all-seeing eyes follow shadows, We hail you, sacred yew tree, Green Man of the Autumn, On this the day of your deathwatch. Chant: (To be sung to the slow beat of a drum) Like leaves we fall Like leaves we fly Upon the winds (Each comes forward and plants a seed in the pot of soil, saying, "Hail Green Man of the Earth!" Water is poured onto the pot, and then the rest is poured out as a libation. Ring bell and dismiss.)
[source:paganbookofhours.org]