[Rite] Consecration of the Altar to Our Lady Amaranthine

This rite accomplishes the consecration of the altar to Our Lady Amaranthine. The altar should be reconsecrated every year at Nemoralia (August 13th). This ritual is crafted as a continuation of the creation-story begun in the Consecration of the Cella. Where that rite saw the creation of Light and the filling of the Void with its illumination, this one sees the raising of the Earth from the Waters, and its purification as a place where Our Lady Amaranthine might place her foot to the ground.

Lustration of the Waters
In a silvered bowl, collect cleansed water. In this water, capture the reflection of the full moon. Bring it immediately into the Cella, then, bowing at the threshold. With an oak branch heavy with leaves, sprinkle the water upon the surface of the altar. As this is done, say:

When spun were the First Days from Primordial Night
The Silver of the Moon shown down from Her height
Her argent light touched a Sea black and vast
No motion stirred its waters, its calm unsurpassed.

Bring the Light of the Moon above the altar, so that its light is reflected on the surface of the altar:

But our Lady's gift
is motion and change,
stillness She can't abide
So there She kissed
the night-black waves,
which the Moon did then entide
They were pushed,
They were pulled,
churned with the motion of strife
So with kiss
and blessings rich,
the Sea quickened with life.

Birthing the Earth
The Light of the Moon is still held above the surface of the still-wet altar.

Our Lady Amaranthine looked on
the waters of the sea
She saw no place to rest
from calling Life to be
With right hand she reached into the heights
To capture heaven's fire
With left hand she took up the depths
Of the sea's ancient desire
She brought her hands together
To her heart where love was sworn
And with this joining, in fire and sea
the Earth was there then born.

Sprinkle drops of Diana oil upon the surface of the altar, mingling them with the droplets of water already there. Wipe down the surface with a cloth of white, never used before. This cloth shall be used to clean the altar regularly, until its next consecration.

Censing
The Light of the Moon remains above the altar. Cense the altar, saying:

Then she sang the song that called the winds
And the winds arrived, and did bow.
She bade them bless the new-born earth
And they did, in accord with their vow
From the East came brisk winds
To stir the lands with motion
From the South came hot winds
To warm lands born in the ocean
From the West came gentle winds
Bringing blessings and peace
From the North came chilling winds
With ice from winter's release.
With ancient blessings did the four winds blow
Bringing richest magic where they flew.
Their Mysteries crafting out the seasons four
A land teeming with life beside ocean blue.

The Light of the Moon
The Light of the Moon remains above the altar. Say:

Now with the earth newly born,
rich lands kissed by the winds
Our Lady danced in the sky above
In the dance that never ends.
And ere the setting of the Moon
Took the dance away from this place
She stretched down one lily-white foot
And set it on the new earth's face.
Her brilliance fell in radiant beams
Washing argent this newborn land
The Silver Lady did laugh in joy
And cast blessings by Her hand.

Place the Light of the Moon onto the altar. Add her statue, and candles as well.

Calling to Diana
Light the side candles from the Light of the Moon, using a taper. Say:

Descend, O Diana, upon this altar
As you did when the land was new
We welcome you into our home
With praise and honor true.
With upraised voice and gleaming eye,
We ask for your gifts three
Protection and blessings for the home
And let potent our magics be.
Welcome our Lady Amaranthine
To the halls in which we dwell.
Nurturer and silver hearth-goddess
Be our Light against shadows fell.

Arraying the Attendants
With Diana's altar properly consecrated, and Diana herself in attendance, array her attendants into their proper place, placing their candles on the altar beneath hers.

Hail to thee O [Lady Amaranthine]!
Custos [REDACTED] brings with him Love.
Let his service to you be proper and true.
Hail to thee O [Lady Amaranthine]!
Custos [REDACTED] brings with him Health.
Let his service to you be strong and ever-growing.
Hail to thee O [Lady Amaranthine]!
Custos [REDACTED] brings with him Joy.
Let his service to you be happy and filled with laughter.
Hail to thee O [Lady Amaranthine]!
Custos[REDACTED] brings with him Wisdom.
Let his service to you be thoughtful and contemplative.
Hail to thee O [Lady Amaranthine]!
Custos [REDACTED] brings with him Prosperity.
Let his service to you be rich and rewarding.
Bless these, your attendants, O Lady
That they might bless us in kind.