Wine and Cakes
[or the Simple Feast]
After any spell/rite/ritual/celebration, it is customary to have a small party. *soft laugh* While "wine and cakes" are the
custom, there are many variations from which you can choose, or make up some of your own.
The "traditional" is a hearty red wine and some soft, whole grain wheat bread made at home. If you are not skilled in such things, go to a local bakery and purchase something pleasing to the palate; something freshly baked with whole grains. "Store bought" is perfectly acceptable and I even use them in a pinch.
Fresh doughnuts, a breakfast cake, coffee cake and the like are perfectly fine for this use, as are small appetizer pastries, cakes or meat pies such as small eggrolls, pizza bites and the like. You can use anything, really. Cookies and milk [a Yule-time favorite in My house when I was raising children, as that's what you leave out for the Holly King/Santa], toast and jelly with orange juice, cheese and crackers with wine; whatever pleases your tastes will be fine.
There should always be a place, and a cup of wine, set aside and left undisturbed in honor of the Deities who have attended your working. Set it out in a good glass, on your best dishes and leave it undisturbed until the next morn.
Fruit juices can be substituted in the place of wine. Hot teas, a chalice of your favorite Sobe™, or even lightly flavored bottled water or cider.
What I normally use personally is a nice sparkling cider with light fruit pies in the summer. For the fall, I use lightly spiced cool cider with individual, home made pumpkin pies. In the winter [for Yule, I use rum-spiced egg nog and captain's wafers with a mild chicken/cheese blend spread], I use a heavily spiced hot apple cider with individual, home made pecan pies. And for the spring, I prefer a good merlot with a hearty cheese and light crossed buns.
Some Wine and Cakes provisions I've witnessed are quite inventive. I presided over a beautiful Mabon rite after which, the ladies brought out a conglomeration, which [frankly] did not look very appetizing; however, it tasted wonderful! Their Wine and Cakes consisted of an avadaco, guava, raspberries, and cheese mixture which they blended into a nice spread to be used as dip. It was then served and administered by their own HPs in a "holy communion" stylized setting, after which, blackberry merlot [My favorite] was served to the adult members of the Coven.
While I was a bit uncomfortable with the Catholic associations, I found the ritual feeling to be ever present, even through the celebration period after the rite, which is something to be appreciated. However, I am not a ritualist. I am much more relaxed in the circle, and do not need the feeling of rigid ritual in order to set the mood and tone in My mind and heart. So while I respected and admired the rigid feeling of those Coveners, I also found it personally off-putting.
But...as I often do...I digress. *LOL*
Wine and Cakes can also be carried out in a more formal dinner setting. Just choose something seasonal and appropriate.
Remember the Order of Rite
After the rite, you...- thank the Deities for Their assistance
- take a few unpretentious moments to reflect upon the Deities and the relationship you share with Them
- take down the circle
- bank the remaining energies back into the Earth
- set a mute supper [a plate for the Deities which is undisturbed until the following morning
Regardless of how much [or how little] you prepare for this accoutrement, the Simple Feast serves the purpose of returning your mind from the ethereal planes back to the present physical reality. It should be something simple which redirects your mind and the energies left in the flux around you, back to the Earth, Her power, and this physical plane of existence. Above all else, remember that this is a celebration and that laughter and joy are always welcome elements to any ritual celebration.
