This rite was inspired by reading Valerie Worths' wonderful book "The Crone's Book of Wisdom". It was written with a general intention of accomplishing the following:
 
1. Marking a 'sacred' site. The rite was use to mark the inaugural year of the original "Pagans-in-the-Pub" in Sydney, Australia.
2. The rite also marked a turning point in the year, the Dark Moon in Winter. The rite is a ceremonial handing over the 'centre' from the "Madonna Tenebrae", the Dark Goddess, who wears a crown of black candles, to the "Bella Lumen", the Goddess of Beautiful Light who wears a crown of white candles and carries the Holy Grail of Hope.
3. Finally, at the conclusion to the rite everyone who is present is invited to further participate by a lighting a wish candle from the crown of Bella Lumen.

Some brief notes about the rite and the use of an apparently Catholic goddess name: Throughout the world there are many images of the Black Madonna and a number of these can be traced back to Pagan origins.

The rite is performed by a master of ceremonies and four other ritualists. These ritualists illustrate certain qualities of the Goddess of Night or Darkness by carrying her symbols - a skull, incense, bones, and a veiled lamp.

The Rite in Summary

It is the middle of Winter and even the Moon is in its dark quarter. Visitors arrive and are welcomed in from the cold. A mysterious group arrive last and bring with them a special visitor, the Madonna Tenebrae, the Lady of Darkness and Night. They enter in formal procession with a dusky incense burning (benzoin). The Madonna wears a tall crown of lighted black candles upon her head.

Their procession marks a Circle and the ceremony begins as they make a dedication to the night and the ritual space. The Madonna Tenebrae receives her fated symbols upon her altar. The ritualists using these symbols invoke the Madonna Tenebrae and Night. Finally, complete darkness comes as the Madonna's Crown of black candles are ceremonially doused. A dirge is sung to the Dark Mother.

In the darkness a change occurs. The Madonna Tenebrae is transformed into Bella Lumen, the Lady of Lights. (In the darkness the Madonna changes herself into Bella Lumen by exchanging places in the centre.) One by one the candles upon Bella Lumen's white Crown are lit and spirit of Magick returns with the Goddess holding the symbol of the Holy Grail.

The Lady of Light invites everyone to partake of her light. Each person lights a personal candle from Bella Lumen's Crown and recites her spell.

Once everyone has lit their candles, Bella Lumen is carried in a throne-chair up and down while holding the Holy Grail and finally pronouncing a blessing upon all. Everyone present then is further invited to partake of the Grail-wine and graciously kiss Bella Lumen.