Dramatis Personae:
Ancestral druid;
Bellringing druid;
Divining druid;
Epona’s druid;
Oghma’s druid;
Gatekeeping druid;
High Ones’ druid;
Oghma’s druid;
Meditative druid;
Natural druid;
Outdweller Dispelling druid.
Dramatis Res:
Bell;
Divinatory tools (runes);
Offerings for:
Ancestors, High Ones, Nature Spirits, Epona, Oghma, Manannan; Outdwellers
payment; communal drink; copies of ritual
1. Prebriefing. We run through the coming rit, so all know what to
expect and everything is prepared.
2. Bellringing druid rings bell thrice.
3. Procession. There is the traditional procession to the Tree Ring,
preferably while we’re enunciating a pleasing chant.
4. Meditative druid. Tree Rooting Exercise.
5. Gatekeeping druid:
Manannan, Lyr’s son, over sea.
Mystic ferryman, we call Thee,
Let thy misty craft boarded be.
Carry us ‘cross to mystery.
5. Statement of Purpose (Epona’s druid):
The spinning wheel has brought us here.
At autumn’s feast we now appear.
(Oghma’s druid)
Deities, spirits we recall,
Honour, revere, celebrate all.
6. Ancestral druid:
To you travellers up ahead,
You who lived once and now are dead,
We give this gift recalling you,
Arrive and join us glad and true.
7. Natural druid:
O you around of Earth, Lake, Air.
O you of Nature everywhere,
We give this gift recalling you.
Arrive and join us glad and true.
8. High Ones druid:
O Lords and Ladies lofty, high,
To our ancient ones ever nigh,
We give this gift recalling you.
Arrive and join us glad and true.
9. Outdwellers dispatching druid: “If there are any around who don’t
belong at this gathering, or who are inimical to it, here, take this
gift and take your leave of us.”
10. Oghma’s druid:
Oghma the Wise, champion strong!
Defending our tribe sure and long,
We offer this gift, our esteem.
Come, join our rite and let all gleam.
11. Epona’s druid:
O rider sure on white swift steed,
Sheltering Celts in time of need,
We offer this gift, our esteem.
Epona, join our rite agleam.
12. Individual Offerings.
Oghma’s druid: “Let each and everyone here who has a personal gift…
13. (Epona’s druid) to offer our sacred ones, step up, one by one,
and now present this gift.”
14. Divination:
Divining druid does that runic thing.
15. Communal Sharing. Here is passed around our communal drink.
16. Epona’s druid:
Epona on your white swift steed,
Sheltering Celts in time of need,
We’re grateful you were here today,
As pleases you, go now or stay.
17. Oghma’s druid:
Oghma the wise, champion strong!
Defending our tribe sure and long,
We’re grateful you were here today
As pleases you, go now or stay.
18. High Ones druid:
O Lords and Ladies, lofty, high,
To our ancient ones ever nigh,
Thank you for joining us today.
As pleases you, now go or stay.
19. Natural druid:
O You around of earth, lake, air,
O You of nature everywhere,
Thank you for joining us today,
As pleases you, now go or stay.
20. Ancestral druid:
O You travellers up ahead,
You who lived once and now are dead,
Thank you for joining us today,
As pleases you, now go or stay.
21. Manannan’s druid:
Manannan, Lyr’s son, over sea,
Mystic ferryman we thank thee,
Let thy mystic craft homeward be.
Carry us back from mystery.
22. Meditative druid Tree Unrooting Exercise.
Epona’s druid:
We thank as well all you physical folk who came
and joined in this celebration. May you be very
blessed in this present stage of the year between
now and samhain.
23. Procession away from the Tree Ring, nice if
accompanied by a nifty chant.
24. Bell ringing druid rings bell thrice.
25. Oghma’s druid:
The ritual is ended.
26. Ensuring all are properly grounded.