Initiating the Rite –
Singing –
As we approach the Sacred Grove
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone.
Join us now in ways of old,
We have come home.
Ringing of the bells
Establishing the Group Mind
Grounding and Centering done by Mouse
Purification – This must take place prior to Opening the Gates
The asperging bowl is filled from the Well and the smudge is kindled from the Fire. Ritual participants are cleansed with water from the well and purified with smoke from the censor.
When all participants have been purified a Druid will step forward saying:
“Through the union of fire and water, Our Nemeton is made whole and holy! Once more we have met the threat of chaos with order and laid claim to this place. We have made sacred this space that we may worship and honor the
Kindred as one people.”
Honoring the Earth Mother
The Gods searched for her far and wide. In green meadows and underbrush, In mud that stuck to their leg hair, In mountains and flowing rivers, In holy precincts the gods searched. The Mother Goddess was found in the forests that stretched about them, though she smiled and said she was in all places they were searching. Mother of us all, be with us: This offering of pure honey reminds us that the bees found you.
[an offering of honey is given]
Statement of Purpose
As balances light and dark, hot and cold, we gather to celebrate this balancing point of the wheel of ime. Also, A season ago we gathered and asked our deities, the nature spirits, the ancestors to keep this city, region and land peaceful, tranquil, harmonious. We now thank them for the harvest of their concerned affection for us and ask their continuing care.
Outsiders: Be there any about uninterested in or inimical to our rit and purpose, take this and go your way.
(Re)Creating the Cosmos
Fire:
O sacred fire that consumes and transforms,
True and holy light of the Shining Ones,
Be blessed with our offering! O sacrificed and sacrificer,
Let holy flame warm our spirits and our lives.
(Makes an offering of incense.)
Sacred fire, burn within us.
All: Sacred fire, burn with us.
Well:
O sacred waters that flow and swirl beneath all being,
Well of ancient wisdom, keeper of deep riches,
Be blessed with our offering! O great source of all,
Let us know the elder depths within ourselves.
(The Keeper of the Well offers silver to Well.)
In the depths flow the waters of wisdom.
Sacred waters flow within us.
All: Sacred waters, flow within us.
Tree:
O sacred pillar, boundary of all worlds,
Stand at the center of the sky,
Stand at the center of the sea,
Stand at the center of the land on which we dwell.
Let us be deepened in your depths,
Raised to your heights,
And strengthened in your strength.
(The Tender of the Tree censes the world tree.)
From the depths to the heights spans the world tree.
Sacred tree, grow within us.
All: Sacred tree, grow within us.
KSS: The fire, the well, the sacred tree,
All: Flame and flow and grow in me!
KSS: In land, sea and sky,
All: Below and on high!
KSS: Thus is the sacred grove claimed and hallowed.
All: Bíodh Se (“bee shay”)
KSS: By the cleansing of water and fire, let all ill turn away from me and mine.
All: Bíodh Se!
Opening the Gate(s)
Call to Manannan
(Holding an apple in hand)
Oh Manannan, powerful son of the sea, holder of the magics of the crane bag, we ask you to hear our call. Oh Lord of the Otherworld, bearer of the silvered apple branch, join with us this day so that you may guide us safely in our workings. Mist-shrouded rider of the maned waves, accept our offering and open the gates between our realm and yours. Let the fire open as a gate, let the well open as a gate, and let the tree connect all the worlds as Manannan walks with us in all ways.
(offer apple up to Manannan)
All: Let the gates be opened!
Offering to the Outdwellers
Outside of the ritual space, give raisins to the Outdwellers, saying:
You who come from the outer dark,
You who stood against the gods and man,
You who are cold of heart and cruel of mind,
Take this and trouble not our work.
Inviting the Three Kindreds
Ancestors :
O you who have journeyed ahead of us on the path of life,
we thank you for your past help and invite you to join with us in celebrating this day.
Accept this token of our esteem and be with us today.
Nature Sprits :
Spirits of nature, you charming ones of earth, lake, stream and tree,
we thank you for all your past help and invite you to participate with us this day.
Enjoy this token of our esteem and join us now in our celebration.
High Ones :
High Ones, Deities of our people,
we thank you for your aid this past season and invite you
to participate in our celebration.
Accept this token of our esteem and join us in celebrating this day.
Key Offerings – This will commonly include: Invitation of Beings of the Occasion
Oghma, Champion, God of Wisdom, many thanks for your favouring concern this past season. Continue to guide us safely along the way of wisdom. Accept please this token of our esteem and join with us in this gathering today.
Epona, awesome goddess, shielding us from harm, many thanks for your favouring concern this past season. Continue to ride before us, preserving us along the way of safety. Accept this token of our esteem and join with us in this gathering.
Prayer of Sacrifice
Shining Ones, Noble Ones, and Mighty Ones, we have given you praise and honor! A gift calls for a gift, and we pray to you as we offer up these sacrifices. Accept them, open our hearts, and give to us of your blessings.
Calling (asking) for the Blessings/Hallowing the Blessing/Affirmation of the Blessing
KSS: Children of earth, we call for the blessing of the Ancient Ones.
Together we cry…
All: Shining Ones, give us the waters!
KSS: We join our hearts, that each of us be blessed. Together we call…
All: Shining Ones, give us the waters!
KSS: And as we are blessed, let all the worlds be blessed. Together we pray…
All: Shining Ones, give us the waters!
KSS: pours juice into the cups and says:
We draw water from the well of wisdom, pouring the drink of inspiration.
KSS: holds the blessing cup up and says:
O Mighty, Noble and Shining Ones, we have given to you, and now we ask you to bless us in turn, as a gift calls for a gift. Hallow these waters, O holy powers. Grant us the blessing we seek. Let the wisdom, love and power of the Gods, Dead and Sidhe flow in this cup of Blessing.
All: Behold, the Waters of Life!
Thanking the Beings
Oghma: Oghma, wise, learned, potent, patron of druids, thanks for
joining us today. Go, if you must. Stay, if you will. Continue to favour
us ever and always, as we continue to remember you.
Epona: Epona, protector, shield, defender, thanks for joining us
today. Go, if you must. Stay, if you will. Continue to favour us ever
and always as we continue to remember you.
High Ones: Deities of our people, thanks for being with us this day.
Go, if you must. Stay, if you will. Continue to favour us ever and
always, as we continue to remember you.
Nature Spirits: Spirits of nature, thanks for being with us this
day. Go, if you must. Stay, if you will. Continue to favour us ever and
always, as we continue to remember you.
Ancestors: You who travelled ahead of us on the road of life, thanks
for being with us today. Go if you must. stay, if you will. Continue to
favour us ever and always, as we continue to remember you.
Closing the Gate(s)
“We say to thee of ebbs and flows,
Thank you, farewell; let the gates close.”
All: Let the gates be closed
Thanking the Earth Mother
Dearest Mother,
For all the growth you have shown us,
And the fields of plenty,
We honor you.
Be with us as we close this rite.
Bíodh se (“bee shay”)
Closing the Rite
We have done as our ancestors did and as our children will do and the Gods have answered! Let us go out into the world secure in the knowledge that our offerings have pleased the gods and that we go forth under their protection. The ritual is at a close.