Lughnassadh 2007
Dramatis Personae:
Bell ringing druid Shining Ones Druid
Outdwellers’ druid Ancestors Druid
Gate-keeping Druid Nature Spirits Druid
Keeper of the Sacred Space Druid Druids of Lugh and Bride
1) Places are taken.
2) Bell ringing Druid rings the bell 3 times.
3)All(chanting in a round):
As it was,?
As it is,?
As it shall be.
A blessing of blessings?
On all three.
4)KSS: Ritual Opening and Establishing the Sacred Grove through Fire, Well, and
Tree:
As our ancestors once did, so do we do today, and so?
will our children do in the future. We come to the Grove on this, Lugh’s Day,
to honour
Him and to honour Bridget, Who faces Him across the Wheel of the Year. The
Wheel is this
year, but it is also all years. It is the Wheel of Life, our life and all
lives. It is the Wheel of
Time, our time and that which is timeless. Lugh and Bridget, we come to honour
You and
to thank You with our ritual and our lives.
This is the time of harvest; what we have begun with the new year now comes to
fruition.
Now the Corn God is mowed down in the field; we too must sacrifice of ourselves
for our
good and the greater good. The harvest begins; what we have sowed now becomes
ripe
and complete. Let the harvest be sweet and sound; protect the fruits of our
labours until
they are harvest home, safe and stored,
Bíodh sé amhlaidh!
All: Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (“Bee-shay ow-way”)
5)The Outdwellers Druid tempts away the Others:
You who will not aid our Rite,
Take this gift and on you go.
Both we and you should be polite
Let it always be just so.
(throws pennies)
A gift as a prize,
Hospitality as well.
Let the treaty peace arise,
And now bid farewell.
6)KSS: Establishing the Sacred Grove through Fire, Well, and Tree:
Let us call up the Three Realms.
Establish here the Sacred Well, bottomless and pure.
Sacred Well, flow in us!
All: Sacred Well, flow in us!
Bring to us the Sacred Fire; let it flame in our minds and drop from our
tongues.
Sacred Fire, burn in us!
All: Sacred Fire, burn in us!
Let the mist of illusion part and show us the presence of the Sacred Tree.
Sacred Tree, grow in us!
All: Sacred Tree, grow in us!
Bíodh sé amhlaidh!
All: Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (“Bee-shay ow-way”)
7)Gatekeeper opens the Way through the Bile:
Crown far above, roots far below,
Trunk here in Everyday;
Let the mists part, let the light grow,
Show us the Way!
Let the gates be open!
Bíodh sé amhlaidh!
All: Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (“Bee-shay ow-way”)
8)KSS welcomes the Spirits and offerings are made:
Thou Shining ones, pure and bright,
Lend to us your burnished might.
9)Shining Ones Druid offers to the Shining Ones with hazel nuts:
Shining Ones,
You once lent your strength to chiefs,
Now strengthen us and our beliefs.
The Honour Gift we offer you,
The Hero’s Portion is your due.
All (passing the offering around the circle):
integrity, courage, and self-discipline
KSS:A gift offered, a gift blessed by you.
The peace between us is renewed.
O Lady Nature, green and wild,
Hold us each as if Your child.
10)Nature Spirits Druid offers to Nature with wild food:
Squirrels and people comprehend
We are a part of all creation.
We offer up as to a friend,
To join in Nature’s veneration.
All (passing the offering around the circle):
perseverance, fertility, and reverence
KSS:A gift offered, a gift blessed by you.
The peace between us is renewed.
Ancestral Spirits, kind and caring,
Join with us in this our sharing.
11)Ancestors Druid offers to the Ancestors with bread:
Stretching back through all the ages,
Here, we have opened up a portal;
Grannies and Uncles, Knights and Sages,
Bring us your help, who once were mortal.
All (passing the offering around the circle):
wisdom, perception, and hospitality
KSS:A gift offered, a gift blessed by you.
The peace between us is renewed.
12)Second Prayer:
KSS- Without the Gods; we fail and wither;
With thanks and praise we ask them hither.
13) Lugh and Brighid are invoked and offered to:
Brighid, Hearth and Forge and Song,
Succour the weak, support the strong,
Half year from now you will hold sway.
(Brighid’s Druid offers)
Shining Lugh, bring to us here,
Your skills, your strength, and magic spear,
We honour You upon your Day.
All (passing the offering around the circle):
Honour to you.
(Lugh’s Druid offers)
KSS:A gift offered, a gift blessed by you.
The peace between us is renewed.
14) Personal Offerings
15) Divination
16) Sharing
17)Thanking the Powers:
KSS-Each time we invoke the Powers they become stronger
and more alert to the needs of the Folk.
But the time has come to end our Working, and give them proper thanks.
18)Lugh and Brighid are thanked.
Thank You for your presence here,
Now, and all throughout the year.
We know that when we turn to you,
You help us do what we must do.
Thank you, Lugh and Brighid!
19)The Ancestors are thanked
Ancient Relations, stay or depart,
You live forever in our hearts.
21)Nature is thanked
Wild People, be at peace,
May your families all increase!
22)The Shining Ones are thanked
Shining Ones, now stay or go,
Your love remains, a warming glow.
23)The Bile is thanked by the gatekeeper.
Thank you, Great Bile!
Flourish still in all the worlds,
Stand ever tall, and everyday,
Your protective leaves unfurl.
We love you, you love us,
Between us is the bond of trust.
24)The gate is closed.
KSS-With our purpose here fulfilled
Now our gathering is stilled
The Fire gone, the Well dry,
Magic dwindles with a sigh.
All is as it was before
Let the gates be here no more.
Let the gates be closed!
All: Let the gates be closed!