MidSummer 2007
Dramatis Personae:
Bell ringing druid Ancestors Druid
Outdwellers druid Nature Spirits Druid
Gatekeeping Druid Shining Ones Druid
Keeper of the Sacred Space Druid
Personifiers of the Oak King and Mother Nature
Personifiers of the Yew king and the Cailleach Beara
1)Bell ringing Druid rings the bell 3 times.
All(chanting in a round):
Enter in, enter in;
Here begin, here begin;
Go within, go within.
Enter in, enter in;
Here begin, here begin;
Go within, go within.
Enter in, enter in;
Here begin, here begin;
Go within, go within.
2) KSS: Ritual Opening:
As our ancestors once did, so do we do today, and so will our children do in the future.
Come in good faith and with open and merry hearts for the Ritual of the Longest Day!
This is the time of Greatest Light, let it shine into our lives! This is the triumph of the Oak
King, Warrior for the powerless, Protector of the oppressed. This is the time of the
blooming of Mother Nature, bringing sweetness and flowers into our lives.
Let their light shine into our lives today and always!
Bíodh sé amhlaidh!
All: Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (“Bee-shay ow-way”)
3)The Outdwellers Druid tempts away the Others:
You who do not wish us well,
With these gifts we bid farewell.
(throws pennies)
A gift for a truce, here in the glade.
Between us a treaty peace is made.
(Two Powers Attunement, if enacted)
4)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”)
5)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”)
6)KSS welcomes the Spirits and offerings are made:
Thou Shining ones, who know no fear,
Linger close to bring us cheer.
9)Shining Ones Druid offers to the Shining Ones with hazel nuts:
You whose brightness fills our days,
Come if you will to our Grove-Side
We offer you our heartfelt praise
Your light becomes our clearest guide.
KSS:A gift offered, a gift blessed by you.
The peace between us is renewed.
Wild Beings, you are welcome here,
We offer and you all appear.
7)Nature Spirits Druid offers to Nature with wild food:
This is the time of nest and den,
Welcome to every generation!
We offer up as to a friend,
To join in Nature’s veneration.
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.
8)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.
KSS:A gift offered, a gift blessed by you.
The peace between us is renewed.
10)Second Prayer:
KSS- Without the Gods; we fail and wither;
With thanks and praise we ask them hither.
The Gods enter:
OK: King of Summer, I am Oak,
I revel in the Longest Day!
Strong, I help the weaker folk,
Bright, I shine to point the way.
YK:All the blaze is gone to smoke,
The peak of Summer fades to grey.
Dark will shroud you like a cloak,
All that comes will go away.
MN: I am Nature, strong and sweet,
Mother Goddess, Earth my Throne.
Even cold in Winter’s deep,
My children, you are not alone.
CB:Nature’s bounty will not keep,
Youth and Beauty will be Crone.
You will come to Death and Sleep,
When I am not turned to stone.
OK & MN together:
But this is our time, green and warm,
To safely grow, you tender things.
Our kindly tasks we will perform,
No matter what the Winter brings.
11)The Summer Gods are offered to by the KSS with ale and cakes
12) Personal Offerings
13) Divination
14) Sharing
15)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.
16)The Gods are thanked by the KSS:
All that comes will surely pass,
Thank You for coming here today.
We, to you, are blades of grass,
We will go and You will stay.
17)The Ancestors are thanked
Ancient Beings, stay or depart,
You live forever in our hearts.
18)Nature is thanked
Wild People, be at peace,
May your families all increase!
19)The Shining Ones are thanked
Shining Ones, now stay or go,
Your love remains, a warming glow.
20)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.
(Regrounding, if used)
21)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!
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