Dramatis Personae:
Ancestral druid;
Bellringing druid;
Divining druid;
Epona’s druid;
Lugh’s druid;
Gatekeeping druid;
High Ones’ druid;
Meditative druid;
Natural druid;
Outdwellers dispelling druid.

Dramatis Res:
Bell;
Divinatory tools (runes);
Offerings for:
Ancestors, High Ones, Nature Spirits, Epona, Lugh, 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. Bell ringing 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 to 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.
For the longest night we now appear.

(Lugh’s druid)

Waning day, a forever night?
We ask our deities to return the light.

6. Ancestral druid:

To you travelers 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. Lugh’s druid:
Oh great Lugh, protector of our grove
‘O Shining, Radiant, Lovely One,
In awe and reverence.
We make offering to you of gold,
The shining tear of the sun.
So your flame may grow in strength and brilliance.

11. Epona’s druid:

Oh blessed Epona, protector of our grove,
We behold your great mystery this day,
In awe and reverence.
We make offering to you of Apples,
The fruit of the tree of the Blessed Isle of Death and Rebirth.

12. Communal Sharing. Here is passed around our communal drink.

13. Divination:

Divining druid does that runic thing.

14. 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.

15. Lugh’s druid:

O great Lugh, champion strong!
Defending our tribe sure and long,
We’re grateful you were here today
As pleases you, go now or stay.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Ancestral druid:

O You travelers up ahead,
You who lived once and now are dead,
Thank you for joining us today,
As pleases you, now go or stay.

19. 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.

20. 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 Imbolc.

21. Procession away from the Tree Ring, nice if
accompanied by a nifty chant.

22. Bell ringing druid rings bell thrice.

23. Lugh’s druid:
The ritual is ended.