Autumnal Equinox Ritual 2015

This is the first ritual I will be performing at my new home in "full swing", having blessed our hearth earlier at Lughnasadh. The ritual will be performed for my close ones in the evening, but throughout the day relatives, friends and neighbours are invited to join us as we bring Autumn's gifts of apples, wild rose fruit, elderberries and celebrate this year's harvest in the old, pre-war burgher house we moved into. We are also looking forward to having a local community of young adults with intellectual disabilities help us prepare the catering for a follow-up get-together later on in October. The people here are kind and friendly, the children have made new friends, and things seem to be finally falling into their places...

I am so grateful.

Autumnal Equinox ritual to be performed in the garden outside the house, evening hours.

Preface [a Polish farmers' tradition; a round of festive bread is made the night before to represent the abundance of the harvest; the person conducting the ritual stands in front of the people and holds the bread for everyone to witness]

I stand before you at the end of Harvest

And hold forth a loaf of sweet bread

Can you see my face behind this bread?

If you cannot see me, may the Gods be thanked for the Harvest has been good

And if you do see me, may next year's bread be even greater

And my face is lost in its abundance

Consecration of Time

3 x the sound of cracking leaves under the touch of a hand

This is the Time of the Turning!

Day and Night, Moon and Sun

Summer's end, autumn has begun

Show me your harvest and break bread with us

The more we can share, the stronger we trust

Calling of the Quarters

Let there be peace in the East, where the Sun is born

Let there be peace in the South, where the Fire sleeps

Let there be peace in the West, where the Kindred calls

Let there be peace in the North, where the Shadow rises

Wardens of Space and Time, grant peace to my Grove.

Casting the Circle

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Air [walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with fumes of burning resin]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Fire [light a candle, walk around the circle and purify it with the flickering flame]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Water [sprinkle collected rainwater and walk the circle clockwise]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Earth [take handful of grain and cast it around the circle clockwise]

Here we are, my Tribe, welcomed by a new Land - the abundant plains of Polonia Maior and a fine, old city with more stories to tell than we had expected. We shall now be entering the Dark Half of the Year - for which we must make preparations. Let us make friends with the local spirits by sharing the fruit of our Harvest this year.  

Invocation

Hear me! Oh, White Mare!

Hear me! Oh, Tribe in the West!

Hear me! Oh, Waking Spirits!

[face West, where autumn's wind and rain comes from]

Beautiful Goddess, Queen and White Mare! Rhiannon, the sharp-worded and cunning Lady of Dyfed, who rewards those who are generous and smart in their deeds. Mother of the Foal, bring us wisdom, multiply our wealth and be proud of us as we share it with those who need our help and are worthy of your grace. Teach us how to stand tall and never be afraid to champion those who were wronged. And you, Pryderi, Skillful and Excellent, guide us to friendship with kind and honest people, as you once guided your widowed Mother to join Manawydan.

[Turn towards center of the circle to kindle the Harvest Fire]

With this, we honour you, Wise Queen of Abundance and Cunning [recite story of Rhiannon and Pryderi]

This, we offer - to Rhiannon and Pryderi, the Mare and the Foal [offer whisky and bread into the fire]

This, we offer - to our Ancestors, for guiding us wisely to this Equinox [offer whisky and bread into the fire]

This, we offer - to the Land that has welcomed us, and the kind spirits that shall hhopefully watch over our home in the years to come [offer whisky and bread to be left at the back of the garden]

[meditation and accepting the blessings, using the power - this time in the form of a feast with traditional Slavic Easter season food, in the woods]. Partake from the offerings in the feast. Thanks to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits]

Deconsecration of Time and Space [put out fire]

Final benediction: Awen.

End. 

Lughnasadh Ritual 2015

The Harvest begins, truly. After years of challenge, waiting, turning tides and re-composing the world around us, I and my family have finally made our common dream come true - we have a home of our own. Having successfully relocated, it is now time to enter this new space and start shaping it into a hearth that will be tended by our family for years to come.

What could be more fitting than a rite of passage at Lughnasadh to honour our work, the guidance of our ancestors and the benevolence of the Land - and be happy and humbled to take on the responsibility that comes with becoming a harvester of happiness.

Lughnasadh ritual to be performed at home, amongst our closest ones.

Altar set in its new place, decorated with young apples, berries, summer flowers and ribbons.

Consecration of Time

3 x bells

This is the Time of the Turning!

At Summer's End, we begin the Harvest

Long and fierce was the year's path

And yet here we are, so much nobler and braver

Ready to cut the first grain, at last!

Calling of the Quarters

Let there be peace in the East, where the Sun is born

Let there be peace in the South, where the Fire bursts

Let there be peace in the West, where the Kindred rejoices

Let there be peace in the North, where the Stars dance

Wardens of Space and Time, grant peace to my Grove.

Casting the Circle

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Air [walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with wormwood smoke]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Fire [light candle, walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the altar's candle]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Water [sprinkle fresh water walking around the circle clockwise]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Earth [take handful of salt and cast it around the circle clockwise]

Let us all be welcome to the sacred Festival of the First Harvest in honour of Tailtiu in thanks for her generosity and sacrifice, as declared by Lugh to be held at Lughnasadh. Behold, here we are, at home at last, and there is much to be done. Let us enter this sacred space and swear to each other to build the hearth that we need, before Summer is over.

Invocation

Hear me! Oh, Wise Gods of Sacrifice and Generosity!

Hear me! Oh, Benevolent Ancestors!

Hear me! Oh, Spirits of this Land!

[face South, where the Sun is at its strongest]

It is here and now that we must be thankful for the symbolical crops we have been tending to as the Land has been generous. It is here and now that we must have courage and accept the hard work that lies before us - in our hands lies our own fate, and we are to make sure that nothing goes to waste. 

[Turn towards the altar]

Guide us, Ancestors and Gods of Plenty, at this Beginning of Harvest, towards a path of wisdom, courage and steadfastness. May these grains, offered tonight under the Summer's Blue Moon to rest on our home altar, inspire us in our daily work and challenges, and be a promise of plenty when the Harvest ends.

Great and Skillful Lugh, in whose name we gather, bless this house and its dwellers with your numerous gifts, of which every one is needed to build a long-lasting and healthy hearth.

This, we offer to you [offer mead into cup, flowers and grain on altar]

Great and Generous Tailtiu, in whose honour we gather, bless this house and its dwellers with the fruit of your sacrifice, of which every part is needed to build a long-lasting and healthy hearth, This, we offer to you [offer mead, fruit and grain on altar] 

This, we offer - to all the spirits of this Land, those who already dwell in this house and those who would accept our invitation; join us peacefully and in friendship [leave grain in the corners of the flat]

[meditation and accepting the blessings, using the power - this time in the form of a long and spontaneous dance with my daughter - she leads as she feels is best]. Partake from the offerings in the feast. Thanks to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits]

Deconsecration of Time and Space [put out fire]

Final benediction: Awen.

End. 

Summer Solstice 2015 Ritual

Summer Solstice ritual to be performed at the seashore, among your tribe and anyone who is welcome.

Preface

All invited guests participate in the preparations: prepare offerings, collect herbs, clear the space; focus on the love and anticipation of the coming event. As is tradition in Poland, girls and women collect wormwood, while boys and men collect wood for the great bonfire.

Consecration of Time

3 x sound of horn

This is the Time of the Turning!

Come, Tribe, for the time has come

Bring birch and oak, water and fire

The Night is belittled by the almighty Sun

And the waters are blessed with young hearts' desire

Calling of the Quarters

Let there be peace in the East, where the Sun is born

Let there be peace in the South, where the Fire burst

Let there be peace in the West, where the Kindred rejoices

Let there be peace in the North, where the Stars dance

Wardens of Space and Time, grant peace to our Grove.

Casting the Circle

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Air [walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the scent and fumes of burning wormwood]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Fire [light torches around the circle, clockwise]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Water [sprinkle sea water using oak and birch leaves]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Earth [take handful of salt and sprinkle it around the circle, clockwise]

Let us join hands, and hearts, and stand tall, and smile

Behold, the shortest of Nights bears witness to the glory of the Sun!

Invocation

Hear me! Oh, glorious Sun, giver of all life!

Hear me! Oh, Tribe of the Summer Lands!

Hear me! Oh, Spirits of Waters, Land and Air!

[face South, where the heart of summer has its seat]

I summon the ever burning fires of the South, to cleanse and bless all water,

I summon the Tribe of the Summer Lands, to join us in our happiest hour, rejoice and join in dance,

I summon the life-giving and victorious lights of the Sun, to bring love and hope ino the heart of each one of us, to inspire a lust for things good, pure and true.

Glorious Sun, as you scare away the shades of the Night, only allowing them to stay for as long as we wish and celebrate your life-giving powers, we rejoice and set all our passion free. The world is filled with the laughter of children, the deep breath of young lovers and made stronger with bonds of friendship and alliance, renewed on this night, as your holy fires banish all the demons out of the waters. Tonight, we shall swim safely in the seas and rivers, and sprinkle blessed water in our homes. Together, our wounds are now healed, and we are in the prime of the year, the time of our lives. All things fall in place, and skill, courage and loyalty are now rewarded, under the green leaves of the steadfast Oak.

[Turn towards center of the circle to light the holy Kupala Fires - a representation of the Sun on the shortest of nights; the bonfire is magnificent and awe-inspiring]

With this, we praise the Great Sun in its strongest hour! Behold!

This, we offer - to the Gods [offer the festive bread into the fire] - most of all to be honoured at Summer Solstice is the Sun who Rules All, and the shining god Lugh, whose skills and talents reflect the perfection of  sunlight - grant us, oh Life-Giver, and Master of All Trades, the perfection, strength and ability we need to flourish and protect our tribe throughout the year. And most of all to be worshipped at Summer Solstice, is the Great White Mare - grant us, oh Mother of Plenty, your strength, passion and love so that we find a companion to celebrate life on this shortest of nights.

This, we offer - to the Tribe [pour mead into the fire] - to honour all of our Ancestors, throughout mankind, who honoured the Sun on the night of its glory, and by celebrating love and loyalty on the shortest of nights, teach us about the power of community.

This, we offer - to the Spirits of Summer [place bowl with nuts and buckwheat near the fire, to be scattered for the sea-shore creatures during the feast] - grant us, Sidhe, your kind companionship and protection, let us feast tonight as kin, in honour of our beloved Sun.

[after offerings have been made, anyone who wishes may take his or her chances at jumping over the sacred Fires of Kupala, for blessings and as a symbol of freedom]

Behold, the Sun has blessed the Waters! Bless, oh Divine Voyager, these birch and oak leaves, that grow on the Tree of Life. May your rays shine in the wreaths made tonight from these leaves, as lovers join and the tribe rejoices.

[meditation, accepting the blessings, using the power; thanks to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits]

Deconsecration of Time and Space [feast begins]

Final benediction: Awen.

End.

Beltaine Ritual 2015

It has been six months since I embarked on the journey of my Dedicant Course at Nemeton Rising. If there is anything I can say at this stage, it's that I believe I am beginning to see the first gentle shifts in my perception and even in my day-to-day state of mind thanks to the Moon meditations. In a viscious, challenging year as the one I am going through, the meditations offered by Emma Restall-Orr come as a refuge, allowing me to slowly rebuild the inner sanctuary I had, unintentionally, lost.

The Wheel of the Year keeps turning, and now, having reached its mid-way, I believe it is a good moment to start acting - using the resources and treasures I have been collecting throughout the cold part of the year.

Beltaine ritual to be performed outdoors, a mid-forest meadow, among the tribe.

As a way to raise the spirits and community-building, the altar will be prepared together with all participants; the younger ones collecting flowers and herbs, the older ones arranging the bonfire. A tree of choice shall be chosen to represent the May Pole and be decorated with colourful bands of cloth (to be taken off after the ritual, of course). The circle is built with the Tree as participant, invited with all its spirits and the Sidhe to join the ritual.

Preface

Singing "Summer is a cumin in" as well as traditional May season songs known to the Polish participants.

Consecration of Time

3 x loud, long and deep drum beats

This is the Time of the Turning!

The Tree of Life is in bloom again

And now it is time for winter to end

And now it is time for summer to take hold

Beltaine is upon us, burn the fires, behold!

Calling of the Quarters

Let there be peace in the East, where the Sun is born

Let there be peace in the South, where the Fire awakes

Let there be peace in the West, where the Kindred awaits

Let there be peace in the North, where the Shadow sleeps

Wardens of Space and Time, grant peace to my Grove.

Casting the Circle

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Air [walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the fumes of burning wormwood]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Fire [light fire torch, walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with the flame]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Water [sprinkle spring water walking around the circle clockwise]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Earth [take handful of salt and cast it around the circle clockwise]

And here I stand, between Sea and Land

And Air, as the Boundaries break open.

Invocation

Hear me! Oh, Mighty Ones!

Hear me! Oh, Dwellers of the Summerlands!

Hear me! Oh, Spirits of the Wilderness!

[face West, where the Otherworld lies]

I summon the Light of the East, to take hold of the world once more.

I summon the Fires of Bile, to burn in the hearts of the Tribe!

I summon the Love in our Souls, to fill us with passion and reveal our desires.

Oh, Great Gatekeeper of the Realms, Manannan, wise Trickster and most strange of Teachers

I call upon you to thrust the gates open and herald the sacred gathering of Man and Sidhe

For here we are, Children of Summer and Lovers of Fire, to honour the ancient treaty:

As the Bright Half of the Year emerges, the Land once more shall be ruled by our People.

As a sign of peace and to honour this most sacred of vows, I invite the Tuatha de Danann to partake in tonight's feast of passion and love, before they leave these lands as our People claim them for the summer [raise the horn with whisky; song.]

And when winter is near at Samhain once more, I shall call upon the Sidhe to return underground and give way to my people who walk in the Sun.

[Turn towards center of the circle to kindle the Beltaine fires - two bonfires in the middle of the circle]

With this, I accept the treaty and herald winter's end! Beltaine begins!

This, I offer - to the Gods [offer bread, rosemary and whisky into the fire]; most of all to be honoured at Beltaine is Bile, the Fire Dancer and the High King; grant us, splendid patron of our gathering, the happiness and joy of young love. And most of all to be honoured at Beltaine is the May Queen, whom we see in the fierce and beautiful Maeve; grant us, mighty Queen of the Land, fertile hearts to let our dreams and desires burst into life [offer bread, whisky and rosemary].

Bile the Fiery One and Meave the May Queen, the ones in whose name we gather at Beltaine, exchange these offerings for your blessings to the people of this land; your guidance to mariners and soldiers, abundance to fishermen and farmers, fortitude to all people of the land and sea. [offer whisky]

Behold! The happy feast of Beltaine welcomes Sidhe and Men, to join in the dance. Come, Tribe, and pass between the sacred Fires of Bile, guided by the fertile May Queen; may the Fires bless us to be healed and whole again; bless the land and the forests, make them safe and welcome to play and laughter, and may nothing but love reign in our hearts this night and throughout the Summer [offer poppy seeds and whisky into the fire].

And this I offer to the Spirits, as a token of my gratitude for allowing me to be a part of this Land [offer herbs and whisky into the fire]

[meditation, accepting the blessings, using the power; thanks to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits]

Deconsecration of Time and Space [put out fire]

Final benediction: Awen.

End.

Vernal Equinox Ritual 2015

The Vernal Equinox of the Eclipse.

What an amazing way to enter the brighter half of the year. A step from Winter into Spring, holding your breath as you hear the heartbeat of Nature, and enter the Shade.

How sad to think that for many of those who came out that day to witness this vernal eclipse will perhaps never again meet with the Earth, Sun and Moon. At least not in this lifetime. But for now, on the day of Ostara, they all noticed. For a short while, they remembered. And may the Sun, just as it was finally unveiled by the Moon, bring light into their hearts.

Vernal Equinox ritual to be performed outdoors, in the woods by the sea shore, early morning hours.

Preface [poem chosen by my daughter]

March comes at night

When the flowers still sleep

Snowdrops and saffron will have to wake

In the cold March will sing them a song

And then in silence watch the stars fall

As night gently moves to give rise to the Sun

Consecration of Time

3 x gentle bells

This is the Time of the Turning!

Night and Day, Moon and Sun

Winter end, spring has begun

Let go of your sorrows and join us this day

With light in your voice draw Winter away

Calling of the Quarters

Let there be peace in the East, where the Sun is born

Let there be peace in the South, where the Fire wakes

Let there be peace in the West, where the Kindred waits

Let there be peace in the North, where the Shadow reigns

Wardens of Space and Time, grant peace to my Grove.

Casting the Circle

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Air [walk around the circle clockwise and purify it with fumes of burning resin]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Fire [light fire torch, walk around the circle and purify it with the flickering flame]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Water [sprinkle spring water and walk the circle clockwise]

I cleanse this Grove and all that it holds with Earth [take handful of grain and cast it around the circle clockwise]

Let us all be welcome to the sacred Festival of the Vernal Sun and Moon. As spring comes to life, winter still holds. But today it must give way. Behold, the Sun eclipsed by the Moon casts a long and terrifying shadow. But rejoice, my tribe, it is in this shadow that the waters of the world will start to boil.

Invocation

Hear me! Oh, Crone and Queen!

Hear me! Oh, Tribe in the West!

Hear me! Oh, Waking Spirits!

[face East, where the vernal Sun rises]

Oh, Great Mistress of Life and Death, Keeper of the Cauldron and Bringer of Knowledge! Mother Cerridwen, patron of those who never fail at their work, you teach us of the changing patterns of Nature. Bring us knowledge, vigor and persistence in everything we do, and if there is still ice in the hearts of some of us today, let them partake of the Waters of Life that boil in your Cauldron.

[Turn towards center of the circle to kindle the Vernal Fire]

With this, we honour you, Wise Cerridwen [recite the myth of Taliesin and Cerridwen]

This, we offer - to Cerridwen and Taliesin, the Transformer and the Transformed [offer whisky and eggs to the fire]

This, we offer - to all the Young Ones in our Tribe, the Newborns and Children who left us too soon [offer milk and cakes into the fire]

This, we offer - to the Land that awakens, let us aid the flowers and trees and animals in their long journey back towards life after the long and harsh winter. [offer seeds and vegetables to be left in the woods]

[meditation and accepting the blessings, using the power - this time in the form of a feast with traditional Slavic Easter season food, in the woods]. Partake from the offerings in the feast. Thanks to the Gods, Ancestors and Spirits]

Deconsecration of Time and Space [put out fire]

Final benediction: Awen.

End.