As I enter into this second-to-last week of journaling, I wanted to post another core order ritual that I’ve used recently. It’s much more formal than the one I’d posted about earlier this year, and I don’t think I like it as well. It’s one that I wrote with the help of several others, and has influences that a lot of old-school ADFers will recognize.
I’ll put it behind a read-more tag at the end of the post.
My daily practice has resumed without much fuss, post Harvey. Next week I will be on vacation, but I am officially done with my four months of journaling on Monday of next week, so I intend to finish this course and turn it in to be reviewed while I am off celebrating.
My practice over these last few months has not changed dramatically, but it has… congealed a bit, I guess? I feel more stable and grounded with it – I know I started from nothing, and parts of me still feel like what I’m doing “isn’t enough”, but I know that this work has to come from the practice that I do and the life that I have, and so much of my life DOES revolve around my spirituality right now that I can hardly say I’m not paying enough attention. I’ve found this practice to be helpful and useful, and I think I’ve learned something for having to have written about it every week. It’s been a very fast-paced four months, and I am constantly surprised by how much I already knew, and yet also by how much I have learned.
I can only hope my reviewers will get the same impression from the words I’ve written here.
This week’s rune draw was as follows:
- Lagu – the sea – unsteadiness, unpredictable outcomes, things which are intimidating and beyond understanding
- Eolh – the yew – reliability, something overlooked, “all that is gold does not glitter”
- Ur – the aurochs – strength, stubbornness, a hard fought victory
Though things are unexpected and sometimes unpredictable, you have the reliable resources around you (though they can be easily overlooked). Your battle will not be easy, but you have the strength to fight it.
Weekend Ritual
Opening Statement (initiating the rite):
I am here to Honor the Holy Ones. Be with me, Mighty Kindred, in my working; forgive any errors, and grant me, I pray, your blessing.
Purification of the Folk (aspurge and cense the ritual area and the participants):
Repeat: By the might of the waters, and the light of the fire, this grove is made whole and holy.
Grounding and Centering (Two Powers meditation)
Honoring the Earth Mother:
Eorþan Modor, Mother Earth, Who generates all things
From you all beings find their life and purpose,
And when the soul departs, to you we return.
You are duly called the Great Mother of the Gods;
Eorþan Modor, I give thanks to you, with due faith.
Earth Mother, accept this offering!
Honoring the Sky Father:
Tiw, God of Justice, Sky Father, Who governs the constellations
And holds each star in its place in the firmament,
Ruler of battles and fair order, protector of warriors and mariners;
You give guidance to those who would accept it, and illuminate the path.
Tiw, I give thanks to you, with due faith.
Sky Father, accept this offering!
Statement of Purpose:
I have come to do as the wise ancients did, to make offering to the powers and to follow the Druid’s ways.
Offerings to the Well, the Light and the Tree:
(offer silver into the waters)
In the deeps flow the waters of wisdom. Sacred well, flow within me.
(offer incense)
I kindle the sacred fire in wisdom, love, and power. Sacred fire, burn within me.
(cense and aspurge the Eormensyl)
From the depths to the heights spans the world tree. Sacred tree, grow within me.
The Fire, the Well, the Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!
In Land, Sea, and Sky, below and on high! Thus is the Sacred Grove claimed and hallowed. So be it!
Calling the Gatekeepers:
Eostre is the first of all to wake;
She tramples over transitory night
the mighty Goddess, bringer of the light,
beholding every thing from Heaven’s height,
the ever youthful, all reviving Dawn,
to every invocation She comes first.
Blessed Goddess of the Dawn, who guards the gate between Night and Day, be with me here; lend your magic with mine and aid me in opening the gates to the other worlds.
Let the well open as a gate.
Let the fire open as a gate.
Let the tree hold fast the ways between.
By the Keepers of Gates, and by my Will and Word, Let the gates be opened!
Honoring the Elves:
I give this offering to the spirits who dwell in this place.
To elf and dwarf,
Woodwose and wight,
Moss-wife and púca and hob;
Good neighbors, I honor you!
Honoring the Ancestors:
I give this offering to the ancestors who have brought me to this place.
Across the ages I call to you!
Ancestors of blood, who’ve given us worldly form;
Ancestors of spirit, whose inspiration illuminates the path before me;
Ancestors, I honor you!
Honoring the Gods:
I give this offering to the Mighty Ones who have blessed this place.
You who dwell in the celestial heavens,
You who dance upon the waves,
You who are found in the depths of the earth, and in the wild places;
Mighty Ones, I honor you!
(Seasonal Observance)
I call out now to the Earth Mother, Hertha:
You hold me firmly to your bosom.
Upon you are the stones raised,
Upon you are the fires kindled.
Hear my voice, and accept my offering!
I call out now to the Gatekeeper, Eostre:
You hold the ways open for me.
You teach the way of sacrifice,
And bring the Kindreds to my shrine.
Hear my voice, and accept my offering!
(make final offering)
Let my voice arise on the flame
Let my voice resound in the well
Oh honored ones,
Earth Mother and Gatekeeper:
Hear me now as I offer up this sacrifice.
Accept my worship and reverence.
Grant me your knowledge and give me your blessing!
Omen for the Blessings
Wisdom rising from Well’s deep roots
Like sap flowing through the World Tree
Burning with the light of runic lore
O spirits, let the true sight be in me, let the true voice be mine;
What blessing do you offer me, in return for these gifts?
Have my offerings been accepted?
What blessings do the ancestors have for me today?
What blessings do the elves have for me today?
What blessings do the gods have for me today?
(Take the omen, interpret it, and record it)
Waters of Life
You among the Mighty Dead, ancestors to us all,
Offerings I have made, offerings you have received.
I ask that you bless these waters so I may share in the serenity of your great wisdom!
The gifts of the Ancestors for the people of the Ancestors! Ancestors, give me the waters!
You Spirits of land, sea, and sky; both mortal and spirit alike,
Offerings I have made, offerings you have received.
I ask that you bless these waters so I may share in the comfort of your great kinship!
The gifts of the Nature Spirits for the kin of the Nature Spirits! Nature spirits, give me the waters!
You among the divine, shining gods and goddesses,
Offerings I have made, offerings you have received.
I ask that you bless these waters so I may share in the warmth of your great light!
The gifts of the Gods for the children of the Gods! Shining ones, give me the waters!
Their gifts are in this drink—Behold, the Waters of Life!
(Drink)
The worlds are in me, and I am in the worlds
The spirit in me is the spirit in the worlds
By Fire, Well and Tree; By all the Kindred Three;
The blessing flows and shines in me!
Thanking the Beings of the Occasion:
Bountiful Earth Mother, Powerful Gatekeeper, may there ever be peace among us. I thank you for your many blessings.
Thanking the Gods:
Mighty Ones, may there ever be peace among us. I thank you for your many blessings.
Thanking the Ancestors:
Ancestors, may there ever be peace among us. I thank you for your guidance and inspiration.
Thanking the Elves:
Good neighbors, may there ever be peace among us. I thank you for your help and wisdom.
Farewell to the Gatekeepers:
Now to end what we began.
Watcher of the ways between the worlds, Eostre, guardian of these gates, thank you for being with me and for helping me open the way. May I always be your welcome guest, and may there ever be peace among us.
Now, before we part, lend us your strength once more. Work with me to close the gates.
Let the flame be but a fire. Let the well be but water. Let the tree be but a tree. Let all be as it was before, save for the magic I have made. Let the gates be now closed.
Thanking the Earth Mother and the Sky Father
Mother Hertha, Mighty Tiw, thank you for being with me. May I continue to enjoy your support and guidance, and may there ever be peace among us!
Final Offering (pour remaining mead as a libation):
This mead of inspiration I now give to all wights and powers that have been with me this day.
From the gods, to the earth, to us.
From us, to the earth, to the gods.
A gift for a gift.
Final Benediction:
The fire, the well and the sacred tree, Flow and flame and grow in me! Peace and blessings to all beings, The rite is ended!
Little Druid on the Prairie 
Leave a Reply