Parts:
- The Four Corners:
- Connachta - The Druid
- Ulster - The Warrior
- Leinster - The Creator
- Munster - The Outsiders
- Gatekeeper
- Diviner
- Grove Meditation Person
Props:
- Well
- Flame
- Chocolate as Offering to Outsiders
- Coins to offer to the well
- Orange Oil to offer to the flame.
- Chalice and pear cider for blessing.
- Grains to offer to nature spirits
- Apples to offer ancestors
- Ginger Oil to offer Gods
- Fresh local produce for Modron
- Whiskey for the Mabon
- Ogham for divination.
The Actual Rite:
Procession
And we chant. Chants are cool.Opening Prayers:
Earth Mother
Leinster: Modron, mother of the Harvest, Lady of the Apples, we call and name you first and before all others, and ask you to uphold this rite.
Awen
Connachta: Sacred voice, from the well of inspiration, enter our hearts. From the fire of wisdom, burn in our hearts. Guide us in truth, lead us in wisdom, place the clear heart in all of us. May the power of inspiration live in this holy place, at this holy time. I have spoken.
Purpose and Precedent
Connachta: It's hard for some of us, living in the city, eating food
trucked in from Southern California, to understand what the shift in the
seasons means. To us, it means nasty weather on the way to work. It means
storms. It means snow days. And we forget that by about this time of
year, food stops growing here. For our ancestors, this was a very real
state - what they had was saved was what would let them survive another
winter. For them, this was a time when protection and divine favour was
essential - at whatever cost.
But even in our urban technological state, our past still shines
through. Because we do bunker down for the winter. We stay inside.
We go out less. We almost hibernate. And - even when starvation isn't
the danger - we need protection and divine favour to strengthen us through
the winter. At this time, we call upon the Mabon, the Protector, and his
mother Modron, to watch this land of ours through the winter, and to watch
and strengthen us as well.
Grove Attunement
Attunement goes here. Depends on who does it what it is and how it works. If it's Ian, it will be a standard ADF two powers attunement.Fire and Well
Ulster: Spirits of the flame, we offer oil to you. Let our praise rise with you, and bridge between the worlds! Eternal flame, stand at the center of our circle, and stand at the center of our world! Let the boundaries be so.
Ulster puts oil/incense in fire
Munster: Spirits of Water, we offer coin to you. Let our praise sink down into your fathomless depths, and bridge to all there who might hear it. Wild waters, surround our circle, as you surround our world! Let the boundaries be so.
Munster puts coins in water.
Opening the Gates
Gatekeeper: And from the waters, Manawydan, Lord of Gates, open the ways for us. We walk the Sacred Road, we walk the mists. Share your magic with us. Manawydan ap Llyr, accept our sacrifice.
Gatekeeper puts more coins in the water
Gatekeeper: Lord of hidden ways, join your magic with mine, let the fire open as a gate, let the well open as a gate. Open a road for our voices and spirits. Let the gates be open!
Kindred Offerings and Outdweller Recognition
Connachta: I speak from the west, from the land of Connacht, of the Druids, of the teachers, and I speak first and foremost to all the Gods, whose names are known or not known. If you come in peace, if you come to aid, if you come in respect, than we honour you in all your forms. I have spoken. make offering to well
Ulster: I speak from the north, from bloody Ulster, where the clash of arms and strife still continues to this day. We warriors mark the boundaries, and we know well the final boundary. It is to those who have crossed that boundary that we call. Ancestors, spirits of the Dead, if your intentions are pure, than we honour you and invite you here this day. I have spoken. make offering to fire
Leinster: I speak from the east, from fertile Leinster, home of artisans, of grain, of mead. We honour this day our allies, those of the fields, those of the rivers, who cause our land to grow. To the growing trees, we honour you. To the spirits of the animals, we honour you. Nurture us and guide us. I have spoken. make offering to well
Munster: And finally, I speak from the south, from hidden Munster. In the old tales, Munster has always been where newcomers have entered into the Land, for good or for ill. Today, we are prepared. Those who come for good, we welcome you with hospitality. Those who might think to trouble us, we offer a gift, and request that you accept it, and honourably leave us alone. throw grain outside of circle
Key Offerings
Ulster:Mabon! Lord of Liberation!
You who was stolen as a child,
You who was found, and returned,
You, the Divine Youth!
Come to us as the Dancer of Light
Come to us as the Peace after the Storm
Come to us as the Liberated One
Mighty Mabon, We Offer to You.
Leinster:
Modron! Mother of the Harvest!
You who tends the wheel of the year,
You who gives birth in abundance,
You, Lady of the Apples!
Come to us as the Mother of All
Come to us as the Lady of Avalon
Come to us as the Bearer of the Harvest
Mother Modron, We Offer to You.
the folk present their offerings.
Sacrifice, Offerings, and Blessings
Connachta: We have made offerings to the Gods and powers, asking them to watch as we enter into the season of darkness. Let our voices rise through the fire, sink through the well, and let our words pass the boundary to the otherworlds. We send them also our strength and power, that we share as a group, that they may return it when we most need it.all quietly try to send energy to the powers, meditating silently
Connachta: Having prayed and offered, let us open to them, asking blessings in return.
diviner takes omens, and interprets. puck.
Ulster: Ancient Spirits, Gods of Old, we have honoured you. We pray you honour us in turn, as a gift calls for a gift. Hear us, your chidren.
All: Shining Ones, Give us the waters.
Connachta: We thirst for waters of wisdom, of bounty, of rebirth. Hear us, your children.
All: Shining Ones, give us the waters.
Ulster: We open our hearts and await blessing. We stand in pride, honour, and friendship with all the powers of the worlds. Hear us, your children.
All: Shining Ones, give us the waters.
leinster pours ale into horn, rises it
Leinster: We draw blessing from the cauldron. We pour the ale of inspiration, the holy cup of magic, the blessing from the mighty ones. We share this draught, and drink in the wisdom, love, strength and power of the old ones, to serve their will.
horn is passed. maybe chant here.
Closing
Connachta: We have been blessed by the Old Powers. As we walk away from this place, let us carry that strength into our lives and work, nurturing it every day. As we offer to the powers, they become stronger, and more aware of needs. As we go, let us give thanks to those who have aided us.
Leinster: Mother Modron, we thank you!
All: We thank you.
Leinster: Sacred Mabon, we thank you!
All: We thank you.
Connachta: All Gods of Old, we thank you!
All: We thank you.
Ulster: Ancestors and Kindred Gone, we thank you!
All: We thank you.
Leinster: Spirits of the Land, we thank you!
All: We thank you.
Connachta: To all spirits, named and unnamed, who have been here this day and have aided us, we thank you!
All: We thank you.
Gatekeeper: Manawydan, we thank you for easing our way on the hidden paths, for lending your strength to our journey. We thank you.
All: We thank you.
Gatekeeper: Now, by your strength and our magic we end what we began. Let the fire be flame, let the well be water, let all be as it was before. Let the gates be closed!
All: Let the gates be closed.
Demeditatytunything
Commission
Connachta: Go now, children of the Earth. This rite is ended.
chant. probably walk with wisdom.
Submitted by Ian Clysdale on Sun, 21/09/2003 - 7:51pm.