Below is the ritual I use for each high holy day and the new moon’s. It is based around the ADF structure for an Anglo-Saxon hearth culture, with some influence from the British Druid Order rituals. Most of it is not my own work, but bits and pieces I have taken from others rituals and combined to make my own. I hope it will be useful….
Core Order of Ritual
- Initiating the Rite (Opening Prayers) –
(Offerings needed – silver coin for well & oil for fire, mead for Kindred)
(Ensure offerings are ready, water in well, incense stick in, mead in horn, 3 candles on altar, hammer and anvil)
(Shower)
(Shoes off, head covered)
(Process to altar in walking meditation)
(Strike Thunor’s hammer on anvil nine times)
I begin this rite by calling for frith,
that in frith the voice of spirit may be heard.
As I come to honour the gods,
may there be frith in my heart and mind;
and throughout all the worlds,
in land, sky and sea.
So may it be.
(Stand firm, breathe deeply 9 times, release tensions in body)
Deep within the still centre of my being,
May I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the grove,
May I cultivate peace.
Gently within the greater circle of all life,
May I radiate peace.
So may it be.
Woden, Allfather,
you who hung on the tree
for nine days for prophecy.
You who gave an eye to the well for wisdom.
You who drank of the mead for Inspiration.
Lend me your powers this night,
that I may speak well and true.
(Light the candle)
As the ancients lit the hearth fire in their homes,
so I kindle this sacred flame now,
a symbol of the eternal and uncreated energy,
of which all things are.
(Stand for a few moments focused on the candle flame in silent reverence)
- Purification
(Walk around circle of grove 3x with candle.)
Fire I bear around the frithyard,
And bid all men make peace.
Flame I bear to encircle this place,
And ask ill wights to fare away.
Thunor weoh, Thunor weoh,
Thunor weoh this holy place.
(Hold hammer over altar)
Thunor weoh these offerings and this weofod”
(Asperge self with holy water from well)
As this water touches me, may it wash away all earthly cares.
(Anoint forehead)
May all that hinders me be released,
May all that binds me be released,
May the out-dwellers of my heart be released,
That I may be made pure.
I acknowledge in myself,
Weakness and perversity,
Hatred and spite,
Cowardice and ignorance,
I contemplate these ills and enemies,
And for this sacred time,
I set them aside!
(Purify self and altar with sandalwood incense)
- Honouring the Earth Mother & Sky Father
(Kneel and touch the earth)
Earth, Divine Goddess, Mother Nature,
who generates all things and brings forth anew,
the Sun which you have given to the nations;
guardian of sky and sea and of all gods and powers;
through your power all Nature falls silent and then sinks in sleep.
And again you bring back the light and chase away night,
and you cover us yet most securely with your shades.
You contain chaos infinite, yeah and wind and showers and storms.
You send them out when you will and cause the sea to roar;
You chase away the Sun and arouse the storm.
Again, when you will, you send forth the joyous day
and give the nourishment of Life with your eternal surety.
And when the soul departs, to you we return.
You are duly called the Great Mother of the Gods;
You conquer by your divine name.
You are the source of the strength of nations and of gods,
without you nothing can be brought to perfection or be born;
You are great, Queen of the Gods.
Goddess! I adore you as divine;
I call upon your name; be pleased to grant that which I ask you,
So shall I give thanks to you, Goddess, with due faith.
(Stand up and raise hands to sky)
Sky Father, Tiw, Ancient Mystery of the Sky
Boldest and most courageous of the Ese,
You who makes fertile the earth with your seed,
Bright Father of Midgard
As a child of the Earth and Sky,
May I show courage in my battles,
May I seek to do right by my kith and kin,
May I learn the meaning of true sacrifice through your guidance.
Tiw, I call upon the illuminating power of the Sky.
Great Earth Mother and Sky Father,
Through your sacred union springs forth all life!
Mother and Father of all that was, of all that is and all that will be,
I come before you now in love and respect
and ask that you uphold and bless this holy rite!
Earth Mother and Sky Father, accept this offering!
(Pour mead into offering bowl)
(Two Powers Meditation – Stand in tree position. Breathe deep. Feel feet firmly planted on ground)
Planting myself into the earth, I push my roots down.
Reaching the soil, dark, rich, and nourishing,
they search for sustaining water.
I dive down deeply, touching the cool waters below,
the primordial seas of matter and chaos.
I draw this energy up, through my roots,
into my body.
It fills me,
my body, my mind, my spirit,
until I am overflowing.
(Pause to imagine)
Reaching outward, into the sky,
my branches grow long and strong.
My leaves bud and open
to the light of the sun, moon, and stars.
From the great star of the North shines
the light of creation upon me.
I draw this energy down,
through my leaves and branches,
into my body.
It fills me,
my body, my mind, my spirit,
until I am overflowing.
(Pause to imagine)
These two powers within me mingle and meld.
Becoming mine,
combining with my own energy,
I am filled with the creative and destructive forces of nature.
May these energies
and that of the spirit in all things
serve me well this day
and in those days to come.
(Pause to imagine).
- Statement of Purpose
As I stand here on this celebration of …………………..,
The sacred wheel of the year continues to turn.
As my ancestors did in times before
And my descendants may do in times to come,
I honour the old ways.
……………………………………………………………………………
This ritual recognised the great and noble gods ………………………….
- Re-Creating the Cosmos
The waters support and surround me.
The land extends about me.
The sky stretches above me.
And at my centre burns a living flame.
Let me pray with a good fire.
May all the Kindred bless me.
May my worship be true.
May my actions be just.
May my love be pure.
Blessings and honour and worship to the holy ones.
Here at the centre of all things,
Before the Fire, Well, & Sacred Tree,
I create the hallows.
Sacred Fire, holy woods
Warm light to fill the hall
Nine realms are known
With my words this night
Let all realms hear the call
Light fires within, warmth to the True
Fire’s flame burns to form the garth
Woods kindle well, with the fire of the hearth.
As I call the Kindred forth.
Sacred fire, burn within me.
(Put offering of oil into fire)
Holy Well, waters deep
Three streams strong gathers the flow
One of Wyrd, shining ones know
Another yet, icy, serpent-safe
Last of wisdom, many eyes to see
What is, what was, what will be
Watching sisters of örlog, three
Many eyes look on, watching well.
As I call the Kindred forth.
Sacred waters, flow within me.
(Put offering of silver into well)
Mighty Tree, middle of all
Nine realms full its branches make
Much knows Har, High One hung;
Ygg’s steed hight, ever green stays.
Serpent below, eagle above
Squirrel between, Nith-hewer gnaws
Ash-wood tall, wet with white dews
Strong-standing true, I seek shelter
From the depths to the heights spans the world tree.
As I call the Kindred forth,
Sacred tree, grow within me.
(Rub well water on tree)
- Opening the Gate(s)
Lord of Osyeard, Woden,
Rider of Yggdrasil,
You who walks between worlds,
You who watches them all.
Guide for the dead,
Mighty Magician,
Great Wanderer, I beseech you.
Join your power with mine this night,
And open the gates between realms,
That I might commune with the old Ones.
Allfather, accept this offering!
(Pour mead into offering bowl)
Take this candle, and transform it.
Let it become the Sacred Hearth Fire,
gateway to the heavens;
gateway for the Shining Ones.
Woden, make this fire a gate!
Take this water, and transform it.
Let it become the Well of Wyrd,
gateway to the underworld;
gateway for the Ancestors.
Woden, make this water a gate!
Take this wood, and transform it.
Let it become the World Tree Yggdrasil,
connecting heavens and underworld,
standing as a gateway in Middengeard;
a gateway for the Spirits of Land and Home.
Woden, make this wood a gate!
Now I bid Bïfrost, be here with me
Descend from dwelling of Gods, bright Osyeard
A rainbow of light, from all ways flowing
Carry my calling, to all the Ese
By Nine Flames shining, By Waters flowing
By Woden’s magic, let the gates be opened!
(Spin around sunwise saying “Let the gates be opened!” Increase in speed and volume and the last one forcefully. Visualise it.)
Mighty Kindred, come close,
that you might hear my praise and receive my sacrifice.
(Do three prostration bows in reverence)
(Light 3 kindred candles)
- Inviting the Three Kindreds
(Pick up mead horn and turn your attention to each of the Hallows)
I stand before the Sacred Fire,
At the centre of all things,
And lift up my voice to the shining ones.
Gods and goddesses, wisest and mightiest,
Elders who sustain the worlds.
Draw near to my hearth I pray.
I give you thanks for the
blessings and magic you give to me.
Wes Hal Ese and Wana, I raise this toast to you.
(Raise up horn to sky, then lower and drink some mead)
Shining Ones, I make you this offering
with my love, honour and devotion.
Shining Ones, accept my sacrifice!
(Pour mead in offering bowl)
I stand before the Sacred Well,
At the centre of all things,
And lift up my voice to the mighty ones.
Ancestors of blood, heart & spirit,
You whom I have loved and lost,
Draw near to my hearth I pray.
I give you thanks for blessing
my life with your great wisdom.
Wes Hal Ancestors, I raise this toast to you.
(Raise up horn to sky, then lower and drink some mead)
Mighty ones, I make you this offering
with my love, honour and devotion.
Mighty ones, accept my sacrifice!
(Pour mead in offering bowl)
I stand before the Sacred Tree,
At the centre of all things,
And lift up my voice to the noble ones.
Creatures of earth, sea and sky,
Spirits of motion, place and mound.
Draw near to my hearth I pray.
I give you thanks for watching
over this land and home.
Wes Hal Nature Spirits, I raise this toast to you.
(Raise up horn to sky, then lower and drink some mead)
Noble ones, I make you this offering,
With my love, honour and devotion.
Noble ones, accept my sacrifice!
(Pour mead in offering bowl)
- Key Offerings
Wes Hal ………………………………….
Wes Hal ……………., accept my sacrifice!
(Pour mead in offering bowl)
- Prayer of Sacrifice
(Raise hands to air and focus words and worship towards Kindreds. Visualise them)
O Noble, Ancient and Shining Ones!
You have heard my praise,
And seen the evidence of my devotion.
Accept these offerings as
I lift up my heart, my being,
In a sign of my commitment to you.
I give you now a final sacrifice –
(Forcefully) Holy Ones, accept my offerings!
(Pour mead in offering bowl)
(Take a moment to stand in respect in presence of the kindred.)
- Omen
(Take up divination bag and shake thoroughly)
Wisdom rising from Well’s deep roots,
Runes of might, roar in my mind,
Up from the bairn-stocks eldest roots
Woden, please give answer, reveal the God’s wills.
Were my offerings accepted?
What blessings do the Kindreds offer me in return?
What wisdom do the Kindreds offer for the coming season?
(Pull out three runes)
- Calling (asking) for the Blessings
(Hold up mead horn)
Wyrd’s well waters, I waited to reveal,
Three women weaving, Scores cut and laws laid,
Women writing örlog for the sons of men.
Well have I witness to the glory of gods,
Giving gift for gift, great ones all.
The waters received, wetness of galdr.
Words were spoken and runes were read,
Wyrd was revealed And weal I await.
With these waters let the blessings flow.
(Put horn down)
- Hallowing & Receiving the Blessing
(Dip runes in and hold hammer over it)
(Hold up horn to sky)
Oh Holy Powers,
Gods and Dead and Spirits,
Hallow these waters!
Let this vessel receive your power,
Spilled like the Mead of Inspiration,
Into this horn and into my spirit, soul and flesh.
As a gift calls for a gift,
I open my heart to the flow of your blessing
And I receive the gifts you offer.
May your generosity fill me.
Behold the waters of life!
(Visualise the blessings entering the horn)
- Affirmation of the Blessing
(Drink deep)
(Spend time meditating on the meaning of the blessing for your life. And feel it diffuse throughout your body.)
(Raise your arms to the divine in communion after drinking.)
The blessings are received,
Into my body and spirit.
Thank you mighty Kindred.
- Workings (if any)
Rites of passage, initiation, oath, healing, weather working, spell casting e.t..c.
- Thanking the Beings
……. and ……,
I thank you for the blessings
you have given me this night.
May you continue to protect,
guide and bless me as I walk this path.
May there be frith between us
until we meet once again by the hearth’s fire.
…….. and ………, I thank you.
Noble Ones, Spirits of Land and Home,
I thank you for the blessings
you have given me this night.
May you continue to protect,
guide and bless me as I walk this path.
May there be frith between us
until we meet once again by the hearth’s fire.
Noble Ones, I thank you.
Mighty Ones, Ancestors of Blood and Spirit,
I thank you for the blessings
you have given me this night.
May you continue to protect,
guide and bless me as I walk this path.
May there be frith between us
until we meet once again by the hearth’s fire.
Mighty Ones, I thank you.
Shining Ones, Gods and Goddesses,
I thank you for the blessings
you have given me this night.
May you continue to protect,
guide and bless me as I walk this path.
May there be frith between us
until we meet once again by the hearth’s fire.
Shining Ones, I thank you.
(Do three prostration bows in reverence)
(Blow out three kindred candles)
- Closing the Gate(s)
Great Woden, I give thanks to you for aiding me in this rite.
I ask now that you undo what you have done.
Make this Sacred Tree but wood once again.
Make this Sacred Well but water once again.
Make this Sacred Fire but flame once again.
Through your power and magic great Woden,
Let the gates be closed!
(Spin around anticlockwise repeating “let the gates be closed”, last one forcefully, visualise it.)
- Thanking the Earth Mother and Sky Father
Mighty Tiw, Ancient Mystery of the Sky,
May you continue to show me the way to courage and right.
Bright Father of the Ese,
I thank you for your sacrifice.
May there be Frith between us
until we meet once again by the hearth’s fire.
Tiw, I thank you!
Eorthan Modor, Primal Mother of Earth,
may you continue to grant me peace and plenty.
Ancient Mother, I thank you for all life.
May there be frith between us
until we meet once again by the hearth’s fire.
Eorthan Modor, I thank you!
I now return all that has gone unused
to the Earth and the Sky,
may they continue to support, surround and sustain me.
To you I return this portion of your bounty,
O Mother, even as I must return unto you.
(Put all remaining offerings/ blessings into bowl).
(Two Powers Meditation Ending)
Now into the sky from me flows the powers of creation.
Into the earth flows the powers of chaos.
Into normal time and space I return,
into the realm of man and earth,
but within me remains the blessings of the Kindreds!
(Pause to imagine)
- Closing the Rite
This rite ends in frith as in frith it began.
May the spirit of this place, the light of sun and moon,
The blessings of my ancestors and the power of the old gods go with me,
To nourish, strengthen and sustain me as I depart this place.
May I pray with a good fire
and share the blessings I have received throughout the world.
Frith without and Frith within, until we meet again.
So may it be!
(Strike Thunor’s hammer on anvil nine times and breathe deeply)
Nature is Sacred 