Brigantia Rite

Grounding, Centering, and Merging. ___________ say:

"The world is made of three parts:
The Waters Below
The Fires Above
And the tree which grows strong and tall connecting the worlds of fire and water.

Let us now connect with the Well, the Fire and the Tree. I ask you now to close your eyes and stand with your feet shoulder width apart, and take several deep breaths with me. In and out. In and out. And once more, in and out. With our eyes closed, imagine our roots extending from our feet and stretching down through the floor, into the Earth beneath us and extending down, down, through the rich soil, through the rock, deeper and deeper until your roots reach the cool, dark waters below. Feel your roots descend into the magnetic waters and become filled with the power of creation. Draw the water up through your roots and into your body, the trunk of your tree – feeling the water fill you with creative essence. You are brimming with potential and possibility. Notice that your roots have intertwined, interconnected with those around you.

We now remember the Fires above. The blazing, illuminating celestial Fires. That animating spark of creation. Lift your arms to the ceiling and imagine your arms to be branches – bursting through the ceiling and continuing to stretch upward – further and further until your branches become bathed in the heat and light of the Fires above. Allow this heat to penetrate your branches and feel its warmth move downward through your branches into the trunk of your tree. See the light shimmer and reflect in the waters below, charging them with the power of the celestial fire. You are filled with the primal power of will and manifestation. Notice our branches, much the same as our roots, have become intertwined and connected.

Sacred tree, like you, we now stand at the center of the world, filled with the powers of the waters below and the fires above.

___________ ring bell three times.

Say together:

“We are one, in our grove,
upon the earth, within the sea, beneath the sky.
We are joined, to send our call,
to the honored dead, to the spirit folk, to the blessed gods.
We praise thee, in one voice, in our sacred grove.
We are one.”

_____________ honor the Mother by saying:

“Ancient One of ever changing beauty
Primal Mother of Gods and Men
And Great Goddess of Sovereignty
We are renewed in your waters
Cradled within your mantel of green
And sustained by your abundance
Earth Mother, accept our offering!”

Pour the barley into the offering dish.

Everyone say:

“Mother of All, accept our offering!”

_____________ invoke Inspiration for us all by saying:

“Power of Inspiration that attends us,
Voice of the fire of wisdom
Voice of the well of inspiration
Come into our hearts’ shrine
Guide our rite in the way of truth
I call you to place the clear heart in us
Power of Inspiration be in this holy place!
Power of Inspiration be at this holy time!
So mote it be!”

_____________ light the northern most candle and say:

“Outriders, ancient dark ones,
We make this offering of fire to you.
You who dwell in the out darkness
Take this offering of light and heat
And trouble not our working.

Likewise, we acknowledge within ourselves
Weakness and perversity,
Hatred and spite,
Cowardice and ignorance.
We contemplate these ills and enemies
And for this sacred time
We set them aside.”

_____________ sprinkle water from the well around the ritual area for purification.

Each person dips their fingers into the well and uses the water to anoint themselves
for purification.

______________ say:

“We are here to pay homage to Brighid, Lady of fire. Now is the time of stirring when the earth begins to soften and the waters begin to flow again. The first spring croci poke through the white of winter and add splashes of color. While the frost still bites and the snow still threatens, the light is growing stronger and life begins to wake. This is the feast of Brighid, the Goddess of fire and water; patroness to healers, smiths, poets, new beginnings, and sacred wells. Through fire and water our ancestors worked magic to call in the spring. Let us join together as one folk to turn the wheel and make our offering in joy and reverence.”

_____________ drop three dimes into the well and say:

“Sacred Waters that swirl and flow beneath all,
Accept our offering of silver!
Let us know the elder depths within ourselves
A connection with the source of all,
The Well of Elder Wisdom.
Sacred Well, flow within us!”

Everyone repeat:

“Sacred Well, flow within us!”

____________ light incense:

“Sacred fire that consumes and transforms
True and holy light of the Shining Ones
Accept our offering!
O sacrificed and sacrificer,
Let the holy flame warm our spirits and our lives.
Sacred Fire, burn within us!”

Everyone repeat:

“Sacred Fire, burn within us!”

____________ cense the Bile with the incense, sprinkle it with well water then say:

“Sacred Tree, boundary of all worlds,
Stand at the center of the sky,
Stand at the center of the sea,
Stand at the center of the land on which we dwell.
Let us be grounded in your roots
Raised in your branches
Strengthened in your strength
From the depths to the heights spans the world tree.
Sacred Tree, grow within us.”

Everyone repeat:

“Sacred Tree, grow within us.”

Say together:

“The fire, the well, the sacred tree,
Flame and flow and grow in me!
In land, sea, and sky
Below and on high,
Thus is the sacred grove claimed and hallowed!
By the cleansing of water and fire
Let all ill turn away from me and mine!
So mote it be!”

____________ make an offering of whiskey to the Gatekeeper, then say:

“We stand at the borders
And watch the mists close in
Waves, rolling, rolling
Where shore meets the ocean,
Where land meets the sky
We call to you, Manannan,
We welcome you.
We ask you to open the Gates for us.
Share your magic with us,
Watch and ward us as we work the Old Ways.
Let the Fire open as a gate,
Let the Well open as a gate,
Let the Tree be the crossroads of all Worlds
Open as a road to our voices and to the spirits
Manannan, let the Gates be open!”

Everyone repeat:

“Let the Gates be open!”

_______________ light the western candle and say:

“The children of earth call out to the Mighty Dead,
Hear us, ancestors and kin!
To our kindred: beloved dead, blood-kin and heart-kin,
To all those whose bones lie in this land,
Whose hearts are tied to it,
Whose memories hold it,
Wise men and women of ancient days,
Come to our fire; meet us at the boundary,
Join in our magic,
Guide and ward us while we walk the elder ways,
Ancestors, accept our sacrifice!”
(pour an offering of whiskey into the libation dish)

______________ light the southern candle and say:

“The children of earth call out to the Shining Ones,
Hear us, ancient eldest and brightest!
To all the shining ones: first children of the Mother,
Gods and Goddesses of this place,
Known and unknown,
Ancient and powerful,
Come to our fire; meet us at the boundary,
Join in our magic,
Guide and ward us while we walk the elder ways,
Shining Ones, accept our sacrifice!”
(pour an offering of whiskey into the libation dish)

______________ light the eastern candle and say:

“The children of earth call out to the Noble Ones
Hear us, teachers and companions!
To all our allies: Spirits, Devas, Sidhe,
Kindreds of stone and stream,
Kindreds of the growing green,
Kindreds of fur, feather, and scale,
Come to our fire; meet us at the boundary,
Join in our magic,
Guide and ward us while we walk the elder ways,
Noble Ones, accept our sacrifice!”
(pour an offering of whiskey into the libation dish)

_____________ pour whiskey into the dish and invoke Brighid with:

“Behold the lightener of the stars,
Brighid of the mantles,
She comes on the crest of waves,
With the harpers of the sidhe praising her
Arising in splendor
Brighid of the auguries
Song and the voices of the Bards for her
Brighid of the waters
Brighid of the kindling
Brighid, thou source of joy and life
Healers and artisans honor your spirit
Brighid, midwife of sweet wisdom
Of bright beauty shining like stars
Joy to those who behold you
O Brighid, the skillful
O Brighid of the triple spirit
O Brighid who comes in light and shadow
Thrice blessed be your flaming path
Lady of Fire and Water
Goddess of poets, healers, and smiths
We give you the gift of welcome
Come into our Grove and bless our rite
Brighid, accept our sacrifice!”

______________ say:

“Brighid of the sunrise
Rising in the morning
Rising with the Springtime
Greening all the land

See you in the soft cloud
See you in the raindrop
See you in the winds of change
Blowing through the land

You the red eared white cow
Nourishing the people
Nourish now the hunger
Souls longing in our land.”

. __

_____________ say:

“Brighid, you are a special patroness to all those who are to be wed. We ask for your blessing tonight as we celebrate our anniversary on this night of your festival. Eleven years ago on Imbolc we gave our sacred vows before our families, confirming and sanctifying the love that we felt, and still feel, for one another.”

Join hands, then _____________ say:

“In the years of our marriage, we have come to know each other better. We have discovered new joys, weathered storms, and comforted each other through the good times and the bad. We have delighted in loving each other and felt our love deepen, strengthen and grow. As the years pass, let us continue to explore our feelings, our passions, and the sacredness of our union as husband and wife.”

______________ say:

“Mighty Kindred, grant us a long life together. Bless us with your love that we might delight in your many gifts. May we revel in the pleasures and passions of youth, grant that we may never forget how to laugh and play. May our love continue to guide us through the years and may we continue to realize the blessings that we have found in each other."

Kiss to seal the blessing. Yay!

_____________ say:

“Hail Brighid, Goddess of Initiation
You who guide the soul to the light of awakening,
It is your breath which gives new life
Your fires inspire us to adventure across uncharted seas
It is your love we feel when we give birth to our dreams
Brighid, Goddess of Initiation, walk with us.”

Eidolon Moon say:

“Tonight on Imbolc, sacred to initiation and new beginnings I come to give my First Oath as an Ár nDraíocht Féin dedicant.

I, Eidolon Moon daughter of Halemi, have come here tonight to swear an oath before the gathered Kindred. Be with me as I take this step onto the Druidic path, as I swear my commitment to the pagan ways. I do not undertake this lightly and on my oath, I declare myself a seeker of the ancient wisdoms, I want to learn about the Old Ways and breathe new life into them for modern times. I will do this through study, so that I may separate fact from fiction and keep my faith grounded in truth; I will freely share what I learn and know so it may benefit others. I will do this through piety, by worshiping the Kindred in rites of celebration and joy, and also through creating and maintaining my home shrine. I will also do this with virtue; by doing what I think is right and supporting my family, friends, and community and allowing them to support me. To help me keep to my path, I will do my best to attune to the Earth; to learn the ebb and flow of her seasons and do what I can to support and sustain her. All of these things I do swear, to my patrons, the gathered Kindred and all those here as witnesses. So mote it be.”

____________ pour some barley water into the offering dish then add a cake, then
say:

“Now, when we are on the cusp between seasons; between the cold darkness and growing light we have gathered. Tonight the ancient crone Cailleach sips water from the sacred Well of Youth and is transformed into the maiden Brighid. On this night Winter begins to turn to Spring, the year is made new, and creative fire is kindled in all hearts. Let our voices rise on the fire, let our voices sound in the well, let our words pass the boundary to the otherworlds, we give to you our love, devotion, and respect. Brighid, accept our sacrifice!”

Everyone pause for a moment to send their energy through the Gates to the powers. Meditate on the Deities and the Kindred.

_____________ say:

“Having prayed and made sacrifice,
We open ourselves to our Gods,
To those ancient and wise ones,
And ask what blessings they offer in return.”

Shuffle the tarot deck and pull three cards, say:

“This card represents our past.
This card represents our present.
This card represents our future.”

Interpret the cards, everyone can discuss the Omen and then decide if the outcome is favorable or not. If no, then redo sacrifice and the pulling of the Omen.

_____________ hold up the chalice and say:

“Children of the earth, we are offered a boon in this time of returning light, hold a prayer in your heart and mind as we share this holy cup of magic. Let none drink of this vessel who hold ill will in their hearts, let this be the cup of peace, health, and fellowship. Behold this cauldron of blessing; we share the mead of inspiration and when we drink from the chalice of the gods we drink in wisdom, love and strength to do as we will in the worlds, in service to the Shining Ones. Hear us, Lord and Lady, hallow these waters! We, your children, rejoice in your gift. Bless our spirits and our lives with love, magic, and bounty as we drink these sacred waters. Behold the waters of life!”

Everyone repeat:

“Behold the waters of life!”

Pour a small amount into the offering dish, then pass the chalice around so everyone can drink from it.

______________ hold up the cakes and say:

“Behold the gift of the God!
Behold the gift of the Goddess!
Eat and drink;
and in the silent mirror of your souls
behold that thou art divine!
May we never hunger!
May we never thirst!”

_______________ say after everyone has eaten and drank from the chalice:

“Now the blessing of this High Day fills us
We carry it with us into our lives.
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 Gods, Dead and Sidhe;
The blessing flows and shines in me!”

______________ say:

“The gods have blessed us. With joy in our hearts, let us return to the realm of mortals to do both their will and ours. Every time we invoke them, they become stronger and more alert to the needs of the folk. Now comes the time when we must prepare to depart. So let us give thanks to those whom we have invited here.”

____________ snuff the eastern candle and say:

“The children of earth thank the Noble Ones,
Spirits of the land,
Kindred who walk, fly, swim, or crawl,
Thank you for guiding and warding us
While we walked the elder ways.
Go if you must, stay if you will
Hail and farewell.”

_____________ snuff the southern candle and say:

“The children of earth thank the Shining Ones,
Gods and Goddesses of old,
Powers known and unknown,
Thank you for guiding and warding us
While we walked the elder ways.
Go if you must, stay if you will
Hail and farewell.”

____________ snuff the western candle and say:

“The children of earth thank the Beloved Dead,
Grandmothers and Grandfathers,
Ancient tribes of our blood,
Thank you for guiding and warding us
While we walked the elder ways.
Go if you must, stay if you will
Hail and farewell.”

______________ snuff the northern candle and say:

“Outriders, dwellers in the outer dark,
We offer thanks that you chose
Not to disrupt our works and leaving us in peace.
We understand that we must accept
The darkness that lives within ourselves,
As well as that which dwells without.”

____________ say:

“Manannan,
Warder of the Ways,
For your presence and power,
For guiding and guarding,
We say thank you.
With your aid, Manannan, Keeper of the Gates,
Join with our magic
We now 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 repeat:

“Let the Gates be closed!”

____________ say:

“Raise your hands. Our branches that were connected now begin to withdraw, the fire and water that mixed within us begins to separate. The fire flows from our branches and returns to the Fires Above. As it leaves, slowly lower your arms.

The waters slowly drain back into the earth through your roots. As the creative, magnetic waters return to their source, your roots begin to shrink back into you. Enough fire and water remain to keep you grounded and centered. Sink down and touch the floor and allow any excess energy to drain away. We are no longer connected; we are separate and unique entities. The Fires are above, the Water is below. We are our own person.”

____________ say:

“As is has been done in the past, as we have done now, as will be done in the future; we have again forged a link in the chain of tradition and the Gods have answered. Let us go out into the world secure with the knowledge that our ritual has pleased the gods and we go forth with Their blessings.”

___________ say:

“Children of the earth,
May the sacred presence remain within you always,
Go now in blessings and peace
Our rite has ended.

____________ ring the bell three times.

Take the offering dish outside and leave the contents near a tree. Say:

“Mother of All, to you we return all we leave unused.
Uphold us now in the world as you have in our rite.”

Eidolon Moon's Notes:

If I remember correctly, the Grounding, Centering, and Merging at the beginning is from Sassafras Grove. I might be assigning credit to the wrong group, so if I am just shoot me a line and I'll correct that.

This was the first ADF ritual where I really began to play with placement and adapting bits more to my style. There was a lot in this ritual that was very personal for me (the dedication and celebrating our anniversary) and I really wanted to make sure that there was enough in there to connect 'me' to it. I think I was fairly successful, even though I skipped honoring my patrons because they weren't 'acceptable' in the ADF Indo-European rite. I kind of regret not including them now, but I had wanted this to count towards my Dedicant work and if I used non-IE gods it wouldn't be acceptable.

It was a very moving ritual for me and even though I'll never turn it in, I am still working on the dedicant packet for ADF. Part of the reason is because I made a vow during this ritual that I would try to get through it. Still, I know myself pretty well and tried to make sure that the wording of my First Oath was more pagan-centric than Druidic. As it turned out, that was a pretty good bet!