Pre-Ritual Activities

(A)          Pre-Ritual Briefing                                                                                                              _____________

(B)          Individual Meditations and Prayers                                                                           Congregation

(C)          Lighting the Sacred Fire(s)                                                                                               _____________

(D)         Pouring the Sacred Waters                                                                                             _____________

 

1st Phase: Starting the Rite and Establishing the Group mind

 

Clear-cut Beginning: Consecration of Time

 (2)         Opening Prayer                                                                                                                      _____________

 

Consecration of Space & of Participants

                (3)          The Processional/Sigil Marking                                “We Approach the Sacred Grove” - All

 

We approach the Sacred Grove, with hearts and minds and flesh and bone.

Join us now in ways of old, we have come home.

 

(4)          Purification of Participants/Space                                                                             _____________

(6)          Honoring the Earth-Mother                                                                                                         Chris

 

Centering, Grounding & Merging

                (7)           Grove Meditation                                                                                                                         Barbara

(9)          Specification of Ritual Purpose & Historical Precedent                                     _____________

(10)        Naming Deity of the Occasion & Reasons for Choice                                            _____________

 

2nd Phase: Recreating the Cosmos & Preliminaries

 

Creating the Vertical Axis

                (11)          Planting the Cosmic Tree                                                                                                 _____________

 

By Fire and by Water, between the Earth and Sky,
            We stand like the World-Tree rooted deep, crowned high.

 

(12)         Evoking the GateKeeper                                        “Siúil Linn A Mhannannan” - _____________

 

Shu-lin o wananan, Walk with us Mannannan.

 



Gaining Assistance & Preventing Interference

                (14)         Invoking the Bardic Deity(ies)/Influences                                                                                     Bill

(15)         Acknowledgment of the Outsiders                                                                                 ____________

 

Filling Out the Cosmic Picture by Invoking...

                (16a)      Nature Spirits, Ancestors, Deities                                                                                                          

 

O Nature Spirits,                                                                                              _____________

You who dwell in wooded glens and shining lakes,

windswept deserts and majestic oceans,

Join us in this feast of Brighit,

Bring us your passion, your joy of life and your love.

 

O Ancestors,                                                                                                    _____________

Progenitors of our Clan and our thoughts,

Joins us in this feast of Brighit,

Bring us your experience, your wisdom and your love.

 

O Mighty Ones,                                                                                                _____________

Gods and Goddesses of many names and faces,

Joins us in this feast of Brighit,

Bring us your power, your awesome aspect and your love.

 

 



3rd Phase: Major Sending to Deity/ies of the Occasion

 

(18)         Descriptive Invocation of Brighit                                                                                                     Bill

 

Primary Power Raising

                (19)         Praise Offerings, Dance, Libations, etc.                                                                    Congregation

(20)       The Sacrifice                                                                                                                           _____________

(21)         Seeking the Omen of Return                                                                                                    Barbara

 

4th Phase: Receiving and Using the Returned Blessings

 

Preparation for the Return

                (24)        Consecration Agreement                                                                                                  _____________

 

Reception of Power from Deity of the Occasion

                (25)        Consecration and Sharing                                                                                                 _____________

(26)        Acceptance of Individual Blessings                                                                              Congregation

 

5th Phase: Unwinding and Ending the Ceremony

 

(28)        Magickal Work                                                                                                                                              

(29)        Thanking of Entities Invited, in Reverse Order                                                              Deity: Bill

                                                                                                  Nature Spirits/Ancestors/Mighty Ones: _____________

                                                                                                                                                                                          Bardic: Bill

(30)       Thanking the GateKeeper & Closing the Gates                                                                       Anne

(31)         Affirmation of Past/Future Continuity and Success                                                          Chris

(32)        Unmerging, Regrouping & Recentering - Meditation                                                       Barbara

 

Clear-cut Ending: Deconsecration of Time & Space

                (34)        Final Benediction                                                                                                                                  Chris

(35)        Announcement of End                                                                                                         _____________

(37)        Musical Signal                                                                                       “Walk with Wisdom” - Chris

 

Walk with Wisdom, from this hallowed place.

Walk not with Sorrow, our roots shall ’ere embrace.

May Strength be your brother, and Honor be your friend,

And Luck be your lover, until we meet again.

 


 

The Descent of Brighit

 

Brigid of the mantles, Brigid of the hearth fire,

Brigid of the twining hair, Brigid of the auguries

Brigid of the fair face, Brigid of the calmness

Brigid of the strong hands, Brigid of the kine

 

Brigid, friend of women, Brigid fire of magic,

Brigid the foster mother, Brigid woman of wisdom.

Brigid the daughter of Danu, Brigid the triple flame.

Each day and each night I call the descent of Brigid.

 

That the power of healing be within us,

That the power of poetry be within us,

That the power of shaping be within us,

In earth, sea and sky and among all kindreds.

 

Kindle your flame in our heads, hearts and loins,

Make us your cup, your harp, your forge,

That we may heal, inspire and transform,

All in your honor, Brigid font of blessing.

 

Brigid above us, Brigid below us, Brigid at every airt about us.

Brigid in our truest heart.