Wanted to get this out BEFORE the festival date this time.
CLICK!
Lá Lúnasa
Preparation
The
participants gather the following offerings
participants gather the following offerings
|
Local
River Goddesses |
Corn
meal |
|
Manannan
Mac Lir |
Alcohol
|
|
Mighty
Dead |
Food/bread
|
|
Spirits
of Place |
honey/sage
smoke |
|
Tuatha
de Danaan |
Alcohol
|
|
Lugh
|
Harvest
Foods |
|
The
folk |
Apples
|
Prior
to the ritual the participants should light the flame, fill the well with fresh
water, and place whatever tools are needed on the altar.
Gathering
A bell
is tolled three times calling the folk to the nemed.
is tolled three times calling the folk to the nemed.
Opening
Prayer
Prayer
May the rains sweep gentle across the fields,
May the sun warm the land,
May every good seed planted bear fruit,
And late summer find us among fields of plenty.
Centering
Meditation
Meditation
D1: Close your eyes clear your
mind and focus on your breathing. Breathe in and out slowly visualizing the
spiral of the cosmos around you.
mind and focus on your breathing. Breathe in and out slowly visualizing the
spiral of the cosmos around you.
D1: We are at the center of An
Thríbhís Mhór.
ah-heeveesh-vohr
Thríbhís Mhór.
ah-heeveesh-vohr
D1: Inhale and
as you exhale visualize your feet firmly planted on the earth.
as you exhale visualize your feet firmly planted on the earth.
D1: We stand firmly upon the
Sacred Land.
Sacred Land.
D1: Inhale
again and as you exhale imagine you are surrounded by the great calm ocean.
again and as you exhale imagine you are surrounded by the great calm ocean.
D1: The Eternal Sea always
surrounds us.
surrounds us.
D1: Inhale and
exhale seeing the great blue expanse above you.
exhale seeing the great blue expanse above you.
D1: The Endless Sky spreads
itself above us.
itself above us.
D1: Inhale
while visualizing the great spiral around you, with you at its center.
while visualizing the great spiral around you, with you at its center.
D1: We are at the center of An
Thríbhís Mhór.
Thríbhís Mhór.
D1: And
breath, open your eyes when ready.
breath, open your eyes when ready.
Honoring
the Local Land Goddesses
the Local Land Goddesses
D2: We honor the Five Rivers, the goddesses of the land;
Potomac, Patapsco, Susquehanna, Gunpowder, and Patuxent. Givers of life
that flow from the mountains and form estuaries of the Chesapeake
Potomac, Patapsco, Susquehanna, Gunpowder, and Patuxent. Givers of life
that flow from the mountains and form estuaries of the Chesapeake
We
honor you and make this offering to you in gratitude for your waters that
nourish this land.
honor you and make this offering to you in gratitude for your waters that
nourish this land.
D2: makes an offering and says: Mighty
goddesses of the land accept this offering.
goddesses of the land accept this offering.
Statement
of Purpose
of Purpose
Imagine if you will it is The
Second Battle of Moytura, Lugh has slain his grandfather Balor of the Baleful
Eye and now he and his men have found the vile King Bres who wished to
negotiate being spared.
Second Battle of Moytura, Lugh has slain his grandfather Balor of the Baleful
Eye and now he and his men have found the vile King Bres who wished to
negotiate being spared.
Bres said: ‘It is better to give
me quarter than to slay me’.
me quarter than to slay me’.
‘What then will follow from
that?’ says Lugh.
that?’ says Lugh.
‘If I am spared the cattle of
Erin will always be in milk’.
Erin will always be in milk’.
‘I will ask our wise men of this”
, says Lugh.
, says Lugh.
Hence Lugh went to the brehon,
and said to him: ‘Shall Bres have quarter for giving constant milk to the cattle
of Erin?’
and said to him: ‘Shall Bres have quarter for giving constant milk to the cattle
of Erin?’
‘He shall not have quarter’,
saith Maeltne; ‘he has no power over their age or their (offspring) though he
can milk them so long as they are alive’.
saith Maeltne; ‘he has no power over their age or their (offspring) though he
can milk them so long as they are alive’.
Lugh returns to Bres saying:
‘That does not save you, for you have no power over their age and their
(offspring) though you can milk them’.
‘That does not save you, for you have no power over their age and their
(offspring) though you can milk them’.
‘Is there aught else that will
save you Bres?’ asked Lugh.
save you Bres?’ asked Lugh.
‘There is in truth. Tell your brehon that for
sparing me the men of Ireland shall reap a harvest in every quarter of the
year’.
sparing me the men of Ireland shall reap a harvest in every quarter of the
year’.
Said Lugh to the brehon: ‘Shall
Bres be spared for giving the men of Ireland a harvest of corn every quarter?’
Bres be spared for giving the men of Ireland a harvest of corn every quarter?’
‘No, this will suit us, the
spring for ploughing and sowing, the beginning of summer for the strengthening of
corn, and the beginning of autumn for reaping of it. Winter for consuming it.’
spring for ploughing and sowing, the beginning of summer for the strengthening of
corn, and the beginning of autumn for reaping of it. Winter for consuming it.’
Returning to Bres, Lugh says: ‘That
offer does not rescue you, but less than that may,
offer does not rescue you, but less than that may,
‘What?’ says Bres.
‘How shall the men of Ireland
plough? How shall they sow? How shall they reap? After making known these three
things thou wilt be spared’.
plough? How shall they sow? How shall they reap? After making known these three
things thou wilt be spared’.
‘Tell them’ says Bres ‘that their
ploughing be on a Tuesday, their casting seed into the field be on a Tuesday,
their reaping on a Tuesday.’
ploughing be on a Tuesday, their casting seed into the field be on a Tuesday,
their reaping on a Tuesday.’
With that, the men of Erin learned
agriculture.
agriculture.
So now comes the harvest and we
tell this story as a reminder of the magic that is the cultivation of food and
how man had to learn to harness the power of the land and the sun. We give thanks to the gods for the guidance
in making the harvests possible.
tell this story as a reminder of the magic that is the cultivation of food and
how man had to learn to harness the power of the land and the sun. We give thanks to the gods for the guidance
in making the harvests possible.
Establishing
the Sacred Grove
the Sacred Grove
Sacred
Hearth Fire
Hearth Fire
Druid
1:
I make
sacred the fire,
The first fire born of lightning
from which all fires are lit.
The hearth fire which warms our homes
and binds our people.
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
1:
I make
sacred the fire,
The first fire born of lightning
from which all fires are lit.
The hearth fire which warms our homes
and binds our people.
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
All:
Let the flame be the hearth fire,
Lets the water be the Well of Knowledge
Let the tree be the bile,
(bill-uh)
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
D1: puts oil on the fire, then
says:
says:
I light
the sacred fire of inspiration. Sacred fire, burn within me.
the sacred fire of inspiration. Sacred fire, burn within me.
Well of
Segais
Segais
Druid 2
says:
says:
I make
sacred the well,
From which the five rivers flow,
Salmon swimming, hazels hanging high.
Bubbling brightly Segais, source of wisdom,
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
sacred the well,
From which the five rivers flow,
Salmon swimming, hazels hanging high.
Bubbling brightly Segais, source of wisdom,
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
All:
Let the flame be the hearth fire,
Lets the water be the Well of Knowledge
Let the tree be the bile,
(bill-uh)
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
Let the flame be the hearth fire,
Lets the water be the Well of Knowledge
Let the tree be the bile,
(bill-uh)
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
D2: taps the well then says:
In the
depths flow the waters of wisdom. Sacred waters, flow within me.
depths flow the waters of wisdom. Sacred waters, flow within me.
World
Tree
Tree
Druid 3 says:
I make
sacred the branch/tree,
Towering high, hanging heavy with hazel,
Spanning and connecting the Three Realms,
The mighty bile of the grove,
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
sacred the branch/tree,
Towering high, hanging heavy with hazel,
Spanning and connecting the Three Realms,
The mighty bile of the grove,
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
All:
Let the flame be the hearth fire,
Lets the water be the Well of Knowledge
Let the tree be the bile,
(bill-uh)
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
Let the flame be the hearth fire,
Lets the water be the Well of Knowledge
Let the tree be the bile,
(bill-uh)
I stand in the grove at the center of the realms,
D3: dresses the bile, then says:
From
the depths to the heights spans the world tree. Sacred tree, grow within me.
the depths to the heights spans the world tree. Sacred tree, grow within me.
D1: raises arms
D1: With the Flame of the Hearth,
the Well of Knowledge, and the Sacred Bile the grove is erected and hallowed.
the Well of Knowledge, and the Sacred Bile the grove is erected and hallowed.
Parting
the Mists
the Mists
D1: prepares an offering for the
gatekeeper and says:
gatekeeper and says:
D1: says: We honor Oirbsen
(orib-sheen), Manannan, Patron of our tribe, Lord of the Mist, Ruler of
Tir na mBan (teer na man), Guardian of the gate of the Otherworld.
Oh Lord of the Otherworld, bearer of the silvered apple branch, hear us
this day and aid in the passage of the ancestors through the misty veil.
(orib-sheen), Manannan, Patron of our tribe, Lord of the Mist, Ruler of
Tir na mBan (teer na man), Guardian of the gate of the Otherworld.
Oh Lord of the Otherworld, bearer of the silvered apple branch, hear us
this day and aid in the passage of the ancestors through the misty veil.
D1: makes an offering and says: Manannan
mac Lir, accept our offerings and gratitude as you part the mists.
(mah-nuh-nahn’ mak leer)
mac Lir, accept our offerings and gratitude as you part the mists.
(mah-nuh-nahn’ mak leer)
D1: Let the mists be parted!!
All: Let the mists be parted.
Inviting
the Gods and Ungods
the Gods and Ungods
An
Sinsear (en
shen-shoor)
Sinsear (en
shen-shoor)
D2: Mighty dead, you who have come
before,
Ancestors of our blood, Heros of our people
We offer you this gift with love and loyalty and invite you to witness this
rite.
before,
Ancestors of our blood, Heros of our people
We offer you this gift with love and loyalty and invite you to witness this
rite.
D2: makes an offering and says: Ancestors,
accept this offering.
accept this offering.
Aos Sí
(ees-shee)
(ees-shee)
D1: Great nature spirits, you who
frolic in the wild world,
Spirits of this place,
We offer you this gift in friendship and invite you to witness this rite.
frolic in the wild world,
Spirits of this place,
We offer you this gift in friendship and invite you to witness this rite.
Spirits
of family and the people that came to this land from faraway lands.
We offer you this gift in friendship and invite you to witness this rite.
of family and the people that came to this land from faraway lands.
We offer you this gift in friendship and invite you to witness this rite.
D1: makes an offerings and says: Aos
Sí , accept this offering.
Sí , accept this offering.
Gods of
the Tribe
the Tribe
D3: Great gods, you who are
mightiest in all things,
Deities of my faith,
We offer you this gift with reverence and honor and invite you to witness this
rite.
mightiest in all things,
Deities of my faith,
We offer you this gift with reverence and honor and invite you to witness this
rite.
D3: makes an offering and says: Gods
and goddesses accept this offering.
and goddesses accept this offering.
Key
Offering
Offering
D1: Lugh,
Master of all trades, King of the gods
You who slew Balor and defeated Bres.
You who through victory brought us ploughing, sowing and reaping.
Hear us.
Master of all trades, King of the gods
You who slew Balor and defeated Bres.
You who through victory brought us ploughing, sowing and reaping.
Hear us.
Mighty Lugh we give thanks for the gifts you have given mankind
and come with an offering of the fruits of our work. We bring you this harvest, from our own
fields and the fields of our community.
and come with an offering of the fruits of our work. We bring you this harvest, from our own
fields and the fields of our community.
D1: makes an offering and says: Lugh
accept this offering.
accept this offering.
The
Omen
Omen
Seer: Ritually washes their hands
then forms the left hand into a tube and blows through the tube then says:
then forms the left hand into a tube and blows through the tube then says:
Gods
over me, gods under me,
Gods before me, gods behind me,
I am on your path oh gods.
You, my gods, are in my steps.
over me, gods under me,
Gods before me, gods behind me,
I am on your path oh gods.
You, my gods, are in my steps.
I am
going within
To the doorstep of the sí
in the name of Finn
Stronger in sight then all.
going within
To the doorstep of the sí
in the name of Finn
Stronger in sight then all.
The
augury made by Finn to his men,
That Bride blew her palm,
Did you see the augury gods of art?–
Said the gods of art, they saw.
augury made by Finn to his men,
That Bride blew her palm,
Did you see the augury gods of art?–
Said the gods of art, they saw.
Message
of truth without a message of falsehood
That I myself shall see
The semblance, joyous and mild
Of all that is hidden to me
of truth without a message of falsehood
That I myself shall see
The semblance, joyous and mild
Of all that is hidden to me
Good
spirits and gods of my people,
Give me the sight to see all I need,
With vision that shall never fail, before me,
That shall never quench nor dim.
spirits and gods of my people,
Give me the sight to see all I need,
With vision that shall never fail, before me,
That shall never quench nor dim.
Seer: then takes the omen,
interprets it, and records it.
interprets it, and records it.
Receiving
the blessings of the Gods and Ungods
the blessings of the Gods and Ungods
D1: raises the blessing plate/cup
high and says:
high and says:
Tuatha
de Danaan (tooah-de-danyan),
Aos Sí , (ees she) and An Sinsear (en shen-shoor), we have praised you
and made a sacrifice. A gift calls for a gift, and we pray to you and ask that
you give us your blessings. Make sacred these apples and infuse them with
your vitality, strength and inspiration.
de Danaan (tooah-de-danyan),
Aos Sí , (ees she) and An Sinsear (en shen-shoor), we have praised you
and made a sacrifice. A gift calls for a gift, and we pray to you and ask that
you give us your blessings. Make sacred these apples and infuse them with
your vitality, strength and inspiration.
Lo, the
blessings of the Gods and Ungods are upon us.
blessings of the Gods and Ungods are upon us.
D1: Slices and eats the blessed
apple and passes it around.
apple and passes it around.
Thanking
the Gods and Ungods and Closing the Mists
the Gods and Ungods and Closing the Mists
D1: We have called upon the Gods
and Ungods and they have answered. With love and loyalty we carry the
blessings into our daily lives. As we prepare to depart let us give
thanks to those who have aided us.
and Ungods and they have answered. With love and loyalty we carry the
blessings into our daily lives. As we prepare to depart let us give
thanks to those who have aided us.
D1: {more praise for Lugh}
D3: Tuatha de Danaan, gods of our
tribe, we thank you for your presence and blessings.
tribe, we thank you for your presence and blessings.
D1: Aos Sí, these are your lands
and here you shall remain. We thank you for attending and accepting our
offerings of peace and respect.
and here you shall remain. We thank you for attending and accepting our
offerings of peace and respect.
D2: Mighty Dead, thank you for
attending and accepting our gifts. Pass back through the mists and return
to the Otherworld. .
attending and accepting our gifts. Pass back through the mists and return
to the Otherworld. .
D1: Manannan, today we celebrated
you and gave you praise and offerings. We thank you for your attendance
and parting the mists. We ask that you allow the mists to fall as our
ancestors pass back into your realm.
you and gave you praise and offerings. We thank you for your attendance
and parting the mists. We ask that you allow the mists to fall as our
ancestors pass back into your realm.
D1: Let the mists return and the
veil be whole.
veil be whole.
D1: Mighty Rivers, these are your
lands and here you shall remain. We thank you for attending and accepting
my offerings of peace and respect.
lands and here you shall remain. We thank you for attending and accepting
my offerings of peace and respect.
Taking
down the Sacred Grove
down the Sacred Grove
D1: We came and honored the
Gods, the Spirits and the Ancestors and now the Sacred Grove must be taken
down. We honor the Hearth Fire and restore it to flame. We honor the Well
of Segais and restore it to water. We honor the bile and restore it to branch.
All is as it was and the Sacred Grove is dismantled. The ritual is ended.
Gods, the Spirits and the Ancestors and now the Sacred Grove must be taken
down. We honor the Hearth Fire and restore it to flame. We honor the Well
of Segais and restore it to water. We honor the bile and restore it to branch.
All is as it was and the Sacred Grove is dismantled. The ritual is ended.
All: Biodh Se! (bee-shay)