Oath Rite & Evaluation
Oath Ritual
Pre-Phase
Set up altar with decorations, God/ess images, candles, offerings, and ritual needs.
Offerings:
Outdweller Offering
Silver
Oil
Herbs
Tobacco
Corn meal
Mead
Incense
Ritual tools:
Sage
Salt Water
Bell
Well
Tree
Fire
Cup
Well, tree, and fire to be set up last
Initiation of Ritual
Processional of Druid
Chant song on entry – We approach the Sacred grove
Purification
With the incense or sage burning on the altar gather at altar and waif themselves
Small container of salted water on altar dip fingers and purify themselves
When in position ring bell three times
Earth mother / Sky father blessing
Earth Mother
“Oh beloved mother of all, from who’s starry womb the green earth springs. You are the bearer of all life. We pray you bless and uphold this rite.”
RESPONSE: (Kneel and kiss earth) So say we all
Sky Father
“Nurturing father of all, who’s breath fills us and sustains our lives. You are both guide and guardian. We pray you bless and uphold this rite.
RESPONSE: (kiss hands raise arms up) So say we all
Purpose
In many organizations throughout time, a need to declare yourself has been present. Many of these organizations were based on religious and spiritual beliefs. Within the ADF Dedicant program is the criteria to do so. It asks those that undergo the program to commit themselves to something more. It asks that its Dedicant’s pledge themselves to their patron deities. To formally make a bond with them, strengthening the connection between deity and worshiper.
We perform these rites as our ancestors did in hopes that our future continues to do so.
With this we give thanks to our families, friends, and our brothers and sisters of this grove.
Offering to the Out Dwellers
Offering made to the south of the grove
“Ancient dark ones, we make this offering to you,
You who dwell in the outer dark
You who stood against the gods
You twisted and misshapen
Take this offering and trouble not our working
Likewise we acknowledge in ourselves
Weakness and perversity
Hatred and spite
Cowardice and ignorance
And for this sacred time we set them aside
Creating the Cosmos
Well filled with water, states
I come upon the veil, in love and respect. This well, our link to the primal waters of life, portal to the under realm.
With silver I beg thee open.
(With arms starting in the downward position, raises them up to point at the altar.)
So say we all
Fire lit, takes the oil and states.
I come upon the veil, in love and respect. This fire our link to the Gods and Goddesses, portal to the over realm.
With oil I beg the open
(pours oil on fire.. than raises arms to heavens and bring them down to point at the altar.)
So say we all
Standing before the tree places the seed ball on a branch and states
I come upon the veil in love and respect. This tree, our bridge between below and beyond. The road of our passage.
With herbs I beg thee open
(turning to face the others points one arm at fire the other at water and brings them together to point at the altar.)
So say we all
Opening the gates
“Mighty Cernunnos, our portal opens wide. We beseech thee gatekeeper to grant us access to the other realm. Open the way for us in peace and safety. Guide us to the hidden places. Protect us on our journey and in our rite. Let the gate be open”
RESPONSE: So say we all
Inviting the Kindred
Ancestors of family and land – use tobacco as offering and place in fire
“ANCESTORS:
We hear your whispered voices speaking words of wisdom into our unconscious minds. Your whispers awaken our dreams, our hearts, and our desires. You who are our ancestors who once walked upon the earth and were part of our shared life eternal, we praise you with all that is sacred in our lives.
You who planted the seed of knowledge, you who sought inner peace, you who claimed your love for the Gods and Goddesses of old, we give you honour and praise your name.
RESPONSE: So say we all
Nature spirits of ancestors and country – use corn meal spread on ground
“SPIRITS OF NATURE
Spirits of land and place, creatures of fur and flesh, and feather… we call to you in respect and peace. Ever welcome and revered, we ask for your guidance and protection. Walk with us now as we cross through the gateway. “
RESPONSE: So say we all
Gods and Goddesses - use mead and pour on ground
“GODS AND GODDESSES,
Patrons and Patroness hearken to us your children. We call to you in the other realm in love and respect. Join us now in our work. May we know your presence and love.
RESPONSE: So say we all
Key offerings
To the Morrigan, triple goddess, Red Queen. I call out to the other realm and invite you to this time and place. We welcome you to our ritual and rejoice in your presence. My patron Goddess, with this offering I bid thee welcome.
(Tobacco into fire)
To Lugh of the Long Arm, Master of all. I call out to the other realm and invite you to this time and place. We welcome you to our ritual and rejoice in your presence. My patron God, with this offering I bid thee welcome.
(Wood into fire)
Prayer of sacrifice
A final offering is made to the fire… incense
“ Morrigan, Lugh, Cernunnos __ I offer you this sacrifice, and hope that you find us worthy of your blessings. Accept this with love and respect.
RESPONSE: So say we all
Workings
Lord Cernunnos, you who have been with me since before I started this journey. You who have been patient as I stumbled to find my true spiritual self. I swear to you I will not forget our journey and I will work to honour you. I will strive to develop myself and learn about the land around me, passing that knowledge to others to encourage the respect the land deserves. Lady Danu oh wise one, as I ask for wisdom I swear to you I will work to serve my Grove and my community. I will continue to learn, working to become clergy. I will put my every effort to reach out to all those that need spiritual help, and to help bring the path to our young.
The Morrigan… Long ago you came to my life, and a partnership was begun. You are my ever guide, and teacher. A part of each day of my life, you watch over and care for not only me, but also my family and friends. Today I call out to you not in want, but in thanks. I give thanks for the blessings and teachings you have brought to my life. I give thanks for your protection not only of me, but also my family and friends. In your name, and before these our friends and family I pledge myself to you.
Great Lugh! Master of Artisans, Leader of craftsmen, Patron of smiths. I call upon you and dedicate my craft and honour you on this day. You of the many skills and talents, I ask that you shine upon me and guide me on this path. I ask you to bless my creations, gift me the strength in skill and make my hands and mind deft. Shine light on my talents O mighty Lugh. I thank you for your blessings.
May I always strive to use these tenants to guide my life, and in your service:
To use Wisdom as my guide
To demonstrate Piety in all things
To follow the Vision, mine and the Grove’s
To be Courageous in the face of adversity
To have Integrity in doing what is right
To Persevere though I may wish to surrender
To give Hospitality to all that I meet
To live my life in Moderation, without over-indulgence
To maintain the Fertility of my mind and spirit
To Honour the Ancestors
To Nurture the wounded world around me
&
To Love and Respect the Gods and Goddesses.
I so swear…
Omen
“Goddesses, Gods, spirits and ancestors with great love we offer our gifts to you. Please now tell us how they were received.”
An Ogham is drawn and its meaning read. It is placed against the Blessing Cup
Asking for the Blessing
“You honour us, and we now ask what may come?”
An Ogham is drawn and its meaning read. It is placed against the Blessing Cup
Hallowing the Blessing
“Our cup is full of the blessings given to us, let it touch the mind, heart, and spirit in each of us. (Sips)
“May we the cherished children grow through its bounty.”
Affirmation of the blessing
“We are ever thankful for the gifts we have received. Let them carry us forward in our rite and in our lives.”
RESPONSE: So say we all
Gods and goddesses
Gods and Goddesses, your strength is our strength… we thank you for your presence in our rite and on our journey. You are ever welcome in our lives.
RESPONSE: So say we all
Nature spirits
Spirits of place, friends of fur and feather, you who dwell in the untamed lands.. we thank you for your presence in our rite and on our journey. You are ever welcome in our lives.
RESPONSE: So say we all
Ancestors
Ancestors you who inspire and move us forward… we thank you for your presence in our rite and on our journey. You are ever welcome in our lives.
RESPONSE: So say we all
Close the Gates
Mighty Cernunnos… All that we have done is by your aide. We offer you our thanks. Now we ask you to let the doors swing closed once more. May the well be water, the tree be tree and the fire only flame.
LET THE GATES BE CLOSED.
Thank the earth mother / sky father
Earth Mother
“Earth Mother… you granted us this life, and we walk in your fertile bounty. May we always remember to honour your gifts each day.
RESPONSE: So say we all
Sky Father
“Sky father… you sustain our lives and we grow from your inspiration. May we always remember and honour your gifts each day.
RESPONSE: So say we all
Close the ritual
Lead Druid will ring the bell three times
Our rite is ended. We thank you all
Self Evaluation
With Covid-19 being a part of our new normal lives I made the hard decision to keep my dedicant ritual private and solitary at this time. I hope in the future to take part in the same ritual with my Grove and Family but until then here we are.
I took this ritual on the road slightly. When I first felt the pull to Druidry I was in the back aspect of a local nature reserve here that we call Hemlock Ravine. This place to me holds a lot of energy and sacredness. The ground in a sense is hallow to me. I packed my ritual supplies and went deep into the woods, deep in the back where you will find the ravine it self. Not many people go back that far so I expected to find my self quiet alone and to my self.
I have found my self drawn to The Morrígan over the last few years after the death of both of my parents. Finding both of their memorial services incredibly disconnected from who they were personally I felt drawn to this and doing my part in my community to fix this. Dedicating my practise to The Morrígan felt right and I feel I am on the right path.
Along with The Morrígan I also dedicated my self to Lugh, the master of skills. I feel a high drive and desire to create. Be it crafting, a family or a safe space for my community all I want to do is create. Dedicating my self to the master crafter, the great creator felt fitting.