A Solitary Celtic Ritual Template

This is a generic solitary ritual template for Celtic rituals, adapted from a group ritual
template. It's also available as a Word/RTF document with the chants filled in. Please
note that while I frequently offer alcohol, you are free to substitute something else if you
like.
Preparation
The participant gathers the following offerings (vegetable oil may be substituted if
necessary):
Earth Mother Corn meal
Outdwellers Beer
Brighid Oil or alcohol (e.g., Goldschlger)
Fire/well/tree Incense, silver-colored item (e.g., coin), branch
Mannanan mac Lir Apple
Ancestors Food/bread
Nature Spirits Grain
Gods Alcohol
Deity(ies) of the Occasion As appropriate
The participant also fills the Well with fresh water and places the blessing cup and
branch next to it. If necessary, s/he places an offering bowl on the altar as well. He/she
then clothes in ritual garb and performs a brief pre-ritual meditation to quiet the mind.
Gathering
Participant gathers at the ritual area and sounds a musical signal (such as a chime)
three times, then says:
I am here to honor the gods.
Honoring the Earth Mother
ine Chliar, daughter of Manannan, woman of the hills and land...
Great Earth Mother, my life is nursed from your bounty.
You are the food that nourishes me, the wealth that enriches me, even the very ground I
walk on.
O bright goddess, all joy and prosperity comes from you, and it is you who sustains me.
ine, I honor you now to thank you for the bounty you bestow upon me.
(ine Chliar is pronounced "awnyeh cleer")
P makes an offering and says:
Earth Mother, accept my sacrifice.
Participant sings Blossom Lifter 1x
Bardic Inspiration
P calls to Brighid asking for the gift of poetic inspiration:
Bright Brighid, Daughter of the Dagda, Flame of Inspiration,
Maker of metal, Maker of good health, Maker of song,
With you as my mother I need fear no sickness,
With you as my mother I need fear no dull swords,
With you as my mother I need fear no empty words.
I am triple-blessed, O shining light of the hearth,
and I your child ask you to alight in my heart,
Alight in my head, and alight in my voice,
That I may give praise to the powers with good skill.
(Brighid is pronounced breezh; Dagda is pronounced dahg'-duh)
P sings Birgita 3x
P makes an offering and says:
Brighid, accept my sacrifice.
Grounding and Uniting with the Tree Meditation
Participant performs the Two Powers Meditation
Statement of Purpose
(Participant recites the purpose of the rite, lore of the season, and lore of the deities of
occasion.)
Outdwellers
P pours a cup for the Outdwellers and takes it out of the ritual space, then says:
You who come from the outer dark,
You who stood against the gods and man,
You who are cold of heart and cruel of mind,
Take this and trouble not my work.
Establishing the Sacred Grove through Fire, Well, and
Tree
Sacred Fire
Participant says:
I kindle the sacred fire,
Claiming this land and time for my own.
The shape-fire burns bright,
This is the center of the world,
My Meath, Tara, and Uisnech.
Let none stand against me,
Let the world turn around me,
Let me have a good fire,
As I call the Kindred forth.
(Meath is pronounced mathe with a soft th; Tara is tah-rah; Uisnech is ish-nuck)
P lights the sacred fire and places incense into it to hallow the space, then says:
I kindle the sacred fire in wisdom, love, and power. Sacred fire, burn within me.
Sacred Well
Participant says:
I silver the sacred well,
From which five rivers of wisdom run,
Salmon swimming, hazel hanging high.
Bubbling brightly Segais, source of the Boyne,
This is the center of the world.
Let none stand against me,
Let the world turn around me,
Let the well be deep with wisdom,
As I call the Kindred forth.
(Segais is pronounced sheh-gaish; Boyne is pronounced boin)
P silvers the well and pours water from the well to the blessing cup, then says:
In the depths flow the waters of wisdom. Sacred waters, flow within me.
Sacred Tree
Participant says:
I tend the sacred tree,
Towering high, hanging heavy with hazel,
Strength of Taranis, the thunder and wheel,
From Tara to nemeton, star-reaching bile,
This is the center of the world.
Let none stand against me,
Let the world turn around me,
Let the tree be tall and strong,
As I call the Kindred forth.
(bile is pronounced bill-uh)
P dresses and censes the bile, then says:
From the depths to the heights spans the world tree. Sacred tree, grow within me.
Opening the Gates Between the Worlds
P prepares an offering for the gatekeeper and says:
Oh Manannan, powerful son of the sea, holder of the magics of the crane bag, I ask that
you hear my call. Oh Lord of the Otherworld, bearer of the silvered apple branch, join
with me this day, so that you may guide me in my workings. Mist-shrouded rider of the
maned waves, accept my offering and open the gates between my realm and yours.
(words by Ian Corrigan)
P sings Gatekeeper Open the Portals 3x
P makes an offering and says:
Manannan mac Lir, accept my sacrifice.
(Manannan mac Lir is pronounced mah-nah'-nahn mak leer)
P says:
Let the fire open as a gate, let the well open as a gate, and let the tree connect all the
worlds as Manannan walks with me in all ways. Let the gates be open!
Honoring and Inviting the Three Kindreds
Ancestors
P says:
Great ancestors, you who have come before,
A child of the Earth calls out to you.
You whose blood flows in my veins,
You who I hold close to my heart and thoughts,
You who were heroes of the ancient world,
I offer you welcome.
Mighty Ones, you who reside in the house of Donn,
I remember you, and will not forget, for it is you who gave me life.
O Ancestors of blood and heart, I call you forth!
P sings Mothers and Fathers of Old 1x
P makes an offering and says:
Ancestors, accept my sacrifice.
Nature Sprits
P says:
Great nature spirits, you who frolick in the wild world,
A child of the Earth calls out to you.
You who change shapes with the wind,
You who pass between the worlds as I walk through air,
You who for whom day is night, and night is day,
I offer you welcome.
Noble Ones, you who reside in the hills and sidhe mounds of the land,
I honor you, for you are the spirits in the earth I live by.
O Spirits of the natural world, I call you forth!
(sidhe is pronounced shee)
P sings Fur and Feather 1x
P makes an offering and says:
Nature spirits, accept my sacrifice.
Gods and Goddesses
P says:
Great gods, you who are mightiest in all things,
A child of the Earth calls out to you.
You who are the people of the goddess Danann,
You who count among you the spear of Lugh,
the sword of Nuadha, and the cauldron of the Dagda,
You who brought the Lia Fal and cast out the Fir Bolg and Fomoire,
I offer you welcome.
Shining Ones, you who rule this world and the other,
I praise you, for it is you who provide sustenance and guidance in my life.
O Shining ones of magic and might, I call you forth!
(Danann is pronounced dah'-nawn; Lugh is loo; Nuadha is noo'-ah; Dagda is dahg'-
duh; Lia Fal is lee-uh fahl; Fir Bolg is feer'-bulug; and Fomoire is fo'-moor)
P sings Hail All the Gods 1x
P makes an offering and says:
Gods and goddesses, accept my sacrifice.
Meditation of Merging the Energies and Re-Centering
(A meditation of merging and re-centering is done.)
Honoring the Spirits of the Occasion
(Participant makes appropriate offerings to the spirits of the occasion.)
General Praise Offerings to the Kindreds
P says:
I have called the Kindreds here today and it is right to give them praise: A round for the
ancestors, a round for the nature spirits, and a round for the gods.
(Three rounds of praise offerings: Ancestors, Nature Spirits, and Gods.)
P says:
Shining Ones, Noble Ones, and Mighty Ones, I have given you praise and honor! A gift
calls for a gift, and I pray to you as I offer up these sacrifices. Accept them, open my
heart, and give to me of your blessings.
Omen for the Blessings
P quietly chants Come Druids All (1x)
P then takes the omen, interprets it, and records it.
Receiving the Blessings of the Gods and Spirits
P raises the blessing cup high and says:
Shining Ones, Noble Ones, and Mighty Ones, I have praised you and received your
blessings. Hallow these waters and give to me of your power and inspiration and
vitality. Seo iad uisci na beatha! Behold the waters of life!
("Seo iad uisci na beatha" is pronounced "shee ahd ishka nah bah-hah", meaning
"behold, the waters of life")
P sings Pour the Waters 1x
P then drinks a draught from the blessing cup.
Thanking the Kindreds and Spirits
P says:
I have called upon the Kindreds and they have answered! With joy in my heart I carry
their magic into my life and work. Each time I offer to the powers they be come
stronger and more aware of my needs and worship. So as I prepare to depart let me give
thanks to those who have aided me.
<Deity of the occasion>, Go raibh maith agait!
Brigid, Go raibh maith agait!
Manannan mac Lir, Go raibh maith agait!
Gods and Goddesses, Go raibh maith agaibh
Nature Spirits, Go raibh maith agaibh!
Ancestors, Go raibh maith agaibh!
Aine, go raibh maith agait.
("Go raibh maith agait" is a singular thank you and is pronounced "gora mah ahgit";
"Go raibh maith agaibh" is plural and is pronounced "gora mah ahgeev")
Meditation of Regrounding and Recentering
(A meditation of regrounding and centering is done.)
Closing the Gates and Ending the Rite
P says:
Now by the keeper of the gates and by my magic I end what I began.
Let the fire be flame,
Let the well be water,
Let all be as it was before.
Let the gates be closed!
I have done as my ancestors have done, and as my children will do, and the Kindreds
have answered. I go now, a child of the Earth, in peace and blessings. The ritual is at a
close. Biodh s amhlaidh!
("Biodh s amhlaidh" is pronounced "bee shay ow-lee", and means "so be it")
A Rite for Brighid
This is a ritual to invite Brighid into your home to be your hearth guardian, or to renew
your acquaintance with her if she is already that. It may also be used to ask Brighid for
favors, or simply to enjoy her presence.
If you have an image of Brighid, put a candle or oil lamp in front of it. (An image is not
necessary; the flame itself is an image.) If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace,
lay a fire in it instead, but do not light it. In front of your fire source, put a bowl. Next to
it put a pitcher of milk. Stand or sit so you are at a comfortable level with respect to the
fire. Extend your arms, bent up at the elbow with your palms facing forward. This is
called the "orans position," and is a common one for Pagan prayer. Nod your head or
bow to the fire source and then say:
I invite you into my home,
you who are the Queen of the Hearth,
you who are the fire's bright flame,
you who are the burning shining.
I call to you, Brighid, to come to me.
I ask you, Brighid, for your bright presence.
Light the fire source, saying:
The fire of Brighid is the flame on my hearth.
Pick up the pitcher in your right hand. Hold it up before the fire (you may put your left
hand under it to steady it if necessary), and say:
A gift for you, Brighid of the Cows, A gift for you, Brighid of the Blessings.
Pour the milk into the bowl, saying:
My prayers are poured out with this milk My words and deeds flow straight to Brighid.
Put down the pitcher, and, if you have a request, make it now. (I usually pray to Brighid
for healing, inspiration, or home protection). If you are not making a request (and it is
good to just commune with the goddess for a while from time to time), sit or stand in
meditation on the flame. A good mantra to use is, "The fire of Brighid is the flame in
my heart," while visualizing a fire burning in your heart. This mantra may be used at
other times, to renew or establish a relationship with Brighid, or just to feel her
comforting presence. It may be considered an offering to her in and of itself. When you
are done, extinguish the candle or oil lamp, saying:
She ever burns, Lady of Fire, in my heart, in my home, on my family hearth (or "every
hearth" if you live alone.)
Take up the orans position again, nod or bow, and the rite is done.
If you are using a fireplace, use the same words and the nod or bow, but leave the fire
going. Spend some time by it, especially as a family. Brighid likes that.
Leave the bowl of milk in place for 24 hours, and then put it outside for the land spirits.
Author Information
David Fickett-Wilbar (Ceisiwr Serith)
Articles by David Fickett-Wilbar (Ceisiwr Serith)
oddess of the new year, purification, and wellbeing. She had a shrine and
grove at the top of the Via Sacra in Rome, and her shrine was set in the
place where all religious processions begun. Her name is also associated
with strengthening being the goddess who made a man strenuus
vigorous, strong.
The Italian Befana actually has a German counterpart,
Mother Bertha! She flies about on her broomstick to all the homes of little
boys and girls everywhere, and it is she who loads stockings with presents
on Twelfth Night. But she will leave you a lump of coal if you are naughty.
The idea reminds me of how the Disir and the Mothers alike bring
nourishment and replenishment. It also reminds me of the way that the
Mother of the Hymiskvida brings a horn of ale to Thor which gives him the
strength to succeed in his mission to get a cauldron large enough to contain
all the mead of Aegir the Ocean Lord. When the Mother Witch is associated
with the New Year and with the starting point of all processions, it may
have something to do with an ancient tradition of how the Mothers, the
goddesses and the Sun herself brought the strenghtening, invigorating,
fertilizing power of new, growing light on Earth.
The Night of the Mothers is also related to the Viking Age celebration
called the dsablt sacrifice to the goddesses, although the date of this
celebration is disputed. Some sources suggest February, others October.
Thus it does not appear as if the Anglo-Saxon Night of the Mothers and the
Norse Sacrifice to the Goddesses were exactly the same celebration, yet
they are clearly related, and there may certainly have been a similar Night
of Mothers in Scandinavia:
That the ladies were in charge of midwinter and of the turn towards lighter
days is a natural thing for theirs were the still lands of death, in which the
Judgment of the Norns (Norna Domr) took place at the end of a life or a
year cycle. Theirs was also the carvings of the fate of a new life or year
cycle. Theirs the midwifery in this case of the new Su

Yuletide
Because Yule (or Jl) is 12 nights long, beginning with the night of the Winter Solstice, this
Greater Ht ritual will actually consist of three rituals to be held during the twelve nights.
They are Mother Night,
Middle-Night, and 12th
Night. Some groups do all three rituals in the same night or space it over a weekend.
Mother Night(The Journey of Sunna): This is the longest night of the year, where Sunna takes
her longest journey with the wolf, Skll close behind her trying to devour her. The satr
sacrifice for her safe return.
This ritual is to be conducted at sunset.
A. Helga
1. Calling of the Folk (A blowing horn is blown 3 times.)
2. Lighting of the Need-Fire
The Goi says, By the holy gods of our folk, we kindle the fires of creation! Let fire be
quickened by flame and may the sacred flame of our folk, which forever burns, radiate in
Migar! then lights the bonfire, candle, or glker.
B. Frn
1. Declaration of Ht
The Goi says, We now enter the Yuletide of our folk! Hail to Mother Night! From the years
dark end comes a brighter beginning! Hail to these days and nights, for the gods and our
ancestors hear us more clearly through the mists of Life, Death, and Time. From across the
Bifrst Bridge into the realms of sgar, Vanaheim, and Hel we hail!
2. Invocation
The Goi says, Glorious goddess Sunna! Upon this night of your lowest stead, we gather to
wish you great luck and frith for your longest journey. May the jaws of Skll never find their
desire! May mighty
sa- rr clear your path, and the loyal Heimdall guard your way! Hail Sunna!
<<< Goi, or designate, then either lights the Yule-log (or bonfire) or the Yule-candle>>>
The Goi says, By this flame, we hold and protect Sunnas light, hail to Sunna.
(This candle or fire should be kept lit all night until dawn.)
3. Meditation/Reading
<<Here insert either an appropriate guided meditation or perhaps selected verses of The
Vluspwhich speak of the impending doom of the earth.>>
4. Presentation of Frn
The Goi says, Hail to Sunna! We give to you thi