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Tuatha de Brighid - Alban Heruin
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by Good Folk
Before we begin... * This is the longest day of the year, the power of the Sun is at its peak, and at the same time this is the beginning of the waning of the Sun’s energy and power. We celebrate the strength and energy this day holds and ask that the magick created today carry us through the dark time of the year as the Holly King succeeds the Oak King.* The altar is decorated with sunflowers, brown-eyed susans, or other yellow flowers. * In the three branch candlestick, Three dark green candles are placed, symbolizing the mature greenery of midsummer, and the God and Goddess of Litha, Danu and Bel. * The white candle, a bowl of water, and a branch represent Fire and Well and Sacred Tree. * Bannocks and Ale are prepared. * Offering bowls and grain offering. * Musk oil offering. * Silver offering. * Participants may wear crowns of summer flowers. * A Solar Wheel of woven vine, covered with holly leaves, is nearby. * Participants write on slips of paper the names of endangered species, and gof groups or peoples who work for social and/or ecological justice, to be used later in the rite. * If a Senior Druid wears a crown of Oak leaves, one of Holly may be held in readiness. * All texts are understood to contain the directions "In these or similar words." * [B and G] represent the two participants in the original rite. Divide roles as appropriate for you. The rite may be adapted for a larger group.
Process to the Sacred Grove and travel around it three times deosil. Light the center Green candle on altar, and the altar incense.
adapted from Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthews [G] Glory of the Day-Star, hail! [B] Lifter of the Light, Burnisher of the sky. [G] Gifts of love to earth are bringing, [B] Summer’s shimmer, dew’s delight. [G] Dancing be the heart within us, [B] Open be our souls to bliss, [G] Courage vanquish every shadow, [B] Greet misdimmer with a kiss! Kiss each person in the Grove
[G] From the Gods, and from the Spirits of the Earth, and from the Ancestors, may we have the inspiration of worship and of prayer. By Fire and Well and Sacred Tree [B] Pure and hallowed may you be. [G] So be it.
[G] Earth-Mother we honor you and ask your blessing on our rite. All take a bit of grain and place it in the Offering Bowl, with the same words. At the conclusion of the Rite, the offering will be taken outside and given to the Earth.An offering is made to the Outdwellers according to your own practice, and placed outside the Nemeton..
[G] rings bell 3 times. [B] As our ancestors once did, so we do today, and so our children will do in the future. We are here to pay homage to Danu, the All-Mother, Lady of all the Gods, and to Bel, Lord of the Sun; to the Gods, to the Ancestors, and to the Earth Spirits; to the brightest light of the year. Now is the time of balance, when the flowering plants are in their prime, and the fertility of the earth is at its strongest point. Life is now fully awake. The bees buzz heavily from flower to flower, and butterflies near the end of their life. In the meadow sire and the dam now nurture growing fillies and colts. This is the Feast of Midsummer, the turning of the year. As the Sun now burns brightly bringing warmth to Mother Earth, so its warmth begins to wane, and the fires of life begin to bank even as the days grow warmer. The new life created at Beltaine now strains toward maturity. From this day on, darkness will vie with light, and the cold of year’s end does approach. The Holly King wrestles with the Oak King, and the Goddess grows from Maiden to Mother, and the promise of the Crone. So let us join together as one to make our offerings in joy and reverence. [G] These are the Fires of Bel. Light yet overpowers darkness, and warmth is still upon the earth! Flowers mature around us, and heavy is the air with their perfumed joy! She goes to each candle and lights it with fire from the altar, with these words.[B and/or G] These are the Fires of Bel, this is the Bosom of Danu. All are seated , and there is silence for a moment. One leads the Two Powers meditation as usual.
Naming of the God and Goddess of Alban Heruin [G] Alban Heruin is the balance of the year, when light and dark dance together, when warmth and cold meet together, and hold hands. We make offerings to Danu, and to Bel. [G] lights a Green Candle for Danu, and makes an offering of oil.[G] Danu, Mother of all, birth-giver and nurse, [All] So be it! [B] lights a Green Candle for Bel, and makes an offering of oil.[B] Greetings, Bel, ancient God of Sun, [All] So be it!
[B] Let us now open the portals to the Otherworld, in Tree and Fire and Sacred Well. Come we now to this sacred grove [G] offers silver into the well, saying: In the deeps flow the waters of wisdom, [B] lights the White candle, saying, I kindle the Sacred Fire in wisdom, love and power, [G] sprinkles well water on the tree on the altar, saying; World Tree with roots in the earth, and arms in the skies, [All] So be it!
[B] We welcome now the Three Kindreds to our Rite: Ancestors, Earth Spirits, and Gods. [G] Ancestors, Old Ones, remember us as we remember you; Hoof and horn, leaf and stone, aid us as we aid you; Gods and Goddesses, Shining Ones, honor us as we honor you;
[G] The Song of Danu: Mother Goddess, source of all, [B] The Song of Bel: Bold and Burning, God of Light, [G] takes the Solar Wheel and saysNow does the Wheel of the Year begin to turn from the Light. Let us pass this Wheel around the Circle,and unite our prayer, and praise, and life energy into its wood and leaves as a joint offering of dedication for the waning of the year. The Wheel is passed Sunwise around the Circle. Each person takes it in her/his hands, and directs their own prayers and energy into it. When it returns to the begining, [G] says:[G] Let us now celebrate the Balance of the Year! [B] All hail, the powerful Solstice Sun!
[B] Let us now express our hopes and dreams, our thoughts and prayers for this Earth, our Mother, warmed by Bel, watered by Danu . . . [G] We give thanks to the creature-companions who have protected us this day. We remember especially those creatures whose thread of life can now be barely traced in the Tapestry of Creation, especially: Each steps into the Circle to offer his/her own prayers.Prayers are offered for endangered species _________________. [B] As the Earth circles, we celebrate those who strive to help the disempowered, especially: Prayers are offered for those who work for social and ecological justice __________. [G] We rejoice in the green Earth, in the burgeoning of projects and ideas, in the growth of friendships and associations. [All] As Summer fields ripen with the grain of Life, so may all that is in our hearts come to maturity! Sit. Holding hands, all express needs, either silently or aloud, followed by a period of silent meditation. Other workings as needed may be done at this time, making use of the energy raised. At the conclusion of this joining, all share the Bannocks and Ale.[B] Join we now in chant of Communion and Praise. [All] I bind unto myself today
[B] O Vigorous Bel, Lord of the Sun, [All] Farewell, and Blessed Be! [B] O Mother Danu, River Lady, [All] Farewell, and Blessed Be! [G] The Goddess, the God have been honored. [B] Now our Rite of Litha is done. [G] rings the bell three times. The Rite is done.
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