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Tuatha de Brighid - Alban Eiler
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or "Eostre" Order of Service for an Indoor Rite by Good Folk
Welcome to our celebration! Before we begin... The altar is decorated with lilies, tulips, and colored eggs..In the three branch candlestick, Three purple candles are placed. The white candle, a bowl of water, and an oak branch represent Fire and Well and Sacred Tree. Bannocks and Ale are prepared. Offering bowls and grain offering. Participants wear crowns of spring greenery and flowers. 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 your group.
Preparing ourselves for our time with the Gods and Spirits All process to the Sacred Grove and travel around it three times deosil. Light the center Purple candle on altar and the incense. The circle may be cast as usual, lighting the four candles from the one on the altar. Opening Litany from Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthews [G] Glad Bringer of Brightness, Hail!
Awen Invocation [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 Senior Druid moves Sunwise around the Circle censing each Druid, with words like [B] Pure and hallowed may you be.
Earth-Mother and Outdwellers Offerings [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, and placed outside the Circle.
Grove Attunement [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 Oestre, Lady of the radiant Dawn of Spring, and Angus Og, Lad of Love; to the Gods, to the Ancestors, and to the Earth Spirits; to the rising light of the year. Now is the time of blooming, when the flowering plants put forth their blossoms, and earth is fertile once again. While frost still threatens, winds blow, and rains fall, the light is growing stronger, and life is now awake. This is the Feast of Oestre, the Goddess of Radiant dawn of Resurrection. She is the year’s new birth, who brings the greening of the earth. Also we make offering to Angus Og, the God of young love. Through the union of fire and water the ancients, our forebears, worked magic to welcome the spring. So let us join together as one folk to make our offerings in joy and reverence. [G] This is the Equinox of Spring. This is the time when Light is once again as powerful as Darkness, and the Sun increases. Spring itself appears around us, with the scent of young flowers, new grass, and fresh leaves. Offer we now the Eggs of Eostre, in thanks for the life that is eternal. Thanks we give for the generation of life, for eggs and seed, for fertility and fecundity, for the promise of the future. Eggs are carried in procession around the Circle, and given to each person. Remaining eggs are offered on the altar to Mother Earth with incense and Holy Water. [G] Mother Earth, receive these eggs and be yourself fertile and blessed. All are seated, and there is silence for a moment. [B] leads the Two Powers meditation as usual, all holding their Oestre Eggs. At conclusion, eggs are place in decoration around the altar. Purpose of the Rite,Naming of the God and Goddess of Oestre or Alban Eiler [G] Eostre is the time of the Equinox, and balance of Light and dark, as Darkness gives way to Light.. We make offerings to Eostre, and to Angus Og. [G] lights a Purple Candle for Eostre, and makes an offering of oil.[G] Eostre, Goddess of Radiance Bright, [All] So be it! [ B] lights a Purple Candle for the Angus Og, and makes an offering of oil.[B] Angus Og, God of Love, [All] So be it! Opening the Gates [B] Let us now open the portals to the
Otherworld, in Tree and Fire and Sacred Well. [G] offers silver into the well, saying: In the deeps flow the waters of wisdom, [B] lights incense from the White Candle and places in stand, 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! Invocation of the Three Kindreds
[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; All sit and meditate upon the hosts of Spirits they have called. All speak in their hearts to whichever spirits present themselves to them. Offering to the Alban Eiler Deities ,The flowering Spring embodiment of the Divine [G] The Song of Eostre: Radiant Goddess, Dawn of Light, [B] The Song of Angus Og: God of youth and God of Time, Prayer of Sacrifice An offering of bannock is made, and eggs, and cup of ale, with appropriate words of praise from the heart for Brighid and for Angus Og. The Omen A Druid acting as an Ovate seeks the Omen through means of choice (rune, ogham, tarot, etc.) and interprets the Omen. Receiving and Using the Returned Power All sit.[B] Let us now in silence or aloud express our personal and group needs. All express needs, either silently or aloud. [B] leads group into period of silent meditation.[B] leads guided meditation of receptivity. After a period of silence, [B] says: [B] Join we now our hands in communion and
agreement, [B] invites others to share insights, blessings, omens received. At the conclusion of sharing, all share Eostre’s Eggs and join in chant: [B] Join we now in chant of Communion and Praise. [All] I bind unto myself today Bannocks and Ale are shared.
Unwinding and Ending [B] O joyous Angus, son of Youth, [All] farewell, and Blessed Be! [B] O radiant dawnlight, Blessed Eostre, [All] Farewell, and Blessed Be! [G] The Goddess, the God have been honored. [B] Now our Rite of Alban Eiler is done. [G] rings the bell three times. The Rite is done.
Copyright 1998, by Good Folk Permission to copy is granted if this notice is included
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