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Tuatha de Brighid - Alban Elued
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Alban Elued A Ritual for Two People
Before we begin... * This is the balance of Light and Dark, with Darkness about to overpower the Light as the continued waning of the Sun’s energy and power goes on. We celebrate the harvest this energy has brought us, and ask that the magick created today carry us through the dark time of the year now about to begin. * The altar is decorated with nuts, fruits, dried flowers, and colored leaves. * In the three branch candlestick, Three 0range candles are placed, symbolizing the dying plant life of Autumn, and the God and Goddess of Alban Elued, Lugh and the Morrigan. * 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. * Participants may wear crowns of fall leaves. * 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. * Begin by brief the participants, and lighting the Quarter Candles, and the White Candle in the grove center.Preparing ourselves for our time with the Gods and Spirits The Procession Process to the Sacred Grove and travel around it three times deosil. Light the center Orange candle on altar, and the altar incense. Opening Litany adapted from Celtic Devotional by Caitlin Matthews [G] Hail! Journeyer of the Heavens, 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 Then cense one another 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 according to your own practice, and placed outside the Nemeton..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 the Divine as the Morrigan, Lady of Battle, harbinger of death, and Lugh, Lord of Light and of the harvest; to the Gods, to the Ancestors, and to the Earth Spirits; to the waning light of the year. Now is the time of departing, the Light of the Water, when we leave the shore behind and venture onto the endless sea. The flowering plants are dying back, and the fertility of the earth is depleted. Life now banks itself against the winter months ahead.. In the sky, geese and cranes leave for the southlands. In the meadow there is silence, as herds return to the barn. This is the Feast of Alban Elued, the Autumn Equinox. Warm Sun bringing warmth to Mother Earth now hides behind graying clouds, and chill winds come from the far north with promise of frost. The year is on the wane, and life created at Beltaine is now past maturity. From this day on, darkness overcomes light, and the cold of year’s end does approach. The Holly King reigns, and the Goddess grows from Mother to Crone. So let us join together as one to make our offerings in joy and thanksgiving. All are seated , and there is silence for a moment. One leads the Two Powers, Body of Light, Four Elements, or other centering meditation as usual. OfferingNaming of the God and Goddess of Alban Elued [G] Alban Elued is the decline of the year, when darkness overshadows light, when warmth gives way to cold. We make offerings to Lugh, God of Light, and to the Morrigan, Goddess of the Darkness. [B] lights an Orange Candle for Lugh, and makes an offering of oil.
[All] So mote it be! [G] lights a n Orange Candle for the Morrigan, and makes an offering of oil.
[All] So mote it be! Opening the Gates, Invoking the Kindreds [B] Lights Incense from the Sacred Fire in the Center of the Grove, and then censes the Sacred Well and Sacred Tree.
Now come, we pray you, to this Grove, 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 Elued Deities ,[B] The Song of Lugh: O nurturing Lugh, O
Harvest Light! [G] The Song of the Morrigan: Triple Goddess,
bringing night, Prayer of Sacrifice An offering
of bannock is made
The Omen One seeks the Omen through means of choice (rune, ogham, tarot, etc.) and interprets the Omen. Receiving and Using the Returned Power [B] Let us now express our hopes and dreams, our thoughts and prayers for this Earth, our Mother, lighted by Lugh, darkened by the Morrigan . . . 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, and other fruits of the season.
Farewelling Unwinding and Ending[B] Join we now in chant of Communion and Praise. [All] I bind unto myself today
[B] O radiant Lugh, Lord of the
Harvest and of Fire, [All] Farewell, and Blessed Be! [B] Morrigan, Lady of endings, [All] Farewell, and Blessed Be! [G] The Goddess, the God have been
honored. [B] So mote it be! [B] leads others three times counter-Sunwise
around the circle, in a journey back from the Otherworld.
Copyright 1998, by Good Folk
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