It’s been a minute! Apologies. I have been doing the rituals, but I haven’t had much time to publish them on this blog.
Preparation: a candle (or fire symbol: LED candle, picture, red stone, etc); offerings and a bowl; cup of water/drink; divination set.
Initiating the Rite
We come to this space ready to honor the spirits. We set aside those things of the mundane world that would trouble this rite. May our space be made sacred because we gather here in ritual.
Establishing Group Mind / Two Powers Meditation [Hearth Keeper Essential]
We, the Distaff and Oak Hearth, are a tree in the Grove of Ár nDraíocht Féin. As our spines straighten, our roots entwine with the trees in the grove and our branches provide shade for the members of our Hearth. The fire within each of us is a star in the sky of ADF’s spirit.
The Hearth and Allies [Hearth Keeper Essential]
[Light hearth candle]
Born in the waters, kindled on the land,
With a pillar of smoke that supports the heavens,
This fire burns at the Center of All.
Earth Mother
Earth Mother, you who are nearest to us; you who are shrouded in beauty; we praise you for your blessings and bounty. May we remember what you do for us, and seek to bless you in return.
Accept this offering, Earth Mother, and be welcome at our hearth.
[Offering.]
Purpose/Precedent [Hearth Keeper Essential]
As the moon in its cycle is timeless, so do we, of the Distaff and Oak Hearth, gather again to honor the allies of our home and hearth, that we may be in harmony with the Grove of ADF and deepen our relationships with the spirits. We come now under the light of the New Moon, beginning a new month of connection and fellowship with the spirits, other Hearths, and the Grove of ADF. As our Ancestors did before, so we do now, so may those after us do in the future.
Recreating the Cosmos and Sacred Center
The waters support and surround us.
The land extends about us.
The sky stretches out above us.
At the center burns a living flame.
Opening the Gates
We call to our ally, the Bear, to help us transmute our gifts and transmit our words across the realms.
Accept this offering, Bear, and be welcome at our hearth.
[Offering.]
[Light altar candle from hearth candle.]
Flame at the Center of All,
Be a path opening to the lands of the Holy Ones.
May our prayers enter you,
And be there transformed:
Breath into spirit,
Offerings to spirit.
[Ceisiwr Serith, adapted]
Inviting & Offering to the Kindreds
We welcome the Kindreds to our home:
Ancestors of blood and heart and bone;
Nature Spirits, with whom we share this world;
Shining Ones, wise and mighty.
Kindreds, accept our offerings, and be welcome at this hearth.
[Offering.]
Key Offerings [Hearth Keeper Essential]
We call now to the Allies of our hearth and home. May we continue in a relationship of *ghosti and hospitality.
Allies, be welcome here and accept this offering.
[Offering.]
We call to Frigg, Goddess of the home and hearth. We ask your aid in guiding us for another month and overseeing the work of this hearth.
Hail the goddess Frigg
Lady of Earth and Stars
Wise Counselor of Wyrd
And Strength of Kinship
Lady of the Keys
Rune Warden and Secret Keeper
Guide us in Foresight
For the next month.
Beloved Queen,
You reside in the Marsh Hall
You sit on the High Seat
You are in the hearth’s warmth.
Frith Weaver,
We praise you for the joys of hearth and home
And mindful management of our lives.
Hail Frigg!
[Rev. Maire Durkan, adapted]
Frigg, be welcome here and accept this offering.
[Offering.]
Because this moon is an intercalary moon, we out call to Frigg and all of her maidens.
Goddess of Earth,
You reside in marshy Fensalir,
You weave the thread of wyrd on your loom.
Frigg Who Spins from Clouds,
You see all in the High Seat.
Goddess of Sovereignty and Frith,
Your distaff reaches into the stars.
There is no part of life that you do not have a hand in.
Frigg, you are Queen and Mother,
You are Wise Counselor and Rune Reader,
You are Frithweaver and Kin-Forger.
I honor you at my hearth,
And I honor the goddesses who work with you,
These goddesses who see your work fulfilled.
All goddesses who work towards frith.
I name them now:
Saga – who knows all the old tales
Eir – who is the wise healer
Gefjon – who gives ambition
Fulla – who guards the secrets
Sjofn – who encourages love
Lofn – who gives permission
Syn – who wards our spaces
Hlin – who protects from harm
Var – who hears all oaths
Vor – who knows all secrets
Snotra – who is wise counsel
Gna – who soars through the skies
Praise to all of these goddesses,
Goddesses of frith and community,
May my words and deeds honor you.
Hail these goddesses!
Be welcome here and accept this offering.
[Offering.]
Asking for Blessings Through an Omen
Let us take an omen to guide the work of our hearth over the next month.
[Take omen to gain wisdom.]
Blessing the Waters of Life
[Hold the vessel containing what will be the waters.]
Kindreds, we have given offerings and asked for your guidance through an omen. We now ask you to pour forth your blessings in these waters, so we may drink of your gifts.
[Pause and envision the blessings entering the waters.]
Behold, the Waters of Life!
Monthly Working: Blessing the Hearth and its Keepers [Hearth Keeper Essential]
With wisdom gained, we share these blessings with you and with each other. We drink these blessings and welcome our relationships with the Allies of our hearth.
[Drink.]
Now I will join with the other Hearth Keepers of ADF in reaffirming our oath:
“I am a Hearth Keeper of ADF, a member of the Distaff and Oak Hearth. For as long as my path aligns with this work, I will welcome the gods and spirits into my home and my heart. I will keep the holy days of Our Druidry. I will live a pagan life.”
The hearth fire burns brightly here on the altar. Its flame is reflected in all the flames of the Hearth Keepers of ADF.
Restoration of the Ordinary
To the Allies of our Hearth, for joining us here in this rite, we thank you.
To the Kindreds, for joining us here in this rite, we thank you.
To our ally the Bear, for joining us here in this rite, we thank you. May this flame at the Center of All become a simple fire once more.
To the Earth Mother, for joining us here in this rite, we thank you.
Having reconnected the Distaff and Oak Hearth to the Grove of ADF, and having gained wisdom for our hearth, this rite is now ended. May we go in peace and fellowship.
Final Offering
[Pour out the remaining Waters.]
From the gods to the earth to us,
From us to the earth to the gods.
A gift for a gift.
[The Raven Kindred & NE Heathen Community]
World Tree Heritage 