Initiating Ritual and Purifying Space
[Ring bell]
This time is sacred to me, and I honor it. This space is sacred to me, and I honor it. This work is sacred to me, and I honor it.
Two Powers Meditation / Quieting the Mind
Earth Mother
I call to the Earth Mother.
She who is nearest and dearest.
Mother of waters, mother of fertile soil, mother of life,
Through your generosity, we flourish.
Earth Mother, hear me call to you and invite you to this ritual.
Earth Mother, accept this offering.
[Offering]
Statement of Purpose
The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year. But the sun will slowly return and bring longer days again, and so the year begins anew. This is the season of hope and renewal, for the sun’s return heralds life again.
I take a moment to remember the ADF Virtue of Hospitality. This virtue is about generosity and respect. Hospitality is a two-way street, where guests and hosts each have responsibilities. It is the foundation for groups to come together, which is especially important for this season. By coming together in the darkest, hardest times, communities can thrive together. This virtue encourages those things integral to humans and our communities.
Recreating the Cosmos
The cosmos is vast, but there is a sacred center.
The waters support and surround me. The land extends about me. The sky stretches out above me. And at my center burns a living flame. I stand at the center of worlds in sacred space and sacred time. May my worship be true. May my actions be just. May my love be pure. And may I pray with a good fire.
Guide
I call to Thor to aid me in this ritual.
Thor, Protector of the folk,
Accept this offering and be welcome here.
[Offering]
Aid me and help send my offerings to the otherworld.
Opening the Ways
As I am in ritual space and ritual time,
I know that this world reflects the otherworld.
So may this fire become the cosmic fire
May this water become the cosmic well
May this tree become the world tree.
And may my offerings be transformed to spirit.
Kindred Invocations
Ancestors
I call to the Beloved Dead,
Ancestors of blood, of heart, of bone.
Those who have gone before,
I welcome you here.
Ancestors, accept my offering.
[Offering]
Nature Spirits
I call to the Nature Spirits,
With whom I share this world.
Beings of wonder and mystery,
I welcome you here.
Nature Spirits, accept my offering.
[Offering]
Shining Ones
I call to the Shining Ones,
Gods, Goddesses, and Godden.
Beings of blessing and guidance,
I welcome you here.
Shining Ones, accept my offering.
[Offering]
Beings of the Occasion Invocations
Invocation to Odin
God of Yuletide,
You lead the Wild Hunt on the wind of cold winter nights.
You ride Sleipnir with the Furious Host across the lands.
God of Yuletide,
You are the mouth from which story and song pour forth.
Your drink is the Mead of Poetry, giving inspiration and merriment.
God of Yuletide,
Your ring Draupnir gives abundance,
May our new year also be blessed with such abundance.
Hail Odin! Accept this offering.
[Offering]
Invocation to Sunna and Sinthgunt
Celestial Goddesses,
Sunna of the sun and Sinthgunt of the stars,
These are the darkest and coldest nights.
Sisters of the Heavens,
Journey no further from us!
Bring the light back to us,
Bring back the long, warm days.
May life be renewed with the new year.
Hail Sunna and Sinthgunt! Accept this offering.
[Offering]
Omen
Now I ask for a message from the Kindreds, to see what they have to say and receive their mighty wisdom.
[Take omen]
Thank you for this message and for your presence in ritual.
Blessing the Waters
I have made offerings to the Kindreds, and so I shall ask for blessings in return. This is the nature of *ghosti. I ask the Kindreds for their blessings in my life and in this water.
[Name blessings and visualize them in the waters.]
Behold the waters of life!
[Drink blessed waters]
Thanking the Beings of the Occasion
Odin, god of the Hunt and of Yule, I thank you for being with me in this ritual. Sunna and Sinthgunt, goddesses of the celestial bodies, of the sun and stars, I thank you for being with me in this ritual.
Thanking the Kindreds
To all the Kindreds: the Shining Ones, the Nature Spirits, and the Ancestors thank you for being with me in this ritual.
Thanking the Guide
I call once more to Thor
Thank you for aiding me in this ritual.
Closing the Ways
I stand in ritual space and ritual time.
But I must return to the here and now.
May this cosmic fire return to a fire.
May this cosmic well return to water.
May this world tree return to a tree.
I know that my offerings have been transformed.
Thanking the Earth Mother
Earth Mother,
You who are dear to me.
I always remain close to you.
Thank you for being with me in this ritual.
Closing
Now, this rite is ended.
World Tree Heritage 