1. Explain why cultural focus is important to consider when writing liturgy. (min 150 words)
I view the cultural focus of a ritual to essentially be the overall theme of the event. It gives you a set of guidelines to follow for your rite, even within the Core Order of Ritual. To begin with, the culture helps to define which beings would be appropriate to call upon for your being of occasion and who could potentially be utilized for your gatekeeper. However, I think that understanding the culture itself is much more than just selecting who you will honor in the ritual. Each culture also may have slightly different variations on how they approach parts of the COoR, such as their view of the outsiders or inspiration. Additionally, there are differences between cultures for the approach to the sacred center. For example, the Hellenic culture does not utilize a tree, but instead a stone called an omphalos as the sacred center. By following the customs of the ancient practices, it helps connect our work with the work of the culture itself. For me, this is a form of respect and a type of *ghosti.
2. Describe how you would establish the Center in ritual from three different Indo-European cultural perspectives. (min 100 words per culture)
Norse
Most often in ADF rituals, the sacred center is viewed as the Fire, Well, and Tree. This concept is easy to see in cultures like the Norse pantheon with clear descriptions of the world tree connecting the realms, with the realm of the deities high above and the ancestors below. The myth of Yggdrasil describes the water that runs about the roots of the tree, and the Shining Ones live in the highest realms of the world tree.
Roman:
Here is the focus, sacred flame of our hearth. Your flames reach to the heavens, so we may receive all the Kindred into our rite. Focus, great flame that connects us to our homes, we ask that you open now. I kindle the sacred Focus in wisdom, love and power.
Here is the mundus, pathway to the underworld and the spirits of the dead. Your shape reflects the dome of the heavens, and opens so we may receive all the Kindred into our rite. Mundus, great gateway to all that exists below, we ask that you open now. In the depths flow the waters of wisdom.
Here is the portus, the pillar between the worlds. You connect our realm to all other worlds, so we may receive all the Kindred into our rite. Portus, gateway to all the worlds, we ask that you open now. From the depths to the heights spans the Portus.
Mundus, portus and flaming focus
As you open up before us,
Grant us guidance beyond your gates
And allow us access to our Fates.
This sacred space is pure and open.
3. Write a ritual based on ADF's Core Order of Ritual for a culturally-specific High Day. The ritual may be solitary or group-oriented. (no min. word count)
Hittite Harvest High Day Ritual
Initiating the Rite
The group processes from the entrance to the ritual space, singing or playing music as desired
Purification
Ritual participants will wash their hands and enter the ritual space. After all participants have entered the ritual space:
As humans, there are times where we feel frustrated or anxious. Before we begin our rite, let us work to cleanse those emotions from ourselves so we can enter the sacred space with a good heart. Close your eyes and take a moment to look within yourself for these troubles, or others that may be bothering you. Once you have located those feelings, take a deep breath in, and blow out hard, blowing those negativities into a bubble in front of you. Take as many breaths as you need to in order to fill your bubble. Now that your bubble is filled, I want you to blow it away from yourself, down the path that leads away from this space. Blow the bubble further down the path and as it reaches the end of the road. Watch it sink into the Dark Earth. Deep in the Dark Earth are bronze vats with lids of lead and latches of iron. Watch your bubble sink into one of these containers and be sealed inside and locked into place. Take a deep breath, but this time, I want you to breathe in joy and gratitude from the world around you. Breathe deeply and feel positivity fill those places that the troubles have left behind. These are gifts the earth has given to us, cleansing gifts for you to take forward. Open your eyes, and now, we are ready to continue with our rite.
Honoring the Earth Mother
Gives cornmeal to Hannahannah
Hannahannah, wise mother goddess, advise giver, and purifier of gods, we ask you to join us in this rite. Grant us your strength and wisdom. Through you, the cycle of life is restored. Eternal, revered, and blessed, Hannahanna, we ask you to uphold this rite. Welcome Hannahanna.
Statement of Purpose:
Today we celebrate the First Harvest and the story of Telipinu. In this season, the first of the harvest is brought in from the fields. While the days are still warm, before long the world will begin to cool as the darkness grows longer. Telipinu, God of harvest and fertility, is with us now allowing us to reap the rewards of a successful growing season. We celebrate Telipinu’s gifts and the sacrifices from the earth so for our continued nourishment.
(Re)Creating the Cosmos
We continue this celebration by re-creating the cosmos through the Fire, Well, and Tree.
Water of the well, gateway to the Underworld, carry our words to our beloved dead. Act as a door through which we may honor them. Clear water of the well, accept our offering.
Give offering of silver
Primal fire, Glory of the Sun, fire of the hearth. Your radiant heat inspires life. Light bearer and power of the stars, gateway to the Shining ones. Sacred fire, accept our offering.
Give offering of oil
Great tree, you who span the three worlds. Your roots go deep and drink from the waters of the well and your branches rise high into the heavens. Great tree, accept our offering.
Give offering of incense
Opening the Gates
We will now invite a Gatekeeper to watch over our rite, and aid us in opening the Gates to the Otherworlds.
Gives alcohol to Arinniti.
Arinniti, Goddess of the Sun, Hearth Fires, Temple Flames, and the Fires inside the earth, queen of Heaven and Earth, keeper of the sacred fires of all realms, aid us as we re-create the cosmos and call our Kindred near. We ask that you guide our journey tonight. Help us to walk between the worlds and traverse the realms.
See the flame leaping forth from the ritual fire. See the mist arising from the well, warmed by the fires deep in the earth, flame and mist joining at the eyan-tree, forming a meeting place between the realms. Arinnti, merge your magic with ours, and Let the Gates be open!
Inviting the Three Kindreds
Give birdseed to the Nature spirits.
Nature spirits, creatures who live in the realm of Inara, goddess of the wild animals, we ask you to join us in this rite. You who live in the forests, fields and plains, you who play in the running and still waters, we call you to our sides and ask you to join us by the fire. Welcome, Nature Spirits!
Give bread to the Ancestors.
Ancestors, guides and guardians, beings who dwell in the Dark Earth with Lelwani, kin of blood and spirit alike, beloved dead both named and un-named, we call you to our sides and ask you to join us by the fire. Welcome, Ancestors!
Give mead to the Gods.
Shining Ones, the Thousand Gods of land, sea, and sky, those who are familiar and those who are strangers, we call you to our sides and ask you to join us by the fire. Welcome, Shining Ones!
Key Offerings
Today we’ve gathered to celebrate the first harvest, and the gifts we receive from Telipinu, while also remembering the suffering caused by his wrath. Telipinu was the son of the mighty storm god. He was a master of fostering agriculture, and with his help, fertility was abundant. One day, he was angered, the reason still unknown. Telipinu put his left shoe on his right foot, and right shoe on his left, and with this all joy seemed to leave the world. Mist seized the windows, smoke filled the houses, and fireplace logs were stifled. Mother sheep rejected their lambs. Telipinu went away and took with him all the grain, luxuriance, growth, and abundance. He went to the moor to hide from the world. While he was there, cattle, sheep, and humans could no longer become pregnant, and those already pregnant couldn’t give birth.
The Thousand Gods found themselves hungry and thirsty, and while they could eat, they were never full, and their thirst was never quenched. The gods began to worry and searched for Telipinu from the high mountains to the deep valleys but no one found him. Finally, Hannahanna sent a bee to search. The other gods questioned her, telling her that her wings were too small and he was too weak, but she had faith in her companion. The bee flew and searched until finally it came upon Telipinu, sleeping in the moor. The bee stung his hands and feet to wake him, and then rubbed him with wax to purify him. Telipinu returned to the city, but he was still quite displeased, so the people of the city began to make offerings.
They offered him honey, asking to allow the sweetness to sweeten his temperament. They offered grapes, reminding Telipinu of the goodness that lives inside a grape, bearing the gift of wine behind its skin, and asking that the goodness of the grapes bring goodness to his heart. Finally, they began to pray. “Telipinu, anger is a burning fire, and just as this fire, let your anger be extinguished” and with that, the extinguished the flame of their hearth. This prayer finally got his attention. Telipinu looked at the land around him, and saw the consequences of his actions. He began to calm and as he did the mist left the winds, smoke left the homes, and altars were again in harmony with the gods.
Offer honey/grape to Telipinu at appropriate times, and extinguishes flame.
We now call upon Telipinu and ask him that he join us in this rite. Telipinu, son of the mighty storm god, you who returned the sun from the dark sea, and bring bountiful gifts to the world of man, we have gathered here today to celebrate your gifts and hear of the hardships that come when you are gone. We now call to you, Mighty Telipinu, to join us in this rite. Telipinu, revered god of the harvest; fertility, abundance, and nourishment you provide to those who hold your blessing. Mighty friend to mankind and provider of gifts, both wonderful and useful, we call you to our sides and ask you to join us by the fire. Welcome, Telipinu!
Praise Offerings
Now is the time to give offerings to any of the Kindreds that you would like to honor. Come up as you will and bring your offerings either to the plate or bowl; you may choose to say some words in honor of those you are offering to, or you may speak your intentions in your heart.
After all are done, give final offerings.
Prayer of Sacrifice
Honor to the Nature Spirits, Spirits of this land and place! Honor to the Ancestors, mighty dead who have gone before us! Honor to the Gods and Goddesses of many names! Accept our offerings!
Omen
Takes omen.
Do the Kindreds accept our offerings?
Response.
What blessings do the Kindred gift to us?
Response
Calling for/Hallowing/Affirming the Blessings
In our tradition, a gift calls for a gift. Having offered to the Kindreds, we seek their blessings in return. Mighty Kindreds: nature spirits, ancestors, Gods, Hallow these waters! Bless our lives with wisdom and peace as we drink these sacred waters. Behold the waters of life!
By the blessing of all the Kindred, and mighty Telipinu, may we be filled with abundance and joy. From good to good and gain to gain, throughout the turning year. Honor to the Kindreds!
Now, I ask, do those gathered here wish to receive the blessings Kindreds? Then let them be shared.
The Waters are passed and all participants share the waters.
Thanking the Beings
As we prepare to depart, let us give thanks to those who have aided us! Telipinu, god of the fields, friend to mortals, we are honored to celebrate the first harvest with you. Mighty Telipinu, we thank you!
Spirits of the land, sea, and sky, creatures of Inara, you who dwell in the forests, fields and plains, may there be peace between us until we meet again. Nature Spirits, we thank you!
Ancestors, kin of heart and blood, heroes, guides, and guardians, you who dwell in the Dark Earth with Lelwani, may your courage continue to guide us on our path. Ancestors, we thank you!
Shining Ones, Thousand Gods and Goddesses both known and unknown, deities of land, sea, and sky, may your wisdom continue to light our way. Shining ones, we thank you!
Arinitti, keeper of the sacred fires of all realms, we thank you for acting as our guide tonight. May you continue to guide us on our paths. Arinitti, we thank you!
Closing the Gates
Now let the Fire be flame, the Well be water, and the tree be wood. Let all be as it was before. Mighty Arinitti, I ask you to once again join your magic with mine and together, let the Gates be closed!
Motions closing of Gates.
Thanking the Earth Mother
Hannahanna, Wise mother, for your support and sustenance. We thank you!
Give remaining offerings to Hannahannah.
Closing the Rite
We have done as our ancestors did and as our children will do and the Kindreds have answered! Let us go out into the world secure in the knowledge that our sacrifices have pleased the Kindreds and that we go forth under their protection. The ritual is at a close.4. Write a COoR ritual in a cultural focus that you do not commonly practice in. (no min. word count)
Brighid Healing Rite
Purification
Using incense: By the bright light of the fire, may this place be blessed and cleansed.
Sprinkling water: By the cool waters, may this space be purified and made whole.
Initiate the Rite
Take a deep breath. Feel yourself firmly grounded upon the earth, connected directly to the world. Feel the cool current of the waters flowing deep below your feet, and the bright warmth of the fire high above your head. Let us be grounded and centered in this space as we prepare to do our work.
Earth Mother
Danu, goddess of the land and the waters, mother of the Tuatha de. Mother of nature, lady of the waters, uphold this rite, just as you uphold all. Hail, Danu!
Statement of Purpose
Today we meet to heal those we love. We send our energies to them and hope to aid them in their recovery. We hope to aid what ails them, physical pains, emotional hurt, and mental concern. We create a sacred space to build the energy before we send it to them.
Recreating the Cosmos
Sacred fire, light and warmth. Burning flame of inspiration, purifying blaze, mighty flame of the hearth, you who connect us to the Shining Ones. Sacred fire, come forth.
Sacred well, waters that flow deep, cauldron of chaos and potential, waters of the deepest sea and the smallest spring, you who connect us to the Ancestors. Sacred water, flow forth.
Sacred tree, rooted in the earth, touching both the waters below and the flame above, standing at the center of the Cosmos, you who connect us to the Nature Spirits. Sacred tree, grow forth.
With the light of the fire, and the might of the waters, and the height of the tree, this space has been claimed and hallowed.
Opening the Gates
I now call to Manannan to act as our gatekeeper to watch over this rite and aid us in connecting to the otherworlds.
Manannan mac Lir, master of the sea and the ways in between, I ask that you part the mists between the worlds and open the gates between them. Give passage to all who come in peace. Let our words ring through the well to the Ancestors. Let our words carry high in the smoke to the Shining Ones. Let the tree carry our words to all worlds. Let the gates be open.
Three Kindreds
Noble spirits of the land, you of fin, fur and feather, of leaf and stone, we call you to our side. Meet us at the boundary. Hail, Nature Spirits!
Make offering
Ancient wise, kin of hearth and blood, you whose bones lie in this land, we call you to our side. Meet us at the boundary. Hail, Ancestors!
Make offering
Eldest and brightest, gods and goddesses both known and unknown, we call you to our side. Meet us at the boundary. Hail, Shining Ones!
Make offering
Key Offering
Brighid, goddess of the triple flame, you who warm our hearth and hearts, goddess of healing who blesses us with life, we call you to our side. Meet us at the boundary. Hail, Brighid!
Light Brighid’s candle and Make offering
Prayer of Sacrifice
Now is the time to give offerings to any of the Kindreds or loved ones that you would like to honor. Come up as you will and bring your offerings. You may choose to say some words in honor of those you are offering to, or you may speak your intentions in your heart.
Once all offerings have been given:
We have given our gifts freely to honor the Kindred. We have given our gifts to heal our loved ones. We offer of ourselves and hope that it brings balance. Mighty Kindreds, accept these offering!
Make offering
Omen
Do a 3 stone draw to determine if my offerings have been accepted and to determine if I should continue with this working.
Blessing:
Hail the Kindred who join us in this rite. Let their blessings flow into these waters. Hail Brighid whose flame shines brightly. Let her blessings flow into these waters. Let their gifts aid us in the work we do. Hail!
Drink from the cup
Working
Each participant is handed a white candle.
Brigid, glorious goddess of fire, we call to you now. Mighty goddess of healing, we ask for your aid. I pray to you to ask for the healing of our friends and loved ones.
The first participant’s candle is lit from Brigid’s candle, and the flame is passed from person to person while intoning, letting the volume and energy build.
May your flame burn away all of the illnesses,
May your strength help to ease their pain,
May your blessings heal their wounds.
Let them to be whole and happy.
Send your healing wisdom to their bodies,
So they can heal both seen and unseen.
Send your energy to restore them,
and bless their healing with peace.
Mighty Brigid, merge your magic with ours
Let your blessings flow to our loved ones.
Let them feel your strength,
And let them be healed!
Glorious Brigid, let our loved ones be healed!
Thanking the Beings
Brilliant Brighid, bright goddess of poets and smiths, thank you for joining us in healing our loved ones. May your presence continue to help us grow and keep the spark of inspiration alive in us all. May we always have a blessed relationship with you. Brighid, we thank you.
Shining Ones, gods and goddesses of our hearths, may you continue to bless and guide us on our paths. Shining Ones, we thank you for your presence this evening and for your continued gifts upon us. May we always have a blessed relationship with you. Shining ones, we thank you.
Ancestors, you who came before us, may you continue to guide us with your knowledge. Beloved dead, we thank you for your presence this evening and for your continued love and leadership. May we always have a blessed relationship with you. Ancestors, we thank you.
Nature Spirits, honorable ones of groves, plains, and waterways, may you continue to guide us on our paths. Nature spirits, we thank you for your presence this evening and your continued friendship. May we always have a blessed relationship with you. Nature Spirits, we thank you.
Closing the Gates
Manannan mac Lir, ferrier between the worlds, we thank you for parting the mists between the worlds tonight. May we always have a blessed relationship with you. Manannan mac Lir, we thank you!
I ask you now to let the mists flow between us once again. Let the fire be just flames, let the well be just water, let the tree be just a symbol. Let the Gates be closed.
Thanking the Earth Mother
Danu, mother of us all, goddess of the cycles of life, we thank you for your presence this evening and always. May we always have a blessed relationship with you. Danu, we thank you!
Closing the Rite
We have done as our ancestors did, and as our children will do. We’ve sent our healing energies to our loved ones, and hope that they will be healed from our work. Let us go forth knowing that we have done our best. We’ve made our offerings and the Kindred are pleased. We go forth under their protection. This rite is closed.
5. Discuss methods of applying the Kindreds and mythic themes of multiple IE hearth cultures in the same ritual, as well as your thoughts on doing so. (min.200 words)
6. Choose one of the following ritual themes, which present a unique hearth culture challenge and write a CooR ritual to fulfill the ritual needs of this request. Explain the reasoning for your text creation and how you feel your ritual meets the needs of the request.
I chose to write a ritual for a festival where participants may have many different hearth cultures. In order to fulfill this need, I chose to keep the ritual script completely neutral without any hearth specific deities or titles utilized. I called upon a generic Gatekeeper, and Earth Mother, and used a standard Fire, Well, and Tree for the sacred center. By keeping all of the different parts of the ritual generic it allows for people with any hearth culture to feel connected and included, while still sticking to the Core Order of Ritual that our members are familiar with.
d. A festival ritual to the three Kindred where the ritual participants are from various ADF hearth cultures.
Generic Festival Rite
Initiate the Rite
Process into ritual space, playing/singing music if desired.
Purification
Using incense, purify participants as they process into the ritual space.
Earth Mother
Earth mother, you who support and sustain all life, through you the cycle of the year continues. I kneel upon you here and ask that you uphold this rite. Welcome, Earth Mother.
Statement of Purpose
Welcome everyone. Thank you for joining us. Today we are gathered at <festival> to honor the Three Kindreds and foster relationships within our community.
Recreating the Cosmos
Sacred Fire, warm and bright. Flames of inspiration, flames of passion, flames of our heart. You connect us to the upper realm. Sacred flames, burn brightly.
Sacred Well, deep and cool. Waves of knowledge, waters of emotion, waters of the depths. You connect us to the lower realm. Sacred waters, flow calmly.
Sacred Tree, strong and tall. Branches reaching high, roots growing deep, trunk steady. You connect our realm to all others. Sacred tree, grow swiftly.
Opening the Gates
I call to the gatekeeper, walker between the realms. You who act as our messenger and guardian. You guide our steps and open the ways. Let the smoke rising up from our fire connect us to the realm of the Shining Ones. Let the waters flowing deep in our well connect to us the realm of the Ancestors. Let the tree growing deep and stretching high connect all the realms into this sacred space. Gatekeeper, let the gates be open.
Three Kindreds
Nature Spirits, creatures of fur and scale and feather. Green growing things and solid stones beneath our feet. We invite you to our hearth fire and give you this offering. Welcome, Nature Spirits!
Make offering
Ancestors, loved ones of blood and heart and hearth. You who passed from this world before us and guide our journey. We invite you to our hearth fire and give you this offering. Welcome, Ancestors!
Make offering
Shining Ones, mighty deities of our hearth and others. You who have taught us much and give us the greatest gifts. We invite you to our hearth fire and give you this offering. Welcome, Shining Ones!
Make offering
Key Offering
Nature Spirits, Ancestors, and Shining Ones. We welcome you into this space and honor you. Just as we work to build relationships with one another, we invite you to our hearth fire so we can also share our hospitality with you. Welcome, Kindreds All!
Make offering
Prayer of Sacrifice
We have given our gifts freely to honor the Kindreds. We offer our hospitality and hope that it brings balance. Mighty Kindreds, accept these offerings!
Make final offering
Omen
Do a 3 stone draw to determine message for this ritual
Blessing:
Hail the Three Kindred who join us in this rite. Let their blessings flow into these waters. Let the wisdom of the Ancestors flow into these waters. Let the patience of the Nature Spirits flow into these waters. Let the light of the Shining Ones flow into these waters. Behold, the waters of life!
Depending on group size you can either pass the cup, or you can asperge the crowd with them if it is too large.
Thanking the Beings
Shining Ones, deities of our hearths, may you continue to bless and guide us on our paths. Shining ones, we thank you.
Ancestors, you who came before us, may you continue to guide us with your knowledge. Ancestors, we thank you.
Nature Spirits, honorable ones of groves and waterways, may you continue to guide us with your growth. Nature Spirits, we thank you.
Closing the Gates
Gatekeeper, you who walk between the worlds, thank you for opening and guarding the way between the realms. Gatekeeper, we thank you.
I ask you now to join with me once again. Let the fire be just flames, let the well be just water, let the tree be just a symbol. Let the Gates be closed.
Thanking the Earth Mother
Earth Mother, goddess of the cycles of life, we thank you for your presence this evening and always. Earth Mother, we thank you.
Closing the Rite
We have done as our ancestors did, and as our children will do. Let us go forth knowing that we have done our best. We’ve made our offerings and the Kindred are pleased. We go forth under their protection. This rite is closed.
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