Illusion? Perhaps!

        I saw this one Facebook and it really was rather an interesting idea. To think that all things are mostly empty space. It is much like the heavens which is mostly empty space with some matter dispersed throughout. As above, so below or in this case As above, so within.

          In metaphysics many believe that reality is shaped by the individual, which means it has to be a malleable substance for it to be changed by each person. If we are mostly not hear it would explain why those who practice magic have the ability to shape and reshape the world around them.   

          Perhaps the Hindus and the Buddhist are right... we are nothing more than mere illusions that exists in the greater part of the divine. The idea we live in a holographic universe it not so bizarre after all. 

Hypocrisy

          Everywhere we look today there are people spouting out about their beliefs and how everyone should follow the way they think, that everyone should be as perfect as they are. I have one word for you: Hypocrisy. What is that word you say? Well hypocrisy is the state of "... feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially: the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion" (Merriam-Webster, hypocrisy).

          Every single person, wither intentional or not, is guilty of being hypocritical to their beliefs at some point in their lives. Many are guilty rather often unintentionally in their daily lives. Some are guilty very intentionally. But no matter the intent or lack there of, hypocrisy is... well hypocrisy.

          This is one of those topics, sadly, that keeps coming to mind many times throughout the day. I, myself, am guilty of it like everyone else. Sometimes it is intentional (a little lie here or there to have a little extra time off work) and sometimes unintentional. But what kills me are things like the fight against and for gay marriage. All these holier than thou Christians are fighting this 'righteous' war to defend the sanctity of marriage while all the while they themselves have been married 2, 3, 4 times. They say that marriage is for pro-creation yet there are married couples that cannot or will not have children. Yet if you turn it back on them the very same people begin to spout "Judge not, least ye be judged." Well guess what? You are a hypocrite! Not just a little bit... A WHOLE HELL OF A LOT!!!

          But there is major hypocrisy within all religious faiths, even among us Pagans. Many people who have turned to Paganism did so to escape the kind of oppression and hypocritical behavior seen in so many churches within the Christian faith. But they soon find themselves belonging to a spiritual path that can be just as hypocritical. I remember one of the first groups I joined talked about how each person was a priest/ess. that each of us were just as able to reach out to the gods as anyone else. Yet within a few short classes I was instructed I was not allowed to do rituals, magic, or even simple prayers to the gods without supervision. Well that is pretty hypocritical to what was stated upfront.

          Though each of us as individuals and as groups at any given time can be a hypocrite, it is important to remember that we are not perfect. We each make mistakes. All we can do it work hard towards following our beliefs to the best of our abilities and try to like with as much integrity and piety as possible. If each one of us would strive to this the world would under go dramatic change.

ADF styled Vedic Ganesh Chaturthi ritual

          As a follower and devotee of Ganesha, the Chaturthi is one of the important none traditional High Days for me as a Druid. It is the Vedic/Hindu celebration devoted completely to Lord Ganapetia. In India millions of people take to the streets with flowers, fruits, sweets, and various other offerings as they parade massive statues made from plaster of the Lord. These processions lead to the ocean where the statues are submerged into the sea or rivers which lead to the sea.

Here is a video of these celebrations:

          The old Grove chose to celebrate this as a group. I created a Paper Mache statue of Ganesha that was used in the ritual. We decorated him with flowers and gave offerings of fruits, sweets, and coconuts before we placed him in the fire to send our love and devotions to him in the heavens. The following is the ritual which we performed on this day.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Vedic)

Precession Song: (Bardic)  We approach the Sacred Grove with hearts and minds, flesh and bones, Join us now in ways of old, we have come home. We have come home.

Purification of the people

Welcome (Yellow) 

World Tree Meditation (Yellow) 

Consecration of Place and Time

Offering to the Outsiders:   (Yellow) Outdwellers, turn from our grove!

Offering to Agni: (Yellow) Might Agni, be in our grove!

Offering to the Earth Mother: (Yellow) Beloved kSétrasya pátnī (kSeh-tras-yah pat-nih), be in our grove!

Offering to Poetic Inspiration: (            ) Spirit of Inspiration, be in our grove!

Recreation of the Cosmos and Establishing Scared Center (Yellow)

Invocation of Gatekeeper: Honored Mushika, come to our grove!

Opening of the Gate:      Well, Tree, Fire

CHORUS 
By Fire and by Water, between the Earth and Sky
We stand like the World-Tree rooted deep, crowned high. (repeat once) 

(Yellow makes offering of silver to well-opens the gate)

Come we now to the Well, the eye and the mouth of Earth,
Come we now to the Well, and silver we bring,
Come we now to the Well, the waters of rebirth,
Come we now to the Well, together we sing: 

CHORUS

(Yellow makes offering to the tree-opens the gate)

Gather we at the Tree, the root & the crown of all,
Gather we at the Tree, Below & above,
Gather we at the Tree, Together we make our call,
Gather we at the Tree, In wisdom & love. 

CHORUS 

(Yellow makes offering to the fire-opens the gate)

We will kindle a Fire, Bless all, and with harm to none,
We will kindle a Fire, and offering pour,
We will kindle a Fire, A light 'neath the Moon & Sun,
We will kindle a fire, our spirits will soar. 

CHORUS (with gusto)

All: Let the gates be OPEN!

                Let the gates be OPEN!

                Let the gates be OPEN!

Chorus

(Yellow): The gates are OPEN!

Kindred Invocations

Offering to Ancestors:  (Blue) Beloved Ancestors, accept our offering!

Offering to Nature Spirits: (Green) Spirits of Nature, accept our offering!

Offering to the Gods:  (Red) Mighty gods, accept our offering!

Song: (Bardic)      Gods & Dead & Mighty Sidhe, Powers of earth & sky and sea. By fire & well, by sacred tree, Offerings we make to ye!

Main Rite

Kindred of the Occasion Invocation:

Invocation to Ganesha (Yellow):

[Ganesha Invocation: 108 count] om gam ganapataye namaha

(offerings of sweets, flowers, and fruits)

Praise Offerings (For Ganesha Alone):

Main Offering (Prayer of Sacrifice) Yellow:

[Prayer to Ganesha Remover of Obstacles]

(offering of drink and fruit)

Taking of the Omen:

Cup Litany:

(Blue)                  You among the Mighty Dead, ancestors to us all,
                           Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
                           We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the wisdom of
                           Your great Knowledge!

(All) The gifts of the Ancestors for the people of the Ancestors!

(Green)               You of land, sea, and sky; both mortal and spirit alike,
                           You who are the Nature Spirits,
                           Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
                           We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the warmth of your
                           Great Kinship!

(All) The gifts of the Nature Spirits for the kin of the Nature Spirits!


(Red)                 You among the divine and gods and goddesses of all time,
                          Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
                          We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the great Light of
                          Your Truth!

(All) The gifts of the Gods for the children of the Gods!

(Yellow)                 In the name of Memory, the preserving shrine.(Well)

                              In the name of Earth, our common mother.(Tree)

                              In the name of Truth, the light which has no beginning and no end.(Fire)

                               

                              May we never know thirst or need while in your service. Awen! (Make sign of ADF sigil over the Waters of Life)

Return the Waters of the Earth: We return the Water of Life so that the land will be better for us having been here. Hail great giving Earth! Keep safe always the sacrifice, keep it ever holy!

Working: 

End of Rite

Thank deity of occasion:

Thank the Gods: (Red)

Thank the Nature Spirits: (Green)

Thank the Ancestors: (Blue)

Thank the Spirits of Inspiration: (           )

Thank the Earth Mother: (Yellow)

De-Hallowing of the Fire, Well, & Tree; Close the Gate, and thank Ganesha: (Facilitator-Yellow)

Closing Meditation  (Yellow)

End of ritual

Song: (Bardic)   Walk with wisdom from this hallowed place. Walk not in sorrow, our roots shall ere embrace. May strength be your brother, and honour be your friend, And luck be your lover until we meet again.

ADF Norse styled Yule ritual

          Yule is one of my favorite festivals. Even as a child I loved Christmas time, well before I realized that so many of the holidays symbols were Pagan in nature. When I became Pagan it only increased by love of the holiday.

          Then I found ADF Druidry through the local Grove in Georgia. This was when I experienced a Norse flavored Yule vigil. It was the most amazing experience I have ever had with group ritual. The power and love during the vigil was beyond moving. So from that day forth, even though I am Hellenic by culture, Yule has always been celebrated as Norse. The following is the Norse rituals (all be it very edited to be more my style) that was used in the Grove of the Red Earth, ADF. The following is the general schedule and then the ritual scripts for each. During the time we are not performing ritual/Sumble and tending the Yule fire, members of the Grove played games throughout the night. We took shifts so that everyone got a chance to sleep some.

Yule Schedule

1. Beginning Sacrifice (Sunset): Calling to the gods, invocation of protection & their presence for celebration, hallowing of the area. This is the time of the sacrificial loaf and dedicating the drink offering (and loaf), making oaths on the loaf, giving offerings to the gods and sharing with the people. Oaths made should
be ones you plan to keep!!!

2. Sumble (around Midnight): Ritual toasting- During this rite the drink is hallowed and passed around for all who wish to participate. We drink to toast and remember. First round for the gods, the second round for the ancestors, the third open to any (gods, ancestors, or nature spirit [land wight]). Things said here are in
the way of wyrd and have great power for good or ill.

3. Welcoming the Sun (Sunrise): Sunna is welcomed, drink shared, ritual wreath is offered to the fire. Breakfast Feast is then blessed and shared with the nature

4. Main Ritual (ADF format- after Breakfast Feast): sacrifice of animal decorations… praise offerings of animal crackers!

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Beginning Sacrifice: Sunset

Meditation

Statement of Purpose:

‘We gather this eve as our ancestors of old… on this the longest night of the year. On this night, it was believed in many cultures, rides The Wild Hunt. The Hunt is lead by many leaders, in some by Odin, in others Thor, or Holda, or Freyja. Still in others it is said to be led by the Horned God of Northern Europe, Cernunnos. The myths behind The Wild Hunt are just as varied. Some say it is the gathering of souls of the death to be taken to the Otherworld, others that it is the hunt of oath breakers and violators of basic moralities, and still others that believe the souls taken are to serve in the final battle against Chaos.

But no matter  the culture, there seems to remain the danger that those who witness The Hunt could get caught up in it and be taken to the land of the Dead themselves.

So it is on this might we stand together, to fortify each other, to celebrate our time together and the hopes of the coming year. So shall we begin!

Hallowing of the area:

Creation of Sacred Center:

Hammer Rite:

(Hold the Hammer to the sky)

‘Between the burning fires of heavenly Chaos and the frozen wastes before time, We stand at the joining of fire and ice, of the Gods and the living, in the place of the holy divine! Hammer of Thor, Hallow and Hold This Holy Stead!’ (Draw the shape of a large T to the sky then to the floor to bless and protect from above and below)

Hallowing of the Drink and Loaf:

(hold hands over the bread and drink while saying:) ‘Hail, you gods, Hail, you shining ones! Share with us this bread and drink! We offer to you not as servants, for we have no masters, but as friends, and as near kin!’

  

Oath Making:

‘All that wish to take an oath this eve come forth! But be warned; DO NOT take lightly that which you pledge this Yule night, least you suffer the fate of an oath breaker!

(each person wishing to come forth does so, placing their hand upon the load to make their oath.)

Sharing of Sacrifice:

‘Let our Yule vigil begin! Let us join together in community to celebrate our bonds and the returning light…’

(each person wishing to takes a small part of the oath loaf and drink. The remainder  is given to the Tree as an offering.)

‘Hail great giving Earth! Keep safe always the sacrifice, keep it ever holy!’

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Sumble: (Midnight)

Statement of Purpose: ‘The Sumble is an ancient and holy Norse rite that is a formal series of toasts. This rite was so favored and wide spread that is flourishes even in our modern day traditions, such as weddings, award ceremonies, Thanksgiving dinners, New Years toasts and banquets.

We shall pass around the Blessing Cup. Thrice shall it go around, First for the gods, second for the ancestors, and third for any Kindred you wish to honor. Make your toast and drink from the cup… then pass to the next person near you.’

(fill the glass with mead.) ‘Let us drink and remember for we enter into the river of wyrd!’

(Drink is hallowed through the Sacred Center by each of the Hallows then passed around for 3 rounds)

1.      The Shinning Ones- ‘Hail to the gods, the shining Ones, Mighty in Power!  Hail the Dwellers in Asgard’s high halls! Honor we offer and thanks for past blessings! We remember and toast before all in the hall! (first round is made with the cup making toasts to the gods)

2.      The Ancestors- ‘Hail to the Alfs, all about us, the Father of our folk. Hail the Dises, all about us, the Mothers of our might. Hail to our kin, in the hidden lands, Hail the ancestors on this holy Yule!’ (second round is made with the cup making toasts to the ancestors)

3.      Open Round- (third round is made with the cup making toasts to whom ever among the Kindreds the people with to toast)

(Once completed with the third round close the Sumble by saying:)

‘Now let us go forth from this place to say mighty words and do mighty deeds!’

(if there is any remaining drink pour it into the Tree offering bowl saying:)

‘Hail, great giving Earth! Keep safe always the sacrifice, keep it ever holy!’

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Welcoming the Sun (Sunrise):

(Hallow the breakfast feast then remove a portion of the food for the land wights.)

Meditation (short):

(Blessing Cup of Juice is held high to Salute the rising Sun)

‘Hail, Bright Day and your Son the Dawn!

Hail, Dark Night and your Daughter the Twilight!

Look upon us twin the light, with loving eyes,

And give us your blessings!’

‘Hail, Gods; Hail, Goddesses.

Hail, the Giving Earth,

Grant to us, the storied ones,

And healing hands in this life.’

(Blessing Cup is passed to those assembled)

Sunrise Sacrifice:

(Hold up the plate of food and say)

‘Hail, the Giving Earth and all Her Children. We give back this portion of our feast to those that dwell with us. Join us in celebrating the Returning Light!’

(place the plate of food at the tree)

‘Let us feast together and celebrate the new day!’

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Procession Song: (Bardic)  We approach the Sacred Grove with hearts and minds, flesh and bones, Join us now in ways of old, we have come home. We have come home.

Purification of the people

Hammer Rite:

[Hold the Hammer to the sky] ‘Between the burning fires of heavenly Chaos and the frozen wastes before time, We stand at the joining of fire and ice, of the Gods and the living, in the place of the holy divine! Hammer of Thor, Hallow and Hold This Holy Stead!’ (Draw the shape of a large T to the sky then to the floor to bless and protect from above and below)

Welcome

World Tree Meditation

Consecration of Place and Time

Offering to the Outsiders:   Outdwellers, turn from our grove!

Offering to the Earth Mother: Beloved Earth Mother, be in our grove!

Offering to Poetic Inspiration: Spirit of Inspiration, be in our grove!

Recreation of the Cosmos and Establishing Scared Center

Hallowing of the Well: Spirit of the Well, be in our grove!

Hallowing of the Tree: Spirit of the Tree, be in our grove!

Hallowing of the Fire: Spirit of Fire, be in our grove!

Invocation of Raven: Honored Raven, come to our grove!

Opening of the Gate:      Well, Tree, Fire

Kindred Invocations

Offering to Ancestors:   Beloved Ancestors, accept our offering!

Offering to Nature Spirits: Spirits of Nature, accept our offering!

Offering to the Gods:  Mighty gods, accept our offering!

Song: (Bardic)      Gods & Dead & Mighty Sidhe, Powers of earth & sky and sea. By fire & well, by scared tree, Offerings we make to ye!

Main Rite

Kindred of Occasion Invocation

Odin:

Alfadir, foremost of the Aesir, Son of Bor and Bestla, We call to you! Great Odin, HEAR OUR CALL!

You who sacrificed much in pursuit of wisdom, We call to you! Great Odin, HEAR OUR CALL!

You who resides in Valaskjalf, who sends forth Huginn and Muninn to learn of the nine worlds, We call to you! Great Odin, HEAR OUR CALL!

We call you home from your long nights ride hunting on swift Slipnir’s back! Return now with from preserving the world from the ettins, with our great thanks, we the people give you this offering. Hail and greetings Odin! (Drinks some of the offering then pours libation)

Freya:

Most beautiful and propitious goddess, foremost of the Vanir, daughter of Njord and Freyr, We call to you! Great Freya, HEAR OUR CALL!

You who married Od, you  whose tears are as gold, you  whose cloak of feathers gives the power to change the wearer into a falcon, We call to you! Great Freya, HEAR OUR CALL!

You who resides in the palace Folkvang were love songs fill the halls, you  whose hall is Sessrummir where one half the fallen warriors go, the hall in which fallen  woman go, We call to you! Great Freya, HEAR OUR CALL!

We call you from your great hall Mistress of Mysteries, Bright Golden Frey’s Twin.  We call you forth to honour you goddess of Magic and Wisdom, of growth and joyous laughter, you Amber, Gold giving Friend of man; we the people give you this offering.  Hail and greets Freya! (Drinks some of the offering then pours libation)

Praise Offerings:

First round of Praise Offerings to be made to Odin. Second round of Praise Offerings to be made to Freya. Open Praise Offerings after that. Praise Offerings for Yule this time will be either libation or Animal Crackers hung on tree.

Main Offering: (Every One will take part in the prayer)

We stand together as one with the Kindreds witness to Sunna’s return.

We witness the turning of darkness to light, the turning of the barren year to hope.

We eagerly await the signs of the forth coming spring.

Let us give thanks for that which we received this past year.

For the bonds betweens Kindreds are maintained by the exchange of gifts.

(Offerings of thanks to any of the Kindreds: Animal crackers placed on the tree)

A new year dawns with the rising sun of Yule,

With it we ask for that which we need the coming year for ourselves and for our kin.

(Main Offerings of Painted Deer forms for wishes of the coming year placed on the tree)

Shining Gods, Might Ancestors, Glorious Nature Spirits; accept our offerings and grant us your blessings!

Oath Making:

‘All that wish to take an oath this eve come forth! But be warned; DO NOT take lightly that which you pledge this Yule night, least you suffer the fate of an oath breaker!

(each person wishing to come forth does so, placing their hand upon the load to make their oath.)

Sharing of Sacrifice:

‘Let us join together in community to celebrate our bonds and the returning light…’

(each person wishing to takes a small part of the oath loaf and drink. The remainder  is given to the Tree as an offering.)

‘Hail great giving Earth! Keep safe always the sacrifice, keep it ever holy!’

Taking of the Omen

Hammer Blessing for Water of Life: Blessing cup is held in left hand, hammer in right hand. Make hammer sign over cup and say: (David)

Now let the weal-might, of Odin and Frigga

Of Frey and of Freya, of Tir and all Aesir

Of Alfar and Disir, and all goodly wights

Shine in this Blessing, We pray as your people

Hallow the Waters, O Mighty and shining

Offerings we’ve given, Pray gift us in turn!

Behold the Gift!

Cup Litany: 

             If you have heard our voice, you ancestors who watch over us,

If you have been drawn close to our fire by our praise, by our blessings, by the gifts we bring, then you’ll do what is right Mighty Ones.

You will remember us kindly

You will bless us

You will be close kin to our folk!

(All)        The gifts of the gods for the people of the gods!

If you have heard our voice, you spirits of the living land,

If you have been drawn close to our fire by our praise, by our blessings, by the gifts we bring, then you’ll do what is right Noble Ones.

You will remember us kindly

You will bless us

You will be good neighbors to our folk.

(All)        The gifts of the gods for the people of the gods!

If you have heard our voice, you keepers of every Art and Mystery,

If you have been drawn close to our fire by our praise, by our blessings, by the gifts we

bring, then you’ll do what is right, Shining Ones.

You will remember us kindly

You will bless us

You will be dear friends to our folk.

(All)        The gifts of the gods for the people of the gods!

In the name of Memory, the preserving shrine, (Well)

In the name of Earth, our common mother, (Tree)

In the name of Truth, which has no beginning and no end, (Fire)

Let no one who comes to the Great Feast go away unsatisfied. Let the Blessing Cup never run dry.

(Passing of the Blessing Cup to all attending)

End of Rite

Return the Waters of the Earth:

Thank deity of occasion:

Thank the Gods:

Thank the Nature Spirits:

Thank the Ancestors:

Thank the Spirits of Inspiration:

Thank the Earth Mother:

De-Hallowing of the Fire, Well, & Tree; Close the Gate, and thank Raven

End of ritual

Song: (Bardic)  Walk with wisdom from this hallowed place. Walk not in sorrow, our roots shall ere embrace. May strength be your brother, and honour be your friend, And luck be your lover until we meet again.

ADF styled Samhain ritual

This ritual is from some years back. It was one of the first rituals my old Grove had performed as an office group. We were still in the process of creating a liturgy style that really suited us best. It was for Samhain which we dedicated solely to the Ancestors as it is the time of year when the veil is the thinnest between our worlds. I have since performed a similar ritual yearly with modifications to be more of an ADF Hellenic styled rite.

(note: some of the invocations are simple phrases. this is because we did the majority of our calls from heart and these were the trigger phrases for the 'Call and Response' in our rituals.)

Samhain Ritual from 2008

Procession Song 

Purification of the people

Welcome

World Tree Meditation

Consecration of Place and Time

Offering to the Outsiders:  Outdwellers, turn from our grove!

Offering to the Earth Mother:  Beloved Earth Mother, be in our grove!

Offering to Poetic Inspiration: Spirit of Inspiration, be in our grove!

Recreation of the Cosmos and Establishing Scared Center

Hallowing of the Well: Spirit of the Well, be in our grove!

Hallowing of the Tree: Spirit of the Tree, be in our grove!

Hallowing of the Fire: Spirit of Fire, be in our grove!

Invocation of Raven: Honored Raven, come to our grove!

Opening of the Gate:      Well, Tree, Fire

Portal Song:

CHORUS

By Fire and by Water, between the Earth and Sky

We stand like the World-Tree rooted deep, crowned high. (repeat once)

Come we now to the Well, the eye and the mouth of Earth,

Come we now to the Well, and silver we bring,

Come we now to the Well, the waters of rebirth,

Come we now to the Well, together we sing:

CHORUS

We will kindle a Fire, Bless all, and with harm to none,

We will kindle a Fire, and offering pour,

We will kindle a Fire, A light 'neath the Moon & Sun,

We will kindle a fire, our spirits will soar.

CHORUS

Gather we at the Tree, the root & the crown of all,

Gather we at the Tree, Below & above,

Gather we at the Tree, Together we make our call,

Gather we at the Tree, In wisdom & love.

CHORUS (with gusto)

All: Let the gates be OPEN!

                Let the gates be OPEN!

                Let the gates be OPEN!

Chorus

(Yellow): The gates are OPEN!

Kindred Invocations

Offering to Ancestors:  Beloved Ancestors, accept our offering!

Offering to Nature Spirits: Spirits of Nature, accept our offering!

Offering to the Gods:  Mighty gods, accept our offering!

Song:  Gods & Dead & Mighty Sidhe, Powers of earth & sky and sea. By fire & well, by scared tree, Offerings

we make to ye!

Main Rite

Kindred of Occasion Invocation (Ancestors):

The night grows dark, the stars shine bright,

Hear the call of Hallows’ Night!

The Veil grows thin, we invite you in,

Oh Great and Mighty Dead!!!

Dearly departed, mighty ancestors,

Heroes and heroines of history,

Those that have come before, those that light the way;

Be drawn by our beacon, come to our right, so that we may honor you!

Ancestors! We, the people call to you, hear our prays, accept our offering!

(Light the Ancestral Pumpkin. Give offering of milk and honey.)

Praise Offerings:

Main Offering:

(Light of tea lights and the telling of stories about the beloved Dead. First round for those that have pasted since last Samhain.)

Prayer of Sacrifice:

You who have come to us this night, we give you thanks,

We honor you with right living and by keeping the old ways.

Accept this offering from the living to the dead,

From this world to the Underworld,

Beyond and through the veil,

Come forth and be part of the Great Feast!

Know always you are welcome in our heart, in our homes, and at our tables!

(place the plate of food on the Ancestor alter. Pour a glass of wine for the alter as well)

May you never hunger, may you never thirst!

Taking of the Omen

Cup Litany: 

You among the Mighty Dead, ancestors to us all,
Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the wisdom of
Your great Knowledge!

(All) The gifts of the Ancestors for the people of the Ancestors!

You of land, sea, and sky; both mortal and spirit alike,
You who are the Nature Spirits,
Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the warmth of your Great Kinship! 

(All) The gifts of the Nature Spirits for the kin of the Nature Spirits! 

You among the divine and gods and goddesses of all time,
Offerings we have made, offerings you have received.
We ask that you bless these Waters so we may share in the great Light of
Your Truth!

(All) The gifts of the Gods for the children of the Gods!


In the name of Memory, the preserving shrine.(Well)
In the name of Earth, our common mother.(Tree)
In the name of Truth, the light which has no beginning and no end.(Fire)

May we never know thirst or need while in your service. Awen! (Make sign of ADF sigil over the Waters of Life)


Return the Waters of the Earth: We return the Water of Life so that the land will be better for us having been here. Hail great giving Earth! Keep safe always the sacrifice, keep it ever holy! 

End of Rite

Return the Waters of the Earth:

Thank deity of occasion:

Thank the Gods:

Thank the Nature Spirits:

Thank the Ancestors:

Thank the Spirits of Inspiration:

Thank the Earth Mother:

De-Hallowing of the Fire, Well, & Tree; Close the Gate, and thank Raven:

End of ritual

Song:   Walk with wisdom from this hallowed place. Walk not in sorrow, our roots shall ere embrace. May strength be your brother, and honour be your friend, And luck be your lover until we meet again.

Gaia Theory... a metaphysical/magical look from my perspective

Gaia

          For years there has been an idea called the Gaia Theory stating that organics have evolved to 'interact with their inorganic surroundings on Earth to form a self-regulating, complex system that contributes to maintaining the conditions for life on the planet.' (Wikipedia - Gaia Theory). During my meditations working to create the study program for DEO (Demeter and the Eleusinian Order, ADF) I began to see this theory through a metaphysical perspective.

          Science is finding that there is a vast network of fungi in the soil of the earth which allows for transfer of nutrients and possible communication between plants of every kind. This network is known as the mycelia network. There are many functions on a physical and biology level which occurs between fungi and plant life, far more than I could ever image covering in this post. If you are interesting in learning more do a Google search on: Mycorrhiza fungi or Mycelia fungi. Believe me you will find amazing amounts of information. Also here is a video of Paul Stamets talking about mycelia on TED: (there are a great many videos by Paul and others from TED talks which cover this topic and other involving biology communities forming networks)

          My interest here is on what can this mean on a metaphysical level to we humans and all the other life forms which inhabit our planet. During my meditation and trance work with Demeter in creating the DEO study program She showed me ideas which lead me to the following thoughts about this.

          So let us suppose that magic is derived from the plant itself. It is part of the very essence of the life force which encases the earth. And let us say that this energy moves through a vast network throughout the planet. A network of mycelia which spreads throughout the soil. Plants are inner connected with the fungi which are connected to the Earth Mother and all over things in the soil. There is an unending flow of energy. Let us now say that plants take some of this fungi into them and spread it through their pollen into the air. This then allows animals of all kind to take in the fungi connecting us to the same energy, the same life force, the same magic of the Earth Mother. Then the pollen then falls into water where is spreads further connecting land, sea, and sky. It then connects everything on and within the earth to one another. This could be our true World Tree... that which connects us to all things and all places!


          But if this network is there, which it really is actually there despite my thoughts on what it could mean, why is magic nearly lost to the past? Why can we not access it like stories of old? Let me share with you what I saw as being the reasoning for this.

          As humanity evolved we started to change our environment. As we learned about agriculture we reshaped the land through farming to suite our needs, so we could grow more food for our ever growing species. As forests were cleared and land plowed this ancient mycelia network was damaged. The more we spread the more damage to the network. Then we began to mine minerals which further tore into our Earth Mother disrupting the network even further. We lived in these areas where our connection to the Earth Mother and the earth magic were damaged. The more our villages grew the more damage we did the more our connection was weakened. This not only made us start to lose our connection to magic but to the Earth Mother herself. We began to feel lost so we advanced further to fill the void of our own creation, which in turn caused even further destruction.

          In our efforts to provide for our exploding population we began to find ways to turn away pests and other 'damaging' life forms to our crops. This effort began to poison the land, killing even more of the network. This in turn caused plant life to become damaged and struggle as it lost connections with the Earth Mother. It is a cycle that has spiraled completely out of control.

          We now consume foods that are altered, treated to prevent 'infestation' of things we see as undesirable, that are processed to the point they can barely be seen as nature foods. Though doing so we are cutting ourselves off from the Earth Mother and Her network of life even further. We eat foods that stunt the growth of healthy bacteria and fungi in our bodies. We grow food in wants that prevent the land and crops themselves from obtaining what they need. Hell we are even to the point of genetically modifying food so that we can gain more nutrition from it. And in doing so we are pushing ourselves further and further from our connection from the Earth Mother and all life. We have caused and imbalance in the world that ripples throughout our planet, throughout life, and throughout our souls.

          Just some food for spiritual thought.