Lughnasadh
(All enter the grove, and a chime is rung three times to signal the beginning of the rite)
Today we gather in the ripening of summer to celebrate the feast of the god Lugus, master of all crafts. We come as children of the old ways, to celebrate those things of raw nature that are transformed by human skill – baking of bread, brewing of beer, games of skill and strength. We come to celebrate the harvesting and gathering of the first fruits of the season, and to enjoy the warm summer days that remain to us.
To the Earth, our Mother,
The womb of all Being -
Accept our offering!
To the Awen, Inspriring force,
The spark that burns within us –
Accept our offering!
All you of the Primal Dark,
Outsiders, Nightmare spirits, banes –
This tithe is yours, this offering yours.
Leave us be, pass by in peace, and trouble us not in our working!
With Silver, the Well is Hallowed!
With Incense, the Fire is Empowered!
With this offering, the World Tree stands!
O Mannanan, son of Lir,
You who walk the ways between the worlds,
We ask you, Open the gates!
Let the Fire open as a gate,
Let the Well open as a gate,
Let the Tree stand as the pillar of all being,
Let the gates be open, and magic flow between!”
We stand at the center of all worlds.
We are connected to all that is sacred.
Take a moment to be still, to center yourself and feel the flows of the Two Powers within you. (Brief Two Powers meditation follows.)
Shining Ones! Shapers of the World,
Hail and welcome to our rite!
Ancestors!
You who came before us and watch over us,
Hail and welcome to our rite!
Indwelling spirits of the land!
Spirits of this place,
Hail and welcome to our rite.
Lugus, Brightest of craftsmen!
You whose shrines once crowned the highest of peaks-
You who stand for the constant striving in the human breast-
On this, your highest day, we honor you !
With fresh bread: Grain nourished with sun, and transformed by craft into sustenance.
With beer: A glad result of the ancient alchemy of brewing.
With fresh ears of corn: Sun-golden grain raised from fertile land.
Let our words of praise ring out like clear bells –
O Lugus, many skilled, we ask you accept our offerings,
And bless us in return!
Anyone who wishes to make a personal offering may now do so.
Let the energy of our offerings flow through the gates between the worlds, that the Powers might receive them. Let our voices be heard, and let our praise flow between the worlds!
Having prayed to the Powers, let us now see what omen they have to give us. I will draw three staves, that we may know their advice and their will.
How have our offerings been received?
What advice or blessing do the powers have for us?
What further needs to the powers have from us?
With this beer we share in the Gods’ blessing, our gift for the honor we have given.
As you drink, think about what blessing it is you seek in return.
Shining Ones, we thank you for your blessing!
Ancestors, we thank you for your guidance!
Indwelling spirits, we thank you for your presence!
Mannanan, son of Lir,
For your presence and power, we thank you!
Now let the tide of magic ebb,
And all be as it was before.
Let the Fire now be but flame,
Let the Well now be but water,
Let the Tree be but a tree.
Let the gates be closed!
Take a moment to be still, to center yourself in the here and now, as the flows of power ebb and the mundane world once more comes to the fore.
We have come together and have given honor and offering to the Mighty Gods as our ancestors did of old, and as we will do again in days to come. Now let us depart, and carry from this place into our lives the blessing of the powers, the spark of magic and the light of the holy. Our rite is now ended!
