A Sample Ritual

Setting [optional]: Here, if desired, the priest or other designated person states the purpose for coming together and sets the tone, perhaps through a poem or story.  Here is an example from our Midsummer 2003 ritual.

"The Sun waxes to her highest glory, having put winter behind her and thawing the lands of Winter’s death grip.  Her face radiates with victory and life.   As the Sun overcomes the ordeal of death and rebirth to reach glory, so let us look within ourselves for our personal growth and victory as we have come out of winter and planted at summer’s dawn."

Hallowing: This version is as performed by Richard Culver.  This version is under frequent modification and will be updated as it does.

"Stand I here,  speaking for folk.  

Bid I the Hammer Wielder; bid I the Hallowing God;

Bid I the Holy Heaven-Rike's Ward.

Earth I bid and Upheaven 

 and those hidden and held in Hell's frith."

(this part optional)

"As Thunor harries Thurs-folk away,

Let drum's thunder drive away woe!"

[Beating drum 3x] "Three against unholy undead!"

[      "        "        " ]  "Three against evil elves!"

[      "        "        " ]  "Three against trothless trolls!"

[      "        "        " ]  "Three against woeful wights!"

"Be gone all who would make the weved [altar] make unholy!"

(End of optional part)

   The priest or priestess lights a fire or closest equivalent, such a candle, and says:

"Here me High and Low of Heimdall's kin,

Holy Hearth-flame heats the stead.

Let Frith flow as fire burns.

Let not woe nor witless words be made."

Calling:   This part of the rites is where the folk in attendance, through the priest, harken to the Holy Ones and invite them into our holy stead.  Below is the calling use from the Midsummer 2003 blessing.

    "Rise up Sunna, sig-star of heaven!

    Be welcomed with worthy speech!

    Earth’s Hearth-Fire, ever burning,

    Against Winter’s woe aethel-like you fly!"
 

    "Fare here Tiw, Troth-keeper to Fenrir!

    Be welcomed with worthy speech!

    Law-Reckoner, lofty in heaven,

    Heave Heaven’s Star high in victory!"
 

    "Fare here Thunor, Thwarter of troll and thurs!

    Be welcomed with worthy speech!

    Hammer God, hallowing fields,

    "Fare here Ing Frea, Icy-maid’s thawer!

    Be welcomed with worthy speech!

    Boar Rider, blessing with frith,

    Guard well Gerd’s bounties for harvest!"
 

     "Fare here and welcome, all the Gods and Goddesses, Forefaring kin, and those wealful wights of the land, water, and sky, those who made us, make us, and help us be whole."

Bede:  This a prayer offered up, speaking to the wishes and hopes of the people assembled.  In our rituals, this is most often impromptu and from the heart as best as can be conveyed.  In other groups, even the prayers will be composed.  Either way is good so long as it is from the heart and sincere.

Husel or the Hailing:  This part involves, at a minimum, passing a drinking horn and/or some food (food can be from a meal prior to the rite)-after being passed over a fire and/or mixed with blessed spring water, amongst the people assembled so each can speak their minds, if they so choose, for their hopes of the holy tide. (Note: As of Harvest 2003, we have started actually playing music during this part and made it a silent round and point of internal reflection.) 

Blessing:  This part is for the consecration of the people and/or objects involved in the rite.  If food is used, it is here where it is blessed as an offering.  Usually this blessing come about by sprinkling the food or other gift with the poured out remains of the horn which was passed during the hailing.  When it comes to the people assembled, a branch, fingers, or something else is used to sprinkle the people.

Offering:  Here the gift is actually offered or is at least officially designated for offering.  If one is outside or has a disposal spot handy, one can do it here.  If it is something which has to be done in another location, then make notice to the High Ones of your intent and move on to the closing.  For our Midsummer, we offered up a effigy of Winter, letting each person take a whack with an axe.  I have certain taboos about weapons of any kind in the holy stead, so we closed the site and then we "killed" Winter and put it in the fire.

Closing:  Here is just a formal ending to the rite and a way of saying a final "thank you" to the Gods.  Here is the phrasing I use:

"As you fared here and well came, now it is time to leave this stead."

"Fare well and Wassail, all of Heimdall’s kin who heard our call!  May the blessings of the season be upon you!"

   Then everyone disperses for whatever activity is next, such as symbel or to give an offering which has yet to be disposed, which should involve as many people as who want.