Over the winter I wrote about models of purification and pollution in a modern Pagan context That line of thought has led to this first shot at a ritual script. My goal here is to allow those troubled by a feeling of impurity to open their hearts, relieve their burden, and return to the bosom of their community.
The wife says the head-cloths are silly... I still like the idea...
When pollution
is upon one or more of the folk, this rite is used to cleanse the spiritual
nature, and ease the mind and heart. It can be worked for a single client, or
for a small group of clients, who may bring witnesses as they choose.
• The
Nemeton is arranged as for a small group rite, with the Well large enough to
receive a good amount of poured water. The Well is placed opposite the Fire,
with the Tree in the Center. The priest will sit at the fire, standing to
support the work, and the folk to be purified will sit around the well. Live
flame is a must, though a candle-ring can be sufficient.
• A
large pitcher is filled with water, with enough clean white towels to
reasonably serve the crowd-size. • Each of the Clients, or those seeking
purification, should bring a light cotton or linen cloth large enough to cover
their head and hang to the shoulders. If the rite has a sufficient fire the cloths will be burned at the
end of the rite. Otherwise a cloth should be provided in which to wrap all the
cloths.
The rite
is worked seated. If it is worked for a single person that person sits opposite
the priest. Small groups should group around the Well If there are too many
present for each to lean forward to the Well. While the priest begins the rite
at the fire, it will require movement, and attendance upon those being purified;
it will be helpful to have additional ritualists available for those tasks.
The
Sacrifice:
• The
priest/esses open the Grove in whatever way they prefer, hallowing the space,
and especially being certain to properly consecrate the Water and the Fire.
• During
the opening purifications the cloths of the Clients should be specially
aspersed and censed.
• If the
rite is worked for a specific person or family, then the offerings should be
made to the Gods and Spirits of the Clients. In a more general group offerings
to the Three Kindreds in general might be made.
• Make
the Prayer of sacrifice, and take an omen to be certain that all is well.
Following a positive omen, the Purification Blessing begins:
• I call now to the Holy Ones to give to me as I have given
to you, as a gift calls for a gift.
Let your power be with me in this work, and let this be a work of
Blessing, that I may cleanse from ill, and impart blessing. I open my heart to
the flow of your blessing, I, your child and worshipper.
Let the work be worked true!
• Greetings to you (n) and welcome to the Hearth of Peace,
Gratitude and Cleansing. Let us all begin by finding our Center and our Power
Pause for a moment of silent meditation, or recite an initial
entrancement.
The Druid speaks:
• The Fire and Water shine and flow in us. Remember, Child of
Earth, that these powers are yours by the fact of your birth. Hold fast to your
roots, be crowned in stars. In this balance we are always fit to come before
the Gods.
• Yet we know that the world is
not free from trouble. Where there is strife, where there is ill-luck, where
wisdom fails, we are made impure. We can no more avoid this than we can avoid
the dirt of the road, and so we come before the Fire and Well, to bathe our spirits
and make ourselves clean. Let us begin by speaking truth.
The Confession
and Statement of Virtue
• It is true that I have failed
in Wisdom, forgotten Piety, been blind to Vision.
These faults come to us all.
• It is true that I have failed
in Strength, forsaken Honor, been lost to Courage.
These faults come to us all.
• It is true that I have failed
in Diligence, slighted Hospitality, shorted Sensuality.
These faults come to us all.
• (If there is
anything specific that the clients wish to say, it should be said here. )
• Yet I seek Wisdom, Piety and
Vision; I seek Strength, Honor and Courage; I seek Dilligence, Hospitality and
Sensuality. For these good virtues I will strive, though I might falter. To
that end, I come to the Water and the Fire.
The Clients take up their cloths.
The Druid speaks:
• Friends, let us cover our
heads; not for shame, but to make ourselves visible to the spirits, and to
array our minds and hearts in the intention of our rite.
The Druids prepare for the water
blessing, saying:
Look into yourself... find in you that from which you wish to be
cleansed... cup your hands before you... breath deep, and move the waters of
the earth within you... let the waters carry the ill from which you would be
healed into your hands... look into your cupped hands and see there a symbol of
that ill...
With your ill drawn out and held before you, see the water flowing
with the power of the Powers, as we
hallow the waters of Blessing...
We draw blessing from the cauldron of blessing. We pour the waters
of cleansing and renewal. Behold the holy vessel of magic, the outpouring of
blessing from the (Deities of the Occasion). When we receive the cleansing of
the Waters we cast off our ills and discomforts, washed away in the flow of the
Well of Blessing.
drops crystal into the pitcher:
let these waters bring clarity and purity, cleansing mind, body
and spirit...
drops jet into the pitcher:
let these waters bring rest and comfort, and the peace of a calm
soul...
drops carnelian into the pitcher:
let these waters bring life and strength to the flesh, and joy to
the heart!
So let power flow in these waters, for the blessing of those
gathered here, for the healing of ill, for the renewing of life... Behold
the waters of life!
So let us recite the Litany of Purity, in joy for the inflowing
Blessings of the Gods and spirits.
Hymn of Purity
By the power of the Powers
By Spirits, Gods and Dead
Let us be free from every ill, from the
imps that cling, from all that is impure or unfit for whole life and holy work.
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
From Nine Kinds of Pollution
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by crime – for
to break what we know as true law disturbs the heart.
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by blood –
violence, murder, or disease; the spilling of blood brings terror
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by duty – for
even in the doing of good we can be touched by ill
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by the Eye – ill
sights, ill visions
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by the Hand –
ill deeds, ill blows
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by the Heart –
ill feelings, ill imaginings
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by Power – for
strength brings obligation
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by Foolishness –
trouble comes when wisdom fails
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
• From Pollution by Love and
Hate. – for a tangled heart brings ill
By the cleansing power of the Waters,
let us be clean
The cauldron is passed, and all sing a proper chant or hymn as
each receives a ladle of water on their hands... Druid says to each:
• By the cleansing power of the Waters, you are
made clean.
When all have been cleansed the Druid helps restore peace and
center. The Druids prepare the Blessing Fire, with the proper herbs to hand.
When all is ready, the Druid speaks:
Now, where there has
been ill, let there be blessing. Look into yourself, and find those places made
empty by the cleansing of your ills... be open to the light, that it may fill
you, quickening your body and brightening your spirit... raise your hands
before you, and be open to recieve the Fire of Blessing...
Let the Fire warm your
body and your spirit, as you draw it into yourself...
Druids take up the Blessing
Fire, unlit, and bless it, saying:
We draw fire from the Sacred
Fire. We kindle this flame, a fire of wisdom, love and strength, and a hearth
of welcome and peace. Behold the Fire of the Gods, kindled by magic to carry
the Blessing of (the Gods of the Rite). When we come to the Fire, we reflect
transformation, inspiration and illumination in our bodies, minds and spirits, we
return to our best nature, to the Divine Fire in us.
Drops vervain into the Fire,
saying:
Let the power of the Druids’
magic bring blessing to this fire
Drops mugwort into the fire,
saying:
Let the power of vision and
purification bring blessing to this fire
Drops mistletoe into the
fire, saying
Let the power of the
All-heal bring blessing to this fire
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
Druid touches the spark to the Fire, as
all recite the Litany of Blessing
Let the Fire be kindled by
the living Flame
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
Rise, O Flame, in beauty,
strength and purity
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
Shine O Fire, with Heaven’s
power bright
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
That our bellies by full
with the blessing of the Fire
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
That our hearts be warm with
the blessing of the Fire
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
That our foreheads shine
bright with the blessing of the Fire
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
Now come to the Fire, that
offers warmth to all
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
Now come to the hearth, and
the comfort of home
By the
blessing of the Light, Let us be blessed!
Be welcome at the Fire,
So, O mighty Powers (gods of
the rite) let your power shine in this fire, for the blessing of those gathered
here, for the purification of hearts, and the renewing of life. Behold, the
Fire of Life!
Druids carry the fire round
to each, and each takes it in by passing hands through it and drawing it to the
heart. Druid says to each:
By the blessing of the Sacred Fire, be
you Blessed!
The clients remove the cloth
from their head, fold it carefully and the Druids take them. The Druid speaks,
saying:
So the work is done, and done, and well
done.
By Water are you made clean, and by
Fire you are made whole. Be welcome at
the Hearth of the Folk, and receive your share of the Blessing of the Gods.
Druids Pour the Blessing,
saying:
So let this be the cup of fellowship,
of kinship with the living, of honor to the Dead, of the Power of the Gods.
When we drink of this Blessing, let us drink in wisdom, love and power, that we
may do the work of life as it is brought to us.
Behold, the Waters of Life!
The waters distributed,
first to the clients, then to all, with song. Once each has a full cup, the
rite is ended.
Closing
The Druids raise their cup,
and make a toast proper to the feel of the rite. It is always proper to toast “To
the Future” or “To Tomorrow”.
The rite is then ended,
carefully and reverently, in the usual way. The cloths are burnt if possible,
or taken and buried.
However, the ritual magician on the road, or in reduced
circumstances, can find herself at a disadvantage. One grows used to one’s
habits, and working outside them can require energy that may not be available
at the end, say, of a business-trip day. Life’s circumstances can reduce our
available space for spiritual work to a dresser-top, and maybe part-time at
that. As a result our Pagan movement has produced a variety of min-Altars and
travel kits.
