This ritual was held by a group at the yearly Wellspring Festival for the Brushwood Campgroundhosted by Stone Creed Grove, ADF in May 2011. I have included some of my commentary when reporting the ritual for those that had been unable to attend. Credit has been given where I have had the information.

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Due to the extensive rain at Wellspring this year we had to move the rite to the main pavilion.  As we began and throughout the ritual, Sunna shone beautifully down upon us. We had one person to make the offerings on behalf of the ritual team to ease with the flow.  Offering Maven was Rachael Quinet.  Craig Wilcox tended the fire during the ritual to ensure we had a spectacular blaze the entire rite. We were also blessed with multiple drummers playing during all of the song portions and the processional.  The music truly made a huge difference in enhancing the experience.

1. Initiating the Rite –

• Readying the folk with drumming courtesy of Ian and AJ (others were also participating but I am unaware of exactly who it was)
  • Signal the folk by the blowing of a Horn (Flip) to process in

2. Purification – Censing and Aspersing the folk as they enter the Nemeton (Tamie McKenna and Jean Pagano(Drum) censed and aspersed the folk with a leek and incense)

• Once the folk have arrived, the horn was blown again three times (Flip will be handling this)

3. Opening Prayer/Statement of Purpose – Amber
4. Outdwellers – Selene

“Ancient dark ones,
You who dwell in the outer dark,
You cold of heart and dim of mind.
Trouble not our working, for we leave behind,
Our weakness and perversity,
Our hatred and spite,
Our cowardice and ignorance.
We offer this ale for being the keepers of these
energies, so we may continue our rite in peace and harmony.”

5. Honoring the Earth Mother – Melissa Hill

“Earth Mother, sustainer
From you we spring
by you are we nourished
To you we inevitably return.
Our bodies are built upon your bounty
Our spirits strengthen with your support
What can we give
that is not ours by your grace?
What gift can we make
that was not first your gift to us?
We offer of ourselves,
we offer of our love
we offer of our labors.
Earth Mother, accept this token
and support us in our work.
Earth Mother, we honor you with a kiss”

6. (Unity Prayer/Two Powers) – Nick Englehoff

“Take a deep, calming breath and find your center. In your mind’s eye, see yourself standing here…in the Nemeton…see the Mists beginning to creep out from the trees, feel the cool, wetness of their touch slip around past your ankles. You hear the chatter and calls of birds and other animals among the trees, the whispers of spirits drift around you…

From the north, you feel a chill breeze slip past you, intermittent flurries drifting on the wind. Along the ground you see a flow of water streaming from the same direction, the icy product of Hvergelmir. The waters flow toward the Nemeton’s Well, with branches arcing around the periphery of the Nemeton…the water’s cold touch ebbing over your feet. The chill surges up your body, seeping into every inch of your being. The water contains the might and main of the Underworld – flowing upward and south toward the Midgard – and it permeates your being as it flows through you. Take a deep breath and feel the Power of the Earth suffusing your being…

A warm wind from the south draws your attention, its heat is a welcome caress across chilled skin, the energy inherent in it enlivening you. On that wind, drift down sparks and embers, sizzling and flaring briefly as they touch the ground. Some of the embers land upon your skin…and immediately you feel their warmth, their energy, their holy main suffusing your being. That vivifying and inspiring fire fills your soul, as you breath deeply, you feel its might, its power, permeating every inch of you…

Take a moment, breathe slowly and deeply, feel the chill, northern waters and the enlivening southern fires mix and flow within your being. Feel them balance and know that their holy power fills you and flows through you, connecting you and ground you to the primal powers of the Worlds…

7. Bardic Inspiration – honoring Kvasir. – Amber Cannon

“From beginnings of Ice and Fire,
A new orlög we forge,
In the shape of a mighty hammer,
A sacred fríth of tribal force,

Let the World Tree extend new roots,
As the Norns gather at the well,
Present truth built upon the past,
Inspired we are, by Kvasir’s tale,

Raise your horn, filled with the Mead of Inspiration,
Hail this man who inspires us tonight,
Whose blood has formed poetry’s creation,
When warring Gods made law into life,
Bless the wyrd and honor the oaths,
Sacred mægin of our skaldic host,

Tonight the dvergr will remain in the darkness,
All the ettin will refrain from our sight,
As the need fire flames are ever glowing,
Inspired by sacred-speak in the friðgeard tonight,

Behold the man, who gives us inspiration,
Who traveled worlds granting knowledge to kin,
Whose life became sweetened with honey,
May he inspire us as scholars and poets again,

Raise your horn, filled with the Mead of Inspiration,
Hail this man who inspires us tonight,
Whose blood has formed poetry’s creation,
When warring Gods made law into life,
Bless the wyrd and honor the oaths,
Sacred mægin of our skaldic host,

(The rest of this prayer was lost in my paper shuffling.)

8. (Re)Creating the Cosmos – Sharon Gorbacz

“Sacred Fire, holy woods
Warm light to fill the hall
Nine realms are known
With my words this night
Let all realms hear the call
Light fires within, warmth to the True
Fire’s flame burns to form the garth
Woods kindle well, with the fire of the hearth.
As I call the Kindred forth…

I kindle the sacred fire in wisdom, love, and power. Sacred fire, burn
within me.

Holy Well, waters deep
Three streams strong gathers the flow
One of Wyrd, shining ones know
Another yet, icy, serpent-safe
Last of wisdom, many eyes to see
What is, what was, what will be
Watching sisters of örlog, three
Many eyes look on, watching well.
As I call the Kindred forth…

In the depths flow the waters of wisdom. Sacred waters, flow within me.

Mighty Tree, middle of all
Nine realms full its branches make
Much knows Har, High One hung;
Ygg’s steed hight, ever green stays.
Serpent below, eagle above
Squirrel between, Nith-hewer gnaws
Ash-wood tall, wet with white dews
Strong-standing true, I seek shelter
As I call the Kindred forth…
From the depths to the heights spans the world tree. Sacred tree, grow
within me.”

• Portal Song –

9. Gatekeeper – Anna Gail

“Mighty Norns, Urd Verdandi, Skuld
Thurs maidens of what was, what is and what may be
You are the weavers of Wyrd
You are the carvers of Örlög
You are the deliverers of destiny to god and man alike.
You are the Jotun maids that the gods seek council from
You are the guardians of the well of Urd
You are the nourishers of Yggdrasil, the world tree.
You who touch all 9 realms
Wise ones, we honor you and ask you to stand as guardians of the gates.
Blend your magic with outs that none may cause harm to those gathered here
Help us as we open the gates and tred the ancient paths
Ladies of the Ash, accept our offering with hail and welcome!
Folk: Ladies of the Ash! Accept our Offering!”

10. Opening the Gate(s) – Anna Gail (Tamie McKenna lit and extinguished the torches, she had a helper, Steph S?)

“To the realm of Asgard – land of the Aesir and the Asyniur
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.

To the realm of Vanaheim – land of the Vanir
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.

To the realm of Alfheim – land of the Alvs and the Alfar
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.

To the realm of Midgard – land of man and landvettir
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.

To the realm of Muspelheim – land of fire and one force of creation
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.

To the realm of Jotunheim – land of the Jotunar
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.

To the realm of Helheim – land of the dead and our Disir
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.
To the realm of Niflheim – land of ice and the second force of creation
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.

To the realm of Svartalfheim – land of dark elves and forgers of treasure
Hear our call while this flame burns bright (light torch)
Open wide your gates and join the children of the old ways.

9 realms we have called
9 doors we knocked upon
9 flames we burn
Let the gates be open!
Folk: Let the gates be open!”

11. Inviting the Three Kindreds – Madoc for the Landvaettir, Rodney for Shining Ones, Diane Watson for Ancestors.

Landvaettir (Madoc):

“We welcome the kin of stone and stream,
Of field and forest, of furrowed earth,
Of bird and beast, and sky above,
All wights of weal we welcome you.

Landvaettir come to the light of our fire,
We honor and hail you with Nerthus’ seeds
And ask you to share the firelight with our folk
So blessings may pass between us.”

Ancestors (Diane Watson):

“Ancestors,  Across the Ages we call to You!

Ancient Ones, All those who have gone before,
Blood shared and spirit bond;
Honored dead and spirit kin;
We call to you in need of wisdoms light;
Of inspiration bright and of courage might;

Ancient Ones, you who brought us forth,
Who nurtured us to flourish and flower;
Though you no longer stand tall over us;
Our roots are intertwined forever with yours,

Ancient Ones, All those who have gone before;
Come to this wood and be with us this eve,
As guest at fires light.

Ancestors, accept our offerings!”

Shining Ones (Rodney Cox)

“We, the Children of the Earth, call out now to the Shining ones, the mighty Gods of the folk!
Majestic Gods of Land, Sea and Sky, hear our prayers.
Glorious Ones, we greet You in frith and fellowship,
and welcome You here among us.

It is You who guide us, You who inspire us.
and You who sing in our hearts.
Inspire us now with Your presence.
Sing in our hearts again this day.

Holy Ones, we ask Your help as we honor Freya and Freyr with this rite.
Please accept our offerings and join us here this day.
We, the Children of Earth, make our call.”

12. Kindred Praise Offerings –

• During this time Fire in my Heart by Melissa Burchfield played while the folk made their offerings.

13. Deities of the Occasion: Freyja and Freyr (done by Grey and Leesa respectively)

• Freyr –
  • “The children of the earth call out to Freyr!
    Lord of the Vanir! Ingvi Frey! Progenitor of Kings
    Son of the Earth, and Sister of Freyr.
    Lord of Alfheim and Wooer of Gerd.
    We call to you today.
    You who bring the growing grains and quicken the seeds in the earth You appear to us now, through the young trees
    Gullinbursti’s guide, clad in green and brown and gold.
    Your blond hair flows
    Your empty hands, wanting of weapons, caress our cheeks
    The scent of sweat and leather and soil swirl about
    Your mighty staff ever seeking …..
    • Refrain: “Passion and Magic, pulsing light and dark
      Beating of drums, the rhythms of life”
  • “Freyr! Lord of Alfheim and son of the seas!
    Meet us at the boundaries
    Join us at our sacred hearth, and be warmed by our good fire
    Aid us and guide us as we walk the elder ways
    Freyr! Accept our sacrifice.
  • Freyja-  The Children of Earth call out to Freyja
    Lady of the Vanir!, Vanadis, rider through valsinni, holder of folkvang
    Daughter of the Earth, and sister to Frey
    Lady of the high hall, teacher to the hung
    We call to you this day
    You who shows us the treasure in you, and ourselves
    You appear to us now, astride the battle boar
    From the sea spray clad in falcons fiery feathers
    Your wealth circled by your breast
    Your tears are noticed falling to the ground
    The scent of blossoming flowers all around
    Your sweet embrace ignites fires in our hearts, whilst the horn wets waiting lips”
    • Refrain: “Passion and Magic, pulsing light and dark
      Beating of drums, the rhythms of life”
  • Together:
    • L: “Freyr! Lover and husband and son of the earth!”
      G: “Freyja! Lover and wife and daughter of the earth!
      both in unison: Meet us at the boundaries
      both in unison: Join us at our sacred hearth, and be warmed by our good fire both in unison: Aid us and guide us as we walk the elder ways”
  • L: “Freyr! Accept our sacrifice.” (wait for response)
    G: “Freyja! Accept our sacrifice.” (wait for response)

14. Praise offerings for Freyja and Freyr

15. Final offerings

16. Omen – Adam

• While Adam is taking the omen, Flip stepped forward and called out the rune song in Old Norse, I believe.  Nick Engelhoff answered in a ‘call and response’ in English.
• Were our offerings accepted?  Mannaz

17. Do the folk accept the omen? Yes they did. Uruz, Dagas, Raidho were pulled as the blessings from the kindreds

18. Waters of Life – Missy Burchfield, Adam Rone and Flip Rutledge each held a horn, galdred the rune omen into them and had them made ready for the folk to partake of after the rite.

• Two horns were filled with mead and one with water
• A leek was used with the rune omen carved upon it to asperse the folk with the water-filled horn.

19. Working – Nicholas Englehoff

• Focusing an energy raising into the ADF quilt that the Artisans Guild put together with the intent to send the energy out to all of ADF.  Runes were chanted during the working:  Dagaz, Sowilo and Berkano.

20. Thanking the Beings (Freyr and Freyja) – Lees and Grey

21. Thank the kindreds

22. Closing the Gate(s) – Anna Gail

23. Thanking the Gatekeeper – Anna Gail

24. Thanking Bardic Inspiration – Amber

25. Thanking the Earth Mother

26. Closing the Rite with Walk with Wisdom

27. Flip blows the horn to signal the end

Afterwards, many people came up and received “extra” blessings of the actual mead after getting wet by aspersing during the ritual. 🙂