Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

Book III: W heel of the Year 261
Ritual of Brigit’s Forge
This is a fusion of two similar rituals created in 1993 and 1998 by Diane Darling, Tom Lux,
Linda Johnston, Anne Bogner, Ace Greenfield, Oberon, Morning Glory, and Liza Gabriel.
Props:
charcoal brazier & charcoal
altar stuff: bread, mead
small cauldron of water
copper rings for all
anvil, iron mallet
cord for charms
tongs, bellows
wire hooks
(Before the ritual begins, the charcoal is lit, and
the copper rings are placed on top of the coals.)
Introduction to the Ritual:
P: (Rap about self-empowerment—being your
own captain, steering your own ship; Explain
that we will be invoking Brigid, honored
teacher, to ask her to teach us a skill we need;
think about what to ask for; be brief, as Brigid
does not suffer fools or wordy students lightly.)
Circle Casting
Ps:Round like a belly... (—Anodea Judith)
Grounding of the Elements
P: (holds incense)
This is the first breath you took.
This is the dance of will in your hands.
This is the dance of the worlds in your mind.
This is the song that gives you life.
This is the wind that will scatter your days.
This is the Truth.
(holds flame) This is the fire that forged you.
This is the flame of life in your veins.
This is the flame of love in your loins.
This is the fire of the hearth and the heart.
This is the flame that will consume you
and make you new.
This is the truth.
Ps: (holds water)
This is the womb that carried you.
This is the healing well.
This is the fall of rain on parched earth.
This is the sea of all making.
This is the wine-dark tide
That will carry you into the dream.
This is the truth.
(holds salt) This is the earth that bore you.
This is the bread that feeds you.
This is the law you live by.
This is the hand that holds
All the days of your life.
This is the tomb that will cover your bones.
This is the truth.
Evocations of Brigit & Wayland Smith
(Psturns towards where Brigitstands in the Circle.)
Ps: Brigid, Brigantia, Bride, Brigandu,
Bright Arrow,
Beloved Goddess of all Smiths of the
Sacred Metals
Springsource of the great poetry of the
Celts,
Whose cauldron holds the light and heat
of inspiration,
Healer, physician, Lady of Kildare.
Brigid, excellent Goddess, sudden flame
Emerge from your sanctuary behind the
impassable hedge
Do us the honor of taking the form of
your priestess
To be with us, on this, your night.
(—Morning Glory)
(Brigit enters Circle.)
Ps:Hail Brigit of the triple face!
Your songs do rise on the lilt of grace
Your blossoms beautiful ever bloom
On the wings of poetry’s sweet
perfume! (—Sharon Knight)
Brigid greets the people with an appropriate
welcoming rap.
Brigit: Hail Wayland, ye coal black Smith!
(Wayland enters Circle with hammer and
bellows, stands before forge, and
builds up the heat with the bellows)
Forge our best intentions to a worthy gift
As the circle of our lives turns round again
Strengthen our bonds where bound we
would be
And where we would not, let us be free!
(—Morning Glory)
All: Hello, hello, hello again ye coal black
Smith! (3x)
Wayland greets the people with an appropriate
welcoming rap.