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Rite of Offering

by Ian Corrigan

This ritual can be performed at a home hearth shrine or in a larger Nemeton with a minimum of tools or preparations. It is especially good for solitary work, or for very small groups.

When any offering is made, it must have a clear intention, for spiritual wisdom, guidance in one's life's path, to open the way to prosperity or love or simply to honor the Powers. The focus of a rite can be toward a specific, personal goal or for general religious or spiritual purposes.

This rite is especially proper for the worship of the Patron Deities of one's household, but it may be used to entreat any of the Three Kindreds - Gods and Godesses, Dead or Sidhe. It can also be used as a preliminary rite in which the Priest/ess makes offering to those Powers that will preside at a larger work.

The Rite

Things you will need

1: Ground and center.

Use any method that works for you

2: Give nine knells or knocks saying:

I am here to honor the Gods. Bless me, O SHINING ONES, in my working.

3: Earth-stone is placed in the Offering Bowl.

A pinch of corn meal is offered in the Bowl, saying:

EARTH MOTHER, I am your child. Accept this offering .....Uphold and bless my rite.

4: Silver is offered into the Cauldron, saying:

In the deeps flow the waters of wisdom. SACRED WELL, flow within me.

5: Fire (and incense) is lit and an offering of oil is made, saying:

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

6: World-tree, Wand and self is sprinkled and censed, saying:

From the deeps to the heights spans the World Tree. SACRED TREE, grow within me.

7: All is sprinkled and censed, saying:

By the cleansing of water and fire let all ill turn away from me and mine.

8: Outdwellers:

A bit of ale is poured to the south of the Fire, saying:

All you of the outer dark,
Any who abide beyond the light of this work's fire,
Accept this offering and trouble not my working.

9: Priest/ess contemplates the Three Worlds and the Grove, saying:

The Fire, The Well, The Sacred Tree,
Flow and Flame and Grow in me!
In Land, Sea and Sky Below and on high!
Thus is the Sacred Grove claimed and hallowed.
So be it!

10: Statement of purpose:

I have come to do as the wise ancients did. To make offering to the Powers and to

. So be it!

11: Oil is offered to the Fire, saying:

I make offering to the Keeper of the Gates. Join your magic with mine and let the Fire open as a Gate, let the Well open as a Gate, let the Tree carry the Spirits to my sacrifice. By this offering and by my Magic, Let the Gates be OPEN!

12: Offering is made to the Kindreds:

The Horn is filled and elevated, saying:

Hear your true worshipper (your name) As I make due sacrifice. Old Ones, my Ancestors, Remember me as I remember you!

ANCESTORS, accept my sacrifice! (a quarter of the ale is poured into the bowl) Spirits of this land Aid me as I aid you!

SPIRITS accept my sacrifice! (a quarter of the ale is poured into the bowl) GODS and GODDESSES of elder days Honor me as I honor you!

SHINING ONES, accept my sacrifice! (a quarter of the ale is poured and the Horn set aside.)

Gods and Dead and Mighty Sidhe,
Powers of earth and sky and sea,
By fire and well and sacred tree,
Offering I make to ye!
So be it!

13: Offerings are made to the Patron Powers of the rite

As explained in the liturgical notes.

14: Prayer of Sacrifice:

As the last of the ale is spilled and an offering of oil is given to the Fire, a heart-felt prayer is spoken asking the Spirits, especially the Patrons of the Rite, to grant the boon. It might include:

Let my voice arise on the Flame... Let my voice resound in the Well.... O HONORED ONES

Hear me now as I offer up this sacrifce. Accept my worship and reverence. Grant

and give me your blessing!

15: The Omen:

The Offerer meditates on the Patrons and on the intention of the rite, then casts a simple omen using runes or another divination system. The offerer meditates on the omen, seeking to understand what blessings the Powers offer in return for the Sacrifice. S/he composes all this - the image, the intention, the omen - into a single gestalt of energy.

16: The Blessing:

The Horn is refilled and the offerer breathes the combined current into the drink saying:

I pour the ale of inspiration, I draw water from the Well of Wisdom. I call upon

To give to me as I have given to you. O (lord), O (lady), hallow these waters, I open my heart to the flow of your blessing; I, your child and worshipper. Behold the Waters of Life!

(The offerer reverently drinks the ale, perhaps sprinkling any object to be consecrated in the work. She meditates on the influx of magical current.)

17: The Work:

Any remaining work - spells, etc. in pursuit of the intention, is now completed.

18: Closing:

When all is done, the offerer gives thanks, saying:

SHINING ONES..... MIGHTY DEAD..... NOBLE ONES, I thank you for your aid and blessing.

I give you my Thanks!

GODS, DEAD and SIDHE: I thank you for upholding my Magic. Lord of the Gates, Lord of Knowledge, I give you my Thanks! Now let the Gates of the Worlds be CLOSED!

Offerer makes a closing triskel, then recenters and contemplates the entire working and ends, saying:

The Fire, the Well and the Tree,
Flow and Flame and Grow in me!
Peace and Blessings.
THE RITE IS ENDED!

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About the Author - Ian Corrigan is a past ADF Archdruid, and is currently Preceptor of the Clergy Council. He is deeply involved in various aspects of creating rites and training to enhance our growing spiritual work, and his druid books and tapes are available at Cafe Press [bio] [all articles by Ian Corrigan]