Home : Rituals : Norse : General Rituals : House Warding

House Warding Ritual

by Anthony R. Thompson

The musical signal will be given to call the folk for the ritual.

D1: Wir sind hier um die Goetter zu Ehren.
Folk: We are here to honor the Gods.

Led by the clergy, the folk processes to the ritual site & form the ADF sigil singing the Processional Chant three times:

We approach the sacred grove,
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone,
Join us now in ways of old,
We have come home.

Fire, Well, and Tree

The Fire Maiden (FM) will light the fire and make an offering.
FM: I kindle the sacred fire of nine woods in wisdom, love, and power. Sacred fire burn within us.
Folk: Sacred fire burn within us.
FM will then sense the site and the folk.

The Keeper of the Well (KW) will pour the waters and make an offering.
KW: In the depths flow the waters of wisdom. Sacred waters flow within us.
Folk: Sacred waters flow within us.
KW will then asperge the site and the folk.

The Tender of the Tree (TT) will dress the Tree.
TT: From the depths to the heights spans the world tree. Sacred Tree, grow within us.
Folk: Sacred tree, grow within us.
TT will then asperge and cense the Tree.

D1: The fire, the well, the sacred tree
Folk: Flame and flow and grow in me!
D1: In land, sea and sky
Folk: Below and on high!
D1: Thus is the sacred grove claimed and hallowed.
Folk: So be it!
D1: By the cleansing of water and fire let all ill turn away from me and mine.
So sind Sie!

The folk will be led through the Grove Meditation and then will chant the Unity Chant three times:

Earth, sky, and sea,
Blessed are these three,
Day bright and darkest night,
Two sides of the light.

Now one in mind, we will find
Our praises here resound
Yes one in mind we will find,
From our lips to the sacred ground.

Ritual Purpose and Historical Precedent

D1: We gather here to ask the protection of the Kindreds, for ourselves and for this place especially. As we call them now, so do we offer them a place here as long as we remain within. As we honor them now, so do we pledge to honor them as long as we remain within. And as we create the sacred grove to share with them now, so may they hallow this household and share it with us as long as we share it when them.
So sind sie.

Inviting the Gatekeeper

D1: See Yggdrasill, the cosmic tree, the axis of the universe that connects the nine realms. Now we call upon Heimdall, the gatekeeper, so we can connect to the realms and the shining ones. Watch the fire and Yggdrasill and see Bifrost, the rainbow bridge, manifest to us.

D1: Heimdall, shining one, guardian of beautiful Bifrost, son of nine waves and sounder of the ill fated horn, you who can hear the grass grow and even hear the wool growing on the sheep, we ask you father of all men to open the gates. You who teach us the runes and our Wyrd let us walk in your light so we may journey and learn in safety. Leuchten uns hervor, Heimdall.

The Folk sing the Gatekeeper Chant three times:

We invoke you Heimdall,
Opener of every gate.
We invoke you Heimdall,
Opener of every gate.
You will reach us, you will teach us,
And reveal our fate.
You will reach us, you will teach us,
And reveal our fate.

Invoking the Deity of Bardic Inspiration

D1: Listen to the music of the universe, the music of Saga and draw inspiration into your hearts.
Bard:

Saga,
All hear the ancient one come.
Saga,
Help us see the harvest,
Saga.
Guide us to the table,
Saga.
Sing us tales of wonder,
Remind us that we are able
To drain the cup yet drink again.
Golden seer of eternal light,
Guide us with your beloved presence.
Your song is our own,
Saga.

The Outdwellers

A cup is poured for the outdwellers and they are acknowledged.

Nature Spirits, Ancestors, and Gods

Nature Spirits - D1: Draw the strength of nature as we call the nature spirits.
D2 will come to the center and pick up the offering of seed and says: Landspirits, join us in this celebration. Accept these offerings.

D2 pours a little pile of seed on the Tree and then spreads some around the outside of the circle, then returns to the center and says while D1 lifts the bowl: Hallow these waters. Share with us lore and blessings.

D1: Seih den Lebenswassern da!
Folk: Behold the Waters of Life!

The folk chant Fur and Feather three times:

Fur and feather and scale and skin,
Different without but the same within,
Many of body but one of soul,
Through all creatures are the gods made whole.

Ancestors -

D1: Remember the wisdom of our past kin as we call them.

D3 will come to the center and pick up the offering of flowers and says: People of eld, honored dead, our kindred, join us in this celebration of joy as you taught us in days of eld.

D3 puts a few flowers on the Tree and then dresses the well, then returns to the center and says while D1 lifts the bowl: Hallow these waters. Share with us lore and blessings.

D1: Seih den Lebenswassern da!
Folk: Behold the Waters of Life!

The folk chant Mothers and Fathers of Old three times:

From far beyond this mortal plane, Mothers and Fathers of old,
We pray that you return again, Mothers and Fathers of old,
To share with us the mysteries and secrets long untold,
From the ancient ways we seek to reclaim, Mothers and Fathers of old.

Gods -

D1: Feel the protections of the gods as we call them.

D4 will come to the center and pick up the offering of oil and says: Gods and Goddesses of old times and new we ask you to join with us in this celebration of nurturing joy.

D4 pours a little oil on the Tree and then on the fire, then returns to the center and says while D1 lifts the bowl: Hallow these waters. Share with us lore and blessings.

D1: Seih den Lebenswassern da!
Folk: Behold the Waters of Life!

The folk chant Hail all the Gods three times:

Hail all the Gods,
Hail all the Goddesses,
Hail all the Holy Ones,
We dwell together.

Lords of the Sky,
Ladies of the Sacred Earth,
Spirits and the Ancestors,
We dwell together.

Re-Centering & Merging Meditation

The folk are led in a meditation of recentering and merging of the new energies.

Invitation to Thor & Praise Offerings

Thor, warder of Midgard, friend of man, we ask you to join with us this day of warding and to aid us in defense against threats to our home. Have the folk brought praise?

Bard: They have.

D1: So sind sie. (Praise offerings follow)

A Sacrifice of Life

D1 (holding up oak branch): Our praise goes up to you on the wings of eagles, our voices on the wind. Hear us Thor, we pray to thee as we offer up this sacrifice of life. Accept it and open our hearts and give to us of your protection, peace, and life. So sind sie!

Magickal Working

Thunar, Odin's Son, Earth's Son, Thunderer Friend of Man, Midgard-Warder, Mjollnir-Wielder, Troll-Killer River-Stemmer, Stone-Thrower, Serpent-Crusher, Thurses-Bane Strike the Serpents near our Stead, Smite the Serpents, Sudden Death Make this Warding, with your Might, with Mjollnir-Hammer Shining Bright!

(pours bottle of Guinness into a mug, holds in one hand, and picks up hammer aloft in other)

Thor, we offer this to you in faith and ask that you ward this household, which always will have a place for you, and those who dwell within, from all harm and threat. Thor, accept our sacrifice!

All: Thor, accept our sacrifice!

Omen

An omen is taken with the runes and shared with the Folk.

Waters of Life

D3: Of what does the Earth Mother give that we may know of the continual flow and renewal of life?
Folk: The Waters of Life.

D3: And from whence do these Waters flow?
Folk: From the bosom of the Earth Mother. The ever-changing All Mother.

D3: And how do we honor this gift that causes life?
Folk: By partaking of the Waters of Life.

D3: Has the Earth Mother given forth of her bounty?
Folk: She has!

D1 raises the cup and says: Thor, we have praised you, hallow these waters and give to us of your power and protection and vitality. Seih den Lebenswassern da!
Folk: Behold, the Waters of Life!

Cups are passed and the Waters are shared, while Share the Waters is chanted:

Share the Waters, raise the cup,
Drink your share of wisdom deep,
Strength and joy now fill us up,
As the elder ways we keep.

Thanking the Host

D1: The gods have blessed us. With joy in our hearts, let us return to the realm of mortals to do both their will and ours. Every time we invoke them, they become stronger and more alert to the needs of the folk. But now comes the time when we must prepare to depart. So let us give thanks to those whom we have invited here.

D1: Thor, Wir danken Sie.
Folk: Wir danken Sie.
D1: Vorfahr, Ahne, Wir danken Sie.
Folk: Wir danken Sie.
D1: Naturgeisten, Wir danken Sie.
Folk: Wir danken Sie.
D1: Saga, Wir danken Sie.
Folk: Wir danken Sie.
D1: Heimdall, Wir danken Sie.
Folk: Wir danken Sie.

Closing the Gates

D1: By the keeper of the gates and by our magic we end what we began. Let the fire be flame, and the well be water, and the ways between be shut. Lassen die Toren zumachen!
Folk: Let the gates be closed!

D1: We have done as our ancestors did, and as our children will do, and the Gods have answered! Let us go out into the world secure in the knowledge that our sacrifices have pleased the gods and that we go forth under their protection. The ritual is at a close.
Folk: So sind Sie.

As the folk process out of the ritual area, Walk with Wisdom is chanted:

Walk with wisdom, from the hallowed place,
Walk not in sorrow, our roots shall ere embrace,
Let strength be your brother, and honor be your friend,
And luck be your lover, until we meet again.

Home : Rituals : Norse : General Rituals : House Warding

About the Author - Anthony Thompson is ADF's Information Manager, a position where he oversees all of ADF's information technology services including the ADF web site, mailing lists, and the membership database used by the ADF Office. He is also the ADF Secretary (formerly known as Scribe) and has served in several other positions on the ADF Mother Grove including Administrator, Preceptor, and Non-Officer Director. [bio] [all articles by Anthony R. Thompson]