This Spring Equinox ritual is a multi-hearth (Gallo-Germanic) high day ritual
Initiating Ritual and Purifying Space
[Ring bell]
This time is sacred to me, and I honor it. This space is sacred to me, and I honor it. This work is sacred to me, and I honor it.
Two Powers Meditation
Earth Mother
I call to the Earth Mother.
She who is nearest and dearest.
Mother of waters, mother of fertile soil, mother of life,
Through your generosity, we flourish.
Earth Mother, hear me call to you and invite you to this ritual.
Earth Mother, accept this offering.
[Offering]
Statement of Purpose
The spring equinox marks the season of snowmelt. Even now, there is snow on the ground outside, but it will melt with the rising sun. Spring is the season of water for the Rockies, and snowmelt eventually fills our rivers again and resurrects the dead grasses. I come to my altar at this time to give praise and worship to the Kindreds, thanking them for the springtime and the turning to the bright half of the year.
I take a moment to remember the ADF Virtue of Perseverance. Historically, this is the leanest part of the year – food stores were low, but new crops had only just been planted. But spring is the season of hope. Perseverance and renewal are reminders that goals and projects will come to fruition in time. And at this time it is good to consider how I serve my communities and renew projects that need adjusting in the coming year.
Recreating the Cosmos
The cosmos is vast, but there is a sacred center.
The waters support and surround me. The land extends about me. The sky stretches out above me. And at my center burns a living flame. I stand at the center of worlds in sacred space and sacred time. May my worship be true. May my actions be just. May my love be pure. And may I pray with a good fire.
Gatekeeper
I call to the Gatekeeper to guide and guard my way.
Cernunnos, Keeper of Crossroads
Godden who sits in-between
You balance opposites
You are a guide in the darkness
Cernunnos, accept this offering and be welcome here.
[Offering]
Aid me and send my offerings to the otherworld.
Opening the Gates
As I am in ritual space and ritual time,
I know that this world reflects the otherworld.
So may this fire become the cosmic fire
May this water become the cosmic well
May this tree become the world tree.
And may my offerings be transformed to spirit.
Kindred Invocations
Ancestors
I call to the Beloved Dead,
Ancestors of blood, of heart, of bone.
Those who have gone before,
I welcome you here.
Ancestors, accept my offering.
[Offering]
Nature Spirits
I call to the Nature Spirits,
With whom I share this world.
Beings of wonder and mystery,
I welcome you here.
Nature Spirits, accept my offering.
[Offering]
Shining Ones
I call to the Shining Ones,
Gods, Goddesses, and Godden.
Beings of blessing and guidance,
I welcome you here.
Shining Ones, accept my offering.
[Offering]
Beings of the Occasion Invocations
Ostara Invocation
Ostara, goddess of East,
You who bring in the dawn,
Bring forth the springtime.
Goddess of Spring,
This season of new growth is yours.
The flowers and buds on the trees are yours.
The wakening animals and the sun’s warmth are yours.
Renewal and rebirth are your domain.
I praise you for your gifts and wonders this Equinox.
Please accept this offering.
Hail Ostara!
[Offering]
Idunn Invocation
Goddess of Eternal Youth,
You who hold the basket of life.
Your apples bring rejuvenation and joy.
Idunn, Goddess of beauty,
This season is yours as well.
The renewal of the world reminds us of what comes after.
The cycles always continue, just as your apples give youth.
I praise you for your gifts and wonder this Equinox.
Please accept this offering.
Hail Idunn!
[Offering]
Omen
Now I ask for a message from the Kindreds, to see what they have to say and receive their mighty wisdom.
[Take omen]
Thank you for this message and for your presence in ritual.
Blessing the Waters
I have made offerings to the Kindreds, and so I shall ask for blessings in return. This is the nature of *ghosti. I ask the Kindreds for their blessings in my life and in this water.
Behold the waters of life!
[Drink blessed waters]
Thanking the Beings of the Occasion
I thank Ostara, Goddess of Spring, for being with me in this ritual.
And I thank Idunn, Goddess of Youth, for being with me in this ritual.
Thanking the Kindreds
To all the Kindreds: the Shining Ones, the Nature Spirits, and the Ancestors, thank you for being with me in this ritual.
Thanking the Gatekeeper
I call to Cernunnos, the Gatekeeper, once more.
Godden of thresholds who sits between this and that.
Godden of liminality and balance.
Thank you for guiding and aiding me.
Closing the Gates
I stand in ritual space and ritual time.
But I must return to the here and now.
May this cosmic well return to water.
May this world tree return to a tree.
I know that my offerings have been transformed.
Thanking the Earth Mother
Earth Mother,
You who are dear to me.
I always remain close to you.
Thank you for being with me in this ritual.
Closing
Now, this rite is ended.
