| Grove of the Seven Hills, ADF Ostara Blot & ADF Unity Rite March 20, 2004 2pm |
| Musical Signal marks the beginning of ritual. Folk process to Nemeton singing, "We approach the Sacred Grove/with hearts and minds and flesh and bone/join us now in ways of old/we have come home" D1 (Nancy): We have come to honor the Gods of our Ancestors Sacrificer (Rick): Let us pray with a good fire as our Ancestors did before us Meditation led by Tracy LaAdiar honors Nerthus, the Earth Mother, on behalf of the Folk. Bard (Brian) offers prayers for the Inspiration of the Folk. Richard pours a cup of ale, takes it from the Nemeton: Dark and twisted, wights unhallowed-you who dwell beyond our stead; who look with malice and with spite upon the work we do. You walk ways shunned by us and yet we call you kin, to selfishness and thoughtlessness and all those parts of man that are less noble and are small and keep us in the dark. To you we make this offering, and at the same time set aside our thoughtlessness and our distractions for the duration of this rite. D1 performs a Hammer Rite and honors the Nine Realms. The Folk sing the Portal Song as the Sacrificer makes the appropriate offerings. Dee: We come together on the Equinox to honor Eostre. The Venerable Bede tells us that the upcoming month was called, by our Anglo-Saxon Ancestors, Eostrmonath and that offerings, sacrifices, processionals, and rituals were held for Eostre in that month. Her name is connected to the word for East--She comes to us in the Dawn, She comes to us as the Dawn. She is the rising light, She is the rising life. Light and dark today are balanced, but soon the light will lengthen and hold sway. Let us keep the rites of our Ancestors! Hail Eostre! All the Folk repeat "Hail Eostre!" Warrior (Jeff) offers ale to the Gatekeeper: Warder of Asgard, Heimdall, we hail you! Keen-eared, sharp-eyed, biding of Bifrost to you we call! Son of nine mothers, by Fire and by Water watch and ward us as we keep the Old Ways. Aid us now, Bridge-Ward, hold open the Gates! Carry our calling to the halls of the Aesir! By nine flames shining, by waters flowing, by Heimdall's magic, may the Gates be open! Kindred offerings are made by Laadiar to the Landvettir, by Jeff to the Alfar & Disr, by Connie to the Aesir & Vanir. D1 pours the Blot to Eostre on behalf of the Folk. Unity Rite: D1: We gather this day to honor Eostre. Just as our Ancestors honored you, so do we turn to you, bringer of life, bringer of fertility to strengthen and renew our community (offers flowers to cauldron). As memebrs of the Folk of Ar nDraiocht Fein, we honr the unity and the diversity of our community. We are united in kinship with the Spirits of the Earth, with the Ancestors, with the Shining Ones, and we are united in service to all who likewise seek to honor the Kindreds. Eostre, we turn to you to bless the renewed commitment to our community, to its leaders, its fellowships, its members worshipping as individuals and all of our Brothers and Sister of the Pagan Paths. These are the clergy of Ar nDraiocht Fein, may they be blessed and strengthened (D1 make offerings as D2 reads each name). D2: Athansios, Barbara Wright, Bard Dafydd, Bjorn Patsson, Caryn MacLuan, Duir, Earrach of Pittsbugh, Epona, Fox, Francesca, Gannd, Gwynne Green, Hekatatia, Ian Corrigan, Issac Bonewitz, Jenny Hunt, Kirk Thomas, Liafal, Matt Ducar, Norma Hoffman, Paradox, Rob Barton, Rob Henderson, Shawn T. Miller, Skip Ellison, and Todd Covert. Purify the hearts of those who lead us in worship, nourish and refresh them on their way. D1: These are the Groves and ProtoGroves of Ar nDraiocht Fein. Eostre, share your good will with them and the communities they serve. D2: River of Fire PG, Red Maple G, Enchanted Desert PG, White Birch PG, Dancing Lights PG, Red Oak G, Little Acorn G, 3 Cranes G, Grove of the Other Gods, Grove of the Seven Hills, The 6th Night G, Grove of the Midnight Sun, Live Oaks PG, Stone Creed G, Shining Lakes G, Whispering Lakes G, PG of the Mystic Ash, Mugwort G, Sassafras G, Grove of the Twilight Owl, Cedarlight G, Crann Bethadh G, Ancient Path G, PG of Ash & Thorn, Rogue River G, Tear of the Cloud PG, Nemos Ognios PG, Abhainn Glas PG, Muin Mound G, Grove of the Sacred Crows, Thistle Dew PG, Earth Dragon PG, Cerridwen's Heart PG, Black Bear PG, Wild Onion G, Raven Wood G, Raven's Cry G, Otter Bay PG, Sonoran Sunrise G, PG of the Rising Pheonix, Stone Glen PG, Hallowed Oaks Grove. (D1 offers ale as D2 says) As the fellowships of Our Druidry are many, embrace and strengthen them all! D1: For those in our community who honor the Kindreds as individuals and as families; for our fellowship with all who honor the Kindreds, whatever their path--we ask the blessing of Eostre. So May It Be! D2: Accept our sacrifice in behalf of our fellowships (offers ale to cauldron). Symbel D1 offers thanks to the assembled spirits and entities on behalf of the Folk: This Rite is ended! |
 |
 |
 |
 |