by OakWyse
This ritual is based upon the Baptismal Promises in the Baptism liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer, 1979, of the Episcopal Church. In concept, these promises apply to any Christian Baptism, and may be used as is, or modified as the celebrant wishes. It is based also upon the experience of infant Baptism, and should be adapted to fit the particular experience of the celebrant. It may be done as a solitary ritual, or in community. It is useful for the leaving behind of the vows of Christian Baptism in order to follow a new spiritual path. Note that it is debatable whether such renunciation is necessary, but it may be of spiritual significance to the indivi dual.
OPENING
Leader 1: (Saluting the East and facing outwards) O Gods and Goddesses, Spirits of this wide land, we greet and honor you, and ask for your blessings. (Turns inward) O Spirits of Llyn Hydd Grove and of this circle, we greet and honor you, and ask for your blessings.
Leader 2: Let us begin by offering peace to the four Quarters, for without peace can no work be.
East: May there be peace in the East.
South: May there be peace in the South.
West: May there be peace in the West.
North: May there be peace in the North.
All: May there be peace throughout the whole world.
Leader 1: Let us join in the words that unite all Druids.
All: Grant, O (Spirit), thy protection
and in protection, strength
and in strength, understanding
and in understanding, knowledge
and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice
and in the knowledge of justice, the love of it
and in the love of it, the love of all existences
and in the love of all existences,
the love of (Spirit) and of all goodness.
South: (Moves to center, raises incense and censes the sacred center) We consecrate the sacred center of our circle, a circle with one center and no circumference, that it may encompass all the world. May it be blessed with the element of fire. (Returns to circle)
West: (Moves to center, raises a bowl of water, and sprinkles the sacred center) We consecrate the sacred center of our circle, a circle with one center and no circumference, that it may encompass all the world. May it be blessed with the element of water. (Returns to circle)
All turn to face each direction as it is called.
East: With the blessing of the Osprey soaring in the clear light of morning, we call upon the powers of the East.
South: With the blessing of the Great Stag in the heat of the chase, and the inner fire of the sun, we call upon the powers of the South.
West: With the blessing of the dark Raven that portends the coming of night, we call upon the powers of the West.
North: With the blessing of the Great Bear of the cold and snow, and the deep and fruitful earth, we call upon the powers of the North.
All: May the harmony of our circle be complete.
RITUAL OF RENUNCIATION
Leader 1: Sisters and Brothers, we gather here in the sacred circle today in support of (Name) who, as an infant, had vows of Christian Baptism made for (him/her) by others. (Name) no longer follows the path of Christian spirituality, and wishes to make a good and true parting of the ways, in order to free (his/her) heart and mind for the journey upon (his/her) present path of Druidry. As (Name) comes to the sacred center, let us join hands and in silence hold (him/her) in our hearts.
The individual comes forward and holds both hands with the Leader. All other hold hands around the circle. A period of silence is observed.
Leader 1: (To the individual) What is it that you desire?
Individual: It is my desire to free myself from obligation to vows that were once made in my name, that I may travel unburdened upon the path of Druidry.
Leader 1: I will ask you the five promises of Christian Baptism, and invite you to give the answers that you would of your own free will and accord.
Q: Will you continue in the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
A: This promise was made by another in my name when I was yet an infant. I can no longer in good conscience agree to it, so of my own free will and accord I do now renounce this vow.
Q: Will you turn from evil, and whenever you sin, repent, and return to the Lord?
A: Though I will always seek to do good, this promise to return to the Christian Lord was made by another in my name when I was yet an infant. I can no longer in good conscience agree to it, so of my own free will and accord I do now renounce this vow.
Q: Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
A: This promise was made by another in my name when I was yet an infant. I can no longer in good conscience agree to it, so of my own free will and accord I do now renounce this vow.
Q: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
A: I will strive to serve all persons and to love my neighbor, but the promise to serve Christ was made by another in my name when I was yet an infant. I can no longer in good conscience agree to it, so of my own free will and accord I do now renounce this vow.
Q: Will you strive for justice and peace, and respect the dignity of every human being?
A: This vow I am able to share in common with those who call themselves Christians, and with all others who share this ideal. With the blessing of the many currents of life I will seek to keep it always.
Leader 2 present a bowl of cold water. The individual washes his hands in the water.
Leader 1: You have freed yourself of the vows once made in your name. But a spiritual journey requires affirmation as well as renunciation. I invite you now to make a statement of your commitment to the path of Druidry.
Individual: The individual in his/her own words expresses his/her sense of the new path to be embarked upon.
Leader 1 now gives thanks for gifts of Mead and Bread, and offers them to the individual with these words:
Grain becomes Bread, may your body be blessed.
Honey becomes Mead, may your spirit be blessed.
The Bread and Mead are shared around the Circle.
Leader 1: Sisters and Brothers, I invite your words of blessing for (Name)
One by one, participants may come forward and offer words of blessing or encouragement.
When all who wish have done so, the celebrant takes the individual to a place in the circle, and begins the closing.
CLOSING
Leader 1: It is the hour of recall. (Extinguishes any flames at the center.) As the fire of celebration dies down, may it be rekindled in our hearts. May our memories hold what our eyes and ears have gained.
All hold hands in the circle, and led by Leader 2 say,
WE SWEAR by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart, and hand in hand;
Mark, O Spirit, hear us now,
Confirming this, our sacred vow. (Three times)
AWEN. AWEN. AWEN.
South: Let the spirits of the four directions be thanked for their blessings.
North: In the name of the Great Bear, we give thanks to the North.
West: In the name of the dark Raven, we give thanks to the West.
South: In the name of the Great Stag, we give thanks to the South.
East: In the name of the Osprey of Dawn, we give thanks to the Eas t.
All: May the harmony of all lands be complete.
Herald: Let us all radiate light in our hearts, by our hands, and in our lives. We now declare this Ritual of Renunciation closed, and ended in the apparent world. May its inspiration continue within our hearts.
West: The rite is ended.
East: Nothing ends!
All: So may it be.
© 29.11.2006 By OakWyse
Permission granted for modification and use.
