By OakWyse
This rite was written especially for Druids wishing to
honor their connection to the Sun on Sun's Day, or for Druids who are
also walking the Christian path, or newly arrived from institutional Christianity.
Various parts of this rite should be adapted, or omitted, to suit one's
needs.
The ritual area is ideally outdoors, with trees marking
the space and the four directions. In the center a small, flat stone may
serve as an altar table. An open fire may be desired, if permitted. This
ritual takes place on Sunday morning, sometime after Sunrise and before
the Sun reaches its zenith. It may be used on other days as well.
Acknowledging Sacred Space
Enter the ritual space and walk once around it, Sunwise,
stopping to greet the Sun in the east. Stop in the west, facing the Sun
across the center of the circle.
Give Peace to the Powers of the Quarters, calling upon
their Presence.
With the blessing of the Hawk of Dawn and the
element of Air,
I call upon the Powers of the East. May there be Peace to the East.
With the blessing of the Virile Stag and the element of Fire,
I call upon the Powers of the South. May there be Peace to the South.
With the blessing of the Salmon of Wisdom and the element of Water,
I call upon the Powers of the West. May there be Peace to the West.
With the blessing of the Great Bear and the element of Earth,
I call upon the Powers of the North. May there be Peace to the North.
May there be peace in all the Earth.
Cast the Circle, Sunwise.
Say the Druid's Prayer, and the Awen:
Grant, O (God, Goddess, 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 (God, Goddess, Spirit) and of all
goodness.
Awen. Awen. Awen.
Dedication
From Patrick's Breastplate. The second verse may be used,
omitted, or adapted as needed. The word "Christ" denotes the
Presence of the Incarnate Holy. Some will wish to substitute another word,
such as "Peace" :
I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit Heaven,
The glorious Sun's life-giving ray,
The Whiteness of the Moon at even.
The flashing of the Lightning free,
The whirling Wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable Earth, the deep salt Sea,
Around the old eternal Rocks.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Greeting to the Sun
(from the Carmina Gadelica)
Lift your gaze toward the Sun (taking appropriate safety precaution)
The eye of the great God (or
Goddess)
The eye of the God of glory
The eye of the God of hosts
The eye of the God of the living
Pouring upon us at each time and season
Pouring upon us gently and generously
Glory to thee, thou Sun
Face of the God of life.
Working
Take this time to do whatever working may be needful,
or simply sit in silence and listen to the divine.
Sacred Meal
Offer bread and wine (or other food) on the altar with
words like:
Blessed be the Sun which warms the Earth
and gives us grain to sustain our lives.
Blessed be the Sun which warms the Earth
And gives us grapes to make our hearts glad.
Consume the bread and wine with words like,
Grain becomes bread, may my body be blessed.
Grapes become wine, may my spirit be blessed.
Pour out some of the bread and wine to honor and feed
the Earth Spirits.
Thanksgiving
Bless to me, O (God, Goddess, Spirit)
Each thing my eyes see,
Each sound my ears hear,
Each thing my hands touch,
Each scent that I smell,
Each taste upon my tongue,
Each note of my song,
Each step of my way,
The zeal that seeks my soul,
And all who seek my heart.
As it was, as it is, as it shall be,
With the ebb and with the flow of grace.
Give thanks to the four Quarters, the Sun, the Spirits
of the Place.
Open the Circle, counter-Sunwise.
Extinguish any fires, clear the altar.
Conclude with words such as:
As it was, as it is, as it shall be,
With the ebb and with the flow of grace.
Blessed be.
