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Berengaria Order of Druids ceremony – Samhain
By Sarah Rooke, Archdruidess
On an altar let there be a phial of anointing oil, a chalice of water, a salver of salt, burning incense, three lighted candles, a rock or crystal, some flowers, a wand and or athame, a sword or bat’leth (if possible), bread and wine/fruit juice and a container of herbs. Druids in white or pastel, or Druidic/Celtic robes
Opening Ceremony
Celebrant: Before I begin, am I ready to start this ceremony?
Celebrant: I am
Celebrant: (Takes sword or wand in the air, going round in a circle) I conjure thee oh circle of power, that thou may be a meeting place of love, joy and truth, a shield against all wickedness and evil, a container and a condenser of all the power that we shall raise within thee. A rampart and a protection. Until the time when the sky falls above our heads, or the sea rises up and smothers us, or the earth opens her maw and swallows us, in the holy names of the gods and goddesses that we worship, I do consecrate and bless thee
Celebrant: The earth is blessed
Celebrant holding a container of salt water, walks round the circle, sprinkling on floor saying:
Earth and water were you cast, let no adverse purpose past. Be in complete accord with we, as is our will so mote it be
Celebrant holding burning incense, walks around circle, wafting the scent everywhere saying:
Air and fire harken now to our desire, awaken the sleeper deep within, let no evil enter in. Be in complete accord with we, as is our will so mote it be
Celebrant (at East): There is peace in the East
Celebrant (at South): There is peace in the South
Celebrant (at West): There is peace in the West
Celebrant (at North): There is peace in the North
Celebrant (standing in centre): There is peace throughout the entire land
Celebrant: Holds athame/wand up and in a sweeping circle points it down saying:
The Earth our mother lies at our feet, the sky above protects us. This circle is now complete, and the ceremony may now commence
The main ceremony
Celebrant: I stand before the Sacred Grove of Minbar of the Berengaria Order of Druids and to the Guardians, Ancestors, and Spirits of this Place. I declare my intent, I am grey, I stand between the candle and the star. We are grey, we stand between the darkness and the light
Celebrant: Samhain is the time of the Celtic New Year in the Druidic tradition, and this time of year is also important in many cultures throughout the world, ancient and modern. This may indicate a common memory from the lost civilisations of Atlantis or Mu, that in turn had links with the stars, like Sirius. In Ancient Egypt, it is the time of the Death of Osiris and in Mexico, the Day of the Dead. In England and America it is also known as Hallowe’en, and is associated with witches, warlocks and magic, as well as the modern day ‘trick or treating’ It is also a time of remembering and honouring the ancestors and the dead. May we too, honour all those that have crossed the veil and have gone beyond before us, like our family and friends.
Celebrant: This time of year is also associated with the Goddess Morrigan, also known as the Ceilleach or Cerridwen, the Enchantress. For she is the Dark Lady, and we should be so afraid of Her, knowing that it is She who leads men into battle fury to die when it is their geisa or destiny. She is the Reaper of Souls, and She has Great Magic. So one could say in true Klingon fashion, that it is a good day to die.
Celebrant: However, in verity let it be known that the Morrigan has three aspects, Badb the Maid, Macha the Queen and Nemain the Crone. In knowing the dark side of the Goddess, may we also begin to know our own as the nights start to draw in. For She is also known as Morgana le Fey, Hecate, Kali and Sekhmet in other cultures and traditions. She is the Great Enchantress or Wise Woman that rules the darkest time of the year, and presents a different face to those that see beyond the veil.
Celebrant: For know that the Darkness is only a blockage of light from the Great Central Sun. Those that practise evil deeds have only forgotten their Divine Heritage and Birth. Let us not be amongst them! May the power of the Morrigan awaken us to hear Her call and Serve. There is nothing to fear in knowing darkness and death. In recognising death and darkness for what it really is, we lose our fear of them, and begin to understand the unknown.
Celebrant: Know that when we too go beyond the veil, the Morrigan will guide us safely to Tir na nOg or Hy Brasil, Avalon or the Elysium. For Her right foot stands in the Land of the Sidhe, and her left foot on the Earth. Thus She can walk between the worlds. Whenever you see the blue black raven, know that you are seeing the Morrigan’s messenger. Take note, for it is a sign from the Goddess Herself.
Celebrant: The Goddess Morrigan is the wife of the God Dagda, who is also the King of the Tuatha de Danaans, the People of Dana at Tara in Eire. Let us remember and honour our ancestors, whom like the Tuatha de Danaans, have now gone beyond the veil. Let us contemplate and make that special connection to the Gods and Ancestors.
A path working or meditation in the celebrants chosen path may follow. Celebrant may seek to commune with the Gods and Goddesses of their tradition. Incense and candles are burnt in remembrance to honour the Ancestors and Gods. MUSIC.
Celebrant takes time to meditate and reflect on this mystery, reflecting in ones own life and at this special time of the year.
Celebrant: The veil of ignorance and fear has been lifted from my eyes, and I see the shining faces of the Gods, and those of the Ancestors that have gone beyond the Veil! They tell me to transcend Duality and that all things and beings are One and are a part of one another. Order is a Child of Chaos and Chaos is a Child of Order! They are intertwined and are like yin and yang to each other, but they are both One in the Eternal Now of the All That Is.
Celebrant: We remember Valen asking the Minbari; ‘Will you follow me into storm, into darkness, into fire and into death? And the people said yes’. There is nothing to fear, only the ignorance of the unknown that holds us back. Kosh once said ‘understanding is a three edged sword’. May we discover what lies beyond in love and light.. For may we see each other, in the place where Shadows do not fall.
Celebrant: May the Goddesses and Gods bestow their gifts of joy and love to all in peace and harmony.
Celebrant: I give thanks to the Guardians, Ancestors and Spirits of the Place for the Inspiration, Originality, and Imagination that has been bestowed on me today.
Celebrant holds out platter of bread, with wand/athame makes pentagram to bless it
I hereby bless this in the name of the Gods and Goddesses
Celebrant holds out chalice of wine, with wand/athame makes pentagram to bless it
I hereby bless this in the name of the Gods and Goddesses.
After partaking of bread and wine, celebrant intones druidic chant of Awen three times:
Awen, Awen, Awen
Celebrant: I shall now recite the Druids Prayer, Grant oh God/Goddess, 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 and goddess and all goodness
Celebrant: I shall now say the Druids Oath, We swear, by peace and love to stand, heart to heart and hand in hand, mark oh spirit and hear us now, confirming this our sacred vow.
Celebrant may like to offer their own poems, dancing or songs here, and also any special prayers or thoughts at this time as they feel appropriate
Closing Ceremony
Celebrant: As is tradition, I raise my hands in the air, sending out thoughts of peace and harmony to all things and beings, and any projects I have in mind
Celebrant: My ceremony completed, I close this circle so I may return to everyday life. But first i thank the Guardians, Ancestors and Spirits of the Place.
Turns to East: There is peace in the East
Turns to South: There is peace in the South
Turns to West: There is peace in the West
Turns to North: There is peace in the North
Standing in centre: There is peace throughout the entire land
Celebrant: In the Name of the Gods and Goddesses that I worship, I send blessings out to the cosmos and the soma of our Universe, and all lifeforms, things and beings, remembering that the truth is out there! We also give thanks to the Gods and Goddesses for the love, beauty and truth that surrounds us now and forever. May we go forth with the Divine Blessing. Live Long and Prosper. May the Force Be With Us! Happy Samhain!
Celebrant: Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again
Note: This a solo use ceremony that can be performed alone by oneself or with others
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