SONORAN SUNRISE GROVE, ADF
BELTANE RITUAL
Scottish Pantheon
By Kirk Thomas

PRE-RITUAL PREPARATION

In the Henge:
The fire is prepared, the well opened, the World Tree Offering Bowl placed in position and the following items placed on or near the altar:

A standing horn for the Waters of Life, 2 drinking horns, 2 ritual pitchers, bowl for aspersing, a sea shell for the smudge stick, bell, offerings:
Earth Mother -  corn meal and dry oatmeal in a small bowl;
Brigit, Fire, Manannan, Deities - Oil in a bowl with a ladle; 
Well - silver for the well; 
Nature Spirits/Sidhe - a bowl of ale; a bowl of milk; a bowl of bread, broken into small pieces; herbs and oats in a small bowl;
Ancestors - ale in a small drinking horn;
Oisîn – a small glass of whiskey;
Niamh – a small glass of whiskey;
 a small wreath of twigs; Cider or beer or wine for the Waters of Life – also water; small drinking cups; a loaf of ritual bread), a taper by the fire, and divination tools. A couple of drops of Holy Water are poured into the Well and into any water used in ritual.

At the Outdweller’s Altar:
A small bowl is filled with water from the Well and taken to the Outdweller’s Altar. A standing horn of ale is placed on the Altar.

At the Gathering Place:
At the place of the procession’s beginning, a sage smudge stick is prepared and lit for the Procession.

Before the Procession begins: 
Druid 1 welcomes the people and gives the briefing.  This will include creating the Sacred Center and Opening and Closing of the Gates, as well as Praise Offerings.
The Bard teaches the People any new songs.
The Seer leads the People in taking a moment to center.

**** PROCESSION ****

Druid 1 carries the burning smudge stick while the Lead Drummer creates a rhythmic drumbeat and the Bard leads the People in song as they process to the Outdweller’s Altar outside the Sacred Precinct.

The Bard leads the People in singing:

We Approach The Sacred Grove
(Words and music by Sean Miller)

We approach the Sacred Grove
With hearts and minds and flesh and bone.
Join us now in ways of old;
We have come home.
(Repeat until Procession is ended)

**** PURIFICATION ****

After the People arrive at the Outdwellers’ Altar,
Warrior stands to the east of the Altar, facing the People.

Druid 1 says:
Warrior!  Make offering and appease the Outdwellers who will not support our ways.
 
Druid 2 takes up the bowl of sacred water and stands at the south of the Altar. 
Druid 1 takes the smudge stick and stands at the north of the Altar.  
Warrior says:
Ancient Spirits, dark or light,
You who care not for our way,
Outdwellers!  We know Your might -
Your forbearance we'll repay!

We now re-establish here
Sacred ground where You can stay.
Take our offering of beer -
We ask You to keep away!

Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHEEN) So be it!

Warrior makes an offering of ale to the Outdwellers, pouring it on the altar.

Druid 1, Druid 2 and the Warrior go to the entrance of the sacred precinct.

Druid 1 and Druid 2 smudge and asperse each other, and then the Warrior.

Druid 1 says:
Children of the Earth!  Come forward and be purified as we enter the Sacred Precinct.

Druid 1 censes while Druid 2 asperses the People as they Process through the grove towards the Henge.

The Bard leads the People through the grove to the Henge with Druids 1 and 2 following last.  Drumming accompanies the People to the Henge.

The People find their places in the Circle of the Henge, leaving room for Druid 1 and Druid 2, who enter last.  Druid 1 holds the burning smudge stick and Druid 2 carries the bowl of Sacred water.

Druid 1 and Druid 2 circle the Henge deosil, censing and aspersing the space, and then return to their places.

**** WELCOME ****

Druid 1 rings bell thrice-three times while saying:
Nature Spirits! (rings bell three times) Ancestors! (rings bell three times) Shining Ones! (rings bell three times) 
Welcome!  We shall meet here at the Sacred Center when we open the gates to the Otherworlds.

**** THE EARTH MOTHER ****
Druid 1 says:
Scotia! Earth Mother!  Bearer of all life!  We show you honor!

The People kneel and kiss the Earth.

Druid 2 says:
Scotia!  We build our fire upon Your bosom, claiming this place as our own.
Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHIN) So be it!

Druid 1 offers the corn meal and dry oatmeal to the unlit Fire.
Druid 2 lights the fire.

The People say:
Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHIN) So be it!

Rhythmic drumming begins to accompany the Bard.
The Bard leads the People in singing:

Earth Mother
(Author Unknown)

Earth Mother, we honor your body
Earth Mother, we honor your bones
Earth Mother, we sing to your spirit
Earth Mother, we sing to your stones
(repeat as necessary)

**** PURPOSE AND PRECEDENT ****

Druid 1 says:
We gather here on the Feast of Beltane, the hinge of summer and the Feast of our God Oisîn (oh-SHEEN) and his Fairy Lady, Niamh (NEEV) of the Golden Hair.

Druid 2 says:
This is also the Feast of Nature and of the Sidhe (SHEE), the fairies of the mounds.  As our Ancestors did, so do we now.  We make offering to the Son of Fionn and the daughter of the King of the Fairies in Tir na Nog.

Warrior says:
Now the earth grows green again in fact, warmed by the power of the Sun and the rains of Spring.  Beltane is also the Feast of Purification, when the herds were driven between bonfires on their way to the summer pastures.

Seer says:
In elder days, the folk left their work and went into the fields and the greenwood.  They roved among the blossoms and made love to one another to celebrate the Power of Life.

Druid 1 says:
So let us join together as one folk to make our offerings in joy and reverence!
Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHIN) So be it!

The People:
Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHIN)
 
*** IMBAS AND LORE ***
(Inspiration in English; Awen in Welsh) 

Rhythmic drumming begins to accompany the Inspiration Invocation.

Druid 1 says:
Brigit!  Great Triple Goddess!  We ask you for inspiration for our Rite!

Sanctifier takes smoking sage bundle to the appropriate Shrine and censes the image.  She returns the incense to the altar.  While this is happening,

Two Bards  invoke the Inspiration, singing in Call & Answer:

Lady Brigit
(Words by Peggy Kaan)

Lady Brigit of the Bards
Blessed fount of Inspiration
Spark the flames within our hearts
Lead our creative exploration
Lady Brigit hear our song
As we bring offerings of praise
Let Your blessings make us strong
That we may serve You all our days!

Druid 2 offers oil to the fire.

The Bards  together say:
Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHIN)

The People say:
Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHIN)

Storyteller says:
So now, Children of the Earth, let me tell you the tales of Oisîn (oh-SHEEN) and Niamh (NEEV).  Storyteller tells the tale.

* ESTABLISHING THE SACRED CENTER *

WELL, FIRE & TREE

Druid 1 says:
Within our Nemeton lie the Well, which contains the powers of chaos and the dark waters of the Underworld; the Fire, which embodies the ordering power of the Upperworld; and the Tree with its roots below and branches above connecting all.

And so, Druids, let us re-establish the Sacred Center!

The Lead Drummer begins a moderately fast, rhythmic drumbeat.  The other drums in the circle join in.  
The following actions take place simultaneously until everyone is in position.

Druid 1 takes silver and goes to the Well.  He stands to the SW of the Well and faces the center of the circle.
Druid 2 goes to the Fire, getting a ladle of oil from the main altar on the way.  She stands to the SE of the Fire, facing the center of the circle.
Warrior re-lights the smudge stick, if necessary, and goes to the Tree.
Sanctifier draws water from the well, using the bowl there, and goes to the Tree.

Druid 1 offers Silver to the well, with these words:

Sacred waters ‘neath our feet,
Unformed powers of the deep,
Fountain upwards now to fill us,
Sacred Well, flow within us!

The People say:
Sacred Well, flow within us!

Druid 2 offers oil to the Fire, with these words:

Sacred fire, light of Heaven,
Holy power of Transformation,
Create Order out of chaos.
Sacred fire, burn within us!

The People say:
Sacred fire, burn within us!

Warrior censes and Sanctifier asperses the World Tree.
Warrior and Sanctifier say in unison:

Sacred Tree, which joins together
Powers of chaos and of order,
Mighty wisdom, strong and ageless.
Sacred tree, grow within us!

The People say:
Sacred tree, grow within us!

While the Celebrants move deosil around the Circle to their original positions,
The Bards sing:
Here We Stand As One
(Words by Fiona Brigit, Music by Kirk Thomas)

With the Earth beneath our feet,
With the Sky that shelters all,
With the Tree connecting Worlds,
In this place of love and magic
Here we stand as one.

THE THREE WORLDS AND ATTUNEMENT

Druid 1 says:
We establish the Three Worlds of the Heavens, Midworld and Underworld when we attune ourselves with their powers, and magnify them within us.

The Seer leads the 2 Powers meditation to attune the company to the Earth and Sky powers and to join the company in spirit.

THE THREE REALMS

Druid 1 says:
Let us establish the Three Realms here!  

Rapid, rhythmic drumming begins to play.
Warrior goes to the Well (via the Main Altar).  
Druid 2 goes to the Tree.  
Seer goes to the Main Altar, picking up a glass of scotch, and then goes to the Fire.  
Sanctifier goes to the bell.  
Druid 1 takes his staff and stands in front of the Main Altar.

Seer says:
See the Sky overhead, like a bowl, night and day.  
Let the Sky not fall and all ill turn away!

The People say:
Let the Sky not fall and all ill turn away!

Sanctifier rings the bell one time.

Druid 2 says:
Feel the Land underfoot; be it strong and not sway.  
Let the Land hold firm and all ill turn away!

The People say:
Let the Land hold firm and all ill turn away!

Sanctifier rings the bell rapidly two times.

The Warrior says:
Hear the waves of the Sea as it circles us this day.  
Let the Sea not rise and all ill turn away!

The People say:
Let the Sea not rise and all ill turn away!

Sanctifier rings the bell rapidly three times.

**** OPENING THE SACRED CENTER ****

The Drummers continue with a moderately fast beat.

Druid 1 stands with his staff in front of the Main Altar.  The Seer is at the Fire, the Warrior is at the Well, and Druid 2 is at the Tree.

Sanctifier censes the Altar of Manannan mac Lir and then waits at the west entrance to the Circle.

The Bard begins moving widdershins around the circle, leading the People in chanting:
Well and Fire and Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!

The chant grows in power.  When the time is right, 
Druid 1 raises his arms.
Seer makes an offering of whiskey to the fire, saying:

Gatekeeper! We ask in reverence,
Open now the sacred boundary.
Manannan mac Lir, come to us,
Ward us as we walk in safety!

The People say:
Ward us as we walk in safety!

The Bard leads the People in quietly chanting:
Open the Gates; Open the Gates, Open the Gates…….

The chanting, drums and rattles continue.  They increase in speed and volume.

Druid 1 holds the bottom of his staff, pointing the top of it at the top of the World Tree.  He begins to spin widdershins, faster and faster.  When his staff first passes the Fire, Druid 1 says:
Let the Well open as a Gate!  

He continues spinning at least one full revolution.

As his staff passes over the Well, Druid 1 says:
Let the Fire open as a Gate!  

He continues spinning at least one full revolution.

As his staff passes by the Tree, Druid 1 says:
Let the Tree connect the Worlds!

There is a loud drum roll ending in a strong stroke.  
The chant, drumming and rattles stop.  
Druid 1 stops spinning, holds both hands (and staff) in the air and shouts:
Fosgailtear na geataichean! (FOS-ge-tir na GA-ti-kun)
Let the Gates be open!

The People shout:
Let the Gates be open!

**** KINDRED OFFERINGS ****

Druid 1 says:
Druids!  Make our Offerings to the Kindreds – the Ancient Ones, the Noble Ones and the Shining Ones.

NATURE SPIRITS AT BELTANE

The drums begin again, pounding out a moderate beat.

The Bards begin singing “Wild Mountain Thyme” over the following:

The Celebrants process out the west entrance of the henge to the Nature Spirits Altar.  Druid 1 carries a bowl of Ale.  Druid 2 carries a bowl of milk.  The Sanctifier takes a burning smudge stick.  The Seer carries a bowl of herbs and oats and the Warrior carries a bowl of bread, broken into small pieces.

When they arrive at the Altar, they circle it once deosil, gathering at either side of it.  

One by one, they stand before the altar and raise their bowl, saying,:
Druid 1 says:
Mighty Sidhe!  Spirits of the Land!  Accept this offering of ale!
He places the bowl of ale on the altar step.

Druid 2 says:
Mighty Sidhe!  Spirits of the Land!  Accept this offering of milk!
She places the bowl of milk on the altar step.

Seer says:
Mighty Sidhe!  Spirits of the Land! Accept this offering of herbs and oats!
He scatters the herbs and oats behind the altar.

Warrior says:
Mighty Sidhe!  Spirits of the Land!  Accept this offering of bread!
He places the bowl of bread on the altar step.

Sanctifier says:
Mighty Sidhe!  Spirits of the Land!  Accept this offering of incense!
He smudges the Altar.

The Bards continue singing.  The Celebrants process back into the henge through the east entrance.  All but Druid 2 go to their seats.

Druid 2 stands at the SW side of the Circle, facing the Nature Spirits altar and says these or other words:

All you Spirits of the Land
Be you small or be you grand,
Fin and feather, fur and skin,
Right intent is welcomed in!
Leaf and stone and Faerie, too,
Let our Sacred Pact renew!

Land-spirits, accept our offering!

The People say:
Land-spirits, accept our offering!

ANCESTORS

The Seer or invited Celebrant sings these or other words:
Ancestors, you Mighty Ones,
Witness now our humble actions.
Kin of heart and Kin of blood,
Ancient Ones, we call you Sacred!
Come unto us now, we pray,
Join us at the Well this day!

Ancestors, accept our offerings!

Druid 2 makes an offering of ale on the ground beside the Sacred Well.

The People say:
Ancestors, accept our offerings!

DEITIES

Warrior says these or other words:
Shining Ones, O Great and Timeless,
Gods and Goddesses, come to us!
You are welcome by our fire,
Let us know what You desire.
Known and unknown Deities
Meet us at the Boundaries!

Shining Ones, accept our offering!

Druid 2 makes an offering of oil to the fire.

The People say:
Shining Ones, accept our offering!

The Bard leads the People in singing:

Hail All The Gods
(Words by Paul Maurice, Richard Mac Kelly, Gwynne Green.  Music by Paul Maurice, Sean Miller and Gail Williams)

Hail all the Gods, Hail all the Goddesses,
Hail all the holy ones we’ve brought together!
Powers of the sky, Powers of the sacred earth,
Powers of the underworld we’ve brought together.
Hail all the Gods!  Hail all the Goddesses!
Hail all the Gods and Goddesses!
(repeat)

**** KEY OFFERINGS ****

The Goddess

Druid 1 says:
Niamh (NEEV), Fairy Queen, we call upon You!

Druid 1 invokes the God/dess.  Druid 2 takes whiskey to the fire and Sanctifier takes the smoking sage bundle to the 
Sigil Altar and censes the image, returning the sage to the main altar. 

Druid 1 stands facing the 
Sigil Altar and says:

Invocation of Niamh

Fairy Goddess, Manannan’s daughter,
Your white steed brings You close to us!
Gold is Your hair, and gold is Your crown, nestled in the ringlets.
Shimmering stars grace your mantle of brown silk,
Your eyes the clear blue of the summer sky.

Beautiful, Your face, Your eyes, Your voice,
More beautiful still, Your gentle love.
Resist You, even the Gods cannot!

Offerings we make to you, O Fairy Queen,
Whiskey to the Fire!
To You we pledge our love and our devotion.
Come join us here, O Fairy Maiden,
And when the rite is over, we will grieve to see You go!

Niamh (NEEV) of the Golden Hair, accept our offering!

Druid 2 gives whiskey to the Fire.
The People say:
Niamh of the Golden Hair, accept our offering! 

The God

Druid 2 says:
Oisîn (oh-SHEEN), son of Fionn, we call upon You!

Druid 2 invokes the God/dess.  Druid 1 takes whiskey to the fire and Sanctifier takes the smoking sage bundle to the 
Sigil Altar and censes the image, returning the sage to the main altar. 

Druid 2 stands facing the Sigil Altar and says:

Invocation of Oisîn

Mighty Oisîn (oh-SHEEN), Fianna Champion, 
You are the Son of the Doe Goddess, Sadb (saav).
Great beauty is yours!  Blonde is your hair;
the tuft on Your forehead Your Mother’s mark.

So handsome and fair of face, Your tartan 
Surrounds Your shoulders.
A mighty image of man are you!

Offerings we make to You!  Whiskey to the fire.
Brave Oisîn, mighty Fionn’s son,
We call to You to join us here!
And when the rite is over, we will grieve to see You go.

Mighty Oisîn (oh-SHEEN), son of Fionn, accept our offering!

Druid 1 gives whiskey to the Fire.
The People say:
Mighty Oisîn, son of Fionn, accept our offering!

**** PRAISE OFFERINGS ****

Druid 1 says:
Children of the Earth, as the spirit moves you, come forward and take the wreath and make your Praise Offerings to Oisîn (oh-SHEEN) and Niamh (NEEV), the Kindreds or your Patrons. You may offer silver to the Well, sing songs of praise, recite poetry, dance or do whatever would please the Kindreds most.  You may also make a donation to the Grove by placing it on the altar.

Druid 2 stands quietly holding the wreath.  As a person comes forward to make a Praise Offering, he hands the wreath to that person.  When the Praise Offering is done, he takes back the wreath and silently holds it until the next person comes forward.  

*** THE PRAYER OF SACRIFICE ***

Druid 1 says:
O Mighty Oisîn (oh-SHEEN)!  O Niamh (NEEV) of the Golden Hair! O Noble, Ancient and Shining Ones!  
Incense have we offered to Your shrines!  
Offerings have we made through the Well, Fire and Tree!  
And now our joy, love and reverence have filled this Wreath of Praise!  

Kindreds!  All this we give to You.  May our deeds be Your meat.  May our devotion be Your bread.  May our incense be sweet savor to Your nostrils.  

Mighty Kindreds, accept our offering!

Druid 2 offers the wreath to the fire.

The People say:
Mighty Kindreds, accept our offering!

**** THE OMEN ****

Druid 1 says:
Seer, what blessings and wisdom do the Kindreds offer us in return?

While the wreath offering burns,
The Seer takes the Omen.  He interprets it, which blessings have been granted by the Powers.  While the Seer is preparing to read the omen, the Druids prepare the Waters of Life.

Druid 1 pours mead into the large drinking horn.
Druid 2 fills another horn with waters from the Well. They are hung on their hangers.

The Seer pronounces the Omen.

**** BLESSINGS ****
The Return Flow

Druid 1 says:
Please stand and hold hands while we prepare the Waters Of Life.

The People all stand and hold hands in a circle.

Druid 1 takes Sacred Water in a horn or chalice and stands in front of the Altar.

Druid 1 says:
Children of the Earth, all our offerings, all we have done so far in our rite, have led to this moment.  This is magic time!  We have made offerings to the Powers, and now we shall ask for their blessings in return.  Visualize the blessings that each of you desire and need from the Kindreds.  See it clearly in your mind’s eye. And when we ask for the Waters of Life, when we say, “Give us the Waters of Life”, see the blessing you desire descend into the upraised cup like a mist, filling the cup.  And when we drink of the Waters, you will receive your blessing.  So close your eyes and take a moment to visualize your needs, and the needs of our Grove, that we may all receive the blessings we desire.

The People meditate for a while on their needs and desires.

Druid 1 says:
O Mighty Oisîn (oh-SHEEN)!  O Beautiful Niamh (NEEV)!  O Noble, Ancient and Shining Ones!  We have offered to you, so we ask for your gifts in return.

Druid 1 elevates the Waters.

Hallow these waters!  Bless our lives with love, magic and bounty as we drink of your essence.  
Kindreds, we ask you, give us the waters of life!

The People say:
Give us the waters of life!

Druid 1 gives the bread to the Sanctifier.  Druid 2 takes the horn of water and Druid 1 takes the horn of mead.

Druid 1 pours holy water in each horn and a few drops on the bread.

The People let go of each other’s hands and the drinking horns and bread are passed.  All drink from one or the other horn while the Bard leads the People in singing:

Pour The Waters
(By Ian Corrigan)

Pour the waters, raise the cup;
Drink your share of wisdom deep;
Strength and love now fill us up
As the elder ways we keep.
(Repeat until all have drunk from the horns)

*** THE AFFIRMATION ***

Druid 1 says:
We have drunk of the Waters of Life!  The Powers have given us true and wondrous blessings.  We affirm the gifts of our Kindreds and acknowledge their power in our lives.

Children of the Earth, do you accept the gifts of the Gods?

The People say:
We accept the gifts of the Gods!

*** THE WORKING ***
The Maypole Dance

The Senior Druid of the Grove chooses a May King and a May Queen from the young people present.  He crowns them, and they take up the first two ribbons of the Maypole.

The People take up the remaining ribbons of the Maypole, alternating male and female, and dance deosil around the pole while the Bards sing, “Cup of Wonder”.
 
**** CLOSING THE GATES ****

Druid 1 says:
The Mighty Ones have blessed us!  So as we prepare to depart, let us give thanks to those who have aided us.
A drum beat begins and rattles fill the sound.

Druid 2 says:
O Mighty Oisîn (oh-SHEEN), O Beautiful Niamh (NEEV), we thank you!

The People say:
We thank you!

Warrior says:
Gods and Goddesses of elder days; mighty Ancestors; noble Spirits of the Land; our Kindreds, we thank you!

The People say:
We thank you!

Seer says:
Gatekeeper, warder of the ways, 
for your presence and power, 
for your guiding and guarding, we say:
We thank you!

The People say:
We thank you!

Druid 1 says:  Earth Mother!  We give you all remaining offerings, for what comes from the Earth may return to the Earth.

The Druids make all remaining offerings to the Well, Fire or World Tree Offering bowl.

Druid 2 says:  Earth Mother!  For upholding the world and granting us Your blessings, we say:  We thank You!

The People say:
We thank You!

Druid 1 says:
Now we end what we began.  

The drums begin to play and the Bard leads the People in chanting, starting quietly and building in speed and intensity:
Close the Gates…. Close the Gates….. Close the Gates…..

Druid 2 holds the bottom of his staff, pointing the top of it at the top of the World Tree.  He begins to spin deosil, faster and faster.

As the staff passes the fire,
Druid 2 says:
Let the fire be flame!  

As the staff passes the well,
Druid 2 says:
Let the well be water!  

As the staff passes the World Tree,
Druid 2 says:
Let all be as it was before!

There is a loud drum roll ending in a strong stroke.  
The drumming and rattles stop.  

Druid 2 stops spinning, holds both hands (and staff) in the air and shouts:
Dùintear na geataichean! (DUN-tir na GAH-ti-kun)
Let the Gates be closed!

The People say:
Let the Gates be closed!

***CONTINUITY AND GROUNDING***

Warrior lights a stick or torch at the Fire.

Druid 1 says:
Once again, we have continued in our traditions, honoring the Gods, Ancestors and Nature Spirits, just as in times of old.  We have made offerings to our Kindreds and received their blessings in return.

But great energy has been raised within us this day!  Let us be grounded once more.

The Seer leads the People in grounding.

***THE RECESSION***

Warrior takes a burning stick from the Fire and goes to the cauldrons at the east entrance to the Circle.
Warrior says:
The fires of Beltane are the fires of purification.
Warrior lights the wood in the two cauldrons.
Druid 1 says:
As we leave our Nemeton, we pass between two fires.
We leave the season of inside;
We enter the season of outside.
May the Fires of Bel burn away the last of winter’s dark.

Druid 2 then rings the bell thrice-three times.

Druid 1 says:
Please stand and hold hands in this Circle.

Walk with wisdom, children of the Earth.
The Rite is ended!
Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHIN) So be it!

The People say:
Bitheadh e mar sin! (BEE-uh ma-SHIN) So be it!

The Bard leads the People in singing as they stand holding hands in the Circle.  After one time through, the Bard leads the People singing out of the Circle:

Walk With Wisdom
(Words and music by Sable)

Walk with wisdom, 
from this hallowed place;
Walk not in sorrow,
Our roots shall ‘ere embrace.
May strength be your brother
And honor be your kin;
And luck be your lover
Until we meet again!
(Repeat until Recession is ended)

At this point, a party/potluck is held for the assembled people.