SONORAN SUNRISE GROVE, ADF
LUGHNASSADH RITUAL 2004
IRISH Pantheon
By Kirk Thomas

PRE-RITUAL PREPARATION

In the Henge:
The fire is prepared, the well opened, the Offering Bowl placed on the ground in front of the Main Altar 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 four small glasses; 
Well - silver for the well; 
Nature Spirits/Sidhe - herbs and oats in a small bowl;
Ancestors - ale in a small drinking horn;
Lugh Samildanach – Three small glasses of whiskey;
Tailtu – Three small glasses of whiskey;
Other Offerings - 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 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. A small bowl is filled with water from the Well prepared 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 and Druid 2 carries the Holy Water 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
(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 1 and Druid 2 stand at the Gate to the Sacred Precinct.
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!

Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE) 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:
Maala! Earth Mother!  Bearer of all life!  We show you honor!

The People kneel and kiss the Earth.

Druid 1 says:
Maala, Earth Mother!  We make offering to you.

Oats from the Old World,
Corn from the New,
Joined all together, we offer to You!

Earth Mother, accept our offering!

The People say:
Earth Mother, accept our offering!

Druid 1 offers the corn meal and dry oatmeal to the Offering Bowl.

Druid 2 says:
Maala!  We build our fire upon Your bosom, claiming this place as our own.
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE) So be it!

Druid 2 lights the fire.

The People say:
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE) 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:
As our Ancestors did, so do we now.  We gather here on the Feast of Lughnassadh, the Feast of our God Lugh the Many Skilled.  He is the one who led the Gods in victory against Chaos.

Druid 2 says:
The Sun is declining from the heights of Midsummer as it makes its long journey to the south.  This is also the time of the First Harvest, when the First Loaf is made.

Seer says:
Lugh Samildanach (SAW-vil-da-nach) Himself established this Feast in honor of His Foster Mother Tailtiu, whose sacrifice brought fertility to the land.  And so we also worship Her, the Queen of the Fir Bolg.

Warrior says:
When Lugh first came to Tara, his many skills earned Him His place.  Tonight we shall also recognize the many skills of our Grove.

Druid 1 says:
So let us join together as one folk to make our offerings in joy and reverence!
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE) So be it!

The People:
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE)
 
*** 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 fire 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:
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE)

The People say:
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE)

THE STORY

Storyteller says:
So now, Children of the Earth, let me tell you the tale of Lugh Samildanach (SAW-vil-da-nach) and how He came to Tara.  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.

While the Celebrants move deosil around the Circle to their new positions,
The Bards sing:
Here We Stand As One
(Words by Fiona Brigit, Tune 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.

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, Tune 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 three times.

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 three 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 three times.

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

The Bards sing the Song of Manannan:

Manannan
(By Ian Corrigan)

We stand at the borders
And watch the mists flow in.
Waves rolling, rolling.

Where shore meets the ocean
Where land meets sea and sky
We call to you, Manannan!

Manannan, Manannan,
We welcome You 
As You one day will welcome us!

The Drummers begin 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:
Osclaítear na geataí! (OS-kluh-tir Na GA-thee)
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

The drums begin again, pounding out a moderate beat.
Sanctifier censes the Nature Spirits altar, then goes and waits by the Ancestors altar.

The Bard or invited celebrant 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 Sanctifier censes the Ancestors altar.

The Seer or invited Celebrant stands at the SW side of the Circle, facing the Ancestors altar, and says 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 stands at the Fire and 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 God

Druid 1 says:
Lugh Samildanach (SAV-il-da-nach), You of many skills, we call upon You!

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

Druid 1 stands facing the Altar of Lugh and says:

Invocation of Lugh

Skillful Lord Samildanach,
Tara’s King,
We call upon you now!

Lugh Lamphada, Long-armed One,
Balor’s Bane,
Please join us by the Well!

One foot, One eye, Arm High,
Magic flows.
Slake Your thirst with whiskey, Lord!
We offer it to You.
(Druid 2 offers whiskey to the Fire.)
And when the Rite is over, we will grieve to see You go.

O Lugh of Many Skills, accept our offering!

Druid 2 offers whiskey to the Fire.

The People say:
O Lugh of Many Skills, accept our offering!
Druid 2 offers whiskey to the Fire.
The Goddess

Druid 1 says:
Holy Tailtiu, Mother of Talents, we call upon You!

Druid 2 invokes the Goddess.  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  theSigil Altar and says:

Invocation of Tailtiu

Holy Mother Tailtiu,
Forest Bane, Clover friend,
We call upon you now!

Foster Mother of Lord Lugh,
Your Games and Festival
Have survived these thousand years!

Fir Bolg Queen, Daughter of Spain,
Wife of the slain King,
Slake Your thirst with whiskey, Lady!
We offer it to You.
(Druid 2 offers whiskey to the Fire.)
And when the Rite is over, we will grieve to see You go.

O Holy Mother Tailtiu, accept our offering!

Druid 2 offers whiskey to the Fire.

The People say:
O Lugh of Many Skills, accept our offering!
Druid 2 offers whiskey to the Fire.

**** 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 Lugh Samildanach, Holy Tailtiu, 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 Lugh, He of Many Skills! O Holy Mother Tailtiu!  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 Lugh!  O Holy Tailtiu!  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 Parade of Skills

Druid 1 stands behind the Main Altar.  He says:
Just as Tara recognized the many skills of Lugh Samildanach, so shall our Grove recognize the many skills of our Members.

Would all in our Grove who call themselves Artisans please stand?  Those who create works of art, handicrafts, web sites, etc.?
The People stand. Others applaud.

Would all in our Grove who call themselves Healers please stand?  You who heal with herbs or medicines and heal with love and art?
The People stand.  Others applaud.

Would all in our Grove who call themselves Defenders please stand?  You who defend the Grove, or defend and rescue others?
The People stand.  Others applaud.

Would all in our Grove who call themselves Seers please stand?  You who see into the future or see the will of the Kindreds?
The People stand.  Others applaud.

Would all in our Grove who call themselves Liturgists please stand?  You who create and guide our rituals?
The People stand.  Others applaud.

Would all in our Grove who call themselves Magicians please stand?  You who work the forces of Nature to help others?
The People stand.  Others applaud.

Would all in our Grove who call themselves Bards please stand?  You who sing, play instruments, drum or tell stories?
The People stand.  Others applaud.

Children of the Earth!  Sons and Daughters of our Kindreds!  People of the Sonoran Sunrise Grove, ADF!  

You have seen the talent and energy of our People.  You have felt the power and strength of our People.  You have witnessed the heart and spirit of our People.

Mighty Kindreds, we pray you to guide our Grove through the year, that we might grow as a people, in numbers, talent and heart.

Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE)  So be it!

The People say:
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE)  So be it!
 
**** 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 Lugh of the Many Skills, O Foster Mother Tailtiu,
Tá muid buíoch dibh!  (Tah Mweech Bweek DEE-oo)  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, 
Tá muid buíoch dibh! (Tah Mweech Bweek DEE-oo)  We thank you!

The People say:
We thank you!

Seer says:
Manannan, warder of the ways, 
for your presence and power, 
for your guiding and guarding, we say:
Tá muid buíoch díot!  (Tah Mweech Bweek DEE-ut)  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.

Druid 1, Druid 2 and the Sanctifier 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:  
Tá muid buíoch díot!  (Tah Mweech Bweek DEE-ut)  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:
Dúntar na geataí! (DOON-tar Na GA-thee)
Let the Gates be closed!

The People say:
Let the Gates be closed!

***CONTINUITY AND GROUNDING***

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***

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!
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE)  So be it!

The People say:
Bíodh sé amhlaidh! (BEE-uh SHAY Ow-LEE)  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
(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.