SONORAN SUNRISE GROVE, ADF
SAMHAIN 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 - Oil in two small glasses;
Well - silver for the well;
Tree – bowl of holy well water and smudge stick;
Gatekeeper, Deities – Whiskey in two small glasses;
Ancestors – pork in a small bowl, apples in a small bowl, hazelnut oil in a small glass, a mini keg of beer and an ax;
Nature Spirits - herbs and oats in a small bowl;
Morrigan – Three small glasses of whiskey;
Dagda – 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. A small bowl is filled with water from the Well and placed near the Sacred Precinct entry pillars.

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:

Come We Now As A People
(Author Unknown)

Come we now as a People
To Gather at the Sacred Well,
Come we now as a People
To gather in the warmth and the light of the Flame.
(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 2 takes up the Holy Water bowl from the base of the Outdwellers 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.  And when I ask you if you release ill will, respond, “I release all ill will.”

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.

Druid 2 leaves the bowl of Holy Water on the Main Altar.

**** 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:
Earth Mother!  Imalla!  Bearer of all life!  We show you honor!

The People kneel and kiss the Earth.

Druid 1 says:
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:
Earth Mother!  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:
We gather here to celebrate the Feast of Samhain, the time of prophesy and transformation.  And in this Season of Death and Rebirth, we honor the Holy Dead as the ancients did, and we seek their wisdom.

Druid 2 says:
As our ancestors did, so do we now.  We are here to offer worship to the Great Queen of Battle and Sorcery, the Morrigan, Lady of Death and the Cauldron of Rebirth.

Seer says:
We are also here to offer worship to the Good God, Dagda, Father God and God of Fertility.

Warrior says:
This is the End and Beginning of the Sacred Year, the Time of Turning when the Dark Time begins.

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) So be it!
 
*** 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
(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) So be it!

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

THE LORE

Storyteller says:
So now, Children of the Earth, let me tell you the tales of Morrigan and the Dagda.  Storyteller then tells of the Morrigan and of Dagda, and of their coupling in sacred space, straddling the river Unius, and of Her prophesy of the Battle of Magh Tuiredh.

** THE GROUP MIND **

The Seer says:

THE PRAYER OF UNITY

The Heavens and the Underworld,
Above us and below,
The World Tree will unite as one
When through us it shall grow.

So let us join our minds and hearts,
And work as one, we pray.
May powers of the Earth and Sky
Soon join through us this day.

The Seer leads the People in the Two Powers Meditation.

The Seer ends the meditation, saying:
Children of the Earth, now open your eyes.  Touch the person next to you as we intone the powers within.

The Seer begins intoning, joined by the Celebrants and the People.  A Bard intones a chakra descant, and when it ends, the intoning is over.

** RE-ESTABLISHING THE SACRED CENTER **

THE THREE REALMS

Druid 1 says:
Druids, let us now re-establish the Sacred Center of the Worlds.

The Bard leads the People in singing:

Here We Stand As One
(By Fiona Brigit)

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.

Meanwhile, Druid 1 takes silver and stands in the south.  Druid 2 takes oil and stands between the Tree and the Fire.  Warrior takes the burning sage bundle and stands between the Well and the Tree.  Sanctifier takes Holy Water and goes to the Bell.

The Lead Drummer begins a strong and rapid beat.

The Bard says:
Land and Sea and starry Sky, you surround and sanctify.

Druid 1 says:
Let the Land hold firm, we pray.
May all ill be turned away!

The People say:
May all ill be turned away!

The Bard says:
Land and Sea and starry Sky, you surround and sanctify.

Druid 2 says:
Let the Sea not rise, we pray.
May all ill be turned away!

The People say:
May all ill be turned away!

The Bard says:
Land and Sea and starry Sky, you surround and sanctify.

The Warrior says:
Let the Sky not fall, we pray,
May all ill be turned away!

The People say:
May all ill be turned away!

The Sanctifier rings the bell three times.

WELL, FIRE AND TREE

The Lead Drummer continues the strong and rapid beat.
Druid 1 goes to the Well with the silver.  Druid 2 goes to the fire with the oil.  Warrior goes to the Tree with the burning sage bundle.  Sanctifier also goes to the Tree with the Holy Water.

Meanwhile, the Bard moves clockwise around the Circle, leading the People in chanting the following 3 times.  After the third time, the Bard stops, faces center and holds up her arms.

Well and Fire and Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!
Well and Fire and Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!
Well and Fire and Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!

Druid 1 offers silver to the Well, saying:
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!

The Bard continues moving clockwise and leads the chant:
Well and Fire and Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!
Well and Fire and Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!

At the end of the line, the Bard stops, faces center and holds up her arms.

Druid 2 offers oil to the Fire, saying:
Sacred Fire, Light of Heaven,
Power of our transformation,
Create order out of chaos.
Sacred Fire, burn within us!

The People say:
Sacred Fire, burn within us!

The Bard continues moving clockwise and leads the chant:
Well and Fire and Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!

At the end of the line, the Bard stops, faces center and holds up her arms.

The Warrior censes and the Sanctifier asperses the World Tree, saying in unison:
Sacred Tree which joins together
Might of chaos and of order,
Magic maker, strong and ageless.
Sacred Tree, grow within us!

The People say:
Sacred Tree, grow within us!

The Sanctifier rings the bell three times.  The Bard returns to her seat.

** OPENING THE SACRED CENTER **

THE GATEKEEPER

The Lead Drummer continues with the beat.

A Bard leads the People in singing:

Manannan, Open The Portals
(By Sue Parker)

Manannan, open the Portals
Between the Gods and Mortals.
Power freely flows
As our magic grows.

The Seer rises and faces the altar of Manannan mac Lir.  Druid 2 takes 3 small glasses of whiskey to the Fire.  The Sanctifier takes incense or the burning sage bundle to the Altar of Manannan and censes the image.

The Celebrants leads the People in chanting:
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!

The Seer says:
Mighty God of in-between,
Guiding souls to Summerland,
Opener of Gates unseen,
Help our consciousness expand.
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!

Druid 2 offers whiskey to the fire.

The People say:
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!

The Seer says:
Keeper of the Sacred Gate,
Use Your strong and holy powers.
Let our voices resonate;
Join Your magic here with ours!
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!

Druid 2 offers whiskey to the fire.

The People say:
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!

The Seer says:
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!

Druid 2 offers whiskey to the fire.

The People say:
Manannan, now aid us here!  Boundaries shall disappear!

OPENING THE GATES

The Seer is seated and Druid 1 brings a staff to the center of the Circle.

Meanwhile, the Bard moves counter clockwise around the Circle, and 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 counter clockwise, faster and faster.  When his staff first passes the Well, Druid 1 says:
Let the Well open as a Gate!  

He continues spinning at least one full revolution.

As his staff passes over the Fire, 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.  ALL CHANTING STOPS.  The Bard stops, faces center, and holds up her arms.

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.

ANCESTORS

The Sanctifier censes the Ancestors altar, then goes and waits by the Nature Spirits 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!  Mighty Ones!  This is your special time.  The Feast of Samhain is the time when we honor you above all the Kindreds.

We call to You, kin of our Hearts.  
We call to you, ancestral Kin of our blood!  
We call to you, our Fallen Warriors, sacrificed on far-off shores.

Mighty Ones, we offer to you!

Pork, the food of the Gods.
Druid 2 offers pork to the Fire.

Apples, the fruit of Tir na Og, the Isles of Youth.
Druid 2 offers apples to the Offering Bowl.

And beer, drink of the Gods and the Mighty Dead.  May you never thirst!

Druid 2 smashes the mini beer keg with the ax.
Seer says:

Children of the Earth!  Who has died this year?  Let us remember them to the Ancestors now!
I remember our Fallen Warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan and the innocent dead.
Has anyone else a name of a lost Loved One to share?

The People share names.  As each name is said, 
The People say:
<Name>, we remember you.

When the calling is finished,
Seer says:
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 hazelnut oil to the Fire.

The People say:
Ancestors, accept our offerings!

The Bard leads the People in singing:

Mothers And Fathers Of Old
(Words by Sable)

From far beyond this mortal plane 
Mothers and Fathers of Old
We pray that you return again 
Mothers and Fathers of Old
To share with us the mysteries 
And secrets long untold
Of the ancient ways we seek to reclaim
Mothers and Fathers of Old.

NATURE SPIRITS

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

Druid 2 scatters herbs on the ground and hangs any trinkets on the World Tree, while

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!

The Bard leads the People in singing:

Fur And Feather
(Words and music by Sable)

Fur & Feather & Scale & Skin 
Different without but the same within.
Many of body but one of soul 
Through all creatures are we made whole.

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 all come together!
Powers of the sky, Powers of the sacred earth,
Powers of the underworld all come together.
Hail all the Gods!  Hail all the Goddesses!
Hail all the Gods and Goddesses!

**** KEY OFFERINGS ****

The Goddess Morrigan

Druid 1 says:
Great Morrigan, Phantom Queen, 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 the Morrigan and censes the image, then goes and waits by the Sigil Altar.

Druid 1 stands facing the Morrigan Altar and says:

Invocation of the Morrigan

Dark Lady,
Fearsome Bird of Death,
Spell Caster!

Battle Crow,
Washer at the Ford,
We call upon You now!

Transforming Goddess who burns away the Old
That we may be reborn,
Fly to us in Raven form
To join us by our Fire.

Prophetess!
Slake Your thirst with whiskey -
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 Phantom Queen, accept our offering!

Druid 2 offers whiskey to the Fire.

The People say:
O Phantom Queen, accept our offering!

Druid 2 offers whiskey to the Fire.

The God Dagda

Druid 2 says:
Dagda, Great God, we call upon You!

Druid 2 invokes the God.  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 Dagda

Most learned Dagda,
Great of appetite and of Lore,
We call upon you now!

Cauldron-keeper, Great Club wielder,
Holder of the Harp of Seasons,
Come join us by our fire!

Druid God, Your wisdom great
And fertile ways
Protect and grow the Folk!

Sky Father, War Father, Fertile Father,
Come celebrate tonight.
All Father!
Slake Your thirst with whiskey -
We offer it to You.

(Druid 1 offers whiskey to the Fire.)

And when the Rite is over, we will grieve to see You go.
Great God Dagda, accept our offering!

Druid 1 offers whiskey to the Fire.

The People say:
Great God Dagda, accept our offering!

Druid 1 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 the Morrigan, the Dagda, 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 Phantom Queen! O Great Father Dagda!  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!

As the wreath burns,
The Bard leads the People in singing:

The Sacrifice Song
(Ian Corrigan and Friends)

Let our voices arise on the Fire,
Let our voices resound in the deep,
Let the Kindreds accept what we offer,
As we honor the old ways we keep.
(repeat once)

**** 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 Phantom Queen!  O Great Father Dagda!  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!

After a pause, Druid 1 says:
An uisce beatha seo! (an USH-ka BA-uh show) 
Behold 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 Grove Officers are installed.

The Seer leads the People on a trance journey to Tir na nOg to see their beloved dead.

A Dedicant’s Oath may be made.

**** 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 Morrigan, Phantom Queen; O Great Father Dagda,
Go raigh maith agaibh!  (GUR uh MAH gev)  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, 
Go raigh maith agaibh!  (GUR uh MAH-gev)  We thank you!

The People say:
We thank you!

Seer says:
Gatekeeper Manannan, warder of the ways, 
for your presence and power, 
for your guiding and guarding, we say:
Go raigh maith agat!  (GUR uh MAH gut)  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:  
Go raigh maith agat!  (GUR uh MAH gut)  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, as you go out into the wide world.  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:

Out Into The Wide World
(By Arlene Davis)

Now the Rite is ended,
May the Kindreds bless us.
From this Grove protected,
Out into the wide world.

Guided by Their wisdom,
Guarded by Their love,
From this Grove protected,
Out into the wide world.
(Repeat until Recession is ended)

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