Nemos Ognios Beltane Ritual, 2011
Ceisiwr Serith, Liturgist
When it is time for the ritual, the Priest drums and sings:
Unite, and unite, and let us all unite, for summer is a-comin’ to day. And whither we are going, we all will unite in the merry morning of May.
The people gather. Then the Priest strikes the drum three times and says:
Bígí i do thost! May we all maintain a holy silence.
The Fire Tender says:
In that holy silence, may truth be spoken. May lovely Brighid inspire our words, inspire our actions, inspire us all.
The Priest says:
With winter behind us, we enter summer. As we do so, we will purify ourselves for our own benefit and to prepare us to approach the land spirits to whom we will offer today on Beltane, feast of bright fire.
The Fire Tender purifies everyone, saying:
May be we pure that we might cross through the sacred. May we cross through the sacred that we might attain the holy. May we attain the holy that we might be blessed in all things.
The Fire Tender puts the bowl down. She pours some lighter fluid on the briquettes in the xā́sā, and lights them, saying:
Shining Lady, unite us all, for by worshipping at a common hearth we are made one family, one people. Queen of the hearth, your household is here. May we pray with a good fire.
The Fire Tender starts this song, with the others joining in on the chorus:
This flame is small that’s how it seems yet even so it bears our dreams For flame’s a goddess to whom we pray to be one family, here today. The flame now grows from coal to coal and every one is each a soul For flame’s a goddess to whom we pray to be one family, here today. The flame has spread from heart to heart. It binds us still when we’re apart. For flame’s a goddess to whom we pray to be one family, here today. She burns within through all our days. Let all as one sing out her praise. For flame’s a goddess to whom we pray to be one family, here today. For flame’s a goddess to whom we pray to be one family, here today.
[In the last chorus, " family, here today" is sung more slowly.]
The Fire Tender offers butter to the fire, saying gently:
Eat with us, Share our food, Share our home.All:
Biodh se amladh.
The Priest says:
Set forth upon the shining path, the ancestral way laid out before us. Place your feet with measured stride, in ancient rhythm.
All process to the site. The Fire Tender carries the xā́sā, the Priest the sacrifice with the wood sigil on top. Other offerings to carry: the libation, a pitcher of goat’s milk, a bowl of bay leaves on top of cakes made from spelt, a disk with the sigil on it, and the dish with the silver. The Champion leads the procession with the spear, followed by the Priest, then the Fire Tender, and then the others. The drummer, who establishes a beat which fits the “Earth Mother” song is last.
As he enters the space, the Priest says:
Ta muid anseo leis na dheithe a adradh! We are here to worship the gods!All:
We are here to worship the gods!
As each person enters the space, they begin to sing:
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.
The Priest goes to the speltá and puts down the sacrifice. The Chthonic Celebrant puts down whatever she is carrying and picks up the bowl of mixed grains from the speltá. She goes to where the xāsā will be put. As the song continues, she prays:
We build our fires on the breast of the Earth; on Her our hearths are formed. To Her this offering, then, preparing this to be our space, our place of worship.
As she does so, she scatters the mixed grain onto the ground. When there is a break in the song (or when the end is signaled by a drummer,) she says:
Mother of All, receive this gift!All:
Mother of All, receive this gift!
The Fire Tender puts the xā́sā down and sits; the Priest and the Chthonic Celebrant go to their places. Once the xā́sā is on the ground, those with the milk, bay leaves, and cakes put them down on the ground between it and the hńgwnis. The Fire Tender offers some butter to the xā́sā, while the Priest says:
With the burning of the fire we take possession of the land it lights, of the world it warms. From here to there we take possession.
The Fire Tender transfers a briquette from the xā́sā to the hńgwnis with the butter spoon, while the Priest says:
In the world's very center we light our fire, here where the sacred and the mundane meet Here we light a living flame.
The Fire Tender blows on the briquette to enflame the tinder (using matches to spread it if necessary). As she does this, the Priest says:
With our prayers we feed you, with the breath of our mouths.
Once the fire is going well, the Fire Tender offers it butter, while the Priest says:
Receive our offerings and bless our rites.
When this has burned, the Priest says:
Listen to my words; see the cosmos about you.
He sings:
The waters support and surround us
He makes a semi-circle with both his hands, extending upwards from a point. He sings:
The land extends about us
He puts his hands in the middle of the top of the semi-circle, palms downward, and brings them out to the ends of the semi-circle. He sings:
The sky stretches out above us.
He makes another semi-circle upwards from the edge of the other one, with his hands meeting at its top. He sings:
At the center burns a living flame.
He puts both of his hands, joined together, in the center of the circle he has drawn (and thus the center of the flat area he has also drawn), and brings them in to touch his heart. He sings:
May all the Kindreds bless us. May our worship be true.All:
May our worship be true.Priest:
May our actions be just.All:
May our actions be just.Priest:
May our love be pure.All:
May our love be pure. Blessings, and honor, and worship to the Holy Ones.
The Priest says:
Come we together on this holy day across the distances that lay between us to this time, to this place, for one strong purpose: To worship the Holy Ones in the proper manner. To do proper honor to the Spirits of the Wild To be purified of winter and to enter summer.
The Fire Tender sets up the image of Janus to the east of the hngwnis and pours a libation of red wine, saying:
Jan-e Pater, with honor, with worship, with thanks.
She puts the pitcher down and sits. She throws some incense into the fire and says:
From tearing ocean into welcoming bay, Come homeward, Sailor, on silver keel. Cross beacon-guided the shattering shoal, and gently comeAll:
and joyful stay.
The Fire Tender pushes her hands outwards in an opening gesture, saying:
Mhanannán, open the way!All:
Open the way!
The Fire Tender throws some incense into the fire and says:
From tearing ocean into welcoming bay, past guardian jetty guide your boat, and tie its rope to pillared pier, and gently comeAll:
and joyful stay.
The Fire Tender pushes her hands outwards in an opening gesture, saying:
A Mhanannán, open the way!All:
Open the way!
The Fire Tender throws some incense into the fire and says:
From tearing ocean into welcoming bay, set foot on land with blessing touch, and enter home, and sit at hearth. Come homeward, Sailor; come Son of Sea: O gently comeAll:
and joyful stay.
The Fire Tender pushes her hands outwards in an opening gesture, saying:
A Mhanannán, open the way!All:
Open the way!
Each time she says “Open the way,“ the Fire Tender traces a sign of opening in the air.
The Fire Tender says:
From the lands of gods, To the lands of men,All:
May sacred power flow. May Manannán be our guide to the gods.
The Priest then sets up the image of Xáryomen. The Priest offers butter on the hńgwnis and sings:
Xáryomen Dhétipotei,All:
Xáryomen, Lord of the Law of the People.Priest:
Sumēnésṇs prihons dṓtorAll:
Giver of well-disposed friends.Priest:
Suwéstēr zdhi.All:
Be our good Herdsman.Priest:
Wédhe nōs somAll:
Bring us together.Priest:
Xṛ́neu nōs sḗm.All:
Make us one.Priest:
Tebhyo sṃgénse spendemes.All:
May we worship you as one people!Priest:
Unite us Xáryomen, make us one,All:
May we come before the gods speaking with one voice.
The Fire Tender says:
Today we welcome the honored dead to sit beside the fires they once held so dear, to worship with us as they once so loved to do.
The guest with the silver takes it to the mundus. They remove the tile and pour the silver in silently with their left hand, while looking away.
The Fire Tender:
Welcome to the Ancestors!All:
Welcome to the Ancestors!
The guest puts the empty dish down, and go to the speltá, where they purify themselves with the water in the bowl, and then return to their place.
The Fire Tender offers butter on the hngwnis and says:
May all the Holy Ones come to us as we worship them here. May they come to us on the shining path as we call to them with proper words. Holy Ones, We worship you with sweet offering.All:
Holy Ones, We worship you with sweet offering.
All sing:
Hail all the gods Hail all the goddesses Hail all the Holy Ones we dwell together Lords of the sky Ladies of the sacred earth Ancient and Undying Ones we dwell together. Hail all the gods Hail all the goddesses Hail all the gods and goddesses Hail all the gods Hail all the goddesses Hail all the Holy Ones we dwell together
The Fire Tender offers butter to the hńgwnis, while the Priest says:
In the season to come we will have need of Lugh, to teach us how to plant, to teach us how to harvest, and to protect our lands from those who would harm us. We offer to him this day with special praise. Biodh se amladh.All:
Biodh se amladh.
The Priest says:
It has been the custom of our grove1 to honor Pales on this day, and we do not think little of the ways of the past.
The Fire Tender puts half of the bay leaves on the xā́sā, saying:
Be pleased, Pales, with sweet smells. Ita sīt.All:
Ita sīt.
The Fire Tender picks up the pitcher of milk and holds it over the xā́sā a moment. She pours half of it on the ground in front of the fire, saying:
Be pleased, Pales, with warm milk. Ita sīt.All:
Ita sīt.
She puts the pitcher down, picks up the cakes, and breaks them onto the ground where the milk has been poured, saying:
Be pleased, Pales, with the earth's produce, with the work of people. Ita sīt.All:
Ita sīt.
The Priest moves the wood with the sigil to above the knife, and removes the cloth, which he puts on top of the knife. He lifts the sacrifice and says:
This bull has come willingly, eagerly, to the place of sacrifice bedecked with gold in celebration and beauty.
He puts it down and sprinkles water on it, using his right hand, three times, saying:
A pure offering is this, without blemish or stain, fit for Lugh Lamfhada.
He puts down the bowl of water, and picks up the bowl of barley in his left hand. He scatters grain from it three times with his right hand onto the sacrifice, saying:
Be blessed and fed with the fruits of the earth.
He then picks up the main sacrifice (that is, the top plate) and brings it clockwise about the space, carrying the bowl of barley as well. Each person takes some barley and throws it on the sacrifice with their right hand. When he returns to his place, he puts the sacrifice down.
He puts down the bowl, holds up the sacrifice, and says:
A proper offering is this, as it is right to give. This bull to Lugh Samildanach.
He picks up the knife in his left hand and, carrying the animal in his right, he goes to mundus, where he touches the plate to it. He turns to the right, goes to the fires and goes once around them, clockwise. He then goes to the tree and puts the plate down on the ground, touching it. He squats and puts the plate and knife down. The Fire Tender motions to the Champion, who comes and faces her. When the Champion has arrived, he holds the point of the spear down at an angle between the Fire Tender and the ground. The Fire Tender pours a small amount of butter on the spearhead without looking at the Champion, and says:
Buail!
The Champion goes clockwise around the space, all the while holding the spear upright, away from his body. As he walks, the Fire Tender strikes the bell. The others also make percussive sounds. The Fire Tender increases the tempo and volume as he walks, and the others follow. When the Champion returns to the sacrifice, he stands and faces the Fire Tender. She says:
Buail!
The Champion reverses the spear so its head points down, raises it high, is still a moment, and then brings it down hard into the sacrifice. He reverses the spear again, holds it up, lowers it to an easy height, and returns to his place. When he hits the sacrifice, everyone stops their sounds. The Priest quickly cuts a slice from the right side of the sacrifice, using his right hand. He cuts this in half in turn. He puts the top half in the hngwnis, saying:
Lugh mac Cian, Lugh mac Ethniu, here is your share. Sit down at our table, and see the meal we have spread out for you. Eat, and be strong.
He lets it burn for a few moments, and then picks up the bottom half. He holds the piece over the hngwnis a moment, then breaks it in two. He eats the top half and gives the bottom half to the Fire Tender. He holds the rest over the hngwnis a moment, while the Chthonic Celebrant comes to him. He hands the sacrifice to her, and she brings it around for everyone to eat some. She puts any left over in the hńgwnis.
When this is finished, the Priest pours beer with his right hand at the base of the hngwnis, saying:
All the Kindreds, be honored in our midst. We pour out our offering to you, like living water, like grain from a bag. Drink deeply of the gifts we give.
He returns to his place. He says:
Have the folk brought praise?
The Fire Tender says:
They have!
Praise offerings are then made by those who wish. When the last offering has been made, the Priest sprinkles water on the sigil and says:
This for you, all who watch over Ár nDraíocht Féin. All of you guardian deities, for you this offering.
He sprinkles it again and says:
All of you guardian ancestors, for you this offering.
He sprinkles it again and says:
All of you guardian land spirits, for you this offering.
He goes to the mundus and says:
At the space of origin at the time of origin we make our offering. May the blessings of the Kindreds be upon Ár nDraíocht Féin from its founding. May it grow and flourish under their watchful eyes.
He puts the sigil in the mundus and returns to his place. He takes the piece of bread from the bottom plate, holds it up, and says:
Gods and Goddesses, Holy Ancestors, Spirits of this place: If anything we have done here has offended you, If anything we have done here has been incomplete, If anything we have done here has not been done in the proper manner, accept this final offering in recompense.
He breaks the bread into pieces, and puts one piece on the xā́sā, one on the hngwnis, one on the ground in front of the Champion, one in front of the image of Janus, one in front of the image of Xáryomen, and one in the mundus. He breaks up the rest up and scatters it about the space. The Fire Tender then says:
Diviner, take the omens.
After the divination has been announced, the Fire Tender says:
We hear what the Kindreds have to say, and are made wise by it.
The Priest pours the Waters into the Waters bowl and brings it to the Fire Tender. He holds the bowl over the fire for a moment and then raises it. The Fire Tender says:
Féachaígí ar na h-Uisci Beatha! Behold the Waters of Life!All:
Behold the Waters of Life!
The Priest holds it over the fire again, raises it again. The Fire Tender says:
Féachaígí ar na h-Uisci Beatha! Behold the Waters of Life!All:
Behold the Waters of Life!
The Priest holds it over the fire a third time, and raises it. The Fire Tender says:
Féachaígí ar na h-Uisci Beatha! Behold the Waters of Life!All:
Behold the Waters of Life!
The Priest stands, holds the bowl up as high as possible, and shouts:
Fire!
The Fire Tender throws lighter fluid into the hṇ́gwnis, while all yell:
Fire!
The Priest shouts:
Water!
The Fire Tender throws lighter fluid into the hṇ́gwnis, while all yell:
Water!
This is repeated two more times. Then the Priest shouts:
Fire! Water!
The Fire Tender throws lighter fluid into the hṇ́gwnis, while all yell:
Fire! Water!
This is repeated two more times. Then the Priest again shouts:
Fire! Water!
but this time he repeats this instead of waiting for the response. Everyone joins in, and the chant becomes continuous. When the time seems right, while everyone else continues the “fire, water” chant, the Priest sings:
Bring us inspiration! Bring us power! Bring us unending life! Fire in Water! Water in Fire!
After the first time through, the Priest lowers the Waters over the fire (as close as possible). After the third time through, he stands quickly and says:
Behold the Waters of Life!
All repeat, amid general merriment and noise-making.
The Fire Tender says:
What the Kindreds have given us, we distribute freely.
The Fire Tender fills a cup for the Kindreds, puts in front of the Dawn pole, saying:
May the Kindreds always receive their due.
The Waters are distributed.
After all have drunk, the Priest says:
Filled with the Mystery of Fire in Water we rest in the presence of the Kindreds.
There is a pause for meditation. Then the Fire Tender offers incense, saying:
With wondering souls we have welcomed this mystery, with grateful hearts may we accept its manifestation in our midst.
The Priest says:
We have offered to Lugh, we have prayed to all the Great Ones, and they have given us only a token of what they will bestow. We have asked, we have given, we shall receive. Biodh se amladh.All:
Biodh se amladh.
Then the Fire Tender says:
Never would we take without returning, never receive without appreciation. We must end our rites, but we will do it with gratitude
She offers butter, while the Priest says:
Blessed ones, may you always be with us. We give thanks to the Kindreds We thank all the Kindreds for their many gifts. Go raibh maith agaibh.All:
Go raibh maith agaibh.
The Fire Tender puts the rest of the bay leaves on the xā́sā, and pours out the rest of the goat’s milk on the ground saying:
To Pales this honor: may she purify us perfectly. Tibi gratia agimus.All:
Tibi gratia agimus.
The Fire Tender offers butter, and the Priest says:
To Lugh this honor; may he protect us in the season to come. Go raibh maith agait.All:
Go raibh maith agait.
The Priest offers butter, saying:
Xáryomen, who guards society’s peace, you have joined us together in our worship today: though the rites may end, and the people scatter, may our fellowship remain strong. Xáryomen, we give you thanks for your presence and blessings. May we grow and flourish under your benevolent gaze. Tebhyo gwrtins dedəmes!All:
Tebhyo gwrtins dedəmes!
The guest who offered the silver goes to the mundus and, with her left hand, offers beans into it. They then put the tile back on, while the Chthonic Celebrant says:
Our elder family, you who have celebrated with us in honor of the ones whom you in your own time looked to in worship, we bid you return to your proper place, leaving the land of the leaving to those who live. We send you on your way with our thanks. Ancestors, we thank you!All:
Ancestors, we thank you!
On the way back to their place, they purify themselves from the bowl of water on the board.
The Fire Tender offers whiskey to the fire, saying:
A Mhanannán mac Lir, Oirbsen of the Sea, Lord of the mists between this world and the next: we thank you for opening the door of the mysteries, and ask that you close it again, until the next time we call to you. Go raibh maith agait!All:
Go raibh maith agait!
The Fire Tender makes a sign of closing and says:
Let the gates be closed!All:
Let the gates be closed!
All touch the ground. The Fire Tender pours butter on the ground, and the Chthonic Celebrant says:
Having given you your due we bid you farewell, Mother Earth. But how can we do that, with you all around us? How can we do that with you always in our hearts? Not a farewell, then, but a giving of thanks and a promise to remember you throughout our days. Mother of All, we thank you!All:
Mother of All, we thank you!
The Fire Tender takes a coal from the hńgwnis with the butter spoon and puts it in the xā́sā, saying:
The true altar of the people is the hearth.
She extinguishes the hngwnis with the water from the pitcher. The Priest then says:
Extinguished without but burning within.All:
The living fire flames within us.
The Fire Tender picks up the xā́sā and goes to outside the space. The two fires have been set up a safe distance away from and in line with the gates (which therefore will have to be a bit wider than usual.)
She puts the xā́sā down and lights the fires by transferring all the coals from it into them. (She may need matches to help the flames spread.) She says (speaking to the fires):
We have brought our hearth into the world, and from it the fires of purification. May they burn away all that would offend the spirits of the land, that would make us unfit to enter their realm, that would tie us to that which is old and dead.
She turns to face the others and says:
With the help of Lugh With the aid of Pales Through fire and smoke We will be purified of winter. We will make ourselves fit for summer.
Two people get the wreaths and put one wreath in each fire. Everyone passes between the fires, throwing their winter stuff in as they go. The Chthonic Celebrant brings the plate with the offering to the land spirits on it. Once everyone is on the other side, the Fire Tender says:
The old is burned away in the fire of new life. Fire is pure and is purifying and turns even the non-pure into that which is purifying.
Everyone then processes away from the fires, led by the Champion. The Fire Tender is at the end. The Priest drums while the Champion sings:
Unite and unite and let us all unite For summer is a-comin’ today. And whither we are going, we all will unite, In the merry morning of May. Here under his protection, we surely make our way, For summer is a-comin’ today. We make way through the wild lands that ring about our lives, In the merry morning of May. Unite and unite and let us all unite For summer is a-comin’ today. And whither we are going, we all will unite, In the merry morning of May. From out of winter dwellings we joyfully come, For summer is a-comin’ today. We come with many gifts for those living in the wild, In the merry morning of May. Unite and unite and let us all unite For summer is a-comin’ today. And whither we are going, we all will unite, In the merry morning of May.
All except the Champion kneel. The Priest sings:
O where is our Lugh? O where is he, O? He’s going before us, Displaying his long spear, O.
(With this the Champion holds the spear as if it where an erection.)
Dispersing cold Dispersing night, O Dispersing foul creatures That wish us their ill will O.
There is a short pause, and the Priest begins to drum again. All stand up and the song continues:
Unite and unite and let us all unite For summer is a-comin’ today. And whither we are going, we all will unite, In the merry morning of May. With gift and counter-gift we will make a proper deal For summer is a-comin’ today. A deal with those outside for the using of their land, In the merry morning of May. Unite and unite and let us all unite For summer is a-comin’ today. And whither we are going, we all will unite, In the merry morning of May.
All sing the chorus and the parts that are the same in each verse, while the Champion sings the rest.
When the song is over, everyone stops. the Chthonic Celebrant breaks off a piece of bread and then sends the plate counter-clockwise. All break off a piece. When the bread has reached her again, the Chthonic Celebrant says:
All beings of the air who stand in opposition to us, eagle and hawk, who carry away our animals, starlings who eat our seeds, crows who eat our dead: here is your part of the offering; don’t trouble us.
All, turning so that their backs are toward the woods, and throwing their piece of bread over their left shoulder with their left hands:
Don't trouble us.
The bread is sent round again, and then the Chthonic Celebrant says:
All beings of the earth who stand in opposition to us, wolf and coyote who carry off our animals, rabbits and deer who eat our gardens, ants and termites who destroy our homes: here is your part of the offering; don't trouble us.
All, again throwing their pieces of bread, saying:
Don’t trouble us.
The bread is sent round again, and then the Chthonic Celebrant says:
All beings of the underworld and water who stand in opposition to us, bacteria and viruses that carry away our health, sharks and jellyfish that drive us from the ocean, grubs and beetles that feed on our food: here is your part of the offering; don't trouble us.
All, again throwing their pieces of bread, saying:
Don’t trouble us.
The bread is sent round again, and then the Chthonic Celebrant takes the rest of the bread, puts down the plate, and says:
All beings of air, earth, and water who stand in opposition to us: we have given you your part of the offering; don't trouble us.
All, again throwing their pieces of bread, saying:
Don’t trouble us.
With the last throw, the Chthonic Celebrant throws all of the rest of the bread.
The Fire Tender goes to the fires, lights a piece of fat wood in each and puts them in the xā́sā. (the Champion and the Priest go with her to put out the fires after she does so.) She carries the xā́sā to the others and puts it down. She says:
Fire brought from one fire to individual hearths makes us one. One fire burning on our hearths, the presence of She who blesses us, who has purified us today, who will be a purifying presence in our midst, burning in our hearts. May our hearts, ever pure, ever burn.All:
May our hearts, ever pure, ever burn.
The Fire Tender offers butter to the xā́sā, saying:
Lady of Fire, Queen of the hearth, who by rights receives the last, bless and guard all those who worship you whether in their home or without whether alone or with others whether thinking of you or engaged in business. Shining One, receive this offering.
When it is burned, the Fire Tender says:
We have offered to the Holy Ones and they have accepted our sacrifices.The Priest:
We have worshipped the Old Ones as it is right to do.The Fire Tender:
We have done what the people before us have done.The Priest:
We have honored Lugh, we have made peace with the Outsiders.
The Fire Tender says:
May we always be mindful of those we have worshiped. May we always be mindful of them, worthy of worship. May this grove grow strong, under their watchful eyes.
The Priest says:
On all who have worshiped here:All:
Inspiration, power, peace.The Priest:
On all who revere the Kindreds:All:
Inspiration, power, peace.The Priest:
On all who walk the ancient path:All:
Inspiration, power, peace.
When the others turn and walk away, the Fire Tender quietly puts the cover on the xā́sā, saying:
We cover you, Shining One, not sending you away, but keeping you with us everywhere. This is only a smooring until we raise you to a bright blaze again.
1 While she has moved away and does not practice with our grove any longer, the grove was co-founded by a practitioner of the Roman traditions, so the grove's May Day celebration was originally the feast of the Parilia, a Roman celebration late in April with many similarities to Beltain, such as the purification of cattle by driving them between bonfires.
The Parilia was dedicated to Pales, who watches over herds and herders. We are not sure whether Pales was single or plural, male, female, both, or neither, because by the time the Romans set down their rituals in the texts we have learned about them from, they either considered these points too blindingly obvious to be worth communicating, or they were no longer sure themselves.