Info Mgc
New Reformed Druids of North America Winter
For use from on November 1st up to, but not including May 1st
Preparatory Details
This is the basic Order of Common Worship from which all the others are adapted, and is to be used during the Summer Half of the year (i.e., from Beltane to Samhain). The chalice is to filled with plain water.
The service starts with all participants standing some distance away from the area where the ritual is to take place. If both safe and legal, a fire should be started in or near the altar. The Druid/ess who is presiding (usually, though not always, the Grove's Arch-Druid/ess) should already have cut the sacrifice and have it tucked into his or her robe (or it may be held in one hand). The presiding Druid/ess may choose to speak the opening Invocation to Be'al alone, or may ask the Preceptor and/or the people (depending on Local grove custom) to join in speaking the bold words of the Invocation.
The Invocation
O Lord, forgive these three errors that are due to our human limitations.
Thou art everywhere, but we worship thee here;
Thou art without form, but we worship thee in these forms;
Thou hast no need of prayers and sacrifices, yet we offer thee these prayers and sacrifices;
O Lord, forgive us these three errors that are due to our human limitations.
O Mother, cleanse our minds and hearts and prepare us for meditations.
The Procession
Here occurs the Procession, often with the Grove singing the hymn from Customs 2:1-3. Upon arrival near the altar, the Preceptor and the Server or any two others designated by the Grove use their staves to mark the Druid Sigil upon the ground in front of the altar (usually on the South side), leaving the bottom of the circle incomplete. The Druid/ess step into this Sigil, which is then close by the tow staves.
The Praise
Here an Incantation, Poem or Hymn of praise is recited or sung by the Druid/ess, the Bard(s) or the entire Grove.
The Sacrifice
The Druid/ess holds up the sacrifice to the sky, while saying:
Pr: Our praise has mounted up to thee on the wings of eagles, our voices have been carried up to thee on the shoulders of the winds. Hear now, we pray thee, our Mother, as we offer up this sacrifice of life. Accept it, we pray thee, and cleanse our hearts, granting us thy peace and life.
(Here the Priest places the plant offering upon the 'altar' or the ground if there is no altar As each of the directions are questioned, the members may turn to face that direction.)
Pr! Hast thou accepted our sacrifice, O our Mother? I call upon the spirit of the East to give answer... of the South...of the West....and of the West.
The Reply
(The sacrifice is not accepted, except in emergency situations.) PR: The four winds are silent; the Earth-Mother sleeps.
The Catechism of The Waters-of-Sleep
(The preceptor holds the Waters-of-Sleep while the priest ask the Catechism of the Waters-of-Sleep. The local custom may or may not replace the Preceptor's response with a chorus of the members.)
PR: Of what does the Earth-mother give that we may know the continual flow and renewal of life?
PREC: THE WATERS-OF-LIFE.
PR: From Whence do these waters flow?
PREC: FROM THE BOSOM OF THE EARTH-MOTHER, THE
Post a comment