Liturgical Writing 2

Liturgical Writing 2

Passed 11/20/17

Laura “Snow” Fuller

LW 2

1. Define "votive offering" and write a prayer (including stage directions if applicable) for a votive offering. (100 words for definition; minimum 75 words for prayer)

A votive offering is an offering made as the fulfillment of a vow, rather than as the basis of building a relationship.  Generally, this takes an if: then format.  A vow is made first, where a specific offering of deed or item is promised for a specific blessing.  Then, when the blessing is received, the offering is given (Thomas Location 1817).  This makes a votive offering more of an economic transaction in nature where the offering becomes payment for the service.  This is very different from the more usual relationship based offerings made to build *ghosti and reciprocation between humans and spirits within ADF where the offering is made in the hopes of building the relationship so that a blessing might be received later.   

Freyr, Lord of Aelfheim, whose blessings made the fields and herds fertile in days of yore:

Help me find a job that pays me a wage that would let me live comfortably with enough left to be able to share my prosperity with the community.

Help me find a job that I enjoy. 

One that finds that precarious balance that must exist between overwhelm and boredom, that perfect level of challenge that keeps a job interesting.

Help me find a job that is meaningful. 

That feels like the work I do makes a difference in the lives of those around me.

Help me find a job that balances work life with everything else,

That I might still have time to do those things I enjoy and that enrich the lives of those around me.  So that I have time for friends, for games and fun, for volunteering, for family.

Help me find a job in a location where I would be content.

Someplace where there are other Druids, other Heathens.  People who I can connect with and form a community with. 

Someplace where I can get to events I wish to attend.

Someplace where I can spend time with my family and friends.

Freyr, Lord of Aelfheim, should you aid me in this endeavor, in my search for the perfect job, such that I find one and am made an offer for it, then in return I shall purchase a statue of you for my altar and set up a shrine to you and at our next high day ritual, I will make you an offering of mead, a pound of bacon, and an entire bag of Cheetos.

2. Write three prayers, one each for three of the following occasions (no minimum word count):
• a piacular offering
• lighting a sacrificial fire
• a meal blessing
• praise to accompany an offering
• remembering a recently-passed ancestor
• a blessing to end a ritual

A Meal Blessing

The gathered wealth of farm and field

Our bodies now shall feed

With thanks to those whose labors bought

The nourishment we need.

May the Kindreds bless our gathering

with Laughter and with Love

Forging tight the cherished bonds

Between Midgard and Above.

Remembering a Recently Passed Ancestor

So long as you are Missed, you are Remembered.

Your passing makes our hearts hurt because they stretch,

Making room for you.

A home for you.

So that you will live in our hearts forever. 

Remembered, you will never leave us.

A Blessing to End Ritual

We have gathered together, ourselves and the Kindreds

We have given and we have received.

As we leave the Sacred Center, returning once more to the Mundane,

Let us remember that inside us all is the Sacred Flame.

We carry it with us to sustain us as we go forth in the world.

Remember to share your flame with others,

So that together we may bring light to the darkness.

3. Write two prayers, one each for two of the following occasions (no minimum word count):
• opening a Grove business meeting
• before casting a ballot in an election
• before a job interview
• to protect a soldier at war
• for a child's first day at school
• for blessing a house

Casting a Balot

Tyr, the Lawbringer and Lord of the Thing

Guide my choice that I choose wisely the next leader.

Bless those chosen with your bravery that they may always strive to do what is right.

To bear the burden of responsibility with honor.

To serve the collective good rather than self-interest.

To face fearlessly the trials that come with leadership.

Give me the wisdom to choose the leader who will serve us all,

to the best of their ability and with the last of their strength.

Job Interview

Honey my words with the Mead of Poetry

that my tongue speaks sweetly,

That they hear my heart and my intentions,

That I may better serve my folk

By gaining the knowledge, opportunities, and experience,

That this job would provide.

4. Write a magical working for a full ADF rite suitable for use in a group setting, including stage directions as appropriate. (no minimum word count)

The Creation of a Blended Family

Statement of Intent: 

As is so often, both in modern times and as we find in our Lore, families are made through blood and birth, but also through marriage and adoption.  The love and commitment that bind the latter is no less intense, even if more intentional, than the bindings of the former. 

And so today we gather in our Grove family to recognize, to support, and to bless the family forming here today.

Each of you were asked to bring a small token of your support for this family to add to the family's Blessing Bottle.  When it is your turn, please speak your blessing and add your token to the bottle. 

(Each participant is given a few moments to add their token to the clear glass jar that is being used as a blessing bottle and to speak of the gift they give the family.  Depending on the number of people present and how close the group is, the gifts can be prearranged with the officiant. )

Snow's Gift:  (Drops small Thor's Hammer in the blessing bottle and makes sign of the hammer over it in the form of an inverted T).  I give the gift of Strength.  This hammer represents the might of the protector of the Gods.  May he always give you the strength to protect those within your household with the steadfastness of his Oak. 

(Once all the gifts are added, each of the family member pours sand into the blessing bottle which covers the gifts.  Each family member has an individual jar of sand to pour from, representing their lives.)

The sand represents their lives, the many moments that make them individuals, which get poured together into the blessing bottle and can never again be separated back into its original bottles.  As the sand blends in the bottle, so blends their individual lives into one family.

The sand covers the gifts we have given you, sometimes it obscures them.  But sometimes you will turn the bottle and see one of them rise out of the sand of your lives.  May you always find that gift in your time of need.

5. Write one complete ritual for an ADF High Day. The ritual must be substantially original and suitable for use in a group setting. (no minimum word count)

Ostara Ritual to be performed March 2017 at Northern Mysteries Protogrove

Gathering: This Fine Spring Day (original Lyrics by Snow) to the tune of We Gather Together (Hymnary)

We gather together to ask for Spring's blessing

To manifest growth and warmth this fine spring day!

The chickens are laying the bunnies are mating

They manifest growth and warmth this fine spring day!

Fair Sunna is rising the winter is breaking

We manifest growth and warmth this fine spring day!

We gather together to ask for Spring’s blessing

To manifest growth and warmth this fine spring day!

1. Initiating the Rite:

Process to the altar singing the Portal Song.

2. Purification:

When standing before the altar, lift hand and draw the Hammer Sign (inverted capital T).

Thor, Warder of the Gods, protect us in this rite.  Keep out all that would do us harm.

Asperge the area and the participants with water while chanting:

Thor, Mighty Friend of Man, Hallow and Hold this Sacred Space!

3. Honoring the Earth Mother:

(if you are able, reach down and touch the earth)

 Sif, Goddess of the Shining Grain, you swell with bounty.  As you wake now to spring, we ask that you bless us with the fruits of the fields that we may drive back the hunger of winter and the long cold.

4. Statement of Purpose:

Today we celebrate the coming of spring. The days begin to lengthen as Sunna’s light once more warms the earth.  The Darkness is banished and we give thanks for the Spring breaking Winter’s grip on the world.

5. (Re)Creating the Cosmos:

Honoring the Fire: Light the Fire

May the sparks that quickened Creation light a fire within us!  Sacred Fire, burn within us!

Honoring the Well: Pour water into the Cauldron.

May the Waters of Wyrd that Feed the Cosmos fill us with life!  Sacred Waters, flow through us!

Honoring the World Tree: Incense the Tree.

Yggdrassil, Steed of Odin, Supporting the Worlds!  Sacred Tree, grow within us!

After slaying Ymir, Odin and his brothers carefully took the body apart.  As they piled his flesh, it grew solid for them to stand on.  His bones they piled into mountains and his teeth became rocks.  His hair took root and became the trees and grasses.

His blood running free became the waters. 

Then they took his skull and heaved it aloft to form the heavens while his brains became the clouds.

We stand here upon his flesh, the World tree grows beside us connecting Midgard to the Realms of the Gods and the Dead.  The rivers flow beneath and around us, renewing our lives.  Here beside us burns the living flame that transforms our sacrifices and carries them to those we would praise.

6. Opening the Gate(s)

Odin, Rider of Sleipnir, who moves with ease between the worlds, who visits lands others dare not enter, assist us in our travels!  Odin, Allfather, Open the Way!  Part the Mist!  Open the Gates!

Chant: open the gates, open the gates.

7. Inviting the Three Kindreds

Ancestors:

light first candle

Blessed Dead, you who came before us, whose lives shaped us, whose deeds built our wyrd. 

Your bones lie in the land around us. 

Your blood and sweat and tears made it fertile.

You are not forgotten!

Be welcome here!

(pour offering of mead)

Land Wights:

light second candle

Allies living in the land!

Elves and Wights both great and small!

Be welcome at our hearth!

You are not forgotten!

Be welcome here!

(pour offering of mead)

Aesir and Vanir:

light third candle

Gods of Land, of Sea, and of Sky!

Shining ones of ancient knowledge!

Holy ones!

You are not forgotten!

Be welcome here!

(pour offering of mead)

8. Key Offerings: Eostre

Eostre,

Bright Goddess of the Rising Sun,

You bring us the new day, filled with possibility.

You bring us the fertility of mind and body and spirit.

Around you, the Earth grows heavy once more with potential life.

Accept our offerings this day, and grant us your blessings!

9. Prayer of Sacrifice

Bright and Beautiful Eostre!

We give to you of the first fruits of spring!

Help us prepare for the what is to come,

Eostre, accept our offerings!

10. Omen

Gods, Spirits, and Ancestors gathered here,

Have our gifts been well received?

(Draw runes for omen)

What wisdom do you give us for the coming season?

(Draw runes for omen)

11. Asking for the Blessing

Lady of the Dawn,

Gifts we have shared with you.

Now we would ask

that you share your gift with us.

12. Hallowing the Blessing

Fill this juice with your blessings,

so that all who share in it are renewed.

INTONE THE BLESSINGS FROM THE OMEN

13. Affirming the Blessing

Eostre has shared with us her blessings for the coming season. Do you accept her blessings?

Drink now and share in her gifts.

14. Workings

Sumble of 3 rounds.  1: Eostre.  2: Ancestors 3: Boasts and Oaths

15. Thanking the Beings

Holy Eostre, Lady of Spring,

we thank you for your blessings on us today,

For the renewed energy and hope,

And the Spring warmth that gives us joy!

Eostre, we thank you!

Holy Gods who order our world, we thank you for your blessings today and every day!

Holy Gods, we thank you!

Spirits of the Land who dwell among us, neighbors here on Midgard, we thank you!

Land Wights, we thank you!

Beloved Dead, whose wyrd we inherit, whose lives brought us here, we thank you!

Ancestors, we thank you!

16. Closing the Gates

Odin, All-Father, traveler between the lands!

Our ritual is at an end. 

Aid us in parting the mists and closing the gates that we may once more be wholy in the realm of Midgard.

Seal the Way!  Close the Gates!

17.  Thanking the Earth Mother

Sif, Lady of the Golden Grain, the once more begins to wake.

Thank you for your strength, 

Thank you for your blessings!

18. Closing the Rite

As we return now to Midgarde, remember the strength of the gods and their blessings upon us today.

The Rite is ended!  Hail the Gods!

Bibliography

Hymnary. We Gather Together. n.d. Website. 13 February 2017. <http://www.hymnary.org/media/fetch/101127>.

Thomas, Kirk. Sacred Gifts: Reciprocity and the Gods. Tucson: ADF, 2015. Kindle.