The Croning of Valan, the Druid
Dark Moon, November, 2004
Altar set with
Fire bowl
cups and ale
(Note: Please do ALL action facing into the circle,
so all can see!)
All are gathered in the
Goddess Grove, altar in Southeast.
Sophia, D, and d. lead Valan into circle. Each carries
Well, (Big D.)
Tree (d.)
Fire (S.)
Sophia:
when everyone is in big circle
As we approach the sacred
grove
With heart and mind, flesh
and bone,
Join us now in ways of
old.
We have come home.
Join now for the Druids
Pledge:
(all)
We swear by Peace and Love
to stand
Heart to heart and hand to
hand
Mark, Oh Spirits, hear us
now
Confirming this, our
sacred vow.
We are gathered here on
this Darkening Plain
In witness of the turning of
the Great Wheel
This is the passage of the
Druid, Valan to her Croning.
The Keeper of the Well (BigD.)
Walks to Altar, faces inward. Raise “well” bowl on high
Please hold it
dramatically aloft. (reading taped to
lower bowl)
Big D.: In the depths flow the waters of
wisdom.
Sacred waters flow within us.
Folk: Sacred waters flow within us.
Big D. will then asperge everyone from the
bowl. Lastly V, S. and d.
. Place “well” on main altar (much drumming at this
time)
The Tender of the
Tree
(d.)
Walk to Altar,
will lift the “tree” on high
d.: From the depths to the heights spans the world tree.
Sacred Tree, grow within us.
Folk: Sacred tree, grow within us.
d.: will then lower the tree.
d.: The fire, the well, the sacred tree,
Flame and flow and grow in me!
d. proceeds around the fire with the little Tree and then
places it on the main altar. (much drumming
at this time)
The Fire Tender (S.) will light the
Fire bowl first saying: (Please face into the circle so people can see)
S.: I kindle the sacred fire in wisdom, love, and power.
Sacred fire burn within us.
Folk: Sacred fire burn within us.
Quarter calls:
East -
Goddesses and guardians of the east, keepers of knowledge, champions of
justice, eyes of the mind, with your breath grant us new beginnings so we may
know our truths
South -
Goddesses and guardians of the south, of the warm lands, impart the fire of
your desires, stir our hearts with your flaming will. Awaken fierce, bright
passions within.
West -
Goddesses and guardians of the west, waters of our Ancestors, serpents of the
endless sea, birth us with the waters of your living womb.
North -
Goddesses and guardians of the north , bedrock of all earth magic. Home of the
old and wise ones. Find us a place
in your
stone circle.
Sophia:
Hail to the
center, direction of the spirit.
Goddesses of
the void, place out of time. Spiraling out to hold you.
The center
is calm and still. You dive into the unknown. As if in a trance.
It is
hypnotic. The Goddess appears between the worlds. Keeper of the gates.
She turns
her key. Opening them for you, opening you enter.
She
illuminates us with the light of all colors.
Shower your
blessings upon this new Crone and all here present.
d.:
Red day is gone, so too
the gold,
we have come into the time
of owls
and silver night in a ring
like an owl's eye opening
on the black circle of
space
Big D.:
now we will walk into the
ways of earth
enter her passages of
stone and frost,
her black bone hole.
And we will take the Night
Journey
enter the feasting mouth
of the tide, flow
into the throat of the
deep sea song.
V.:
and you and I will fly!
with wildcat and wing
with nightmare and hare
with stars on our skirts
we will dance the waning
moon.
S.:
So we will burn.
Let fire take the dross
of our old weights and
meanings
and nothing will remain
the same
All: nothing will remain the same
d.:
Red day will change
into this white edge of
owl-light,
shining as we begin the
adventure
into the future.
Big D.
You stand in this moment,
Stripped of outer
trapping,
Naked to the universe.
To reflect on your life
thus far
and to set a course to
follow on your path.
S.:
Name yourself that the
gods may see you!
Valan:
I am a child of the earth, the sky and the
sea,
I am your daughter, answer
unto me.
Know me by my blood oath,
know me by the blood of my Ancestors that flows true in my veins. (little blood
onto fire pot)
Farther West than west
beyond the land
My people are dancing
On the other wind.
Sophia:
Know this Druid by her true
name, which shall not be spoken in Open Circle; but which resounds through space
and time -
whose Bardic name is
Imbas, (IM-bas)
whose Ovate name is Ansuz.
(On-SOOS)
What have you wrought?
Valan:
The craft of the Wise,
through diligent study and reflection
My practice of Runecraft,
Spellcraft and Potions
A focused and disciplined
mind and body.
Teaching and encouraging
others in the Old Ways. Keeping them alive through my Art.
A path of Ecological
Husbandry.
d.:
What do you seek?
Valan:
I seek the unalterable.
I seek the true name of
God.
A difficult, perilous and
lonely journey.
Big D:
What name do you take?
Valan:
Ash, the Silent.
Ash, for the World Tree.
The tree whose roots are the foundation, and whose branches are the vault of
the Universe.
The tree that Odin hung on
for 9 days, to gain knowledge of the Runes.
“The Silent” for this
reason.
One can listen only in the
silence.
For a word to be spoken
there must be silence. Before, and after.
Only in silence, the word
Only in dark, the light
Only in dying, life:
…bright the hawk’s flight
On an empty sky.
Sophia:
Is there any here to
gainsay her request?
(wait for a reply, then go on…)
Is there any here that would vouch for her worthiness?
(Sophia, d., and BigD., please vouch for me?…and encourage
everyone to speak up?)
When everyone is done,
continue with:
Sophia:
From this day forward, let
the use-name of this Druid be Ash, the Silent.
May the blessings of the
Universe rain down upon this Druid as she journeys on her path!
So mote it be!
ALL:
So mote it be!
Sophia:
Let us drink a toast to
this newly made Crone.
(Pass out cups and
beverage) When all have a cup raise a
toast:
“Hail and welcome, Ash the Silent!”
“Hail and welcome, Ash the
Silent!”
Sophia:
Rise up and array yourself
in garments bright, that you may shine like a beacon to those who follow in
your path!
(Put on robe of many
colors)
Menfolk, raise up this
Crone and carry her to greet the quarters, that the elementals may know her
well. (Laughing and carrying on!!) When this is done,
Sophia
says:
May the Life
of the Earth be in us.
May the
Strength of the Earth be in us. May the Wisdom of the Earth be in us.
Now the formal rite is ended. We bid the goddess and
elements farewell; to go or to stay as they will. We bid our Ancestors to watch
over us and guide us on our path.
V says:
Let the fire be flame.
(gong)
Let the well be water.
(gong)
Let all be as it was
before. (gong)
This rite is ended. (gong)
Hugs, little circle song