This work is intended to introduce students to the Inner experience of the basic Druidic Order of Ritual. This script in particular accompanies the Simple Shrine Ritual video. We have MP3 recordings of the script, guided (22 MB) and unguided (33 MB).

The rite should be administered by an elder ritualist, with the elder reading the guidance portions of the text and the student performing the words and deeds of the rite itself. If this is not possible it could be led by one student for another, a single student could record the guidance and play it back during the rite, or the student could simply practice the guidance portions until she knows them by heart.

If there is a Guide, s/he should be certain to experience and project the described visualizations as completely as possible. This helps create the atmosphere that will draw the student along into the spiritual reality of the Druid's Sacred Grove.

The student should have a completed Shrine, and a good, comfortable seat placed before it, located so that she can reach all sections of the work area. The Guide, if any, will sit close to one side to recite into your ear, and should be prepared with the full text of the working (including meditations). If the Ritualist works from a script, it should be a bare script with only actions and spoken words (no meditations).

Materials Needed: Small bell, fire-pot or candle & censer with incense (the Tinteann – 'hearth'), cauldron with blessed water the Coire Tobar, or Tobar – 'well'), world tree symbol or wand or staff set up as a pillar (Bile – 'tree'), images of patron deities, a horn or cup for pouring and drinking, an offering bowl before the Fire if the rite is indoors, offerings (corn meal, silver, olive oil or essential oil), ale for offering and drinking, and a tool with which to take an omen.

The oil might be kept in a vial, from which small offerings are poured, but it is slightly more traditional to use a bowl of oil and a spoon or small ladle to give it to the fire. If one uses incense, then powdered incense spooned on to charcoal gives the same feel. Non-burnable offerings are made into the offering bowl, which is emptied into earth after the rite.

The Working

(The text to be read by the Guide is given in italic. The ritual instructions are in plain type, and the spoken ritual is in bold.)

The Guide and the Ritualist take nine breaths together.

The Guide leads the Nine Breaths Centering, then begins:

Give nine knells on a bell, then raise hands to the sky, and say:

I am here to honor the gods. Be with me, Oh Shining Ones, in my working; forgive any errors, and grant me, I pray, your blessing.

Offer a pinch of corn meal into the offering bowl, saying:

Earth Mother, I am your child. Mother of all I pray you bless and uphold my rite, as you uphold the whole world. Earth Mother, accept my sacrifice!

Place your hands on your heart and open to the light of inspiration, saying:

Power of Inspiration, attend the shrine of my soul. Quicken my tongue that I may work this rite in beauty and in truth.

State the purpose of the rite, saying:

I have come to do as the wise ancients did, to make offering to the powers and to know the Druid's ways. So be it!

Offer silver into the cauldron, saying:

In the deeps flow the waters of wisdom. Sacred well, flow within me.

Make an offering to the Fire, saying:

I kindle the sacred fire in wisdom, love and power. Sacred fire, burn within me.

Sprinkle and cense the world-tree, wand or self, saying:

From the deeps to the heights spans the world-tree. Sacred tree, grow within me.

See the Deep Power flowing in the whole Shrine washing away ill, repeating:

By the might of the Water and the light of the Fire, this Shrine is made whole and holy.

(Ritualist switches to censing herself and all, continuing the charm.)

Spread your hands, and encompass the whole shrine in your awareness, saying:

Let the sea not rise, and all ill turn away.
Let the sky not fall and all ill turn away.
Let the land hold firm and all ill turn away.
The Fire, the Well, the Sacred Tree, flow and flame and grow in me!
In Land, Sea, and Sky, below and on high!
Thus is the Sacred Grove claimed and hallowed.
So be it!

Offer oil or incense to the fire, saying:

I make this offering to the Keeper of the Gates. Gatekeeper, Lord of the Between, Keeper of Roads and Opener of Ways, join your magic with mine to guard and ward the gate of this working. Gatekeeper, accept my sacrifice!

Now let this sacred center be the boundary of all worlds,
Let the Fire open the Gate
Let the Well open the Gate
Let the Tree hold fast the Way Between.
By the Keeper of Gates, and by my Will and Word, let the Gate be open!

Fill the horn or cup with ale and raise it, saying:

Gods and Dead and mighty Sidhe, Powers of Land and Sky and Sea,
By Fire and Well and sacred Tree, offerings I make to thee!
To those who dwell below, to those who dwell above, to the tribes of spirits in land, sea or sky.
Hear your true worshipper (your name) as I make due sacrifice.

Old ones, my ancestors, remember me as I remember you! Ancestors, accept my sacrifice!

Pour a quarter of the ale into the bowl.

Raise the horn, and say:

Spirits of this land, Aid me as I aid you! Spirits accept my sacrifice!

Pour a quarter of the ale into the bowl.

Raise the horn, and say:

Gods and goddesses of elder days honor me as I honor you! Shining Ones accept my sacrifice!

Gods and goddesses of elder days honor me as I honor you! Shining Ones accept my sacrifice!

Mighty, Noble and Shining Ones, be welcome at my Fire! So be it!

Offer the last of the ale and make an offering of oil to the fire, saying:

Let my voice arise on the flame
Let my voice resound in the well
Oh honored ones, Mighty Dead, Noble Spirits, Shining Gods
Hear me now as I offer up this sacrifice.
Accept my worship and reverence.
Grant me the Druid's Wisdom, and give me your blessing!

Cast for a simple omen, with this charm:

(name and nature of the beings one is asking), I have offered to you.
Now let the true sight be in me, the true speech be mine,
Answer me now, O spirits, what blessing do you offer me, in return for my offerings?

Refill the horn, saying:

I pour the ale of inspiration, I draw water from the well of wisdom
I fill the cauldron of my spirit, with this drink.
I call upon the Kindreds to give to me as I have given to you, as a gift calls for a gift.

Hold your Blessing Cup up to the Gate...

Oh (Patron Powers), hallow these waters! Let this ale be as the Fire of the Gods, as the Mead of Wisdom I open my heart to the flow of your blessing, I, your child and worshipper. Behold the waters of life!

Reverently drink the ale, saying:

The worlds are in me, and I am in the worlds
The spirit in me is the spirit in the worlds
By Fire, Well and Tree; By Gods, Dead and Sidhe;
The blessing flows and shines in me!
Biodh se abhlaidh!

(Pronounced "bee shay ow'-lee")

(If you have any remaining work, such as spells in pursuit of the intention, they should be completed at this time.)

When all is done, give thanks, saying:

(Patron powers), I give you my thanks!
Shining Ones, Mighty Dead , Noble Spirits
I thank you for your aid and blessing.
Triple Kindreds, Gods, Dead and Landspirits:
I thank you for upholding my magic.

Lord of the gates, lord of knowledge, I give you my thanks.

Make a closing spiral saying:

Now let the Fire be flame, the Well be water,
Let all be as it was before, save for the magic I have made
Let the Gates be closed!

Recenter and contemplate the entire working, and end, saying:

To the Mother I give thanks, for ever upholding my life and my work.

The fire, the well and the tree
Flow and flame and grow in me!
Peace and blessings to all beings,
The rite is ended!