Eostre (Spring Equinox)

From "The Wheel Of The Year At Muin Mound Grove, ADF"

By Rev. Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison

© 2001

1) Consecration of Space followed by Musical Signal when finished. (Bell)
The musical signal is usually given by ringing a bell a total of nine times in groups of threes.

2) Processional.
This chant is usually sung as people are approaching and entering our Nemeton area over the bridge.

Chant - I Am Walking (Words by Phoenix) - MP3
I am walking, walking, walking.
I am walking, walking, walking.
I am walking home.

3) Aspurging and Censing as people enter the area. (Water and incense)
Aspurging is done by sprinkling each person with water from a chalice while saying
"May we wash away all Earthly cares."
Censing is done by fanning incense smoke around each person while saying
"May the Spirit rise within you."

4) Sigil Marking / Opening Prayer.
A short declaration of why we are here is spoken, such as:
"Once again we establish this sacred place. We come here to give honor and love to the Shinning Ones, Nature Spirits and Ancestors."
(Forcefully) "We are here to honor the Gods!" *
TÁ MUID ANSEO CHUN ONÓIR A THABHAIRT DO NA DÉITHE!
(ta mid anshow khun onoh'r a havart do na day-a)
(All repeat) "We are here to honor the Gods!"
*This line is spoken forcefully, first in English, then in Gaelic, and the English part repeated by those assembled, while two people mark the Sigil by stepping back a pace outside the circle, then crossing to the opposite side and through the circle by a pace, then returning to their starting positions.

5) Honoring the Earth Mother. (Cornmeal offering).
In our Grove, we usually honor the Earth Mother first with a poem written by one of our members (Gloria). An offering of cornmeal is poured to the Earth around the circle as the poem is being read. One of her poems for Eostre is listed here.
An Entry from Earth Mother's Diary:

Today, my emotions run high.
- As if Life and its expressions
Have prepared me for this hour -
December turns toward May and I respond.

Inwardly, I rest in the bones of the Ancients
Outwardly, in gown of green, I pirouette.
I am tree and meadow, blossom and sprout
Dancing to Birdsong gone by.

I echo with Star sounds -
Our energies touch, and I am as promise renewed.
Long have I moved to such rhythms,
Entreaties of Humankind, moods of the sea.

I become One with the tempo -
Instinct and Innocence come to look from animal eyes.
I bend to the cries of each opening seed,
In the flight of the Eagle, I soar.

My Joy, like yellow-green laughter,
Bursts forth as Equinox, willow and frond.
Breathlessly, my spirit responds,
Assuring the blush of the Rose.

Oh, I shall continue to dance to this hour
Long after the music has ended
And time is but a memory
In the honeycombed depths of my heart.

This poem is then followed by an Earth Mother chant.
" Chant - Evening Breeze (Words by Phoenix)
Evening breeze, spirit song
Sings to me when the day is done
Earth Mother, awakens me
With the power of the Spring

At this time, it is our custom to bestow a kiss upon the Earth, either directly or via our fingertips, while the presiding Druid says:
"And it is the custom among our people, our folk and our grove, to bestow a kiss upon our Mother."

6) Honoring the Bardic Deities.
This piece is usually done by the presiding Bard. Another form for this honoring is to call upon one or more of the deities associated with the bards. For this example, Brigit.
"Brigit, Goddess of the poets. We ask for you to come to us tonight and to help bring the power of inspiration to our words. Grant us the power to speak with silvered tongues and aid our words to be carried quickly to the High Ones."

7) Expression of Unity.
Chant Brother And Sister (Words by Phoenix) - MP3
This song is done as a round in two parts. Both parts are sung together.
Part 1: Brother & Sister
Call me to the flame
Brother & Sister
We're all gathered here the same
Part 2: United we stand, hand in hand

8) Two Power Meditation Earth & Sky.
Two people, male and female, with one doing the Earth part and the other the Sky part usually lead this meditation. We do this to incorporate the subtle energy difference between the sexes. We start by having the people get ready to meditate. Slow their breathing down, take deep, full breathes, clear their minds, etc. We then tell them to start using their "inner vision," that found in their mind's eye.

"(Voice One) Close your eyes and join hands. Take some slow, full breaths and allow your mind to settle and focus on the work to be done. Feel the hands of the people next to you, the wind on your face, the sounds of the trees and the smell of the fire. Allow all of these to fill your mind.

Using your inner vision, that which lies behind your eyes, see your being, your spirit, start to move down your body and into the Earth. Let your being move down through the layers of the earth, feeling the dirt and stone and water around you. The smell of the earth and rock feel your being. Let your being move down farther until you can feel the warm flow of energy moving around you. This energy is one of the building blocks of the planet. Allow some of the energy to move into your being and slowly start to move it back toward your physical body.

As this energy moves into your body, you can sense the warmth filling you. As your body fills to overflowing, let the warmth expand out from your body to interact with the bodies around you. With your inner vision, you can see the energies moving from body to body, around and around our circle of people."

"(Voice Two) Now filled with these energies of the Earth, allow your inner vision to move upwards. Move up through the trees around us, feeling the leaves brush against your being as you pass through them. Allow yourself to move up through the clouds into the open sky. You can smell the moisture in the clouds. As you look farther above, your notice one special star. This star is the source of the cooling energies of the Sky. Move to where you can feel that cooling energy mix with your being.

As the energy fills you, slowly start to move back down toward your physical body, bringing the energy with you. When you are back in this place, allow the energies of the Sky to flow through you until it too spills out and mixes with the energies of the others gathered here tonight. With your inner vision, you can see the energies moving and mixing around our circle of people. Energies that fill this special place and that we will use in our ritual tonight. Be at peace with yourself and with the others here tonight. Now, open your eyes and let your vision return to your mortal eyes as our work continues."

9) Historical Precedent.
This section is when a little history of the holiday is given. It is usually done by the presiding Druid.
"This is the night of the Spring Equinox, the festival of the greening of the earth, when the hours of night and day stand in equilibrium. Let us look within to discover the balance that lies within us all. As life on earth peeps out after a long winter hibernation and plant life flourishes, so too may we thrive and prosper in all that we do."

10) Naming the Deities of the Ritual -
Oisín (pronounced Ush-een) and Eostre (pronounced E-o-stra).
GOD "Oisín,
Little fawn, young Lord, son of Finn,
You who were so fair,
that the Queen of the Otherworld,
asked you to join with her."

GODDESS "Eostre,
Goddess of the Dawn,
Keeper of the hare of fertility,
Sign of the greening of the Earth."

In unison - "We acknowledge you."

11) Establishing the Vertical Axis. (Silver (Well) and Oil (Fire & Tree) offerings)

Chant Fire, Bright Fire (Words & music by Pandora) - MP3
Fire, bright fire
Gate to the Shinning Ones
Fire, bright Fire
Our passage to the Sky
Fire, bright Fire
Warmth of our Community
Spark of Life
We honor you now

Well, deep Well
Gate to the Underworld
Well, deep Well
Our passage to the Sea
Well, deep Well
Wisdom of the Ancestors
Waters of Life
We honor you now

Tree, great Tree
Gate that reaches everywhere
Tree, great Tree
With you we share the Land
Tree, great Tree
Passage to the Otherworld
Source of Life
We honor you now

12) Establishing the Boundaries. (Cornmeal (Land), Water (Sea) & Incense (Sky) offerings)
First person pours corn meal around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Earth not open up and swallow us."

Second person sprinkles water around the outside of the sacred space saying,
"We ask that the Seas not rise up and drown us."

Third person throws incense and flour into the fire saying,
"We ask that the Sky not fall down upon us."

13) Evoking the Gatekeeper. (Oil offering)

Chant - We invoke Manannan (Words by Sable) - MP3
We invoke Manannan / Opener of every Gate
We invoke Manannan / Opener of every Gate
He will reach us / He will teach us
And reveal our fate
He will reach us / He will teach us
And reveal our fate

"As nature slowly reawakens from a long winter sleep, and the snow fades, giving nourishment to all that rests in the earth's fertile soil, the seeds of rebirth begin to sprout up from the darkness. Let us awaken from the darkness of our sleep in praise of the life within and around us. Let the light shine forth from within our essence to shine upon the greening earth.

We call now upon the keeper of the ways. He who will open the way for us so that we may tread the secret paths. Manannan Mac Lir, we call upon you now. Open the Gates that we may commune with the Shinning Ones."
(Forcefully) "O Manannan, let the gates be opened!"
"A MHANANNAIN, OSCLAÍTEAR NA GEATAÍ!"
(awananan, oscleechar na gyatee)
(All repeat) "O Manannan, let the gates be opened!"

14) Acknowledgement of Outsiders. (Ale offering)
A cup of ale is taken to the south, outside of the ritual space, and given to the outsiders after saying:
"Outsiders, this is for you. You who stood against our Gods, we know that you are still around us. We ask that you take this offering and let our working proceed in peace.
At this time we also acknowledge those weaknesses within ourselves that could harm this working and vow to set them aside."

15) Triad Invocations:
A) Ancestors. (Cornmeal offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"We call now to our ancestors. Without you we wouldn't be here. Ancestors of the people gathered here and ancestors of all the peoples of this land. This offering is for you. We ask that you give us your aid and your blessings in our work tonight."
(Forcefully) "Ancestors, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Ancestors, be with us tonight!"

Chant - Spirit Blood (Words by Phoenix) - MP3
Ancestors, Spirit, Blood, one with the Earth
Call to us, and dream with us, teach us of our worth
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh
Ay ya, Ay ya Oh

B) Nature Spirits. (Herbal mix offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"We call now to the spirits of this place. You who walk or crawl upon the earth, you who swim in the waters and you who fly in the skies. We also call to those of the Fair Folk that dwell upon this land. This offering is for you. We ask that you join with us tonight for our rite."
(Forcefully) "Spirits of the Earth, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Spirits of the Earth, be with us tonight!"

Chant - Horned One (Words by Buffalo, recorded on Welcome to Annwfn) - MP3
Horned One, Lover, Son,
Leaper in the corn
Deep in the Mother,
Die and be reborn.

C) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil offering)
The offering is sprinkled around the inside of the circle. An invocation is spoken at this time by the person giving the offering, such as:
"We call now to all the other Shinning Ones. You who are honored by those here but not named already. We give to you honor and this offering. We ask that you lend your might to ours for this rite."
(Forcefully) "Shinning Ones, be with us tonight!"
All repeat: "Shinning Ones, be with us tonight!"

Chant - Listen To the Voices (Words originally by Holly Near, modified by Phoenix) - MP3
Listen to the voice of the Goddesses
Listen to the voice of all the Gods
Calling out the messages of the moon and sea
Telling us what we need to know
In order to be free
Hear their whispered words in the wind
Hear their whispered words in the wind

16) Invocation of Deities - Oisín & Eostre. (Oil offerings)
As each invocation is spoken, an offering of oil is poured to the fire. This is usually done by two people.
"We call to you Oisín, little fawn, pride of the Fianna. We ask that you bring to us tonight the spirit of the young stag. Come and celebrate with us the greening of the Earth! You were raised in the woods with your mother, who was in the shape of a doe. After your father, Finn, found you, you were taught all that was good and honorable. Oisín, we ask that you be with us tonight!"

"We call to you Eostre, Goddess of the dawn. We ask that you come to us tonight to celebrate the return of Spring. We ask you to bring with you your hare, the symbol of the fertility, to give our fields and lives the fertility needed for growth. Eostre, we ask that you be with us tonight!"

"And at this time we call upon our Grove patron and matron, Dagda and Morrigan, and ask them to join with us tonight for our working."

17) Praise Offerings.
Done through individual offers of song, poetry, story, dance, artwork, etc. At this time of year, we ask people to bring decorated eggs to be given as offerings. These are usually collected in a basket and taken out to an offering place in the fields to be taken by the nature Spirits.

18) Omen.
As the omen is being taken, the chant is softly sang in the background and continues until the omen has been taken.

Chant - Come druids all (Words by Sean Miller, music traditional English.) - MP3
Come druids all, ovates and seers
And let your minds be still.
Earth, sea, and sky will lend no fears,
As the gods reveal their will.

Let every heart sing praise to them,
And all our works be skilled.
Claiming their blessings to the very end,
As the gods reveal their will.

After the omen is interpreted, people are given time to reflect upon how the omen is relevant to their personal lives and the grove as a whole.

19) Return Flow
This example does not use the Heartstone as a repository of energy. The return flow section is started by having two people, the Presiding Druid and one member of the Folk of the Grove, hold up a large cup of water and a large horn of ale. The Presiding Druid then calls for the return flow to begin.

"Close your eyes and let your inner vision look upwards. Look through the gate and see the crowd of people and spirits looking down upon us. The Kindred look down to us with love in their eyes! We ask you now Kindred, let your blessings flow down to us. With your inner vision, you can see the blessings flowing down to fill the cup of water and the horn of ale. See the sparkling moonbeams of light, the flickering of starlight flowing down through the gate and into the cup and horn."

(Forcefully) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"
"SEO AN USICE BEATH!"
(show un ishkuh byah)
(All repeat) "Behold, the Waters of Life!"

The cup of water and the horn of ale are then taken around and given to the people. It is the custom in our Grove to give the first offering of the return flow to the ground while saying:
"We give this first offering to those of the Folk and of the members of the Grove that couldn't be with us tonight. May these blessing give them the strength and nourishment to do what they need!"
If people want to make a toast of things they have done since the last holiday, or make a boast of what they will do before the next holiday, before they drink the blessing is the best time for it.

20) Thanking the Deities Oisín & Eostre. (Oil gifts)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Eostre, wondrous Lady, we thank you for joining us in our ritual. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Eostre, We thank you!"
"Eostre, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIT!"
(E-o-stra, gora ma-agit)
(All repeat) "Eostre, We thank you!"

As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Oisín, little fawn, we thank you for joining us in our ritual. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Oisín, We thank you!"
"Oisín, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIT!"
(Ush-een, gora ma-agit)
(All repeat) "Oisín, We thank you!"

21) Thanking the Triads.
A) Gods/Goddesses. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"We turn now to all the other Gods and Goddesses. We thank you for joining with us tonight in our work. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"
"NA DÉITHE, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Na Day-uh, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Gods and Goddesses, We thank you!"

B) Nature Spirits. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"We call now to all the Spirits of this place. We see and feel you around us every day. We know you are never far from us. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"
"SPRIDEANNA NA TALAIMH, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Shprih-dennuh nuh tulluv, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Spirits of the Earth, We thank you!"

C) Ancestors. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"We call now to the ancestors of all gathered here tonight. We acknowledge you in our lives and vow that you will be remembered. As this rite is ending, we give you this gift in parting, given out of love, with nothing asked in return."
(Forcefully) "Ancestors, We thank you!"
"ÁR SINSIR, GO RAIBH MAITH AGAIBH!"
(Aur shinshur, gora ma-agiv)
(All repeat) "Ancestors, We thank you!"

22) Thanking the Gatekeeper and Closing the Gates. (Oil gift)
As the parting is spoken, a gift of oil is poured into the fire.
"Oh Manannan, we call upon you once more. Even though this Gate is now being closed, we can remember that each time it is opened on this plane, it makes it easier to open it again. The Key to the gate lies within."

"Manannan, we ask you once again to, let the Well be again a well, and let the Fire be again a fire, and let the Tree be again a tree."
(Forcefully) "O Manannan, let the gates be closed!"
"A MHANANNAIN, DUNTAR NA GAETAÍ!
(awananan, doontur na gyatee)
(All repeat) "O Manannan, let the gates be closed!"

23) Reversing the Two Power Meditation
This meditation is reversed at the end of the ritual by having the people allow the energies to move back to their source.
"(Voice Two) Now, once again hold hands and close your eyes. Around you, you can feel the energies that were brought down from the sky. Let those energies flow back into your being. Now let the energies that you no longer need, flow out of your being and back to where they came from. Keep all you need to feel energized, relaxed and at peace."

"(Voice One) Now feel the energies of the Earth moving through our Nemeton. Let those energies flow back into your being. Now let the energies that you no longer need flow back down into the Earth where they came from. Open your eyes and look around you to the other people here and to the Nemeton itself. Be at peace with yourself and with the others here."
(Forcefully) "Biodh amhlaidh! Be it so!"
(bee awlah)
(All repeat) "Biodh amhlaidh! Be it so!"

24) Announcement of End.
Everyone comes together in a group hug as the chant is sung. This chant is especially meaningful if everyone looks around the circle and into people's eyes as it is sung.

Chant - Celtic Blessing (Author Unknown) - MP3
May the road rise with you,
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again
May They hold you in the hollow of Their hands

25) Recessional
As the chant is sung, people start to leave the ritual area.

Chant - Wondered As One (Words by Phoenix) - MP3
Look not back or right behind you
But to either side you'll find two
Friends holding on to a hand of yours

Walk with wisdom deep inside you
Let it move and let it guide you
Now we've welcomed, worshiped, wondered as one

Last updated - 4/6/04