INVOCATIONS AND FAREWELLS
Opening Rite of the Hallows
This brief rite may be used to open and close a longer ceremony according to the needs of the company.
…
The company is seated in the sacred space. There are five celebrants: four are outside the hall, each with one of the hallows. One is at the center by the Round Table. He or she begins the proceedings by lighting a central candle.
FIRST CELEBRANT
We are met to convene the midwinter court of Arthur the Great. Let us name and proclaim each of the four hallows that together make up the innermost heart of the mysteries.
The door is opened and the four remaining celebrants enter in the following order: 1, Grail; 2, Spear; 3, Sword; 4, Stone. They process the hallows around the room three times before spiralling inward to the center. The four stand at each of the four cardinal points, facing inward. Each one in turn then faces outward, raising their hallow on high and proclaiming.
NORTH (Stone Bearer)
In the north we name and proclaim the hallow of the Stone. Let it be the foundation upon which we stand and upon which our mysteries are founded.
Celebrant places hallow on the table and then lights a candle. Turning back to assembly, they bless the company in their own words.
EAST (Sword Bearer)
In the east we name and proclaim the hallow of the Sword. Let it become for us that which guards and protects us so long as we use it rightly.
Celebrant places hallow on the table and then lights a candle. Turning back to assembly, they bless the company in their own words.
SOUTH (Spear Bearer)
In the south we name and proclaim the hallow of the Spear. Let it become for us that which pierces the darkness and brings light to us all.
Celebrant places hallow on the table and then lights a candle. Turning back to assembly, they bless the company in their own words.
WEST (Grail Bearer)
In the west we name and proclaim the hallow of the Cup. Let it become a Grail to us all that we may drink from it only truth.
Celebrant places hallow on the table and then lights a candle. Turning back to assembly, they bless the company in their own words.
ALL FOUR (together)
Let us joyfully proclaim the four hallows present and active in perpetual offering at this table, which is made according to the mysteries of Merlin. Let us remember that when the company is met together, the mysteries are enacted. Hail to the hallows!
ALL THE COMPANY
Hail to the hallows!
FIRST CELEBRANT
Now let us invite and make welcome in this court all those whom we would wish to be present at this time. I invite all gathered here to name and proclaim the names of those they wish to so honor.
Everyone calls out the names of people or beings who have most inspired them.
FIVE CELEBRANTS (together)
The circle is complete. All are seated at the Round Table in the hall of Arthur the Blessed. We declare the court of the mysteries active in this realm of Middle-Earth.
Closing Rite of the Hallows
The four celebrants gather at the center.
THE CELEBRANTS (together)
We have borne witness to the mysteries of the court of Arthur and have stood in the presence of the hallows. Let us now honor them as we close this convening of the mysteries.
CELEBRANT 1 (Grail Bearer)
Let the Grail be borne hence, remembering that it remains operative in the Temple Not Made by Human Hands.
Takes the Grail, raises it to the company, and then waits, holding it.
CELEBRANT 2 (Spear Bearer)
Let the Spear be borne hence, remembering that it remains operative in the Temple Not Made by Human Hands.
Takes the Spear, raises it to the company, and then waits, holding it.
CELEBRANT 3 (Sword Bearer)
Let the Sword be borne hence, remembering that it remains operative in the Temple Not Made by Human Hands.
Takes the Sword, raises it to the company, and then waits, holding it.
CELEBRANT 4 (Stone Bearer)
Let the Stone be borne hence, remembering that it remains operative in the Temple Not Made by Human Hands.
Takes the Stone, raises it to the company, and then waits, holding it.
ALL FOUR (together)
We give thanks to all those whom we invited to attend upon these mysteries—those named and unnamed, known and unknown, seen and unseen.
Celebrants process out of the room in the following order: Stone, Sword, Spear, Grail.