Here are some rites and rituals that mark out events in our lives which we may wish to acknowledge. You can use these as a guide to create your own rituals, if you prefer.
Child Blessing
You can perform this ritual of blessing upon a child. It is not like a christening where you are indoctrinating them into a tradition; it is simply offering a blessing upon the child who is free to choose whatever path their life takes them. You can also perform this blessing upon yourself, perhaps at Imbolc or the Winter Solstice, as a form of ritual purification and blessing.
This ritual can be performed near a body of water or indoors if this isn’t convenient/possible. Try to use natural water in this blessing, such as rainwater or spring water from a local source if possible. If performed outdoors near a lake or the sea, you can use that water. Fill a small bowl with the water for the ritual. Designate the sacred space if you so wish, and then recite the blessing chant below (which is an adaptation from the Carmina Gadelica) while touching a drop of water to the child’s forehead:
A small wave for your form
A small wave for your voice
A small wave for your speech
A small wave for your luck
A small wave for your integrity
A small wave for your health
A small wave for your desire
A small wave for your courage
A small wave for your grace
Nine waves of blessing be upon thee.
You can also recite the following afterward, again from the Carmina Gadelica, if you wish. If you are performing this ritual in a group setting, it’s nice to have everyone recite this together for the child; or if you are performing this for yourself, you can hold up representations of water, air, earth, and fire as you recite the following:
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Celebrate the joys of life with friends and family. Honour your loved ones deeply.
Rite of Adolescence (Invocation of Personal Power)
You can use the following as a guide to create your own rite of adolescence for your child or for a friend’s child, should they wish. This marks the transition stage from childhood to adolescence, that liminal time when they are no longer children and not yet adult. For girls, it could be after their first menses or for boys when their voice changes. You will have to discuss this with the adolescent as to when they feel it is right for them, without imposing your own will upon the situation.
This rite draws upon an adaptation from the Carmina Gadelica, where I have substituted and adapted the “Invocation for Justice” to an “Invocation of Personal Power.” This honours the transition of power from external sources to the adolescent’s own sense of self. This also acknowledges their changing bodies as well as minds and helps them to feel comfortable in their own skin during this phase of their lives.
Designate sacred space if you wish. This ritual is to be performed at dawn and just before the sun rises. Have the adolescent bathe their faces with dew, if possible, or with water from a silver, crystal, or glass bowl that has lain out all night. Just before they bathe their faces, they say:
I will wash my face
In the nine rays of the sun,
As the Goddess nourishes her son
In the rich fermented milk.
They will then say the following, as the sun rises:
Love be in my countenance,
Benevolence in my mind,
Dew of honey in my tongue,
My breath as the incense.
Power may be attempted over me
Power lies within
I am the white swan,
Queen/king/sovereign above them.
I will travel in the name of ___ (optional deity)
In likeness of deer, in likeness of horse,
In likeness of serpent, in likeness of queen/king/sovereign:
Strong will it be with me, strong in my own power and destiny.
If your child does not wish to name a god or goddess for this invocation, then drop “in the name of” and say no name, simply beginning with “In likeness of deer.”
Give a gift to the adolescent, something that symbolises their burgeoning strength and power over their lives. Honour them for who they are, separate and whole in and of themselves. End the ritual with a picnic or indoor breakfast feast, with friends and family if desired.
Marriage/Handfasting Rite
This is a ritual that I have used for many years in my work as a Druid priestess. You can change or adapt it as you see fit to align with your own intention. You may like to have a priest or priestess lead the rite for you if you are the one getting married, or you may wish to perform the rite between you and your partner yourself; the choice is entirely yours to make. You may also wish to include readings from members of the wedding party.
This ritual can be used either as a marriage ritual or as a handfasting ritual. Often here in the UK, there will be a legal ceremony where the paperwork is carried out and then another ceremony in which the marriage ritual will occur with friends and family as witness. If done as a handfasting, this can be an act of commitment for a year and a day between the parties or for as long as their love shall last: the commitment being determined by the wording in the ritual itself.
For this ritual you will need:
• A horseshoe to hold the vows
• A stone to swear the oath upon
• Food and drink to share in ritual
• Rings for each partner
• Cord(s) (this will bind their hands together, so it may be a single cord or plaited cords of various colours and long enough to twine around both their hands several times)
To begin:
• Determine the bearer of rings and cord(s), place items on altar
• Guests form a circle
• Wedding/handfasting party process into the circle
• Designate sacred space, if so desired
Introduction:
We are here today to celebrate the union of ___ and ___ on this (number) day of (calendar month), during the moon of (enter moon month cycle) and in the beauty of (name the venue).
___ and ___ will exchange vows with each other before their families and friends, this place, the (wind, sky, rain, depending on weather), and the ancestors all standing witness.
Oaths will be proclaimed and rings exchanged to formalise proceedings.
Blessings will then be bestowed and later toasts and libations will be made.
The coming together of two souls is a very special occasion where soul touches soul, spirit touches spirit. In that touch, there is divine inspiration, where the spark of energy moves from a single source to a shared source, where we find our place in the web of life, together, with all of existence. Committing to walk this path with another is to be celebrated, done with respect and honour. May we know what it is that we witness this day and may we cherish it in our hearts throughout our lives.
Declaration of Intention:
___, you stand here today to marry ___; you will exchange oaths. Your words will be witnessed by those present here. Do you stand here as a free person without influence of coercion or duress?
They say “I do.” Repeat for the other partner.
Exchange of Vows over Horseshoe
The wedding ceremony is linked in many ways with the horseshoe. The use of the term “groom” is directly correlated to the horse. The horseshoe itself is a well-known symbol of luck, the shape of the crescent holding in fortune and bearing the oath for the new couple. The couple will now take hold of either side of the horseshoe, to swear their vows upon it, which will be held within the crescent for as long as their love shall last.
The couple takes turns saying their own vows.
Swearing of the Oath:
You will now swear to uphold your vows by placing your oath upon this stone, to act as a foundation for your future together, to remind you of your words and actions, your intention and your honour.
The couple takes turns saying: “Upon this stone, I pledge my oath to uphold my vows.”
Exchange of Rings:
Rings represent eternity, of the continual cycle and flow that is life and love. These rings are a symbol of that love that these two share, blessed by their feelings for each other and the sacredness of this day. Accept these rings from each other as a token of your love and honour, wear them with pride and always be mindful of this day.
The couple exchanges rings.
Binding the Hands Together:
This cord symbolises the union between you. Remember this bond and your vows and honour them and each other, for this lifetime.
Their hands are bound together. Hands will stay bound together until the end of the ritual, when they then can be taken off. If the hands are loosely bound together, then the cords can be taken off without undoing the knot and thus it is kept “sealed.” If the knot needs to be undone in order to take it off, then redo the knot yourself or in the presence of the couple and ensure that your action is filled with the same intention as expressed in the ritual.
Simple Feast:
___ and ___, you have been graced with the gifts of the earth and sky. May you share these gifts with each other.
The couple breaks off a piece of bread and feeds it to each other.
You have also been blessed with the gifts of wind and rain, may you share these gifts with each other.
The couple brings a chalice of water/wine to each other’s lips.
As you have been blessed by Earth and Sky, Wind and Rain, so too must you remember to give back, with joy and honour, at this very special time.
The couple places bread and water/wine by the altar.
Blessing of the Four Quarters of the Earth:
Priest/ess takes couple to the four quarters of the circle to be blessed by each quarter, beginning in the north and moving clockwise.
May your love stand the cold harsh time of winter. May the earth treat you well.
May your love last the sunrises of further years. May the sky watch over you.
May your love last the fires of change. May the sun’s healing light be on you.
May your love flow as the waters deep. May you be as strong as the rivers flow.
May the spirit of the Earth Mother and Sky Father and the realms of land, sea, and sky bless your union with joy and abundance, with love and laughter, with strength and perseverance, and with honour and integrity.
Declaration of Marriage:
You have both taken vows before your families and friends with this place, the (wind, rain, sky … ) and the ancestors standing witness. You have exchanged rings and received blessings; therefore, it is with the greatest of pleasure I declare that you are married.
The couple seals the ceremony with a kiss.
Close down the ritual.
Jumping the Broom:
Sometimes the couple like to jump the broom, which is an old folk custom to bring luck and fertility into the union. This is a fun way to end the ritual, with the wedding party forming two lines as an “aisle” and the couple running down the aisle to jump the broom at the end. It also makes a great photo!
Handy little note: If doing this ceremony on a hot summer’s day, it is good to have the rings sitting in a glass or bowl of water, so that when the time comes, they can slip easily on the finger, which can swell up with the heat.
Another little note: if the relationship doesn’t work out, try to have a Releasing Ceremony, where the couple can walk away from each other with honour. Only you will know what this will entail. If this isn’t possible to do in ritual, you can do something on your own to find closure and release at least for yourself.
Funeral Rite
This can be a rite that you perform for another loved one or which you can keep and have at hand in the event of your own death. You can keep a copy with your will and other papers to be enacted upon your death, such as what type of burial you wish, what kind of casket (there are many wonderful eco-friendly options nowadays), what music you wish to be played, and so on. It is nice to write a poem from yourself, to be read to those that have been left behind. A heartfelt poem in the first funeral I ever performed was a poem from the deceased, read aloud by her daughter and entitled “My Wish For You.” I think this is a wonderful sentiment to ease the grief of the mourners and is utterly heart-warming to hear it in your own words, so I have included this in the following funeral rite. Simply write what you wish those who are left behind to hear from you, with love and blessings.
To Begin:
• Designate sacred space, if desired or appropriate.
• Process into a circle.
Declaration of Intention:
Friends, we are gathered here today to honour the passing of ___, dear spirit to those gathered here, who passed away on (date). Let us gather together in a circle and hold hands, to connect our energies together in remembrance of her/him in peace and with love.
We honour the life that has passed and that lives on in the Otherworld. Though the spirit has passed over the Western Seas, we hold the memory in our hearts. We know that the deceased are still with us—in the air that we breathe, in the smiles and laughter of friends and family, in the earth beneath our feet. For this world and the Otherworld overlap, and we honour all our loved ones who have gone before and acknowledge the legacy that they and we will, in time, leave for future generations. In this, there is no end, only continuation in the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Allow readings and poetry, if any.
Remembrance:
If anyone wishes to share a remembrance of ___, in honour of her/his spirit, please step forward to say a few words.
Minute of Silence:
We will now have a moment of silence to send ___ our thoughts, our prayers, and our love.
Committal:
___ has departed from this incarnation but lives on in a flame as bright as any star in the universe. She/he has left to dwell in the Blessed Realms in the west where she/he will be granted rest and refreshment before being born again.
Mother Goddess, comforter of the dying, receive ___ into your arms and give her/him your blessed peace and comfort. Lord of the Underworld, may she/he be reunited with the memories of those who have gone before. For we know that when refreshed and rested amongst the memory of our dear ones, we will be reborn again through the grace of the Great Mother Earth who never dies.
Blessed be and fare thee well.
To Conclude:
• Lower the coffin, lay flowers
• Recite poem from the deceased
• Close down ritual
These are just a few examples of rituals and rites of passage that you can incorporate into your own tradition as a Hedge Druid. Read, research, and try out new things, discard those that don’t feel right, and work intuitively, academically, and experientially. Then your tradition will be fully grounded and you can express the awen in a multitude of ways that work for you. Blessings on this exciting journey!
The child is sleeping in his mother’s arms. The Hedge Druid takes the silver bowl filled with spring water and makes the symbol of the awen upon the child’s forehead. He wakes up, his eyes sleepy, and looks into the eyes of his mother. She smiles down at him and speaks his name aloud for all to hear. The child gazes upon his mother’s features for a moment longer, yawns, and then closes his eyes once more. All around, the love of family and friends flows through the ritual space and the Hedge Druid smiles at her nephew, repeating his name alongside the rest of his family.