or A Rite of Remembrance
A ritual written by Potia for those occasions when
we are not able to attend a funeral, or feel still the need to honour one
who has departed life.
The rite of remembrance I wrote because I felt the
need to say goodbye to my father and paternal grandfather. For various reasons
I was not at either of their funerals. I mentioned this to a few friends
and several said that they too had people that they had not had the chance
to say goodbye to and this ritual was the result. The central aspect of
passing around a candle was something inspired by a rite in the book Falcon
Feather and Valkyrie Sword by D.J. Conway. It's something I have used
a few times with great success as it allows all present to share their memories
and their grief.
____________
The circle will be cast by the Herald.
Herald: Let us begin this ritual with
peace for without peace no work can be done.
North: Let there be peace in the North
East: Let there be peace in the East
South: Let there be peace in the South
West: Let there be peace in the West
All: Let there be peace throughout the World
Herald: Let the directions be called that
power and radiance may enter our circle for the good of all beings.
North: I call to the Spirits of the North,
of the Earth which holds us, of the winter and the darkness in which we
feel our losses most keenly. Hail and Welcome.
All: Hail and Welcome
East: I call to the Spirits of the East,
of the Skies above us, of the spring and the dawn in which we are shown
the promise of new life. Hail and Welcome.
All: Hail and Welcome
South: I call to the Spirits of the South,
of the Fires that warm us, of the summer and the noontime in which we find
our strength. Hail and Welcome.
All: Hail and Welcome
West: I call to the Spirits of the West,
of the Waters that surround us, of the autumn and of the evening in which
we find our peace. Hail and Welcome.
All: Hail and Welcome
Herald: Let the God, Goddess and the Ancestors
be invited to join us.
Call to the Goddess ……
Call to the God……
Call to the ancestors and spirits of this place……
Herald: We are gathered here because for
many different reasons we were not able to say our goodbyes to some of you
at the time of your deaths. We have gathered because we all feel the need
to say goodbye no matter the number of years that have passed. We ask especially
that those whom we are remembering today hear us and join us if they will.
All: So mote it be.
Herald: Let each person in turn hold the
candle and while one person is holding it let the rest of us listen to what
they have to share. When your turn comes to hold the candle share what you
will for the person you are here to remember, whether it be memories, poetry,
song or story we are all here to listen.
A central candle is passed round the circle deosil to each person in
turn. Hold the candle for as long as you wish while sharing what you want
to in order to say your goodbyes to those that have passed on. After everyone
has shared the herald says:
We have come together to say goodbye to loved ones but
goodbye does not mean we shall not see our loved ones again, it does not
mean that we will not feel their presence with us from time to time. It
simply means that we have had the chance to say your physical presence has
left us and that we miss you and love you. Know that you live on in our
hearts and memories as well as in the Spirit realm. Blessed be.
All: Blessed be
Herald: As we have joined together to
share in our grief and loss let us now share in this wine and bannock.
Druid 1: The cauldron and the cup are a symbol of the womb
of the Goddess from which all are reborn. The wine within the cup reminds
us of the sweet rest we will all experience in due time and of the precious
waters of re-birth. Let the Goddess bless this cup as She has blessed us.
Druid 2: The bannock is formed from the grain of the fields,
a symbol of the life of the God lays down each year to nourish His children.
From the seed the grain grows once more, reminding us that all that dies
will come again. Let the God bless this bannock as He has blessed us.
The Cup and Bannock are passed round in the normal fashion.
Herald: Let us join together with the
words of the Druid’s vow and Awens.
All: We swear by peace and love to stand, Heart in Heart
and Hand in Hand,
Mark O Spirit and hear us now, Confirming this our Sacred Vow. (x3)
All: Awen (x3)
Herald: Now is the time for parting, let
our hearts and minds hold all that we have shared here. To our ancestors,
friends and family that have joined us in Spirit I say take our love with
you and go if you must but stay with us if you will. Hail and Farewell.
All: Hail and farewell
Farewell to the Ancestors and Spirit of Place……
We give thanks to the Spirit of this Place for holding
us safe during this rite. We thank our ancestors for the lessons they have
taught us, for the sharing of this rite. Go if you must but stay if you
will. Hail and Farewell.
All: Hail and Farewell
Farewell to the God……
You have held us safe as we have shared our losses. We
thank you for you love and strength in this our rite. Go if you must but
stay if you will. Hail and Farewell.
All: Hail and Farewell
Farewell to the Goddess……
In the circle of your arms we have listened and learnt.
You teach us that death is not the end, merely the end of one stage of our
journeys. We thank you for your love and compassion in this our rite. Go
if you must but stay if you will. Hail and Farewell.
All: Hail and Farewell
West: As the sun sets each day in the
West to come again so we say farewell to the spirits of the West and of
Water until next we meet. Go if you must but stay if you will. Hail and
Farewell.
All: Hail and Farewell
South: The noon of each day passes in
a fleeting moment to return once more in the next day and so we say farewell
to the Spirits of the South and Fire until next we meet. Go if you must
but stay if you will. Hail and Farewell.
All: Hail and Farewell
East: Dawn each day brings us a promise
of life renewed of new journeys begun but to greet the new we must first
say farewell to the Spirits of the East and Air until next we meet. Go if
you must but stay if you will. Hail and Farewell.
All: Hail and Farewell
North: In the darkness we rest from our
journey and prepare for the next phase and so we say farewell to the Spirits
of the North and Earth until next we meet. Go if you must but stay if you
will. Hail and Farewell.
All: Hail and Farewell
Herald: We began in peace, let us end
in peace and share in the OBOD peace prayer
Deep within the still centre of our beings may we find Peace.
Silently within the quiet of this group may we share Peace.
Gently within the greater circle of humankind may we radiate Peace.
All: So mote it be.
Herald opens the circle.
