This is a ritual that is best practiced in November-Veterans Day or the "Feast of Einherar."
Special Notes:This ritual is a time to honor our departed soldiers, or "warriors." A special ritual to acknowledge Odin who welcomes all warriors, and Freya as the Queen of Valkyries. A sacrificial feast of mead, cookies or cakes in animal shapes is appropriate.
Altar Supplies: Burner, incense, chalice of water, salt, pentacle, chalice of wine or mead,dagger and sword, 4 element candles, plate of bread and salt, apple, cauldron, cookies. White candle in cauldron with red candle on the left, black on the right.
Cast the circle with the dagger or sword, saying:
I consecrate this circle of power to the
Ancient Gods.
Here may they manifest and bless their
child.
Go back to the altar, facing North, and raise your hand or wand in greeting. Say:
This is a time that is not a time, in a
place that is not a place, on a day that
is not a day.
I stand at the threshold between the
worlds, before the Gates of Asgard.
May the Ancient Ones help and protect
me on my magical journey.
Set the chalice of water on the pentacle. Hold Your dagger over the chalice saying:
Great Goddess Freya, bless this creature
of water to your service.
May we always remember the cauldron
waters of rebirth.
Hold your dagger over the salt, saying:
Great Goddess Freya, bless this creature
of Earth to your service.
May we always honor the blessed Earth,
it's many forms and beings.
Sprinkle a little salt into the water, then hold the chalice up high. Say:
Great Freya be you adored!
Sprinkle the water mixture lightly around the edges of the circle, moving clockwise and beginning in the East. Replace the chalice on the altar. Hold your dagger over the incense burner, say:
Great God Frey, bless this creature of
Fire to your service.
May we always remember the sacred
Fire that dances within the form of
every creation.
Hold your dagger over the incense, saying:
Great God Frey, bless this creature of
Air to your service.
May we always listen to the spirit winds
that bring us the voices of the Ancient Ones.
Put a little incense on the charcoal and, using the chains, briefly touch the burner to the pentacle, then raise the burner high, saying:
Great God Frey, be you adored!
Carry the burner around the circle clockwise beginning in the east. Return it to the altar.
Light the yellow candle in the East and say:
I call upon the Powers of the Air, to witness
this rite and to guard this circle.
Light the red candle in the South and say:
I call upon you, Powers of Fire, to witness
this rite and to guard this circle.
Light the blue candle in the West and say:
I call upon you, Powers of Water, to witness
this rite and guard this circle.
Finally, light the green candle in the North
and say:
I call upon you, Powers of the Earth, to witness
this rite and guard this circle.
Move back to the altar, face North and raise your arms in greeting:
This circle is bound,
With power all around
Within it I stand
With protection at hand.
Light the black candle to the right of the cauldron. Salute the altar with your sword. Say:
This is the time to honor all fallen
Warriors. Great Odin, All father, you
who have gathered all brave warriors
who die in battle I salute you.
Light the red candle to the left of the cauldron. Salute the altar with your sword. Say:
Freya, Queen of the Valkyries, you
who have gathered to you your share of
the fallen heroes, I salute you.
Light the white candle in the cauldron. Salute the altar again with the sword. Say:
Hail to the fallen warriors who now dwell in Asgard. I salute your courage, your willingness to die in defense of your family, your property, your community, and your country.
Well do I know that brave warriors do not all fall in wars. They also sacrifice themselves as policemen on the streets. They greet the Valkyries when rescuing others in peril. They meet the All father as firemen on duty.
The fallen warriors of Asgard have walked all paths of life, yet because of their deeds were found worthy by the Valkyries, warrior women who see the truth in the heart of each person.
Lay the sword before the altar. Take up the dagger and apple:
As there is death in life, so must there
be life in death. The symbol of the Lady
and life eternal is hidden inside the sacred
fruit of Idun, the Maiden. Only
those who seek and know may find it.
Cut the apple cross wise to reveal the pentagram made by the core seeds;
Behold! The star of Life! Symbol of the Triple Goddess who, with the All father, brings forth new beginnings
out of the cauldron of rebirth.
Eat part of the apple, saving the rest to be place outside;
The secret of this sacred fruit is forbidden
only to those who walk in darkness,
those who turn away from the
great knowledge that life never ends.
Like dried autumn seed, each passing
soul falls into the sacred cauldron, to
rest, then be reborn in another time
and place.
Place the plate of bread and salt on the pentagram for a moment say:
Behold the staples of Life! The grain
which is ground and baked into bread to
sustain the body. Salt which preserves
food and enriches life. Each time I taste
salt and bread may I remember that all
life turns in circles of life an death.
Rulers of the Air, give your blessings to
the fallen warriors. Grant them rest in
Spring fields caressed by gentle breezes.
Go to the South. Salute with the sword, say:
Rulers of Fire. give your blessings to
the fallen warriors. Grant them sunny
days and warm nights of feasting.
Go to the West. Salute with the sword say:
Rulers of Water, give your blessings
to the fallen warriors. Grant them warm
pools of refreshing water where they
may dream of rebirth.
Go to the North. Salute with the sword, say:
Rulers of Earth, give your blessings to
the fallen warriors. Grant them changing
seasons, green forests, and sweet
meadow flowers.
Return to the altar. Salute with the sword,
Say:
Great Odin, you who see beyond all
actions to the truth, carry my greetings
and blessings to the heroes of Asgard.
Although we may grieve their loss
among us, yet do we rejoice that they rest
with you. Let them know that they are not
forgotten.
Place the wine chalice on the pentacle for a few moments, then lift it high saying:
To the Gods of Asgard! Merry meet and
merry part and merry meet again.
Drink the wine, saving some back to be put outside for the nature spirits.
Extinguish the Eastern candle and say:
Depart in peace, O Powers of the Air,
My thanks and blessings.
Extinguish the Southern candle and say:
Depart in peace, O Powers of Fire,
My thanks and blessings.
Extinguish the Western candle and say:
Depart in peace, O Powers of Water,
My thanks and blessings.
Extinguish the Northern candle and say:
Depart in peace, O Powers of Earth.
My thanks and blessings.
Return to the altar, raise your arms and say:
To all beings and powers of the visible
and invisible, depart in peace.
May there always be harmony between
us.
My thanks and blessings.
Cut the circle to end the ritual. Say:
The circle is open, yet ever it remains a
circle.
Around and through me always flows
it's magical power.
Be sure to put out your offering for the nature spirits. Tie the cookies and pieces of apple to the tree limbs for the birds and animals.
May Odin Bless,
Lory
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