Opening the Gates
Call to Syn
"Hail Syn, handmaiden of Frigg and keeper of doorways.
Hail Syn, wise in the ways of passing.
We ask you now to hold the Gates, admit our words into the halls of the Gods, admit our words into the halls of the Dead.
Syn, accept this gift (pour ale into hlautbowl) and aid us as we open the gates, open the gates, open the gates..."
Hail Syn, wise in the ways of passing.
We ask you now to hold the Gates, admit our words into the halls of the Gods, admit our words into the halls of the Dead.
Syn, accept this gift (pour ale into hlautbowl) and aid us as we open the gates, open the gates, open the gates..."
Opening the Gates
Chief Liturgist: Let us open the gates between the realms
D1: Sacred is this land to us; sacred is all land to us, for it is the world in which we walk.
D2: Waves of the sea, you are touches of the Otherworld dancing endlessly to rise and recede at our shores.
Bard: Skies above, you are the very world of the Gods of our people, with shining eye, sweeping winds, and blessings raining down.
Senior Druid: We are here in the Sacred Center of the worlds of land, sea and sky. Here the Gates Between The Worlds may be opened.
A drum beat begins and rattles are used to fill the sound. The People begin to chant, over and over: Open the Gates. Open the Gates. Open the Gates……
When the chants, drums and rattles are well established, CL calls out (over the chants):
Gatekeeper! Open the ways for us. We walk in your holy ways; we walk the Sacred Road. Share your power with us; ward us as we walk in safety. Gatekeeper, accept our sacrifice!
Druid 2 makes an offering of oil to the fire.
The chanting, drums and rattles continue. They increase in speed and volume.
Senior Druid says: Let the Fire open as a Gate! Let the Well open as a Gate! Let the Tree connect the Worlds! Let the Gates be open!
The People shout: Let the Gates be open!
D1: Sacred is this land to us; sacred is all land to us, for it is the world in which we walk.
D2: Waves of the sea, you are touches of the Otherworld dancing endlessly to rise and recede at our shores.
Bard: Skies above, you are the very world of the Gods of our people, with shining eye, sweeping winds, and blessings raining down.
Senior Druid: We are here in the Sacred Center of the worlds of land, sea and sky. Here the Gates Between The Worlds may be opened.
A drum beat begins and rattles are used to fill the sound. The People begin to chant, over and over: Open the Gates. Open the Gates. Open the Gates……
When the chants, drums and rattles are well established, CL calls out (over the chants):
Gatekeeper! Open the ways for us. We walk in your holy ways; we walk the Sacred Road. Share your power with us; ward us as we walk in safety. Gatekeeper, accept our sacrifice!
Druid 2 makes an offering of oil to the fire.
The chanting, drums and rattles continue. They increase in speed and volume.
Senior Druid says: Let the Fire open as a Gate! Let the Well open as a Gate! Let the Tree connect the Worlds! Let the Gates be open!
The People shout: Let the Gates be open!
Invocation of Mannanan MacLir (from Samhain)
Make offering of ale to the well and herb to the fire
Mannanan MacLir, you who have crossed the seas and feasted with the Shining Ones, attend our rite and tend the gates.
Uphold again the old bargain; Mix you magic with ours on this night between two years. Watch us as we tread the Holy Road. Mannanan MacLir, Accept our Sacrifice!
Mannanan MacLir, you who have crossed the seas and feasted with the Shining Ones, attend our rite and tend the gates.
Uphold again the old bargain; Mix you magic with ours on this night between two years. Watch us as we tread the Holy Road. Mannanan MacLir, Accept our Sacrifice!