The Preserving Shrine - Erynn Rowan Laurie - Poet, Fili- Priestess - Articulating the Unspeakable Since 1961
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Warrior Consecration Ritual

This is the ritual that was done for Arlen on August 15/16, 2008 in Everett, Washington. It is given to the CR community by its authors in the hope that it will serve others who are preparing to go into harm's way, and the communities that support them in these troubled times.

THE VIGIL

3 realms, 3 fires, etc.--divide these parts up however you might wish...

With the sacred land always supporting me.

The eternal sea surrounding me.

The endless sky above me.

The world tree, Bile, aids me to connect the realms through my body,

Bringing wisdom, sight, and health.

[Druid, lighting a candle] We acknowledge the three fires that give light, warmth and life to all: first, to the spirits of this land and this place; [pouring an offering] be with us and guide us, be our hospitable hosts as we are your gracious guests.

[Warrior, lighting a candle] We acknowledge the second fire: the fire of the ancestors, of blood and of culture, that we carry in our hearts and thoughts; [pouring an offering] be with us and inspire us, be our excellent exemplars as we are your devoted descendants.

[Satirist, lighting a candle] We acknowledge the third fire: the great fire of the gods and goddesses, the powers and inhabitants of the otherworld; [pouring an offering] be with us and enlighten us, be our perpetual patrons as we are your constant clients.

[Three previous people together] To the three fires-may we kindle you at all times, and may you never be extinguished! [final offering/toast together]

Bendachta Dé ocus An-Dé foraib -- the blessings of the Gods and the Non-Gods be on all of you!

RING A BELL at the start of each question. Questions are asked individually and the warrior is left to contemplate them for about an hour between each one, taking up the time between sunset and dawn.

As the time approaches for you to walk on the road to war, may you ask yourself:

What is fear?

What is courage?

What is death?

What is life?

What is victory?

What is defeat?

What is shame?

What is honor?

What is a warrior?

Consider this question, true warrior, and hold the answer in your heart as you walk the difficult road ahead of you.

At about 6 AM (dawn), people come out to end the vigil.

It is time, warrior, for your transformation. Like molten steel immersed in water, you have been beaten and tempered by thoughts and experiences before now, and soon your mettle will be tested. You have been sharpened by the help of friends, family, and community, and polished by the wisdom of your forebears. May you not break in the difficulties that lie ahead!

(Put a lit candle in each of his hands then dunk him under the water! The idea here is both immersion in the cauldron of rebirth, the image of a hot piece of beaten metal being tempered in water [as the specific imagery above indicates], and the fire-in-water motif, so the candles need to get dunked and go out as well.)

THE THREE OUTSIDERS

Needed:

Ash/something that can safely mark skin in black/grey

Wine/something that can safely mark skin in red

Milk/something that can safely mark skin in white

3 realms, 3 fires, etc.--divide these parts up however you might wish...

With the sacred land always supporting me.

The eternal sea surrounding me.

The endless sky above me.

The world tree, Bile, aids me to connect the realms through my body,

Bringing wisdom, sight, and health.

[Druid, lighting a candle] We acknowledge the three fires that give light, warmth and life to all: first, to the spirits of this land and this place; [pouring an offering] be with us and guide us, be our hospitable hosts as we are your gracious guests.

[Warrior, lighting a candle] We acknowledge the second fire: the fire of the ancestors, of blood and of culture, that we carry in our hearts and thoughts; [pouring an offering] be with us and inspire us, be our excellent exemplars as we are your devoted descendants.

[Satirist, lighting a candle ] We acknowledge the third fire: the great fire of the gods and goddesses, the powers and inhabitants of the otherworld; [pouring an offering] be with us and enlighten us, be our perpetual patrons as we are your constant clients.

[Three previous people together] To the three fires-may we kindle you at all times, and may you never be extinguished! [final offering/toast together]

Bendachta Dé ocus An-Dé foraib -- the blessings of the Gods and the Non-Gods be on all of you!

THE DRUID comes forward to speak first:

When it is to war that you are going, then it is in ignorance of the words of wisdom and diplomacy-the words of druids-that the kings of the land have been. Though the words of the druids be scorned and cast aside, and the druids refused as outcasts, may you, a true warrior, not forget these words, nor be in ignorance of them. Never forget the Truth of Rulers, which has been known to the great kings of the five provinces of Ireland since the time of the Túatha Dé:

A true ruler serves his land, his gods and his people, and is not a dictator over them.

A true ruler rewards his followers and his retinue according to their gifts.

A true ruler upholds law, justice, and truth as if his rule depended on them-for indeed, it does.

There are many people, with many lives and many talents, many challenges and many difficulties. A true ruler recognizes this, and gives each their due.

No one is to be regarded poorly unless their actions prove them to be so.

No one is to be regarded highly unless their actions prove them to be so.

Women and men exist to recognize and honor one another, and not to be in strife or disagreement.

Women and men are equally able to be warriors, equally able to be rulers, equally able to be poets, druids, healers, smiths, hospitalers, herders, and equally able to do all things that can be done.

Never should a woman be judged lesser for being a woman, nor should a man be judged greater for being a man.

As a ruler rules by these truths, so too should you rule yourself by them.

THE DRUID retires; THE WARRIOR comes forward to speak second:

When it is to war that you are going, then let it be as a pillar of the virtues of the warrior that you go, and not as a foul sack of the disrespectful and bloodthirsty vices of a mere hired soldier. Though the virtues of the warrior be scorned and cast aside, and the great warriors disregarded as outcasts, may you, a true warrior, not forget these words, nor be in ignorance of them. Never forget the Truth of Warriors, which was given to Mac Lugach by the great warrior, poet, and king, Finn mac Cumhaill:

[name] , if it is to adulthood that you aspire,

Be peaceable in a great man's house, be hardy in the wilderness.

Do not beat your hound without cause.

Do not accuse your wife of misconduct without proof.

[name] , do not strike a fool in battle, even if he is an idiot.

Do not mock anyone of high repute.

Do not get involved in brawls.

Have nothing to do with madmen and wicked people.

Two-thirds of your courtesy to women, servants, and poets.

Do not be curt with the common people.

Do not take the best seat away from friends and advisers.

Do not boast, or say you will not yield what is right;

It is shameful to brag if you cannot fulfill your boast.

Do not abandon your word so long as you are in this bright world;

Do not abandon those you are sworn to protect, for gold or any other reward.

Avoid blustering complaint to a lord about his household;

It is not the business of a good man to complain to a lord about his retinue.

Do not gossip or tell lies, do not talk too much or criticize others.

Do not stir up hostility against yourself, no matter how good a fighter you are.

Do not be going always to the drinking house.

Do not be critical of the elderly.

Listen to words of good counsel: leave poor people in peace.

Do not be stingy with food, and do not make friends with miserly people.

Do not unduly impose upon a noble person, nor give any noble person cause to say bad things about you.

Keep hold of your gear, and do not let go of your arms until the savage fight is over.

Be more keen to give than to deny, and mind your manners, [name] .**

And lastly, remember the words of Cáilte on the virtues of the fénnid: "I am persuaded that these three things will sustain me in my life: the truth always maintained in my heart, strength of my arms for the honor of my deeds, and in always keeping my word."

THE WARRIOR retires; THE SATIRIST steps forward:

When it is to war that you are going, then be mindful that the words of the poets about the virtuous heroes and true warriors in battle are splendid and legendary and live forever, while the words of the satirists about the unheroic are poisonous and mocking and guarantee infamy until forgetfulness of vice erases the memory of such base men. Though the powers of poets and satirists have been scorned and cast aside, and the satirists disregarded as outcasts, may you, a true warrior, not forget these words, nor be in ignorance of them. Never forget the Truth of Poets, which has shaped the land with stories and has brought even the gods to submission before men because of their power.

A virtuous warrior, though his life be short, has fame long after his deeds and even his bones have faded from view.

A virtuous warrior draws strength from not only knowing the truth, but from living the truth and acting truthfully at all times.

A virtuous warrior remembers where he came from, the tales of his own deeds and the tales of his ancestors and culture and gods, and seeks to add his virtue to this collection.

A virtuous warrior honors his adversary with a poem of praise when he sees him in battle, and counts the loss of his adversary to death as much as the loss of a friend, because heroes and virtuous warriors are all of the same band.

A virtuous warrior seeks fame for accomplishments fairly and justly won, and scorns cheating, unfair advantages, and vainglory...

For poets know the difference between a base soldier and a virtuous warrior, and can see through to the truth of motivations in heroes and in base men. Therefore, be mindful of the poetic eye and its powers of truth, both to illuminate greatness and to diminish villainy.

THE POET retires; all three now come forth. THE DRUID makes a black mark on the warrior's forehead, saying:

May your warrior's deeds be the voice of the land and the Ruler's Truth.

THE WARRIOR makes a red mark on the warrior's forehead, saying:

May your warrior's deeds be an honor to the ancestors and the Warrior's Truth.

THE SATIRIST makes a white mark on the warrior's forehead, saying:

May your warrior's deeds be a credit to the gods and the Poet's Truth.

BLESSING OF BRIGHID

Needed:

. An amulet bag

. A small bloodstone

. A metal charm or pendant resembling a shield

. A Brighid's cross, preferably three-sided

A small amulet bag sits on the altar/small table before the person being blessed. Three women stand behind the altar/small table, their faces concealed by white veils. Each woman represents one aspect of Brighid: the Healer, the Smith, and the Poet.

HEALER steps forward, bearing the piece of BLOODSTONE, which she holds up for all to see.

HEALER: As you go forth to war, take with you this bloodstone, taken deep from the bowels of the earth, a token of the Underworld. Let it aid you to stand fast against the enemy. Let it protect you in times of danger. Let it speed your healing when injured.

HEALER places the BLOODSTONE in the amulet bag then steps back into line with the other two women. SMITH steps forward, bearing the SHIELD CHARM, which she holds up for all to see.

SMITH: As you go forth to war, take with you this charm, a shield crafted by the skills of Man, a token of This World. Let it protect you in times of danger. Let it link your heart with the hearts of your fellow warriors. Let it remind you that the skills of war include defense as well as death.

SMITH places the SHIELD CHARM in the amulet bag, then steps back into line with the other two women. POET steps forward, bearing the BRIGHID'S CROSS, which she holds up for all to see.

POET: As you go forth to war, take with you this cross, a symbol of the sun, a token of the Heavens. Let it bestow upon you the protection of Brighid in times of danger. Let it link you with all the deities. Let it remind you that all things are intertwined.

POET places the BRIGHID'S CROSS in the amulet bag, which she then closes and knots the ties. The other two women step forward. Together, the three women hold up the amulet bag for all to see.

IN UNISON: As you go forth to war, take with you this amulet, containing the blessings of Brighid. Let you be wise. Let you be strong. Let you be safe.

The three women present the amulet bag to the person being blessed. They step back, out of the main area of activity around the altar/small table.

WARNING OF THE MORRÍGAN

Needed:

 . A scrap of clean, unstained white cloth

. A small bowl, filled with clean, clear water 

A bowl with water is set on the altar/small table. Next to it is a small scrap of white cloth, neatly folded. Three women stand behind the altar/small table, their hair unbound and wild, faces painted white and red and black. 

The first woman steps forward. 

ONE: I am the Morrígan. I am War. I am pain and sorrow and fear. I am blood and grief and death. In me, Man revels, heaping glory upon himself for the destruction I cause through him. From me, Man flees, trembling in horror at the destruction I cause against him. After me, Man rebuilds, hiding the scars of what I have done so that in time he forgets until I come again.

The first woman steps back into line with the other two. The second woman steps forward. 

TWO: I am the Morrígan. I am the Crow. I feast upon the bodies of the slain left on the battlefield. I care not for their reason to fight; reasons are lost in the mists of time, leaving the dead behind. I care not what mighty deeds they have performed; only the living sing of the glory of the dead. I care not whether they friend or foe; alliances cannot stand against death. All are equal here. All are food for the Crow.

The second woman steps back into line with the other two. The third woman steps forward. She unfolds the scrap of cloth and begins scrubbing and rinsing it in the bowl of water. 

THREE: I am the Morrígan. I am the Washerwoman at the Ford. At the water's edge, I wash the blood from the shrouds of those who die in war. I keen with the grief of all parents who have lost their children, children their parents, wives their husbands and husbands their wives. On the eve of battle, some will see me, and some will not. Those who see me will die the next day in battle. Those who do not see me will survive, only to die another day.

The first and second women step up next to the third. The third woman stops scrubbing the cloth, lifts it out of the water and holds it up for all to see, still clean and white. The three women step forward before the subject of the rite, the third woman holding the cloth before him.

 IN UNISON: Take this with you as you go to war, and remember that some will die, some will live, but in this place, even I cannot say who that will be.

The subject of the rite keeps the cloth. The three women step back, out of the main area of activity around the altar/small table.

A drink is passed around to all assembled and everyone drinks to the spirits, the ancestors, the gods, and the warrior.

Official: The rite is ended. May all our blessings and the strength of the gods go with you as you go forth to war. May you return home to us safe and whole.

Authors:

Three realms acknowledgement by Brenda and Bob Daverin

Warrior vigil by Phillip Bernhardt-House and C. L. Vermeers

Brighid and Morrígan by Erin "Mint" Zelnio

** The version below was used in the ritual when it was performed on August 16, 2008. There was a great deal of discussion beforehand about what constitutes a legitimate lord and how the concept is relevant in today's world. In the end, it's going to be up to the people performing the ritual as to what version they will do. C. L. Vermeers feels that it is an integral part of the warrior tradition and should be done with references to a lord and so his version is presented in the script above with this as an option.

Be peaceable in a great man's house, be hardy in the wilderness.

Do not strike a fool in battle, even if he is an idiot.

Do not mock anyone of high repute.

Do not get involved in brawls.

Have nothing to do with madmen and wicked people.

Two-thirds of your courtesy to women, servants, and poets.

Do not be curt with the common people.

Do not take the best seat away from friends and advisors.

Do not boast, or say you will not yield what is right:

It is shameful to brag if you cannot fulfill your boast.

Do not abandon your word so long as you are in this bright world:

Do not abandon those you are sworn to protect, for gold or any other reward.

Do not gossip or tell lies, do not talk too much or criticize others.

Do not stir up hostility against yourself, no matter how good a fighter you are.

Do not be going always to the drinking house.

Do not be critical to the elderly.

Listen to words of good counsel: leave poor people in peace.

Do not be stingy with food, and do not make friends with miserly people.

Keep hold of your gear, and do not let go of your arms until the savage fight is over.

Be more keen to give than to deny, and mind your manners.

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