I just realized, I have never posted this here. This part of the DP really was the hardest part for me. I have made oaths to a God before and was forced to break them. I don't like that fact, but fact it is. I spent a great deal of time trying to find words that I knew I wouldn't be likely to break in the future.
Dedicant's Oath Rite
Opening the Ritual of Oath taking:
*Ring the bell three times*
I pray to the three Kindreds, that any mistakes made during this time be excused. I pray that this action will bring honor to me and mine.
*Wash hands in bowl of water while doing a quick breathing practice*
*Light a Stick of incense*
To the mother of all, Blessed Earth on which I stand, bless me as I take this next step on my path. Thank you for all you have given me, including the space for this work
*Deep cleansing breath*
Ancestors, Spirits of Nature and of this place, Gods and Goddesses worthy of worship, I come now to stand before you, ready to offer myself to this path and to dedicate myself toward walking forward as best as I am able.
*Light the Candle wicks (it is a three wick candle)*
Creature of fire, you who shine to the heavens and carry your light to the Divinities, bless this rite, I pray.
*Offer incense to the fire*
*Place Silver chain in the well*
Creature of water, you who go deep into the Earth and into the land of my ancestors, please, I pray that you bless this rite.
*Pick up the incense and wave it over the tree, dip finger into the well and sprinkle the tree*
Sacred tree, your roots go deep into the Earth, and your branches high into the sky, you span the three worlds and connect us all. Please bless this rite.
Mother Hecate, you guide Persephone down into the underworld when it is time for her to rejoin Hades. You also lead her back again when the time comes. You walk the three worlds and serve as keeper of the crossroads in this life. I pray and ask that you will come and serve as gatekeeper as I call out to the three worlds. Help me, I pray, to open the gates, that my voice may be heard clearly, and that communion with the Kindreds will be possible. I offer you this beer in exchange for your help. May it honor you and feed you.
*offer beer to offering bowl*
Blessed Mother Hecate, Open the gates!
*hold up bread*
Blessed Ancestors I offer this food from my table, that it may feed and honor you. Please draw near by way of the gate of the well. Ancestors accept my sacrifice.
*hold up honey offering*
Spirits of Nature, and of this place, I offer you this sweet honey that was freely given to me. I offer this so that it may feed you, and honor you. Please join me here by the gate of the tree. Spirits of Nature, accept my sacrifice.
*Hold up offering cup of oil*
Shining ones, bright divinities worthy of worship. I offer this oil to you, in hopes that it will honor and feed you. Please draw close to me by the way of the gate of fire. Gods and Goddesses of old, accept my sacrifice.
*deep breath*
I have come today, in the presence of the three Kindreds to pledge myself to this path. I vow now to my ancestors that I will strive to bring you honor and to seek your help as I step out as a true druid and follower of the old ways. I vow to the spirits of nature and of this place, that I shall ever strive to keep the old bargain. I will work to honor the land and to be in harmony and accord with its rhythms. I shall also work to decrease my footprint on the back of my mother, the Earth. To the shining ones, the Gods and Goddesses of old, I vow to seek you out and to serve as asked for as long and as far as this path takes me. May I be a person who brings you honor and pleasure.
*Hold up wine offering*
I offer this wine as a gift to seal this vow between us. Kindreds of the three worlds accept this vow and my sacrifice.
*pour into offering bowl*
*Omen taken with these three questions*
Do the Kindreds accept this vow and sacrifice?
What do the Kindreds ask of me?
What do they offer in return?
*Hallowing the Blessing by pouring water into the cup and speaking the words of what was offered over it.*
*Affirmation of the Blessing*
I take this blessing into myself as well as seal my part of the vow taken today by drinking this water of blessing.
Thank you Shining Ones, your presence has been a blessing. The gate of fire calls, for it soon will be closed by Mother Hecate. I thank you again for all you have done for me.
Thank you Spirits of Nature and of this land, Your presence in my life is a blessing
I wish to thank you Mighty Dead, blood of my blood and flesh of my flesh. Your guidance is always appreciated. The door of the well calls, for Mother Hecate will close the gates soon. I again thank you for your many blessings.
Mother Hecate, you who always offer us a choice. I have taken this time to choose the path of the druid, and you have helped to make that possible. I thank you for your service and help in opening the gates. It is time to say goodbye. Mother Hecate, let the gates be closed.
*deep breath*
Thank you Mother Earth for witnessing this rite. Your blessings are too many to count. I thank you with all my heart.
*Hand over the Fire*
Let the fire be but fire
*Hand over the Well*
Let the well be but water
*both hands palms out toward the tree*
Let the tree return as it was, this rite is over.
This oath rite has been the hardest part of the Dedicant’s Program for me. I take vows very seriously, and had a nasty breakup with one abusive God and church, so I think I was feeling a bit skittish to make a vow like this. I meditated a great deal over the way I wished to word this, and in the end was pleased with how it came out. The performance of this rite actually was a blessing that I wish I had allowed myself sooner. Much the way wedding vows can change a relationship between two people who have been intimate for some time before the ceremony, I feel this rite and the vow in it have changed how I view my relationship with this path.
The omens I drew were taken from Philip Carr-Gomm’s Animal and Plant Oracles. For the first question, “Do the Kindreds accept this vow and sacrifice?” I received the Otter. I cannot think of a more positive Omen I could have been given. The otter is the symbol of play, joy, and fun. I feel the Kindreds are telling me that the rite, vow, and sacrifices were acceptable and brought joy to all. The Omen for the second Question, “What do the Kindreds ask of me?” was Garlic. Garlic purifies and influences the taste of those foods it is cooked with. I feel that this means that the Kindreds are asking me to be a good and pure influence to those around me. The last Omen and answer to the question, “What do they offer in return?” I received the Wolf. The wolf is the symbol of loyalty, intuition, and learning. I feel that the Kindreds are offering me the gifts of insight needed to be a positive influence on those around me, as well as their loyalty in helping me to grow and learn.
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