Liturgy by Teri Chambers
Nerthus, Earth Mother. First and eldest of the Vanir. In peace You were carried about in a wagon, pulled by two cows, your face hidden, but still seeing. When humanity laid their weapons down, You blessed the land and the crops. Nerthus, You who support us with the fertility of growing grains, the fecundity of fruits. Nerthus, Earth Mother. (GRAIN)
(STATEMENT OF PURPOSE)
We are gathered together on this longest day, when the sun rises and sets as far north as it will get. We are gathered to honor our gods, ancestors and land spirits. We gather to honor Sunna on this summer solstice, on this longest day of the year.
(CREATING THE COSMOS)
(Well) Deep Ocean of wisdom. Holy well, sacred waters flow with us. (SILVER)
(Fire) Sacred Fire in wisdom, love and power. Sacred fire, burn within us. (DRAGONS BLOOD)
(Tree) Yggdrasil, world tree. Center us, keep us rooted and help us reach for the stars (INCENSE)
(OPEN GATES)
We invoke you Heimdal
Opener of every gate,
We invoke you Heimdal
Opener of every gate.
You will reach us, you will teach us,
And reveal our fate.
You will reach us, you will teach us,
And reveal our fate.
(ALCOHOL)
(OFFERINGS TO DIETY OF OCCASION)
Sunna, Mistress Sun. All Bright. Sol. Drive your chariot across the sky.
Sunna, Mistress Sun. Fair Wheel. Sol. With your golden horses Allsvinn ("Very Fast") and Arvak ("Early Rising"), pulling Your sun chariot.
On this longest day you are far ahead of the wolf Skoll. He will not come close enough today to take a bite and cause an eclipse. He will not catch you and start Ragnarok.
Sunna, Mistress Sun. All Bright. Sol. We love your warmth and light. We thank you.
Sunna, Mistress Sun. Fair Wheel. Sol. Your warmth and light that give strength and energy to the plants, causing them to grow and ripen. We thank you. (FIRE WHEEL)
(OMEN)
(AFFIRM BLESSING OMEN) drink water
(CLOSING)
Shining Ones, we thank you for your blessings.
Ancestors, we thank you for your blessings.
Land Spirits, we thank you for your blessing.
Gatekeeper, thank you for opening the way for us.
The tree is but a tree, the well is but water, and the fire is but a flame. Peace upon all. The rite is ended.
Omens
From the ancestors - The birch tree. Clearing out the old and bringing in the new. Also Beltane, recently passed.
From the shining ones - The spear of Lugh. Fiery determination, initiative and will. Also Lughnasadh, soon to come!