[Reproductive and Bodily Autonomy]
This will be a rite in which we will embrace our warriors’ sides in order to fight those that would oppress us and our rights to govern our own bodies.
An empowering rite
If you wish to follow along by lighting your own candles and making your own offerings, you may choose to do so. You can bring 1-5 candles. Offerings can be whatever you feel fits best. Some suggestions if you are unsure: spring water, coins, yarrow, juniper berry, mugwort, fennel, henbane, parsley, raspberry, sea lavender, wine/mead/libations (to those Dêuoi who are accepting,) a drop of blood / moon blood, poems, art. [Make sure you are familiar, safe, and responsible with the use of any offerings.]
Before the rite is begun, cleanse and purify the self, even if only the hands and/or face. If you are doing this rite with others, check and make sure they too have cleansed.
During the rite, the members of the clergy will be monitoring for any omens that things should no longer proceed. If any signs indicate the rite should be stopped, it must be done so immediately.
Opening the nemeton / calling the quarters
Conducted by the druið
The bell is rung 3 times as the druið circles around the nemeton while sprinkling sacred herbs as an offering to Nemetona.
Druið: “A great rite is about to take place on this day. Nemetona, will you grant us entry within your sacred canopy within your nemeton?”
The sacred fire is lit.
Druið: “Aidonâ, may you illuminate as you have since the beginning of time. I ask now to take a piece of this illumination forth with me.”
Walk to the Are (East.)
Druið: “We illuminate the path of Samos.” Light the eastern candle. “May we see this path.”
Walk to the Dexsiuos (South.)
Druið: “We illuminate the path between Samos and Giamos.” Light the southern candle. “May we see this path.”
Walk to the Eri (West.)
Druið: “We illuminate the path of Giamos.” Light the western candle. “May we see this path.”
Walk to the Tutos (North.)
Druið: “We illuminate the path between Giamos and Samos.” Light the northern candle. “May we see this path.”
Walk to the sacred heart, the Medios (the middle.)
Druið: “May this path always be illuminated, for this is the place all lay.”
Uatis: “We stand in this nemeton today not in supplication but as the voice and cry of many engaged in ongoing battle. We fight for control over our own bodies, minds, and spirits. We fight a hungry giant who is never sated. Their name is oppressor and destroyer, their name is tyranny, their name is imperialism and conquest. Their faces are many but we are more. We seek empowerment from the dêuoi, regentiâ, and uarina in this call to arms. We sound the carnux on this day! Hear our cry!”
The uatis blows the horn.
Invocation of the Dêuoi
Conducted by the uatis
[Uediomos: “we invoke.” Ananmanatîs: “the unnamed ones esp. of spirits.” Dêua/os/oi: “worshipped beings.” Matîr marâ: “Great Mother.” Regentiâ: “Ancestors.”]
Drumming begins.
Uatis: “Uediomos Ananmanatîs! Those many with names lost to time, those whose names were lost to the hands of tyrannical imperialism, whom our regentiâ knew and honored, you who aided in the fight against their oppressors, you who honored the freedom of body and spirit, and whom once responded to the call of the peoples’ carnux. Hear our plea and empower us.
Uediomos Auetâ! Dêua of fertility, protector of those that give birth, protector of children, mighty healer, you who governs midwives and birth. Hear our plea and empower us.
Uediomos Nantosueltâ! Dêua of Antumnos, you of vines and valleys and honey and libations, O prosperous one, you who has the eyes and ears of the messengers to the Otherworld, matîr marâ. Hear our plea and empower us.
Uediomos Rosmertâ! Dêua who provides, the bearer of fruit and wealth, you who oversees rites of death and the flight of the soul, the seer through and weaver of the vines. Hear our plea and empower us.
Uediomos Mogetius! Dêuos of the Carnutes, the most powerful, law-bringer, mighty holder of the spear, the voice of judgment and civility. Hear our plea and empower us.
Uediomos Brigantiâ! Dêua of the sword, shield, and helm, guardian of the high ground, protector of all civilization, teacher of strategies in war, fierce battle-maiden. Hear our plea and empower us.
Uediomos Camulos! Dêuos who protects the boundaries by force of arms, the protector and champion of the people, the shield against which the oppressors fall, you who is the stronghold. Hear our plea and empower us.
We thank you.”
Give offerings.
Invocation of the Regentiâ
Conducted by the uatis
[Auena: “awen.”]
Uatis: “Uediomos Regentiâ! You who stood tall, strong, and proud against overwhelming forces. You who stood in quiet opposition against those who demanded obedience and assimilation.
Those of our blood and bone and breath, those of our spirit and of the land, those still of the Otherworld and those who have seen it many times over, empower our spirits. Those of wisdom and diplomacy and Drus, empower our minds. Those singers of auena whose voices stopped battle, empower our words. Those tillers of earth and harvest, empower us with longevity and sturdiness. Those who carried forth families in fortitude, empower our bodies. Those of spear, sword, and shield, empower our flesh and blood.
Regentiâ, hear our plea and empower us.
We thank you.”
Give offerings.
Drumming stops.
Garieto / We Roar
[Cingetos/oi: “warrior.”]
Uatis: “We are now empowered. Let our enemies know we will not be silent! Raise your weapons!”
All attending: shout / cry out / raise voice or fists. Optional saying: Garieto! (We roar) or Carnux! (the war horn)
Uatis: “Our bodies belong to none but ourselves. It is our sacred and innate right to have governance over our beings. We are cingetoi. We are power. We are free by our own decree!”
Uergarobi labâmos / We proclaim loudly
Uatis: “Those affected by decisions that are being made and enforced by the beast, who seeks to strip autonomy from our community, have room to speak here. Prayers, speeches, whatever the Dêuoi inspire. Let auena flow.”
[Those in attendance that wish to speak do so now]
After each individual speaks, respond with weapons (voice / fist) raised. Optional saying: Garieto! (We roar) or Carnux! (the war horn)
Uatis: “I see you and thank you. The dêuoi and regentiâ bear witness to our testimony. Carry this empowerment forth into the days and battles to come, with honor and without fear. They are many but we are more.”
Closing of the Nemeton
Conducted by the druið
Walk to the Are (East.) Put out the flame.
Druið: “We see the path of Samos.”
Walk to the Dexsiuos (South.) Put out the flame.
Druið: “We see the path of Samos and Giamos.”
Walk to the Eri (West.) Put out the flame.
Druið: “We see the path of Giamos.”
Walk to the Tutos (North.) Put out the flame.
Druið: “We see the path between Giamos and Samos.”
Walk to the sacred heart, the Medios (the middle.)
Druið: “May this path always be illuminated, for this is the place all lay. We go in peace.” The bell is rung three times.
Thanks to Caramâros Caitogabros, Branos Carnutodrûidon, and Suturcos for the assistance with writing this rite.
A special thanks to the Uatis of Galatîs Litauiâs Alesiâ Dunnonanationâ more putting this Group/Solo Rite together.
Gaulish Paganism 