[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 for those doing the rite solo
Needed: 5 candles, offerings, bell. Optional: drum, horn. You do not need to drum or have a horn and instead can stomp your feet, clap your hands, or use your voice in a cry.
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 and procedure of making any offerings.]
Before the rite is begun, cleanse and purify the self, even if only the hands and/or face.
Opening the nemeton / calling the quarters
The bell is rung 3 times as you circle around the nemeton while sprinkling sacred herbs as an offering to Nemetona.
Say: “A great rite is about to take place on this day. Nemetona, will you grant me entry within your sacred canopy within your nemeton?”
The sacred fire is lit.
Say: “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.)
Say: “I illuminate the path of Samos.” Light the eastern candle. “May I see this path.”
Walk to the Dexsiuos (South.)
Say: “I illuminate the path betIen Samos and Giamos.” Light the southern candle. “May I see this path.”
Walk to the Eri (West.)
Say: “I illuminate the path of Giamos.” Light the Istern candle. “May I see this path.”
Walk to the Tutos (North.)
Say: “I illuminate the path betIen Giamos and Samos.” Light the northern candle. “May I see this path.”
Walk to the sacred heart, the Medios (the middle.)
Say: “May this path always be illuminated, for this is the place all lay.”
Uatis: “I stand in this nemeton today not in supplication but as the voice and cry of one engaged in ongoing battle. I fight for control over my own body, mind, and spirit. I 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 together we are more. I seek empowerment from the dêuoi, regentiâ, and uarina in this call to arms. I sound the carnux on this day! Hear my cry!”
Blow the horn. If you do not have one, you can choose to use your voice and cry out.
Invocation of the Dêuoi
[Uediumi: “I invoke.”
Ananmanatîs: “the unnamed ones esp. of spirits.” Dêua/os/oi: “worshipped beings.” Matîr marâ: “Great Mother.” Regentiâ: “Ancestors.”]
Begin drumming.
Say: “Uediumi 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 my plea and empower me.
Uediumi Auetâ! Dêua of fertility, protector of those that give birth, protector of children, mighty healer, you who governs midwives and birth. Hear my plea and empower me.
Uediumi 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 my plea and empower me.
Uediumi 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 my plea and empower me.
Uediumi Mogetius! Dêuos of the Carnutes, the most powerful, law-bringer, mighty holder of the spear, the voice of judgment and civility. Hear my plea and empower me.
Uediumi 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 my plea and empower me.
Uediumi 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 my plea and empower me.
I thank you.”
Give offerings.
Invocation of the Regentiâ
[Auena: “awen.”]
Resume drumming.
Say: ” Uediumi 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 my mind. Those singers of auena whose voices stopped battle, empower my words. Those tillers of earth and harvest, empower me with longevity and sturdiness. Those who carried forth families in fortitude, empower my body. Those of spear, sword, and shield, empower my flesh and blood.
Regentiâ, hear my plea and empower me.
I thank you.”
Give offerings.
Stop drumming.
Garieto / We Roar
[Cingetos/oi: “warrior.”]
Say: “I am now empowered. Let our enemies know we will not be silent! I raise my weapon!”
[Shout / cry out / raise voice or fist. Optional saying: Garieto! (We roar) or Carnux! (the war horn)]
Say: “My body belongs to none but myself. It is my sacred and innate right to have governance over my beings. I am cingetos. I am power. I am free by my own decree!”
Uergarobi labâmos / We proclaim loudly
Take the time now to speak of the effect that the decisions being made in a speech or prayer, whatever feels right. After you complete speaking, raise weapons (voice / fist.) Optional saying: Garieto! (We roar) or Carnux! (the war horn)
Say: “The dêuoi and regentiâ bear witness to our testimony. I will 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
Walk to the Are (East.) Put out the flame.
Say: “I see the path of Samos.”
Walk to the Dexsiuos (South.) Put out the flame.
Say: “I see the path of Samos and Giamos.”
Walk to the Eri (West.) Put out the flame.
Say: “I see the path of Giamos.”
Walk to the Tutos (North.) Put out the flame.
Say: “I see the path between Giamos and Samos.”
Walk to the sacred heart, the Medios (the middle.)
Say: “May this path always be illuminated, for this is the place all lay. I go in peace.” The bell is rung three times.
A special thanks to the Uatis of Galatîs Litauiâs Alesiâ Dunnonanationâ more putting this Group/Solo Rite together.
Gaulish Paganism 