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This ritual combines the honoring of the New Moon - in this case the Stag Moon, and thus, also, the Spirit of the Stag - with a Rite for Commemoration of the Dead. What you need for the ritual: a bowl of water and a candle – a candle floating in the water is ideal matches of lighter for offerings: herbs, incense, an apple Note:  Text in italics is not meant to be said - it is either directions or section headings.  Any celebrant is welcome to adjust the ritual to their needs, or write their own wording and poetry as they prefer. It is encrouaged, though, that the speaking parts emphasized in bold type be said as they are, so that we can all say them together.   ASH - Approaching    Arrival:  Dedication All in One, and One in All I answer to the sacred call In what I do, in what I say, A walker of the Druid Way May Powers of the Three draw near To those who See and those who Hear Consecration of time    <ring a bell or make another distinctive sound> Consecration of space    <sprinkle water from the bowl in four directions (only necessary if the place of ritual is not a      permanent Shrine)> Pure is this place and all contained therein. Consecration of self    <touch your forehead with the water> Pure I am, and pure is all within me.      Settling: Unity Chant In the silence of our minds, in the music of our voices,                       Hear this chant In the labor of our hands, in the weaving of our choices, May the bonds of kinship hold, may we walk the sacred places, May the Holy ever shine in our lives and in our faces. Lady Brighid, by Thy light, may our hearts and souls unite! Lady Brighid, by Thy light, may our hearts and souls unite! Lady Brighid, by Thy light, may our hearts and souls unite!   Hallowing:  Lighting the Sacred Fire    <llight the candle> I kindle the Sacred Fire As the Lady Brighid would kindle As the Foster Mother would kindle In the Center of all the Worlds, so be it. Centering The Land, the Sea, the blessed Sky, The darkness deep, the light on high Fire-in-Water, Sacred Tree Burn and flow and grow in me   OAK – Offering    Offerings / Acceptance / Kinship Hail, Ye, Kindred Spirits great and small. I bless You, I honor You, I give You praise. Hear the words of this,  Your child and Your sister (brother). Hail Ye, Spirit of the Stag.        Thou traveler between Worlds        Thou guide within the Mists        Thou crowned with seven tines        Thou caller of the Seasons I honor Thee, Antlered Brother <place some herbs on the offering plate> Hail Ye, Grandmother Moon, Moon of the Stag, I welcome Thee        I am lifting to Thee my hands,        I am bowing to Thee my head,        I am offering Thee my love,        Thou glorious jewel of all the ages.[1] I honor Thee, Lightener of Darkness. <light incense> Hail Ye, the Mighty Dead! Thou Ancestors of blood and Spirit, hear me! By the light of the New Stag Moon, There is (are) one (ones) who comes (come) to join you. <say the names of ones recently departed you wish to honor> Ruth, Mother to Carol, wife to Arthur. <list the achievements and virtues of the departed if you wish> Loving and beloved, Beloved of kin Kin of this World Kin of the Otherworld Otherworld apples Apples of silver Silver wrought Wrought in beauty Beauty of life Life everlasting Lasting song Song of the Isle Isle of the Blessed Blessed in Wisdom Wisdom she bears Bearing a gift. May she sail to the Isle of the Blessed, May her way be swift and her sails full May the birds sing the glory of her passage May the Cattle of Tethra escort her home. Welcome her, Kindred Spirits, for she is worthy!    <cut the apple in half> The food of the dead is not for the living, Yet the living may share their food with the dead. In kinship we lived, and in kinship we live. Now and forever, Mighty Ancestors, you are with me – Blood of the blood, bone of the bone, and of the Spirit eternal.    <place half of the apple on the offering plate, and eat the other> What is given in love, is received in love, and returned in love. ·        Chant: Go, oh go in peace, Beloved                    Hear this chant Rest awhile, be free from harm In the House of our Mother In Her gentle, loving arms.    <meditate quietly in the presence of the Kindreds, and especially on any special needs> Blessing of Peace: Deep peace of the running wave to all Deep peace of the flowing air to all Deep peace of the quiet earth to all Deep peace of the shining stars to all Deep peace of the gentle night to all Moon and stars pour their healing light on all Deep peace of the Spirit of Life to all[2]       <lift up your hands palms up> Hail Ye, Kindred Spirits great and small I bless You, I honor You, I give You praise, Hear the words of this, Your child and Your sister (brother): Remember me, even as I remember You, Honor me, even as I honor You, And be with me now and in times to come. By the Three Realms By the Three Worlds By the Three Awens Thus it shall be Nine times eternal.   FIR - Faring Forth    Farewell: Prayers of thanksgiving I thank you, Kindred Spirits. Go if you must, stay if you will, And know that you are always welcome at my fire. Putting out the Fire    <put out the fire> The Sacred Fire is out, but forever does it burn in my heart.   Retiring: Recessional In the silence of our minds, in the music of our voices,                       Hear this chant In the labor of our hands, in the weaving of our choices, May the bonds of kinship hold, may we walk the sacred places, May the Holy ever shine in our lives and in our faces. Dark of night and light of day, Lady Brighid, bless our way! Dark of night and light of day, Lady Brighid, bless our way! Dark of night and light of day, Lady Brighid, bless our way!   [1] Carmina Gadelica [2] A Gaelic blessing, circa 1150 A.D.