The ceremony that follows can be performed to celebrate any of the Celtic Holy Days or it may be a simple celebration of thanksgiving. The more ornate a ceremony becomes, the more it seems to separate Humans from all Creation. A ceremony of simplicity will bring intimacy with all Creation. We have provided suggestions for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. If possible, we suggest you perform your ceremony outdoors, as this can help bring about a closer bond between you and Mother Earth. The suggestions which follow are based on a priest and priestess performing the ceremony together, but one person can do the ceremony alone if so desired.
Outdoor Ceremony
The priest or priestess should place or already have in place four stones set an equal distance apart. These stones will represent the four directions. The priestess will carry a cup to symbolize the Holy Grail. It should be made of wood, pottery or metal and filled with pure water to represent the water from Brighid’s Well. The priest will carry a staff to symbolize the Great Tree and some birdseed or grain as an offering to all Creation. You may prefer to substitute an offering to more closely symbolize the holiday or event you are celebrating. Suggestions are available at Celebrating the Celtic Holidays or you can choose an offering you feel best suits the occasion. Since you will be honoring all Creation, which includes animals, fish, and birds, we suggest that including meat, fish or fowl as part of your offering would be inappropriate.
To begin the ceremony, the priest and priestess stand in the center of the four stones. One of them will ask for the presence of the Mother and Father, Jesus and Mother Mary Earth. He or she may also wish to invite any good-hearted Fae folk, Animal kin, or any loving Spirit who may wish to witness the ceremony. The priest stamps the staff upon the ground three times in each compass direction, and requests in a humble manner that the Angel who watches over that direction of Creation come to witness the ceremony. Speak a prayer of thanksgiving and, as children of Earth, Sea and Sky, call for a blessing upon all Creation through the Holy Family.
Both now walk to the rock which is in the direction of the West. The priest places the offering upon the stone, and the priestess pours water from the Grail Cup upon the stone. Both walk clockwise in the direction of the sun to each stone in turn, placing the offering and water, and then finally wending their way back to the West.
They now walk to the center of the stones. If any water or offering remains, they pour or place it in the center of the stones. The priestess or priest, or both of them, speak a prayer from their heart. To conclude the ceremony, please remember to thank the Mother and Father Creator and our brother Jesus and Mother Mary Earth for coming. Be sure also to thank the other participants, whether they be Angelic, Human, Fae, Animals, or helpful and benevolent spirits.
Indoor Ceremony
The priest or priestess should place, or already have in place, four stones set an equal distance apart. They can be placed upon an altar or in the four corners of the room where the ceremony will be held. If possible, a yellow stone or a clear stone would be placed in the East, a green or red stone in the South, a blue or black stone in the West, and a white stone in the North. The stones can be of any size, and if colored stones are not available, any stones will suffice. The priestess will carry a cup to symbolize the Holy Grail. It should be made of wood, pottery or metal and filled with pure water to represent the water from Brighid’s Well. The priest should carry a staff to symbolize the Great Tree. Between or near the four stones, place something to signify the holiday or event you are celebrating. For instance, since Beltane is a fire festival, you might place a candle nearby. You should also select a food offering appropriate for the particular holiday or event you are celebrating. Suggestions can be found under Celebrating the Celtic Holidays.
To begin the ceremony, the priest and priestess stand in front of the altar or in the center of the four stones. One of them will ask for the presence of the Mother and Father, Jesus and Mother Mary Earth. He or she may also wish to invite any good-hearted Fae folk, Animal kin, or any loving Spirit who may wish to witness the ceremony. The priest stamps the staff upon the floor three times in each compass direction, and requests in a humble manner that the Angel who watches over that direction of Creation come to witness the ceremony. Speak a prayer of thanksgiving and call for a blessing upon all Creation through the Holy Family. Next, call a blessing down by the Holy Three, the guardians of Earth, Sea and Sky.
Beginning in the West, the priestess holds the cup before her and the priest holds the food offering before him, while they slowly walk in a circle (or gesture over the altar) in a clockwise direction. While doing this, they offer their heartfelt prayers of thanks, and also the offering of water and food, to the Mother and Father and Jesus and to Mother Mary Earth. When finished with the ceremony, please remember to thank the Mother and Father Creator and our brother Jesus and Mother Mary Earth for coming. Be sure also to thank the other participants, whether they be Angelic, Human, Fae, Animals, or helpful and benevolent spirits. If possible, take the water and food offering outside, and pour the water upon Mother Earth and leave the food out for any local birds or animals to share.
The Celtic Faerie celebrate the following holidays: Imbolc/Candlemas (February), Ostara/Spring Equinox (March), Easter (April), Beltaine (May), Litha/Summer Solstice (June), Lammas/Lughnassadh (August), Mabon/Fall Equinox (September), Samhain/Halloween (October), and Christmas/Winter Solstice (December). These are the traditional ancient Celtic holidays, with the addition of Christmas and Easter, which are celebrated in honor of the birth and resurrection of Christ. Dates and more information on the holidays are available here.