Honoring Lugus and his relatives...

[At the moment, I'm in rather a lot of pain and discomfort, as I just had a minor procedure on an infected cyst in my left earlobe--apparently, about ten days ago that left ear decided I needed to become a Buddhist, and thus the cyst got increasingly larger and larger, after having been there for fifteen years or more at the size of a BB. Luckily, I know a very talented surgeon who did the procedure of taking care of this so that it will trouble me no longer for free, so many blessings upon him for doing so! Unfortunately, the infection destroyed most of the tissue in the earlobe itself, and as a result I may have some problems with this in the future; but, if you can spare prayers to Asklepios and Dian Cécht, and any other healing deities you might entreat on a regular basis, I'd be most appreciative! But, more to the point, because of the fact that I am in rather a lot of pain and discomfort, and I look like I'm auditioning for Reservoir Dogs, I don't quite have the presence of mind to write a decent post tonight; so instead, I'll give you something that mostly involved copying and pasting in the ritual I did yesterday for Lugus and friends at the Seattle CR Schmooze. "PSVL" indicates my lines, while "D" indicates the lines of my co-ritualist, Disirdottir. While the fact that I didn't specify certain stage directions became a bit of a problem last night, I hope that what is going on is obvious here--lighting candles in the first part, pouring libations in the second part. The first part is my standard CR ritual preface, variations of which are used amongst the different people in the local group. Without further ado...]

PSVL: We acknowledge the Three Fires that give light, warmth, and life to all:

First, to the spirits of the land and this place;
Be with us and guide us,
Be our hospitable hosts as we are your gracious guests.

We acknowledge the second fire:
The fire of the ancestors, of blood and of culture,
That we carry in our hearts and thoughts;
Be with us and inspire us,
Be our excellent exemplars as we are your devoted descendants.

We acknowledge the third fire:
The great fire of the gods and goddesses,
The powers and inhabitants of the otherworld;
Be with us and enlighten us,
Be our perpetual patrons as we are your constant clients.

To the Three Fires—may we kindle you at all times, and may you never be extinguished!

Bendachta Dé ocus An-Dé foraib—the blessings of the Gods and the Non-Gods be on all of you!

*****

PSVL: I beseech the very divine one, the far-traveler, the inventor of all the arts, whose name is known in many forms by many peoples, from Galatia to Gaul to Galway, from Masilia to Massachusetts, from the Shannon to Seattle: it is offerings on your feast-day that we bring, and it is our prayers that we bring before you:

D: A libation is poured, therefore. For whom is it poured?

PSVL: For Lugus, the golden-shod one, Lugubus the wolf-like one, Loucetios the lightning-bringer on the plain and the rain during the dog-days.

D: Another libation is poured. For whom is it poured?

PSVL: For Rosmerta and for Sequana and for Souconna, his consorts of past and present.

D: Another libation is poured. For whom is it poured?

PSVL: For Esus, Taranis, and Teutates, the protector in the wood, the column-celebrated thunderer, and the sovereign of the tribe; and for Mars and Mercurius, his tribesmen among the Romans.

D: Another libation is poured. For whom is it poured?

"Lleu" by Heather Hartnett

PSVL: For Lleu Llaw Gyffes, the swift-handed skillful one, the fleeing eagle of the woods, the one who comes back after wounding.

D: Another libation is poured. For whom is it poured?

PSVL: For Gwydion who fostered him, and for Dylan who was his brother; f or Aranrhod who was his mother, and for Bloudeuedd who betrayed him.

D: Another libation is poured. For whom is it poured?

PSVL: For Llewellys, who saved the Isle of the Mighty from plagues, and his brother Lludd.

D: Another libation is poured. For whom is it poured?

PSVL: For Lug mac Ethlenn, the long-armed one, the summer of all the arts, the champion of hounds and horses, the inventor of the assembly and the contest, the adversary of Crom Dubh and the defeater of the Fomoiri.

D: Another libation is poured. For whom is it poured?

PSVL: For Tailtiu his foster-mother; for Manannán Mac Lir his foster-father; for Cian Mac Cennfaelad his father and for Ethliu his mother; for his grandfathers Dian Cécht and Balor; for the innumerable brothers and sisters he had in the form of seals on the coast of Tory Island; and for his wives and consorts, Bui and the Flaith Érenn.

D: Another libation is poured. For whom is it poured?

PSVL: For the Three Gods of Skill, Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba, who were defeated by Lug; for Cú Chulainn and Finn mac Cumhaill, the heroes who were his descendants.

D: A ninefold libation, then, for these gods, goddesses, and heroes.

PSVL: By Lugus we provide this, by Lugus we provide this, by Lugus we provide this, by Lugus!

D: For what, then, shall we who are here present pray?

PSVL: Speak your prayers aloud so that Lugus may hear them!

[The people present make prayers…]

D: May Lugus hear these prayers and be favorable to them!

PSVL: Lugus of Gaul, Lugus of the greater lands of Celtica, Lugus of this land where we live and honor you now—your feet carry you wherever you wish, your arts bring delight wherever they are practiced, your name was once renowned throughout your lands, but few know it now. We have not forgotten you, and we hope you do not neglect us, nor feel unwelcome under any of our roof-beams.

May you make what is broken mended;
May you make what is sick healthy;
May you make what is forgotten remembered;
May you make what is impoverished prosperous;
May you make what is lost found again;
May you make plenty where there is lack;
May you make peace where there is strife;
May you make a clear path where there is confusion;
May you make beauty where there is desolation!

By Lugus we pray this, by Lugus we pray this, by Lugus we pray this, by Lugus!

D: May Lugus hear these prayers and be favorable to them!

PSVL: We thank you, Lugus, and the many gods who share your names and your forms and your attributes…we will not forget you, and may we not be forgotten by you!

D: May the Three Fires—of Land Spirits, of Ancestors, and of the Gods—even if they do not shine before our eyes, shine ever in our minds and hearts!