Oath Rite Review and Evaluation

Ah, the oath rite.  For many it is the last requirement to check off the list of DP necessities and I was no exception.  I had been thinking about my oath off and on for the better part of nine months, and very seriously for the last two months or so.  After lots of contemplation and a few focused meditation sessions I came up with my plan.  I was to take February 28th off work and perform the ritual outside at home once my kids had been dropped off at their respective schools (I wanted the solitude to make it easier to concentrate).  I had the full ritual written over two weeks prior to date of the rite.  I had worked with an artist on Etsy to get a small, silver crescent-shaped pendant for my significant symbol of the oath - not only was it visually appealing but harkened back to the lunula pendants commonly found in the graves of Slavic women from the 10th through 12th centuries.  It hung from my jewelry tree for a month as I put the pieces of the oath rite together.  I often looked at the necklace as a reminder of what was to come, and longed for the time when I could wear it.

Flowers for the Zorya and barley for Matka Ziemia

Early in the oath rite week it became clear that a change of plans may be needed; the weather forecast spoke of increasing cold and freezing rain/snow for the 28th.  I would either need to change my date for the ritual or consider having it indoors.  It had always been very important to me to perform the rite outside on the property my family owns and I wondered if the change in the weather was Marzanna's way of telling me to just get on with it.  I decided to complete the oath rite on the evening of the 26th - it was a beautiful winter day with highs near 40 and bright sun (the last nice day of the week).  I gathered my materials together and began laying out the make-shift altar as my husband graciously built the fire up. 


Not long into setting up the space I realized that the necklace - the specially requested, very symbolic, beautiful oath rite necklace - had slipped off my arm sometime in the trek from the house to the fire (about 80 yards).  Dismayed, I scoured the ground over and over again, looking for the necklace.  After a half hour of frantic searching (and with help from my husband) it became clear that I would have to let it go (at least for now) in order to get the rite completed.  I quickly grabbed a ring from my jewelry stash and determined that I would reword that portion of the ritual to make clear that the ring would be a temporary symbol until I could find/obtain a lunula.

Make-shift altar

 So, after all that I began the ritual a bit later than intended.  At the start of the ritual the wind chill was around 30 degrees, so I had layered up and put on extra pairs of socks, hoping that this would be enough to get me through.  The fire was big and bright and the sky was that glorious mix of blue and purple that announces the start of the sunset.

The ritual began smoothly as I purified myself and the area and recreated the cosmos.  I had forgotten to bring salt for the nature spirits, so I offered them a portion of mead originally set aside for Perun and noted its ingredient of honey.  I also forgot to do the Two Powers meditation at the beginning, so I did it just before the opening of the gates.  For the gate opening I called on the Zorya - goddesses that, in all honesty, I have not worked with that much.  Despite this I felt like they were very much present and active and found my sacrifice of flowers pleasing.

By the time of the key offerings the chill was definitely creeping into my bones and I was beginning to stumble on a few words because of this.  Due to the darkness it was also becoming increasingly difficult to read the script.  I managed my way through the oath sacrifice and onto the omens.  For the omens I used the Wildwood Tarot deck and asked/received the following:

What wisdom do you share with me?
      Answer:  Ace of Bows*Spark of Life
          "By shaping, directing and persevering with the tool that both hunts and nurtures fire, we kindle the spark that starts the process of creation and empowerment...Be prepared to learn new skills, adapt to a changing environment and focus and tune your instincts to the task at hand."

This omen serves as a reminder that, while many see the oath rite as a ending place (the final piece of the DP puzzle), this is not really a stopping point.  Learning, practice, patience and change are all required and to be expected as I continue on this path.



What blessing do you offer?
     Answer:  Ten of Arrows*Instruction
          "Instruction and communication are required between the generations to help use old skills in new ways...we must take a conscious effort to pass on traditional wisdom and skills and make the relationship with those disciplines as vital as ever."

I see this omen as two-fold; first as an invitation from the ancestors concerning their willingness to serve as teachers as I continue my path and begin exploring in more detail the role of seer.  Secondly, I also see it as a reminder that we must keep our faith a living and breathing tradition and include our children so that knowledge is not lost.

 

What do you request of me to further our work together?
     Answer:  Page of Stones*Lynx
          "Pay attention to the physical realm, and be aware of the effects generated by everything you do.  A strain of wildness and lack of forethought can sometimes hamper your forward passage, but careful consideration redresses the balance."

With this omen I see the kindred asking me to remain diligent and reflective about my work within the faith (rather than a relaxed, seat-of-my-pants, willy-nilly approach).  Whether it is comments on Facebook, working with our local grove or studying the Seers Guild study program I should remain mindful and aware of the consequences of my actions.

Overall, I felt that the omens were very positive and helpful.

By this time the cold was becoming unbearable as the windchill hovered near 20 degrees.  Despite multiple layers on my hands and feet my fingers and toes were changing from tingly-numb to tingly-painful.  This made the drinking of the blessing a bit challenging, but I purposefully made myself go slow so that I wasn't rushing through things and not really being present.  When it came time to dedicate the token I changed the wording some to make clear that the ring would stand in temporarily until a lunula was available.

After this I finished the ritual and quickly gathered up important items to take in, along with throwing any extra water from the well/cup onto the fire.  My fingers and toes were excruciatingly in pain and I headed to the shower to warm up and wash off the smell of the fire.

Later, I realized that I had thrown the water in the well onto the fire before removing my treasured ring that had silvered the well.  And my husband also reported that his cell phone went missing some time near the end of getting the fire ready.  The ring was eventually recovered in the ashes of the fire, but the lunula pendant and cell phone are still missing at the time of this writing (despite three days of treasure hunting sessions by both me and my husband).  I've prayed for the pendant's return, and also made an offering to the polevik to aid in the search.  Yesterday in a meditation session I asked the Kindred for assistance and, surprisingly, Baba Yaga showed up.  I have not had any previous workings with her, so it was a bit of a curveball.  The card I drew afterwards for clarification was the Page of Bows*Stoat card - one I have never previously drawn.  It speaks of dreams and vision and the appearance of a stranger.  All of this seems very fitting with Baba Yaga and suggests that I need to forge some relationship with her.

Text of Oath Rite

Initiating the Rite: 

      (3 chimes each for the Ancestors, the Spirits of the Land, and The Shining Ones)

     Two Powers Meditation

     
     Opening Prayer: 

Power of creativity that attends us
Voice of the Well of Wisdom
Voice of the Fire of Inspiration
I call you to place the clear heart in me
Come into my heart's shrine
Guide my rite in the way of truth

O power of inspiration in this holy place
O power of inspiration at this holy time

So Be It! 

 (source: www.druidkirk.org/druid/DP/OathRiteText.html)

     Purification: (use mugwort to smudge three times around ritual area and then self) 

Likewise I acknowledge in myself
Weakness and doubt
Hatred and spite
Cowardice and ignorance.

I contemplate these ills and enemies
And for this sacred time
I purify myself
And set them aside.

  (source:  www.druidkirk.org/druid/DP/OathRiteText.html)

          By the might of the smoke of the fire, this ritual is made whole and holy.

Honoring the Earth Mother:  Matka Ziemia - I am your child, born of your womb and nourished by your abundance.  You are the foundation of each day, as I place my feet upon you and walk this world.  I pray that you bless and uphold my rite today, as you uphold the whole world.  Matka Ziemia - accept my sacrifice!  (sprinkle barley on the ground)

Statement of Purpose:  As the ancient wise ones did before me, so I seek to do now.  I, Michelle - known to you also as Marzena - approach the gods in pride and wonder, as a seeker of blessing, bringing offerings in honor of all of the kins of spirits. I come to the well and kindle fire to make an oath of dedication to the path of the old wisdom, the eternal way. I come to give my worship to the gods and goddesses, to the beloved and wise dead, and to all the Kindreds and spirits with whom I share the worlds. Especially I bring offerings to Perun, Mokosz, Dazhbog, Marzenna and Veles. I ask them to bear witness to my oath, and guide and ward my way.
   

Recreating the Cosmos:

Deep water of the well - your living water saturates down into the ground, nourishing tender roots and seeds even while they slumber. And you flow beyond, past soil and stone into a land of memory and shadow, the land of our ancestors. Without you our world would be barren and lonely. Please accept this gift of silver as receipt of my gratitude. (put ring in the well)

Fire burning brightly - you above all others, have the ability to transform offerings into that which is acceptable.  I thank you for the transformation of my sacrifices and offer you this oil in gratitude. (pour oil into the fire)

Mighty tree - you which weaves all worlds together.  Your branches stretch and reach towards Tthe shining Gods and Goddesses, your roots meander deep into the soft earth beckoning to the ancestors, and your trunk connects them all here, with us, in our world today among ourselves and the spirits of this land.  I offer you this incense in deep appreciation of your services both in the past and that which you will provide here today. (light incense and place in front of tree)

Opening the Gate: You who are opposed to this rite, I acknowledge you and offer to you this, to occupy you during my work here today. (pour whiskey on the ground)

Zorya - bright morning and evening stars, mighty sisters who guard the gates of the hellhound, come to my fire.  I ask that you keep the boundaries firm against those who wish ill fortune upon this work, and open the gates so the the Kindred Three may join me here and witness my oath.  I offer you these flowers in appreciation for your assistance. (put flowers in the fire)

Let the gates be open. The water, the fire and the tree flow and flame and grow within me. Feel roots burrow deep, draw up the water of life, and stretch branches towards the fire of the sky.

(Note to Self:  take a moment to recenter/ground if necessary)

Offerings to the Kindreds:
     Ancestors - A child of the Earth calls out to the mighty dead. Hear me, I pray, O ancestors, my kindred. To those whose blood is my blood, to those from far away lands that offered the first sacrifice and learned the proper ways to honor the Slavic gods and goddesses - you are welcome here at my fire!  I greet you with a joyous heart and kind words.  I ask you to hear my voice and witness my oath. I pray to you to guide my ways as I walk the path of the Old Ways.  Mighty dead, accept my offering.  (pour ale  and breadcrumbs into hole in the earth)

     Nature Spirits - A child of the Earth calls out to the tribes of spirits. Hear me, I pray, O companions, my allies.  Spirits of this land, you who live among the trees, in the tall grasses and deep withing the native waters, you have a place here at my fire.  To the Kindreds of stone and stream; to those of leaf and root and shoot, to those of fur and feather and scale. To all, I give welcome at my sacred fire.  I offer to you, lovely wild ones. I ask you to hear my voice and witness my oath. I pray that you will open my way as I walk the way of the earth in reverence. Nature Spirits, I give you honor and welcome you with sacrifice.  (sprinkle salt on the ground)

     Deities - A child of the Earth calls out to the Shining Ones. Hear me, I pray, gods and goddesses of old time.  You who are worthy of worship, you who make all things possible - your glory is brighter than all creation and inspires greatness in those who follow you.  The first children of the Mother, the wisest and mightiest; to all the deities of this land, known or unknown - you are welcome here at my fire.  Eldest and brightest, mighty ones who watch over me, I ask you to hear my voice and witness my oath. I pray you empower my ways as I walk the path of divine magic, the way of the elders. Accept this sacrifice and know that my heart calls for you. (place incense packet in the fire)

(Note to Self: pause to meditate for a while on the presence of the host of spirits called. Speak in your heart to whichever of them may present themselves and listen for their voice)


Key Offerings:

Mighty Perun - God of lightning, dispenser of justice.  With your mighty powers you conquer the serpent which threatens to destroy our world in confusion and drought.  You hold chaos at bay and bring order to this world. Come to my fire and witness my oath.  Accept this sacrifice in gratitude of your presence and assistance - in the past, here today and in the future.  Perun, accept my sacrifice. (pour the mead into the fire along with the Perun envelope that contains incense)

Mokosz - Goddess of grain, you who germinates and gestates the seeds, roots and shoots that brings life and beauty to our world. Your gifts are abundant and provide nourishment and enjoyment both for our bodies and our souls.  Come to my fire and witness my oath.  Accept this sacrifice for all that you give. Mokosz, accept my sacrifice! (place Mokosz envelope with vegetable seeds and embroidery thread in the fire)

Dazhbog - Mighty blacksmith, brilliant inventor - you who gave fire to mankind and continues to inspire our works.  Our world would be dark and lifeless without your daily pulling of the sun across the sky in your chariot.  Come to my fire and witness my oath.  I offer this sacrifice in gratitude for your generosity.  Dazhbog, accept my sacrifice! (place Dazhbog envelope with metal beads in the fire)

Marzanna - Goddess of winter and death, mistress of visions.  You who weave winter across this land and blanket the fields in frost and slumber.  Come to my fire and witness my oath.  I offer you this gift, in appreciation for the essential workings that you craft so well.  Marzanna, accept my sacrifice (place Marzanna envelope with bone and incense in the fire)

Veles -  God of cattle, magic, poetry and music.  Punisher of broken oaths, mighty god of liminality and master of the gates between the living and the dead.  Come to my fire and witness my oath.  From early in this journey of mine you have kept watch over me and provided me assistance.  Even when I was not aware, you patiently led me on to where I needed to be.  You have been my keeper, tending to a member of your herd like the good shepherd that you are.  Please accept this offering, in sincere gratitude for all that you have done, and will continue to do.  Veles, accept my sacrifice! (pour vodka into the file along with Veles envelope with oats)

The Oath Sacrifice: 

A child of the Earth comes here to make an oath to the powers of the worlds. I come by the road of seeking, through the door of new learning, to the fire of inspiration, to the well of wisdom, to the gates between the worlds.

Hear me, O powers, as I offer up this sacrifice.  I give you my oath as an offering in your honor. O mighty, noble and shining ones, hear me, I pray.  I am Michelle, sometimes known to you as Marzena, and it is my will to walk the Pagan way.  I swear by the gods and by the dead and by all the spirits. I swear to live by the virtues given by tradition, to strive to live well and do good. I swear to keep the Old Ways, to keep the feasts and observances and the wheel of the year. I swear to seek the truth of the elder ways, to learn the lore and meaning of our ancestors' wisdom. These things I swear by the well that flows in me, by the fire that shines in me, by the tree that roots and crowns my soul.

Before all the powers, and especially before my gods Perun, Mokosz, Dazhbog, Marzenna, and Veles,  I swear it. Before the blessed Mother Earth, Matka Ziemia, I swear it and whisper it to her. (Kneel and whisper oath to the earth)  Like the ancients of old I take a piece of her within me to seal this oath.  (with knife take a small piece of earth and eat it)  May the three worlds rise against me if I am forsworn, and may Veles punish me if my word be broken.  So be it!

Mighty, noble and shining ones, accept my sacrifice and my oath!

The Omens:  
I ask that the Kindreds speak to me.  (go through questions with the cards)

     What wisdom do you share with me?
     What blessings do you offer?
     What do you request of me to further our work together?

Charm for Hallowing of the Water:  
As a child of the Earth I call for the blessings of the Kindreds to impregnate this water.  I fill the belly of my spirit with this drink - O Holy Ones, give as I have given to you!  Let this vessel receive your blessings! (drink some from the cup)

The Blessing:
(Note to Self: as you sip renew your center, and feel yourself drinking in the power of the gods and spirits)

Take up the dedication token and anoint it with the waters from the cup.

I dedicate this necklace as a symbol and reminder of my oath here today.  As in ancient days, this lunula I will wear as a child of the Earth and as a Slavic woman.  May it serve always to remind me of my oath.  Let the blessing of the powers shine and flow in it, turning aside ill and kindling wisdom, love and power in my spirit. (put necklace on)

(Note to Self: meditate for a time on the whole work: on the surroundings, and the spirits and the pagan path)

Affirmation of the Blessings:  
By this work I am blessed.  To all that have aided me here today, I give thanks. 

Thanking the Beings:
Perun, Mokosz, Dazhbog, Marzenna and Veles - may I always be right in my worship and the recipient of your blessings.

Ancestors and the Spirits of the Land - thank you for witnessing my oath and participating in this rite.

Closing the Gates:   
Zorya - sisters - I offer you gratitude for minding the gates so that I could honor the Kindred and make my oath today in peace.  Your work here today is done.

Thanking the Earth Mother:   
Matka Ziemia, thank you for upholding this rite and blessing me and mine daily with your generous gifts.

Statement of Ending:  
May the tree be just a tree, the well just water, and the fire a simple fire.  Let me leave here today with blessings upon me and peace within.