Establishing A Hearth of Ár nDraíocht Féin

Establishing A Hearth of Ár nDraíocht Féin :

Preparation For this partiular rite, we’d like to encourage you to keep the script mostly as written, since it is specific to this work. 

Things you will need for this rite:

• Water (for purifying the space)
• Incense (or someway to brighten your space, whether figuratively or literally)
• A representation for the Fire, Well, and Tree
• Offerings for: o the Earth Mother o The Allies of the Hearth o the Three Kindreds o The Hearth Deity o the Prayer of Sacrifice
• A divination set
• Something to drink
• A candle or other representation for the Hearth Flame
• (optional) A candle or other representation for the ADF Unity Flame

Opening Prayer

I (we), [insert Hearth name if applicable], am a tree in the Grove of Ár nDraíocht Féin. As my spine straightens, my roots entwine with the trees in the grove and my branches provide shade for the me (the members of our Hearth). The fire within me (each of us) is a star in the sky of ADF’s spirit.
Initiating the Rite

Now I set aside those things of the mundane world that would trouble this rite. Let the space around me be purified by fire and water as I prepare for the work ahead.
*light incense and/or brighten your space; sprinkle water about your space*

The Hearth and our Allies The Hearth

*Light your candle or otherwise kindle your fire.*
O fire of potential, burning bright on this shrine, Join me in worship and connection, Be the Flame at the center of All, To carry my voice to the Spirits. Earth

Mother Earth

Mother, I call upon you to uphold and bless this rite. Each day you sustain us, nurturing our bodies and souls with your bounty. Each day, I remember what you do for us, and I seek to bless you in return, With my language, with my actions, with my love. Accept this offering, Earth Mother, and be welcome at my Hearth.

*make offering*

Inspiration

Inspiration, ignite the fire in my head and let it pour forth as I offer praise. Purpose and Precedent I am here to kindle a bright flame and to establish a Hearth of Ár nDraíocht Féin. I call to and welcome my Allies and the Three Kindreds, to join me in friendship and magic. As my Ancestors did before, so I do now, so may my descendants do in the future.

I now find myself at the center of worlds:

Establishing the Sacred Center

ReCreating the Cosmos

Waters of the deep, rise up and fill me with your potential.
Fires of the Sky, shine down and illuminate me with your clarity.
Water and Fire, primal powers, merge within me to make magic.
I come to the center of worlds,
Between the Land and Sky and Sea, To offer to the powers through the Sacred center.
Fire, burn bright with my offerings.
Well, flow deep with my song. Tree, reach to the realms with your branches,
Carry my voice along.

Opening the Gates

Gatekeeper, you who stand watchful and ever ready to lend your aid,
I call on you now to be with me as I arrive at the Crossroads.
Flame at the center of all, be my gate to the lands of the Holy Ones, opening to their realms.
May my prayers enter you, and be there transformed: breath into spirit, offerings to spirit.
May the gates be open! (Ceisiwr Serith, adapted)

Inviting the Three Kindreds

I welcome the Holy Ones to my home:

Nature Spirits, allies of this abundant
Land, my neighbors on the body of the Earth.
Ancestors, blood, kin, and spirit, the roots and branches of my past.
Deities, Shining Ones, wise and mighty in myriad ways. Blessings and honor to you, Kindreds. Be welcome at my Hearth. Key Offerings: I call now to those Allies of my Hearth. [insert names of allies if known]. I call to you now as I will call to you in each rite of our Hearth.
You lend your magic to me as we join in a relationship of ghostis and hospitality.
My Hearth honors you first and foremost at my altar. As I establish a new Hearth, be welcome at my fire and accept my offerings.

*make offering*

Oh Mighty Kindreds - Deities, Ancestors, Nature Spirits – the Hearth gives you these gifts, so that you know you are welcome here, and I will honor you with love and piety. As I establish a new Hearth, be welcome at my fire and accept my offerings.

*make offering*

Most honored guest, Deity of the Hearth, I call to you. Reside in this flame, reside in my shrine. I have made a welcome place for you, so come into my home and make it even more welcome, sharing in hospitality with me. My Hearth honors you first and foremost at this altar. As I establish a new Hearth, be welcome at my fire and accept my offerings.

*make offering*
*Pause, briefly, reflecting on the offerings you have made and the relationships that are forming. 

When you are ready, say:
* Prayer of Sacrifice All I have done here becomes but one offering.
Accept this sacrifice, Holy Ones.
My keeping the Old Ways with words, deeds, and gifts. Accept this sacrifice, Holy Ones. May my offerings be received in the realms of the spirits. Accept this sacrifice, Holy Ones!
*make offering*
Omen
I ask now for an omen to guide the work of this Hearth as I begin this journey.

*take an omen to gain wisdom*

Return Flow Mighty Kindreds,
I have heard your voices.
You have spoken to me with blessing. Pour out the waters with your gifts,
I pray. Kindreds, grant me the waters. Gifts of the Kindreds, come to me.
Gifts of our Allies, come to me. Gifts of [the omen], come to me.
Kindreds, hallow these waters. Power of the spirits, flowing through me Power of the spirits, shining in me Power of the spirits, growing with me Behold the Waters of Life!

Working:
Establishing a Hearth of ADF With wisdom gained, I
now ask the Mighty Kindreds, give of your blessings so that I might have them in my life as expand my personal work and establish this Hearth of Ár nDraíocht Féin.
As I share this cup with you [and the members of my Hearth], I know it is filled with the blessings of the spirits. As the blessings are received, I welcome this relationship with the Allies of my Hearth.

*Drink of the cup*

I now ask you, Kindreds, Allies, and the Deity of the Hearth, give of your blessings so that I may expand my personal work and create a Hearth of Ár nDraíocht Féin.

*Hold your hands over the Fire and say:*

Born in the Waters, kindled on the Land, With a pillar of smoke that supports the Heavens, This Fire burns at the Center of All To carry my voice to the Spirits. Sacred fire, be welcome! Ever young, flame born anew upon this altar.
Tended and honored each time this Hearth gathers With gladness I welcome you into this home. Making my worship as one with the Hearth Keepers of Ár nDraíocht Féin. Sacred Keepers of the Flame, shine within me here today. Take these words and deeds above, accept my offerings. Purify me, lead and guide me, aid me as I pray, fill my heart with hope and love, illuminate my way.
*Connect your Hearth to the ADF Unity Flame and to the other Hearths of ADF. Envision lights of many hearthfires around the world, and the bright light of the ADF Unity Flame shining in your heart and in the hearts of all of our members. See the light of all those individual Hearths gathering like sparks, to join together and become a single bright flame. When you are ready, say the ADF

Unity Flame charm:
* Kindled from the Great Flame, kept by prudent skill, join with us this common Hearth, that these flames be one.
*Reflect upon the work you have just done. Feel the connection of the fires, yours to others to the Unity Flame, all becoming as one
* Hearth Flame Blessing I stand in this sacred space now, knowing that this Hearth has become one of the many flames that feed the Hearth of Ár nDraíocht Féin.
My Hearth, [insert Hearth Name if applicable], is a tree in the Grove of Ár nDraíocht Féin. The fire within me is a star in the sky of ADF’s spirit, lighting up the night sky. I join with those other Hearths now in speaking the Hearth Keepers’

oath:
“I, [insert name], am a Hearth Keeper of ADF, [a member of Hearth Name (if applicable)].
For as long as my path aligns with this work,
I will welcome the gods and spirits into my home and my heart. I will keep the holy days of Our Druidry.
I will live a pagan life.” My hearthfire burns brightly here upon my altar. It marks the Center of all the realms. Its flame is reflected in all the flames of Hearth Keepers of ADF. With our fires burning strong together, may we each burn brighter in our practice and our faith. Restoration of the Ordinary To the Allies of this Hearth, for joining me here in this rite, I thank you. To the Three Kindreds, for joining me here in this rite,
I thank you. To the Gatekeeper, for joining me here in this rite,
I thank you. As I depart from the Crossroads, let all be as it was before, save for the magic we have done here today.
To Inspiration, for joining me here in this rite, I thank you. To the Earth Mother, for joining me here in this rite, I thank you. Having connected [insert Hearth name if applicable] to the Hearth of Ár nDraíocht Féin, and having gained wisdom for this Hearth, this rite is now ended. I go now in peace and fellowship.

Source: https://www.adf.org/system/files/public/training/the_hearth_keepers_way.pdf