BASIC DEVOTIONAL RITE FOR GROUPS
This ritual format is designed for groups, to open a devotional space within which participants can make offerings to the Morrígan and spend time in communion with Her presence. It can be adapted to suit the practice and traditions of your own groups, or to suit a solitary devotional practice.
OPENING
Space is consecrated and prepared in the usual manner:
Saining (spiritual cleansing of the space) and offerings to Land Spirits
Construction of the protective Rath (or your usual method of establishing sacred enclosure)
Call and offerings to protective Guardian Spirits
Honoring the Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann
INVOCATIONS
Invocations and offerings are made to the Ancestors and the Descendants
The Morrígan is invoked into the space and enshrined using an invocation chant. While participants chant, Her presence is drawn down and seated in a consecrated image or statue on the shrine.
Invocation chant:
Morrígan Morda, Nobered Búaid
Ban a Sídi, Ban Chainti, Ban Túaithech, Día Soach
(Mighty Morrígan, Bringer of Victory
Woman of the Fairy Mound, Prophetic Poet, Sorceress, Shapeshifting Goddess)
DEVOTIONS
A recitation of the Morrígan’s prophecy in Old Irish (or English translation) is made to establish the prayer space.
sith co nem | peace to the heavens
nem co doman | heaven to the earth
doman fo ním | earth under heaven
nert hi cach | strength in each
án forlann | a cup overfull
lan do mil | a fullness of honey
mid co saith | mead to satisfaction
sam hi ngam | summer in winter
gai for sciath | spear upon a shield
sciath for durnd | shield upon a fist
dunad lonngarg | blade-bristling fort
longaiter tromfoíd | great grieving is banished
fod di uí | rights of descendants
ross forbiur | woods full of stags
benna abu | horns of cattle
airbe imetha | encircling boundary
mess for crannaib | mast upon trees
craob do scis | heavy their boughs
scis do áss | heavy from growth
saith do mac | wealth for children
mac for muin | food to their portion
muinel tairb | neck of a bull
tarb di arccoin | bull away from a watch-dog
odhb do crann | wood from trees
crann do ten | tree for fire
tene a nn-ail | fire from a stone
ail a n-uír | stone in the earth
uích a mbuaib | young from cows
boinn a mbru | cows from a womb
brú lafefaid | riverbank with birdsong
ossglas iaer | grey deer before
errach foghamar | spring, autumn
forasit etha | whence grows corn
iall do tir | flock of warriors for the land
tir co trachd | land to the shore
la feabrae | protecting with sharp weapons
bidruad rossaib | great length of life
síraib rithmár | longevity assured
nach scel laut? | have you any story?
sith co nemh | peace to the heavens
bidsirnae sith | it will be eternal peace
At the end of the recitation, return to the first two lines of the poem, chanting in rhythm to enter into a light devotional trance. Continue chanting as each participant in turn takes their time to approach the shrine, pour offerings, and give prayers.
sith co nem
nem co doman
When all participants have finished devotions, let chant come to an end and allow a period of quiet meditation and listening.
COMMUNITY & FEASTING
Follow with shared food and drink, and conviviality with gathered devotees. This time is casual, but takes place within sacred space, and is a good time for divination.
CLOSING
When it is time to close the space, gather all participants together.
Thanks are given to all divinities and spirits who have been called, in the reverse order of invocation.
Rath is closed and released. Final purification of the space and offerings to the land are given, to ensure the space is left it good spiritual condition.
For details about the sources and translations of poetry used here, see our Invocations and Prayers page.