| Invoking Inspiration | Right speech and right practice is sought, often through invocation of an appropriate deity (or the more generalized concept of "Awen").
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| Establishing and Protecting the Nemeton | Most Pagan ritual practice--esp. group practice--was held in a defined space, whether a constructed temple, a sacred hilltop, or a consecrated grove of trees. If a permanent temple is not available, then a working sacred space (or "Nemeton") is consecrated. It can be marked out--and protected--by such attested techniques as processing sunwise around the perimeter with a torch.
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| Lighting the Fire Altar | If we know anything about ancient Druid practice, it is that their public ceremonies involved the use of a ritual fire. This is extremely common throughout Indo-European tradition, both in terms of public practices and hearth devotions.
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| Preparing the Participants | Purification by the smoke of a sacred fire is well established in Celtic traditions, so censing the participants is one possibility. Water can be consecrated as well (and honor given to the Mother Goddess in doing so) and used for cleansing.
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| Honoring & Uniting with the Land | Particularly if a temporary Nemeton is in use, offering to the Goddess of the Land (or Sovereignty) is recommended. At this point, the Four Directions (e.g., as represented by the ancient provinces of Ireland and their associated qualities) can be invoked. This is a particularly welcome action in its respect for Neopagan sensibilities, including those of the British Druid orders.
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| Opening to the Otherworlds | In Irish tradition, the ruler of the Otherworlds could grant passage to mortals to the other realms of our cosmos. Invoking such a figure to make open the way between the worlds, with a suitable offering, is appropriate.
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| Offerings to the Three Powers | The Deities, Ancestors, and the Spirits of the Land are given appropriate offerings and invited to share the ritual hearth.
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| Main Offerings | The purpose of the ritual is made plain--through recitation of lore and statement of intent--and offerings to support that purpose made to appropriate Powers. These are most often tangible offerings given via the Fire, but individuals may offer prayer or song or other gifts as well.
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| Sharing of Blessings | Whatever blessings the ritual work has earned are invoked into a communal cup to be shared among the participants. This is drawn from the Norse tradition of the sumbel and is an appropriate time for oath taking and thanksgiving, as well as the directing of the received blessings for magical purpose.
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| Thanks and Conclusion | It is important to provide closure to ritual. The temporary Nemeton (if such has been established) can be ritually dis-established.
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| Feasting | Pagan Druidism is a community- and hearth-based religious path, not a hierarchical and ecclesiastical one. Once the formal rite is concluded, sharing of hospitality is a worthwhile activity.
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