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A Parting Ceremony
An altar may be set up in the centre of the Circle on which objects of
relevance or value are placed (e.g. objects belonging to the one who has
passed on, talismans, crystals, candles, feathers, flowers etc.)
Music is very poignant and uplifting in such a ceremony. Music that was
particularly special to the one who has passed on may be played and any
musicians among the mourners may like to play and/or sing something
suitable.
A Circle is made by a participant in the Ceremony walking in a clockwise
manner round to each of the four Directions and asking for the Blessings
of
the appropriate Element and each Direction on this Parting Ceremony.
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“ I ask for the Blessings of the East and the Element Air on this Parting Ceremony
for ……
I ask for the Blessings of the South and the Element of Fire on this Parting
Ceremony for ……
I ask for the Blessings of the West and the Element of Water on this Parting
Ceremony for …..
I ask for the Blessings of the North and the Element of Earth on this Parting
Ceremony for …..
Participant 2 walks round the circle with a candle or lighted incense to purify
the circle with Fire.
Then participant 3 walks round the circle with a small bowl of water to purify
the circle with Water.
Officiant:
“We stand now at a Gateway that each of us must step through at some time
in our lives. ….. has already stepped through this Gateway and we who
are left
behind feel pain and sorrow at his/her loss. Let us take a few moments
now to remember ….., either privately or out loud, and anyone one who
wishes is welcome to speak of the good memories and the bad, to speak also,
if
you
like,
of the things that you regret that were not done or said.”
After some time has passed and everyone who has been moved to do so has
shared memories and thoughts, even perhaps read out something that
….. has written
or shown something he/she has made or painted or given -
Officiant:
“In the great circle of life, we hold hands with more than just our
present-day physical companians - we also hold hands with the Spirits
of the Animals
and Trees, the Stones and the Stars - and we hold hands with all
Those we love
on every plane of being.
Let us now hold hands in expression of this as we share the sorrow
and grief. By doing this also let us show our support for those
most touched
by this
loss -
“We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand in hand,
Mark O Spirit and hear us now,
Confirming this, our sacred vow.”
Officiant:
“Let us now think about what we would like ….. to have and to
experience in the Otherworld, in the Blessed Isles of the
West. What would
you wish for him/her
there? If anyone has a poem or a song or anything they
would like to share or give to ….., they may do it now.
After a while and when everyone who wishes to do so has
spoken -
(If ….. has been cremated and this is a ceremony to scatter
the ashes, now would be the time for someone to take
a little of
his ashes and
scatter them
to any of the elements that are present, thinking of
him and voicing those thoughts if happy to do so. The
close
family should decide
who they would
like to scatter the ashes - i.e. just themselves or
friends as well.
)Officiant:
“….., may your journey to the Isles of the Blessed,
to the world of the Spirit be swift and sure.
We ask that the blessing of the Spirits of the
Tribe and of the Ancestors, of Time and of Place
and the
Journey be with
you.
We ask that the blessings of the Spirits of the
North and South, East and West be with you.
We ask that you might be blessed with Fire
and with Water, with Earth and with Air and
with
Spirit.
We ask for you the blessings of the Animals,
of the Plants and Trees, of the Stones
and the Mountains
and Streams.
By the beauty of the fields, the woods and
the sea, by the splendour that is set
upon all
that is,
we send you
our
own love and
blessings.
As the Sun rises in the East and sets
in the West, so too are each of us
born and
so too
do each of
die. But
as the
Sun returns
anew
each day,
so
too do
we return. Dear ….., just as you have
been born into the spiritual world,
so too will
you be
born again
in the fullness
of time.
Now go safely,
go well,
go surely. Our hearts are with you.
There is no separation.
Please join with me in wishing Farewell
to …… “
All: Farewell, ……
Participants may then like to chant
the Awen (aaaah- ooooo - wen)
three times
and/or say
the Druid’s
Prayer:
“Grant O Spirit/Goddess/God
Thy protection
And in protection, strength
And in strength, understanding,
And in understanding, knowledge,
And in knowledge, the knowledge
of justice, And in the knowledge
of
justice, the
love of it,
And in
the love
of it, the love
of all existences,
And
in the love of all existences,
the love of Spirit/Goddess/God
And all
goodness.”
After a few moments the participant
who cast the Circle in the
beginning now
goes anti-clockwise
around it,
stopping at each
of the four Quarters
to thank
the directions and the Elements
for their blessings on the
Ceremony.
Then the Ceremony is over,
and the mourners leave
in their own
time.