Before I get into these, I want to emphasise two points:
- these are NOT indigenous rituals -I am not indigenous, and have had no training on rituals of the Kulin or any other indigenous peoples; and
- I ask that you read my post on Not devoking: I think being concerned about the possibility of doing something like "sending away the rain", which is catastrophic in mainland Australia, needs to be considered. If you do any devoking when working with indigenous seasons, make sure you are only devoking any energies represented by the season, not the season itself.
Firstly, the blank template (I have a new version of this, located here).
I have structured each of these rituals around my interpretation of the essence of each season. Others may have different interpretations, which are either equally valid or even superior to mine.
Poorneet - Opening/invocation when potential is invited to manifest
General Comments: Poorneet marks the time when tubers are hidden in the ground, but are ready to eat. What needs to be made known now? What powers and energies of body, mind and spirit are to be drawn upon?
Face the appropriate direction as you say:
“In the east, we acknowledge the spirit of Poorneet, the tadpole season when hidden tubers are ready to find and eat, and the coming into being of inner potential;
in the north-east, we acknowledge the spirit of Buath Gurru, the season of flowering grass when butterflies come to the flowers, and the spirit of fertility;
in the north, we acknowledge the spirit of kangaroo-apple, the season of storms, the benefits and testing that come with plentifulness, and the existence of the risk of conflict;
in the north-west, we acknowledge the spirit of Biderap, the dry season, and the unavoidable need for tests of endurance and strength;
in the west, we acknowledge the spirit of Iuk, the eel season, and the easing of troubles by the spirit of water;
in the south-west and south, we acknowledge Waring, the wombat season, the value of inner reflection and rest, and the times when we have to draw on our inner reserves;
in the south-east, we acknowledge the spirit of Guling, the orchid season, and the value of healing.”
Buath Gurru – fertility
General Comments: Fertility, also known in other guises and by other names such as creativity, can manifest in body, mind or spirit. In addition to its own essential benefits, like a flower, it tends to exert an attraction: may the attraction only be of butterflies. What are the aspects of fertility/creativity, on all levels, that could be relevant here? Write them down, or note them mentally, or make a representation of those forces/influences.
Kangaroo-apple - storms and managing abundance
General Comments: This is about the dynamic aspects of this situation – just as a storm marks the build up and release of tension, with watering of life as a result, what are the dynamic aspects relevant to this ritual? All things pass, so think of it as coming up with as many yin-yang types of polarity as apply to the matter which is the core of this ritual, and which will lead to cycles of change. This may lend itself to movement such as dance to represent or clarify the dynamic forces at play here.
Now work out how to manage those: what are the balancing forces, and what are the points of resolution? Are there, for instance, roles and limits of responsibility/accountability/duty to make clear – on all levels, not just physical? Having a gift comes with obligations – much as the wealthy person is tested, by having wealth, to see what they do with that wealth: what are the obligations and tests that need to be managed as a result of the fertility identified under Buath Gurru?
Now work out how to manage those: what are the balancing forces, and what are the points of resolution? Are there, for instance, roles and limits of responsibility/accountability/duty to make clear – on all levels, not just physical? Having a gift comes with obligations – much as the wealthy person is tested, by having wealth, to see what they do with that wealth: what are the obligations and tests that need to be managed as a result of the fertility identified under Buath Gurru?
Biderap – strengthening exercises
General Comments: The ways to manage abundance have been worked out under kangaroo-apple: what strengths are needed to accomplish that? What strengths of body, mind and spirit are capable of being developed as a result of the ritual, or the situation the ritual is about? How do you best develop those strengths? Sometimes tests, such as tests of endurance, are unavoidable: what tests come with this situation?
Iuk – easing of troubles
General Comments: Much as the arrival of the wet season eases the build up at the end of the dry season, or the cooling rains mark the passage of the long, hot, dry time, water marks the arrival of relief. What could lead to relief, could lead to a celebration in the situation the ritual is being built around? How could you obtain relief or celebrate?
Waring – meditation
General Comments: Waring marks the time of going within, of accessing and drawing on inner strengths. Meditate on all you have learned, and of how to implement your knowledge.
Guling –Healing and Closing
General Comments: Allow yourself to be healed, and then it is time to close this ritual.
Never devoke any of the directions/seasons!
“May this circle be cleansed, cleared and closed, and may we be assisted to centre and ground ourselves, the close our auras and close down, but may the protection, guidance and healing continue for the Highest Spiritual Good.”
OK, now an example (the Welcome to Poorneet has been replaced with a new version, found here).
I have structured each of these rituals around my interpretation of the essence of each season. Others may have different interpretations, which are either equally valid or even superior to mine.
Finally, a ritual for personal safety and security at work (which is NOT the same as security of employment).
I have structured each of these rituals around my interpretation of the essence of each season. Others may have different interpretations, which are either equally valid or even superior to mine.
Poorneet - Opening/invocation when potential is invited to manifest
General Comments: Poorneet marks the time when tubers are hidden in the ground, but are ready to eat. What needs to be made known now? What powers and energies of body, mind and spirit are to be drawn upon?
Face the appropriate direction as you say:
“In the east, we acknowledge the spirit of Poorneet, the tadpole season when hidden tubers are ready to find and eat, and the coming into being of inner potential;
in the north-east, we acknowledge the spirit of Buath Gurru, the season of flowering grass when butterflies come to the flowers, and the spirit of fertility;
in the north, we acknowledge the spirit of kangaroo-apple, the season of storms, the benefits and testing that come with plentifulness, and the existence of the risk of conflict;
in the north-west, we acknowledge the spirit of Biderap, the dry season, and the unavoidable need for tests of endurance and strength;
in the west, we acknowledge the spirit of Iuk, the eel season, and the easing of troubles by the spirit of water;
in the south-west and south, we acknowledge Waring, the wombat season, the value of inner reflection and rest, and the times when we have to draw on our inner reserves;
in the south-east, we acknowledge the spirit of Guling, the orchid season, and the value of healing.”
Light a white candle.
Buath Gurru – fertility
General Comments: Fertility, also known in other guises and by other names such as creativity, can manifest in body, mind or spirit. In addition to its own essential benefits, like a flower, it tends to exert an attraction: may the attraction only be of butterflies. What are the aspects of fertility/creativity, on all levels, that could be relevant here? Write them down, or note them mentally, or make a representation of those forces/influences.
You have been hired because of skills or potentials that you have: what are they? Write them down, mentally note them, or create representations in the circle space. Or note what you wish to develop.
Next, what are the butterflies that could be drawn to these – the helpful, appreciative people/influences? Write them down, mentally note them, or create representations in the circle space. I would probably first invoke the runes Perthro and Berkano, and write them at the top of the paper, before trying to do this.
Finally, what are the grubs that could be drawn to your skills or potential – the things like jealousy, Tall Poppy Syndrome, others feeling threatened, etc. Write them down, mentally note them, or create representations in the circle space. I would probably first invoke the runes Perthro and Uruz, and write them at the top of the paper, before trying to do this.
To help all this, I might light a purple candle first.
Kangaroo-apple - storms and managing abundance
General Comments: This is about the dynamic aspects of this situation – just as a storm marks the build up and release of tension, with watering of life as a result, what are the dynamic aspects relevant to this ritual? All things pass, so think of it as coming up with as many yin-yang types of polarity as apply to the matter which is the core of this ritual, and which will lead to cycles of change. This may lend itself to movement such as dance to represent or clarify the dynamic forces at play here.
Now work out how to manage those: what are the balancing forces, and what are the points of resolution? Are there, for instance, roles and limits of responsibility/accountability/duty to make clear – on all levels, not just physical? Having a gift comes with obligations – much as the wealthy person is tested, by having wealth, to see what they do with that wealth: what are the obligations and tests that need to be managed as a result of the fertility identified under Buath Gurru?
Now work out how to manage those: what are the balancing forces, and what are the points of resolution? Are there, for instance, roles and limits of responsibility/accountability/duty to make clear – on all levels, not just physical? Having a gift comes with obligations – much as the wealthy person is tested, by having wealth, to see what they do with that wealth: what are the obligations and tests that need to be managed as a result of the fertility identified under Buath Gurru?
What are the dynamic influences and forces at play here? If you work in private industry, there are forces of economic cycles, for instance. Within organisations, there are cycles of management style, for example. And within individual people (including those who oppose you), there are complex sets of needs which change over time.
What are the “non-obvious” influences which could be drawn upon? For instance, could you call upon a healing spirit to help feelings of inferiority in someone who is jealous of, or feels threatened by, you?
Call upon those influences with body, mind and soul: dance or move and gesture as you feel inspired to do, speak and think that which is appropriate (and keep in mind that ALL you do will come back to you!). In my case, I would call upon the runes Fehu and Jera, and probably chant something along the lines of the following:
May the Universe see my skills and potentials,
and help me rest safe within them,
and within the situation.
May all be comfortable and at peace
with themselves, with me, and with this state of things.
I might light a blue candle while doing this.
Now … how are you going to repay and nurture those helpful influences? Don’t say by being grateful – that’s just a baseline for being able to get started. You need to do more. In my case, I would probably commit to lighting at least one candle to the spirit of each rune, and another for work I am asking each to do (so four candles in total, to be lit some time after the ritual).
Biderap – strengthening exercises
General Comments: The ways to manage abundance have been worked out under kangaroo-apple: what strengths are needed to accomplish that? What strengths of body, mind and spirit are capable of being developed as a result of the ritual, or the situation the ritual is about? How do you best develop those strengths? Sometimes tests, such as tests of endurance, are unavoidable: what tests come with this situation?
It is time to examine yourself, and the testing that goes with things like a long, hot, dry season. Have your actions and intents been without flaw? If not, how will you make up for them? What strengths do you need to cope with what is happening? How do you extend your endurance? Can you call upon mind or soul to help body, for instance?
In my case, I would call upon the runes Uruz, Mannaz and Tyr, and probably chant something along the lines of the following:
Strength, endurance, patience,
May I and all my allies
have all of these that we need.
As I chant, I may light a red candle.
Iuk – easing of troubles
General Comments: Much as the arrival of the wet season eases the build up at the end of the dry season, or the cooling rains mark the passage of the long, hot, dry time, water marks the arrival of relief. What could lead to relief, could lead to a celebration in the situation the ritual is being built around? How could you obtain relief or celebrate?
In a workplace, a key way of getting relief may be to seek allies – for instance, get Human Resources (if they’re good) involved to help resolve conflicts. You can also call upon non-physical allies, protective/guiding/healing spirits of people, places and organisations, for help.
In my case, I would call upon the runes Laguz, Dagaz, and Sowelu, and probably chant something along the lines of the following:
As rain ends the dry,
may Laguz wash away all discord,
Dagaz transform all tension,
and Sowelu bring peace.
Light another blue candle.
Waring – meditation
General Comments: Waring marks the time of going within, of accessing and drawing on inner strengths. Meditate on all you have learned, and of how to implement your knowledge.
Meditate on all you have learned from this ritual, and all that you need to do as a result. How are you going to make sure you make this learning part of your being, and make sure you do what you need to do?
I would probably light some frankincense incense, and either a white or purple candle.
Guling –Healing and Closing
General Comments: Allow yourself to be healed, and then it is time to close this ritual.
You do not necessarily need to know the names of healing influences (“deities”) to get healing: the main thing is to ask for it to be done. Maybe you need to light incense or put on pleasant music, or plan to do something that is rejuvenating.
In my case, I would light incense, invoke Berkano, and probably chant something along the lines of the following:
Life is joy and peace,
trouble and turmoil,
tests and rewards;
May I find the peace and strength
and all other rewards
after going through this test.
May I be healed and hale,
May I be healed and hale,
now and evermore,
as with my allies and foes.
Light a green candle.
Never devoke any of the directions/seasons!
“May this circle be cleansed, cleared and closed, and may we be assisted to centre and ground ourselves, the close our auras and close down, but may the protection, guidance and healing continue for the Highest Spiritual Good.”
I hope these are of some interest and, better yet, some use :)
Love, light, hugs and blessings
Gnwmythr
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear")
Tags: rituals, energy work, indigenous, seasons, personal responsibility, work, Kulin,
First published: Laugadagr, 3rd September, 2011
Last edited: Saturday, 3rd September, 2011
