June 22nd-25th

Cauldron of Changes Ritual

Held at SilverFalls State Park

Cauldron of Changes, Blossom of Bone,
Arc of infinity, Hole in the Stone.

This year's SunFest centers on the complex mythic knotwork of our Celtic ancestors. Hear the far off call 'O Children of Danu, Children of light! Friday night we dove in Cair Dide--Spiral Castle--den of Mananan Mac Llyr and Danu, mother of the Sidhe--The Tuathe de Danaan. This feast combined a potluck dinner with theater in the round, so the Bardic Circle was ready to please the people of Danu with their poetry, music, tale and feats of magic and creativity. The Saturday ritual took up through the gat of the ancestors to the pathways of the otherworlds where, with luck and skill, we heeded our Sun God's good advice and fulfilled the promised return of plenty! Threads from many Celtic stories wove together in this year's ritual as Gods and Goddesses joined us in a new telling of these ancient tales.

This year's SunFest ritual invokes the complex mythic knotwork of our Celtic ancestors. I have chosen from among several major mythemes and woven together a story that will, with luck and skill, help us to lead our attendees into the Otherworld and back again. I hope to achieve a fuller sense of connection with both the Celtic gods and the current place we all find ourselves on the Wheel of the Year.

This is a complex task because when you say Celt you can mean many things and they are all correct! The primary myth is the coming of the Sun-god Lugh to the people of Danu and how he saves them from being overmastered by the Fir Bolg/Fomor, the earlier Ocean and Earth spirits of Ireland. Well, partially correct! Manannan takes Lugh to his secret island after the first Battle of Moytura, wherein Nuada lost his hand and gained the name Argentlam (silverhanded) while fighting the Fir Bolg. Manannan raises Lugh and later, when the older powers of the deep sea begin to rise up (the Fomor, not the Fir Bolg) Lugh returns, now fully grown, to lead the Tuatha to victory by recovering the sacred objects of power and making the magic spearcast into Balor's eye, thus defeating once and for all the "old" old gods. After that, the powers of the deep were in servitude to the Tuatha who later used them in their attempt to repel the invading Milesians(the sons of Mil) led by their Druid poet/priest Amergin. Whew!

Ritualistic license will now begin. Ha!

I want to evoke a sense of magic and mystery for the weekend. The Celts were a very sensual people and lived life to the fullest! To do this, we will create the whole of the site as the magical realm of the Sidhe--the Shining Ones, the Tuatha de Danaan--and invite everyone to participate as a member of this magical place inside the framework of the ritual drama. In effect, each and every participant is a Sidhe with magical powers and Otherworldly origins sacred and secret to themselves. Since this might be hard to communicate, Rick has come up with the idea of handing out at the gate a "formal" invitation from Nuada and Danu requesting each participant's attendance at Caer Siddi (Spiral Castle), the magical home of the King and Queen of Faery. In the "real" myths Caer Siddi resides within the Corona Borealis, behind the farthest North, and is the abode of Arianhrod, mother of Taliesen, the great Welsh poet/bard from the Mabinogi. I have always loved the idea of a spiral castle and so included it in the rite, not knowing its full mythic origins. Each person is invited to invoke their inner magical being (call it angel, genius, spirit, soul, fairy, whatever), in its most fantastic aspect. This is in keeping with the shape-shifting powers of the Sidhe. It's an invitation for everyone to play dress-up and become fully magical for the night and the weekend. The invitations will include the names of the God/desses who will be attending and the basic outline for the evenings entertainment (as well as a request for those so wishing to tell the CB what their bardic offering--if any--will be so he can plan it into the flow of the feast.

I'm thinking the castle will be closed to all but staff until the feast begins, say around 7:30 p.m. We are asking that the foodstuffs be brought to the side door of the hall no later than 6:30 for incorporation in the feast. My guess is that we will be going until 9:30 or 10-ish, maybe later if the Sidhe have lots to offer! Let's hope for a real Celtic ceili and get into the spirit of things!

Caer Siddi

We all know the picture for the hall already. Nicely lit, a slightly raised dais for the gold and silver chairs of the Lord and Lady, a hearth altar for the flame, four directional altars for the treasures and a groaning board for the potluck feast. Tables and chairs pulled into a circle about the open center space before the hearth where the entertainers will do their thing.

Drinks should be served from the get go and never really be taken away, even after the negative transformation of the food. The people enter and are invited by the Chief Bard (CB) and Cupbearer-Doorward (C-D) to look around and get comfortable and await the coming of the Lord and Lady (L+L).

During the interval between the opening of the Hall and the coming of the L+L (about half an hour?) the God/desses will arrive singly and be announced to the Hall by their titles and epithets. For example: "All hail the blessed Brigid, Flame of the Two Eternities, Mighty Goddess of Healing, Smithcraft and Poetry, Lady of the Sacred Well, Fire of Delight in all the Worlds!" The shills will then call out, "Hail Brigit!" Hopefully this will begin the pattern of greeting the Gods that culminates with the L+L being greeted with quite a shout. This lets everyone in on why so-and-so is important and what they are doing here. This is also the place where the God/desses go to their altars and make first contact with the energies of each treasure before the gathering.

Nuada and Danu will arrive around 7:45-8:00, after all of the Sidhe have arrived and are seated. It would be nice if a Bard-in-a-box were playing some cool Celtic music in the background during this to set the mood. It is even likely that some of the events will need some canned music, so a "magical" Bardic altar off to one side of the door where the "line-up" can be laid out might be appropriate. Spots on the altars and on the center area will offset the otherwise candlelit Hall.

The CB will shake the silver branch to get everyone's attention as he enters the Bardic circle to tell the first "live" tale, the world creation myth "Earth Shapers" from Celtic Wonder Tales, ending with the name Iona instead of Ireland, thus continuing the thread from Winterfest into Sunfest.

When he has finished, Brigid will enter the circle and sing the song of Brigit. "Now comes the hour foretold, a god-gift bringing a wonder-sight…" It should go a couple of times so everyone can join in on the chorus "Let the wave break, let the star shine, let the flame leap, to take and keep, ours if our hearts are wise" As all are singing, Brigit goes to the hearth and lights the center candle, stands back and makes a gesture of blessing.

Enter the Lord and Lady.

The C-D makes a way through those assembled as the CB calls out: "All rise! All rise! All rise for the coming of our Lord Nuada, Argentlam, Keeper of the Spear of Victory, God of the Blossoming Bone and Lady Danu, Keeper of the Seat of Destiny, Tomb of Every Hope, Mother of All!"

The L+ L enter and go to the center of the circle. They then make a slow procession about the perimeter and greet the Sidhe with words of welcome and blessing (Oh…Hey! Glad you could make it!) They then go to the dais of Nuada receiving a filled cup from the Cupbearer, offering a toast to "Peace on the land and among the Sidhe, etc." and ending with "Let the Circle be cast."

Here Manannan will go to the East altar and call on the powers of the East, Air, Inspiration, Thought, etc. the Arc of Infinity, Direction of the cloud-fair city of Findrias, source of the Sword of Light whose Mystery is Power. Hail! Light the altar candle.

Nuada will go the the South altar and call on the powers of the South, Fire, Courage, the Sun's bright rays, etc. The Blossoming Bone, Direction of the flame-bright city of Gorias, source of the Spear of Victory whose mystery is Beauty. Hail! Light the altar candle.

Ceridwen will go to the West altar and call on the powers of the West, Water, Heart and Emotion etc. The Cauldron of Changes, direction of the city Murias that has the stillness of deep waters upon it, source of the Cauldron of Rebirth whose mystery is Wisdom. Hail! Light the altar candle.

Danu will go to the North altar and call on the powers of the North, Earth, Fertility and Richness, etc. The Tomb of all Hopes which is the Hole in the Stone, direction of the city Falias that has the steadfastness of Adamant, source of the Stone of Destiny whose mystery is Lavish-Heartedness. Hail! Light the altar candle.

Danu will lead here telling all to join hands to raise the circle of power with our chant, "Cauldron of Changes…" This is where we all get to play shill and get everyone up together and raising a little ju-ju. I figure three times three?

Nuada will then say something like: "The Sacred Circle is cast. Let the Feast of the Shining Ones begin!"

Everyone gets up and serves himself or herself while the BoxBard again plays its tune. The C-B on a small table set between them serves the L+L. When the first crush passes the CB gets up and announces the first act in the show. I'm hoping we can all have something ready for the circle, for the fun of it and because who knows what might come up?!

CB should tell the tale of Rhiannon and Pwell at Arberth (Mabinogi page 59). This will introduce Her to the company, though She isn't present at the feast, and it's a good one.

CB should tell the tale of Pwyll, Lord of Dyved (Mabinogi page 46-50) ending, "…so that each was himself again." And tying this to the third paragraph on page 51 to end it. This will introduce Arawn to the feast as a Lord of the Otherworlds.

In here somewhere Nuada will come forth with his chest of riches and gift each of the Sidhe with a magical shelling stone which marks the altar they are to tend for the feast. They will reach in and draw out one stone each. Ruddy Amber for the Sword, Ruby for the Spear, Sapphire for the Cauldron, Emerald for the Stone. He tells them to keep the gift as remembrance of the feast and their magical connection to the Treasures.

We can add other tales as desired. We can split these up between several of us if needed. Memorizing, while highly prized by the Celts, is decidedly unnecessary for our purposes here. If anyone has a good Celtic book of ghost stories, lets look at it! Tales of the Ban Sidhe are most appropriate, given the was this feast turns out.

Eventually the CB tells "The Spear of Victory" from Celtic Wonder Tales. At the end of this tale, a loud knocking is heard at the door of the Hall. A ragged and gloomy hooded figure enters and is announced by the C-D as "Great-grandson of Cow-Faced, Grandson of Mighty Blows, Son of Five Times Golden".

He is admitted before the L+ L and Nuada remarks on his poor clothing and in a moment of unthinking generosity offers the stranger the grant of any boon he might wish. This is his undoing!

Danu turns shocked to Nuada as the stranger reveals himself as yours truly! I will ask for his golden chair, his hall, and the feast served therein. With much chagrin Nuada will step down and Bres, grandson of Balor One-Eye, will take the throne! He will call for more wine and song from the Bards! Entertainment for the new-crowned King of the Sidhe! He is given wine as befits a King, though the C-D is obviously displeased to do so.

Here is where the black curtain closes as quietly as possible, and the presto-chango with the food begins…)

Danu will become distant from the dais without actually leaving it. All should see quite clearly her disdain for her new Lord. For my part I will seem to enjoy the Bardic Circle for a while but will soon tire of it and get up and go to each of the four altars in turn, ignoring the circle completely. This may take a few minutes or may happen quickly, depending on whether there is another act to follow. Perhaps we should insert another story here by the CB? Better yet, insert here a short tale told by Bres himself of the strength of the One Eye of Balor or the Mighty Blows (pages 48-49, Mythology of the Celtic Peoples).

Bres has brought a bag with him. After the last act (we'll choose a signal between us) Bres will pull out his magical Bowl of Sleep and cast a Spell on the Sidhe! The God/desses will again shill for this by following Bres' incantational lead to "sleep, though the eyes remain open and memory recall what deeds may fall…" Bres then calls for his Fomorian henchmen to enter the hall and take the treasures from the sacred altars of the Sidhe. Four hooded and shrouded creatures will enter and take the Treasures. Having done this, he will take the flame himself and exit the Hall.

The CB will wait a minute, then shake the silver branch to slowly wake the Sidhe. They call out: "The Treasures, They are taken! The East and South and West and North are taken from us! What shall we do? The sacred fire is gone, the hearth is cold! We are undone"!

A loud knocking is heard…

"What now?" calls Danu.

The C-D opens the door and speaks with someone.

The C-D calls to the Hall: "A wanderer from afar comes to us again tonight. He asks if we have one with the craft of a … (fill in the blank, see pages 69-70, Celtic Wonder Tales). This kind of exchange is repeated several times until the C-D finally asks those assembled if there is anyone who is all these things. Danu calls out there is not and welcomes the stranger and asks his name. Lugh tells her he has many names and knows many things.

Lugh says: "I am a god who forms fire for a head, I know the clear way through the ruggedness of the mountains, I know where the sun shall set and I know in what house the moon shall rise. I foretell the ages of the moon, I know who brings the cattle from the house of Tethra and upon whom the cattle of Tethra smile. I am the breastplate of the Ocean, the Helm of the Heavens, and ride the White Horse of the Day. I have approached the wrath of the Sidhe to make potent incantations against the doleful charms of he who from my father's father came. I am called Light, and Sun-Faced, and my mother calls me Lugh.

Danu says: "I name you Ioldanach, Master of all crafts!"

Manannan explains that they are now Kingless through an act of unthinking generosity on the part of Nuada, and though they have no hearth-fire for him to warm himself, at least they can offer him some of the feast from the boards. They go to the curtain which is then raised to reveal the Comely Maidens who crow it about and go around offering the Sidhe food from the bowls of steaming dirt and bones! This should take no longer than three to five minutes, just long enough to get the point across but not so long that the thread of focus on Lugh's coming and advice is lost.

The Sidhe wail and bemoan their fate, and Lugh goes to the center and calls out: "People of the Sidhe! Children of Great Danu! You have been deceived by one who knows the ways of shifting and change only too well. Your new King, what was his name again? Bres? Bres, son of Elethan, son of Balor One-Eye, King of your enemies the Fomor is his full name!"

Manannan says: "We are destroyed!"

Danu says: "What are we to do?"

Lugh says: "He is long departed by now with your Treasures, but I know where we might find them. The Pathways of the Otherworlds can be trod by those with luck and skill enough to know the way, but the Treasures will only be regained when their innermost secrets are known."

Nuada says: "Lugh, the fire of the Spear of Victory is about you, so clearly can I see it now in your hands! Though I know its secrets it is you O Longhanded son of Cian who must wield it for the Sidhe. Will you be our Champion, Hawk of the Sun?"

Lugh replies: "I will champion you, if to battle it should come. For now I advise you this: On the morrow, when the Sun is at the Noon, meet at the Stone of Gathering and each of you follow that one whose task it is to teach the Mystery... This done, meet me at that same Stone when the halves of night fall and we will journey together into the Otherworld to seek the Treasures! Learn well the secrets and remember the strength of the Treasures together: Cauldron of Changes, Blossom of Bone, Arc of Infinity, Hole in the Stone. It is in the riddle-game we will make our deadly throws and see together which way the Fate-wind blows! I am with you now, your strength is as mine, and the Sun-Hawk shall prevail over the Vulture of Night! I warn you though, be careful tonight for the Ban Sidhe cry for those who wander too far from the path. Such is the peace o'erthrown when the Circle is broken, and Light and Order are fallen into Darkness and Chaos, sing for Life into the Night, loose your hair and dance the Dark Spiral. Goodnight!"

Nuada thanks Lugh for his good advice and tells him they will follow it and meet him at the Stone.

Then Nuada and Danu thank everyone for coming this night to our Spiral Castle with its twisting ways. Remain and refresh yourselves as ye may, for some small store of clean food may have been set aside. The Hall will be closed during the day tomorrow after 4 p.m. If the facilities are needed, please enter through the far door and do not enter the main area as it is being set up for the ritual. Blessed Be.

The Mysteries of the Treasures

Manannan leads the Mystery of Air. He gathers his band and takes them to a secluded place. When all are ready, he begins to retell the story of the creation of the world. He recalls the primal darkness and the helplessness of the young Earth to defend herself, or to even know herself, except as a reflection of the flame of Brigid. Recall the great seething mass of Chaos trying to overcome the silvery edge of Brigid's mantle. He then tells how the Sword of Light itself is the Arc of Infinity. It is the power of the Mind to hold back the ancient Abyss! Three times the Sword cut the Darkness; and three times the Darkness took form as a wave. From thenceforth Manannan was the Lord of the three Waves, the wave of Thoth, the wave of Rory, and the long, slow, rolling wave of Cleena. These waves sparkle in the Light of the Sword eternally and it is the Light of the discerning Mind that is the strength of the Sword!

The way of the riddle game is this: to win we must answer their riddle and confound them with our own!

There are two places we will be raising the might of the Sidhe. Here, in this sacred place, let us make together the sacred sound of the East, of Springtime and its Equinox. The primal sound of the Light is "O". Intone now the sound, breathe it in and out, sound it through your hearts and minds…bring forth to us, here, the wisdom to know what challenge we will face, what the guardian will ask. (The sound rises and falls and as it dies away, Manannan has seen the answer to the riddle to come.) If there is any Power the Fomorians have against the Light, it is the Primal Darkness. Their guardian will use that Darkness against us and we must challenge it with the Light.

In the Otherworld we will again use this sacred sound to answer the riddle. Raise its might and send me into that place within from which our strength flows so that our answer will be strong and true, thus breaking the Fomorian might.

Our second test of strength will be in sending our riddle well and truly to its mark! To do this we shall chant the spell of the Sword: "Arc of Infinity" By repeating this we raise its clarity of mind and send its keen edge into the Darkness, defeating the Guardian, and releasing the Treasure!

Listen: A shining fountain and a Sword of Light, the Arc of Infinity, a boundless flight, three waves around it, roaring in might. From it five streams flow, over it nine Hazels grow. Wise ancient salmon chew on the seeds, out flow the husks, a guide for our needs.

The Answer: The fountain of Wisdom from which flow the streams of the five senses. The wise follow the senses through which knowledge of the world is obtained. Those of many arts drink from streams and fountain both.

You may wish to lead the participants in a further guided meditation, I certainly welcome this! Let me know what you are thinking about if there's time or just do what feels right. As long as they get it that the Arc of Infinity is the movement of the Sword of the Mind whose reach is boundless, I'll be happy!

Nuada leads the Mystery of Fire. He gathers his Band and takes them to a secluded place. When all are ready, he begins to tell the story of the Spear of Victory. He tells them how the Spear has had many keepers and that his tenure as its keeper is almost finished. Recalling the creation story, recall how Midyr first of all approached the Depths and spun the Spear so as to make a fiery wheel throwing sparks. These sparks are the fires of generation, of reproduction, the seed-spark of life that enters the Formless and quickens it to the Dance. Since the beginning the Children of the Abyssal realm have sought to overturn the Wheel of Life and make again a Chaos of the warm-blooded ones that the Spear protects and sustains. This is the meaning of Blossom of Bone: it is the shooting forth of the seed of creation from the phallus of the Gods. This flame cannot help but come forth. The great Brigit Herself welcomes it into the world! Who could hear her song and not be moved?

The way of the riddle game is this: to win we must answer their riddle and confound them with our own!

There are two places we will be raising the might of the Sidhe. Here, in this sacred place, let us make together the sacred sound of the South, of Summertime and its Solstice. The primal sound of the Flame is "U". Intone now the sound, breathe it in and out, sound it through your hearts and minds…bring forth to us, here, the wisdom to know what challenge we will face, what the guardian will ask. (The sound rises and falls and as it dies away, Nuada has seen the answer to the riddle to come. ) If there is anything the Fomorian guardian of the Spear will use against us it is the deep cold of Old Night! In this world of life the harbinger of ruin of generation is an untimely frost.

In the Otherworld we will again use this sacred sound to answer the riddle. Raise its might and send me into that place within from which our strength flows so that our answer will be strong and true, thus breaking the Fomorian might.

Our second test of strength will be in sending our riddle well and truly to its mark! To do this we shall chant the spell of the Spear: "Blossom of Bone." By repeating this we raise its fires of generation and send its heat into the Ice, defeating the Guardian, and releasing the Treasure!

Listen: What are the three flames and whom do they serve?

The Answer: The three flames of the worlds are Healing, Smithcraft, and Poetry. They serve the triple Brigit, Morning Star, Flame of the Two Eternities, Fire of Delight in all the Worlds.

You may wish to lead the participants in a guided meditation, I certainly welcome this! Let me know what you are thinking about if there's time or just do what feels right. As long as they get it that the Blossoming Bone is the boundless fire of creation I'll be happy!

Ceridwen leads the Mystery of Water. She gathers Her Band and takes them to a secluded place. When all are ready, she begins to tell the story of the Cauldron, an ancient tale indeed. The Cauldron of Changes is the Cauldron of Rebirth and the place wherein all souls begin and to which they return when their appointed span is reached. Ceridwen for this reason is called the White Sow, (generative, yet She eats Her own young) and the Barley Goddess and the Lady of Death. It can give life to the lifeless and make race again the drum of the too quiet corpse. The Cauldron has the stillness of deep waters on it because it is the inmost source of all the watery realms and from its depths come to the wise the gift they need most. The Cauldron is warmed by the breath of nine maidens, the Muses, and will never yield its gifts to the cowardly. The Cauldron serves Ceridwen and from it She dispenses life, the heart blood of the world and, in Her own good time, takes it back again. This is the cycle of Death and Re-Birth the guardian will seek to overturn.

The way of the riddle game is this: to win we must answer their riddle and confound them with our own!

There are two places we will be raising the might of the Sidhe. Here, in this sacred place, let us make together the sacred sound of the West, of Autumn and its Equinox. The primal sound of the Water is "E". Intone now the sound, breathe it in and out, sound it through your hearts and minds…bring forth to us, here, the wisdom to know what challenge we will face, what the guardian will ask. (The sound rises and falls and as it dies away, Ceridwen has seen the answer to the riddle to come. ) If there is anything the Fomorians seek from us, it is our inmost strength, our flow and ebb of power, the very pulse of life within our breasts. Their guardian will use that against us and we must challenge it with our gifts.

In the Otherworld we will again use this sacred sound to answer the riddle. Raise its power and send me into that place within from which our strength flows so that our answer will be strong and true, thus breaking the Fomorian might.

Our second test of strength will be in sending our riddle well and truly to its mark! To do this we shall chant the spell of the Cauldron: "Cauldron of Changes." By repeating this we raise its nourishing waters and send its blessing into the Hunger, defeating the Guardian, and releasing the Treasure!

Listen: What are the three natural gifts of Ceridwen and what do they nourish?

The Answer: The three natural gifts of Ceridwen are milk, dew, and acorns. Milk nourishes people, the dew nourishes the green world, and acorns nourish magical beasts, especially pigs, sacred to the Sow Goddess!

You may wish to lead the participants in a guided meditation, I certainly welcome this! Let me know what you are thinking about if there's time or just do what feels right. As long as they get it that the Cauldron of Changes is the ebb and flow of the heart blood of the world and source of life, I'll be happy!

Danu leads the Mystery of Earth. She gathers Her Band and takes them to a secluded place. When all are ready, she begins to tell the story of the Stone of Fal, the Stone of Destiny. When the world was created at first all was brittle and dry. Brigit brought forth the Stone and set it into the Land and its song brought forth the laughter of the Earth, which is the sound of all moving water. This was the first great union between Water and Earth, foretold in the time before time in far off Tir-na-Moe. The coming of the gods to Chaos began the great rounds of the Dance and the Stone has ever sustained that magical connection between the Land and its people. The Stone never fails and the Stone never forgets! The Dark ones will try and put the fear of a short life and destiny upon you. Be not afraid! Lia Fal already remembers the fate of all and no untrue King shall long possess the throne. The Stone has an opening and through this flows the generosity of the unstinting Earth.

The way of the riddle game is this: to win we must answer their riddle and confound them with our own!

There are two places we will be raising the might of the Sidhe. Here, in this sacred place, let us make together the sacred sound of the North, of Winter and its Solstice. The primal sound of the Earth is the twofold tone: "AI." Intone now the sound, breathe it in and out, sound it through your hearts and minds…bring forth to us, here, the wisdom to know what challenge we will face, what the guardian will ask. (The sound rises and falls and as it dies away, Danu has seen the answer to the riddle to come. ) If there is anything the Fomorians seek from us, it is our long-lived Destiny. Their guardian will use that against us and we must challenge it with our most steadfast resolve.

In the Otherworld we will again use this sacred sound to answer the riddle. Raise its power and send me into that place within from which our strength flows so that our answer will be strong and true, thus breaking the Fomorian might.

Our second test of strength will be in sending our riddle well and truly to its mark! To do this we shall chant the spell of the Stone: "Hole in the Stone." By repeating this we raise its adamant strength and send its Steadfastness into the Withered One, defeating the Guardian, and releasing the Treasure!

Listen: What are the three crowns of renown and on whose brow will they lightly rest?

The Answer: The three crowns are the Crown of Plenty on the brow of the Generous, the Crown of Victory on the brow of the Steadfast, and the Crown of Song on the brow of the Lavish-Hearted.

You may wish to lead the participants in a guided meditation, I certainly welcome this! Let me know what you are thinking about if there's time or just do what feels right. As long as they get it that the Hole in the Stone is the source of the generous evergiving connection with the Earth, I'll be happy!

The Pathways of the Otherworlds

Hopefully everyone who is in the procession has attended the Elemental Mysteries. At sundown all gather in the upper field at the small stone. Four torches mark the circle with two on either side of the stone. When ready Lugh will ask if the Tuatha have been to the secret places? Have they learned the nature of the Treasures and fathomed the Fomorian's cruel traps? Yes? Then let us proceed to the pale dolmen yonder, for under its baleful arch the pathways are to be found…

The procession begins to move toward the gateway, which slowly lights itself in eerie pulsing purple mist. The signs carved it the stone glow, as do the vines that twine about its base. In a niche in each stone sits a glowing skull. When the people approach the pulsing becomes a constant light and the two skulls begin to speak with each other, calling out that they "remember the last folk who came this way…oh yeah, that was you!" says one. "Och!" calls out the other, "The Morrigu plucked out my eyes for her pretty feast and never more will they the light of the bonny day see…" Recalling life and setting the first image of how strange it can be to walk the paths of the Ancestors, Lugh asks the skulls wherein lie the guides of good council? After some nattering on the skulls agree that they should seek the Mare of the Woods and her companion the Lord of the Hunt. It is they who can tell the way the gate because the gate is all the further these two got!

Rhiannon and Arawn

The procession then comes upon Rhiannon and Arawn.

Lugh greets Rhiannon first with her epithets: "Hail daughter of the Underworld King, steadfast mother of the goodly child. You who are the sacred land and the strength of the horse upon it aid us in our quest."

Lugh then greets Arawn: "Hail Arawn , King of the Underworld of Annwn. You are wise in your mystery and lead the Wild Hunt over the Land. Your hounds are white with the red ears of true faery power. You guard the ways through the unsafe places and give good aid to those who need the ancestral wisdom."

To both: " We seek the four Treasures of the Tuatha de Danaan. Mighty Rigantona, Kingly Arawn, do you know the way?

Rhiannon replies: "Indeed I have seen the Dark Ones lurking along the sacred pathways. With them were objects of ancient lineage and great power, though about them lingered a great Darkness, a killing icy cold, a pulsing rain of dark blood and the rusty iron collar of an ignoble destiny. You are overburdened with the loss of your strengths, yet have found a bright spark to set alight the flame in every leaden heart and bring a ringing chant of gladness to every upturned face. Remember your purpose here! Stray not from the marked path, though you may see alluring signs that seem to call you to great things. The true guide follows the Sunwise road into Night."

Arawn says: "Rhiannon speaks rightly. Your treasures, and I will call them such, though you have them not, lie at the heart of the Otherworld. First you must tread the outer ring and find the strength to move beyond what you might see there…then you will spiral inward and face your oppressors. Begin with the sunrise stone in the east and proceed around the stones always sunwise, for it is the bright Sun's power you wish to invoke. Bring your shining light into the dark places and raise your powers as ye may. Remember! You are the Shining Ones, the Tuatha de Danaan, and the Treasures are yours and you are theirs. Should your light begin to fail you, strengthen it with your heart's own true courage! Lend voice to the chant of power and overcome your oppressors, your other selves."

Rhiannon and Arawn together: "The blessings of the good earth and the wild hunt be upon you, Children of Danu!"

The procession then moves down through the woods and about the great circle sunwise, meeting at several places the ban sidhe and their ilk, all of whom try to pull (though never actually touching) some of the Sidhe from the path into darkness. We might consider having a "victim" taken by one of these just to lend some mystery and power to their presence. Any who are taken will be secreted away to the hall and when the blessings are pronounced will rejoin the gathering "as the grain rises from the buried seed, so raise those sown in the Earth of the Otherworlds. Come back to us lost ones, for you are our own true kin."

At the center of the Otherworld is a mighty fire. In each quarter, about 20 feet from the center is a standing stone. A heavily shrouded figure stands before it such that when the people are near the fire is behind the stone, before which stands the guardian. The stone is heavily carved with sigils of its purpose: a cauldron sign for the West, etc. Two unlit torches are to either side of the guardian. The signs glow with Otherworldly light (glowsticks) .

Manannan comes forward (with Lugh off to one side) and calls the Sidhe of the Sword forward: "Stand with me, Children of the Light!"

When they have come about him he says: "We have come, oh creature of the deeps, to claim what is rightfully ours! Release the Sword of Light to its Masters and you shall be left here unharmed.

Air Demon: "I am Net, the ancient one. Your wrath scares me not! Set here by one far mightier that you was I and to keep the keen edged Sword in its sheath of Night is my task and pleasure! It is my Mother most ancient whose heart covers your guttering spark!"

"Ducdame! Ducdame!"

"Among you it's as rare as it is unwelcome,
Banished from the gaps between the stars,
Confined to sacks and stones,
Boxes, bogs, eggs, and lungs.
But open all these traps and you won't free it!

"Pinch out the light and the curtains glow.
Shut your eyes and still you won't see it,
But a shimmering of multi-colored mist.
You're closer now…if you could turn your inner eye, you'd find it right behind you!"

The Sidhe begin the tone "O" and at its peak Manannan cries out: "Darkness"

The guardian cries out: "The Treasure's half lost! Closer now the horrible hilt…but wait, I'll riddle your riddle and if I win your blood's all spilt!"

Manannan turns to the Sidhe and begins with them the chant "Arc of Infinity". When it is well moving he calls out above it: "A shining fountain and a Sword of Light, the Arc of Infinity, a boundless flight, three waves around it, roaring in might. From it five streams flow, over it nine Hazels grow. Wise ancient salmon chew on the seeds, out flow the husks, the guide of our deeds!"

After much argument with itself the Demon cries out: "The riddle, the riddle, I know it not!"

Manannan says: "The fountain of Wisdom from which flow the streams of the five senses. The wise follow the senses through which knowledge of the world is obtained. Those of many arts drink from streams and fountain both."

The Demon: "AAARGGH! Net into the abyss returns! Take it. Take your Treasure, I claim it not!"

Manannan grasps the Sword and holds it high for all to see.

Lugh then says: "To the next dolmen we must go."

Nuada comes forward (with Lugh off to one side) and calls the Sidhe of the Spear forward: "Stand with me, Children of the Spear!"

Nuada confronts the guardian: "Release the Treasure, deep cold spirit of Icy destruction! You have no right claim upon it!"

Ice Demon: "Ooh living ones I am Ri of the Ice and how I crave your lively heat! Come closer that I may feast my breath upon you! Furthest from the flame is my home and in a lake of eternal ice your precious Victory stands, unreachable by your oh too tender living hands!"

"Ducdame! Ducdame!"

"Mine the ungloved pulsing tip,
The shroud, interlace of brittle leaves.
I am the sculpture of your stiffened blossoms,
And a light-scored song, a glittering stave.
Mine is the cruel purity that snaps all iron,
And sends warm breath biting back to the lung!
I am the splintered rainbow locked in ice,
The broken promise of an early spring!"

The Sidhe begin the tone "U" and at its peak Ceridwen cries out: "Frost!"

The guardian cries out: "Cracks in the ice! Sparks begin to fly and steam rising from the palace of cold… Kenning your riddle, your doom I'll unfold!"

Nuada turns to the Sidhe and begins with them the chant "Blossom of Bone." When it is well moving he calls out above it: "What are the three flames and whom do they serve?"

The Demon rocks about, thrashes and finally: "The answer…I know it not!"

Nuada says: "The three flames of the world are Healing, Smithcraft, and Poetry. They serve the triple Brigit, Morning Star, Flame of the Two Eternities, Fire of Delight in all the Worlds."

The Demon: "AAAIIEEEE! To the frozen North I'll return, my guarding of treasure your riddle confounds!"

Nuada grasps the Spear for all to see.

Lugh says to Ceridwen: "Lead us to the cusp of the Cauldron!"

Ceridwen leads the procession to the Western dolmen. She comes forward (with Lugh off to one side) and calls the Sidhe of the Cauldron forward: "Stand with me, Children of the Cauldron!"

Ceridwen confronts the Demon: "Release you the Treasure, creature of Poverty!"

Hungry Demon: "I am Roi the insatiable! I cover your tiny cup with my mouth and suck of the hot nectar therein! Pulsing in closed circles my feasts all laid out…Chaos and Death to those who falsely answer this…"

"Ducdame! Ducdame!"

"From you I seek this most of all:
Down under the hill there was a mill,
In the mill there was a chest,
In the chest there was a till,
In the till there was a cup,
In the cup there was a drop.
No one could drink it.
No one could eat it.
No one could do without it!"

The Sidhe begin the tone "E" and at its peak Ceridwen cries out: "Heart's Blood!"

The guardian cries: Aah! Aah! But for you I'd have supped here forever! I'll pour forth your riddle and consume you all!

Ceridwen turns to the Sidhe and begins with them the chant "Cauldron of Changes." When it is well moving she calls out above it: "What are the three natural gifts of Ceridwen and what do they nourish?

Much hopping and thrashing by the Demon and finally: "I don't know! I don't know!"

Ceridwen says: "My three natural gifts are milk, dew, and acorns. Milk nourishes people, the dew nourishes the green world, and acorns nourish magical beasts, especially pigs, sacred to the Sow Goddess!"

Guardian: "AAAI! AAAI! To the Void I return, never again to feast on the blood of the ancients!"

Ceridwen raises the Cauldron to the Sidhe.

Lugh says to Danu: "Lead us to our Destiny!

Danu leads the procession to the Northern dolmen. She comes forward (with Lugh off to one side) and calls the Sidhe of the Stone forward: "Stand with me, Children of the Stone!"

Danu confronts its guardian: "Release the Stone, eldest one!"

Withered Demon: "Corb I am and I'll be old when the World is young! Your faces I've seen, covered in dung! I know all things that have ever been and I'll entrap your souls in my tangled skein!"

"Ducdame! Ducdame!"

"What are the longest and shortest things in all the worlds,
Swiftest, yet slowest, divisible and extended, least valued, most regretted
Without which nothing can be done, devours everything however great or small
And even if you do not go looking for them, they will come looking for you"?

The Sidhe begin the tone "AI" and at its peak Danu cries out: "Time and Fate!"

Guardian: "AACHSSSSS! In all this time you think you've grown wise! Ask me your riddle, and I'll devour your eyes!"

Danu turns to the Sidhe and begins with them the chant "Hole in the Stone." When it is well moving she calls out above it: "What are the three crowns of renown and on whose brow will they lightly rest?"

A slow half-growl that builds to a wailing "No! No! I do not know!"

Danu says: "The three crowns are the Crown of Plenty on the brow of the Generous, the Crown of Victory on the brow of the Steadfast, and the Crown of Song on the brow of the Lavish-Hearted.."

Withered One: "Time turned on end and blessed are they that live the longest! AAAAHHaaaahhh …"

Danu retrieves the Stone and holds it up for the Sidhe to see.

Lugh says: "Tuatha de Danaan! We have retrieved the four sacred Treasures! Let us now return to Caer Siddi and place the Hallows on their rightful altars!" There may be a hurrah here, that's fine. If so, the gods should join in…but Brigit should only smile.

The procession makes it to just about the beginning of the path through the woods when suddenly…

Bres cries out from the woods and challenges the procession!

Bres (Sneering): "Children of Danu! So! You have regained your pretty toys from my demons. Fine and well then, for all the good they will do you. Do you think the four symbols of life will avail you their powers without the secret fire that burns from within? This I keep to myself, and none here can wrest it from me!" (During this, the four guardian demons make their way from the stones and end up standing around and behind Bres, the demonic army of the Fomor!)

Lugh steps forward: "Bres, Cousin, I challenge you to sacred combat for the Tuatha de Danaan! Stand forth and be tested against the Spear of Victory if you dare!"

Bres: "So you wish the trial then? I accept! Long have I worked to set you in this place, cousin Lugh, despised son of the Light! Bring your wooden Spear forth and I will call my champion to the fray…Oh, you didn't think you'd be fighting me did you? Balor! Balor! Balor Beimann, of the Mighty Blows! Come forth King and Champion of the Fomor! Take back these Treasures once and for all!"

So begins the Fiorr Comlainn: Trial by Combat. Balor comes forth in all his might from behind a raised screen. Perhaps his horns are on fire, perhaps his eye is half-lidded and mobile…who knows? So long as he is hideous and huge all is well! Much roaring and crying out takes place between them. Make it somewhat of a tussle. Lock arms together, perhaps? Eventually Lugh seems to be tiring and waning in his strength. The Demons press in and chant their hissing maledictions upon Lugh…..The Tuatha must strengthen him with their magic. If the Children don't think of it, the God/desses will begin the power chant until all are lending their energy to the nearly overcome Lugh. "Cauldron of Changes, Blossom of Bone, Arc if Infinity, Hole in the Stone." He will strengthen... then more...then MORE! He will scatter the Demons and with a cry and a mighty thrust (well above KC's head) stab out the Eye of Balor! Balor falls to the ground defeated and Bres cries out as he flees into the woods!

Lugh is slowly drawn to Balor and Brigit silently moves nearer him. Her gaze is fixed on his motions, a smile playing about her countenance. He bends down, retrieving the Secret Fire from the heart of the corpse. As he raises the newly lit fire above his head, Her face is filled with pride and satisfaction, a task well done!

Brigit says: "Now you know in your inmost hearts, my Shining Ones, the wisdom of the treasures complete! Each alone is mighty, ancient, indispensable, yet together they bring forth something mightier still. I am the secret fire at the heart of each! I am the Light within the Sword! I am the flame-tip upon the Spear! I am the heat beneath the Cauldron! I am the green fire within the Stone! This fire binds all these together and is the true Source of the valor and strength of your Sun King! Your unity, each to the others has strengthened this Flame. Your courage has fed it to a mighty roaring blaze! Blessings upon you!

Lugh cries: "To the Caer! To Caer Siddi! The fire has returned to us at last! Big hurrah from the Children!

All process to the Caer which has since been transformed into the Palace of Light.

Enter the procession, including Rhiannon and Arawn who have joined the party and all form a triple circle facing the hearth.

Nuada calls out: "All hail Lugh! All hail the Sun King triumphant!" (stuff like that)

Lugh tells the "I am a stag of seven tines…" poem.

Lugh then asks the God/desses to return the Treasures to their altars. He then asks Brigit to lead all in a song for rekindling the hearth-fire (now more fabulous) of the Caer. She does so and the energy peaks and is released to the Gods great and small and all kindly spirits!

Lugh takes a minute to step forth and say: "All hail Balor of the Mighty Blows! My own grandfather and King of the Depths of Tethra! Without his sacrifice the wheel would not turn and blessed Night would not now follow Bright Day! Hail, Balor of the Mighty Blows!"

Lugh takes Brigid's hand and they walk to the curtain. It parts before them and behold! The filth has become cakes and ale for all and sundry!

Brigid says: "As the grain rises from the buried seed, so rise those sown in the Earth of the Otherworlds. Come back to us lost ones, for you are our own true kin." Any who were taken now come forth and stand near the tables.

Lugh and Brigit perform the sacrament and never hunger or thirst is blessed upon all. The God/desses serve the people and life and love are renewed!

Lugh says: "Blessings of Love and Life are given into the night. Let the revelry begin! Blessed Be!"

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