Cintugiamos “Start of Winter”- This falls around 1 Giamonios normally, otherwise, 1 Cutios or 1 Rantaranos. Regardless, this is two first-quarter moons before the winter solstice.
Also called Îuos Regentiobo or Îuos Ogmiû etic Celtînî
This is twords the end of fall and the beginning of winter. Time and the days are going dark, like a descent into Dubnos. As we begin to turn inward, we turn to the Regentiâ (Ancestors) for guidance. Along with them, we turn to the ancestors of our Bessus, Ogmios, and Celtînâ.
Associated Dêuos: The Regentiâ, Ogmios, and Celtînâ.
Activities: While feasting is inherent in all îuoi (holidays), it is particularly important here. As ancestors are part of families and communities, they at one point, shared meals with their families of their time. So the shared meal is great if it can be done. Otherwise, after giving an offering to the Regentiâ, eat a meal at your uentâ (place of worship/sacrifice) with them.
Also, take the time during daylight to visit their graves if they’re near you. As it is now the time of the coming winter, the blessings of the land — or at least daylight — are leaving. This is an excellent time for leaving flowers on departed relative’s graves or even graves you don’t know. One can also carve the names of your ancestors into candles.
Offering Letters to Ancestors: During Cintugiamos, we also emulate an aspect of funerary customs as mentioned by Diodorus.
We are told, at the funerals of their dead some cast letters upon the pyre which they have written to their deceased kinsmen, as if the dead would be able to read these letters.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 5, 28, 7
In honor of this ancient tradition, we invite you to write letters or notes to your departed relatives and ancestors. Express your gratitude, share your thoughts, and convey your love for them. These heartfelt messages symbolize the enduring connection between the living and the deceased. As part of the ceremony, these letters may be burned in a special fire. It is a gesture of love and remembrance, allowing you to communicate with your ancestors in spirit.
Rosemary Smoke: The Romans and Greeks used Rosemary in their funerary customs, as mentioned by Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Pliny, leading us to speculate that certain Gaulish tribes may have also utilized it for a similar purpose. Its fragrant aroma enhances memory recall, making it ideal for ancestor rites. Rosemary symbolizes the enduring bond between the living and ancestors, highlighting that our forebears remain connected to us through the cycle of life. Its hardiness signifies an enduring connection between generations. Rosemary’s link to love and loyalty emphasizes family bonds, while its pleasant scent fosters emotional connections, aiding in deeper connections with ancestors.
Due to this time of openness between worlds, this is a good time for divination.
Items Needed for the Rite
- Hearth Fire
- Mugwort
- Candle for Ancestors (west)
- Rosemary
- Letters or Names written on paper
- Offerings
- A simple offering in our bessus is that of amber and red wine for Aidonâ, Dêuoi, and the Regentiâ. Offer what you can.
The Rite
Lighting
We light this flame of Aidonâ
Albios above us, Bitus around us, and Dumnos below us, we enter into this sacred center to establish our nemeton. Aidonâ, may your light bring warmth, and illumination, and your presence enriche our communion.
(Use the Mugwort to circle around the fire three times)
Thank you for illuminating this sacred place.
(Offering)
Gatekeeper
Carnonos, Guardian of the Sacred Threshold
Opener of the ways between worlds
On this sacred holiday, we call upon you
As we gather to honor our ancestors and deities.
You who guide us through liminal spaces
Watch over us as we enter the realm of spirit
As we celebrate the turning of the seasons
And the mysteries of this special time.
(Offering)
Welcome
Welcome, dear friends and kindred spirits, to Cintugiamos. As the season turns and the days grow darker, we come together to honor those who walked before us and those who have departed during our own journey.
The warmth of summer is fading, and the chill of winter’s embrace is upon us. Yet, within our hearts, the hearth fire burns brighter and warmer, bringing us closer uniting our homes and souls. Together, we gather to commemorate the changing of the seasons, the wisdom of our ancestors, and the enduring connections that bind us to the past and future. Welcome to this sacred time of reflection and remembrance as we prepare to cross the threshold into the mysteries of Cintugiamos.
Now light a candle in the west (The west is associated with Giamos), and the resting direction of the Regentiâ you can keep this candle going all night and day.
Regentiâ
Light a bundle of Rosemary (Incense if that’s all you have)
As we gather for Cintugiamos, the Start of Winter
We come together in reverence and gratitude
To honor you Regentiâ (ancestors)
As you are the foundation of our existence.
From all corners of the lands you came
A web of diverse lives, stories, and experiences.
We are the culmination of your enduring will to live
With deep respect and love, we give you thanks
For the resilience that gave birth to us
For the timeless web that binds us to our past.
We offer our heartfelt gratitude through this offering
Symbols of our connection and appreciation
To each and every ancestor who graces our family tree.
(Offering)
(One by one, place the letters in the fire, speaking their names.) In your memory, we offer these words and letters (names of ancestors) [Speak each name aloud]. May your spirit be warmed by the flames and your memory ever bright.
We gather to praise you ancestors upon this Cintugiamos
To ensure that their legacy lives on strong and enduring
In the hearts and stories of those who continue their journey.
All Praise, our honored ancestors. We remember you on this day
With reverence and love, we celebrate your presence
May your wisdom and guidance be with us as we journey through Bitus in this life.
We praise the ancestors upon this Cintugiamos (Molâmos Regentiâ uer sin Cintugiamû)
Ogmios and Celtînâ
On this sacred day, we honor our first ancestors of our Bessus,
The first father of the Galatîs, our lord Ogmios,
The first mother of the Galatis, our lady Celtînâ
Celtînâ, you are the embodiment of strength, valor, and beauty,
You are the mother of Galatos, our Touatis,
The one who bestowed upon us the name Galatis.
Your virtues and beauty mirror those cherished by our ancestors.
Ogmios, we revere you as the guide of eloquence,
The bestower of the power of words,
You shape our language in harmony with Îanolabâ,
The principle of right speech essential and true.
In your union, we find strength in virtue and words
A reminder of the connection between you and our community,
A commitment to the values and teachings you embody.
We offer our gratitude and devotion to both of you,
Celtînâ and Ogmios, parents of our tradition,
May your wisdom and guidance be with us this winter’s arrival.
All Praise Celtînâ
All Praise Ogmios
We give thanks and offering to you
Cheers to you
Thanks to you
Closing
Albios above us, Bitus around us, and Dumnos below us,
We now leave this sacred center
Thanks to you, Carnonos for opening the boundaries
Thanks to you, Aidonâ for warming our space
Thanks to you all
We go in peace
A good Cintugiamos to all (Cintugiamon dagon ollon)
May the flames of the hearth keep you warm through the cold shadow of winter. (aidoues aidiās delxet te cliiaron trē scāton ougron giami)
Bessus Nouiogalation 