Tag Archives: Gaulish Hearth Rite

Written by Branos Carnutodrûidion/Urādos – Gutuatir of BNG

In the Bessus Nouiogalation (BNG), rites are not only expressions of devotion—they are tools for shaping intention, interacting with the divine, and bringing balance and clarity into your life. While the Hearth‑rite (Adaddus Aidoniâs) provides the foundation, practitioners may wish to create their own rites for boundaries, healing, praise, or other purposes.

This guide is designed to help you understand the structure of BNG rites and provide a flexible template for crafting your own. By following the simple framework of Opening → (Main Work) → Closing, you can create rituals that are clear, intentional, and in harmony with the tradition.

Whether you are performing rites alone or within a group, this guide will give you the tools to format, organize, and execute your rites in a way that respects the sacred space, your intention, and the flow of energy within the BNG practice.

Opening

This is where you prepare the space, yourself, and the energy for the rite. In BNG, this includes:

• Glanosâgon (Purification) – clearing mind, body, and spirit.
  • Begin by washing your hands and saying: “Glanolamâs” (“Clean hands”).
  • Then, swipe your forehead saying: “Glanobritus” (“Clean mind”).
  • Then, swipe your face with both hands: “Glananation” (“Clean soul”).
  • Optional: You might also cleanse your space if it’s new or if you feel it needs a refresh.
• Louceton (Lighting) – bringing light into the sacred space and establishing your nemeton.
  • Light the candle(s) (Dagilâ) or hearth‐flame.
  • Say: “Dauiûmî aidun sondon Aidoniâs” (“I light this flame of Aidonâ”).
  • Perform the boundary demarcation: circumambulate around the flame/altar three times, or trace the boundary: “sun‑wise circle motion… three times” for the three realms of Drus (Albios, Bitus, Dubnos). Using Ponem (Mugwort) that you lit from the fire. We use Mugwort to facilitate a connection to Drus, as it helps with cycles and purifies, and it is a powerful calming herb for connection.
    • As you do this, say:
      Albios ux nos, Bitus ambi nos, Dumnos uo anse, exugriûmî in sindon mediolanon do legiû nemeti mou. Aidona aidus tou berait teððin eti leucetun, ac cei butâ tou anauâit comadberon anson.
      I give you this offering
      
      “Albios above us, Bitus around us, and Dumnos below us, I enter into this sacred center to establish my nemeton. Aidonâ may your light bring warmth and illumination, and may your presence enrich our communion.
      datiûmî addatun sindon tei”
  • Offer some dried herbs, etc, to Aidona
• Gatekeeper (Optional) – inviting Carnonos to your rite if you feel called to. If your rite involves liminality, boundary crossing, transitions, then you might invoke Carnonos.
  • Adgariomos/Adgariūmī Carnonon
    Ancorios mantalon
    Agios matos alami
    Arxiomos/Arxiumi agnî eri adaððun sondon
    Uêdiâs anson/imon cluâontor
    Rodâmos/Rodâmî addatus etic bratun tê
    
    “We/I call upon Carnonos
    Opener of the ways
    Wise guide of the herd
    We/I ask for your guidance during this rite
    May our/my prayers be heard
    We/I give offering and thanks to you”

The opening is about setting intention, hallowing the space, and grounding yourself. It creates a container for whatever comes next.

The Rite (Main Work)

This is the core of your ritual — the heart of your rite where your intent takes form. Whether you are performing a rite of protection, boundaries, healing, praise, holidays, or any other purpose, this is where the work is done.

You would state your purpose clearly, naming your intent and reason for the rite. Then Invoke the relevant deities, ancestors, or spirits. Perform symbolic acts or offerings that align with your goal — such as lighting candles, giving drink or food, marking a boundary, or speaking words of power. Engage in reflection or communion, taking a quiet moment to connect with the powers you’ve called.

In BNG, invocations follow a simple formula:

1. Calling on the Recipient (Invocation/Adgarion) – Address and invite the deity or spirit.
2. Offering to the Recipient – Present your gifts in gratitude and reverence.
   Items are given as part of the gifting cycle — as they give, so we give.
3. Arcimâs (Requests) – Optional. You may ask for blessings, guidance, or aid.
   • Argument – The reason or purpose for calling upon them.
   • Petition – A direct and heartfelt request for their assistance, if desired.
4. Closing – Words of thanks, praise, and dismissal offered with respect.

Think of this as the meat of the rite, where the spiritual work is done. Everything in this section flows from the clarity and sacred space established in the opening. Have fun here, ritual crafting is an art form in itself and can be very rewarding. So let your creativity flow.

Note: When creating a rite in the Bessus Nouiogalation (BNG), it is essential to focus on the tradition’s gnosis, not personal interpretations or outside frameworks. Each Deoui is understood within the BNG cosmology with particular roles, attributes, and functions. Now, if you are creating a rite for your Tegobessus, anything goes.

Below is an example using Sucellos for a Boundary Rite from my house Tegos Carnution.

Intent

We/I gather here today to call upon Sucellos, To help create a boundary around my home, land, space, or person. As he is like the wolf circling the edges, And the vines that entangle and hold fast, May his presence guard all that lies within, Keeping harm without and peace within.

Calling on the Recipient (Invocation/Adgarion)

We invoke Sucellos,
The Good Striker,
Lord of boundaries and the vines,
Shaper of the land and its gifts,
You who walk between field and forest,
Between home and horizon.
Stand with us now,
Bless and defend all that lies within.

(Walk the boundary or stand at the threshold. Tap the ground or posts lightly with a staff, branch, or hammer to mark the space. As you move, speak words of strength and peace.)

Offering (Addatus)

We give offering and thanks to you, Sucellos.
May this drink, this bread, and the smoke of our incense
Be pleasing to you.

(Pour the libation or place the offering at the boundary marker, door, or edge of your space. You may light candles or incense at each corner or doorway, saying as you do: “May no darkness pass this flame.”)

Requests (Arcimâs)

If it pleases you, Sucellos,
Grant strength to these bounds,
And peace to all who dwell within.

(As you speak, visualize grape vines encircling your home or sacred space — a barrier of calm and balance.)

Argument

We call upon you,
For you guard what is sacred and safe.

(You may strike the ground once with your hand, sealing your words with intent.)

Petition

Let these boundaries be strong,
And all ill turned away.

(Imagine the grape vines around your space growing. Feel the peace settle within.)

Closing

Cheer to you, Sucellos,
Thanks to you, Guardian of Boundaries.
We praise you, Good Striker,
We go in peace, and peace abides within.

(Conclude by striking the earth once more or placing your hand over your heart, affirming the harmony and strength of the boundary.)

Remember that our words are not the only part of communicating with the Deuoi. Our position—how we hold ourselves — helps us communicate with the Deuoi; it also allows us to focus our thoughts, which affects our emotions.
Standing with elbows close to your side, your hand outstretched, and your palms up.

Closing

After the main work is complete:

• Perform Incoron (Closing) to formally close the rite.
  • You may add any closing words specific to your rite: e.g., “May the boundary remain firm until I release it”; “May health flow until the ailment is gone”; “May praise ascend until the Deity’s glory fills us”.
    • Say:
      Albios ux nos, Bitus ambi nos, Dumnos uo anse, nu adgabiûmî / adgabiomosnîs mediolanon sindon. brâton tei, Aidona, are teððun etic leuceton. brâton tei, Carnone, are ancoriaton mantalonon. molâiûr / molâmor te. exiâiûmî / exiâmos tancû.
      eðði senâtun.
      
      “Albios above us, Bitus around us, and Dumnos below us, We/I now leave this sacred center. Thanks to you Aidonâ for warmth and light. Thanks to you Carnonos for opening the ways. I/We praise you. I/We go in peace.
      It is done.”
• As you say the above, circle the flame three times again, then put out the flame by covering or pinching it. Then take a moment of silence.
• Extinguish candles, tidy your altar, and allow yourself a moment of silent reflection.

The closing grounds the work, honors the sacred, and returns you to the ordinary world with intention intact.

Note: BNG likes to keep Invocations short, as this helps with memory and translation into Gaulish.