Our Gaulish Invocation Formula
One might ask why we follow a set formula for invocations — or Adgarion, as we say in Gaulish.
The formula itself is not unique to us alone. It is an ancient agent of connection — a pattern found throughout many cultures and ages. From the hymns of the Greeks to the invocations of Rome, Egypt, and the Near East, humanity has always used structured speech to commune with the sacred. This is not mere repetition or dogma; it is participation in an ancient art of divine language. Form brings order to intent, and order is what allows our words to bridge the realms. We bring structure to our intentions and weave them into the pattern of the cosmos. Ensuring harmony between our intent, our words, and the powers we call.
In the our tradition, the formula reflects the principle of Samos — light, harmony, and intelligibility — yet it always moves within the mystery of Giamos, the unseen and transformative. Speech becomes the meeting of these two: the clear articulation of Samos carried on the breath of Giamos. When we raise our voices to the Dêuoi, we enter the realm of Ogmios, the god of eloquence and sacred speech. He binds the hearts of listeners with golden chains of words — and so too do we, through our invocations, bind ourselves to the divine through word and will.
Our words are not mere sounds. They are acts of creation — living forces that shape reality, carry offerings, and open the way for the divine to move within our world. To speak with clarity, confidence, and reverence is to perform a magical act. This structure aids not only ritual coherence but also memory and confidence. When you stand at your altar, beneath a tree, or by a river, this rhythm becomes second nature. You may not have a set invocation memorized — nor do you need to. You may create freely within the pattern, shaping your words to the moment and the presence you feel.
The structure becomes the scaffold of inspiration — a way to keep your focus flowing, your voice sure, and your intent clear. Even when improvising, you are still walking the path of the formula: grounded in order, open to the breath of creation. Thus, the Adgarion is both an art and a discipline — the meeting of breath, voice, and spirit in sacred alignment.
My Reflection on our Gaulish Invocation Formula
Calling on the Recipient – opens the way and invites presence.
This is the moment of opening, where your voice reaches across the veil.
To call upon a Deuos, ancestor, or spirit is to awaken the relationship.
It is not a demand, but a recognition — an honoring of their presence and nature. Here, confidence and clarity are key. Speak their name with respect, and the space becomes charged with their awareness.
Offering to the Recipient – establishes balance and reciprocity.
The act of giving creates balance. Through offering, we express gratitude and reciprocity — the heartbeat of BNG’s gifting cycle. What we offer need not be grand; what matters is sincerity and alignment. Bread, drink, incense, or words — all carry weight when given with true heart.
In giving, we open ourselves to receive.
Arcimâs (Requests) – focuses intent and centers the will.
Though optional, this is where one may voice what is desired. But requests should come from humility, not entitlement. To ask is to align one’s will with the flow of the cosmos — not to bend it. Sometimes, no request is needed; the act of devotion itself is enough.
Argument – express purpose and desire.
This is where reason meets reverence. Here, we state why we are calling — the cause that shapes the rite. It need not be long; even a few words said with truth are powerful. This is the grounding of the act, the anchor that holds it in purpose.
Petition
The heart’s voice speaks here. This is the prayer, the direct appeal, the human reaching for the divine. It is not merely asking for aid — it is the meeting point where hope, trust, and divine will touch. The Petition is where the ritual becomes personal, and intention takes form in the unseen.
Closing – seals the rite, restoring harmony between the worlds.
All things must return to stillness. The Closing gives thanks, honors what has transpired, and seals the work. Here we complete the cycle of giving and receiving, returning the space to balance and peace. It is both farewell and fulfillment — the moment where the sacred and the ordinary part ways in mutual respect.
The Adgarion is not a mechanical sequence; it is a rhythm — a song of intention, voice, and divine exchange. When followed with mindfulness, it shapes the rite into an act of harmony with the order of things —where every word becomes both offering and spell, and every silence holds the echo of the Dêuoi.
This rhythmic order mirrors cosmic order (Couīrion). Creation began with the dance of fire and water, giving birth to breath and life. By following the formula, we reenact that sacred beginning — each invocation becoming a small cosmos in itself. Through this, we take part in Assus, the harmony of right order, and in Dedmis, the proper ways gifted by the Gods.
The Adgarion is not merely words spoken — it is how we help speak the world into being anew.
Note:
There are many ways to create and speak invocations, and each carries its own beauty and truth. We do not claim greater understanding or authority over any other path. Within BNG, we follow this older formula in honor of the ancestors — preserving the rhythm and order they once knew. This is simply the way BNG does it —a reflection of our tradition’s reverence for structure, voice, and a living connection to the sacred.
Bessus Nouiogalation 