Tegobessus I: Nemeton (Sacred Space)

Choose a place in which to do Dugiion, that is worship in your home. If you live in a fancy and/or very rustic establishment, you might already have something like a hearth. Odds are, you don’t. In that case, simply use a good surface as an Uentâ, or place of offering/sacrifice. This place will be the focal point of your Tegobessus (House Custom).

Place relevant stuff on it. At minimum, a candle and a bowl. Images or symbols of Dêuoi are all the better! Added dishes for offerings are fine too. Optimally, you’ll want this to face Ari (East). If not Ari, then try Dexouâ (South). If it has to face Eri (West) or Tutos (North), so be it. While East is optimal, something is better than nothing.

Now, what to put upon this Uentâ? At bare minimum you’ll need a Cumbâ (Bowl, also means “valley”, but is not pertinent to this) and a Dagilâ (candle). Whether or not it’s electric isn’t a big deal. But these are the bare minimums. The Cumbâ to hold the Addatus (offering), the Dagilâ for the Aidû (flame), of course.

Of course, many will want to add Deluâs (images) of various Dêuoi (Worshipped Beings). Or symbols: A Rotos (wheel) for Taranis, an Epos (horse) related symbol for Eponâ, and so on. These certainly add character and help focus attention in a ritual on the deuos in question.

We have the why and how. Now for the when:

Planning rites are essential. Try to do them on a regular basis. The point is not to be perfect but to make an attempt at regularity. Do your best, but don’t beat yourself up over not being perfect. Just make it a goal to do the rites on a regular basis. This will allow for a rhythm to your rituals.

There are plenty of intervals on which one might choose to do rites. They could be done daily, weekly, bi-monthly, but at minimum once a month. Another suggestion is moon phases.

One of the most important things to do before a Rite is that of Glanosâgon (Purification). That means making yourself clean and ritually pure. To do this, you may wish to bathe or shower before ritual. At the least it is important to wash the hands and face. As the Gauls were known for using soap, some kind of bar soap would be a nice continuation of that tradition.

Wash hands and say: Glanolamâs “Clean hands”
Swipe your forehead and say:  Glanobritus “Clean mind”
Swipe down the face with both hands and say: Glananation “Clean soul” (This is based on the idea of the soul residing in the head.)

Purify the sacred space

One must purify the sacred space. To do this, we will invoke Nemetonâ. This is vital to establish your space or making a new one.
We will use Juniper as this was used by the Senogalatis to clear away snakes and to help with bits from poisonous creatures. So we will use it to clear away any unwanted energies in our space.
You will now need a Dagilâ (Candle) to represent Aidona.

Light your Juniper and walk around your area or make a motion around your area in a sunwise circle three times to represent the three realms of Drus (AlbiosBitus, and Dubnos). As you do this, say the below invocation.

Adgariomos/Adgariūmī Nemetonan
Donâ anton
Uernâ caddî
Delgaunâ Marâ
Rodâi caddion uentî, etic aneges uritto duscâxslûs
Datiomos addatun etic brâtun tei
Addatus
Arcimâs
Arxiomos inedon sindon uregetorio caddon
Slanon tei
Brâtun tei
Molâmos/Molâmî Nemetonan
Uregetor

We/I invoke Nemetonâ
Lady of the Borders
Guardian of the Sacred
The Great Keeper
You give sacredness to the offering space, and you protect against bad spirits
We/I give offering and thanks to you
Offering
Request
We/I ask that this place be made sacred
Cheer to you
Thanks to you
We/I praise Nemetonâ
It is done

Welcoming Aidona

Aidonâ is the name we give to the spirit of the fire; basically, the hearth personified. We are introducing Aidonâ into our space for the first time so this is a very important step for us.

After the invocation, say

Oibelumî/Oibelomos sinaidû Aidoniâs.

I/We light this flame of Aidonâ.

Say some words welcoming Aidonâ
This is very personal and needs to come from you.

[Addatus – Offering]
After the offering, take a few moments to kneel, bow, or sit and commune with the recipient(s)

Bratûn te,
Aidonan

(Thanks to you,
Aidonâ)


Take a moment of Tauson (Silence).


Andegenton (Creation)

In the age before this world, a mystery shrouds, Born in darkness, the universe unannounced. Then, in a blaze of light, creation unfurled, A tale of fire and water, the elements whirled.

From the mist emerged a cow and a bull, Majestic and strong, they stood tall. Bouindâ, the cow, fed on the vaporous haze, Her udders brimming with nourishing praise.

Uindotaruos, the bull, thrived on her milk divine, His brawn and might a force to enshrine. More mist nourished Bouindâ, life’s grand course, Uindotaruos sowed his seed with a powerful force.

Two children were born from this divine blend, Litauiâ, radiant and broad, her beauty did transcend. Dêiuos, strong and tall, born from breath’s embrace, Destined for greatness, with wisdom and grace.

Yet, Uindotaruos foresaw a fateful plight, His heart overflowed with love, despite. A sacrifice he’d make, for his newfound kin, His final offering, his life’s ultimate win.

When Dêiuos reached maturity, the task at hand, He fulfilled the plan, with courage’s command. He struck, he strangled, he took Uindotaruos’ breath, A solemn act, sealing their destinies’ breadth.

Uindotaruos’ head became the sun above, His tears sparkled, the stars to inspire love. Litauiâ took his blood, deep well she made, From Uindotaruos’ backbone, Drus was laid.

Seeds from Drus grew in the well’s embrace, Ungods, Cauaroi, giants took their place. Feeding on Uindotaruos’ flesh, they grew strong, Warriors fierce, with power they belonged.

Dêiuos and Litauiâ’s family grew, In union, they thrived, their love stayed true. Three brothers and Three sisters stood tall, leading the way, Kindness, strength, wisdom, their virtues array.

The Cauaroi despised this family anew, War raged on, a never-ending brew. With Uindotaruos’ flesh nearly spent, Hunger loomed, the children’s torment.

Litauiâ prepared a fortress with care, Yet, they couldn’t stay forever there. A sacrifice was required, a heavy toll, Bouindâ knew what fate would unroll.

Bouindâ offered herself, a heartrending choice, To shape the world, a sacrifice of voice. The brothers struck, with tears in their eyes, They shaped this world, a great enterprise.

From Bouindâ’s body, creation arose, Mountains, forests, rivers, all took repose. Her skull, cast high, adorned the night, Becoming the moon, a celestial sight.

Her blood formed the seas, in waves they danced, Her milk became rivers, through lands enhanced. From Bouindâ’s bones, majestic peaks grew, Her teeth turned to stones, strong and true.

Her hair became forests, where life would dwell, A wondrous tale, in nature’s spell. Life flourished, the universe unfurled, A gift of abundance, a magical world.

Under the watch of the first family’s might, Cauaroi and Dêuîs engage in a timeless fight. The three brothers and three sisters claimed their realms divine, Dumnos, Albios, and Bitus, each a sign.