Rites not Found in Books or Manuals: Unscripted Rites: Deities of the Land

Unscripted Rites

In 2010 Olivia conducted a series of "unscripted rites" in the Temple of Isis at Clonegal Castle and later in London and in Glastonbury. Olivia sent the following message dated July 22, 2010 concerning the use of "unscripted rites" in the Fellowship of Isis:

"I feel the [unscripted] rite is a very important innovation. To publish an unscripted ceremony brings forth free expression. This is what I really want, otherwise rituals can be like repartitions robots!"

Deities of the Land

Four different versions of a new 'unscripted' rite created by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson are presented below. The accounts are written with a minimum of detail surrounding the spoken parts and elements of the ritual, but instead present variations of an underlying theme.

"This ceremony is offered to any who could adapt it to their own Deities and Land. Praise Be to our Earth Mother!" - Olivia Robertson

The Gods and Goddesses in each enactment are relevant to the locale in which the rite is performed and the work of the members participating in the ritual performance. The Irish Aengus Og, God of love and beauty, was awakened at the Temple of Isis at Clonegal Castle in Ireland. Many of the FOI members involved with the London rite had previously participated in the saving of Oxleas Wood - so Merlin was unbound from a tree. He was rescued by the Goddess Elen, a forgotten Goddess brought back into modern consciousness by Isis of the Thames Lyceum founder (and hostess of the London event) Caroline Wise. The Goddess of Love was honored at the 2010 Glastonbury Goddess Conference, and during a Heart Circle Gathering Olivia conducted a rite with FOI members to unbind Eros by Venus. The Archangel Michael, who is associated with Glastonbury Tor, was awakening by Lilith as the Earth Dragon.

Note: A report from Olivia on the rites in London and Glastonbury was published in the 2010 Samhain issue of Isian News.

The Awakening of Aengus Og

A New Goddess Ritual

(An Unscripted Rite)

Clonegal Castle, Ireland, 17th July, 2010

Dated July 20, 2010

Written By Olivia Robertson

Fellowship of Isis Co-Founder

FOI Liturgy Author

We who love the sacred drama of the God Osiris awakened by his wife the Goddess Isis with the winnowing movement of Her Wings, celebrate the Festival of Opet on the 23rd July every year.

Suddenly it came to me this year, 2010, that what we really needed was an Irish Opet! I am sure that round the world members would be fired by the inspiration of their own Deities in a ceremony of the Awakening of the Soul to Eternal Life and Love.

So on the 17th July, we at Clonegal Castle celebrated our own Opet, performed by the Noble Order of Tara, as the Order works for the environment and the children of our Mother Earth. So our company made drumming Procession to the newly restored site of the Old Abbey adjoining the Castle. This has some walls and two cells that are fourteenth Century – with Gothic arches built by my romantically minded grandfather, Herbert Robertson. A good friend has erected two huge carved stones one on top of the other where the small dolmen erected by Laurence once stood in the North-East.

The Celebrant was assisted by future Dames working with him. We called the quarters and invoked the Danaan Deities. Each Priestess explained why they thought that the return of the God of Love and Joy, Aengus Og, was deeply needed at this time.

We then made procession to the Theatre, where the Celebrant described the work of the Order to our members and guests. We finally proceeded to the Temple of Isis for the ritual drama which was on these lines. We explained why the God of Love and Joy was needed again in these troubled times, and how we might call upon Tara, Goddess of all sacred hills throughout the world, shining as a star above them, to raise the God again. By acclaim She was invoked and asked to bring Aengus to us.

First the God of Laws and Commandments stepped forward as Protector of Ancient Ways. With a long black scarf he bound the eyes of the Celebrant who represented the God Aengus. He was hoodwinked against new ideas of any sort, lest they bring chaos to Corporation Religion.

As Chancellor of the Order of Tara, I invoked the Goddess to awaken Aengus, by the common wish of the people. The Priestess representing Tara unbound the eyes of the Celebrant. He uplifted both his arms in new life. All cried the ancient call of the reborn Adonis: “Aengus Og is born again. He has risen from the dead. Love and Joy return to our land. Praise be to Tara!”

We ended with a trance journey to the Many-Coloured Land, Tir na nOg. Experiences were shared, and joy sent to all. We gave heartfelt thanks to the Deities.

This ceremony is offered to any who could adapt it to their own Deities and Land. Praise Be to our Earth Mother!

The Unbinding of Eros

A New Goddess Ritual

(An Unscripted Rite)

Glastonbury, UK

Dated July 31, 2010

Written By Olivia Robertson

Fellowship of Isis Co-Founder

FOI Liturgy Author

Saturday Morning, Goddess of Love Heart Circle

"We were invoking Venus to unbind Eros. There was an enthusiastic participation, led by Julie Felix, Lydia Lite drumming and Invocations by twelve FOI Priestesses and Priests to a company of over a hundred. Stephen Goggin took the part of Eros imprisoned by his own computer and Julie Felix was Venus who rescued him. All joined in her song 'Love is the Heartbeat of the Universe.' "

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