Embedded Files
Seax Wica as proposed made use of a physical Wiccan Book of Shadows, renamed ‘the Tree’. This book was meant to contain the Coven’s rituals and lineage. Instead, Ácholt Inhíred keeps an explicitly virtual and open-source book of rituals, lovingly named the Irminsul (Old Saxon for great pillar). A limited selection of rituals are recorded on the website for public consumption, however the extended living and breathing version of the Irminsul is made accessible to members of the inhíred, and represent an ever-evolving body of practice that any may contribute to.
Because the majority of ritual structure bears heavy resemblance Raymond Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft, we have opted not to share the extensive 'Ritual Action' section publicly, out of respect for his estate and publisher. We have, however, made available the means of creating sacred space and the cakes and ale portion, which are used in all our rituals and are more heavily adapted from the source material.
Principal Ritual Structure
Principal Ritual Structure
The rituals of Seax Wica are meant to evolve with time, and thus revisions to each ritual occur annually. All members are welcome to propose changes and adaptations to our group, and we strive to make an environment where all voices have a place.
Ritual is best when ecstatic, and driven by heart, not script. The following rituals are only an example of how they might proceed. Gesith are encouraged to bring their own methods and apply them as they see fit in group settings, so long as ritual consent is maintained. The following rituals are made available as guidelines for when ecstatic participation is not possible, and for those interested in learning the Seax Wica format before adapting to their own, personal style.
Roles in Ritual
Roles in Ritual
Once one is an initiated gesith, they may perform any number of roles within the circle. In keeping with Seax tradition, no single role may be held for longer than 13 consecutive moons. Similarly, the roles should be filled by volunteer or nomination at each meeting. No one role is set in stone, or ascribed to a singular person. Sharing of roles is encouraged.
Priest: For each rite a priest is chosen to oversee a ceremony working. Priests are nominated by the group at large (ceorl and theows in attendance may vote as well), and members should feel comfortable to express disagreement and openly discuss their nominations. Ideally the nominated priest will ensure good flow and transition, and be comfortable adopting the necessary invocations when acting in the place of Woden or Fréo. While rituals are generally written from the vantage of a single priest, the role may be divided among multiple participants.
Thegn: This is a ritual designation for watcher, or keeper of wards. Any gesith may act as thegn for a ritual, given appropriate predisposition for the protective arts. The gesith acting as thegn is often demarcated by a spear and horn. For nomination as thegn, the gesith would demonstrate the capability to sense and feel warded space, and come equipped with their own, preferred method of banishing. Ideally, the thegn should be able to deal with interruptions quietly and subtly without interrupting the flow of ritual. A thegn prone to constant psychic attacks or with a perchance for dramatization of the role should be avoided. If new to warding, a simple method is to use the eolh rune, as described by Alaric Albertsson in the Handbook of Saxon Sorcery, p210.
Scribe: This is a gesith nominated to maintain the virtual Irminsul, keeping track of changes and edits to our rituals. The Irminsil is shared with comments enabled to all members, however only the nominated scribe has access to make direct edits. The scribe should freely add new information to the Irminsul as members contribute their own rituals, as well as maintain a record of initiations, partings, and sacred names held within the circle.
Scop: Any member willing to guide song or dance in good faith. If you bring an instrument or drum to circle, you’re a scop.
Ritual Implements
Ritual Implements
Many tools may be observed in traditional Seax Wica, however the intent of the Ácholt Inhíred is to be as low impact as possible. A set of tools may be held and shared among the coven, however the only real item an individual need curate is a seax. Other implements you may see in action at a sponsored event include (but are not limited to) a spear, drinking horns, sword, images of the gods, and shield-like altar.
Seax: The seax is specific to the participant. In traditional Seax Wica, it is the equivalent of an athame - a straight double edged blade with a handle of wood or bone used only in ritual context. We break from this tradition, in utilitarian spirit. A gesith’s seax may be any knife or any material they see fit - even a pocket knife - that they are willing to work with extensively. The seax is ritually named and enlivened in circle, and from that point on should be treated as a living thing. The seax enjoys use and need not be reserved exclusively for ritual action. Part of respecting the seax is maintaining it - if used to open boxes at work, then ensure to keep the blade sharp and periodically thank it for its work. It may seem silly, but working with the seax from an animistic perspective will greatly increase its effectiveness when used in ritual. The seax may be adorned as much or as little as the gesith desires.
Scield: While it may look like a shield, this is the altar. The scield is owned by the inhíred. It bears the coven’s crest and is inscribed with each new initiation and parting. It acts as a physical manifestation of the inhíred’s egregore, representing the web of connection and interweaving of oorlog that occurs with each ritual meeting. The scield is purposefully made mobile, so that it may be present wherever ritual proceeds, be it a tabletop indoors, a grove, or a park. The back of the scield should be marked with the phrase wē spellige nú in runes, which roughly means “we now proclaim”.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse