Erecting the temple is a ceremonial circle casting, that is preemptive to all / any ritual conducted in Seax Wica. In the usual ceremonial form, this includes a cleansing, warding, and calling of powers in preparation. An example of this proceeding is as follows, but as aforementioned, participating gesith should feel free to adapt and speak from the heart where possible.
[There should be drink in the horn at the altar. A priest lights the central candle, as well as incense to set the scene. The priest stands center, arms raised in praise to the sky.]
Priest: “We give thanks to the ancestors of place and of land for this working. May our actions honor the Maidu, Miwok, and the Patwin Wintun peoples, first stewards of this land; who without we could not gather here today. We give thanks to the spirits of this pace, and to the great spirits of the Sacramento and American Rivers that sustain us.”
[A priest carries the flame of the candle about the circle, lighting ancillary candles about the perimeter. A bowl of water is present at the altar, as is a small dish of coarse salt. A sword lies on the table, as well as a small bowl of soil, if the work is held indoors.]
Thegn: “The temple is about to be erected. Let all within this temple be here of their own free will and accord, in peace and love.“
[The horn is blown by the appropriate persons. The ritual leader moves to the center and dips their seax into the glass of salt.]
Priest: “Salt is life. Let this salt be pure and let it purify our lives, as we use it in these rites dedicated to Woden and Fréo.”
[The seax is used to lift three portions of salt into the glass of water, stirring with the seax and saying:]
Priest: “Let the sacred salt drive out any impurities in this water that together they may be used in service of Woden and of Fréo; throughout these rites and at any time and in any way we may use them.“
[The priest replaces the seax in its sheath. Picking up the bowl of salt water, walks clockwise around the circle sprinkling the boundary, either with hands, a branch, or bundle of twigs. Replacing the bowl on the altar, they retrieve the censer, and once more walk clockwise around the circle while censing. The thegn then traces the outer edge of the space with the spear, and announces:]
Thegn: “I seal this place in the name of Hama, by which all are united and made equal. May this space be held apart from the apparent world that we may seek communion with the Gods. Hail and welcome!”
[At any time someone leaves the circle from this point forwards, the Thegn should use the spear to open, and then close the seal whenever they cross its threshold. ]
[A gesith assigned to a single or all quarter(s) then addresses each, starting in the North and working their way clockwise, ending in the west. With seax raised, the gesith calls the name of the runic power, and then traces its design in the air. For now this is done with base runic powers, however after the groups establishment may be replaced with tulpas unique to the inhired]
North (ᛥ): “Hail to Stan, the standing stone, watcher of north. The place of ancestral memory. Ettinham sleeps beyond the veil of stone, through which we recall the stories that make us. Hail to the powers of Earth!”
All: “Hail and welcome!”
East (ᚷ): “Hail to Geofu, the generous one, watcher of east. The place of beginnings and rebirth. Aelfham welcomes both dead and wight, and so we are equal in all things. Hail to the powers of Air!”
All: “Hail and welcome!”
South (ᛄ): “Hail to Gaer, the shining fruit, watcher of south. The place of the unknown, limitless possibility. Dwarfham forges the gifts we know not to seek, and so we ask for inspiration. Hail to the powers of fire!”
All: “Hail and welcome!”
West (ᛝ): “Hail to Ing, the victorious lord, watcher of west. The place we’ve come to reside. Middangeard is the conflux of all worlds flow, through which all paths may be realized. Hail to the powers of water!”
All: “Hail and welcome!”
[All present in the circle then approach the altar, and are one at a time blessed with the sacred water. The priest dips their fingers in the sacred water, and marks all present with Thunor’s hammer (an inverted T) on the head or chest as appropriate. They each make a slight bow in respect to each in turn.]
Priest: “Let us now invite the gods to witness these rites we hold in their honor.”
[The priest draws the ritual sword, holding it high at the center of the circle. The other members all raise their seax, facing center. ]
Priest: “Woden and Fréo, God and Goddess, great teachers of magic. Here do we invite you to join with us in our rites. Guard and guide us within this circle and without it; in all things. So be it!”
All: “So be it!”
[The priest lowers the sword, kisses it and sheathes it. Members of the circle (who do not have yet another deity to call) also kiss their seax and sheathe it. Members of the circle who would like to call their own deities may now do so, with seax still raised, each lowering, kissing, and sheathing after the call has been made.]
[A portion of the ale from the horn is poured onto the ground, and then sipped by the attending priest. If the ritual is worked indoors, then a small dish of dirt (from the location the ritual is performed) should be present to receive the portion of ale. At close, the soil soaked with ale is returned to the place it was retrieved.]
Priest: “Woden and Fréo!“
All: “Woden and Fréo!”
[Select members in turn shout the names of other deities called.]
Priest: “Now the temple is erected. Let none leave it but with good reason.”
All: “So be it!”
To be performed at the close of any gathering after the cakes and ale, unwinding those forces gathered.
[The priest raises the sword in center, and the other members raise their seax facing inward.]
Priest: “We thank the peoples that have gone before, the spirits of this place, and the waters of this land. We thank our benevolent watchers. And foremost we thank the gods for their attendance. As we came together in love of them, and in love of each other, so do we go our separate ways.”
All: “Love is the law, and love is the bond.”
Priest: “So be it! The temple is now cleared”
[All kiss their blades, and sheathe them. The Thegn breaks the wards and the circle is open.]
*Adapted from Raymond Buckland, Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft, p 38, 1974.