Describe three different methods of Opening the Gates, as used by at least two different active ADF Priests. Explain the actions done, the reason for those actions, and any specific magical work the Priest does during the Gate Opening. Provide an original script with stage directions for the Gate Opening based on one of these methods.
Below is an example of a very involved process that Reverend Caryn MacLuan used for opening the gates during one of our Lughnasadh rites:
In the beginning there was the first sacrifice
Sacrifice to make all that was and is, holy
Holy is the land, sea and sky above
Above blows the wind on the sea
The Sea which moves the ocean waves
Waves cresting high cause the water’s flow
Flow now into this holy well
Well of the Ancestors, deep and sacred
Sacred waters flow and change within us
Within us burns the spark of inspiration
Inspiration from the minds of the Gods
Gods who dwell in the above world
World accessed through this holy fire
Fire that is the gateway for the sacred
Sacred fire burn and change within us
Within us stands the Tree of Life
Life with roots upheld by the ancestors
Ancestors who reached towards the heavens
The heavens whose light sustains our branches
Our branches which grow the fruit and flowers
Flowers which yield the hazelnuts of wisdom
Wisdom from above and below combining the sacred
Sacred Tree grow and change within us
Within us, without us, above us, below us we stand in the center
The center where all things end and begin again
Again we look beyond the gates to see her
See her walking from the clovered plains of Taillten
Taillten named for her, the plain she cleared
Cleared and later saw the nasadhs of Tailtue
Tailtue, foster-mother of Lugh, sovereign goddess
Goddess, inspiration for and patron of Cedarlight Grove
Grove of your sanctuary and your folk who welcome you
Welcome you, call to you, offer to you, and hail to you
Hail to you Tailtue and welcome home
Home where we return to our roots
Roots that run deep in all the worlds
Worlds accessible through the gates
Gates above and below, opened by Tailtue
Tailtue join your power with our magic
Magic shaped by the Old Ways
Ways between the worlds open now
Now Tailtue, let the gates be open!
Closing:
Open are the gates and ways between
Between the worlds we have walked
Walked with the Kindred and Sacred Earth
Earth who has called us to do Her magic
Magic to restore Her holy balance and clarity
Clarity to see through the deceit and lies
Lies that create anger and fear
Fear that distorts the return to balance
Return to balance now, return to center
Center where we began with Tailtue
Tailtue join your power with our magic
Magic shaped by the old ways
Ways between the worlds close again
Again Tailtue, may the gates be closed
Closed as the well becomes a well, closed
Closed as the fire becomes a fire, closed
Closed as the tree becomes a tree, closed
Closed, as we return to our place in the beginning
In the beginning, there was the first sacrifice
Reverend Sean Harbaugh gave an interesting interpretation to opening of the gates from his Grove. They no longer do a specific gate opening, as they do this process when calling the triple hallows and involve Brigid as the general ward in ritual. But from a liturgical standpoint for opening the gates, he gave me this:
“We process into ritual with a flame and a pitcher of water from outside ritual space. These items are placed next to the well and altar, respectively. When at the opening of the gates portion of ritual, we take the fire to the sacrificial fire and call upon Brigid to tend the fire and explain to the group as the fire is lit, a portal opens to the heavens. We do the same with the water, explain the envisioning of the portal opening to the Underworld as the water is being poured. We call upon Brigid to act as a ward for this portal. We do not use the Tree as a gate, as it is already in the Middleworld.”
I actually find this a very fascinating and logical interpretation for Opening of the Gates. I still like the physical involvement of three gates, however, as it amuses my sense of proper proportional “3’s”. A lot of the symbology I use was covered in a previous essay where I envision blue beams of light directionally flowing out of each “gate” into a logical direction pertaining to that gate (fire upwards, well below, etc).
While inviting a Gatekeeper in a typical invocational fashion, generally with the “Gatekeeper Song”:
“Gatekeeper Open the Portals, Between the Gods and Mortals, Power freely flows, as our magic grows”
While standing at the Well, I would raise a hand over the well and push downward: “Let the Well Open as a Gateway to the Underworld”.
While standing at the Fire, I would raise my hand over the fire and raise it upwards towards the sky: “Let the Fire Open as a Gateway to the Aboveworld”
While standing at the Tree and touching its base: “Let the Tree Open as a Gateway between the worlds, connecting the below and above in this world.”
“Gatekeeper, Let the Gates between the worlds be open!”
When closing, I do these things in reverse:
While standing at the Tree, touching its base: “Let the Tree grow as a Tree”
While standing at the Fire, hands raised and slowly moving downward: “Let the Fire burn as a Fire”
While standing at the Well, hands lowered and slowly raising: “Let the Well flow as a Well”
“Let all return as it once was as land, sea, and sky. Let the Gates between the worlds be closed!”
