This Vanic ritual is done in the ADF Core Order of Ritual, with Skadhi as the Deity of the Occasion. It seems long but won’t be nearly as long when performed. Feel free to use or adapt this ritual to suit your own needs. A note: the spice mix offered to Skadhi consists of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves–all spices popular during the winter months.
- Opening Prayer–(ring bell)Spirits of Land, Spirits of Sea, Spirits of Sky: I call to you now to surround me and bless my rite with your presence. May my work here please you.
- Treating with the Outdwellers–You whose purposes work against my own, take this offering and leave my rite be. May I be unburdened of all that hinders me in this rite. (offer black tea to cup)
- Purification (smudging)–May this smoke cleanse me in preparation for the work to be done.
- Honoring Nerthus–Veiled One, Mother of Sacrifice, Lady of Earth. Nerthus, it is to you I give praise and to you I give this offering. (make offering of flour)
- Calling for Inspiration–Kvasir, you who are both of the Aesir and Vanir, you whose blood is the Mead of Poetry, I ask you to bless my rite with inspiration. Please accept this offering in thanks. (make offering of beer)
- Statement of Purpose–I have come here today to do the work of honoring the Kindreds and receive their blessing in return. To this end, I specifically call upon the Vanir and Skadhi, Lady of Ice and Snow.
- Two Powers Attunement–I draw up Nerthus’ cool waters to nourish and sustain me. I pull down Freyr’s hot light from the sky to energize and warm me. I become the World Tree, the Axis of the Worlds.
- Recreating the Cosmos–Let this cauldron become the Well, the Sacred Well at the center of the Worlds, from which blessings can flow. Let this flame become the Fire, the Sacred Fire at the center of the Worlds, from which blessings can shine. Let this tree become the World Tree, the Sacred Tree at the center of the Worlds, from which blessings can grow.
- Calling for a Gatekeeper–Mardoll, Vanadis, Lady of Brisingamen! Freyja, I ask you to join me in my rite to open the Gates between the Worlds! I give to you this offering. (make offering of honey)
- Opening the Gates–Let the Well become a Gate! Let the Fire become a Gate! Let the World Tree become a Gate! Freyja, join your magic with mine and let the gates be open!
- Honoring the Ancestors–Ancestors all, those of blood, those of heart, and those of spirit, I thank you for your presence in my life. I call to you now to join me in honoring Skadhi, Lady of Ice and Snow! (make offering of rosemary)
- Honoring the Nature Spirits–Nature Spirits all, those of bud and leaf, feather and scale, fin and fur, I thank you for your presence in my life. I call to you now to join me in honoring Skadhi, Lady of Ice and Snow! (make offering of lavender)
- Honoring the Vanir–Vanir all, Freyr and Freyja, Nerthus and Kvasir, Odr and Hnoss and Gersemi, Njord, Gerd, and Gullveig: I thank you for your presence in my life. I call to you now to join me in honoring Skadhi, Lady of Ice and Snow! (make offering of oats)
- Honoring Skadhi–Skadhi, Mountain Queen, Fair Bride of the Gods,
Ruler of Thrymheim, the Home of Clamor;
Daughter of Thjazi, the dark-loving giant;
Wife of bright Njördhr, the mighty Wane;
Kinswoman to Gerdh, Companion to Ullr,
And fast foe of Loki, the wrangling rascal.
Queen of Darkness, Bride of Light.Winter Goddess, Lady of Snowshoes,
Rich in gold in your father’s ancient freehold.
Seeker of Justice in helm and byrnie;
The bargains you make hold fast.
Huntress of the ringing bow-string,
Roaming the hills with ski and wolf,
Harvesting the slaughtered game,
Preserving life with death.Come in the night, at winter’s end;
Bestow on us one last proud look;
Let us remember your hard-won lessons –
Well-earned pride, stern-sought justice,
Dauntless freedom and hard courage.
When we meet again on the snow-covered mountains,
Let us be unafraid to meet your eye.Thjazisdottír! (Daughter of Thjazi!)
Bogaásynja! (Bow-Goddess!)
Ondurásynja! (Snowshoe-Goddess!)
Veidhiasynja! (Hunting-Goddess!)
Skadhi, come!(make offering of spice mix)
Prayer found here. - Prayer of Sacrifice–Now I give all my love and devotion to you, Skadhi, Vanir, and the Kindreds! Accept my sacrifice! (make offering of beer)
- Taking an Omen–(using the Wychwood Oracle deck) Are the offerings accepted? (If not, offer more mead.) What blessings are offered? What further guidance do the Kindreds offer?
- Calling for the Waters–(pour beer then raise cup) Kindreds, thank you for your blessings! Now I ask that you pour these blessings into my cup! (pause)
- Hallowing the Waters–These waters contain the blessings of the Kindreds! Behold the Waters of Life!
- Affirmation of Blessings–I accept the blessings of the Kindreds! (drink)
- Thanking Skadhi–Lady of Ice and Snow, Thjazisdottir, Goddess of the Hunt! Skadhi, I thank you for your presence in my rite! Stay if you will, go if you must.
- Thanking the Vanir–Vanir all, I thank you for your presence in my rite! Stay if you will, go if you must.
- Thanking the Nature Spirits–Nature Spirits all, I thank you for your presence in my rite! Stay if you will, go if you must.
- Thanking the Ancestors–Ancestors all, I thank you for your presence in my rite! Stay if you will, go if you must.
- Closing the Gates–Let the Well become a simple cauldron, let the Fire become a simple flame, and let the World Tree become a simple tree. Freyja, join your magic with mine and let the gates be closed!
- Thanking the Gatekeeper–Mardoll, Vanadis, Lady of Brisingamen! Freyja, I thank you for your presence in my rite! Stay if you will, go if you must.
- Thank Inspiration–Kvasir, you who are both Aesir and Vanir, you whose blood is the Mead of Poetry, I thank you for your presence in my rite! Stay if you will, go if you must.
- Thank Nerthus–Veiled One, Mother of Sacrifice, Lady of Earth! Nerthus, I thank you for your presence in my rite! Stay if you will, go if you must.
- Grounding–Let Nerthus’ cool waters recede from my body. Let Freyr’s hot light recede from my body. Let all excess energy recede from me, keeping only what I need.
- Closing the Rite–I have done as my Ancestors have done and as my children may do in the future. Spirits of Land, Spirits of Sea, Spirits of Sky: I thank you for surrounding me and blessing my work with your presence. This rite is ended! (ring bell)
The Druid's Cosmos 