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Proto-Indo-European Ritual |
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Glossary of Ritual Terms |
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Sacrifice Ritual [ Back To Top ]
The sacrificial ritual may be performed in honor of any of the deities, or of more than one. The rituals dedicated to different deities differ in the hymns and the identity of the animal sacrificed. This example is directed towards Xáryomen.
The sacrifice consists of:
a plate on which is a piece of white flatbread.
On top of that another plate with another piece of white flatbread on it.
On this second piece of bread, two gold ribbons or lengths of gold chains vertically parallel to each other.
A short looped length of cord between the chains.
A white cloth over all of this.
Finally, on the top is a smaller piece of flatbread, this time whole wheat.
1. Purification
If the group is small enough, the bowl is passed around for each person to purify themselves as they desire. If there are too many for this to be done easily, the Xádbhertor asperses them (the asperger can be simply a leafy branch cut at the site), saying:
Be pure to cross through the sacred.
Cross through the sacred to attain the holy.
Attain the holy that you might be blessed in all things.
Putons hesete.
[Be pure.]
2. The Beginning
The Xádbhertor says:
Diviner, is the day propitious?
The Diviner replies:
The omens have been taken and are auspicious.
3. Lighting the xá:sa:.
Arrange the xá:sa:.
To light the fire, the Fire Tender holds three matches vertically and says:
The supporting pillar of the home
resting on the earth.
Spring forth, fire, from the center of our world.
She strikes them as one group and lights the briquettes. She can also use a lighter, saying instead:
Strike the rock, lightning born flame.
You may wish to pour a small amount of lighter fluid on the briquettes before lighting them. The Gyhéuter says:
Westya:, who burns on our hearth, in our home,
we call to you to join us here,
in our midst,
bringing our prayers to the gods,
forming the means by which we sacrifice.
May the holy arise in our midst,
the pure and the blessing.
Once the xá:sa: is burning well, the Fire Tender offers butter to it, saying:
Shining Westya:, unite us all,
for by worshipping at a common hearth
we are made one family, one people.
Demespotya, your household is here.
The Gyhéuter says:
Set forth upon the shining path,
the ancestral way laid out before us.
Place your feet with measured stride,
in ancient rhythm.
4. The Procession
The Né:r leads, holding his axe vertically in front of him in both hands, followed by the Gyhéuter and Xádbhertor side by side, the Xádbhertor on the left. The Xádbhertor carries the sacrifice, on a plate. The Fire Tender follows, carrying the xá:sa:. (Even a cauldron with three incense briquettes in it is hot to carry, so she will need to wear a fire glove or a pot holder glove.) The others follow her in two lines. If there are musicians, they are at the end of the procession.
When the procession reaches the entrance to the space all stop. The Gyhéuter says:
Deiwons adbheromes!
[We wish to sacrifice to the gods!]
All: We wish to worship the gods!
The Gyhéuter lifts his hands in prayer and says:
Doqtóres weswom, kyrdons nsons nsmei dhedhm-és
All: Givers of Goods, we set our hearts toward you!
Gyhéuter: Come we together on this holy day
across the distances that lay between us
to this time, to this place,
for one strong purpose:
To worship the Holy Ones in the proper manner.
He lowers his hands and says:
May our worship be according to the Xártus.
They enter and take their places. The Né:r stands to the right of the gate. The Fire Tender places the xá:sa: to the west of the altar and sits down halfway between them and slightly to the south, where she can tend both fires. The Xádbhertor and Gyhéuter cross the space and go to the west, where they stand facing east, with the Xádbhertor to the Gyhéuter's right. On his way to his place, the Xádbhertor puts the sacrifice on the ground between himself and the speltá. The others arrange themselves equally about the ghórdhos, close to the edge.
5. Opening prayer
Gyhéuter:
Deiwons adbheromes!
[We wish to sacrifice to the gods!]
Holy Ones, Mighty Ones, Protectors of our People!
Splendid Ones, Steadfast Ones, Givers of Gifts!
Gods rightly worshipped for years uncounted.
All: We praise you,
we worship you,
we pray for your presence.
The Gyhéuter then calls to Xáryomen, saying:
You weave our people together in bonds of law.
It is your law, indeed, that binds us as one.
Dhétispotis, you guide us in the ways of the gods;
In the ways of men you inspire right actions.
You are Xáaryomen, god of the right way,
of the right way for people in our society.
Watch us today; we will offer sacrifice to you.
Come join us today in holy ritual.
Come sit at the table we will set for you.
Xáryomen, hear our words, see our actions, share our meal.
6. Call to silence
When the Gyhéuter is done, the Xáadbhertor says three times:
Teusete! Teusete! Teusete!
(Be silent!)
7. The fires
The Fire Tender offers butter to the xá:sa:, while the Gyhéuter says:
We feed the fire on the heart of our land.
With the fire we take possession
of the land it lights, of the world it warms.
From here to there we take possession.
(He gestures from side to side when he says the last line.)
The Fire Tender then lays three logs on the altar, one each to the south, west, and north. As she places them, the Fire Tender says:
Tóm hngwnim Bhudhnen démo:me.
Tóm hngwnim Medhyo: démo:me.
Tóm hngwnim We:i démo:me.
[We place this fire in Bhudhnon.]
[We place this fire in Medhyom.]
[We place this fire in Weis.]
She puts tinder in the center and kindling in a teepee shape above it, within the three logs. She then sprinkles the pile lightly with water from the pitcher. She lights it by transferring a briquette from the xá:sa: with the butter spoon. As she puts the briquette on, she says:
Be our place of sacrifice.
She then blows on the hngwnis to enflame the tinder, while the Gyhéuter says:
With our prayers we feed you,
with the breath of our mouths.
After the hngwnis is lit, the Xádbhertor puts butter on it, saying:
Be fed with the produce of cattle.
If the ritual is being performed indoors, use four incense briquettes arranged in the shape of a square, and transfer the fire from the xá:sa: to the hngwnis with a match.
8. The circumambulation.
The X&aacure;dbhertor says:
We honor the fire with right turning.
The Xáadbhertor picks up the sacrifice and goes clockwise around the hngwnis. When he returns to his place, he puts the sacrifice down.The circumambulation is the last of the opening rites. Next comes the main ritual.
9. The hymn.
The sacrifice begins with a hymn of praise, recited by the Gyhéuter:
A web is laid over us,
the web of right law,
the web of the dhétis.
It is you, Xaryomen, who weave that web;
you put each in its proper place.
It is with your blessing that we become one people,
It is with your strength that we are joined together.
10. The first offering.
The Xádbhertor picks up the small piece of bread from the top of the sacrifices, takes it to the hngwnis, and breaks it up there, scattering the pieces on the ground while saying:
We offer to you the gift of the ground
transformed by our workinto food for us and for you.
Receive with pleasure this first gift to you.
11. The blessing of the sacrifice
He returns to the sacrifice and removes the cloth, which he puts over the knife. He uncoils the rope and drapes it on top of the cloth. He then raises the sacrifice and says:
This ox has come willingly, eagerly,to the place of sacrifice
bedecked with gold,in celebration and beauty.
He puts the sacrifice down and removes the chains, putting them on the ground to the right of the speltá.and picks up the bowl of water on the speltá in his left hand. He sprinkles some of it, using his right hand, over the sacrifice three times, saying each time:
A pure offering is this, without blemish or stain,fit for Xáryomen.
He puts the water down, and picks up the bowl of xádor in his left hand. He scatters the xáador three times with his right hand onto the sacrifice, saying each time:
Be blessed and fed with the fruits of the earth.
The Xáadbhertor picks up the bowl of xádor in his left hand, holding the sacrifice in his right, and goes clockwise about the space. As he comes to each person he stops, and they scatter some xádor on it, saying:
Be blessed and fed with the fruits of the earth.
12. The sacrifice.
When the Xádbhertor returns to the speltá, he puts the bowl of xádown, and holds up the sacrifice, holding it between his hands, with the right one on top and the left under it. He says:
A proper offering is this,
as it is right to give.
This ox to Xáryomen.
He picks up the sacrifice in his right hand, and crosses his left hand under it to pick up the knife, keeping it covered by the cloth, and with the rope still draped over it. He carries them to the Fire Tender who pours some melted butter on the sacrifice (not on the knife, which would make it slippery), saying:
With the heart of the cow,
with all we own,
we offer to you,
you who stand behind all things.
He then brings them to a spot right to the west of the sacrificial stake, and puts the sacrifice on the ground, and then puts the knife to its right, crossing it over the sacrifice, and putting it down with the blade away from the sacrifice. He takes the rope and loops it clockwise around the stake, ending it up the ends crossed on top of the sacrifice, saying:
Arrived at the center of the Cosmos, you are bound:
bound to the service of those who give,
bound to the service of those who shine,
bound to the sacrifice, to the immortal.
The Né:r comes over to the fires and stands on the south, facing the Fire Tender. When he has arrived, the Fire Tender says:
Perkweti!
[May he/it strike!]
The Né:r goes clockwise around the space, holding the axe upright and out. As he walks, the Fire Tender strikes a bell, and the others join in, either with their own instruments, by clapping, or by stamping on the ground. Following the Fire Tender’s lead, they increase the tempo and volume as he walks.
While the Né:r circles, the Xádbhertor leans close to the sacrifice and softly says (it is to the animal he speaks; the others do not hear over the noise they are making):
We free you to take the sacred path,
to take the holy path,
the divine path to the Divine Ones.
He removes the rope during this, coiling it to the right of the stake.
The path is well-marked, from ancient days till now:
as you have freely offered yourself,
freely take the path,
bound only by the prayers we have made,
carrying them on your back.
During the line, “bound only...” he takes the knife from under the cloth, draws its dull side across the sacrifice from its lower left to its upper right, and then puts it on the cloth. When the Né:r has returned, he picks up the knife again, holding it flat, with the sharp edge away from the sacrifice.
When he has returned to the south, the Né:r lifts the axe high and the Fire Tender says:
Perkweti!
All the others except the Né:r say:
Perkweti!
The Né:r brings the axe down hard against the sacrifice, and then lifts his axe to a vertical position in front of him and returns to his place. As the axe hits, the percussion stops.
The Xádbhertor cuts a slice from the right side of the bread, using his right hand. He cuts this in half in turn. He puts the top half in the hngwnis, saying:
Xáryomen, here is your share.
We are ghóste:s to Xáaryomen.
Xáryomen is ghóstis to us.
Sit down at our table, Xáryomen,
and see the meal we have spread out for you.
Héd, wé:egy!
[Eat and be strong!]
He hold the other half over the hngwnis a moment, and then eats it. He then holds the main piece of the bread over the ngwnis for a moment, long enough to toast it if possible, and then hands it to those gathered. He gives it to the Fire Tender first; she tears off a piece and eats it. The Xádbhertor gives the remainder to another, and it is passed around, each eating some of it. If there is any left over, it is put into the hngwnis
13. The libation.
The Xádbhertor pours mead with his right hand at the base of the fire, saying:
All the Holy Ones, be honored in our midst.
Be welcome at our table, all of you.
We pour out our offering to you
like living water, like grain from a bag.
Drink deeply of the gifts we give.
Pnkwudéiwomus gyhewomes
[We pour a libation to the All-Gods.]
Tó:d hestu!
All: Tó:d hestu!
The Gyhéuter then begins a litany of titles of praise to the All-Gods. After each one, all reply:
Usmei gyhéwomes.
[We pour a libation to you.]
This is an opportunity for the Gyhéuter to show some creativity. Done right, this could be a moment of real ecstasy. Possible titles include:
Wise Ones/Beneficent Ones/You of Wondrous Power/One Who Bless/Smiling Ones/Possessors of Many Cows/Beautiful Ones/You Whose Being is the Xártus/Celestial Ones/Heavenly Ones/You Who Watch Over Men and Cattle/You Who Look on us from Above/You Whose Beneficence Sustains Us/etc.
As the last one, the Gyhéuter says:
Givers of Gifts, we praise and welcome you.
14. The Piacular sacrifice
The Xádbhertor picks up the remaining piece of bread and takes it to the hngwnis, where he breaks it up and scatters it into the fires and on the ground, saying:
Gods and Goddesses
Holy Ancestors
Spirits of this Place:
If anything we have done here has offended you
If anything we done here has been incomplete
If anything we have done here has violated the yewes
or in any way done violence to the Xártus,
accept this final offering in recompense.
15. Desacralizing the Ghórdhos
This phase starts with a hymn or prayer of praise to the deity or deities of the occasion by the Gyhéuter or by all. The Gyhéuter says:
Hngwnis, gwr:tonz dédme;s.
[Fire of sacrifice, we thank you.]
The Fire Tender spoons clarified butter on the hngwnis. When the butter is burned, the Fire Tender extinguishes the fire by pouring water from the pitcher on it.
When the hngwnis is out, the Gyhéuter says:
Lady of Fire, Queen of the hearth,
who by rights receives the last,
bless and guard all those who worship you
whether in their home or without
whether alone or with others
whether thinking of you or engaged in business.
Pure One, receive this offering.
The Fire Tender pours butter on the xá:sa:, while the Gyhéutersays:
Xá:sa:, gwr:tonz dédmes;s.
[Fire of the hearth, we thank you.]
When the butter is consumed, the Fire Tender extinguishes the xá:sa: by pouring water on it and then putting the top of the cauldron on.
Once the fires are out, the ghórdhos is no longer sacred.
16. The Ending
When the xá:sa: has finished smoking, the Gyhéuter says:
With the hearthfire extinguished,
the center of our sacred world is gone.
With the center of our sacred world gone,
the sacred site dissolves about us.
We will carry it in our hearts, though,
nestled deep with the love of the gods.
The Gyhéuter raises his arms into the orans position and says:
X&aaucte;ryomen who guides us in the right way:
See; we have performed the ritual rightly.
Rightly we have sacrificed, rightly praised, rightly offered.
Without your inspiration we would not have known the way.
Our prayers would have gone amiss.
But under your watchful gaze we have performed the ritua
and all has been done as it should have been done.
Your being is great; it deserves our gifts.
Your power is great; it deserves our honor.
Your holiness is great; it deserves our praise.
That is what we have done here, Xáryomen.
You who are the law know the law well,
and will not fail to return a gift for a gift
as is indeed the ancient way.
Give us then what we ask for.
Give us a community at peace,
joined one to another in the web of society.
The Xádbhertor says:
We have offered to the Holy Ones
and they have accepted our sacrifices.
The Gyhéuter says:
We have raised our words to the Old Ones as it is right to do.
The Xádbhertor says:
We have made offerings to the Old Ones as it is right to do.
The Gyhéuter says:
May we always be mindful of those we have worshiped.
May we always be mindful of them, worthy of worship.
May we all grow strong, under their watchful eyes.
The Gyhéuter raises his hands and says:
Shining Ones, who rule by the Xártus,
we have worshiped you as the yewésa require.
We may end this rite with confidence,knowing you will bless us.
He lowers his hands, looks at the people around him and says:
Walk on the path of the Mighty Ones,
under their protection, with their blessing.
All say:
Tód héstu!
[So be it!]
All leave be in procession, in the same order in which they came. The Fire Tender may leave the xá:sa: in its place to be retrieved later.
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