ADF Cosmology & Liturgy: Step 4: Statement of Purpose : ADF Cosmology & Liturgy: Step 4: Statement of Purpose Presented by:
Rev. Jessie “Medb” Olson
Adapted from: “Ancient Symbols, Modern Rites:
A Core Order of Ritual Tutorial for Ar nDraiocht Fein” by Brandon Newburg
Review : Review What is the point of the Appeal for Inspiration?
Share an Appeal for Inspiration that you have written for your own ritual.
Key Terms : Key Terms Statement of Purpose
Function : Function Every rite should have a clear intent, even if it is simply to worship.
The Statement of Purpose is the time to formally make that intent known.
It is a declaration to the participants and the Kindreds. The question it should answer is, "Why are we here today?"
Function : Function At least three topics may be covered: the rite's nature, purpose, and precedent.
The nature may be a Spring Equinox rite, Oath rite, or Unity Rite, for example.
Corresponding purposes would be to honor the goddess Eostre and the season, to make an oath, or to encourage the solidarity of ADF members.
The precedent may refer to ancient practices or ADF traditions.
Declaring these things in the Statement of Purpose ensures that everyone, including the Kindreds, is on the same page.
The Kindreds also learn what's likely to happen, so they can decide whether to pay attention or take their leave.
Placement : Placement The Statement of Purpose comes after the first ritual actions of beginning the rite and honoring the Earth Mother, but before things really get going with (Re)Creating the Cosmos.
Step Four culminates the initial phase of the rite, whereas the next step begins a new phase building energies.
Placement : Placement You might be tempted to place the Statement of Purpose in Step One, alongside the Opening Prayer.
The COoR reserves the Statement of Purpose for Step Four, but you could probably move this step without causing any trouble.
Another temptation, especially for small groups, is to skip this step entirely.
After all, everyone should already know the purpose.
However, it only takes one newcomer or unexpected guest to create a lot of confusion.
Techniques : Techniques As one might expect, the Statement of Purpose is almost always verbal.
Conceivably it could be done otherwise by, for example, tracing words in the dirt.
Usually it's going to be a short speech, either formal and decorous or casual and impromptu.
The Deities of the Occasion should be announced, and the participants should all be reminded of their goal.
COoR History : COoR History This step has been part of the liturgy from the beginning.
The 1991 liturgy phrased it well in two steps:
(9) Stating Ritual Purpose and Historical Precedent; and
(10) Naming Deity(ies) of the Occasion and Reasons for Choice.
Ancient and Modern : Ancient and Modern Variety in ancient cultic contexts makes it difficult to say whether this was important to the ancients or not.
Certainly clarity of intent is a timeless treasure.
But in many cases, the purpose may have gone unstated.
Ancient and Modern : Ancient and Modern The ancient Irish might not have needed to state the purpose of Samhain, just as modern North American families don't need to state the purpose of Thanksgiving.
Nevertheless, in the context of Neopagan worship, where there is an enormous variety of different traditions, styles, and pantheons worshipped, it is good to apprise all involved of exactly what they are in for.
Examples : Examples Example 1. "Yule, Solitary Rite" by Michael J. Dangler, 2004 Liturgists Yearbook (Romano-Celtic)
"Today, the sun is renewed. The long descent into darkness is ended, the long night is halfway over. I look forward at this time, remembering what I have done, knowing what I will do. I make promises to myself and to the Gods. Most of all, though, I welcome in Sulis, the sun herself, and pray that the increase of her light also show an increase in my blessings. Hail the Sun!"
http://www.adf.org/members/guilds/liturgists/yearbooks/2004/index.html
Examples : Examples Example 2. "Nemos Ognios PG" (Spring Equinox) by Ceisiwr Serith, 2004 Liturgists Yearbook (Proto-Indo-European with Roman elements)
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, To give proper worship to Xausós, To welcome the spring.
http://www.adf.org/members/guilds/liturgists/yearbooks/2004/index.html
Examples : Examples Example 3. "A Ritual for Yule 2005" by Michael Riley, 2005 Liturgists Yearbook (Welsh)
Ritual Precedent from the Rebel’s Chorus, The Shortest Day -Jim
So the shortest day came, and the year died, and everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world came people . . . singing . . .dancing . . to drive the dark away. They lighted candles in the winter trees . . . they hung their homes with evergreen . . .they burned beseeching fires all night long to keep the year alive. And when the new days sun blazed awake they shouted . . . reveling . . . through all across the ages you can hear them . . . echoing, behind us . . .listen . . . (pause) . . .All the long echoes sing the same delight, this shortest day . . .as promise wakens in the sleeping land they carol, feast, give thanks, and dearly love their friends . . .and hope for peace and so do we. So here, now, this year and every year - - WELCOME YULE!
All: WELCOME YULE!!
http://www.adf.org/members/guilds/liturgists/yearbooks/2005/Yule-AwensBreath.pdf
Related Reading : Related Reading "Step by Step through a Druid Worship Ceremony" by Isaac Bonewits, Druid's Progress #4 http://www.adf.org/rituals/explanations/stepbystep.html
Self-test : Self-test Why is it important to state the ritual's purpose?
Write Step Four for your own ritual.