Blót to Bragi: A Complete ADF High Days Ritual
This ritual honors Bragi, god of poetry, music, and eloquent speech, following the full ADF Core Order of Ritual (18 steps) suitable for High Days or seasonal celebrations.
Preparation
Ritual Space Setup:
- Center: Fire (candle) with Well (water bowl) and Tree (plant or representation)
- Altar: Offerings of mead/wine, bread, musical instruments
- Music: Harp music or poetry readings
- Participants arranged in circle around the sacred center
Gather:
- Fire candle and lighter
- Water/well
- Tree or plant
- Mead or wine
- Bread or cakes
- Optional: Harp or other musical instruments
- Drums or bells for opening and closing
THE EIGHTEEN STEPS
1. INITIATING THE RITE
Musical Signal
Drumming or bells to gather the group and establish sacred space.
Opening Prayer
Spoken by the Ritual Leader:
“We gather here in sacred space, in the presence of the Three Worlds and the sacred center. We come to honor Bragi, the Poet God, master of eloquence and the power of words. Let all who enter here come with open hearts and clear minds. Let the sacred fire burn bright, let the waters run clear, and let the tree of life flourish as we begin this rite.”
Processional
Participants process deosil (sunwise/clockwise) around the sacred center three times, with the first circuit slow and meditative, the second building energy, and the third reaching full ritual consciousness.
Establishing the Group Mind
Ritual Leader speaks:
“As we stand together, let our minds become one. Let us breathe as one, speak as one, and honor together. We are no longer many, but one community united in purpose and devotion to the Kindreds.”
All participate in three deep breaths together in silence.
2. PURIFICATION
Purification by Fire
The Ritual Leader passes their hands through the smoke of the central fire and then moves deosil around the circle, allowing each participant to purify themselves in the smoke.
Spoken:
“Purify yourselves in this sacred fire. Let all that is not of good intent depart. Let all distractions fall away. We are cleansed and ready to approach the sacred.”
Purification by Water
The Ritual Leader dips fingers in the well and moves deosil, allowing each participant to mark their forehead with water.
Spoken:
“Purify yourselves in this sacred water. Let negativity wash away. Let your hearts be open and your spirits clear.”
3. HONORING THE EARTH MOTHER
Libation to Jörð
The Ritual Leader pours water or wine into the earth or into a bowl representing the earth.
Spoken:
“Jörð, Earth Mother, foundation of all life and home of all beings, we honor you. You hold us upon your generous soil. You sustain every creature that lives and grows. We thank you for the stability, abundance, and beauty you provide.
Accept our gratitude. Bless this rite and all who gather here. Guard us from below as we approach the sacred above.”
All respond:
“Jörð, Mother of All, we honor and thank you.”
4. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Ritual Leader speaks clearly:
“We have gathered on this [day] to honor Bragi, the Poet God, master of eloquence and the power of words. We seek to:
- Honor his gift of poetry, music, and inspired speech
- Invoke his blessing for creativity and eloquence in our own lives
- Celebrate the power of words to move hearts and inspire courage
- Strengthen our connection with the Shining Ones and all the Kindreds
This rite is conducted in peace and in right relationship with all beings. We commit to honoring the sacred and treating this space and time with reverence.”
5. (RE)CREATING THE COSMOS
Establishing the Sacred Center - Fire, Well, and Tree
Ritual Leader gestures to each element:
“Here stands the Sacred Fire, burning bright at the center of all things. The Fire is the heart of the cosmos, the place where the worlds meet, the gateway between the seen and unseen.”
Lights the central fire candle or tends the fire.
“Here flows the Sacred Well, the waters of life and wisdom. The Well connects us to the Underworld, to the roots of Yggdrasil, to all that is hidden and deep.”
Gestures to the water bowl.
“Here stands the Sacred Tree, Yggdrasil, the World Tree that connects all Nine Worlds. Its roots reach into the earth, its trunk stands in the middle world, and its branches reach to the sky.”
Touches or gestures to the tree.
Acknowledging the Three Worlds
Ritual Leader speaks, gestures to each direction/realm:
“Above us shines the Sky World, realm of the Sun and Stars, home of the Shining Ones and the Aesir. From the heights come inspiration, clarity, and divine wisdom.
Around us lies the Middle World, realm of humankind and nature. Here we live and grow, here we work and create, here we build our communities and practice our crafts.
Below us rests the Underworld, realm of ancestors and hidden knowledge. From the depths come memory, rootedness, and the foundation upon which all else is built.”
All acknowledge with a nod or gesture.
6. OPENING THE GATE(S)
Calling the Gatekeeper
Ritual Leader addresses the sacred space:
“Heimdallr, Watchman of the Rainbow Bridge, Guardian of the Gates between Worlds! We call upon you to open the gates that we might approach the sacred. Stand guard that only those of good intent may pass. Open the way between the worlds for this rite.”
Opening the Gate
Ritual Leader makes a gesture of opening, such as drawing an opening in the air or moving hands outward from the center.
“By the authority of this rite and in right relationship with all beings, I open the Gate between the worlds. Let the boundaries thin. Let passage be made. The way is open.”
All acknowledge:
“The Gate is open.”
7. INVITING THE THREE KINDREDS
Inviting the Ancestors
Ritual Leader speaks toward the earth/below:
“Ancestors of blood and spirit, forebears of our families and our traditions, we call upon you! Poets and skalds of old, keepers of memory and wisdom, we honor you and invite you to this rite.
Be present with us. Guide us with your wisdom. Help us remember that we stand on the foundation you built. Bless us with your presence and your strength.”
Pause for presence to be felt.
All speak together:
“Ancestors, we honor and welcome you.”
Inviting the Nature Spirits
Ritual Leader speaks toward the trees/plants:
“Spirits of this land and all wild places, vættir of stream and forest, of mountain and meadow, we call upon you! Spirits of inspiration and wild creativity, we honor you and invite you to this rite.
Be present with us. Inspire our creativity and our courage. Help us remember the wildness and wonder that dwells within us and around us. Bless us with your presence and your gifts.”
Pause for presence to be felt.
All speak together:
“Nature Spirits, we honor and welcome you.”
Inviting the Shining Ones
Ritual Leader speaks toward the fire/sky:
“Shining Ones, Powers of Asgard and beyond, gods and goddesses of the Nine Worlds, we call upon you! Great Oðinn, All-Father of wisdom and magic. Freyja, Queen of Love and Valor. Thor, Mighty Defender. Bragi, Poet of the Aesir—we honor you all and invite you to this rite.
Be present with us. Bless us with your power and your wisdom. Guide us toward right action and inspired speech. Bless us with your presence and your gifts.”
Pause for presence to be felt.
All speak together:
“Shining Ones, we honor and welcome you.”
8. KEY OFFERINGS
Invitation of the Being of the Occasion
Ritual Leader speaks directly to Bragi:
“Bragi, Poet of the Aesir! Golden-haired God! You who plays the harp in Valhalla and welcomes the greatest warriors with tales and songs! You who gifted humanity with the power of words to move hearts and inspire courage!
We gather here to honor you specifically. We invite you to be the special guest of this rite. Come close. Witness our offerings. Receive our devotion.”
Seasonal Customs & Praise Offerings
Participants may now share poetry, music, or words of praise. Each offering is made with intention:
- A participant reads a poem aloud
- A musician plays an instrument
- Another speaks words of praise for Bragi
- Another shares a story of inspiration received
As each offering is made, the Ritual Leader acknowledges:
“This offering we make to you, Bragi. Receive it with our gratitude.”
Formal Offerings
Ritual Leader pours wine/mead:
“I offer you this mead, golden and sweet, the drink of skalds and poets. May it honor your gift of inspiration and eloquence.”
Ritual Leader breaks bread:
“I offer you this bread, sustenance for body and soul. May it nourish the creative fire within us all.”
Ritual Leader may light incense or make other offerings appropriate to the deity.
9. PRAYER OF SACRIFICE
Ritual Leader speaks from the heart:
“Bragi, mighty god, we come before you not with gold or treasure, but with something far more precious—we offer you our commitment. We offer the work of our hands in creative endeavor. We offer the words we speak, that they might carry truth and beauty. We offer our voices in song and story.
We sacrifice our hesitation and fear of speaking truth. We sacrifice our self-doubt that holds us back from creating. We sacrifice the silence that keeps our words unspoken.
Accept these sacrifices of the heart. Help us become worthy vessels for the gift of eloquence and inspiration you bestow.”
10. OMEN
Casting the Omen
The Ritual Leader or a designated Seer casts runes or draws cards to receive a message from the Kindreds.
Spoken:
“We ask the Kindreds for a sign—a message of how Bragi would bless this rite and our devotion. What guidance do you offer? What wisdom do you wish us to carry forward?”
Reading the Omen
The Seer interprets the omen for the assembled group:
“[Interpretation of the runes/cards, relating their meaning to Bragi’s blessings and the purpose of the rite]”
All listen and internalize the message.
11. CALLING FOR THE BLESSINGS
Ritual Leader speaks directly to Bragi:
“Bragi, we humbly ask for your blessings upon us. We ask for:
Inspiration: Unlock the creative fire within us. Help us find the words, the melodies, the stories that wish to be born through us.
Eloquence: Grant us the gift of clear, beautiful, powerful speech. Help us speak truth with grace and courage.
Connection: Help us remember that we are part of a great tradition of poets and skalds stretching back through time. Connect us to this lineage.
Courage: Embolden us to share our gifts with the world. Remove the fear that keeps us silent.
Joy: Bless us with the joy that comes from creative expression. Help us find delight in the power of words and music.
These blessings we ask, not for ourselves alone, but for all who seek to bring beauty and truth into the world through their words and art.”
12. HALLOWING THE BLESSING
Ritual Leader takes the blessed offering (mead/wine) and holds it high:
“All blessings given in this rite, all power called forth, all gifts offered—we now hallow and seal in the presence of all the Kindreds. Let these blessings be real and effective. Let them flow into us and through us into the world.”
The Ritual Leader drinks from the blessed offering, then passes it to each participant who also drinks, saying:
“By Bragi’s blessing, I am blessed.”
13. AFFIRMATION OF THE BLESSING
All speak together:
“We have received the blessings of Bragi and all the Kindreds. We affirm these blessings. We commit to receiving them into our hearts and lives. We vow to use the gifts of eloquence and inspiration wisely and in service to beauty and truth.
The blessings are real. The blessings are ours. The blessings take root within us now.”
14. WORKINGS (IF ANY)
Optional: Participants may now do specific magical or personal work if desired:
- Speak personal petitions
- Make personal offerings
- Perform divination
- Write intentions on paper for Bragi
All workings are done in silence or soft music, holding sacred space for one another.
15. THANKING THE BEINGS
Thanking the Shining Ones
Ritual Leader:
“Bragi, mighty god of poetry and eloquence, we thank you for your presence in this rite. We thank you for the gifts you have given and the blessings you have bestowed. We thank the Shining Ones, all gods and goddesses who have witnessed this rite and lent their power to it.
Go in peace, knowing you are honored and remembered. Until we meet again, farewell.”
All:
“We thank the Shining Ones.”
Thanking the Nature Spirits
Ritual Leader:
“Spirits of this land, vættir of wild places, we thank you for your presence and your gifts. We thank you for the inspiration and wonder you bring to our lives. Go in peace, knowing you are honored and remembered.
Until we meet again, farewell.”
All:
“We thank the Nature Spirits.”
Thanking the Ancestors
Ritual Leader:
“Ancestors of blood and spirit, we thank you for walking with us through this rite. We thank you for the wisdom and strength you have lent us. We honor your memory and your legacy.
Go in peace, knowing you are honored and remembered. Until we meet again, farewell.”
All:
“We thank the Ancestors.”
16. CLOSING THE GATE(S)
Closing the Gate
Ritual Leader makes a gesture of closing, such as drawing a line across the space or moving hands together:
“By the authority of this rite, I close the Gate between the worlds. Let the boundaries return to their proper places. Let the way between the seen and unseen seal once more.
Heimdallr, Gatekeeper, we thank you for your service. Guard the gates well.”
All acknowledge:
“The Gate is closed.”
Pause to feel the return of normal consciousness.
17. THANKING THE EARTH MOTHER
Ritual Leader pours water or wine onto the earth:
“Jörð, Earth Mother, we thank you for holding this rite in your sacred body. We thank you for the stability and support you have provided. We honor you and commit to treating your creation with respect and care.
Blessings upon you, Mother of All.”
All:
“We thank the Earth Mother.”
18. CLOSING THE RITE
Closing Prayer
Ritual Leader speaks:
“We have gathered in sacred space. We have honored the Kindreds and received their blessings. We carry these blessings with us as we leave this rite and return to the ordinary world.
The rite is ended, but its effects continue. The blessings are real. The connections forged remain. Go forward with the gifts of Bragi in your heart—the gift of eloquence, the gift of inspiration, the gift of words that move the heart and change the world.
Blessed be all who gathered here. Blessed be this sacred space. Blessed be the work we have done together.”
Dismissal
Ritual Leader:
“The rite is closed. Let those who came in peace, go in peace.”
All respond:
“So be it. Blessed be.”
Final Signal
Drum or bell to signal the formal end of ritual. Participants depart slowly and reverently.
Notes for the Ritual Leader
- Timing: Allow for silence and presence between sections. Don’t rush.
- Flexibility: Adapt this ritual to your group’s needs and traditions.
- Energy: Monitor the group’s energy; adjust pace and content accordingly.
- Inclusivity: Ensure all participants have a role or way to contribute.
- Closing Energy: Help participants transition back to ordinary consciousness gently.