Nanna High Days Ritual

Step 1: Initiating the Rite

The ritual leader speaks with joyful, bright warmth

We gather to honor the joyful one, the wife of the beautiful one, she who dwells in joy and inner light. All who come seeking happiness and radiance are welcome here.

All process deosil with light, joyful steps

We honor Nanna, goddess of joy and inner radiance, the beloved and the bright.

Step 2: Purification

Ritual Leader sprinkles water with joyful motion

As Nanna radiates joy from within, so do we let all sorrow and heaviness fall away. We stand light and bright, ready to receive her blessings of happiness.

Each person is blessed with water

Purified in joy, we are ready.

Step 3: Honoring Earth Mother

All place hands on earth with happy reverence

Jörð, you who bear all joy and all creatures that know happiness! Nanna’s light brightens all your surface. Bless this rite with the joy that dwells in all growing things.

Hail, Earth Mother!

Step 4: Statement of Purpose

Ritual Leader speaks with sincere joy

We gather to honor Nanna, goddess of joy and inner radiance. We come to celebrate happiness and the light that shines from within, to seek her blessings on all our endeavors to find and share joy.

We seek her gifts of joy, inner light, and the radiance that comes from a heart full of happiness.

Step 5: (Re)Creating the Cosmos

The Fire

Ritual Leader lights fire with joyful, dancing movements

From Muspelheim comes sacred flame—joyful and alive, bright and warm. This fire dances with Nanna’s own joy. Hail to the fire!

The Well

Ritual Leader pours water that sparkles

Mimir’s Well reflects Nanna’s brightness. In these waters shine all happy things. Hail to the well!

The World Tree

Ritual Leader touches central pole with affection

Yggdrasil’s leaves dance in joy when Nanna passes. All growing things brighten in her presence. Hail to the World Tree!

The Three Worlds

Through Nanna’s joy, all worlds are made brighter. Her radiance touches even far places.

Step 6: Opening the Gates

Ritual Leader opens arms in joyful greeting

Heimdallr, we call upon you! Open the gates for Nanna! The joyful one approaches bearing her brightness. Let the passage be clear.

Open the gates! Let joy enter!

Step 7: Inviting the Three Kindreds

The Ancestors

Come, honored ones! You who knew joy and laughter, who passed happiness to us! Come and share in our celebration of brightness.

The Nature Spirits

Come, bright spirits! Spirits of sun and song, of dancing and laughter! Come and celebrate your lady’s joy!

The Shining Ones

Come, all the Powers! And especially you, Nanna, bright goddess, come and know us as your joyful people.

Step 8: Key Offerings to Nanna

The Invitation

Nanna! Joyful goddess, bright and beloved, wife of the most beautiful one! You whose inner radiance shines from within! Come to this rite and know the love we bear for your brightness and happiness.

Praise Offerings

Ritual Leader offers flowers or bright objects to the fire

For your inner joy that radiates outward. For the brightness you bring to all around you. For your happiness that lifts all spirits. For your love and your devoted presence. For the light that shines from your heart.

These praises and this offering we give to you, Nanna.

Formal Offering

Ritual Leader holds up primary offering

We offer to you, Nanna, this gift of [choice offering such as honey, flowers, bright fabric, or something joyful]. Accept it as a symbol of our gratitude for your joy and our commitment to bring brightness into our lives and the lives of others.

Offering is placed with joy

Step 9: Prayer of Sacrifice

We understand that Nanna’s joy comes from her devotion and her love, that true happiness flows from the heart’s dedication. We offer now, understanding that joy is most powerful when shared.

Accept our offering, joyful goddess. Help us find happiness even in difficulty. Bless us with the inner radiance that comes from a joyful heart.

Step 10: Omen

Ritual Leader reads the omen with joy and anticipation

Nanna, what brightness approaches? What joy comes to us?

The omen is read with attention to happiness and positive outcomes

Step 11: Calling for Blessings

Nanna, we call upon your blessings! Bless us with inner joy that does not depend on circumstances. Bless our hearts with brightness and happiness. Bless our presence with the radiance you carry.

Grant us the ability to find happiness even in dark times. Grant us the courage to laugh and be joyful. Grant us your blessing, that we might shine with your inner light.

Step 12: Hallowing the Blessing

Ritual Leader marks each person with bright oil or water

By Nanna’s joy, may you be blessed. Her brightness dwells within you. Her happiness flows through you. Her inner light shines in you.

All respond

We are blessed. We are joyful. We are bright.

Step 13: Affirmation of the Blessing

We accept Nanna’s blessings this day. We pledge to cultivate joy in our hearts. We pledge to share our brightness with others.

By the blessing of Nanna, goddess of joy and inner light, we are made joyful and bright this day and all our days.

Step 14: Workings

Community may perform workings for joy, happiness, or inner radiance

Now is the time for any workings. Call upon Nanna’s power to bring brightness and joy into your life.

Focused working with laughter and joy

Step 15: Thanking the Beings

We thank Nanna, joyful goddess, for her presence and her brightness.

We thank all the Shining Ones.

We thank the Nature Spirits and the Ancestors.

Step 16: Closing the Gates

Ritual Leader gently lowers arms

Heimdallr, we thank you for the open passage. Close now the gates between the worlds. Nanna’s joy remains in our hearts.

The gates are closed. The passage is sealed.

Step 17: Thanking Earth Mother

Jörð, thank you for holding this rite, for bearing all joy and brightness. We return to you what is left.

Thank you, Earth Mother.

Step 18: Closing the Rite

Ritual Leader places hands over heart with warmth

The rite is complete. Nanna’s blessing of joy and inner light settles into us. We carry her brightness forward.

Go forth in joy and brightness. Let your inner light shine.

The rite is ended. The blessing endures.

All bow with love and laughter