Blessings
Most often a blessing seems to be inserted into a larger rite. When blessing an item in a larger rite it can be quite
simple. The formula is that a blessing is being asked and something is given in offering as an exchange. Occasionally a gift
is also given to the person who performs the blessing when doing so at the request of another. As each Drui or Bandrui works
in ritual he or she will develop an individual way of performing blessings with its own motions and words.
A simple technique:
An offering is prepared.
Holding the object if small enough to be held, or indicating the object or place to be blessed with a wave of the hands
the operant or with the hands placed upon that which is being blessed the operant addresses the three worlds. “Upon
this ground, witnessed by these skies and surrounded by the sea of the otherworld we call upon the gods of these people and
ask a blessing upon this ________, accept this gift freely given and bestow your
blessing upon this______.” The offering is then made by being placed in the well, fire or poured out or cast into the
forest or by whatever means appropriate.
Occasionally
a house or child or land or something large is to be blessed and that blessing should not be done within another rite but
should be done within its own ceremony. The basic formula is followed as above but may be expanded by naming and offering
to specific deities. The standard steps of a rite are performed with the blessing being the central liturgical act.