Rusalnaia

Rusal'naia Ritual

Group Ritual

This rite should be held outdoors near a river or stream and somewhere where a small cookfire may be lit. If a cookfire cannot be lit, bring an oil lamp or candle in a glass container. Women should have the predominant parts of this ritual. This ritual was written for 6 or more participants but can be performed by only two if they divide up all the speaking parts between themselves. You should have:

a large birch branch with green leaves should be erected in the middle of the circle area as if it were a small tree. It should have at least as many branches off of it as there are circle attendants.

a basket of ribbons, flowers and fruits should be by the tree.

a small cauldron or other container for water

a poppet made of biodegradeable materials placed beneath the "tree"

Three offering plates, one for the gods, one for the ancestors and one for the spirits of nature.

cakes and ale, preferably mead and honey bread.

Cauldron should be filled with water and brought into circle, chant should start up like:
"water of death to water of life. We infuse you with the healing light."

Circle area should be swept around three times with a broom, widdershins and then circled three times with torches, or candles, deosil. If desired, the area and attendants may be smudged with juniper before entering the circle.

At this point the group should be led through a simple relaxation and/or grounding meditation which may be followed with a guided meditation to introduce the members of the group to the Rusalka.(Sorry, haven't written one yet!)

One person takes the container of water and anoints the heads of all present moving clockwise: " Let us honor the Rusalki's return from the watery otherworld. With each step of their sacred xorovods, they bring moisture and life to the fields. With their arboreal ascent, the trees burst into leaf and bud. We salute you, water women, and invite you and all other friendly spirits of water and woodland, to enter our sacred circle. Hail & Welcome."

One person lights the fire. "Let us turn our thoughts to the strengthening of the Sun king, Dahzhdbog, the celestial fire, who now moves toward the apex of his glory. Let us think of Svarovich, his divine brother of the terrestrial fire, the first fruit of wisdom plucked from the flaming tree of knowledge without whom our lives would be ever dim. Let us think of the fire which rages within the belly of our great Mother Earth. And finally let us call Swarog, the divine light which shines within and about us all. Hail & Welcome"

Third person: " Let us now bring our attention to the belly of our Moist mother earth, womb of all who seek entrance into this life, and when this life is done, womb of all who seek entrance to the next. May she, and the Gods of Vrij grant passage to the spirits of those we have loved who have gone before us, that they may join us in today's feasting and celebration. Hail and Welcome."

Attendants may be encouraged to invite their deceased loved ones by name. With each invitation, the other attendants should respond with "hail and welcome"

All the attendants should now "curl" the tree/birch branch. The smaller branches should be formed into wreath shapes and tied with ribbons. This should be done with all brance ends. The "tree" should then be decorated with the flowers, fruit, and remaining ribbons. The food should be placed directly under the tree, near the poppet.

High Priestess: The kumits'ja ceremony was performed to ensure a life-long bond between friends. Whomever you choose to kiss through the kumits'ja wreaths while we dance to raise the energy, will be your friend for life. This is not a spell to be taken lightly, so choose carefully or not at all.

A xorovod would be ideal, but if you don't know any traditional Slavic circle dances, any spiral dance will do, or you can run around the circle clockwise while holding hands. People may drop out to kiss through the wreath and rejoin the circle. When all are tired or giggling hysterically, they may all drop to the ground. The Priestess should cry
"Let it be so!"

A fourth person takes the wine and the cakes, and holds them before herself. She offers some to the Ancestors, some to the Ancient Ones,and some to the Nature Spirits while saying:

We invite you, Gods and Goddesses of our people, Sovereigns of the sacred realms of Nav, Prav & Yav, to join us in our feasting and celebration. We invite you, O Spirits of Nature, otherworldly creatures of forest and field. Join us in love and trust in our feasting and celebration. We invite you, ancestors and loved ones who have gone before us to pass through the gates of Vij and join in our feasting and celebration with those whom they love. Hail and Welcome.

The remaining libations are shared by the attendants.

Everyone should now cut a wreath from the tree and place it on their head, or one person should be designated to do this for all involved. Once each person is wearing a wreath, all non biodegradeable items should be removed from the tree and it should be taken up by the women and carried to the river or stream along with the poppet.

Fifth person: In times of yore, our ancestors would give to the river a young girl. Her soul was said to be taken by the water women where she would join their rank. Without this offering, it was believed that the number of water women would dwindle and they would soon die off, never again to bring moisture to the vegetative world. All would wither and die.

Our offerings have changed, but not our devotion. We give you, Rusalki, this humble offering, that you may receive thanks and know that your work does not go unnoticed."

The poppet should be set upon the water and allowed to float off. An appropriate song may be sung. A couple of Pagan chants come to mind. "The River is Flowing" works. Don't ask me how it goes...I don't have a music writing program.

After the poppet is gone, the birch should be set afloat on the water and, a few minutes later, the wreaths should be thrown in after it.

If a wreath floats away, love will come to it's sender from that direction. If it floats at all it is a good omen. If it circles, the sender should buckle up for some hard times ahead. If it sinks, the sender should go in for a check up and be extra careful to avoid accidents. When this is done, everyone should reconvene at the circle area.

Third person: Ancestors, loved ones, those of the land of Vij, we thank you for your presence here. Hail and Farewell

First Person: Rusalka, Nature Spirits, Protectors of the Mother, welcome back to our Realm, and thank You for Your presence here. Hail and Farewell

Second Person: Shining Ones, Gods and Goddesses, Sovereigns and Creators, thank you for your presence here. Hail and Farewell.

Each person is handed a clump of Earth: Moist Mother Earth, doorway to life in this world and the next, We humbly beg your forgiveness for the times we have not trod gently upon your flesh, have not felt as one with your presence. Hear us now as we give you our oath to be kinder and more responsible for your well being.

Each person should be directed to hold the earth over their head and swear to be kinder to Mat Syra Zemlia in their own way: that they'll recycle more, buy less plastic, less chemical cleaning agents..etc.

High Priestess: Our circle is done, our rite is over, may the Gods be your guides and the Zorya protect you.

The water from the cauldron should be poured onto the earth and the offerings to the gods and nature spirits should be removed from the libation plates and discreetly left for the gods and spirits (or animals) You may leave the offering to the ancestors there also, or someone may leave it in a cemetary on their way home.

AND - remember to clean up. Not much point in making oaths to mother earth if you can't even keep them during her rituals.

Back to Slavic Pagan Holidays