My Core Order of Ritual as a Irish Hedge Druid

 In the Irish Druidic tradition, we do not call the quarters like the Wiccans. we open the Gates between the 3 Realms of Land, Sea & Sky. The Land is represented usually by a Tree, Stone or large vessel of Dirt. This is the Realm of Man & Nature Spirits. The Sea is represented usually by a Sea Shore, River, Lake or any large body of water, or a Well or Spring. This is the Realm of the Underworld, the Dead & our Ancestors. The Sky is usually represented by Bonfires, Firepits, Candles, etc. This is the Realm of the First Ancestors (Gods/Tuatha/Sidhe), Celestrial Beings, and Spirit.

Calling the Quarters for Wiccans is creating Sacred Space. We Druids don't create Sacred Space because we believe everything is already Sacred. Instead, we open the Gate between the 3 Realms, which allows us to travel the Pathways of the Crann Bíle (World Tree). Bíle is the Father of the gods, Consort of Danu, and is represented by the Crann Bíle. For us Druids, the Crann Bíle is the Axis Mundi. So when we open the Gates between the 3 Realms, we are recreating the Cosmos to establish a Sacred Center through the Crann Bíle that is the center pillar between the 3 Realms.

Before we open the 3 Gates, we always give an offering to the nameless ones, so these gods/spirits do not interfere in our Sacred work. 

Our goal is to access & channel Imbas, the spark that leads us to the Source (The Universe). In my 41yrs walking the Path of a Hedge Druid, I've come to see the Universe as a living, breathing entity. Danu & Bíle were created/borned out of An Aon (The One/Universe) to become self aware.

These are concepts my mentor planted within my mind 40 years ago from a Welsh perspective. Her rituals to open the Gates and access the source were simple but powerful. 

When I joined ADF for 9 yrs (I recently rejoined ADF), their Core Order of Ritual sent me deeper into a intellectual & spiritual rabbit hole.

When I had left ADF, I took with me much. Mainly their beautiful Core Order of Ritual. I had modified it into a more simple form (but to me no less powerful). I never been very dramatic or theatrical in my rituals. 

Here's a ritual I created, drawing on my mentor's teachings, ADF's Core Order of Rituals & 40 yrs of knowledge gleaned from my walk as an Irish Hedge Druid, for opening the Gates between Land, Sea, and Sky.

Preparation:

 • Choose a location that resonates with you, ideally outdoors where you can connect with nature.

 • Gather symbolic representations of the three realms:

 • Land: Stone, bowl of earth, or a living tree (be mindful if using a living tree; avoid harming it).

 • Sea: Seashore, freshwater source, or a bowl of water.

 • Sky: Bonfire, fire pit, or candles.

 • Offering for the nameless ones: bread, milk, honey, or something simple and natural.

The Ritual:

Centering and Grounding: 

Take a few moments to breathe deeply and connect with the land. Feel your roots growing down and your connection to nature.

 • Offering to the Nameless Ones: 

Place your offering in a designated spot outside your ritual area, acknowledging the spirits and requesting their non-interference.

 • Opening the Gate of the Land: 

Stand facing the chosen representation of the Land. Place your hand upon it and say:

 “I stand before the Land, the realm of life and nature spirits. I open the Gate to connect with the heartbeat of the world, and offer this [offering name] in reverence."

Then give offering.

 • Opening the Gate of the Sea: 

Move to the representation of the Sea. Place your hand upon it and say:

 "I turn to the Sea, the realm of the ancestors and the mysteries of the deep. I open the Gate to connect with the wisdom of those who came before and offer this [offering name] in reverence."

Then give offering.

 • Opening the Gate of the Sky: 

Light your fire or candles, facing the sky. Raise your hands and say:

 "I look to the Sky, the realm of the First Ancestors (Tuatha Dé Danann) and the celestial beings. I open the Gate to connect with the divine spark within and above and offer this [offering name] in reverence."

Then give offering.

Communion and Closing

 • With the Gates open, take time for meditation, commune/work with a specific deity, prayer, or ancestral communication, magickal working, connecting with Imbas, etc...

 • When ready, close the Gates one by one, thanking each realm for its presence.

 • Express gratitude to the land for hosting the ritual.

This is just a guideline. I give offerings to Danu & Bíle as well. I usually improv that part. So don't have it written down yet. With the Realms themselves, I usually give flowers or fruit juices to the Nature Spirits, food to the Dead & Ancestors, and beer or ale to the First Ancestors (gods/Sidhe).

This is my Core Order of Ritual, that I modify according to the High Days or whatever my work is.

Note: ADF calls the gods/Sidhe, “The Shining Ones”. I call them “The First Ancestors”.