Bardic Ceremonies

  • Open Gorsedd 2007
  • Open Gorsedd 2006
  • Open Gorsedd 2005
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    Open Gorsedd 2005

    Our first Open Gorsedd was held on June 17th (St Hervé's Day) 2005. The proceedings opened with the presentation of our first Gorsedd stone by Tim Sebastian from the Bath Order. A welcome was given by Nick and returned by our Honorary Grand Bard Shamus Joy on behalf of the late Richie Bond, Followed by the Call to the Four Corners of the Nation. We then performed The Ceremony of Peace where The Grand Bard asks "Is There Peace" and everyone replies "Peace!" - we did this three times and then the Gorseth was declared open.

    Gorseth Prayer (Talhaearn Tad Tanwyn)

    Grant, O God, thy protection,
and in protection, strength
and in strength, wisdom
and in wisdom, knowledge
and in knowledge, knowledge of righteousness
and in the knowledge of righteousness, its loving
and in its loving, the love of all existence
and in loving all existence, the love of God
God and all goodness.

    The Horn of plenty is presented to the Archdruid by one of the flower maidens, who urges him to drink the wine of welcome.

    The ceremony of the Offering of the Fruits of the Earth - The Lady of Avalon is escorted across the circle by two young attendants and the Sword Bearer, presenting a sheaf of flowers and corn to the Grand Bard.


    The Deputy Grand Bard offered prayers for those Bards who have passed on during the past year. Richie Bond, Alison Colyer, Tomy, Jaqueline Memory Patterson (the author of 'Tree Wisdom') and Ray Kerleigh were specially included, followed by a short address from Tim Sebastian, as our visiting Bard from Bath.

    Next came the chairing of the Bard, followed by much music and dancing.

    Ceremony of the sword - the sword is half unsheathed over the altar stone and the Cry of Peace is repeated (see above) whereon the sword is re-sheathed. We join hands hands for the final prayer and the Gorseth is declared closed.

    We Swear by Peace and love to Stand 
Heart to Heart and hand in hand
Mark O Spirit and hear Us now
confirming this Our sacred Vow

    So mote it be.


    May Day Celebrations

    Welcoming the new ArchDruid

    Carolling the May


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