I was very excited to have another opportunity to write a ritual to Beowa this month. It was my pleasure to introduce some of my friends to this beloved Anglo-Saxon god of barley and beer. Our group includes some very talented bards, and we were blessed with a lovely rendition of John Barleycorn to round out our offerings. Here is a link to a popular version of John Barleycorn on YouTube, in case you’ve never heard the song.
As always, this ritual format assumes you have your own preferences for ritual purification.
For this ritual, you will need:
- Some sort of flat space for an altar. A table, a big flat rock, a window sill. Doesn’t matter.
- An image of Beowa
- Libation offerings. Water or juice is absolutely fine, but I suggest barleywine, beer, or malt whiskey.
- Something to pour the libations into.
- Incense (optional). I use loose with charcoal or cones, but whatever type you prefer is just dandy.
- Candles. LED works just as well.
Good Neighbors (optional)
Note: This section is optional and has been put here in case you are performing this ritual outside or in an unfamiliar space (such as a rented park pavilion).
Good Neighbors, Spirits of this Place
We know that this space is yours
But we ask that you let us borrow it for a while
Join us if our purpose is agreeable
Or leave us in peace for a time
Action: Pour libation for the Good Neighbors outside the space where you will be holding ritual.
Statement of Purpose
At Midsumor we reached a fullness as Sunne reached the height of her power. As the full moon comes only fleetingly each month, so too does summer’s peak last but a moment. The waxing year has ended, and the time of waning has began. And so, the harvests reach their peak and must be gathered in.
Now begins the time of reaping all that we have sown. Many of those seeds of intention we planted in the months following Ewemeolc have grown and blossomed, ripened for the harvest, just like the barley on its golden stalks.
And so tonight, we honor Bēowa, the spirit of the barley.
Action: Light the altar candles
Gatekeeper (optional)
Note: I do not usually acknowledge a gatekeeper in my personal praxis, but I know a lot of people do. So, I chose to include this section for those who may be looking for an appropriate gatekeeper-deity in Fyrnsidu. Other options might include Wadda, Frīg, or even Woden, depending on the purpose of the ritual.
Æled, radiant one, offering-bearer
We ask that you give life to this flame
That it may carry our gifts and prayers
Upon its rising smoke
Open the gate!
Action: Light incense or pour libation offering for Æled.
Invocation
Hail to thee, John Barleycorn.
To the one who is sown, grown and reaped.
You provide us with grain for beer and bread
Good food to fill our bellies and make us merry
Through your birth, life and death
You keep us hale all winter through.
Hail Bēowa!
[All: Hail Bēowa]
Action: Pour a libation of barleywine, beer, or malt whiskey for Beowa
We offer you now beer and barely and song,
A return for that which you have given us,
that you may raise you head again in the spring
and give us good gifts again next year.
Action: Pour an additional libation for Beowa. Sing or play John Barleycorn.
Closing
From the gods, to the earth, to us
From us, to the earth, to the gods
A gift has been given, may be it be well received.
Action: Blow out the candles to indicate the closing of the rite. Dispose of offerings appropriately.
Image Credit: Canva
Forþ-weard 