The Baelwyck Rite

In the past year, I’ve felt a call to return to the druidry of my ancestors, with a strong instinct that most of what passes as modern “druidry” is simply rebranded Gardnerian Wicca.

Nothing wrong with that, but it’s not a system I personally like working with. More power to you if it is. Blessed be, and whatnot.

So this past spring, I made a pilgrimage of sorts back to the land of my grandmother, and her mother’s before her. It was not my first time in the country, but the first pilgrimage I’ve taken there. From Newgrange to Croagh Patrick, from Dun Eochla to Ard Nemedh, I traveled. From Dun Aenghosa to old Teamhail, I rode those old rails. I even left a bit of food out for the faeries at night, by a cracked window, even though superstition would call that inadvisable. .

I slept in the home of my grandmother, where she lived until she emigrated to America. It’s a long road from that old house at the end of the road in Kerry; from Killarney to Cork, from there by steam-train to Cobh, and off to the America. I slept in the room she would have, and I like to think that she, and her ancestors before her, would smile, if worriedly, at my little bit of draiocht I brought with me from “Back over”, as they referred to it.

The ritual is of my own design, drawn from my own observations, divinations, and dreams, but I feel is true to the darker spirit of Irish magic. In it, you will call out to Baelor, forgotten king of the Fomor, and onetime foe of the Tuatha, who came later. His domain, and the domain of those called is one of magic and vengeance, and old vengeance at that.

For this ritual, you will need a red candle, a lighter, the name of an enemy who has wronged you written on a small sheet of paper, a plate for burnt offerings, and this printout. You will need about 5-10 minutes to perform the rite, and it is recommended you print out this simplified rite, or read through the full rite here. No time for this is particularly more auspicious than another, but I do recommend assuring yourself an uninterrupted space for about half an hour.  

Author: Lumo Arcanorum of Silfren Circle