Cat Memorial - May 27, 2024

Memorial for Minion the Cat
May 27, 2024
By Foxlyn Wren
ADF COoR Style

Supplies:

  • Corn meal offerings
  • Tree, Well, Fire
  • Lighter
  • Tealight
  • Hestia
  • Hekate
  • Bee
  • Elen's Balde
  • Bee Tarot
  • Hellenic Prayer Beads
  • Picture of Minion the Cat
  • Horn of Water

Ritual:
  1. "Laura's cat Minion died this morning from heart problems.  Staying true to Cat-dom and making this Memorial Day all about them.  Typical cat.  Tonight we hold space for Laura's family and her dearly departed Minion."

  2. Light the Candle: "Hestia-Vesta, First and Last, The Living Flame, I light this candle to show my love and gratitude for all that you've done, do, and continue to do for myself, my family, and community. 
    Hestia-Vesta, accept this offering    !"  Sprinkle cornmeal into the flame. 

  3. Purification: Light Sage "In the name of the Hearth Entities, I cleanse this sacred space of all unwanted energies and entities.  May only love, harmony, healing, and peace remain."
    (normally online rites, I use sound to cleanse space, since it usually travels better than smoke or water.  But for this ritual because I was dealing with Facebook, I didn't want to risk them muting the memorial.)

  4. "We call to the Earth Mother.  Earth Mother, She from whom we have emerged and to whom we shall return.  We ask that you hold and protect us during this memorial rite for Minion.
    Earth Mother, accept this offering    !"

  5. Let us connect to the Sacred Center: "Now I want you all to close your eyes and take three deep breaths.  Imagine that your feet are tree roots.  Plunge those roots into your floor and into the ground.  Push them deep into the earth, until they reach the cool waters below.  With each inhale, bring those waters up your roots.  Up your legs.  Into your hips--here there is a cauldron.  Fill the cauldron with the waters.  Let the cauldron overflow and fill another cauldron in your heart center.  Let the waters rise once more, filling your entire body with this cool, cleansing sacred water.  Rising up to your head, to fill another cauldron.  When you are ready, open your eyes.

    The Waters support and surround us,
    The Land extends about us,
    The Sky stretches above us.
    At our center burns a living flame.

    May our worship be true.
    May our actions be just.
    May our love be pure.
    Blessings, honor, and worship to the Holy Ones."

  6. Open the Gates: "We call now to Gatekeeper Bee!  Guardian between our world and the next.  Guide of the Dead of bone and blood; of flesh, fur, feather, and scale.  Accept this offering and be welcomed in this rite!

    Gatekeeper Bee, I ask that you guide and protect us, joining your magiks with ours!

    (Touch Elen's blade to the Flame)  May this candle become the Cosmic Fire!

    (Touch Elen's blade to the Well)  May this cup of water become the Cosmic Well!

    (Touch Elen's blad to the Tree)  May this block of wood become the World Tree!

    Bee!  Let the Gates be Opened!"

  7. Now we invite the Kindreds:  
    "Ancestors of blood and spirit, culture and place, I invite you to this rite.
    Ancestors, accept this offering."

    "Nature Spirits of land and air, fire and water, I invite you to this rite. 
    Nature Spirits, accept this offering."

    Gods, Goddesses, Godden.  Psychopomps and cat lovers, I invite you to this rite.
    Shining Ones, accept this offering.    "

  8. Being of the Occasion:  "Hekate, a Goddess of the Spirit World, a guide of the dead, I invite you here to this rite, as we hold space for Minion and her loved ones.  
    Protectress of our Beloved Dead, Hekate, accept this offering!    "

  9. Omens: "We have made our offerings to the Kindreds and so we shall ask for blessings in return.  Because The Melissae are psychopomps--guiding the dead to the Spirit World and back again, acting as messengers between the corporeal and incorporeal--I'll be using the Bee Tarot to ask the Kindreds for their messages and blessings.


    Ancestors, what is your message/blessing?
    Be wary of burn out.
    The Melissae, what is your message/blessing?
    Be wary of the lies we tell ourselves.
    Hekate, what is your message/blessing?
    You will get through this storm.  For now rest, self-care, nurture, and honor your grief in healthy ways.

    Do we accept these messages and blessings?"

  10. Hallowing the Waters:  Hold the drinking horn.  "We ask the Kindreds to bless these waters.  may they fill our cups with Their healing, protection, guidance, and compassion.
    See the omens fill these waters. 

    Behold the Waters of Life!  

    Drink deep and know we are blessed by our Kindreds    ."

  11. The Working:  "Hekate we know that you're guiding Minion home and that you'll help them find their way back to her family, no matter where they are.

    According to Laura, Minion was her affectionate snuggle bug, booping noses every morning and night.  She was a fierce protector and Laura's first familiar.

    We ask that You also help her human and dog family through this difficult transition.  If the ancient world's taught us anything, Cats are more than just spoiled brats with cute, murderous toe beans.  Pets are more than just animals--pets are family.  Loss is hard and the grief is long.  Guide them in honoring and dealing with their grief in healthy ways    .  May you show them a torch in their darkest moments during this time."

    Let family say some nice things and posts photos if they'd like to.

    "Hail the Furry Traveler!"

  12. Thanking the Kindreds: "Hekate, Melissae, Shining Ones, Nature Spirits, and Ancestors.  We thank you for attending this rite and lending us some love, protection, and guidance.  Go if you must, stay if you want.  Hail and Farewell!"

  13. Closing the Gates: "Gatekeeper Bee!  Thank you for guiding us and mixing your magiks with ours.  Help us now to close the gates!

    (Touching Elen's blade to the Flame)  May this cosmic fire be but candle flame.

    (Touching Elen's blade to the Well)  May this cosmic well be but a cup of water.

    (Touching Elen's blade to the World Tree) May the World Tree be but a block of wood.

    May the Gates be closed!

  14. Thanking the Earth Mother: Earth Mother we thank you for your support this day and every day.  Our thanks and blessings.  Hail and farewell, Earth Mother. 

  15. "Hestia-Vesta, First and Last, The Living Flame.  We thank you for attending this rite, and helping to light the way with inspiration, warmth, and love."  Blow out the candle.

  16. "This Memorial rite has ended.  Go in peace, and always know that Minion's around you, booping noses, bird watching at the window, and protecting yall from those astral nasties.  Leave a treat out for her!"
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Resources
  1. Ar nDraiocht Fein: Our Own Druidry.  2024.  https://ng.adf.org/  (newer site); https://www.adf.org/about (older cite)
  2. Serith, Ceisiwr.
  3. Stone Creek Grove, ADF.  Standard Liturgy.  November 22, 2021.  https://stonecreed.org/rituals/standard-liturgy/
  4. Three Cranes Grove, ADF.  Ritual Scripts.  https://threecranes.org/category/ritual-scripts/

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