I know its still early to be planning the Lughnasadh rite...but Lugh doesn't always listen to me when I say these things....>.>
ANYWAY! I found an AWESOME blessing for the military items that I wanted to show you Debbie before I forget. It was written by Ian Corrigan and he explained it to us at one of the workshops:
Charm of the Cloak and Spear
Call I the Cloak of Brigid the High One.
Call I the Long-striking Spear of Lugh.
From the Hand of the Shining Ones
To the Grove of the Gate,
I ask the blessing of the Cloak and Spear.
Brigid of the Waters,
Brigid of the Kindling
Brigid of the Milk of Blessing
O Triple Lady of Fire and Water,
Goddess of Poets, Healers and Smiths
Weave for me warding, Hearth-Mother, Wise One
Your starry cloak settle upon me here.
High One, accept my Sacrifice
(an offering of milk and bread is given)
O Lugh Victorious, my light and my Guide
Clever One, Sure Hand, Sorcerer and Bard
Prince and King, Slayer of Balor
Master of Wisdoms, hear me.
Let your long-striking Spear be over my Fire,
Like lightening in every direction turning.
Long-Handed One, accept my sacrifice!
(an offering of whiskey and black feathers is made)
By your blessing Shining Ones
Let the Starry Cloak be upon me
Let the Nine-pointed Spear be over me
That no ill come upon me,
And my might be made great!
Of course we'll need to tweek it a little to suit the blessing of the items. It also has a sigil he designed to go with it that I am planning on making into talismans to go with it. What do you think?
Also...this is probably a long shot, but Crystal, do you think the other Grove participating in this with us would be interested in joining us for our Lughnasadh rite this year? It would be fun to have a joint grove rite...I know they do live kind of far away though...