Eldensvan, Friend of the Flame

27 August 2020

Objective
This spell is a fire and sun ritual for the purpose of raising physical energy and mental toughness. Though it is meant to be repeated, you may on your first time notice a lasting change in consciousness (e.g. renewed passion and physical vitality, increased physical and emotional endurance, increased enthusiasm for taking on challenges, etc.). Before you begin, be sure that this spell is right for the moment/day. I once did this before participating in a jiu-jitsu seminar (the goal being to learn) and was told by the instructor that I needed to relax. So this spell might have been better suited for before something like a tournament (where the goal is to win the “battle”) or just a hard training day, for example. In any case, this has been a very potent spell that has filled me with energy and bolstered my toughness every time. The following is my blueprint for the ritual, but as with all pagan practices, feel free to add or subtract to make it most meaningful to you.

Context
In martial arts, we speak about a concept called the warrior spirit. Cultivating a warrior spirit is one path toward being an effective martial artist in high-pressure situations such as in a tournament or (though we hope it never happens) in a self-defense situation. The warrior spirit is essentially a passion and enthusiasm for training and for fighting that allows us to push through difficulty, embrace challenge, shed ego, and set aside fear.

With that in mind, in this ritual, we honor the Celtic Deity Cú Chulainn (pronounced like "KOO CHOO-len", with that “ch” sound as a voiceless uvular fricative, like how the beginning of “Chanukah” is pronounced in Yiddish). Or you may wish to try and connect with Kai (from Arthurian legend) instead (or both).

Cú Chulainn, a storied hero of Irish pagan mythology, was said to be the son of Lugh. His given name was Sétanta. As a boy, Sétanta killed the dog owned by a man named Chulainn. As retribution, he acted as Chulainn’s guard dog, protecting his home and property until the new pup came of age. This was how Sétanta got the name Cú Chulainn, which means “hound of Chulainn,” since he acted as a stand-in for Chulainn’s guard dog.

When Cú Chulainn was done serving as a guard dog, he developed into a legendary warrior and was said to single-handedly win battles against entire armies by using his exceptional battle prowess gained from the tutelage of Scáthach (a Scottish warrior woman and martial arts teacher), his Gáe Bulg (the legendary spear of mortal pain), and entering an altered stated called ríastrad (or “warp spasm”). When Cú Chulainn enters ríastrad, he transforms into an unrecognizable hulking monster. Some sources describe it as his muscles contorting and his body turning “inside-out.” Further, one of his eyes would pop out and hang by the optic nerve. His passion and fury during battle were a sight to behold indeed. For more on the lore of Cú Chulainn, consider reading the Ulster Cycle from Irish mythology and/or the Táin Bó Cúailnge ("Cattle Raid of Cooley").

The mighty Kai (also known as Cei, Kay, or a number of different spellings) is the divine form of a knight from Arthurian legend who transcended into an incarnation of Lugh and is described as “the personification of fire.” In his human form, the knight Sir Kai is described as having a “great inner heat.” In Celtic Myth and Magick, author Edain McCoy noted that “what he carried in the rain stayed dry with him. When his fellow knights were cold, they warmed themselves near his body.” Sir Kai was also a storied warrior and is also known for having slain Gwrnach the Giant with his sword. For more on the lore of Kai, consult the stories from Arthurian legend.

Procedure
You will need whatever materials you usually use for your regular rituals and a red candle. An athame, while not necessary, is particularly welcome here since it highlights the warrior spirit that we are trying to cultivate. If possible, build a bonfire with a glorious flame instead of the candle. For the best results, perform this ritual outdoors, during the summer, on a clear day, and at noon or early afternoon. Contrarily, consider doing this ritual during a large storm, pulling from the fire of the lightning and ferocity of the wind. Construct your altar as normal and include the red candle in the center. Plan to face south during the ritual since the south represents fire.

1. Cast Circle and Call Quarters
1. Cast how you normally would.
2. Start facing south for the invocation of the elements.
3. Light any candles and incense used to represent the elements.
2. Invocation of Lord and Lady
1. If desired, do a specific invocation of the Lord and Lady.
2. This isn't necessary as deity will be invoked through the aspect of Cú Chulainn in a moment.
3. State Ritual Intent
1. Sit comfortably in the center of the circle, either in lotus position or kneeling in hero's pose.
2. Stare into the candle, attuning to its energy for a moment.
3. Feel or state aloud the ritual intent: to ignite the inner flame and cultivate the warrior spirit within.
4. Invocation of Cú Chulainn
1. When you are ready, hold your athame up towards the sky (alternatively, use a wand, a more traditionally Wiccan tool when it comes to invocations like this; the athame works in this instance as well as the purpose of invoking this energy is to turn around and raise the inner fire in the following spell).
2. Holding your athame, hand, or wand aloft to the sky, embrace the sun's fiery heat and welcome the sweat.
3. Hold this pose (or something similar like warrior pose) while reciting the following:
   
   "O mighty Cú Chulainn, son of Lugh,
   Under the midday sun, I welcome you!
   I honor your victories and battles won,
   And revere your inner flame that burns as hot as the undying sun!
   
   I, humble [your spiritual name], call upon you now!
   Lend to me your power, your passion,
   Your strength to endure,
   So that my inner flame may burn
   As hot and pure.
   Through sweat and grit and determination,
   I humbly request, Great Cú Chulainn,
   Shine your warrior spirit upon me!
   
   And I shall be your gladiator of flame.
   Blessed be."
   
   
4. Put any tools down and relax your posture, once again staring into the candle's flame.
5. Spellwork
1. Embrace the sweat even more, drawing energy from the sun's heat as the energy swirls about within the circle.
2. Feeling that energy and staring directly into the heart of the flame, chant the following as many times as feels right:
   
   "Keeper of the Flame,
   Lend me your power this hour.
   To you Flame I will be true."
   
   
3. I like to do this for several minutes, until my upper body begins to naturally sway in rhythm with my heartbeat. You should begin to feel sort of hypnotized, yet energized, fully in a ritual trance, before you stop speaking. Stay there for a few moments.
4. Once it feels right, stop chanting, but continue to stare into the flame. Feel the heat and sweat as it challenges you and strengthens you. Imagine yourself as a sword being forged by the flame.
5. Allow images of the warrior, or feelings in the body of empowerment and vitality, to wash over you. For me, the image and sensation of a fiery knight appears in my mind's eye. However it occurs, you should feel the warrior spirit within you now, ready to take on whatever challenges you face next.
6. Take a deep breath and say with passion into the candle's flame:
   
   "Fire beyond Fire, Ash beyond Ash,
   The Inner Flame burns
   So mote it be!"
   
   
6. Close circle
1. Dissolve the circle, thanking all beings who attended the rite.
2. The ritual is complete.
3. On the next day when the sun is visible, pay respect to Cú Chulainn in whatever way feels right to you.
4. Repeat this as often as feels right to help you stay on track and energized.