Shrine of the Irish Oak Inc

The Shrine of the Irish Oak, is a small Celto-Roman Polytheist temple based on the Celto-Roman Polytheist culture and religion, worshiping both native Celtic Gods as well as Gods the Romans brought with them, not so much as a reconstructionists, but as what might have been if the Celto-Roman culture would have thrived and continued into the modern day. Thus the tradition is more open and free flowing than some other Pagan religions, Members may call themselves "Celto-Romans"

Historical religious foundation for the temple and its Polytheistic tradition

The temple is inspired by the historical ancient Celtic-Roman "urban" blend of Polytheistic religion which was practiced throughout most of Europe and Britain during the Celto-Roman age, This harmonious blend of polytheistic religions (Celtic, Roman, Egyptian, Persian,etc) was for hundreds of years the central religious expression of the Western world. [1]

History

The temple started in 2001 as a small weekly gathering of friends in the old Aloha motel in Waldron that focused on worship of various Deities from the Celto-Roman time frame, inspired by the Wiccan group The temple of Brigantia (http://www.janeraeburn.com/brigantia/) Mainly the healing Goddesses Sulis Minerva and Brigantia. The weekly meetings blossomed into a more formal group and in April 2004 the group founder Fr. Nathaniel Hunt (aka Titus Martianius Lupus, in Nova Roma, and Wolf Paradox in the Paradox Core) incorporated it in Arkansas as a religious non profit church.[2] In October 2013 the Temple chartered as official congregation of the Universal Life Church, (Universal Life Church congregation #62735) and remains in good standing with the mother church.[3] The temple does send all its ordinations to ULC H.Q The temple has stayed small and other than weekly worship it supports and asks its members to be active local community service and charitable works.

The Temple and its polytheist tradition's Name

The sometimes confusing name comes from the fact that the raised area on the main altar (the actual shrine part) for the Sacred Deity statues to set on, is made of 4 boards of antique Irish Oak, that was sanded, and attached to the altar in a stair step pattern up to the holiest part of the altar and covered with fabric hence where the "Irish Oak" name came from. The name stuck even though the temple don't necessary worship the Irish Deities. (though some of the temple's Deities do have counterparts in the Irish Pantheons ) [4]

Beliefs

The temple is 100% Polytheistic, Members view the Deities as close family/friends. The temples official beliefs are listed as: 1. We are devoted to the peaceful worship of the Celto-Roman-Egyptian Gods and Goddesses 2. Our core values are do what is right within the laws of honor and Maat, Live fruitful lives, manifest the Gods in the world by our actions, be true to ourselves and the Gods. They have a belief in an after life,(The halls of Heaven) where all good people dwell with their chosen Gods, One can reincarnate, but that is up to each person in the afterlife, but only if they chose too.[5]

Ordination to the Celto-Roman Priesthood

The temple does offer free ordination to those who wish to serve the Gods as an ordained priest ,[6] The applicants are required to complete a written report on their chosen deity(s)and create an outline for worship, prayers and feast day celebrations. if this is completed the temple council ordains the applicant as a priest/ priestess or other clergy title in the Celto-Roman tradition, The ordination is both recorded by the temple as well as sent to ULC H.Q in Modesto.

Gods/Deities

While the temple focuses on the Celto-Roman Gods, it is open to all Polytheistic Deities. As of 2015 the official temple Gods are listed as Sulis Minerva, Wepwawet, Anubis, Brigantia, Moccus, Tarranis, Bast, Cerunincos and Nematona . Unlike most other Pagan/Wiccan traditions the temple and its members view all the Deities as all powerful supreme beings, beyond the need for anything other than love and symbolic offerings from their children. Who along with all beings forms a chain of Divine unity. In 2014 communication/friendship with the Yazidis and Hindus [7] (Order of the Peacock Angel from ancient of Iraq Land of the Aryans, Group Representative Nallein Satana Al-Jilwah Sowilo )[8] lead to the inclusion of the god Melek Taus/ Under the Hindu name of Lord Murugan and his brother Ganesh into the temple's Pantheon.[9]

Worship

The temple views the worship ceremony both public and private as a symbolic meal shared with the Deities,[10] The temple holds weekly worship services, as of this writing that days are Friday/Saturday evenings. They are still in the processes of constructing a Celto-Roman festival calendar. Members are not only free to worship any Deities from the Celto-Roman time frame, they can worship any that would have come into contact with the Celts had the Celto-Roman culture would have continued into the modern day.[11] Members are encouraged to set up home altars to their patron Deities. The temple's tradition includes the ritual ceremonial offerings of candles, incense, Small libations of juice/wine/mead and food offerings. The food that is offered to the Deities in worship is then shared among the worshipers in fellowship and communion with the Gods. Altar cloths/statues and sacred tools maybe offered which would form part of the deities altar, Members may also pledge community service in the Deities names as an offering, Offerings of can goods are donated to local food banks.[12]

Temple Order of Worship

The basic outline of worship is open to the public, as the tradition has no vows of secrecy, the order of worship used is simple and straight forward, presented here:

Shrine of the Irish Oak Inc. Basic worship service/liturgy,

Written prayers/petitions from those in need are place in a bowl on the altar before the service Those in attendance may bring food, drinks, or canned goods, candles or incense as personal offerings to the Gods. *

Opening prayer

Priest lights the two main altar candles saying

All praise to you oh Gracious Ones, Sulis Minerva, Wepwawet, Anubis, Brigantia, Moccus, Tarranis, Bast, Cerunincos, Nematona. Murugan, and Ganesha May you hear our/my prayers and sanctify them with your divine power and wisdom, May we/ I pray with a good fire.

Incense offering

Priest lights a stick/cone of incense, passes it before the statues then places it in the burner saying,

I offer to you this incense.

Libation of mead/wine/juice

Priest holds a cup of wine/mead/juice, passes it before the statues then sets it on the altar saying,

I offer to you this libation of

Prayer requests:

Priest lights a stick/cone of incense, passes it before the statues saying

I offer this incense on behalf of those who need your divine help, and to you I send their prayers.

Priest now lights the prayer requests written on paper from one of the altar candles, and lets them burn in a fire proof bowl set aside for it.

Celebrants may now place their offerings on the altar, and have time for personal prayers

The blessing

Priest holds up the cup saying

Gracious ones, We/ I thank you for blessing this food and drink May all who hunger or thrust rejoice at your bountiful altar, May all in need of your healing and help receive your blessings.

Now the cup and food offerings are ceremonially shared among those in attendance (can goods that were offered are donated to a food bank)

Closing prayer

Priest and worshipers faces the altar saying

Sulis Minerva, Wepwawet, Anubis, Brigantia, Moccus, Tarranis, Bast, Cerunincos, Nematona, Murugan, and Ganesha peace and wellbeing to you all We/I thank you for your divine love, blessings and wisdom that surrounds us/me now and evermore All praise to you benevolent hosts of heaven

[13]

Polytheistic day of protest and remembrance

The temple took part in the Polytheist day of prayer that was held on July 31, 2015, an event for the remembrance of the ancient and holy sites/temples of Palmyra destroyed by Daesh. (https://krasskova.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/a-polytheistic-day-of-protest-remembrance/) The temple plans on creating an altar for those Deities who's temples were destroyed.[14]

Community service and the Rlsh community

In 2012 the temple started working with a Rlsh (Real-life Superhero) organization known as the Paradox Core,[15] since it was founded by active duty military members the Core has a military style leanings rather than the common inspiration from comic book type super heroes. Members of the organization call themselves Community Mercs or Community soldiers. The temple starting in 2012 has carried out various charity and religious works in the states of Arkansas and Missouri, and plans many more.

2016 temple birthday celebration

On April 12 2016 the Temple and its tradition will turn 13 years old. there are plans for a a re dedication and blessing of the temple on that date [16]


References

  1. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/The-Shrine-of-the-Irish-Oak-Inc-156229744468088/?ref=bookmarks
  2. ↑ http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/corps/search_corps.php?DETAIL=245505&corp_type_id=&corp_name=Shrine+of+the+Irish+Oak+&agent_search=&agent_city=&agent_state=&filing_number=&cmd=
  3. ↑ http://www.ulc.net/index.php?page=cong_data&id=251
  4. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/The-Shrine-of-the-Irish-Oak-ULC-Chapel-of-Gaul-Brigantia-156229744468088/
  5. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-shrine-of-the-irish-oak-ulc-chapel-of-gaul-brigantia/our-temple-constitution/311570195600708
  6. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/The-Shrine-of-the-Irish-Oak-ULC-Chapel-of-Gaul-Brigantia-156229744468088/timeline/?ref=bookmarks
  7. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/ysdsociety/?fref=ts
  8. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/156229744468088/photos/a.266717796752615.59325.156229744468088/926580934099628/?type=3&theater
  9. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-shrine-of-the-irish-oak-ulc-chapel-of-gaul-brigantia/our-temple-constitution/311570195600708
  10. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/The-Shrine-of-the-Irish-Oak-ULC-Chapel-of-Gaul-Brigantia-156229744468088/?ref=bookmarks
  11. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/The-Shrine-of-the-Irish-Oak-ULC-Chapel-of-Gaul-Brigantia-156229744468088/?ref=bookmarks
  12. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-shrine-of-the-irish-oak-ulc-chapel-of-gaul-brigantia/celto-roman-polytheism-outline-of-household-worship/851831828241206
  13. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-shrine-of-the-irish-oak-ulc-chapel-of-gaul-brigantia/shrine-of-the-irish-oak-inc-our-worship-service-2015/918652858225769
  14. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-shrine-of-the-irish-oak-ulc-chapel-of-gaul-brigantia/polytheistic-day-of-protest-and-remembrance/847637541993968
  15. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/TheParadoxCore/?fref=ts
  16. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/The-Shrine-of-the-Irish-Oak-ULC-Chapel-of-Gaul-Brigantia-156229744468088/
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