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The Rite of Cernunnos — The Death of the Holly King

€25.00

The Rite of Cernunnos marks the Wild Sun’s gradual descent — the powerful moment when nature’s vibrant masculine energy leaves the surface and gently retreats below the earth. This rite closes the chapter of autumn and ushers in the sacred period of Samhain, symbolizing the death of the Holly King as his strength quietly rests beneath the ground. Typically performed at the New Moon just before Samhain, when the sun and moon energies draw back together in balance, this ritual incorporates grounding techniques, heartfelt offerings, and sacred calls to deeply connect with the earth’s natural pause. It does more than simply summon; it helps the practitioner align with these cycles, teaching the body to release tension, to trust in the essential process of rest, and to prepare mindfully for the Goddess’s eventual return in the winter months.

The Rite of Cernunnos marks the Wild Sun’s gradual descent — the powerful moment when nature’s vibrant masculine energy leaves the surface and gently retreats below the earth. This rite closes the chapter of autumn and ushers in the sacred period of Samhain, symbolizing the death of the Holly King as his strength quietly rests beneath the ground. Typically performed at the New Moon just before Samhain, when the sun and moon energies draw back together in balance, this ritual incorporates grounding techniques, heartfelt offerings, and sacred calls to deeply connect with the earth’s natural pause. It does more than simply summon; it helps the practitioner align with these cycles, teaching the body to release tension, to trust in the essential process of rest, and to prepare mindfully for the Goddess’s eventual return in the winter months.

Additional Information

  1. Altar Preparation
    Seasonal timing and planetary correspondences for summoning Cernunnos.
    Includes: Solomonic days and hours, altar layout, tools, and symbolic keys.

  2. Fertility Key Sigil
    The primary sigil representing the Root Pulse of Cernunnos.
    Construction guide, meaning, and short activation phrase.

  3. Step-by-Step Ritual Instructions
    Full sequence for the Rite of Descent — preparation, alignment, offering, invocation, and closing gestures.

  4. Cernunnos Invocation Spells
    Three variations of invocation for vitality, fertility, and descent into renewal.
    Usable as spoken charm, chant, or meditative recitation.

  5. Integrated Meditation Sequence
    Guided inner work accompanying the rite.
    Stages of root descent, shadow stillness, horned presence, and return of breath.

Rite of Cernunnos — Setup Overview

  • Seasonal Time:
    • Dusk – Samhain (light withdraws)
    • Dawn – Beltane (life rises)

  • Solomonic Days / Planetary Hours:
    • Tuesday – 4 AM · 6 AM · 9 AM · 11 PM · 20 PM
    • Thursday – 5 AM · 7 AM · 7 PM · 9 PM
    • Saturday – 6 AM · 8 AM · 8 PM · 10 PM

  • Place:
    • Forest clearing · garden · living earth
    • Indoor option – bowl of soil or plants + open window

  • Altar Items:
    • Fertility Key Sigil
    • 1 green candle + 1 gold or red candle
    • Offerings – bread, apples, nuts, mead, milk
    • Symbols – antlers, pinecones, oak leaves, stones, bowl of water or soil
    • Incense – cedar, sandalwood, chamomile, rosemary, sage