Funeral of the Sun King

Preparations

Walking

The ritual begins by announcing to the four quarters of the land that the King is dead. To add Walking to the rite, you may add a procession around four landmarks. Or over the weeks of August, walk to the four corners of your village and do each announcement there.

Ahead of the festival in your Summer walking, identify a place to serve as the resting place of the King.

The Vigil

If you or your community wishes, hold a vigil overnight by the body of the king.

Things on hand

If you are able, bake bread. Have sheafs of corn, woven-corn decorations, or the like. If you are at a barrow, have something biodegradible to bury.

Colours are the contrast of bright corn gold with weather-grey-black, as of a stormy sky over a field where the sun is still shining; as well as muted earth tones.

Bring with you the memories of those you have lost.

Ritual

Opening

People of the East hear this:
The king is dead & he has no heir
Remember him!
Hail & farewell

People of the South hear this:
The king is dead & he has no heir
Sing of his deeds!
Hail & farewell

People of the West hear this:
The king is dead & he has no heir
Honour his name!
Hail & farewell

People of the North hear this:
The king is dead & he has no heir
He has gone into the barrow dark, and we cannot follow. We must face the winter night alone.
Hail & farewell

Happenings

(Sung, or in verse. Alternatively, the Lament for Theodred or any other piece)

Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day’s rising
he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended;
over death, over dread, over doom lifted
out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.

Tell us of the names of kings and their deeds!

Eorl the Young; and Brego builder of the Hall; and Aldor brother of Baldor the hapless; and Fréa, and Fréawine, and Goldwine, and Déor, and Gram; and Helm who lay hid in Helm’s Deep when the Mark was overrun; and so ended the nine mounds of the west-side, for in that time the line was broken, and after came the mounds of the east-side: Fréaláf, Helm’s sister-son, and Léofa, and Walda, and Folca, and Folcwine, and Fengel, and Thengel, and Théoden the latest; and after him, none.

Tell me, what is the task to which all good kings are bound?

To stand against evil, so long as iron is hard and stone remains.
To defend the land while one drop of blood remains.
To avenge what cannot be defended.

Closing

[Place the symbol in the barrow]

Let us drink to the memory of kings!

The king is mourned, and the barrow is shut.

Readings

• Many Partings - The Return of the King
• Beowulf
• The Lammastide mix tape