Ever since Janet and Stewart Farrar published their account of how they used the Oak King and Holly King as part of their rituals to celebrate the winter and summer solstices, many pagans have incorporated the myth into their solstice celebrations. The two kings battle twice a year, in midsummer and midwinter, one deposing the other until the time comes for them to take their turn on the throne again.

The problem I’ve always had with this version of events is that the Oak King is at the lowest ebb of his power at Yule, yet, somehow, he manages to defeat the Holly King, who is at the peak of his strength. While myths don’t always have to make sense, there is usually some semblance of logic to them, especially when they’re used, as this one is, to connect with the current season. As such, it makes so much more sense for the kings to hold their epic battles at the equinoxes, when they’re on a more level playing field, with one increasing in power while the other wanes.

Certainly, if we look at what’s going on around us, there seems to be a chaotic struggle for power affecting the weather. The blustery winds and torrential rains can be interpreted as the kings desperately fighting for the crown, only calming once rulership has been decided.

The concept of conflict between two mighty warriors is an enduring theme in many legends. Look at Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in Arthurian folklore, for example, or Lugh and Balor in Celtic mythology. The idea that one must die in order for the other to take their rightful place is one that persists across millennia, combined with the notion of sacrifice to ensure a successful harvest.

Right now, we are at the beginning of a new cycle. Lambs are starting to emerge out into the fields, and we start to prepare the soil, planting seeds and bulbs for the early harvest. This is the perfect time to reflect on what positive changes we’d like to make and the harvest we’d like to enjoy in our own lives as the year progresses.

This year, the vernal equinox falls on March 20^th. Here’s a ritual you may like to use or adapt to celebrate this special time of the year, when the sun and moon are in perfect balance.

Equinox Ritual in honour of the Oak King

You will need a representation of each of the four elements for your altar, as well as a flower bulb, plant pot and compost for planting. In addition, you’ll need something to eat after the ritual, such as a fruit pie, and water to drink. If you have a magickal journal or a diary, have this to hand as well.

Rise with the sun

As a solar festival, a very sweet, simple way of starting your celebration is to get up early to watch the sun rise. If it is overcast, visualise the sun coming up. Even if you can’t see it, you can still benefit from connecting with it.

Take a moment to feel the sun’s warm energy renewing and invigorating you. Recite to yourself: “I welcome the dawn of the sun, the dawning of the Oak King’s reign.”

Go for a walk

Go for a walk in your favourite park or go out into the countryside. Walk with mindful purpose, paying close attention to the signs of spring clearly visible all around. Collect flowers and buds as you go. You will use these to decorate your altar later. Take care not to pick any protected flowers, such as bluebells, or single blooms, like tulips or daffodils, and always ask permission from the plant or tree before taking something.

As you walk, chant: “I welcome the return of the sun, the dawning of the Oak King’s reign.”

Talk to an oak

If you can, find an oak tree during your walk. Sit beneath it, resting against the trunk. Close your eyes and reach out to connect with the tree’s energy. See if you can feel what’s happening with the tree at this time of year. Ask it about the Oak King and what his reign might mean for you.

When you are done, thank the tree for its wisdom. Collect some leaves for your altar, being sure to ask permission.

Create your altar

You can do this in your regular sacred space at home or you might like to set up an altar in the shade of the oak tree. Lay out a representation of each of the four elements:

• Use a candle for fire, making sure they’re kept off the ground and aren’t a fire risk. Even a small tealight can damage the environment, so you might like to use a lantern to shield the ground from the heat.
• Light some incense for air. The same rules apply – make sure you protect your surrounds from the heat generated by charcoal. Alternatively, you might simply like to have a feather or two on your altar, especially if you’re outside.
• Have a bowl or chalice filled with water. Later, this will serve as an offering to the tree.
• Use the flowers you’ve gathered to symbolise earth and make your altar beautiful. Place the oak leaves in a particular place of honour to represent the Oak King.

Create sacred space

Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Pay attention to the in breath, drawing in positivity from the air around you, releasing any negativity with your out breath.

When you are ready, visualise a bubble of protective light surrounding you and your altar. Say, “I cast this circle to be a sacred space, one free from negativity and protected from evil, so that I may celebrate the spring.”

Now call upon each of the elements to bless your circle. Say, “I welcome the elemental of air to bless my rites. I welcome the elemental of fire to bless my rites. I welcome the elemental of water to bless my rites. I welcome the elemental of earth to bless my rites. Blessed be!”

Finally, invite the Oak King and his queen to join you. Say, “I call upon the Oak King and his lady to join me in my sacred rites. Let us welcome in his new reign and celebrate the spring. Blessed be!”

Take a moment to feel the presence of the Oak King and Queen with you. Know that they are there, bringing their energy into your circle.

Perform magick

Fill your plant pot with compost. Do this slowly, with intention – this is the foundation for your dreams, hopes and ambitions, so treat it with the respect it deserves.

When you are ready, take your bulb or seeds in your hands and close your eyes. Connect with the energy contained within, see the flower dormant there, waiting for the right moment to bloom. What colour will it be? What will it look like?

Now think about your life and the changes you’d like to make. Where do you need more balance? What plans do you have that you’d like to make manifest? What inspires and excites you? What would you like to attract into your world?

Fill your seeds or bulb with your wish for this coming cycle and know that as it grows, so will your plans come to fruition.

When you are ready, plant it in the soil. Hold the pot in your hands and say, “I call upon the Oak King to grant his blessings to my harvest. As my flower grows, let it bring my dreams to fruit. So mote it be.”

Note down your reflections

Now is a good time to journal your experiences in the ritual while they’re still fresh. Did you receive any messages or visions while you were preparing the soil? Planting your seed? Ask the Oak King for any wisdom or lesson he’d like to grant you and make a note of any and all impressions you receive, no matter how seemingly insignificant or random. You may receive some important messages about the coming six months.

Eat, drink and be merry!

Close your ritual with some food and drink. Bless the food in the name of the Oak King, saying: “I call upon the Oak King to bless this food. May all who partake of it never feel hunger.” Now bless the water, similarly: “I call upon the Oak King to bless this water. May all who drink it never feel thirst.”

Eat and drink to ground yourself, being sure to leave a small piece of food for the tree as an offering, as well as some water. If you are inside, save this to give to the oak next time you go for a walk.

Close your circle

When you are ready, it is time to close your circle. Thank the Oak King and Queen for their presence. Say: “Thank you, mighty Oak King, beautiful Lady, for joining me for my rite. My celebration is now at an end, so I bid you farewell with gratitude for your wisdom.” Take a moment to feel them depart.

Now give thanks to the elements. Say: “I thank you, elemental of earth, for your presence in my rites. Now it is time to depart and so I bid you hail and farewell. I thank you, elemental of water, for your presence in my rites. Now it is time to depart and so I bid you hail and farewell. I thank you, elemental of fire, for your presence in my rites. Now it is time to depart and so I bid you hail and farewell. I thank you, elemental of air, for your presence in my rites. Now it is time to depart and so I bid you hail and farewell.”

Close your eyes and visualise the protective bubble you created earlier. Draw it back into yourself, letting the energy gradually dissipate. When it is gone, say: “the circle is open, yet unbroken. Blessed be!”

Snuff out the candle, and clear away your altar, leaving behind nothing but footprints and your offering.

You might like to adapt this ritual to use as the year progresses, e.g. giving energy to your growing plant at Beltane. Talk to an oak tree once a month. How does his story change over the year? How do the energies feel different? When does it feel right to you to work with the Oak King?

With this new cycle, now is a good time to start planning out the rest of your year. You might like to join us for a weekend of transformational ritual. Visit our event page for further details and to book your tickets.