Bruane says:
“To ‘Hallow the ground’ is a misnomer. All ground is hallowed by its very nature. But to dedicate a space of ground to the old powers and to call upon them to watch over what happens within, is an act of worship. The place itself may be defined already by nature, which is often better…or a compass round may be drawn.”
Bruane stands facing the north, seemingly resting his eyes, but when he opens them again, they seem to have a dream-like quality. He sprinkles a little salt from a small pouch at his belt on the ground before him, while evenly saying “Old Veiled One, Dark Queen of the Heath and Wood, by salt let this place be cleansed of all misdeeds gone before.” He does this to the four directions, and then faces north again.
A few moments later, Bruane pushes a wooden stake into the ground, and ties one end of his knotted cord to it. He ties the handle of the knife to the other end of the cord. He draws a circle, with the blade of the Knife, keeping the cord taut. The blade just scratches the ground.
As he draws, he whispers:
“I conjure thee, compass round…
Be you a world in truth;
Witness to the word of the Goat
As within, so without,
The four-ways meeting for my blood,
The blood of a son of the true family
Of the Old Faith.
You, compass round, a Turning Castle
For the four winds;
The meadow of the Old Ones:
Wherefore be blest and hallowed
By the Earth below,
By the Holy Name of Wisdom,
By the Holy Name of Tubal Cain.”
“Never push an instrument of metal or iron into the ground.” Bruane tells you. “It will interfere with the power there. Only make a furrow with the knife blade, as a plow does.”
He then removes the stake, and ties the cord back around his waist. “The circle so drawn in nine feet across. A sacred number, indeed!” He exclaims. “However, never allow yourself to become too hung up on proper measures and such. A comfortable size to you will be just as blessed by the powers as a proper nine feet.”
Bruane hammers two stakes on the northern rim of the compass, about three feet apart, leaving what seems to be a gate in front of the Stang. Using this to exit his compass, he returns with a pile of wood and kindling.
He then begins piling a fire in the center of the Compass. You notice that he tosses a small animal bone into the center of it. When he is done, he produces a small fire-bow, and by friction, produces a flame, which starts the small fire. As he works the bow, he whispers:
“I smoor you by the Serpent of Cunning,
In the name of the Archer, In the Name of the Smith,
In the Name of the Cunning Master,
Come forth flame, witness my Art…”
Bruane watches the fire for a few moments, then he stands and crosses his arms on his chest, facing North. he contemplates deeply for a few moments, before walking to the East, bowing once, and calling out “Bright and Cunning Master, Powerful in Art, Be with me. Guard the altar of the Three Sons, before the Morning Weald.”
He walks to the south, and likewise bows, and says “Buck and quick spirit of the Land, Be with me. Guard your Road, Robin, the Way to the Hill.”
He walks to the west, and bowing, says “Old shrouded Boatman, come from across the River, and be with me. Let the Ghost-Road be guarded.” He finally goes to the north, and bows to the Stang, and says “Great Dark One, White-faced Annis, be with me. Guard the Way which runs below, under the cold winds of your Bower.”
He returns to the center, and faces the Stang, which seems to have taken on an eerie glow, and remains silent for a few moments… and then, holding both of his hands above his head, declares:
Old Tubal, bearer of the Bright Mark,
The Mark of the Toad’s boon;
Rider, Black-cloaked Man, Archer, Smith:
Master, come forth and open the Witch-ways
And give Hallows to this compass round.
Stand here in the skull’s hollow,
And hearken to our words and will.
In the Name of Dame Wisdom,
And by the secret Shining Word,
I Seal the compass, so be it done,
By Three times Three, KA!
A long moment later, he looks at you and says “Thus is the Compass hallowed.”