Rheims Cernunnos
Gallo-Roman relief, 1st century CE
In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.
We have it from the mothers and fathers that Thunder is a powerful Protector.
To call on His might, stand tall. With your strong hand, reach up into over-heaven. Seize the lightning, and grasp it in your hand. With arm extended, pull it down to heart-height. See the flash, hear the roar, smell the superheated air.
Having brought down lightning, you must give it a ground. With arm still extended, move your clutched fist horizontally beneath the down-stroke to form the shape of an inverted T. For obvious reasons, this is mostly done from left to right.
As you do this, intone:
Thunder ward
You may wish to specify:
Thunder ward this stead [door, etc.]
This warding may also be used at the farthings (quarters):
Thunder ward the North [etc.]
Here ends the Ax- (or Hammer-) Signing.
Rheims Cernunnos
Gallo-Roman relief, 1st century CE