Every day the body works in the fields of the world
mending a stone wall
or swinging a sickle through the tall grass —
the grass of civics, the grass of money —
and every night the body curls around itself
and listens for the soft bells of sleep.

But the heart is restless and rises
from the body in the middle of the night,
and leaves the trapezoidal bedroom
with its thick, pictureless walls
to sit by herself at the kitchen table
and heat some milk in a pan.

And the mind gets up too, puts on a robe
and goes downstairs, lights a cigarette,
and opens a book on engineering.
Even the conscience awakens
and roams from room to room in the dark,
darting away from every mirror like a strange fish.

And the soul is up on the roof
in her nightdress, straddling the ridge,
singing a song about the wildness of the sea
until the first rip of pink appears in the sky.
Then, they all will return to the sleeping body
the way a flock of birds settles back into a tree,

resuming their daily colloquy,
talking to each other or themselves
even through the heat of the long afternoons.
Which is why the body — that house of voices —
sometimes puts down its metal tongs, its needle, or its pen
to stare into the distance,

to listen to all its names being called
before bending again to its labor.

~~ Billy Collins ~~
(Sailing Around the Room)

Hiking in the Arizona canyonlands one winter, I had a chance encounter
with a timeless creature – a wild stallion. The bronco’s raw, vibrant spirit opened a doorway for me to my own true nature.

Rounding a bend in the dry riverbed, I abruptly came face-to-face with this enchanted, primal creature as he froze in his tracks just across the creek. This lead mustang then broke from the herd and walked toward me. He stopped a few feet from where I stood. Holding my breath in awe, I stayed very still as he inspected me, and I him. He was curious and innocent in a very childlike way, yet majestic, strong and totally sovereign.

Eyes locked, we felt, enjoyed and marveled in each other’s being
for an eternal moment. The mighty steed and his pack run free
on Federal land and have never been ridden or domesticated.
It pulsated with the raw and explosive, yet soft, energy that
emanated from his core. Then he tossed his head, snorted and
turned to rejoin his herd. I glowed and quivered in his vibration
for the rest of the day.

That night, the spirit of the stallion came to me in an awake vision. He spoke to me gently, as a brother – not in words, but in a direct transmission, in a capsule of complete communication, heart to heart.

“For a long time you humans have been using techniques and processes in an effort to free yourselves from limiting artificial structures and constraints. Your goal is to return to a more relaxed, happy, natural state. Your various approaches have been only partially successful. This is because the very way you have been going about freeing yourself – studied, linear, and logical – has inhibited and, in the end, prevented the very goal you seek: to experience a free-flowing, natural aliveness.

“The only way to recapture the fire you have lost is to reconnect with it directly. Technical and methodical approaches can’t sever the ancient layers of deadness and fear surrounding your every breath and movement. Only by touching your original essence – your core life force, infinite spirit, alchemical cauldron of life – will you have enough power to burn your way to freedom and restored vitality.

“Rediscover the fire in your belly, the primal exhilaration that is life itself. Nurture it as you would a pilot light,
as if it is the very survival of your soul – which, in fact, it is. Put your attention there and only there. For that
passion will not only heal, it will transform. Because that is the prime directive. Because that is what your heart longs to do. Because that is where life itself resides. In this way, you will begin to live again. You will become what you actually are – an energy, a vibration, a star!”

The next day I happened upon one of Carlos Castaneda’s accounts of don Juan, a Native American shaman. In this particular story, don Juan spoke about a man whose “spirit is broken,” just as a horse is domesticated by “breaking its spirit.” As I read the passage, I recalled the power of my meeting with the wild stallion. Realization, like the sun piercing through an early morning fog, dawned on me, “That’s it! My spirit was broken. That’s what happened!”

I was emotionally shaken by the words I spontaneously spoke aloud. I decided to follow the trail of my strong feelings and find the source of my dramatic reaction. With focused determination, I closely examined my life in an intuitive meditative journey until I returned to the very incident in which my spirit had been broken. I discovered one exact moment when I gave up completely on myself. That was the day I buried deep within me the excitement
that life is really about. That was the day I gave up on life itself.

The shutdown occurred when I was a vulnerable teenager in my hometown in western Pennsylvania. I was just beginning my sophomore year in high school. Even though I played first string in my freshman year, I was considering not going out for the school football team this next year. On my Steeltown USA local football squad, we were trained not only to tackle hard and win, but also to hit hard enough to deliberately maim the opposing team players for the length of their high school playing career! This extremely barbaric approach to winning ran so against the grain of my natural human connection with other players that I was willing to buck the system by dropping out of the “program” and everyone’s expectations of me.

Several of my teachers took me aside on the first day of classes. I was informed in a very explicit, unsubtle way that I wouldn’t pass my courses if I didn’t play football for the sake of the school and the town. I felt I needed the cooperation of the system to be accepted at a college and escape the narrow, limited world of my provincial hometown. With the intense pressure and persuasion, I buckled under and went out for the team.

In order to play football, I had to shut down my connection to my true self. I resigned myself to “getting with the
program.” I decided to follow outside authority, accept the town’s values and “adapt to the real world.” My
spirit died that autumn. In fact, I entombed my enthusiasm for life so well that I hadn’t remembered until I did this meditation that natural exuberance and joy ever existed within me!

The act of consciously returning to the exact moment I shut the door to my aliveness had the effect of reconnecting me to the energy of my own eternal spirit. Relinking to the power of my real self immediately shattered the chains of oppression from that fateful decision to close down. Resuscitating my natural
vitality had the effect of reopening all the other doors I’d shut in my life to my original, spontaneous, primal passion. As the stallion promised, the fire of feeling alive returned to me – this time forever!

Source: http://www.thedream.com/index.html

Let the
day grow on you upward
through your feet,
the vegetal knuckles,

To your knees of stone,
until by evening you are a black tree;
feel, with evening,

The swifts thicken your hair,
the new moon rising out of your forehead,
and the moonlit veins of silver

Running from your armpits
like rivulets under white leaves.
Sleep, as ants

Cross over your eyelids.
You have never possessed anything
as deeply as this.

This is all you have owned
from the first outcry
through forever;

You can never be dispossessed.

~~ Derek Walcott ~~
(Sea Grapes)

The Viking civilization which thrived from the 6th to the 12th century
made extensive use of Runes. The word Viking is derived from a Nordic word meaning ‘adventurer’ or ‘explorer’, for what characterized these Scandinavian people was their maritime achievements in exploring vast areas of waterways and uncharted seas in their elaborately built wooden sailing boats. Traveling shamans accompanied many of these vessels, so with them went knowledge of the Runes and myths and legends regarding their origin. Myths are attempts to explain in allegorical stories how life began and developed on this planet and how events that took place in past Ages had a subsequent effect on the human condition. They were conveyed to illiterate peoples by word of mouth and passed on orally from generation to generation.

Mythology is an unscientific way of explaining how the Universe came into being and the interrelationship between the fundamental powers of Nature and how they function. A myth expresses in poetic or narrative form underlying principles rather than literal truths, and thus appeals to the intuitive rather than the logical senses and stimulates feeling rather than the intellect.

The difference between a myth and a legend is that a myth usually relates to a non-ordinary reality — an Otherworld — whereas a legend is concerned with human activity in ordinary reality. It is possible that myths were part of a racial memory of an earlier ‘civilization’ and presented in a form that the descendants of the survivors of a worldwide natural ecological catastrophe could relate to. Indeed sacred writings also contain references to a civilization of prehistory that was destroyed by an ecological disaster. Noah’s flood in the Old Testament is an example.

Runes are presented in the myths of the Eddas as no invention of the human mind, but as something already in existence, waiting only to be re-discovered and revealed. What is not clear from these mythological accounts is whether the Odin who recovered them was a celestial or an extraterrestrial being, or a shaman who was later deified as a result of his achievements. The relevance of the accounts, however, is not affected by whichever of these alternatives is believed.

The poem Havamal (meaning ‘Song of the High One’) in the Elder Edda describes how Odin, in an attempt to gain
something of value for mankind, experienced a self-imposed ordeal by hanging upside down on a tree for nine days and nights without food or drink, pierced by his own spear. During his suffering he lost an eye but found the Runes, which were revealed as a gift to humanity from the non-ordinary reality of shamanic experience. They provided a means of acquiring knowledge about the hidden forces of Nature and the processes that enable manifestation to take place. They enabled the development of perception to reach out beyond the range of the physical senses — a ‘seeing’ with the Spirit through the opening of ‘inner’ eyes, and a ‘listening’ to unheard
sounds through the opening of ‘inner’ ears. Personal transformation was possible because the Runes themselves are great transforming powers.

The following is taken from the Poetic Edda (1200 AD), Translated
from the Old Norse. An account of Odin’s Experience:

Down to the deepest depths I peered
I know I hung on that windy tree,
Swung there for nine long nights
Wounded by my own blade
Bloodied for Odin.
Myself an offering to myself
Bound to the tree
that no man knows
Wither the roots of it ran.
None gave me bread.
None gave me drink.
Down to the deepest depths I peered
Until I spied the Runes
With a Roaring cry I seized them up
Then dizzy and fainting I fell
Well-being I won
And wisdom too
From a word to a word
I was led to a word
From a deed to another deed.

Why did Odin hang upside down on the tree? This question is largely ignored by writers of books on the Runes, yet Odin was clearly endeavoring to convey some important knowledge. The account of Odin hanging on a tree has similarities withthe Crucifixion story. Indeed, Christianity became acceptable to the Nordic people partly because Jesus’ suffering on the
cross reminded them of Odin’s ordeal and that he too had been pierced by a spear. But one difference was that Odin was suspended upside down!

Hanging upside down on the tree may be regarded as the action of a martyr willing to sacrifice his own life in furtherance of the truth, and as a sign of readiness to put aside the Ego in order to receive a greater wisdom. Facing downwards on the tree and looking towards the roots may be interpreted as symbolic of seeing into the depths of the Unconscious, where lies hidden the potential of everything that is manifested — or an expression of Death, or transition of awareness from the external activity of physical existence to that of rest and renewal as
a preliminary to rebirth. Odin’s sacrifice of the Ego-self for the greater good of the Higher Self may have provided the power to spark that sudden flash of inspiration — that insight, that inner seeing which enabled a vision of the Runes to be experienced. But there was more to it than that. Let us consider further.

Although there is an affinity between humans and trees, their characteristics and functions are reversed. For instance, the leaves of a tree take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and give out oxygen. The lungs of a human being, on the other hand, breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Trees have their roots in the earth and their reproductive system — their flowers and fruit — at the top of the trunk. The human reproductive system is at the base of the trunk and the ‘stem’ and ‘roots’ are in the head, for whilst nourishment of the physical body comes from the Earth, the source of life — which is in the Spirit — is from the Universe, and it is in the head that consciousness is nurtured and individual personal development is realized.
Micho Kushi, in The Book of Macrobiotics writes: ‘It is more accurate to say that we hang down from heaven than stand on earth.’

So Odin, through his shamanic experience, was demonstrating that our roots are the brain cells, and our structure and constitution, though physical, are essentially spiritual, but we are suspended between the two. Odin was thus conveying an understanding of the energetic nature of human life and teaching us that the purpose of human life is to harmonize the forces of Heaven and Earth so that body, mind, Soul and Spirit function harmoniously and in unison. His experience was to indicate that whilst, in physical reality, growth is outward and expanding, in the non-ordinary reality of the Spirit, growth is inward towards its own seed and source, until the physical and the spiritual become integrated.

The tree on which Odin was suspended is called in Northern mythology ‘the Tree of Yggdrasil’ (pronounced ‘Yag-drill’) which symbolized the Tree of Life. The Old Norse word Ygg is said by some writers to be another name for Odin, but I understand that a better translation is the word ‘I’ — the identity of the essential Spirit within. The word drasil can be translated as ‘steed’, but its sense is that of a carrier or transporter. So ‘the steed of I’ is the vehicle that conveys the essential Spirit — the shaper and creator — through a journey of life and experience within a multidimensional Reality in order that it may be cultivated  to transcend that which is human. The Tree of Yggdrasil is thus  the Tree of I’s Existence, in and out of Time.

Before we look at how the Runes were revealed to Odin and what it was he experienced as he looked down into the hidden depths of the Unconscious, we should note that a Caucasian shaman in the Northern tradition was also known as a ‘staff carrier’ or ‘staves carrier’. A staff might be likened to a walking stick, and sometimes the features of a horse’s head were carved into its top or attached there. Indeed, a child’s hobbyhorse is an adaptation of the shaman’s staff, which some believed was the means by which travel into other dimensions of existence — into realms beyond ‘ordinary’ physical and mental reality — became possible. It was the forerunner of the witch’s broomstick. In times of persecution ordinary household items served as substitutes for shamanic tools. The broomstick stood in for the shaman’s staff. It had, however, no magickal power in itself but was a symbolic representation of different levels, planes or conditions of existence, and boundaries in between — root, stem and branch.

For special occasions a female Runic shaman is said to have worn a dress with embroidered hems and a necklace of amber beads, plus bones or shells. She also wore a shawl that hung in nine tails — one for each of the nine levels or enclosures of reality. Her headdress contained the antlers of an elk or reindeer and she was shod with soft leather, fur-lined boots like moccasins. In addition to a drum and rattle she carried a staff topped with a representation of a horse’s head and banded with Runes. The staff was not only a symbol of office but also a representation of the Tree of Existence — Yggdrasil. Other women Runic practitioners or seers wore similar outfits; some had cloaks made from animal skins with a hood lined with fur which could be pulled down over the eyes for ritual purposes.

Although there are two distinct ways of working with the Runes — either for one’s own benefit and empowerment,
even at the expense of others, or as a means of personal development, in harmony and balance with the forces of Nature and the Universe — the two became less defined as practitioners pursued their own individual paths. The distinction could only be discerned in the way Runic practitioners operated, and in the effect of their workings — for good or ill — in their own lives and in those of others whom they influenced. I have used the term ‘Runic shaman’ to distinguish those who worked with the Runes in their natural sequence — rather than in the so-called ‘traditional’ Futhark order adopted by the Runic magician.

Runic shamans regarded the Runes as ‘a gift of the divine’, not simply because of the way they were revealed to Odin but because, like any form of writing, they were a means of imparting knowledge and wisdom. The Runes were thus understood to be a divine revelation, given in love, and intended to bring benefits to humankind through an understanding of how Nature functioned and how the patterns that are within Nature are also within human beings.

~~ Source Unknown ~~

This is now.
Now is,
all there is. Don’t wait for Then;
strike the spark, light the fire.

Sit at the Beloved’s table,
feast with gusto, drink your fill

then dance
the way branches
of jasmine and cypress
dance in a spring wind.

The green earth
is your cloth;
tailor your robe
with dignity and grace.

~~ Rumi ~~
(Adapted by Jose Orez from a version by Coleman Barks in The Soul of Rumi)

Materials:

7 pastel colored candles- yellow, pink or orange, pale blue, royal blue, green, light brown and white
Crystal bell
Chalice or goblet containing the waters of life (in this case, wine)
Circular shaped loaf of bread
Low Altar or small low table
Altar cloth
Any spring type decorations you might want for the altar

Set up:

Scribe a circle with your staff that encompasses your altar & allows plenty of room to move. Place the candles as follows on their designated compass point on the circle: pale yellow on the east, pink or pale orange on the south, pastel blue on the west, pale green on the north. The remaining candles are placed on the altar as follows: white representing spirit in the center, with light brown (below) and royal blue (above) on either side. The chalice & bell should be placed on eitherside of the candles. These items should form a crescent shape on the altar. The last item, the bread should be placed within the crescent shape between the druid & the candles.

The celebration:

Stand near the center of the circle. Close your eyes, breathe deeply and begin centering yourself. Imagine your spirit reaching down into the earth and up into the cosmos. When you feel grounded, begin by walking to the candle to the east. Light it and say:

“Spirit of the East, I welcome
you and your gentle kiss borne upon the wind. Come if you will
and rejoice with us.”

Now, walk to the southern candle. Light it and say:

“Spirit of the South, I welcome
you and the awakening passion you bring. Come if you will and
rejoice with us.”

Now, walk to the western candle. Light it and say:

“Spirit of the West, I welcome
you and your gentle spring rains. Come if you will and rejoice
with us.”

Now, walk to the northern candle. Light it and say:

“Spirit of the North, I welcome you and the fruitfulness of the awakening Mother.
Come if you will and rejoice with us.”

Walk to the altar and sit in front of it. Light the brown candle
and say:

“Spirit of below, I welcome you and your gentle stirrings of life.
Come if you will and rejoice with us.”

Light the royal blue candle and say:

“Spirit of above, I welcome you and your infinite lights.
Come if you will and rejoice with us.”

Light the white candle and say:

“Spirit within, enters here
in light and love to rejoice in the awaking of our Mother.”

Ring the bell seven times.

“Oh great Hashem, hear and forgive your humble servant. You are everywhere, but I worship you here. You are without form, but I worship you in these forms. I come before you today to celebrate the return of life to the Earth Mother. I rejoice in the awakening of the flowers and trees, may they bring us great joy with their colorful blooms. I rejoice in the ecstasy of the birds, singing in joy. I rejoice in the gentle kiss of the wind, warm and gently caressing my cheek. I rejoice in the awakening of the Earth Mother and the return of her children. Hashem, cleanse my mind and heart and help me prepare to meditate that I may be closer to you and her. I rejoice and welcome Alban Eiler!”

Sit for a time in quiet meditation, breathing deeply and being aware of the sounds and smells surrounding you and any feelings you may have.

When you are done meditating, take the bread within your hands and say:

“Blessed are you Hashem, and
blessed is your child the Earth, that brings forth the grains
and provide us with food.”

Break a small piece off and while sprinkling the crumbs on the ground say:

“I offer these in thanks for your bountiful gifts.”

Return the bread to the table and lift the goblet.

“Blessed are you Hashem, and
blessed is your child the Earth, who provides us with drink
so that we never thirst.”

Drink from the goblet and pour some upon the ground and return it to the altar.

Ending:

Rise to your feet and say:

“Blessed are you, Spirits of Above and Below , Spirits of the North, West, South and East
and any others that may be in attendance. Thank you for being
a part of this celebration. Stay if you will or go if you must.
I wish you peace.”

The celebration may be followed with a mini-seder celebrating the fruits of the trees and be sure to include many spring flowers in your decorations.

~~ Source Unknown ~~

“Oh,  now tell me Taliesin, tell me why you hurry so?”
“Hush good Druid, hush and listen,” and his cheeks
were all aglow.
“I bear news from the Archdruid; get you ready quick and soon,
For we all must be together, by the rising of the moon!

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
For we all must be together, by the rising of the moon!”

“Oh, then tell me Taliesin, where the gathering is to be?”
“At the oak grove by the river, quite well known to you and me.
“One more word, for signal token, whistle out the Dagda’s tune,
“With your sickle on your shoulder, by the rising of the moon!

By the rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
With your sickle on your shoulder, by the rising of the moon!”

Yes, in many a magic circle, white robes gathered in the night.
Many a sacred grove was throbbing, with that blessed Druid light.
And the Heathen sang across the land, to the Bansidhe’s eerie tune;
And a thousand spells were chanted, by the rising of the moon!

Bythe rising of the moon, by the rising of the moon,
And a thousand spells were chanted, by the rising of the moon!

Now, throughout that pulsing Pagan night, the Faerie folk all swarmed.
High above the singing Druids soon, a wrathful Goddess formed.
“Confusion to our enemies! Druids carve the final rune
—
“Cast all our spells together now — ’tis the rising of the moon!

‘Tis the rising of the moon, ’tis the rising of the moon.
Cast all our spells together now — ’tis the rising of the moon!”

The Goddess headed for the East, across the sea’s bright foam;
And what glorious havoc She did wreak, in London and in Rome!
So the Archdruid, he spoke to us, upon the following noon,
“I think we got our point across, at the rising of the moon!

At the rising of the moon, at the rising of the moon,
I think we got our point across at the rising of the moon!”

(This is another of my old “Pagan I.R.A.” songs — that’s “Irish Revolutionary Activists,” of course!)

All songs are copyright © as marked and renewed in 2005 c.e., by Isaac Bonewits (and co-authors).

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Green is a combination of the colors yellow and blue, each of which brings its own unique energy to the overall feeling of the color green. Blue exudes calm and peace, while yellow radiates liveliness and high levels of energy. As a marriage between these two very different colors, green is a unifier of opposites, offering both the excitement of yellow and the tranquility of blue. It energizes blue’s passivity and soothes yellow’s intensity, inspiring us to be both active and peaceful at the same time. It is a mainstay of the seasons of spring and summer, thus symbolizing birth and growth.

Green is one of the reasons that spring instigates so much excitement and activity. As a visual harbinger of the end of winter, green stems and leaves shoot up and out from the dark branches of trees and the muddy ground, letting us know that it’s safe for us to come out, too. In this way, green invites us to shed our layers and open ourselves to the outside world, not in a frantic way, but with an easygoing excitement that draws us outside just to sniff the spring air. Unlike almost any other color, green seems to have its own smell, an intoxicating combination of sun and sky—earthy, bright, and clean. In the best-case scenario, it stops us in our tracks and reminds us to appreciate the great experience of simply being alive.

Green balances our energy so that, in looking at it, we feel confident that growth is inevitable. It also gives us the energy to contribute to the process of growth, to nurture ourselves appropriately, without becoming overly attached to our part in the process. Green reminds us to let go and let nature do her work, while at the same time giving us the energy to do our own.

~~ From The Daily Om ~~

The Albion Song

by Jennifer Smith

Fading away in the mists of time
The Older Gods did go.
And we mere mortals left behind
with Younger Gods to know.

And now they too are fading fast
And we are left alone.
And, oh, my love
I grieve the past and long to go back home.

And oh my Mother is crying and no one can hear Her
Her children are dying
Oh, can She hear me wailing?
I long to go back home
Please come and take me home.

How long has it been
Since Fal did scream
For Brian’s Holy Crown,
And cries of Andrasta shook the hills
When Rome took Albion down?

For history lies
And poets dream
And truth is seldom known.
And I am left with an aching heart
And songs to sing alone.

And oh my Mother is crying and no one can hear Her
Her children are dying
Oh, can She hear me wailing?
I long to go back home
Please come and take me home.

I dream I stood on Erin’s Shore
The sea before me lay.
And all around the wind did sigh
and mourn the fading day.

And then I saw on that shining sea
A ship as white as bone.
And then I knew in my soul
That I was finally going home.

All Thru The Night

While the Moon her watch is keeping
all thru the night
While the weary world is sleeping
all thru the night

O’er thy spirit gently stealing,
Visions of delight revealing
Breathes a pure and holy feeling
all thru the night

Though this Bard must roam full lonely
My true harp shall sing praise only
Love’s soft dream, alas, is over
Yet my strains of love shall hover
Near the Presence of my Lover

Hark! A solemn bell is ringing
Thou, my King are heavenward winging
Earthly dust from off Thee shaken
Soul immortal shalt thou waken
With thy last, dim journey taken

Neath this Stone my King is sleeping
Stars around Him softly sweeping
Once and Future King preserving
Britain’s Saviour there reserving
All around him Stars observing

all thru the night

Holl am ran-tire sehr thuh wed-ont
ahr heed ah nos
Dum-ar forth ee vro go-gawn-yont
ahr heed ah nos

Gol-i ar-all you tuh wull ooch
ee are thang os gweer bred vairtch-ooch
tie-leer nave oith m’yoon thu-wail-ooch
ahr heed ah nos

Note: The last verse is phonetic Welsh. “ll” is pronounced by putting the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth, and saying “h” and “l” at the same time…sort of. “ch” is pronounced as German.

Ishtar by Lisa Iris

Aridu

(Based On The Hymn To Ishtar From Acadia)

Lord of
sun and lady moon
Bright at night and bright at noon
See my offering, hear my call
Lord and lady guard us all

Sky god an, earth goddess ki
All do honor unto thee
Spread your seed upon the ground
Bring forth life fecund and round

Holy queen of living things
She whose bloom the summer brings
Bless us lady give us cheer
As we wander through the year

Royal shepherd, mountain king
Lofty bull of whom we sing
Fill our bowls with waters sweet
Spread the seeds of corn and wheat

Bless our lips and bless our breast
Guide us gently to our rest
Bless our sheep and bless our corn
Ease our grief when we must mourn

Sing the song and join the rite
Praise the day and bless the night
Thank the gods for what they bear
Earth and water, fire and air.

Asahi

(asahi [ausa-he] is japanese; asa-morning, hi-fire)

Asahi,
the morning fire,
rise oh body, for my soul to spire.
Gyrations of another day,
never ending, always flowing,
the dance we call creation.
Centered is the one who seeks,
for intuition is always knowing,
so I call upon the “Asahi”
to keep the sparkle glowing.
Asahi, morning fire,
Creator of new life,
balancing the course of nature,
oh heal me of my strike.
Warrior, flow through me,
for it is strength that I desire.
Walk with me, this troubled day,
so that with peace,
I may retire.

The Beltane Chase

Ladies:
I shall go as a wren in spring
With sorrow and sighing on silent wing
And I shall go in our Lady’s name
Aye, till I come home again.

Men:
And we shall follow as falcons grey
And hunt thee cruelly as our prey
And we shall go in our Master’s name
Aye, to fetch thee home again.

Ladies:
Then I shall go as a mouse in May
In the fields by night and cellars by day
And I shall go in our Lady’s name
Aye, till I come home again.

Men:
But we shall follow as fat tom cats
And chase thee through the corn and vats
And we shall go in our Master’s name
Aye, to fetch thee home again.

Ladies:
Then I shall go as an Autumn hare
With sorrow and sighing and mickle care
And I shall go in our Lady’s name
Aye, till I come home again.

Men:
But we shall follow as swift grey hounds
And dog thy tracks by leaps and bounds
And we shall go in our Master’s name
Aye, to fetch thee home again.

Ladies:
Then I shall go as a Winter trout
With sorrow sighing and mickle doubt
And I shall go in our Lady’s name
Aye, till I come home again.

Men:
But we shall follow as otter’s swift
And snare thee faster thou can’st shift
And we shall go in our Master’s name
Aye, to fetch thee home again.

Ladies:
Aye, and I’ll come home again.

Bright Blessings

Earth Mother
Giver of life
Strengthen me during my life-long strife.
Teach me Your ways of perfect love,
peace, and wisdom true.
Spawn from my purest heart
These words to You

May this prayer help me to better
myself in word and deed,
To a higher plane I shall succeed.
Beautiful Light of Goodness Fair
Lore of old we both do share
A Witch’s brew, I drink to You

My love for You, by day, by night
In thought and in sight
Will my soul learn
the meaning of this life again.

The Goddess is Alive

Moon shines
down upon a sea of Light,
Shifting sands lay singing in the Heart of the Night.
I looked upon a scene that gripped me to the core,
White-clad maidens below were dancing on the shore.

Sweet sounds slipped from moon-lit throats,
Wind whipped hair abound,
Lit by the light within and without,
The Women circled ’round.

As I stood, water engulfed my feet,
My body swayed to your Heavenly Heart beat.
Wind and wave and fire light,
Paled in my mind Earthly delight.

Time slipped by me as you held your embrace,
And windblown spray covered my face.
Protected deep within your Womb,
I could feel the tender pain of Life’s bloom.

Candles flared high as the Dance progressed,
Deep inside with a healing touch you blessed.
All around, wind, wave and fire shouted of your life,
Your light speared deep within, soothing my strife.

Divine Mother, Goddess of Light,
To you I come seeking protection from the night.
Come home to shelter within your arm,
Surrounded by Love, hidden from harm.

Holy Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
From you we all trace our Birth.
Heavenly Goddess, light from above,
Shine down upon us, we pray for your Love.

Gloria

Snow lies
deep upon the Earth
Still our voices warmly sing
Heralding the glorious birth
Of the Child, the Winter King

Glo – ria!
In excelsis Deo!
Glo – ria!
In excelsis Dea!

Our triumphant voices claim
Joy and hope and love renewed
And our Lady’s glad refrain
Answer Winter’s solitude

Glo – ria!(etc.)

In Her arms a holy Child
Promises a glowing Light
Through the winter wind so wild
He proclaims the growing Light.

Glo – ria! (etc..)

Now the turning of the year
Of the greater Turning sings
Passing age of cold and fear
Soon our golden summer brings.

Glo – ria! (etc..)

God Rest Ye Merry, Paganfolk

God rest ye merry, paganfolk,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember that the Sun returns
Upon this Solstice day.
The growing dark is ending now
And Spring is on its way.

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

The Goddess rest ye merry, too,
And keep you safe from harm.
Remember that we live within
The circle of Her arms,
And may Her love give years to come
A very special charm.

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!

Goddess Grace

I am the
Goddess of a thousand names and infinite capacity.
All Her gifts are mine.
All Her powers reside in me.

I am Athena of Greece.
Like my totem the owl, I am wise
for I see and hear everything around and within me.
Like the oak, I am strong for the olive of peace is sacred to
me.

I am Bast, cat goddess of Egypt.
I am graceful, flexible, playful, and affectionate.
I radiate the warmth and light of the glorious sun.

I am Ceridwen of Wales.
My magic cauldron contains food for the soul,
an inexhaustible source of wisdom and inspiration.
The more I give, the more I receive.

I am Diana, Roman goddess of the ever-changing moon.
I am a protectress of women and children,
a guardian of the wild.
I focus my aim on my heart’s desire and draw it to me.

I am Ereshkigal, Assyro-Babylonian goddess of the underworld,
Queen of the Great Below.
I shed dead skin to grow.
Deep powers of renewal are mine.

I am Freya, Well-beloved Nordic Lady.
I survey the beauty of my world in joyous flight.
I celebrate and honor the bonds between friends and lovers.

I am Gaia, Greek Earth Mother.
Grounded and centered in the rhythms and patterns of chaos,
I emerge to create my universe.

I am Hecate of Greece. Triple Goddess of the crossroads of choice.
I balance my powers of thought and my emotion.
I choose the path I walk.
The torch of my reason is illumined by my brilliant intuition.

I am Isis, Egyptian Queen of the World.
I offer healing and transformation to all in need.
I hold the power to shape my world.

I am Jagad-Yoni, Hindu universal yoni, womb of the world.
I am the gatekeeper of the next generation.
I choose the life that emerges through me.
I use my power wisely.

I am Kwan-Yin of Buddhist China, goddess of compassion.
I hear and comfort the wounds of the world.
I welcome children and teach the magic of change.

I am Liban, Irish mermaid goddess.
I revel in the healing power of pleasure.
Quench your thirst at my sacred well.

I am Maat of Egypt.
Truth, justice and law are the natural order of my universe.
Harmony arises as I attune to my divine will.

I am Nu-Kua, Chinese dragon-tailed creaturess.
I restore the cosmic equilibrium.
I form community among women and men,
connecting in equality of love and respect.

I am Old Spider goddess of Micronesia.
I created the moon, the sea, the sky, the sun,
and the earth from a single clamshell.
All the vast and varied universe is present
in the smallest forms of life.
As above, so below.
As within, so without.

I am Pele, Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes.
My fiery energy erupts from my core to create new worlds.
I flow easily over obstacles in my path.

I am Qedeshet of Syria.
I balance lightly on the lion I ride.
Laughter lifts me from the pull of gravity.
The lotus blossoms I hold and the serpents I carry
symbolize the life and health I bring.

I am Rhiannon, horsewoman, Divine Queen of Wales.
My steady pace is swift and smooth.
I travel freely through the world, safe, serene and secure.
My winged friends can wake the dead,
and lull the living to sleep.

I am Sedna of the Eskimos.
Know and honor me through my animals.
Bears, whales, and seals,
all creatures of the land and sea are part of me.
We share the right to be.

I am Tiamat of Babylon, primordial sea-serpent.
I am the great mother womb
who brought forth the earth and the heavens.
I dive deep into the watery unconscious
to find the treasures buried there.

I am Uttu, Chaldean-Sumerian goddess of weaving and vegetation.
I offer shelter and nourishment to all who know me.
We weed and clothe each other through our work.

I am Vasudhara, Hindu goddess of abundance.
My six arms hold everything you need and offer it to you.
Earth Water Fire Air Center Spirit
Purpose Love Passion Wisdom Here Now.

I am Wite Woman of Honduras.
I descend from heaven to build my temple on earth
and return as a glorious bird.
I honor and express my true spirit.
My beauty is beyond compare.

I am Xochiquetzal, Aztec goddess of flowers, love
spinning, weaving, singing and dancing.
I am an Original Woman.
I delight in sharing my many gifts.

I am Yemaya, Nigerian Fish Mother, Brazilian Voodoo mermaid.
Lakes, rivers and oceans are my home.
The waters of life belong to me.
We cleanse and sustain each other.

I am Zoc, Gnostic Acon of Life.
Mother of All Living.
I am the embodiment of growth and vitality.
I am unique life energy.

I am the Goddess of a thousand names and infinite capacity.
All Her gifts are mine.
All Her powers reside in me.

We are the Goddess of a thousand names and infinite capacity.
All Her gifts are mine.
All Her powers reside in me.

You are the Goddess of a thousand names and infinite capacity.
All Her gifts are thine.
All Her powers reside in thee.

Goddess, Are You Real?

The little
child whispered,
“Goddess, speak to me”
And a meadowlark sang.
But the child did not hear.

So the child yelled,
“Goddess, speak to me!”
And the thunder rolled across the sky
But the child did not listen.

The child looked around and said,
“Goddess, let me see you.”
And a star shone brightly
But the child did not notice.

And the child shouted,
“Goddess, show me a miracle!”
And a life was born
But the child did not know.

So the child cried out in despair,
“Touch me Goddess, and let me know you are there!”
Whereupon the Goddess reached down
And touched the child.
But the child brushed the butterfly away
And walked away unknowingly.

Green Grow the Rushes Oh!

I’ll sing you one, oh
GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH!
AND WHAT IS YOUR ONE, OH?
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.

I’ll sing you two, oh
GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH!
AND WHAT IS YOUR TWO, OH?
Two, two, the two-faced God in gold and red and green-oh,
One is one and all alone, and ever more shall be so.

I’ll sing you three, oh
GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH!
AND WHAT IS YOUR THREE, OH?
Three, the Triple Goddess,
Two, two, the two-faced God in gold and red and green, oh,
One is one and all alone, and ever more shall be so.

I’ll sing you thirteen, oh
GREEN GROW THE RUSHES OH!
AND WHAT IS YOUR THIRTEEN, OH?
Thirteen rounds of the silvery wheel,
Twelve for the heavenly augurs,
One and one for the Year-King’s reign,
Ten for the Celtic Reading,
Nine for the nine-foot circle,
Eight for the eight great Sabbats,
Seven for the Gates between the Worlds,
Six for the Book of Changes
Five for the fiery points of light,
Four for the Guardian Towers.
Three, the Triple Goddess,
Two, two, the two-faced God in gold and red and green, oh,
One is one and all alone, and ever more shall be so.

Green Leaves

by Marian Rhodes

The stars are shining, the Moon is clear
In the rustling leaves Nature’s voice is clear
The river murmur through Spring and Summer
The song of The Lord and The Lady

Green leaves in the evening breeze
Where the people gather beneath the trees
Priest and Priestess and people joining
To honour The Lord and The Lady

The Earth is singing down here below
While we join in the firelight glow
The chanting rise to the stormy skies
In the praise of The Lord and The Lady

Green leaves in the evening breeze
Where the people gather beneath the trees
Priest and Priestess and people joining
To honour The Lord and The Lady

All powers below and all powers above
Have joined together to bless and love
All Nature blending Their people sending
Their love to the Lord and The Lady

Green leaves in the evening breeze
Where the people gather beneath the trees
Priest and Priestess and people joining
To honour The Lord and The Lady

(Written for a song and chant class from the
Wiccan Church of Canada curriculum in 1982)

Herne

by Jennifer Smith

Now sit
ye down,
And I’ll tell a tale,
As strange as any told;
Of a Lady of the Yorkshire Moor,
Where the morning mist lays cold.

Her wits had left Her long ago,
There was madness in Her eyes.
Though She spoke to none,
Some days at dawn,
You could hear Her laughing cries.

The Hunter and The Hunted,
You wear a thin disguise,
The Moon rides o’er Your shoulder,
But the Sun shines from Your eyes.

I cannot look upon You.
I cannot look away.
But I hear the sound of the Hunter’s Horn,
That greets the dawning day.
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

She built Her cottage years ago,
And She lived there all alone.
She was the only living soul,
Who would call the Moor Her home.

For tales were told of many,
Who had vanished in the dawn.
And of madmen who had heard the cries,
Of Herne, The Hunter’s Horn.

The Lady too had heard the tales,
But She could never fear.
The Horned God who filled Her dreams,
When She heard Him riding near.

And then one night Her longing eyes,
Saw a figure tall and grim.
Like a shadow glimpsed in the misty night,
And She sang Her song to Him.

The Hunter and The Hunted,
You wear a thin disguise,
The Moon rides o’er Your shoulder,
But the Sun shines from Your eyes.

I cannot look upon You.
I cannot look away.
But I hear the sound of the Hunter’s Horn,
That greets the dawning day.
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

He rode His horse up to the door,
And She bade Him enter there.
But He simply smiled and reached to lay,
His hand upon Her Hair.

“My Lady I have ridden here,
in answer to Your call.
But I’ll not sit under any roof,
Nor drink in any hall.”

“You sing to Me of Your desire,
But You must understand.
My heart belongs to the Silver Moon,
And the Wild Deserted Land.

How can You give Your love to one,
You never can posses?
Or sacrifice Your sanity,
For a wild ride and kiss?”

The Hunter and The Hunted,
You wear a thin disguise,
The Moon rides o’er Your shoulder,
But the Sun shines from Your eyes.

I cannot look upon You.
I cannot look away.
But I hear the sound of the Hunter’s Horn,
That greets the dawning day.
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

The Lady said;
“I hear Your words,
But how can I explain?
How a simple touch can bring Me joy,
In spite of all the pain?

Be it love or be it madness,
I have no will to fight.
This Inner Fire that bids Me go
And ride with You tonight.”

The Hunter smiled and said to Her;
“Your pain I understand,
For I have chased the sailing Moon.
And have loved the Barren Land,

I cannot give My heart to You,
But I’ll give You what I may.
So take My hand and We’ll,
Ride the Moor until the break of day.”

The Hunter and The Hunted,
You wear a thin disguise,
The Moon rides o’er Your shoulder,
But the Sun shines from Your eyes.

I cannot look upon You.
I cannot look away.
But I hear the sound of the Hunter’s Horn,
That greets the dawning day.
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

Now many years have been and gone,
Since She rode the Misty Plain.
She never choose to leave the Moor,
And She never spoke again.

But it’s said by some,
When the night is done,
And the Moor is shroud in grey;
You can hear Her laugh,
With the Hunter’s Horn,
At the dawning of the day.

The Hunter and The Hunted,
You wear a thin disguise,
The Moon rides o’er Your shoulder,
But the Sun shines from Your eyes.

I cannot look upon You.
I cannot look away.
But I hear the sound of the Hunter’s Horn,
That greets the dawning day.
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

I Will Meet You There

by Jennifer Smith

Run my God
To the woods and the mountains
Li-de-de-li-li-li
Take Your Lady
To the streams and the fountains
Li-de-de-li-li-li

For the city chokes
In the factory smoke
And the pavement’s hard and bare
So make Your way
To the woodland glade
And I will meet You there
Singing, Li-Li…

The city parks
Have streams and pathways
Li-de-de-li-li-li
But the paths are paved
And dead are the waterways
Li-de-de-li-li-li

And the people there
All stop and stare
As I stand with robe and blade
And they never see
Whan they look at me
And the Circle I have made
Singing Li-Li…

I will build a temple
And set an altar
Li-de-de-li-li-li
With smoke and fire
And sand and water
LI-de-de-li-li-li

Though the room’s not wide
And the streets outside
And the plastered walls are bare
It will be as glade
And forest shade
And I will meet You there
Singing Li-Li…

Inanna Adoration

Our Lady
of the Moon
The skies’ Silver Wheel
Beauty in the Highest
The Goddess, Inanna!

Her silvery sheen
Is the Hunter’s torch
As He follows Her
Across the night sky.

Our Lady of the Moon
The Beauty of the Night
The skies’ Silver Jewel
Is Her Royal Orb!

Tell me, my Lady
How can I make
My inner-light
Shine as bright as You?

If it’s just love
Then I know how
Because the Moon
Is always Loved!

Our Lady of the Moon
The skies Silver Wheel
Beauty in the highest
The Goddess, Inanna!

Love Is The Law

Do what
thou wilt is the Whole of the Law
The time of The Will
Bursts forth Now, in the Spring
Implacable bud!

Let your Love burst forth and blossom freely
Thunder of roses
Unfettered by harsh will
Love willed to be Free

To soar with on Her Wings into New Heavens
Over pure New Earths
Love is Will purified
Love is Her own Law!

Sun is born again in primitive Light
With Arian Force
In the Spring House of Mars
New Life Exploding

From cold Winter’s Icy dark Womb
Gives force to our Wills
Time of re-SOL-ution
We are born again

Juices of Spring wash us from Winter Womb
As Spring buds push out
We drop from Her belly
Like damp, new born colts

This is the time to re-SOL-ve our new lives
With Nature’s Forces
Supporting and healing
As Old Winter dies

Minerva

I met Minerva
just now near her tree
Resting from battle
Her helmet on her knee
Hair tumbled on breasts

Parted by brass, surrounded by steel plate
Dark nipples glistened
With dew-like sweat of war
Pale arms quivering

Eager for battle’s harsh life-death embrace
Yes! She said to me.
Hell yes! she said. Get laid!
Enter the battle.

My Virgins serve me well, my son! Get laid!
Let your juices flow!
(She spit an olive pit)
Get in there and fight!

She gathered her pale skirts around her hips
Stood, covering strong thighs
Took her shield, sword, helmet
With war shriek was gone

Oak and Ash and Thorn

Of all the
trees that grow so fair
Old England to adorn
Fairer are none beneath the Sun
Than Oak and Ash and Thorn

Sing, Oak and Ash and Thorn good sirs
All on a Midsummer’s morn
Surely wesing of no little thing
In Oak and Ash and Thorn

Oak of the clay saw many a day
Ere ever aneas began
Ash was the loom of a Lady at home
Whan brute was an outlaw man

Thorn of the dance saw New Troy town
From which dear London was born
Witness hereby the ancientry
of Oak and Ash and Thorn

Sing, Oak and Ash and Thorn good sirs
All on a Midsummer’s morn
Surely wesing of no little thing
In Oak and Ash and Thorn

Yew that is old in churchyard mold
He breedeth a mighty bow
Alder for shoes do wisemen choose
And Birch for a cup also

But when you have killed and your bowl has spilled
And your shoes are clear outworn
Back you must speed for all that you need
In Oak and Ash and Thorn

Sing, Oak and Ash and Thorn good sirs
All on a Midsummer’s morn
Surely wesing of no little thing
In Oak and Ash and Thorn

Ailim, she hateth mankind and waiteth
Till every gust be laid
To drop a limb on the head of him
Who leastwise trusts her shade

But whether a lad be sober or sad
Or mellow with ale from the Horn
He will take no harm if he lay ere long
Neath Oak and Ash and Thorn

Sing, Oak and Ash and Thorn good sirs
All on a Midsummer’s morn
Surely wesing of no little thing
In Oak and Ash and Thorn

Oh do not tell the Priest of our art
For they would call it a sin
But we have been out in the woods all night
A conjurin’ Summer in

And we bring you news by word of mouth
Good news for cattle and corn
Now is the Sun come up from the South
With Oak and Ash and Thorn

Sing, Oak and Ash and Thorn good sirs
All on a Midsummer’s morn
Surely wesing of no little thing
In Oak and Ash and Thorn

All the trees that grow so fair
Old England to adorn
Fairer are none beneath the Sun
Than Oak and Ash and Thorn

Sing, Oak and Ash and Thorn good sirs
All on a Midsummer’s morn
Surely wesing of no little thing
In Oak and Ash and Thorn

Passage

There is
a pull inside of me,
That yearns for my Soul to free,
A desire to ride upon the light,
And not on this world to gaze with sight.

Calling me home, I know not where,
This geas is laid, if only I dare.
Calling me forth the pull is strong,
Is it here or there I truly belong?

Less and less is holding me fast,
Freedom calls and the die is cast.
Enchanted song fills my ears,
And upon my cheek are a few wet tears.

Reaching blindly for the Sun,
I burn my fingers and am undone.
Wanting only a little joy in life,
Instead I find only endless strife.

Why do I fight when it never ends,
And always seems my Soul to rend.
Hollow Victory stands unmasked,
And my deepest questions die unasked.

Listening to the Sounds of Time,
Only discord seems to rhyme.
Here or there only Time will tell,
When finally I depart this shell.

Humor hides the pain within,
Never more to let others in.
Icarus unbound I flew too high,
And dared to try to touch the Sky.

Foolish thoughts we mortals dream,
Washed away by Time’s uncaring stream.
Shining armor fades with rust,
And on my heart grows another crust.

Jagged rips in my soul will heal,
But to trust again seems unreal.
Alone my fate for time to come,
Any other way and I am undone.

Wandering unseen throughout the land,
Only silence to take my hand.
Harden my heart for one last stand,
Living untouched as I walk through quicksand.

Born in strife and then to die,
All the time we wonder why.
Endless circles in Time we weave,
Until the end our souls will grieve.

Tears for the Love we thought we had,
Restless Dreams that leave us sad.
Desires drive us until the end,
Self made demons our hearts to rend.

What is the answer only time will tell,
Do I stay in this hollow shell?
Is there more in Life for me,
Or is there only agony.

Share The Light

(Sung to The First Noel)

CHORUS:
Share the light, share the light!
Share the light, share the Light!
All paths are one on this holy night!

On this Winter holiday, let us stop and recall
That this season is holy to one and to all.
Unto some a Son is born, unto us comes a Sun,
And we know, if they don’t that all paths are one.

Be it Chanukah or Yule,
Christmas time or Solstice night,
All celebrate the eternal light.
Lighted tree or burning log,
Or eight candle flames.
All gods are one god, whatever their names.

Silent Night

Silent night,
Solstice Night
All is calm, all is bright
Nature slumbers in forest and glen
Till in Springtime She wakens again
Sleeping spirits grow strong!
Sleeping spirits grow strong!

Silent night, Solstice night
Silver moon shining bright
Snowfall blankets the slumbering Earth
Yule fires welcome the Sun’s rebirth
Hark, the Light is reborn!
Hark, the Light is reborn!

Silent night, Solstice night
Quiet rest till the Light
Turning ever the rolling Wheel
Brings the Winter to comfort and heal
Rest your spirit in peace!
Rest your spirit in peace!

Staine’s Morris

(Traditional – A May Song)

[Chorus]
Then to the maypole, haste away
For ’tis now our holiday
Then to the maypole, haste away
For ’tis now our holiday

Come ye young men, come along
With your music dance and song
Bring your lasses in your hands
For ’tis that which love commands

[chorus]

‘Tis the choise time of the year
And the violets now appear
Now the rose receives its birth
And pretty primrose decks the earth

[chorus]

Here each bachlor may choose
One that will not faith abuse
Now repay with coy distain
Love that should be lov’d again

[chorus]

And when you well reckoned have
What kisses you your sweethearts gave
Take them all again, and more
It will never make them poor.

[chorus]

When you thus have spent the time
Till the day be past its prime
To your beds repair at night
And dream there of your day’s delight

[chorus]

We Are Witches All

We sing
and dance and hold our rites,
We live and love together.
We go sky-clad or wear our outer robes
If it is chilling weather.

About the altar we do dance;
We praise The Gods
We love and ever do, we give
Our thanks to the sun.

And moon above, We are The Craft;
Love The Craft; We are Witches All.
Join us.. In Our Circle For We Are Witches All.

Walk into our Circle and feel the love Bound,
And Meet The Lord and Lady who guide us in our Rounds;

” An’ Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt.”
It is The Wiccan Rede.
We fear no foe for love we show,
In thought and also Deed.

Our words of thanks, our songs of praise,
We offer them in pray’r.
We sing their praise, we ask their help;
We know that they are there.

Will You Be Of Wicca

by Selena Fox

Will you
be of Wicca, tonight?
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
Then come with me to the Circle of Light.
Bend the Will; the Wish you shall find.

Take up these herbs and brew up a tea.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
And drink it all down; the gods you shall see.
Bend the Will; the Wish you shall find.

Take up the glass, and look at your face.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
Go into yourself and find a new place.
Bend the Will; the Wish you shall find.

Go to the Woods, and find an Oak tree.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
And cling to it tight, and strong you shall be.
Bend the Will; the Wish you shall find.

Go to the Mountains and call to the Wind.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
And fly through the Air with the Thoughts that you send.
Bend the Will; the Wish you shall find.

Fly to the Sun, and touch its bright Flame.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
Open your Mind; now choose a new Name.
Bend the Will; the Wish you shall find.

Go to the Sea, and call to the Moon.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
Raise up your arms, then sing out Her tune.
Bend the Will; the Wish you shall find.

Now join your hands with Those who surround.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
Now share the Power that we send around.
Bend the Will; the Wish you shall find.

We shall part, but meet again soon.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Tyme.
To dance, and sing, and Call Down the Moon.
Bend the Will, the Wish you shall find.

Generally speaking, the methods most people use have 3 things in common:

1) chase out “negative” energies and/or spirits (in this case, meaning ones that are counterproductive to the  well being of those who live in the house),

2) warding/protection from outside energies, including the ones you just got rid of, and

3) put in “positive” energies (and for people that work with them, invite protective spirits).

For purposes of this essay “negative” is defined as energies, spirits, and influences that are counterproductive to the life, health, intents, and well-being of the people living in the home, and “positive” is the productive opposite of “negative”.

How you do each of these three things isn’t as important as making sure those three general techniques are done. It’s more of a formula rather than do it exactly as one person or tradition says. They all work to some degree or another, but usually work best as you practice with different methods and find what resonates with you best. Different organized traditions (like a coven in Wicca) might have a specific formula designed to incorporate
spirits they personally work with, which is why there’s going to be philosophical differences. If you’re not of a particular tradition, picking someone used to doing house blessings or making your own based on the 3 part formula works best. Personally, when I do a house blessing, I incorporate science, Reiki, and folk magic. Yes, I said science; I’ll explain why later in this essay.

Banishing: For most banishing techniques (and all of the ones I mention here), you will want the windows open. Banging pans is designed to initiate a vibration and a really annoying sound that chases out spirits, fairies, and other spiritual goobers you don’t want influencing your home. It’s also a great stress relief! Salt, burning sage and/or sweetgrass, using a voodoo blessing powder all absorb negative energies (not spirits) and either drop it to the floor where your new and untainted broom can sweep it out, can be vacuumed up and then the bag immediately disposed of or the canister dumped outside your property (not as new-agey ritually sounding, but it works), or can grab the negative energies and carry them out the window
(in the case of smoke). That’s why having the windows and if possible doors open is important so these spirits and energies all get taken out or run the hell out on their own.

This is a very important step to do, especially in the case of you moving into a home that has been occupied by any previous tenants or when a roommate leaves so you can make the living space your own without any energies you are unaware of interfering on a magical and/or subconscious level messing with your personal
energies and work within the home. It’s during this process that I include things like spreading borax on the carpet (only carpet, and before you move in if you can help it) and let people walk on it to push it in the carpet for a couple days. That’s the science part. It cuts up eggs and fleas and destroys them, thereby “banishing” more mundane critters, which I then vacuum up (more science), but if you don’t have pets this isn’t much of an issue.

Warding: Aka, protection. Lots upon tons upon gobs of ways to do this, and this one is usually more tradition based than anything else you can do. These are designed to protect the perimeter of your “sacred space” (in this case, your property) from the crap you just got rid of as well as crap people bring into the home. Good wards will allow a person with no malice towards you to walk in and feel at home and quite comfortable, as well as imparting these feelings on you. They will also make people uncomfortable that you may welcome in but aren’t welcome there if you knew more about their true heart. You want to protect your home from destruction, ward the house against destructive energies then bring over someone that has a destructive personality. I’ve had this happen once. Upon passing the wards he had the most sour and disgusted look on his face I had ever seen until the wards were deactivated (and he had no knowledge of the wards).

Most people I personally know start off with putting iron railroad spikes on 4 corners of the property, underground. This keeps malicious fairies out and other spirits I can’t remember. When people talk about putting salt around your door and around your property it really should be mixed with chili powder and sprinkled around the entire property, as well as around all outside doors, again to absorb negative energy trying to get in but to also
provide a second “shield” against negative energies. The chili powder is especially appropriate on the west coast because it incorporates local lore, tradition and energy into the mix, and even makes it more “active” in that the source of the negative energy will feel like “something is just not right here” and be less inclined to bring it back.

Sometimes the magic user will infuse the salt and chili with their own blood (not much needed) to make the wards more “noticeable” by those who would bring in negative energies and to put a personal presence in the blessing salt to tell unwelcome spirits that you are the one that belongs there. Basically, it’s a magical way to enhance your wards’ power and mark the property at the same time. Those who are negative don’t like the presence of the fluids of life being used in magic work because they are very powerful. There are other wards you can put up if you think you’re the target of active magical attacks like mirror wards to reflect it back. I personally (since I have a roommate doing those other methods) put a Druidic Reiki sphere in each room. The local Reformed Druidic Order that I’m a part of uses the 7 directions (hence my 7 pointed fairy starI wear) and I use Reiki symbols in the 7 directions (N, E, S, W, above, below, within, in this case filling the inside of the sphere) to put a sphere of positive universal energy into each room. It provides protection and blessing at the same time. Not a typical technique to my knowledge but thought I’d throw it out there.

Blessing: The real blessing part, which has more techniques than can be
thought of by one person. Now that your house is clean and protected, time to customize it so everyone knows what kind of energies to expect if they hang around you enough. In many Wicca influenced traditions, salt, water, incense, and candles are used to basically ask the influences of the elements themselves to come in and bless your home. Those representatives of those elements will be placed in the proper directions around your home (north, east, south, west) or in each major room and your bedroom. Most of the time, salt=earth=north, water=water=west, incense=air=east, candle=fire=south (all of these directions are dependent on the particular Wiccan tradition but these are usually true).

Each element will bring different properties into the home that is positive. Other great ways to bless the home are to offer to a local Reiki group the use of your living room to do a Reiki share (if you know anyone that does Reiki), allow friends from a particular tradition that works with energies you like to do a ritual in your home with you participating to some capacity, do some cooking if you happen to work magic via the kitchen (aka, a kitchen witch), or simply personalize by putting some stuff around the house that you’ve dyed or are made of stuff you’ve created like artwork, your own candles you’ve made, soaps you’ve made, or tie cords you’ve personally dyed on doorknobs.

Burning more incense (stuff you like) and other scenty things that really
seem to speak to you also help. Easier to spread that energy if you can smell it since you’ll know it’s getting everywhere in my opinion (then again, I’m a real air element person), especially if you aren’t consciously attuned yet into feeling environmental energies.

You can also put up small altars around the home that represent energies you want to fill the home or a particular room with, like when I get an office I plan to put a small “power spot” in the room with things like fluorite and other stuff that tends to help me study. This is basically a personalizing step and how you go about doing that isn’t the most important thing in the world so long as you have the attitude of “this is my home and these things I’m putting in it represent me and my beliefs”. Of course, a little blessing powder smells good and never hurt anyone either.

No one
knew the name of this day;
Born quietly from deepest night,
It hid its face in light,
Demanded nothing for itself,
Opened out to offer each of us
A field of brightness that traveled ahead,
Providing in time, ground to hold our footsteps
And the light of thought to show the way.

The mind of the day draws no attention;
It dwells within the silence with elegance
To create a space for all our words,
Drawing us to listen inward and outward.

We seldom notice how each day is a holy
place
Where the eucharist of the ordinary happens,
Transforming our broken fragments
Into an eternal continuity that keeps us.

Somewhere in us a dignity presides
That is more gracious than the smallness
That fuels us with fear and force,
A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.

So at the end of this day, we give thanks
For being betrothed to the unknown
And for the secret work
Through which the mind of the day
And wisdom of the soul become one.

~~ John O’Donohue ~~
(To Bless the Space Between Us)

Medford, OR:
Clan of the Triple Horse Grove, Medford, Oregon, celebrated Yule in one of our favorite sacred spaces, the beautiful Labyrinth at Rogue Valley Medical Center, Medford.

Participants honored Llugh and the return of the Light during a brief Rite,
then walked the ancient spiral of death and rebirth as symbolized by the Labyrinth.

Everyone then adjourned to the home of a Grove member to relax and enjoy a delicious potluck and exchange handmade gifts.

In February we will celebrate Imbolc and honor Brighid with a Circle of Light on a Grove member’s beautiful property in Central Point, Oregon. During the same Rite we will honor the Spirit of the Wolf, totem spirit of several members, according to the tradition of the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia.

We will also hold a brief blessing and “meet and greet” at the Rogue Valley Medical Center Labyrinth Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. The community is invited.

Our contact info: medford.grove@reformed-druids.org

Seasonal blessings,
Clan of the Triplehorses Grove

Redding, CA:
Grove of the Manzanita is planning our annual Bring Back the Snakes and joint Ostara celebration for March 20th. As in year’s past, there will be much food prepared by Tiffiny, singing of Isaac Bonewits’ “Bring Back the Snakes” and an egg hunt for the children. This event is open to all; reservations for dinner are required.

Our fledging web presence is at: http://www.myspace.com/manzanita_druids

Blessings,
Tiffiny /|\
ArchDruid, Grove of the Manzanita, RDG
Contact: anderson.grove@reformed-druids.org

Although it’s not a “Grove”, the NoDaL still qualifies as an “autonomous collective” of the Reformed Druids of Gaia, and consists of all the 3rd Degree Druids therein. The purpose of the NoDaL is to provide a space for Archdruids of the RDG Groves and Proto-Groves to discuss the many aspects of running a group of Druids, and provide advice and support for each other. They also act as the “legislative” branch of the RDG – creating policy as needed.

The Nemeton has finished it’s process of reviewing and revising “The Druid Path” cdrom self-study course and has made it’s recomendations to the MG, which has begun implementing them,

Nemeton members request that anyone interested in having input in RDG
policy, please share their concerns or suggestions. You may write the NoDaL at scribe@reformed-druids.org

Philadelphia, PA:
Currently meeting in the lush emerald woods of Fairmount Park in the city of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection (commonly know as Philadelphia), Aelvenstar Grove honors Mother Earth. The grove was formally founded Beltaine, 2004 and is a proto grove of the Reformed Druids of Gaia/Order
of the Mithril Star and the Reformed Druids Of North America. In addition, we are associated with other pagan organizations such as Per NTR Sesen and Temple Harakhte.

Looking to our ancestors and the ancients, Aelvenstar Druids respect all life and receive inspiration from Nature and the heavens. We believe it is the natural state of Mankind to live in harmony with Nature. and that it is our responsibility to respect and protect the Earth. As activists, it is our responsibility to do our part collectively and individually to heal the environment.

Emphasizing development through the practice of Druidcraft, focus is placed upon personal growth through the development of body, mind, and spirit. Through study, discussions, rituals, retreats, fellowship, and meditation, a spiritual framework is provided through which Druids may further develop themselves.

Aelvenstar Grove holds eight celebrations a year, on the solstices, equinoxes, and cross quarter festivals. We sometimes meet on other occasions for outings and initiations. Online meetings and initiations are held too, as some members live a distance away.

We welcome new members of all backgrounds who love nature and seek
spirituality permeated in the divine beauty and wonder that surrounds us. Nature is groovy!

Courses available: Reformed Druidism 101

Website: http://www.aelvenstargrove.org

Email: philadelphia.grove@reformed-druids.org

For more information about Reformed Druidism, visit
http://reformed-druids.org

Live Oak , FL:
Greetings!
White Horse ProtoGrove is sorta in idle mode at the moment………….I
am back at college working on my LPN & doing pre-requisites
for my RN at the moment & have been very busy……..

Blessings,
Ann Feather

Contact:
sebring.grove@reformed-druids.org

Roots Rocks and Stars
RDG “Proto-Grove”

Albany, OR:
Roots Rocks and Stars currently consists of three humans and two canine companions. We people are all college students, one in natural resources, one in Literature, and one in history. We live together in a small apartment in Corvallis Oregon’s north end. We are all ethnically descended from British Isle and French folks (some Native Canadian/American ancestry as well) and this colors our rituals. We are primarily dedicated to Cernunnos, Epona, Brigid, and Cerridwen but actually tend toward an abiding devotion to nature and spirit without too much investment in names and images. Our rituals tend to involve home-cooking and plenty of beer.

Contact:
albany.grove@reformed-druids.org

No news this season from:

Thorn & Rose
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
RDG “Proto-Grove”

calgary.grove@reformed-druids.org