A Traveller's Prayer

Guardians of our family,
Keepers of our dwelling and land:
hear my prayer from afar;
sweet and clear, may my words reach you.
Look after my family and our home today;
my friends and theirs, too.
Avert all evil and danger from them,
and keep them safe and happy and healthy.
With these words to you,
may all be well in our house and land,
and with our people.

Spirits of this place and Gods of this land:
we make the same prayer for us here;
as travellers and foreigners,
I give you your dues.
Be kind to us, Gracious Ones,
as good hosts do to their guests.

Hail the All-seeing and the Traveller!
To you, we pray for your sleepless watch on home and way.
And to the Gods of this land,
we pray for your affection,
that we may remember our journey here
with only joy and nothing less.

May it be so.

Special thanks to Ian Fernandez for the photos and Evernote for making it possible to jot down my prayer without a computer in Cambodia. 

To the Ancestors

A prayer to the Ancestors authored by a dear friend and brother:

O Ancestors,
those who have tread upon this earth before us
those whose blood now flows inside us
those whose journey we continue
those who have seen the years of old, as we now see the new

we open our eyes to the time you have seen
may we now learn from the things that have been
we open our ears to your wise words and voices
you who have walked many roads, and named many choices

we ask that you lend us wisdom and light
when troubles and vices blur our sight
we ask that you lend us courage and desire
that no dark act can erase our inner fire

we ask that you lead us to our destinations
that we may not fall into resignation
to make decisions we were born to make
to choose the paths we were born to take

O Forebears,
those who have tread the soil that we now tread
those who have breathed the air that we now breathe
my gratitude I send across the Greatest sea
to the light in the horizon, shining endlessly
we remember and wish you well,
wherever you may dwell
a sound that never dies
an infinite bell

And the ship-burning offering that came with it:

Our ships sail to the Undying West bearing our gifts to those who've gone before us. Hail the Ancestors! Hail the Traveller! Hail the Liberator!

A birthday prayer to my Daimôn

Eautou Daimôn, be thou increased in power
on this day; the day of my birth; the day of my naming.
As I step into another year of my life,
protect me and watch over me;
guide my feet and my way,
my thoughts and my speech,
that everything I do be according to what-is-right;
that my acts be just, be true, be pure;
that in all this, I may secure for myself and my family
the friendship of the Gracious Ones,
the protection of the Mighty Ones;
the guidance of the Wise Ones;
that in all this, I may honour the names
of my beloved father and our noble ancestors
today and tomorrow,
and for all the days of my life.

May it be so.

More love to you, my Daimôn!

Footnotes:

• The personal deity known as the Eautou (personal or "one's own") or Genethlios (birthright) Daimon is the guardian spirit who watches over the fate of an individual from birth. They are similar to 'guardian angels' in Christianity.
• Daimon in Greek, and especially in ancient Greek religion, means 'divine spirit'.

Adorations to Hera

I'm sure you're all (?) aware of the adoration trend going on in the polytheistic quarters of the Internet. I couldn't resist making one for Hera.

I drew a lot from her ancient epithets, but also added in my own experiences with her (I use 'mother' a lot, as you may notice). One other source is Ceisiwr Serith's prayer to the cow-mother Gwouwindā, which I absolutely adore.



I adore you, Hera.
I adore you, undoubted queen.
I adore you, splendid daughter of Rheia and Kronos.
I adore you, grandchild of broad-breasted Gaia and wide-arching Ouranos.
I adore you, sister and wife of loud-thundering Zeus.
I adore you, mother of peerless Ares.
I adore you, mother of youthful Hebe.
I adore you, mother of skillful Hephaistos.
I adore you, foster-mother of many gods.
I adore you, born in Samos.
I adore you, raised in Argos.
I adore you, mother of cows.
I adore you whose stream of blessings is ever-flowing.
I adore you whose shining body delights the eyes.
I adore you whose holy purity blesses all.
I adore you, nourishing one.
I adore you, fertile one.
I adore you, abundant and gracious.
I adore you, providing milk overflowing.
I adore you, lady of the pomegranate.
I adore you, lady with the lotus-staff.
I adore you, queen of heaven.
I adore you, bringer of sweet rain.
I adore you, kindler of stars.
I adore you, sending cool gales.
I adore you, shining heifer.
I adore you, dreaded lioness.
I adore you, cuckoo.
I adore you, drawn by peacocks.
I adore you, attended by the seasons.
I adore you, mother of kings.
I adore you, mother of heroes.
I adore you, source of sovereignty.
I adore you, highly crowned.
I adore you, knowing heaven and earth.
I adore you, mother of law and order.
I adore you, exalted one.
I adore you, mother of people.
I adore you, protector of women.
I adore you, patron of marriage.
I adore you, keeper of keys.
I adore you, protector at childbirth.
I adore you, keeper of harmony.
I adore you, faithful one.
I adore you, my lady, my queen, my mother.

Other adorations:

• Adorations to Dionysos (thehouseofvines.wordpress.com)
• Adorations to Persephone (melittabenu.wordpress.com)
• Adorations to Hephaistos (aithaloeistheos.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Apollon (lykeiaofapollon.wordpress.com)
• Adorations of Hekate (flamingthyrsos.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Hermes (inahawksi.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Athena (youngflemishhellenist.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Zeus (youngflemishhellenist.wordpress.com)
• Adorations for Antinous (aediculaantinoi.wordpress.com)
• Adorations of Ares (aspisofares.wordpress.com)
• Sannion adores the trend he started 

I hope we get to see more!

Three poems in Esperanto I wish I had made but did not

I've been too focused on French lately, that I've forgot(en) I'm learning Esperanto, too. Fortunately, my friend/language partner is still up to it. He's just made three poems, much to my envy.

With his permission, since he is blog-less, I am reposting all three. Comment away, amikoj. (As you can see, I did not even have the patience to write this introduction in la lingvo.)



mi supozis ke ĝi estis vi
starante trans la fervojo
sed ĝi estintus nebulo nur
estintus fumo nur
estintus mia penso nur
estintus io pli
trajnoj faras ankoraŭ
nebulo sternas ankoraŭ en la funga cielo
fumon spiratas ankoraŭ, pulmo al pulmo
pensojn pensatas ankoraŭ


la dioj
la dioj marŝintis ekster de aĵoj jam
ni estas iliaj piedoj kaj manoj, okuloj kaj nazoj
Mi, mi ĝuas estanta la lipa angulo de unu dioj
kaj la pubvilaro de alia

mia poŝtelefono
Mi preterlasis mian poŝtelefonon ree
sur la tablo?
sub la seĝoj?
ĉu vi povus alvokas min? rrrring rrrring!!!
ahh, tio bonfartigas min.

An oath is fulfilled

To Hermes
Ever our friend and ally
A holy herm now stands before our door
Wine and honey stain the stones
As sweet gifts to our Vigilant Apotropaios
So that He may guard over our garth
Our pass and paths
Averting all evil and ill
Misfortune and mischief
From hearth and hall
And kindred
Today
And ever more.

Salvete, Lares Familiares!

Kind divinity of this homely enclosure, this habitation;
With the kind divinities of this land, this foundation;
By the auspices of the Gracious Powers
That have established their province amongst us;
Do bless and watch over the people who live here:
Our family, our collective numena and individual genii;
All who we call our friends,
All who we invite as guests,
And all that we own,
In this day that is today and every single day.

Salvete!

Janus-Hermanubis

Ever at guard between worlds is the Waywalker

Who is the Pathfinder

Who opens doors and keeps pathways safe

Who is our Guide, the ever vigilant

Who stands at the threshold, looking both ways

Who asssists travellers, living and dead

Who is our swift-footed Messenger

Who is ever clever

Who speaks with the best wit

Who is the Giver of persuasion

Who presides over commerce

Who is agile and the Lord of games

Who shakes the idle with laughter

Who is lucky in all things

Who is Master of chance

Who protects our flocks with sleepless vigilance

Who is our watchful Shepherd.

Hail the Traveller, the Fortunate, the Way-maker, the Guardian!

Hail our Lord and Brother!

 

Words by Aldrin, Art by Stuart Littlejohn

Green Iran

I trust that you don't need me to explain why I'm doing this. It's all over the internet. It's horrifying ... and sad. Imagine something like that in your own country.

Do what you can do. Let the world know what's happening in Iran. Speak for the silenced.


Mighty Ares, you are strength and bravery, impart your spirits to the people of Iran, inspire the good strong to protect the weak, strike down the bad ones.

Golden Aphrodite and Lovely Jesus, you are love, stir in the hearts of the Iranian people a glorious love for country and a tender love for lives.

Wise Athene, you are reason and wisdom, impart your spirits to those involved in this noble battle against evil tyranny, raise their voices to the world, protect democracy and freedom.

Just Father Zeus, you are law and ethics, serve Iran and her people justice and restore right conduct amongst its citizens.

And for our own countries, the same spirits. Amen.

In Communion With The Primordial

My moments in nature are my best moments. Nothing beats communion with the Primordial.

To the burning wheel of the heavens, parent of all life, I have no extravagant poems for you but my gestures of thanks and a piece of bread. Hail to the Gods above us, amongst us, and below us.

Cymbrogi

“I loved the noble way you blushed,
and loved your fine, perfect form.
I loved your clear blue eye,
your way of speech, your skillfulness.

Ferdiad of the hosts and the hard blows,
beloved golden brooch,
I mourn your conquering arm
and our fostering together.

You were a sight
to please a prince;
your gold-rimmed shield,
your slender sword.

The ring of bright silver
on your fine hand,
your skill at chess,
your flushed, sweet cheek,

Your curled yellow hair
like a lovely jewel,
the leaf-shaped belt
you wore at your waist.

You fell to the Hound,
and I mourn, little calf.
The shield didn't save you
that you brought to the fray.

Shameful our struggle,
the grief and uproar!
O fair, fine hero
who shattered armies
and crushed them under foot,
golden brooch, I mourn.”

'Tis the lament of the greatest Irish hero that had ever lived, Cú Chulainn, to his dearest friend and brother of the heart, Ferdiad. As youths, Cú Chulainn and Ferdiad formed a deep and loving bond. Years later, and after long separation, they were pitted in battle against each other by the machinations of Medb of Connacht. They fought for three days, each night Cú Chulainn sent Ferdiad leeches and herbs to heal his wounds, while Ferdiad sent him a share of his own meal. Then on the fourth day, Cú Chulainn calls on his mysterious weapon, the gáe bolga (lightning spear), and Ferdiad was killed. Cú Chulainn mourned him in these words.

Many may have forgotten you, Great Gael. But I have not. May Macha the Terrible curse all those who dare mock your love.

Ommmmmmm

I haven't finished my resolutions. Inspiration drives me to pray instead. (Some lines inspired from various poetry by Hearthstone, Ceisiwr Serith, Sannion, and Brynhyld.)

Hail to you day, hail to you day's sons; hail to you night and daughters of night. I look to you with glad eyes, may you be witness to my prayers.

I pray to the wide and all-seeing heavens who look over the earth and her children; whose anger is the storm and whose mercy is the rain. To the ancient one before us all, may you secure our people and our property; keep us safe from typhoon, meteor shower, and cancer-causing UV. We know you are unbiased but you are also merciful. I've always campaigned against smoke-belchers; I have never burnt plastic nor patronised chlorofluorocarbons. For another year, old father, protect us. So that we may give you praise forever and look upon your sapphire-painted face with smiles.

I pray to the broad and all-feeding earth who is both gentle and terrible; whose anger is the quake and whose mercy is the richness of soil. To the mother of all that grows; on whom we walk, from whom we come, across whom we go on our life-long journey. May your compassion never tire to forgive us when we wrong you; may you preserve our existence and our happiness as we feed from your all-nourishing bosom. For another year, oldest of mothers, sustain us.

I pray to the all-reaching waters who are both under and above us; in deep crevices under your sister earth and above her the mighty seas. From you all life has sprung and continues to thrive. Continue to provide us with water to drink and blood in our veins to exist. We know you are slow to anger; may our lives be so lucky to never see you in fury. For another year, live with us, live in us.

For another year, may we remember that by loving you we are loving ourselves. Your current state of being is our survival. Oh eldest of gods, hear us another year.

Dead King's Weeping

A poem of mine from my college days. Inspired by brilliant paganus Isaac Bonewits' poem "Cú Chulainn Wept". I never got to title this, unfortunately.

'Twas the twelfth of June we called him
To join in the spirit of the night.
Rose a ghost in the silence of a song
Of a lord, Soliman to our sight.
In royal red, mightiest of elders
As his steady eyes upon us did fall.
Anguished was his face, full of despair,
His bearing had shamed us all.

"Too long have the islands been ravished...
"Too long have my people wept."
"Oh my Lord," I replied, in a voice so anguished,
"The old glory is no longer kept."
"My name is no longer remembered," the Lord responded;
"The language, bastardised aghast.
"The greed of its stewards unfolded,
"Treachery has triumphed at last"

Through the fog and the smog we watched him
Drew his sword to strike some cow'rd foe.
Falling tears could the lord hold no more
As the rajah saw Manila below.
"Where are all Her trees?" eyes blinking
"All rivers and lakes have been fouled
"Winds now are fetid and stinking --
"Who has raped my city?" he howled.

Farther north did he go, "Women?" asked he
"Pimped by their own mothers and reviled?"
Foreigners buying 'slaves' too young, I replied
And brutes who their daughters defiled.
The anger on his face, stuck to us forever,
As he saw what cowards we've been.
"What has happened?" he whispered, "to the women of the islands?"
"Know you nothing of Urduja the Queen?"

Then he wept, how he wept, the noble Lord of the Nilad.
For the the rape of women and country, he wept.

Then he turned his eyes south to the land of his faith.
What he saw made him amuck in despair.
He saw cowards and monsters, called to God as if noble,
While bullets and bombs covered the air.
Murder and terror without care as if with sanction
Muslim and Christian shot and left to die,
And the villians a-bragging, how "for God" were their actions,
"Not knowing how their ancestors cry?"

Now he raged, how he raged, the noble Lord of the Nilad.
For the shame and dishonor, he raged.

"A curse upon greedy stewards and barbarian defilers:
"May no night fall for you to sleep.
"May the ghosts of the past and the cries of your victims,
"Make you wail, to the ground may you creep!"
"May the curse of all gods and all kings,
"Descend on all traitors of the isles
"Who've perverted all that was sacred and holy,
"Who had passed off their crimes with false smiles."

"May the wrath of the old warriors afflict all law abusers,
"And defend the people against foolish mires.
"May those who've polluted the Motherland's body
"Fall screaming into Mayon's fires!
"This curse, it shall last, 'till spirits true are rekindled
"Honored at last by as of old.
"And demons of manhood perverted are vanquished
"For the love of our country hold."

How he raged, how he wept, the noble spirit Soliman.
In anger and sorrow, he left.

Not very good times we have now, eh? Not here, at least.

To the Pantheon

Snagged from Hearthstone, fellow Recon (and Hellene), this lovely devotion to the Gods in their Greek variety. (I am just too lazy right now to muse on my own, you see.)


Hestia, heart of the house, first born and last:
for light and warmth, home and hearth, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Awesome Zeus, mightiest of all the gods:
protector and rain-bringer, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Noble Hera, defender of marriage:
for family and fidelity, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Poseidon, lord of the ocean depths:
friend to sailors and seafarers, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Demeter, best of mothers, gracious one:
for fertile fields and fruit-filled trees, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Hades, ruler of the vast underworld:
for a gentle end to a long life, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Athena, grey-eyed daughter of great Zeus:
for wisdom, for skill, for victory--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Shining Apollo, archer unerring:
for health, for art, for music--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Artemis, first-born child of fair Leto:
protector of our children, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Hermes, clever son of Zeus and Maia:
for wit and luck and humor, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Glorious Aphrodite, kind one, fair one:
for love, for lust, for passion--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Ares, who takes joy in combat and strife:
for strength, for will, for vigor--we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Skillful Hephaistos, maker of marvels:
for craft and invention, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Dionysos, beautiful god of the vine:
for rapture and transcendence, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Great Hekate, ever-watchful maiden:
torch-bearing guide and guardian, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Persephone, lovely queen of the dead:
you who will welcome us all, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Goat-footed Pan, roamer in wild places:
for instinct and unreason, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Eros, irresistable force of desire:
for mindless, ruthless passion, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

Gaia, ancient one on whose flesh we tread:
for our lives, for existence, we thank you.
One voice among many, I honor you.

The World

I believe in the Old World. I believe in myth, magic, and mystery. In the awe for majesty and respect for simplicity.

I believe in learning. In the sciences. In philosophy, in history. I believe in the undying love for culture and heritage. And class. And grace.

I believe in Civilisation. In her great minds. And mighty wills. And compassionate hearts. In Ramesses II, Plato, Alexander the Great, Boadicea, Julius Caesar, Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, Shakespeare, Jung, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Karol Wotyła.

I believe in memory. In the Heartland. I believe in one blood, one spirit. I believe in return.

I believe in the dreams of the New Generation. Straightforward, outspoken, and true. I believe in the fervour for liberty and equality. In the growing consciousness of our humanity. In treasuring the world and everything in it. In recognising our commonalities and relishing our diversity.

I believe in hope. In new dawns.