Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

70 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
In passion or in fiercest rage;
In loneliness or fear
Our darkest dreams and feelings
Are the ones that draw Him here.
He wears a mask of sable hue,
That changes shapes from old to new.
But no One living ever sees
The Face behind the Mask
His Beauty causes blindness
To the One who dares to ask.
In His Power lies Potential;
His potential knows no lies.
His secret lies in history,
The secret is in His eyes.
Fall into them completely;
Shed your final tear.
Name His Holy Mystery;
The Dark Lord now is here!
—Morning Glory Zell, Samhain 1997
69. Song for the Dying God
My love—I cry inside the tears you do not shed
And voice for you such words as must be said
To steal through hurts and heal the deepest wounds
Whose pain restrains you as through life
you’ve bled.
As Winter comes you’re colder by the day
And more and more is taken sorrow’s way.
Though Samhain comes to claim your
world in death
I’ll see you rise again with New Year’s breath.
If love can reach across the cold abyss
Then take from me this warmth from my
heart’s kiss.
And if you plant the seeds of your heart’s wish
This Spring will follow with its hopes of bliss.
You are the God who’s married to the land
And with its death and birth you’ll understand
The cycles of renewal that doth rule
The spiral that gives hope when life is cruel.
But you and She are one eternal dance
And with Her death your power surely wanes.
But rest sprouts seeds that soon turn into plants
As warmed by your bright rays that soothe
Her pains.
Do not delay the darkness of the day
For it contains the teaching of the year.
Linger in it though it chills your way
For soon the light returns in Yuletide cheer.
And then the spiral cycles once again
And yet each year we grow to know it more.
And when the dark returns again to men
We shall know it for renewal’s door.
—Anodea Judith, 1986
4. God & Goddess
Combined
70. My Goddess is a Rock
My Goddess is a rock
And She whirls in space
She whirls in space
Oh, she whirls in space
My Goddess is a rock
With a sweet green face
The miracle where I was born.
My God, He is a star,
Burnin’ in the sky
He’s burnin’ in the sky
Oh, he’s burnin’ ‘way up high
My God, he is a star,
Burnin’ in the sky
The leaper in the grain and corn.
—Dragon Singing
71. Prayer
All wise, gracious Mother of us all;
All powerful Lord, our Father;
Supernal Parents,
Sustain us, Your children, this day.
Give us the wisdom to see Your path
And the strength to prevail in the Darkest Hour.
We thank You for the joys we have
And for the chance You have give us
To prove ourselves in adversity
As well as in happiness. May we thrive.
—Joseph Wilson, 1974
72. Invocation of the Lady & Lord
Lady of the Earth, the Oceans and Wind
Mother of the Fire that burns within!
Lord of the Dance, bringer of Light,
Untamed God, give us delight!
—Ayisha Homolka