A Book of Pagan Prayer

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If your religious upbringing was like mine, I strongly advise starting with some good scripted prayers. They’re different from what you’ve heard so they’re less likely to trigger bad memories. They also require more concentration, which will help you focus on the deity or spirit to whom you’re praying. The 4th of July falls just a couple of weeks after Litha, the summer solstice, and it isn't just about barbecue and picnics and fireworks, although those are all a lot of fun too. Before you go off to watch a parade, eat a ton of food, and bask in the sun all day, offer up this simple prayer asa call to unity and hope for people from all nations. I grew up in a religious tradition where prayer was expected. We said prayers at night. We said prayers before meals. We went to church on Sunday, where there was organized prayer for adults and children alike. As a young adult I took confirmation classes where we learned meanings and techniques for prayer. I guess I took it for granted that people knew what prayer and contemplation were. Heathen funerals are usually led by a Gothi or Gythja, which may be a high-ranking member of a group or a person chosen by the decedent. Pagan funeral music

12 Pagan Prayers for the Yule Sabbat - Learn Religions

Many – perhaps most – Pagans have a broken relationship with prayer. We were forced to pray as kids. We suffered through long and boring prayers in church and before meals. Some people tell us prayer is the answer to everything, while others tell us prayer accomplishes nothing. And we all know people (some Christian and some Pagan) whose prayers resemble a four-year-old’s Christmas list. It’s enough to turn us off on the practice of prayer. There are many Gods and Goddesses of different pantheons – such as Egyptian, Celtic, Norse, Roman and Greek – that may be referenced specifically for their association with death. Osiris, for example, is the Egyptian God of the Underworld, while Persephone is a goddess associated with death and rebirth in Ancient Greece. Depending on where you live, you may be seeing snowfall long before Yule arrives. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty and its magic, both as it falls and once it covers the ground. Blessed be is used as a standard way of greeting each other among Neopagans and also used as a general expression of blessing during ritual. It invokes the protection of the Divinity/God/Goddess and their Spirit over a person, a place, or a thing. 🙌 I speak of “the Gods” in this post, but as a polytheist I never pray to Them collectively. I am a priest of Cernunnos and Danu, a Druid of the Morrigan, and a devotee of Brighid and Lugh. I pray to all of Them daily. I pray to Cernunnos and to the Morrigan as part of the weekly devotions They have each requested of me.

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It’s a good idea to ensure you don’t let too much Christian vocabulary slip out during the service – references to “heaven”, Jesus or a singular God, and Bible verses may be seen as disrespectful even if said with positive intentions. What to wear to a pagan funeral Like all spiritual practices, prayer works best when you work at it on a regular basis. Write or find a prayer you can say every day at the same time. It doesn’t have to be long – in many ways it’s better if it isn’t. My morning prayers are extremely short, because getting up in the morning is hard enough as it is. HAIL to thee, Amun-Ra, Lord of the thrones of the earth, the oldest existence, ancient of heaven, support of all things;

Pagan funeral | With Respects What to expect at a Pagan funeral | With Respects

written. Often, the traditional prayers from remote locations contain a mix of Christian and pagan thoughts! Simply put, Paganism involves the veneration of nature and multiple Gods and Goddesses. It is often conflated with witchcraft, though not all Pagans consider themselves witches, nor do all witches consider themselves Pagan. A themed compilation that challenges you to a greater recognition of the presence of the elements and inspires gratitude and celebration of the role they play in your life and in the world around you. Discover MoreDanish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard – writing from a Christian perspective, of course – said “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” And while I would argue the first part from a polytheist perspective (and probably from a Christian perspective as well), I completely agree with the second part. How would you talk to your grandmother or to a favorite uncle? What would you say if a social or political leader you admire came to visit you? The Gods are more than any of these things, and it is best to approach even familiar deities with reverence, but expressions of devotion and love are always appropriate. But it is common for Wiccans to want to include non-Wiccan or non-initiate family and friends, in which case no primary text exists to draw from. You’d likely hear poetry written and published by prominent members of those communities. Gardnerian High Priestess Doreen Valiente wrote a poem following the passing of Robert Cochrane entitled Elegy For A Dead Witch, which has frequently been reused in modern pagan funerals. Funeral rites In addition to reading a spiritual book once a day, spend a few minutes doing further research on your god or goddess. This can be online or in books. Read your god or goddess’ mythology, folklore, and history. This gives honor to your god or goddess and enriches your relationship with them. 33. Listen to Music The consecration of the deceased with salt and water, the sharing of cakes and wine, and libations are also common in all Pagan traditions.

Prayers for Healing – PaganPages.org Prayers for Healing – PaganPages.org

Other common themes across the Pagan spectrum include a high reverence for the ancestors, a focus on a Goddess, the shunning of traditional religious dogma and avoidance of proselytism. Edred Thorsson talks about runic stadhas in his book on the Elder Futhark. Stadhas are similar to yoga positions. So whether you enjoy yoga or feel a connection to the runes, try physical positions like the runic stadhas or yoga on a daily basis. Even if you only do one or two in the morning to get your day started or in the evening to relax and connect. 6. Go for a Walk This simple prayer honors two of thebest-known gods of the winemaking season, but feel free to substitute your own pantheon's deities, or to add or remove any that resonate with you, as you use this prayer in your Mabon celebrations. Something I enjoy doing in the morning, draw one rune or one tarot/oracle card for the day. It might give you a sneak peek of what’s to come or just provide some sage advice. Either way – drawing one rune or card of the day is one of the easiest and enlightening daily pagan rituals. 24. Use Herbs in CookingOfferings are simple. They can be anything your god or goddess would enjoy: food, beverage, water, incense, herbal blends, art, crystals, candle flame, dance and poetry. Some gods enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. Some enjoy a portion of your dinner at night. While others prefer the scent of patchouli incense. Incorporate offerings into your daily routine and watch the blessings roll in!

Pagan and Wiccan Rituals - Learn Religions Pagan and Wiccan Rituals - Learn Religions

In many Pagan traditions, both contemporary and ancient, the old gods are honored at the time of the winter solstice. Take a moment to pay them tribute, and call upon them during the Yule season. As Pagans have no public buildings specifically set aside for worship, and most believe that religious ceremonies are best conducted out of doors, rituals often take place in woods or caves, on hilltops, or along the seashore. To Pagans the finest places of worship are those not built by human hands - as well as at stone circles, in parks, and private homes and gardens. Women and men almost always worship together and Paganism generally emphasises equality of the sexes. In certain paths, however, women may take the leading role as representative of the pre-eminence of the female principle. A prayer known as the Gorsedd Prayer (Gweddi’r Orsedd) by Iolo Morganwg is a staple reading for many Druidic rites. Traditional Wicca Simply going for a walk outside is enough to relax you and re-connect with Mother Earth. Don’t have a lot of time to fit in a walk? Instead of sitting at your desk for lunch break, take your lunch outside and go for a walk afterward. Even if it’s only a ten minute walk. I also enjoy walking through ny garden in the evenings. Go barefoot and ground yourself naturally. 7. Dream JournalingI have looser relationships with numerous other deities. If the Gods listed above are family who live in my house or perhaps down the street, these are the relatives who live far away that I see once or twice a year. I pray to Them on occasion. The desires of your heart. While we all want to avoid sounding like a kid sitting on Santa Claus’s lap, there is nothing wrong with speaking the desires of your heart to the Gods. What is it you want most? What is it you value most? What calls to you, perhaps softly and perhaps with a screaming voice? Since Pagans do not have temples in the way that other religions do, most ceremonies take place outside. Secular buildings may be used if necessary, but other religious venues are generally seen as inappropriate. What is your opinion on the importance of prayer in Paganism? What style of prayer do you use with your Gods – formal / recited, or more casual / conversational? Pagan music tends to fall into the categories of New Age or Folk, and a lot of pagans will have favourites among these. But you might also come across live music at a funeral. It’s not uncommon to have drummers, flautists or acapella singers at a pagan celebration of life. Pagan funeral locations