For October I decided to give myself a little challenge, and started writing one prayer per day. I made a list of all the deities and entities that I honour in my practice, and am steadily working through that list. Here are the first eight prayers (or poems), to Cernunnos, Baduhenna, Nehalennia, Wolf, Elen of the Ways, Nemetona, Freyr, and Loki.
Cernunnos
Lord of the liminal, the in-between
The place between life and death,
man and woman, hunter and hunted
Lord of the cycles of life,
of both ancient moss covered forests,
and hallowed burial mounds
King to all who live in your realms,
plant and animal, witch and Fae,
and all that lies in between.
I honour you
Baduhenna
I call on you, Ravenwitch
You, who fights with magic and madness
Who defends with sword and shield
Valkyrie Goddess of Frisia
I call on you, Mistqueen
You, who holds the secrets of magic
who’s the sovereign of the land
Daughter of the Morrigan
I call on you, Rootwoman
You, who connects us to our past,
Who reminds us of our power
Defender of the marsh forest
I call on you, Baduhenna
Be with me
Nehalennia
Stuurvrouw, Oogstmoeder,
Vrouwe van de Zee.
Ik drijf if uw golven,
Draag mij met u mee
Steerswoman, Harvestmom,
Lady of the Sea,
I float in your waves,
Lady, carry me
(to the tune of Horned One, Lover, Son)
Wolf
Run with me ‘neath shining moon,
and howl to the Silver Lady
Roam with me ‘neath warming sun,
and show me the hidden way
Rest with me ‘neath shading tree,
as I watch the young cubs play
Revel with me ‘neath starlit sky,
as humanity slips away
Roar with me ‘neath watchful eyes,
and join the hunt for prey
Elen of the Ways
Lady of journeys,
within and without
Guide me to myself,
to my inner light
Lead the way,
to a better me
Show me where to go
Show me the next step
Elen of the Labyrinth
be with me
Nemetona
Leaf-crowned guardian of the grove
She who protects boundaries
of land, home, and person
She who is one with the earth
with the trees, flowers, and plants
Bark-skinned warden of sacred places
I honour you
Freyr
Golden sunlight upon golden grain
Warmth of the heartlight
Communities chosen and born
We take what is needed,
and share what we have
We fight for those who cannot,
and raise their voices high
We love with all our hearts,
and celebrate humanity
Golden Freyr who guards us,
and provides for us all
I honour you
Loki
Change-bringer,
Flamehaired deity of mischief,
You who break chains,
and social conventions
Who burns what is old,
to grow what is new
Who brings a smile,
and bright ringing laughter
Who gives strength to the weird,
the outcasts and the queer
I love and honour you
