A Pagan Ritual Prayer Book (36 page)

Kwan Yin:

• On your lotus-petal way,
  

  strewn by your gentle hands,
  

   
  

  Kwan Yin, may I travel throughout my life.
  

   
  

Mars:

• This ram, Father Mars, to you,
  

  that you may be increased in power
  

   
  

  that I may be increased in power
  

   
  

  for prosperity and protection.
  

   
  

The Maruts, for rain:

• What is the clattering noise I hear, as tree limbs against each other?
  

  It is the Maruts, coming in splendor, bringing rain.
  

   
  

  What is the glittering fire I see, as of clouds hiding lightning?
  

   
  

  It is the Maruts, coming in splendor, bringing rain.
  

   
  

  What is the awe-inspiring presence I feel, as of the clashing of armies?
  

   
  

  It is the Maruts, coming in splendor, bringing rain.
  

   
  

  Splendorous Maruts, come quickly, bringing rain.
  

   
  

P
an:

• Glowing P
  an, who conveys the bride
  

  as if in your goat-guided chariot,
  

   
  

  to a peaceful life,
  

   
  

  bring me, as if wedded,
  

   
  

  to prosperity,
  

   
  

  lord of paths, deliverer.
  

   
  

Storm God, for rain:

• Rain, God of Storms, send rain.
  

  Not the lightning that obliterates everything it hits,
  

   
  

  and not torrents that wash away the dirt from our plants and our homes,
  

   
  

  but rain that falls gently,
  

   
  

  lovingly even,
  

   
  

  soaking into the ground where it can be used by living beings.
  

   
  

  Rain, Storm God, send rain.
  

   
  

• The rest of my neighborhood is soaking their lawns each day with water from distant lakes,
  

  but I am waiting for rain.
  

   
  

  Grass at this time of the year is
  supposed
  to be brown and brittle; I know that.
  

   
  

  But grass is so beautiful when it is green and soft.
  

   
  

  So I'm waiting patiently for you to return:
  

   
  

  but hurry.
  

   
  

• On the heads of my enemies drop your axe,
  

  a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
  

   
  

Thunderbird, for rain:

• Lightning in dry air over the burnt land, hey!
  

  Fire in the dry air over the burnt land, hey!
  

   
  

  Rain clouds in the dry air over the burnt land, hey!
  

   
  

  Thunderbird, trailing fire in his wings, comes.
  

   
  

  Thunderbird, carrying roars in their beating, comes.
  

   
  

  Thunderbird, bringing rain to the burnt land, comes.
  

   
  

  Thunderbird, we will turn wet faces to you, hey,
  

   
  

  when you pass over us.
  

   
  

• May the roaring flapping of your wings be the thunder accompanying the storm.
  

  May the cutting flashing of your eyes be the lightning accompanying the story.
  

   
  

  May the rhythmic clacking of your beak be the rain's music as it falls, be the storm,
  

   
  

  which will come as you fly to us,
  

   
  

  as you fly, Storm-Bringing Thunderbird.
  

   
  

Spirits of Prey, for a hunter:

• [animal's name], I have a deal for you:
  

  come to my gun and I will honor and remember you.
  

   
  

Earth and Water Spirits:

• Through long time fine soil has been laid down by
  

  water to make the clay with which I form this vessel.
  

   
  

  Every liquid poured into or from it will be a libation to earth and water.
  

   
  

Hephaestus:

• Though crippled, you possess great skill in compensation.
  

  Hephaestus, of power and skill, show sympathy for my own shortcomings
  

   
  

  and guide me, and aid me, to produce works with quality.
  

   
  

Lugh:

• Lugh, of arts and skills,
  

  as your spear,
  

   
  

  so my hammer:
  

   
  

  May it fall powerfully and accurately,
  

   
  

  and may my work be performed with beauty and without delay.
  

   
  

Vulcan:

• When the gods want the best,
  

  in strength or art,
  

   
  

  they turn to you, Vulcan.
  

   
  

  And so do I:
  

   
  

  not for you to do the work,
  

   
  

  but to guide my arms.
  

   
  

  Although my work can't equal yours,
  

   
  

  may it be the best possible for mortal man.
  

   
  

• The strong arms that drive the hammer against the metal on the anvil,
  

  causing the crash that deafens my ears among the liquid flames of the volcano where your smithy is hidden,
  

   
  

  end in clever fingers, which create fine work to cause as much marvel for their artistry as your rougher work for its utility.
  

   
  

  Guide my work, both rough and fine, Vulcan, and the praise I receive from others will be praise of you.
  

   
  

There is more to existence than the material. Humans are thinking animals, and so by thinking better, we become more human, more what we are. To ask divine help for thought is to ask for help in being natural, which is certainly something that would interest the sacred beings of nature.

We are also animals who speak and in the same way, speaking well is being good at being a human. Both thought and speech overlap with inspiration, which helps us think new thoughts and speak beautiful words.

The divine beings like pretty words. So as well as wanting us to be what we are, they also want to hear nice things from us. Callings, praise, thanks, and all the other purposes of prayer come across more nicely if we are inspired.

Inspiration and speech also help us be more aware of the world—both sacred and mundane. Through them, we are therefore put more in touch with all that is.