Eros, ancient one, youthful one, holder of souls,
opener of hearts, you give and take with the same
spirit, the same fury, the same deft hand. Eros,
child of passion, driving force of the universe,
yours is the face of desire, yours the strength of love,
in you we see the world as once it was, in you
we hear the voice of lovers joined as one. Eros,
child of chaos, brother of sweet harmony,
yours is the cord that binds our lives together,
yours the scourge that drives us where our bodies lead,
in you we find purpose, in you we seek solace.
Eros, in my blood and my tears I know you,
in my pulse I feel your might, your call to life
above all. I thank you for your many blessings.
Archive | October 2011
Demeter
Shining Demeter, queen of the fruitful earth,
daughter of great-bosomed Rhea of ancient name,
mother of Persephone, friend of the farmer,
friend of all those who hold hope in their hearts.
You hold in your hands the warm black soil, Demeter,
you hold in your hands the lives of men and women.
By your will it is, goddess, that the fields flourish,
the trees bear sweet fruit; by your goodness it is
that we harvest food enough to feed our families.
Kind you are, Demeter, benevolent one,
and yet never should your favor be presumed,
for your wrath is such that it could end all lives
if such was your desire. Your gifts are precious,
O Demeter, more precious than the gold and jewels
that lie beneath the new-sown seeds; your blessings
are the air we breathe, the bread we eat. Blessed goddess,
Demeter of the great heart, we thank you each day
for all you have given us, all we know of life.
Athena
Steel-eyed Athena, wisest of goddesses,
daughter of thundering Zeus and Metis of good counsel,
patron of great heroes and adventurers,
advisor of princes and kings, your favor falls
on the bold and the clever, on those who dare
and those who tempt the noble Fates. Athena,
weaver of the finest, fairest tapestries,
teacher of art and craft to mortal artisans,
worker of metals, your soft hands guide the flow
of molten ore. Leader of battles, warrior maid,
of tactics and of strategy you know all,
of clever trickery and wiles you are the master;
with words and wit you may win much, with strength of arm
and sharpened sword, at need, you take all contests.
Athena of wisdom, Athena of skills,
goddess of the agile mind, for your works I praise you.
Artemis
I praise bright Artemis, fair as the budding branch,
fair as the spotted fawn, brave as the young bear.
From crafty Hephaistos you took the artful bow,
the sharp-barbed shafts; from father Zeus
you claimed your calling. Far-shooting Artemis,
through the thick of the darkened wood you make your way,
trailing boar and hare, swiftly and silently,
your aim ever flawless, ever kind. Artemis,
light-bringer, mountain-dweller, graceful one who runs
through thorn and thistle with never a scratch, goddess
unparalleled, friend of mothers in their travail,
friend of maidens, friend of the pretty nymphs,
in old Arcadia you roamed the wilderness,
in Tauris you took the blood of men, in Ephesus
you wore the mural crown. The fire of youth
is in you, goddess, the bold and valiant spirit
that marks a child as yours. Free-hearted Artemis,
worthy daughter of Leto, I honor you always.
Ares
Ares, bright-armored bearer of spear and shield,
son of noble Zeus and wise and watchful Hera,
beloved of deep-hearted Aphrodite,
father of fear, father of sweet harmony,
in all the realms no one knows more the depths
and heights to which necessity may drive mankind.
Fair of form you are, O Ares, strong of arm
and fleet of foot, clever in the ways of strife,
ever-wary defender of the city gate,
granter of the sense that keeps safe the soldier,
holder of the hearts of those in direst need.
Dear to you are war dogs and carrion-birds,
beasts that feed on blood and carnage, that
flourish in the barren fields of battle. Ares,
saviour of cities, shaker of spears, bright-helmed
one who lends strength to the weak, courage to the fearful,
will to the clouded and vengeance to the wronged,
I thank you for your gifts, I honor your calling.
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