I praise Hermes of the threshold, Hermes who stands
watch by every home, who guards every gate.
Hermes who keeps safe from harm the households of men,
Hermes who knows the scoundrel and the thief, who knows
them as no other, who knows best the way to drive
all villains from the door, defend my home from all ill,
allow no evil to enter. Hermes, granter
of wit and wile, make of me an able foe
to any who wish me harm. Hermes, I pray to you,
I ask your blessing, grant me your favor.
Archives
Poseidon
Deep-dwelling Poseidon, shield of sailors,
stiller of storms, shaker of the earth beneath us,
I praise you. Well known you were in days of old,
honored above all others in far-famed Corinth;
your temples stood throughout the ancient lands,
each floor well polished by the feet of the devoted.
In times still longer past, still further lost in time,
were you among the first of gods whose names
were known to men, the first whose might was honored,
the first who answered desperate pleas with dear blessings.
Poseidon, whose voice we hear in the crash of waves,
whose hand guides the fate of all who venture out
upon the sea, to whom we owe thanks for transport
and trade, for salt fish and sweet water, I praise you.
Pan
To great-hearted Pan, master of the woodland,
I offer my praise. Wise and knowing god,
older than old, holder of the earth’s secrets,
teacher of prophecy to shining Apollo,
generous one who gifted fair Artemis
with the swiftest of coursers, joyous son of Hermes
who plays upon the pipes, who leads the dances
of the nymphs, who joins with the maenads and satyrs
in Bacchus’ wild band, I call to you with my thanks.
Great Pan who is as simple and as enigmatic
as nature itself, whose voice we hear in the wind
behind our backs, to you I give all honor.
To the Graces
I call to the Graces, maidens three whose loveliness
and charm are unsurpassed among the deathless gods,
daughters of thundering Zeus, sprightly and lissome,
attendant on Hera of the fathomless eyes
and golden Aphrodite. Ever welcome
you are, well-garlanded ones, bringers of joy
and mirth; in life’s many pleasures we see your hand.
Yours is the play of children, yours the merry dance
and the sumptuous feast, yours the laughter of good friends.
Fair ones, granters of ease and delight, I praise you.
Semele
Beautiful Semele, strong-hearted daughter
of Cadmus and Harmonia, child of Thebes
who bore the shining son of lightning-wielding Zeus,
beloved mother of Dionysos who carried
you from Hades’ dark depths to the shining halls
of Olympos, there to join with the deathless gods
in unending joy. Thyone were you called, O goddess,
by those who received your blessing of madness.
Many were the libations poured out at your shrines,
many the graceful maids who danced in your honor,
many the fragrant flowers strewn at your feet.
Semele of the flowing hair, robed in purple,
wreathed in ivy, through you do maenads find their way
to frenzy, through you do we find our way to bliss.
Prayer to Heracles for Protection
Heracles, strong-armed son of Zeus and Alcmene
of the dark eyes, great one whose deeds are well known,
whose ancient stories are yet told throughout the world,
whose glorious name will never be forgotten,
I praise and honor you. Libations you received,
in older times poured out upon the earth as befit
a hero; in later days were offerings made
to you on shining altars and at festivals.
Kind Heracles, friend of mankind, defender
of humanity, I call to you for refuge.
Shelter and shield us from harm, O Heracles;
ward us well, I pray; preserve us from all evil.
Prayer to Artemis for Joy in Oneself Alone
Wild-running Artemis, daughter of thundering Zeus,
fleet-footed huntress, bright-hearted girl whose joy it is
to roam the wood and flowered field, you hold the mountains
as your own. Artemis, fair maid of the forest,
I call out to you. In all things, O goddess,
are you sovereign; in all ways do you uphold
your own might. Artemis, friend of the maiden,
friend of all who are sufficient to themselves,
grant to me the joy of independence, the solace
of self-reliance. May I treasure my solitude,
O Artemis; may I sing with my own voice.
Prayer to Eros for the Gift of Desire
Eros, ancient one whose might it was that brought life
into being, capricious one whose gift it is
to fire the hearts of gods and men with lust and love,
I call out to you. Eros, master of desire,
bearer of the bow, your golden shafts you shoot,
so swift, so sharp, we barely feel the prick.
Eros, your blessings I have known; I know their worth.
They are a treasure, precious and true. Eros,
grant to me your sweet misery, the yearning
and the need that drive mankind, that bring us
together again and again. Strike me
with your dart, O Eros, make of me your mark.
Apollo
Shining Apollo, bright-haired son of Zeus,
strong of arm and flawless of form, of all the gods
none are your equal in beauty or grace. Apollo,
of Leto were you born on well-favored Delos;
in Athens and in Sparta and in all the lands
were you honored. To you did men and women
offer prayers for health and healing in days of old;
to you did the poets call for inspiration,
O leader of the lovely Muses. Apollo,
driver of all ill and evil from the land,
in Delphi were you served by the faithful Pythia,
with whom you shared your prophecies.
Apollo, never has your glory been forgotten;
throughout the centuries have artists turned to you
for light and vision. Great god, I praise you and your gifts.
Prayer to Harmonia for a Peaceful Heart
Gentle Harmonia, daughter of Aphrodite
who bore a lifetime of ill fortune with patience
and grace, who knows well how to find peace and comfort
in any circumstances, I pray to you.
Goddess, grant to me a portion of your poise.
Grant to me the strength always to see the good,
grant to me the open heart to take joy
where I find it, grant to me a happy nature.
Bless me, goddess, with contentment and a quiet mind.
Underflow 