Lovely me fell in February and shattered my elbow. Well im mostly healed and back. Here are three of the new statues I ordered for my altar.
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| Hades |
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| Asklepius |
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| The Great Lord Pan |
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
My Personal Liturgy/Office of Hours
The following are my Liturgy of Hours cycles. They are performed daily and while it see.s overwhelming, they don't take a great deal of time to complete.
Daily Liturgy/Office of Hours
Sunrise Devotional
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
As the Sun rises refreshed and renewed,
As do I rise into the new day.
Great Lord Helios, seer of all things,
Shine your light upon me,
That I may know the path to walk this day.
(Perform Libation)
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world.
Awen!
First Meal Offering
Calling to Hestia/Lighting of the Sacred Flame
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
Gentle eldest and youngest daughter of Choronos and Rhea,
I call to you (right bell)
Virgin maiden of fire, tender of the Sacred Fire upon Olympus,
I call to you (ring bell)
Sister of the Great Father Zeus, teacher of human society whose altar lives in every hearth on earth,
I call to you (ring bell)
As in days of old, I call unto you and ask that you be always in my heart and home.
Great and Glorious Hestia, you who have no throne upon Olympus,
You whose true throne lies in the hearth and home of all human kind,
Hear my call! (Light Hestia lamp/ritual fire)
Fire Charm (ADF)
Kindred from the Great Flame,
Kept by prudent skill,
Joined with our common hearth,
That this place be blessed!
(Make offerings of First Portion of breakfast food and Libation to Hestia)
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world.
Awen!
Midmorning Prayers/Chants
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
Hestia, tender of the sacred flame,
Guard my home and help it to prosper in times of change.
(Light votive candle)
Hekate, goddess of the three realms,
Shine your light to guide me through times of darkness.
(Light votive candle)
Demeter, the mother of all growing things,
Help me to persevere through times of sorrow.
(Light votive candle)
Persephone, Queen of the Dead,
Help me be reborn into the person I should be.
(Light votive candle)
Prayer to the Universal Mother
O cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration, mother of all,
Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us where your Presence can abide.
Fill us with your creativity so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your love.
Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire.
Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share what each being needs to grow and flourish.
Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us, as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.
Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true purpose,
But illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.
For you are the ground and the fruitful vision, the birth, power, and fulfillment, as all is gathered and made whole once again.
Awen!
(Light incense offering)
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world.
Awen!
***
Midday Devotional
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
As the Sun travels through the sky, growing in light and power,
As do I travel with strength and stamina.
Great Lord Helios, Father of Light,
Shine your Light of Power upon me that I may have the will to carry on.
(Perform Libation)
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world
Awen!
Second Meal Offering
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
Blessed Hestia, I give unto you that which is yours,
The First Fruits of every meal.
Be always in my heart and home.
(Make offerings of First Portion of lunch food and Libation to Hestia)
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world.
Awen!
Midday Prayer/Chant
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
(Ring bell 3 times. Light votive candle and incense. 108 Chant to Ganesha using Prayer Beads. Ring bell 3 times)
Om Gam Ganpataye Namaha
(“salutations to the remover of obstacles.”)
(Ring bell 3 times. Light votive candle and incense. 108 Chant to Hekate using Prayer Beads. Ring bell 3 times)
Δόξα να είναι η εκάτη
Thoh-ah nah e-ee-neh ee ekatee
(“glory be to Hekate”)
(Ring bell 3 times. Light votive candle and incense. 108 Chant to Hestia using Prayer Beads. Ring bell 3 times)
Δόξα στην Εστία
Thoh-ah steen Est-ee-ah
(“glory be to Hestia”)
(Ring bell 3 times. Light votive candle and incense. 108 Chant to Demeter using Prayer Beads. Ring bell 3 times)
Δόξα στη Δήμητρα
Thoh-ah stee Thee-mee-trah
(“glory be to Demeter”)
(Ring bell 3 times. Light votive candle and incense. 108 Chant to Pesephone using Prayer Beads. Ring bell 3 times)
Δόξα στην Περσεφόνη
Thoh-ah steen Persefonee
(“glory be to Persephone”)
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world.
Awen!
***
Sunset Devotional
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
As the Sun set upon another day,
I release the worries and burdens that have gone before.
Blessed Helios,
Bring rest and peace of mind as you set below the horizon,
With the promise of rebirth with your return.
(Perform libation)
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world.
Awen!
Third Meal Offering (time may vary depending on time of year)
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
Blessed Hestia, I give unto you that which is yours,
The First Fruits of every meal.
Accept this offering of the final meal of the day and
Be always in my heart and home.
(Make offerings of First Portion of dinner food and Libation to Hestia)
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea that around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world.
Awen!
Evening Prayers/Chants
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into prayer.
Lady of the Sacred Flame,
you whose throne lives in the hearth of every home,
I light this incense and flame in your honor,
Protect this home and all within its walls,
Fill it with your radiant light.
Glorious Hestia,
Be always the light in my heart.
(Light incense from Hestia Lamp/candle)
Demeter, warm, golden wheat crowned queen of all growing things,
Beautiful and radiant Goddess of purification,
I light this incense and candle in your honor.
I ask that you teach me your ways,
Cleanse my soul from mortal frailties that I may grow closer to divinity.
(Light incense from votive candle)
Blessed daughter of Father Zeus and Beloved Demeter,
Shimmering light of spring,
Goddess between two worlds,
You who are Queen of Flowers,
You who are the Queen of the Blessed Dead,
You who were given the powers of eternal life,
I light this incense and flame in your honor.
Persephone, I ask that you teach me your ways of life, death,
and life again so that I may know eternity.
(Light incense from votive candle)
Hekate, Lady of Torches,
Shining light in the darkness,
Queen of Witches,
Goddess of magic,
Keeper of keys and walker between all worlds,
I light this incense and flame in your honor.
Shine your light and magic upon me.
(Light incense from votive candle)
As darkness and rest fall upon the world,
I lay my head into the hands of the Gods,
In perfect love and perfect trust until the light of dawn.
Through the Ancestors we gain Courage.
Through the Nature Spirits we find Peace.
Through the Gods we learn Wisdom.
Through the Kindred we are whole.
In the name of the land below us,
In the name of the sky above us,
And in the name of the sea around us.
In the great mother we are one,
We enter into the world.
Awen!
Prayer for Dark Times
Blessed Helios, Shine brightly during these dark times settling upon our nation. Let your light burn away the evil our leaders are trying to force upon us. Let your light awaken those who have slept and let this evil take root.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Psychic Witch
Looking for a great book to bring your practice to new levels? This is one! Mat has created an amazing book for both beginners and advanced users! #pyahicwitch #matauryn #Paganism #metaphysics #witchskills
Mastering Magick
Another great book by Mat that is very approachable and great for beginners or advanced users alike. The magickal theory and exercises Mat presents helps build, develop, and expand your natural abilities.
#matauryn #pyshicwitchseries #witchsky #pagansky #druidsky
Sun Rise Greeting
As the Sun rises refreshed and renewed, as do I rise into the new day. Lord Helios, Shine your light upon me and illuminate my path as I set foot into the day.
Monday, January 27, 2025
A Word From The Vice ArchDruid of ADF On Inclusion
For our US Druids, especially those who are gender diverse, I know the past few days have been a lot. I want to assure you that ADF is a place where you are explicitly welcome. You are valid. You belong here. Your presence brightens our community and adds vibrance to our practice.
Our system of practice and belief is centered around *ghosti. Hospitality. Building reciprocal relationships. We welcome all those of good will into our spaces, and expect those we welcome to abide by the social contract of good will. Our community will not tolerate hate speech or a debate regarding whether or not someone’s identity and existence is valid. Our cis allies need to step up in this regard, and call out this behavior when you see it, so that appropriate action can be taken.
Gender diverse members (trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, intersex, and beyond), please know that I am also processing this, but will make time to talk with you. Please reach out if you need to. Cis allies, if you need help processing this, I encourage you to reach out as well, though please be aware that I will refer you to another ally who can manage the emotional labor better than me at the moment.
~ Rev. Jan Avende (they/them), Vice ArchDruid
Star Dust and Gods
The gods are not separate from all of creation but a part of it. Most Indo-European religions hold that the gods and the universe were born from the sacfice of a primordial being, often a set of Twins. The gods are a part of us just as we are made of star dust.
Return After A Long Hiatus
After a rather long hiatus I have returned to being a more public facing ADF Druid Priest. I have been spending time working on my personal practice and writing a book about the evolution of a public practitioner to a contemplative Temple Keeping role.
The Temple Keeper role is one that keeps up the the sacred space as well as being one who lives a daily contemplative life. While it is not for everyone, I do belive there is a place for this practice within a modern Pagan context. And while I am a Hellenic Druid, the practice I have developed for myself is not a Hellenic reconstruction. Much of my work is based on research done on the domestic cult practices within the Hellenic culture. There was a huge difference between public practice and household practice within the Greek states. It is this more domestic cult that I have been drawn to.
Much like monotheistic contemplative practices, mine is about keeping the Office of Hours, or Liturgy of Hours. For me, the Liturgy of Hours centers on the three meals of the day, from the rising to the setting of the sun, and meditations/prayers along with the study of mythologies and ancient Hellenic religious practices.
So a lot of what will be coming to my blog will be focused on this new aspect of my life. I hope you will take the journey with me and perhaps find some meaning in it as I have.