Pagan Prayers
By Judith Wise-Rhoads
Salutation before a Meal
It is proper at mealtime to recognize the Goddess and God. Thus it is good to have a representation of the Lady and perhaps of Her consort at or near where meals are eaten. Many Witches, the Craft (and most Pagan sects, for that matter) being primarily Goddess worshippers, will have a picture representing the Lady on a wall next to the table where it is easy to see. A popular example is a print of Botticelli's "Birth of Venus."
When all is in readiness for the meal the one chosen for the invocation should hold out their arms in informal salute towards the icon of the Lady, saying:
Gracious and lovely Goddess,
Laughing God of the Wilderness,
We do give thee greetings.
We can give nothing that is
Not already thine,
But accept our thanks
And our enjoyment of this food,
As we do partake of that bounty
Which you have created.
Blessed Be!
All repeat:
Blessed Be!
Then the meal may begin.
An alternative salutation would be to kiss your hand towards the representation of the Goddess and say:
0 Lady of the rich earth
And Lord of the green forest,
We give honor and thanks
To you both
Ere we partake of this food.
May your realms grow far,
May sky be clear
And water pure.
May peace return to the world
As your gentle rule returns
Once more to us.
Blessed Be!
All repeat:
Blessed Be!
The meal may begin.
Morning Salutation
The following is a brief devotion to be used in the morning just after awakening. Immediately upon arising from your bed, go to the East window of your room. (Any window with a view to the outside will do, although East with its morning sun is preferable.) Stand before the window for a few moments; let your mind become serene and meditative. Quietly consider that a new day is arising, and that the Forces of Life are strong and vital at this hour. Hold out your arms in salutation. Stretch. When you have thus channeled your mind, say the following:
Gracious Goddess of joy and of rebirth,
Sturdy God of strength and of protection,
I give honor to Thee both.
And I give salutations to the Powers of the Earth,
Of light, and the new realm of existence, this day,
Which now arises.
Now make the sign of the invoking pentacle with the forefinger and middle finger of the right hand: start at the lower right, up, down to lower left, over to the right, across to the left, and back to the starting point. Imagine that you are drawing a glowing star, which hangs in the air before you for a few moments. Then say:
I do give thee greetings
Lady and Lord.
I do give thee greetings
Ye beings of Nature.
May your strength and your power be in me, My love and deepest respect
Be with you.
Kiss your hand at the rising sun or make any other suitable salute to the Goddess and God, and to the forces of Nature, saying:
Blessed Be!
Pause for a few moments to feel the influx of the Forces into you. Let the feeling within you merge with that which you may sense from without. After a few moments you may depart to start your day.
Witch Prayers
The Following prayers are useful as invocations before meals, or retiring at night, but can be used wherever needed. They may be taught to children.
Bless us, 0 gracious Lady,
And these, Thy gifts,
Which we have received of Thy bounty.
Bless us, and draw us
Ever closer to Thee
In Thy sacred Name ... so be it.
[The Sign of the Pentacle may be made]
Lady, though we can give nothing
That not all ready Yours,
Accept what we ourselves enjoy
As a token of our love,
In thanks for Your care,
And in token of giving of ourselves
To serve You.
[The Sign of the Pentacle may be made]
Brigid, all Mother,
Darling of the world,
Protector of children's beds,
Of maidens in love,
And of the rights of newlyweds,
Stay beside me and grant me Thy favor.
[The Sign of the Pentacle may be made]
Fair Goddess of the rainbow,
Of the stars and of the moon!
The Queen most powerful
Of the magick and the night!
I beg thee thy aid,
That Thou may'st give to me
Thy protection and Thy love,
As I give mine to Thee!
[The Sign of the Pentacle may be made]
A child preparing for bed may perform a small ritual each evening under guidance of a parent ... to light a single candle, to say the prayer, and then to blow out the candle. | 
