The Stag leads the way with great dignity
and says that he'll guide you with integrity.
He says to stand tall but not to be proud, 
to be independent apart from the crowd.
Come into the Other-world; be calm, strong and sure
Let go of all things that would make you impure


And the Hind, full of Grace from the Other-world calls
"Look to the heart of hearts, beyond all walls.
Explore deep within with the Stag as your guide, 
and the Hind will be there with you, right at your side.
And with your emotions, the Stag and the Hind
bring grace and a gentleness into your mind.

And the Blackbird will sing and call you within
with the song that will haunt you, and keep you from sin.
And what might a sin be?  Not using your power!
But standing dispassionate in twilight hour!
The song of the blackbird (in your heart and mind)
you hear now with ears that hear, with both Stag and Hind.


Three guides you are given, a Stag, at the start,
Independence and pride and purified heart!
The Hind in your dealings - to look deep within
to the hearts of your friends and the hearts of your kin.
The Blackbird to guide you with his special song
to bring to the whole world, to sing your life long.


Copyright 1995 Cáit Finnegan

I rise early in the morn
to see the lark soar high at dawn
and give thanks to my God that I was born!
Sings my soul: ÓBuíochas le Dia!Ò

The warmth and the glow of the sunÕs golden ray
fills my heart with love on this beautiful day
and I fall to my knees compelled to pray!
Sings my soul: ÓBuíochas le Dia!Ó

IÕm surrounded by life in the woods and the air
and I cherish our Mother, this Earth that we share
for it fills me with passion and visions so fair!
Sings my soul: ÓBuíochas le Dia!Ó

The blessings of life in the oceans and streams
and on mountains and hills are the stuff of GodÕs dreams
and they tell me our world is far more than it seems!
Sings my soul: ÓBuíochas le Dia!Ó

Ciaran, a chara!  We look to you,
Soul Friend to all, our hearts renew.
Pray now that all we say and do
Flows from Christ's love, and hearts so true.

Friend to all creatures everywhere;
the deer, and the hound, the great black bear,
the cat, and the boar, the fox in his lair
the great mighty horse, the birds of the air.

Pray for us, Ciaran, as we gather here.
Pray for our souls and those we hold dear.
Pray for this fellowship--that we draw near
to God in all creatures, and each of us here.

Ciaran, a chara!  Help us to be 
respectful of all on the land, in the sea,
and guide us in love compassionately,
love of our God in all that we see.

Each generation the story is told
passing it down new from the old
that Faith of our fathers and mothers we hold,
a Treasure to us more precious than gold.

Ciaran, a chara!  Dear friend pray
that we keep Faith with each new day
Praising the Spirit, God's Life-giving Ray!
Praising our God and Christ Mac De!

Copyright 1997 Cáit Finnegan

or 
"Break-fast in the Wood"

Diamonds in the trees
glistening in the breeze,
the morning dew resting
with such ease upon the leaves.

Spirits, like fog, from the grass ascend,
as birds to the basket of seeds descend,
The dawn announcing the night now ends,
the breakfast bell tolls for our woodland friends.

Quietly, they come,
their pace a gentle drum,
passing through the green wood
ferns they strum, God's song they hum.

The neighboring rooster's wake up call
from the cool crisp night, the herald of Fall,
proclaims a new day as he sits on the wall
near the barn where the bay mare stirs in her stall.

Baptizing anew
Holy Water dew
Mystical druids see
God's Own view, and I do too.

I feel older as I light the fire
My burdens and hopes, all my desires
seem to lie so heavily on my heart
as signs of my Fall and Winter now start.

This the first fire of this new season
Is not the cause, nor is it the reason
For somehow this hearth, this symbol of home
gives me security, warmth as I roam.

With each new beginning building on old
I run to my hearth, I run from the cold
from all that's unknown, from things yet to be,
questions unanswered, worrying me.

But God leads my way, and makes straight my path
and I must admit, I've known not God's wrath.
So though I am older, I bless this flame,
bless this new season, in God's Holy Name.

The Rose of Sharon Religious Books and Articles, LLC

A Companion-Animal-Friendly Shop.

 

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