reclaiming chant book
TRANSCRIPT
This special online edition of the out-of-printWitchcamp Chants Book is brought to you by
Reclaiming Quarterly
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This is a collection of chants and song-lyrics that have been used inReclaiming rituals and gatherings. It includes complete lyrics from bothReclaiming chants tapes, as well as many other lyrics collected at ritualsand at Witch Camp.
We reproduce these lyrics in hopes that they will be more widely used,and that people who know only part of a favorite chant or song will findthe rest of the words here.
Because many of the selections here were passed on by “oral tradition,”we have been unable to identify authors for some of them. We apolo-gize for the omission, and ask anyone who knows such credits tocontact us — see below.
This is a first edition. We may produce a second, expanded edition. Ifyou have a favorite song or chant that you want to see included, if youknow a specific author or credit for a lyric included here, or if you havesuggestions, please contact George Franklin c/o Reclaiming Quarterly— see below.
This booklet is not being sold for profit. To order cassettes containingmany of these chants, see back cover.
Design and coordination by George Franklin/Reclaiming Quarterly.
Special thanks to Amy Lynn Caplan, Rose May Dance, Thorn Coyle,Robin Dolan, Heather Vucinich, Brook Schoenfield, Beverly Frederick,Judy Foster, Dara Thompson, Chris Rubacky, M. Macha Nightmare.
Cover art by Laura Kemp.We believe all other graphics to be in thepublic domain. See back inside cover for credits.
This booklet © 1996 by Reclaiming. Copyrights of individual chantsrevert to the author.
Lyrics may be reproduced for a single event (as part of a program orlyric sheet), but may not be reproduced for sale or wider distributionwithout the permission of the author.
Contact George Franklin at [email protected], (415) 255-7623.
Chants ChantsInvoking the directions & elements ---------------------------------- 2
Invoking the goddess --------------------------------------------------- 12
Invoking both goddess & god ---------------------------------------- 22
Invoking the god --------------------------------------------------------- 24
General chants & song lyrics ------------------------------------------ 26
Some of these chants have been recorded by Reclaiming and friends(see back cover for more information).
* indicates the chant is on Chants: Ritual Music
** indicates the chant is on Second Chants
3 ----------------------------------------------------------- directions and elements
Welcome the AirWelcome the air and the fire and the waterWelcome the Earth and the spirit that’s withinWelcome the directions and elements, all sacred thingsAnd honor their connection to that which is within
Welcome the east, inspiration and intellectWelcome the air and the clarity that’s within
Welcome the south, creative will and passionWelcome the south, and the energy within
Welcome the west, intuition and emotionWelcome the west, and the empathy within
Welcome the north, the senses and the bodyWelcome the north, and the harmony within
Welcome the center, infinity, eternityWelcome the spirit, divinity within
— Pa li A’Ka la
directions and elements ----------------------------------------------------------- 2
The Earth, the Water The Fire, the AirThe Earth, the water, the fire, the airreturn, return, return, return
— Michael Tierra
Earth My BodyEarth my bodyWater my bloodAir my breath andFire my spirit
invoking the directionsand elements
Powerful Song **Powerful song of radiant lightweave us the web that spins the nightWeb of stars that holds the darkWeave us the Earth that feeds the spark
Descant:Strand by strand, hand over handThread by thread we weave our web
— Pandora, Starhawk, Rose May Dance
Circle Casting Song **Eastern Morning/First breath of the soulWorld view forming/Sacred and wholeWind of knowledge/Simple and wiseBringer of the lightning/That strikes in our mindsCome to us — be here now
Southern fire/White rays of the sunSource of will/That always is doneHeat of passion/Longing and needYou who push the Green one/Out of the seedCome to us — be here now
Western river/Devotee of the moonGentle sculptor/Of babes in the wombSpring of Jubilation/Courage and TearsGiver of the sweet love/That soothes all our fearsCome to us — be here now
Northern mountain/Body of the EarthFinite treasure/Of infinite worthCave of transformation/Childbirth and deathSuckler of the wild ones/Who curl upon your breastCome to us — be here now
— Susan Fa lkenrath Wolf
directions and elements ----------------------------------------------------------- 4
Come EarthCome Earth , Come air , Come fire, Come water (3x)Bring us the power to heal
5 ----------------------------------------------------------- directions and elements
Down Down DownDown, Down, Down, DownAnchor my soul to the depths of the EarthNothing can sweep me off my feet anymoreCentered and steady I stand
Sweet Water RollingSweet water rolling, Sweet water rollRolling from the fountain, Rolling from the fountainSweet water rolling, Sweet water roll
Water and Stone *Solid as a rockSafe within the harborAncioent as a stoneStrong as the seaSolid as a rockSet deep within the MotherAnd water that flows around me
— Raven Moonshadow
Air Moves Us *Air moves usFire transforms usWater shapes usEarth heals usAnd the balance of the wheelGoes round and roundAnd the balance of the wheel goes round.
— Cathleen Shell, Cybele, Moonsea, Prune
7 ----------------------------------------------------------- directions and elements
Rise with the Fire *And we can rise with the fire of freedomTruth is the fire that burns our chainsAnd we can stop the fire of destructionHealing is the fire running through our veins
— Starhawk
Whirlwind WomanDancing in the desert (forest, autumn, etc)Underneath the moonWhirling like a whirlwind womanWarm air spins around meWrapping me in Her cocoonWhirling like a whirlwind woman
In the desert night, my spirit takes flight (2x)
— by Sa lly
directions and elements ----------------------------------------------------------- 6
We are a Circle Within a CircleWe are a circle within a circleWith no beginning and never ending
You hear us sing, you hear us cryNow hear us call you, spirits of air and sky
Inside our hearts, there glows a sparkLove and desire, a burning fire
Within our blood, within our tearsThere lies the altar of living water
Take ou fear, take our painTake the darkness into the Earth again
The circle closes between the worldsTo mark this sacred space where we come face to face
— Rick Hamouris
Born of Water *Born of waterCleansing, powerfulHealing, changingWe areBorn of waterGentle, powerfulHealing, changingWe are
— Women’s Workshop
9 ----------------------------------------------------------- directions and elements
Wings of a HawkAnd the east wind comes on the wings of a hawkAnd the east wind comes on the wings of a hawkAnd She circles high with Her piercing eyeAnd with piercing eye She knows our hearts
And the south fire is Her passion a-flameAnd the south fire is Her passion a-flameAnd Her fires rise and Her blood runs hotFlowing through our veins to warm our hearts
And Her waters are clear mountain springsAnd Her waters are clear mountain springsCool and sweet to taste as we kneel to drinkCool and sweet to taste to quench our thirst
And the north Earth is Her darkness withinAnd the north Earth is Her darkness withinAnd within the dark of Her silent wombDeep within the dark we are born
And the center is Her cauldron of changeAnd the center is Her cauldron of changeWith the wild realm of all possibilitiesAll possibilities within our hearts
— David Miller
directions and elements ------------------------------------------------------------ 8
Air I Am *Air I am, fire I amwater, earth, and spirit I am
— Andras Corbin
Spiraling into the CenterSpiraling into the center The center of our soul (2x)We are the weaversWe are the woven onesWe are the dreamersWe are the dream
the sun’s birthdayi who have died am alive again
todaythis is the sun’s birthdaythis is the birthday of life and love
and wingsthe gay great happening,
illimitably earth
— from e.e. cummings
11 ---------------------------------------------------------- directions and elements
Come to MePower of the winds, come to me (2x)Come to me on the wings of dawnPower of the winds, come to me
Power of the flame, come to me (2x)Come to me, bring sparks of changePower of the flame, come to me
Power of the ocean, come to me (2x)Come to me, swim through my dreamsPower of the ocean, come to me
Power of the darkness, come to me (2x)Come to me, oh Earthen fleshPower of the darkness, come to me
Power of the spiral, come to me (2x)Come to weave me in your webPower of the spiral, come to me
Power of the grandmothers come to mePower of the spirits, come to meCome to me from your watchtowersPower of the guardians, come to me
— by Brigid
directions and elements --------------------------------------------------------- 10
The Circle We SpinChorus:The sun comes up and the sun goes downThe moon in the sky goes round and roundWinter, spring, summer, fallThe circle we spin is the circle in all
Eastern wind in the dawn so brightBlow away the fears of nightWhat was lost will rise anewThe circle in me is the circle in you
Beating heart and burning fireFan the flames of our desireWhat was lost...
Ocean wave and cleansing rainBring us love and ease our painWhat was lost...
Constant star in the midnight skyRoots so deep and branches highWhat was lost...
First we’re born and then we dieThe moon makes a circle in the skyWhat was lost...
In Her PeaceIn Her peace, in Her peaceIn Her wisdom, find releaseI am Goddess, I am Goddess
Lady Weave Your Circle TightLady, weave your circle tightSpin a web of glowing lightEarth and air and fire and waterBind us to you
Beautiful WomanBeautiful woman, welcomeBeautiful woman, welcomeFire and spirit, beauty and wisdomBeautiful woman, welcome
The Earth is our MotherThe Earth is our Mother, We must take care of Her (2x)Hey, yona, Ho yona, Hey na ha (2x)Her sacred ground we walk upon, with every step we take (2x)
— adapted from a Hopi chant
invoking the goddess
the god dess --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
Touching Her Deep *Touching Her deepDeep in our center
— Feather Singing
13 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- the god dess
She’s Been WaitingShe’s been waiting, waitingShe’s been waiting so longShe’s been waiting for Her childrenTo remember to come home
— Paula Wa lowitz
Snake Woman *Snake Woman, shedding Her skin (2x)Shedding, shedding, shedding Her skin (2x)Bird Woman taking flight...Star Woman shining bright...Moon Woman riding the night...Blossom Woman opening wide...
— Starhawk
Goddess Medley *1. Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna
2. We are an old peopleWe are a new peopleWe are the same peopleDeeper than before
3. I am a strong womanI am a story womanI am a healerMy soul will never die
4. We are an old planetWe are a new planetWe are the same planetGreener than before
— Deena Metzger, morningfeather (WillShepardson),Greenham Common,Jess Shoup
the god dess --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
Ice Cream, A TartIce cream, a tart, coffee, pecan pie, peach cobbler, banana
— Radica l Faeries
15 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- the god dess
Return to the Mother *poem:All over the worldThe waters are breakingEverywhere, everywhereThe waters are breaking
chant:And so returnReturn, returnReturn to the Mother
— Judy Grahn/Wind Hags
We All Come From the Goddess *We all come from the GoddessAnd to Her we shall returnLike a drop of rainFlowing to the ocean
Hoof and horn, Hoof and HornAll that dies shall be rebornCorn and grain, Corn and grainAll that falls shall rise again
— Z. Budapest, Ian Corrigan
Additiona l verse:Wax and wane, wax and waneAll that dies shall live again
Shining Silver Wheel *Holy Maiden HuntressArtemis, ArtemisMaiden, Come to us
Silver Shining WheelOf radiance, radianceMother, Come to us
Ancient Queen of WisdomHecate, CerridwenOld One, Come to us
Holy Shining SunlightRadiant, radiantBrother, Come to us
— Peter Soderberg
Rhiannon **Rhiannon carry usRhiannon carry usRhiannon carry us over
Crossing the threshold fromSleeping to waking fromBirthing to dying and over
— Thorn Coyle
17 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- the god dessthe god dess -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
Koré Chant *She changes everything She touchesAnd everything She touches changes
Her name cannot be spoken, Her face was not forgottenHer power is to open, Her promise can never be broken
All seeds She deeply buries, She weaves the thread of seasonsHer secret, darkness carries, She loves beyond all reason
All sleeping seeds She wakens, The rainbow is Her tokenNow winter‘s power is taken, In love all chains are broken
Everything lost is found again, In a new form, in a new wayEverything hurt is healed again, In a new time, in a new day
Bright as a flower and strong as a treeWith our love and with our rageBreaking our chains so we can be freeWith our love and with our rage
We are, Changers, Everything we touch can change
Change is, Touch is, Touch is, Change is
Change us, Touch us, Touch us, Change us
— Lauren Liebling, Starhawk
Additiona l verse::There is a woman who weaves the night sky
See how She spins, see Her fingers flyShe is within us, beginning to end
She is our Mother, our sister, our friend
Barge of Heaven **Your crescent shaped barge of heavenSo well belayed, so well belayedFull of loveliness like the new moonYour fertile fields well-wateredHillock lands well-watered, tooAt your mighty risingThe vines rise up and the fields rise upAnd the desert fills with greenJust like a living gardenIn the heat of the sun, you are the shadeA well of water in a dry, dry landSwelling fruits to feed the hungrySweet cream to quench our thirstPour it out for me, pour it out for meEverything you send me I will drink
— Adapted by Starhawk from Sumerian,translated by Thorkild Jacobsen
Hecate, Cerridwen *Hecate, CerridwenDark Mother, take us inHecate, CerridwenLet us be reborn
— Patricia Witt
19 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- the god dess
Inanna **We go down as She goes downWe follow Her undergroundHail to InannaWho dies to become wholeAnd deep calls to deepThe veils drop by on our wayAs we pass through the gatesWith Inanna as our guideWe find truth in deepest nightAnd deep calls to deep
— Suzanne Sterling
Return of the Goddess **One thing you can know is trueI’m coming back to you the way I always do
— Rose May Dance
the god dess -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
The Lady’s BransleFor She will bring the buds in springAnd laugh among the flowersIn summer’s heat Her kisses are sweetShe sleeps in leafy bowersShe cuts the cane and gathers the grainWhen fruits of fall surround HerHer bones grow old in wintry coldShe wraps Her cloak around Her
— Hope Ahern
Who Is She **Who is She?/She is the Young OneWith shining eyes and fearless heartShe brings the dawnWho is She?/She is the Young OneThe daring dreamerShe runs alone/She runs aloneO silver crescentThou lovely MaidenCome, Young One, come
Who is She?/She is the LoverHer bones and blood are of the EarthShe holds us allWho is She?/She is the LoverUnfailing beautyShe walks in power/She walks in powerO blessed full moonThou sacred MotherCome, Lover, come
Who is She?/She is the Old OneWho has survived beyond Her fearShe laughs out loudWho is She?/She is the Old OneWith love and wisdomShe leads the way/She leads the wayO waning gold moonThou honored Crone QueenCome, Old One, come
Who is She?
— Vibra and Susan Fa lkenrath Wolf
the god dess -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 21 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- the god dess
The Fates chorus:In the cave of DestinyShe spins, She weaves, She cuts.Our fate is fashioned by These Three,She spins, She weaves, She cuts.
Whether we walk with light or heavy treadOur lives flow from the end of Her silken thread.(chorus)
In the den of the Wise, Her shuttle‘cross our tapestry flies.(chorus)
When the weaving is done,She cuts the threads of life that were spun.(chorus)
— Thorn Coyle
Lady Spin Your Circle/Herme, Horned OneLady spin your circle bright, Weave your web of dark and lightEarth, Air, Fire, Water, Bind us to you
Herme, Horned One, Hunter ’neath the northern sunWatcher at the gates of winter, Flame on the wind
— verses are to the tune of Hey, Ho, Nobody Home
the god dess & god ----------------------------------------------------------------- 22
Shakti/ShivaShakti, tremblingShakti, all through us
Shiva Shiva Shiva ShivaFull in darknessFull in light
— Beverly Frederick
invoking both goddessand god
Radiant & BrightShe is radiant, She is brightShe is shining, crowned with light
He is radiant, He is brightHe is shining, He takes flight
23 ------------------------------------------------------------------ the god dess & god
Ride With Me/We Shall All Be FreeDanu is the MotherSulis is the sunRhiannon, Welsh Lady of the seaBridget, bride of springCerridwen takes us inand Morgan, the mistress of the magic.Epona ride with meEpona let me ride with theeEpona, we shall all be free
Dagda is the fatherMabon is the sonManannon, great lord of the seaGreen Man is the springand Arawn, takes us inand Merlin, the master of the magicCernunnus hunt with meCernunnus let me hunt with theeCernunnus, we shall all be free
Sun King (Lugh’s Song) *O tell me why, O tell me whyTell me why must the clouds come to darken the sky?O tell me why, O tell me whyTell me why must the clouds come to darken the sky?
This is the wake of Lugh the Sun KingHe lost His life on the Solstice dayThis is wake of Lugh the Sun KingHe steps into the dark and guides the way
— Raven Moonshadow
the god -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24
Horned OneHorned one, Mothers sonLeaper in the cornDeep within the MotherDie and be reborn
— Raven Moonshadow /Feather Singing
His Mystery **Darkness, the sound of the unknownHe calls us, His mystery unfoldsHis riddles; A fire from deep insideRekindles memories of nightForest and Antler we run with the deerFleet as the roebuck, his breath draws us near
— Stephan Schoenfield
invoking the god
25 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- the god
Come on Down/God InvocationCome on, come on downCome on, come on downCome on, come on downCome on, come on down
Hey hey up there, with your head in the cloudsLend us an ear, we call out loudIn a voice as strong as our heart’s desireWords that burn, (clap) like a fireOf a faith that could move a magic mountainHope a-flowing like a quicksilver fountainAnd a love as secure as the Earth is roundCome on, come on down
Like a wild free bird that can’t be tamedLike desires, that need no nameLike an age-old branch that becomes a flameWhen the fire stops burning, what remains?It’s the sacred word that you can’t defineIt’s the colors that run outside the lineIt’s the shiver running up and down your spineBreak the pattern and you’ll find a new designHey join us, if you dareI’m sure you must get lonely up thereBut I believe that whatever is lost could be foundIf you come on, come on down
— George Franklin (some lyrics adapted from Starhawk)
See a lso page 22 for chants invoking boththe goddess and the god
I Circle AroundI circle around, I circle aroundThe boundaries of the EarthWearing my long winged feathers as I fly
— Arapaho Ghost Dance song
general chants ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 26
general chants & lyricsNever Lose Our Way to the WellWe will neverNever lose our way to the wellOf Her memoryAnd the powerOf Her living flame it will rise, It will rise again
Like the grassesThrough the dark, through the soil, to the sunlightWe will rise againWe are thirstingFor the waters of life we are moving, We will live again
— Starhawk, Rose May Dance, Raven Moonshadow
We Are the Flow *We are the flow, we are ebbWe are the weavers, we are the web
— Shekhinah Mounta inwater
27 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ general chants
We Dance the GiftWe dance the gift of the summer’s sun in flightWe turn the wheel to the passing of the light
Into the dark, goodbye, goodbye (2x)
— Thorn Coyle
Days and DaysDays and days rolling over meWaves and waves on the open seaNight is falling, starlight calling your name
— Robin Weaver
You Can’t Kill the SpiritYou can’t kill the spiritShe is like a mountainOld and strongShe goes on and on and on
general chants ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
He Who Tries to Capture JoyHe who tries to capture joyDoes the winged life destroyBut he who kisses the joy as it fliesLives in eternity sunrise
— adapted from William Blake
The River Is FlowingThe river is flowing (or: The river She is flowing)Flowing and growingThe river is flowingDown to the seaMother carry meYour child I will always be (or: A child I will bear for thee)Mother carry meDown to the sea
29 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- general chants
I am the HealerI am the healer of my own selfI love me stronger than anyone elseI wanna be the best me I can beI won’t go anywhere without you inside me
Weave and SpinWeave and spin, Weave and spinThis is how the work beginsMend and heal , Mend and healTake the dream and make it real
On the same wheel we spinInto life and out againOne is many, many oneBrewing in Her cauldron
Cerridwen, CerridwenBirth us in your cauldron
— Starhawk
general chants ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
We Are the WitchesWe are the witches who will never be burnedWe are the witches who have learned what it is to be freeWe will rise up from the flamesHigher and higher and higherFire’s strength we will reclaimHigher and higher and higher
Fire of love is burning brightHigher and higher and higherFlickering and dancing in the nightHigher and higher and higher
Weave your power with the windWe will charge and we will spinHigher and higher and higher
Harvest Chant **Our hands will work for peace and justiceOur hands will work to heal the landOur feet will trace Her moving patternsLet us dance and bless the land[a lternate fina l two lines:]Gather round the harvest tableLet us feast and bless the land]
Take the gift of love and deathTake the gift of blood and boneWeave the circle breath by breathBuild the vision stone by stone
— Thorn Coyle, Starhawk
31 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- general chants
My Roots Go DownMy roots go down, Down into the ground (3x)My roots go downI am a redwood by the forestI am a willow by the waterI am an oak tree by a hillMy roots go down
Peace of the RiverI take delight in the peace of the riverFlowing so gently to the strength of the seaI take delight in the love that is flowingJust like a river between you and me
Hundreds of WaysLet the beauty you loveBe what you doThere are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
Let the beauty we loveBe what we doThere are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the Earth.
— Rumi
general chants ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 32
On the Same WheelWe Spin
On the same wheel we spinInto (out of) life and out (in) againOne is many, many oneBrewing in Her cauldron
Oh Come Into the GardenOh come into the gardenInto the garden, where your heart liesRoses and lilies bloomRosemary and thymeOh come into the gardenInto the garden, where your heart lies.
-— Hilary Va lentine
Cauldron of ChangesCauldron of changes, blossom of boneArc of eternity, Hole in the stone
— Holy Terror coven
33 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- general chants
The Beginning of the Earth *The ocean is the beginning of the EarthAll life comes from the sea
— Delaney Johnson, Starhawk
We Are the Body
of the EarthWe are the body of the EarthThe Earth is the body of the starsWe are the stars that circle from life to
death to birth (2x)
What is your star? (2x)What do you bring to birth?What is your star?
— Starhawk
You Can’t Kill the SpiritYou can’t kill the spirit, She is like a mountainOld and strong, She goes on and on and on
Life is a VaporLife is a vapor, full of woesShe cuts a caper, down She goesDown She, down She, down She, down SheDown She goes
— Golden Book of Songs
Blood of the AncientsIt’s the blood of the Ancients, that flows through our veinsAnd the forms pass, but the circle of life remains
— Charlie Murphy
general chants ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 34
Dancing Circles in the NightIf the people live their livesAs if it were a song, for singing out of lightProvides the music for the starsTo be dancing circles in the night
Fly Fly FlyFly, fly, flyThe leaves are leaving the branchCold are the windsWinter is coming
— sing as a round, second voice enters asfirst voice sings “branch”
We Are Alive *We are alive, As the Earth is aliveWe have the power, To fight for our freedom
If we have courage we can be healersLike the sun We shall rise
— Rose May Dance, Starhawk
The Awakening **If I touch you, I will know youThough my veil be drawn, you’re glowingIn my mind and soul and body
— Anne Hill
The Fool **Night and stars are falling downA wild breeze is blowingEarth and Moon are whirling roundThe fool walks through the door
— Suzanne Sterling
Free the Heart **Free the heart and let it goWhat we reap is what we sow
35 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- general chants
All Shall Be WellAll shall be well (2x)All manner of things shall be well
_______ shall be well (2x)All manner of things shall be well
— Buddhist meditation
Where There’s Fear There’s Power *Where there’s fear there’s powerPassion is the healerDesire cracks open the gateIf you’re ready it’ll take you through
But nothing lasts foreverTime is the destroyerThe wheel turns again and againWatch out, it’ll take you through
But nothing dies foreverNature is the renewer,The wheel turns again and againIf you’re ready it’ll take you through
— Starhawk
37 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- general chants
Let It Begin NowLet it begin with each step we takeAnd let it begin with each change we makeAnd let it begin with each chain we breakAnd let it begin every time we awake
— Starhawk
Every Step I TakeEvery step I take is a healing step (2x)Healing, healingHealing my bodyHealing, healingHealing the Earth
— Dona ld Engstrom
Wings **Wandering in the deep of the nightA thousand birds take flightAnd our dreams are bornOn the wings of changeWe are weaving the world tonight
— Suzanne Sterling and Witchcampers
general chants ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
When We Are Gone **When we are gone, they will remainWind and rock, fire and rainThey will remain, when we returnThe wind will blow, and the fire will burn
— Starhawk and Anne Hill
Where Shall We GoWhere shall we goTo find our home?How will we love?How will we be friends?
We are the Power in EveryoneWe are the power in everyoneWe are the dance of the moon and sunWe are the hope that will not hideWe are the turning of the tide
— Starhawk
general chants ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 38
We Are One with the InfiniteSunWe are one with the infinite sunforever and ever and ever
— Native American chant
Cycles of the MoonCycles of the moon, the stars, the EarthSecrets of the path from death to birthKeeper of the flame, the source, the lightPresence of the deep, the dark, the night
— George Franklin
Sparks **Sparks from the hearthOf the Queen of Death and LifeSwarm through the darkDance through the dark.
— Robin Ga ll
If I Touch YouIf I touch you, I will know youThough my veil be drawn, you’re glowingIn my mind and soul and body
Gone Gone BeyondGoneGoneGone beyondGone beyond, beyondHail the goer
GatéGatéPara gatépara sam gatébodhi sva ha
— Buddhist chant
39 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- general chants
Goodnight Fair WitchesGoodnight fair witchesLay down your head and restLay down your weary head and be the mountain’s guestThe stars will guide you, your dreams will do the restSo I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
general chants ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 40
I Am But One **I Am But One **I Am But One **I Am But One **I Am But One **Twelfth BrotherI am but oneI am but half and halfI move between the worldsI bring your message to the world
JanetI hear a voiceIt calls from far awayI move between the worldsI go in spite of what they say
Faerie QueenYou’ll shed no tearsYou’ll hear no human cryYou shall in beauty dwellAnd you will never ever die
Tam LinMy eyes are jewelsMy heart is fireCome hold me fast to youYou will have all that you desire
JanetI hear a callIt comes from far awayI’ll follow where it leadsBeyond the gates of night and day
— Rose May Dance, Jan Bates
41 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- general chants
Graphics credits: pg 1, Swiss, c.1470; pg 2-3, Lerna, c.2300BC; pg 4, Crete c.1600BC; pg 6, unknown,prehistoric; pg 8, Cyclades, c.2000BC; pg 9, Keros, c.1500BC; pg 11, William Blake, 1820; pg 13, Europeanprehistoric; pg 14-15, Blake, c.1800; pg 17, Crete, c.1500BC; pg 18, Mesopotamia, c.1500BC; pg 19, Keos,c.1300BC; pg 22, Southern India, c.900AD; pg 23, Anglo-Saxon, c.600AD; pg 25, Mycenae, c.1300BC; pg27, Katsushika Hokusai, c.1830; pg 28, Blake, 1794; pg 30, Hans Holbein, c.1530; pg 31, Franciscus deRetza, 1470; pg 32, German, 1496; pg 33, Konrad von Megenburg, 1475; pg 35, Knossos, c.1600BC; pg36, Northern India, c.400AD; pg 38, German, c.1480; pg 39, Blake, c.1802; pg 40-41, Mesopotamia,C.3500BC
Weaver WeaverWeaver, Weaver, weave (Her) threadWhole and strong into your webHealer, Healer, heal (Her) painIn love may (She) return again
We are dark and we are brightWe are formed of earth and lightOf joy and pain our lives are spunBut all too soon the spinning’s done
No one knows why we are bornA web is made, a web is tornLike wandering seabirds we alightTo rest one moment, then take flight
So may (She) find the hidden wayBeyond the gates of night and dayTo that sweet land where apples growAnd endless healing waters flow
Of that spring, may (She) drink deepAnd wake to dream, and die to sleepAnd dreaming spin another formA shining thread of life reborn
— Starhawk
Chants from Reclaiming & Friends
This booklet is a long-awaited and much neededcollection of the ritual chants we most love and use.
— Starhawk, Author of The Spira l Dance
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