12th Century Herbal Invocation

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12th Century Herbal Invocation

 

Earth, divine Goddess, Mother Nature who generates all things and

brings forth anew the sun which you have given to the nations;

Guardian of sky and sea and of all goods and powers...through your

power all nature falls silent and then sinks in sleep.

 

And again you bring back the light and chase away night and yet

again you cover us most securely with your shades.

 

You who contain chaos infinite, yea and winds and showers and

storms; you send them out when you will and rouse the storm.

 

Again when you will you send forth the the joyous day and give the

nourishment of life with your eternal surety; and when the soul

departs to you we return.

 

You are indeed duly called Great Mother of the Gods; you conquer by

your divine name. You are the source of strength of nations and of

gods, without you nothing can be brought to perfection or be born; I

call upon your name; be pleased and grant that which I ask of you,

so shall I give thanks to thee, Goddess, with due faith.

 

Hear, I beseech you, and be favorable to my prayer. Whatsoever herb

your power does produce, give, I pray, with goodwill to all nations

to save them and grant me this my medicine.

 

Come to me with your powers, and howsoever I may use them, may they

have good success to whosoever I may give them. Whatever you grant,

may it prosper. To you all things return.

 

Those who rightly receive these herbs from me, please make them

whole. Goddess, I beseech you, I pray as a suppliant that by your

majesty you grant this to me.

 

Now I make intercession to you all your powers and herbs and to your

majesty upon you, I pray you, the greatest help to the human race.

 

This I pray and beseech from you, be present here with your virtues,

for She who created you has Herself promised that I may gather you

into the goodwill of him on whom the art of medicine was bestowed,

and grant for health's sake good medicine by grace of your powers.

 

I pray grant me through your virtues that whatsoever is wrought by

me through you may in all it's powers have good and speedy effect

and good success and that I may always be permitted with the favor

of your majesty to gather you into my hands and to glean your

fruits.

 

So shall I give thanks to you in the name of the majesty which

ordained your birth.

 

 

(Modernized version of a 12th century herbalist spell. Original

translation from Early English Magic and Medicine, Dr Charles

Singer. Proceedings of the British Academy, Vol. IV)