Saturday, May 8, 2010



Here is a twelfth century prayer I found in the book 'Medicine Women, A Pictorial History of Women Healers'. I though it was very ineresting and it brough to my mind Hecate. I wonder if that is the Great Goddess they are beseeching. What do you think?
Earh, Divine Goddess, Mother Nature who generatist all things and bringest forth anew the sun, which thou hast given to all nations; guardian of sky and sea and all gods and powers, and through thy power all nature falls silent and then sinks into sleep. And again thou bringest back the light and chasest away night and yet again thou coverest up most securely with thy shades. Thous dost contain infinite chaos, yea, and winds and showers and storms; thou sendest them out when thou wilt and causest the seas to roar; thou chasest away the sun and arousest the storm. Again when thou wilt sendest forth the joyest day and gives the nourishment of life with thy eternal surety; and when the soul departs to thee we return. Thou are indeed duly called Great Mother of the gods; thou conquerest by divine name. Thou are the source of the strength of nations and of gods, without thee nothing can be brought to perfection or be born; thou art great Queen of the gods. Goddess! I adore thee as divine; I call upon thy name; be pleased to grant that which I ask thee, so I shall give thanks to thee, goddess, with one faith.
Hear, I beseech thee, and be favorable to my prayer. Whatsoever herb thy power dost produce, give, I pray, with goodwill to all nations to save them and grant me this my medicine. come to me with thy powers, and howsoever I may use them may they have good success and to whomsoever I may give them. Whatever thou dost grant it may prosper. To thee all things return. Those who rightly receive these herbs from me, do thou make them whole. Goddess, I beseech thee, I pray thee as a supplicant that by thy majesty thou grant this to me.
Now I make intercession to all ye powers and herbs and to your majesty, ye whom Earth parent of all hath produced and given as medicine of health to all nations and hath put majesty upon you, be, I pray you, the greates help to the human race. This I pray and beseech from you, and be present here with your virtures, for she who created you hath herself promised that I may gather you in 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 tht whatsoe'er is wrought by me through you may in all its powers have a 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 glean your fruits. So shall I give thanks to you in the name of that majesty which ordained your birth.

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