Chants

Chanting is a tool that many of us either know very little or nothing about and just simply don't realise how important this simple act can be. It is simply the rhythmic sound of your voice. This can be speaking, singing of words, such as one word, a God or mantra, or a sound and is more often than not one or two pitches that are called reciting tones. But it can also be simply the repeating of one or two of lines of a song. It can be used for reasons such as meditating, spellwork and raising inner energies. This article really is just touching on the subject. It is as fast as it is powerful, so lets start with Om.

The word Om

Om is one of the simplest chants/mantras and is of Hindu origin.   When you say this word you start with O and draw it out for a few a minute or two before ending with Mmm. So it is Ooooooooommmm, but not pronounced as a Uuu sound as we would normally do. Here's a an example of the sound on Youtube . Though a simple sound it is incredibly powerful. When done correctly it vibrates through your whole body, especially your skull and chest.

A more complex Om chant is Om mani padme hum (or hung in the Tibetan version)Youtube

Chants can be a powerful tool during ritual and spells too. But they can also be an incredible cleanser of the mind, body and soul, especially before you start and should never really be overlooked by us. It is also free. It is simply you and your voice. And if there is a group of you chanting at the same time the energy is beyond measure. It is both powerful and often very moving.

''The Magic Circle' by John William Waterhouse 1886

When many of us thinking of chanting our thoughts immediately go to Buddhism, but you will find it in many of the mainstream religions and of course Paganism, from Wicca to Heathenism.

As I said earlier it can be used during your spells. It helps to raise the energy, focus yours thoughts and intentions as well as giving extra power to your spell. Sometimes all we will do is a chant such as this simple chant for healing grief and pain that can be said aloud or or inside your head whilst you are out walking on a misty or rainy day.

"Brother Wind and sister Rain,
Cleanse my heart from grief
And pain."

You keep repeating this until you feel calmer and do remember to thank the rain and wind for this healing gift. Here's an interesting article Why Do We Do Spell Chanting.

You will find some pagan chants that for me feel more like a prayer as they are multiple paragraphs. The whole point of a chant is that it is a repeated word, phrase or sound. If you start adding multiple paragraphs it is simply a prayer and loses the power of a chant. But you can, as I said, take a song and just use a couple of lines and keep repeating them. for example 'We all come from the Goddess' by Moving Breath. Here are the full lyrics and here is the song on Youtube to give you an idea of rhythm.

Although it is repeated many times, there is only really three paragraphs to this song. I only use the first which is ~

We all come from the Goddess
And to Her we shall return
Like a drop of rain, 

Flowing to the ocean

When I sing it I draw out the word Ocean. 

Here are a few more examples of Pagan Chants you could use. I have also added the Youtube links so you can hear them.

Air I am
Fire I am
Water, Earth, and Spirit I am


- Andras Corban Arthen Youtube

It's the blood of the ancients
That runs through our veins
And the forms pass
But the circle of life remains


- Ellen Klaver Youtube

Earth my body
Water my blood
Air my breath
And fire my spirit


- Author Unknown Youtube

On the Youtube version of this next chant, the word 'Bring' has been changed to 'Show' 

Rise up, O flame
By thy light glowing
Bring to us beauty, vision, and joy


- Author Unknown (recorded by Libana on Fire Within) Youtube

These are just a few examples of what I feel are chants as opposed to prayers. To find out more simply use the powerful tool Google. And don't just use chant as your search but also Mantra and Affirmations as affirmations are often short and make ideal chants.

Mantra Prayer Beads (108)

And before I leave the subject a little something of tools. When we meditate, we often have such aids as candles and incense. 

Chanting is one form of meditation and so shouldn't be treated any differently. You can also use mantra beads to help you keep a count, with out the need to physically count, if you intend to chant for some time. 

Pagan Prayer Beads

Mantra beads or prayer beads can be found on both Amazon and Ebay at very reasonable prices. These can have as many as 108 beads, but you can purchase smaller ones too. And do try Pagan Prayer beads search as this may help you to find something more suitable to your needs.




Also, once you have seen a few examples of chants and mantras, try writing your own. Just remember to keep them simple and only a few lines. Too many lines and you'll lose it's power.

Now relax and enjoy!

~ Pagan Hare

Useful Links

Beth's Pagan Chants (though personally I find some are too long)
En-Chant-Ment ~ Home of Pagan Chants
98 Pagan Chants
Mantras for Precarious Times
How To Use Mantra Beads (108)
Pagan Prayer Beads

New Moon Ritual

The New Moon is literally the Moon starting her 29 day cycle again. Starting a new and so we celebrate this with the start of new beginnings. New projects, renewing commitments and healing. It is a time when we put the old behind us and look forward to the new. Old habits and worries. If there is something you have problems trying to put behind you, this is the ideal time to do it.

Now I haven't written a ritual as I really haven't had the time. But there is one at the end of the article. my part in this article is more about preparation. So lets start with the most important part of any ritual.

Intention

Firstly you must decide what your intentions are for this ritual. Why you wish to perform this. As I have said, this is the time for new beginnings and renewing commitments to old resolutions. Or you may wish to perform some healing work. Though you can do more than one thing. Just be sure of what you wish to do.

Preparation

Decide where you want to do your ritual. Outside is always nice, but also not always possible. So choose a room in your home where you have space to perform your ritual and where you will not be disturbed. Make sure those in your home are aware you need some quiet time and switch off mobiles/cell phones, computers, tablets and take the house phone off it’s hook.

Once you have decided where you want to perform your ritual. Make sure it’s clean and tidy

both physically and spiritually. Don’t just put things away and vacuum, but smudge the room too, sage or lavender are perfect for this.  Lavender and lemon balm are also associated with the New Moon. Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate.

Don’t forget to prepare yourself also. A nice cleansing and ritual bath. A shower really doesn’t have the same effect. Have some candles and lavender bath salts. When you soak imagine the Lavender salts drawing all the negativity from your body. Step out of the bath and then pull the plug and watch all that negativity drain away with the water.

Grounding and meditation are also important. Meditating on your intentions and grounding your mind, body and soul are as important as preparing your room.


Here’s a good article on the subject: Grounding and Centering

Your Altar and This You May Need

As this is a Moon ritual I would suggest either white or silver for the colour choices. It’s nice to combine both of this as it adds more interest to your altar. How you decorate your altar is of course up to you. Below are some suggestions. This form of decorating your altar can be used for any Moon ritual.

• So a silver or white altar cloth. Or possibly a white altar cloth with silver thread running through it.
• A feather to represent air, again this could be a white feather
• A white or silver candle that represents both the moon and fire
• A silver or clear glass bowl of Salt to represent Earth. Or you can use a stone or a some soil.
• A silver or clear glass bowl or goblet of water. If you can use spring water for this do. But don’t worry if that’s not possible.
• You may also wish to have white flowers with silver sprayed twigs
• Silver moon shaped sequins liberally scattered around
• A silver pentacle (if you don’t have a large one, you could use a pendent) can also be used to represent Earth just as a wand can be used for air or fire
• If you are going to burn paper, a cauldron is suggested. I would say that your cauldron needs to be at least 11cm in diameter. Anything smaller and it’s not safe enough to burn things in. Make sure you place it somewhere safe and don’t burn too much. Keep it small and keep it safe.

The Ritual

It is always nice to try and write your own, but that’s not always possible. The internet is 

filled to the brim of the cauldron with various rituals. So take a look around. Find one you 

like and then make it your own. Change the words for instance. Try to use it as a guideline 

rather than actually using the ritual. Remember the more personal it is, the better it will work for you. I have added a ritual at the end of this article.

Here’s a little check list I found, and it’s rather nice, of things for your new Moon Ritual

• Prepare the space by lighting one white candle and burning a stick of sage.
  
• Write on a small index cards intentions for the next 28 days.
• String intentions up via string.
• Begin meditating on intentions
• Imagine letting go of things that no longer serve you
• Visualize a new life. Create a vision board with images that reflect this new life.
• Say prayer of thanks and gratitude
• Blow out candle

I know I am bound to have forgotten some things in my article. So here are some useful and interesting links. Do read, as you will learn more that way.

New and Full Moon Rituals - And how to Create your Own

Ten Tips For New Moon Rituals That Get Results

3 minute moon Ritual

New Moon Manifestation Ceremony

New Moon Rituals

Now as I have had a very busy week with my Birthday and family visits, I am resorting to my suggestion. So the following ritual is one I have found and liked.

This ritual is a rather simple one, but also really nice. I have provided a link below to the actual page, so if Carole mentions other pages to visit, just follow the link I've provided and go from there.

And don’t forget, rituals don’t have to be over complicated. If anything, the simpler the better is often the best mantra. As they say KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid

Beannachd

Pagan Hare

New Moon Ritual For Manifesting:

by CAROLE FOGARTY

“We can change our lives. We can do, have, and be exactly what we wish”  Tony Robbins

Any new moon is the perfect time to release your monthly wishes out into the universe. Astrologically it carries a strong energy for giving birth to new ideas, habits or projects.

To give my wishes the special attention they deserve, I send them on their merry way with a simple, yet meaningful ritual.  Rituals needn't be complicated, time consuming or confusing.  In fact mine are around 3 – 5 minutes.

Firstly, I become still and arrive fully into the moment.  I want my whole body, mind and breath to participate.  Secondly, I connect with the four elements of nature, after all they nourish us all on a daily basis and we certainly couldn't survive without them.   Then, and only then, do I feel connected and prepared to release my wishes out into the big wide world.

Acknowledge the start of your ritual:

Light a candle to signify the start of the ritual – giving thanks and gratitude. You can even open with a little blessing or prayer if that feels right for you.

Arrive fully at the ritual:

Give 100% of your whole self when releasing your wishes by arriving fully into the moment.  Involve your mind fully,  breath fully, body fully and your soul fully.

Feel and become aware of  your body (feet, toes, fingers, legs, arms etc), shake and move your body if you need too.

Feel and become aware of your breath, follow it as it moves through your body.  It is your breath and words that will give energy to your wishes.

Feel and become aware of your thoughts – do not follow your thoughts just notice them and your mind will soon arrive without getting distracted.

Feel and sense the energy of your heart, the core of your being, the essence of who you are.

Now, pay closer attention to the environment around you. Tap into your senses.  What can you see, smell, taste, touch or hear?

If you need help arriving, then you might like to read my article called the 3 arrivals.  A simple Buddhist practice that encourages you to arrive fully into the here and now.

Connect with the elements of nature:

To connect with the essence of the universe you need to acknowledge the four main elements of nature.  Fire – water – earth – water.  You can do this by feeling, sensing or having a physical representation for each of the elements.

Earth: go barefoot and feel the earth beneath your feet.  If you can’t go outside you may prefer to wear or hold a crystal, be close to a plant or vase of flowers. Breathe the earths energy up through your feet.  Feel the connection.

Fire: the burning candle signifies fire – feel or sense the cleansing properties of the fire, and the energy it is fueling your wishes with.

Air: light a piece of dried white sage or sage smudge stick (as shown in the picture on the right). The smoke represents air. Let the smoke fill the air around you.

Water: have a bowl of water with a small handful of rock salt. This connects you to the ocean and all water on this planet. Add essences, flowers , crystals or infuse your water with sunshine – if this feels right for you.

Write and cleanse your wishes:

Write your wishes down on a piece of paper and then cleanse away unseen obstacles and energy blocks with the smoke from your sage smudge stick (Shown in the photo above).  Continue cleansing until you feel a lighter energy around your written wishes.

I have used dried white sage (either loose or as a smudge stick) for over 20 years and strongly believe in its cleansing and purification properties.  Burning sage is almost a daily occurrence in my home.  If you can find organic, then all the better.

Release your wishes:

The first part of releasing your wishes is writing them down.  The second part is saying them out aloud as if you are speaking in person to the universe.  Feel or sense the words of your wishes in your breath, in your exhale as they leave your body. Release them with love and grace.

Close ritual:

Finish your new moon wish ritual by blowing out your candle and giving thanks and gratitude. Close your eyes and spend a few special moments in silence – feeling whatever you need to feel.  I usually get a feeling of my wishes flying out into all corners of the world.

You may  keep your written wishes under your pillow, next to your favourite crystal,  on your bedside table, in your wish bowl, on your altar or bury them in the ground for the next

month.  You may even prefer to keep a visual image or picture that represents your monthly wish.  Alternately read your monthly wish/wishes just before you go to bed. Do whatever feels right for you. Trust and be guided your intuition.

In case you are wondering what my monthly wish is – it’s to complete my first e-book “Unwind” and become an author. Wish me luck.  May all our wishes come true, easily and effortlessly.

Original Source For Ritual:


http://thehealthylivinglounge.com/2010/04/18/new-moon-wish-ritual-for-manifesting/

Honouring the Ancestors: Samhain and Beyond

 October 26, 2010 by Galina Krasskova

Samhain by Helene Grasset

There’s a great deal of focus around Samhain on honouring one’s ancestors, and honouring the dead in general. Whether we celebrate Samhain or Winter nights, that’s what this holiday is all about, right? Well, yes….but ideally the celebrations that mark the end of October, should be the culmination of a year spent regularly and consistently interacting with the dead, honouring them, and recognizing their role in the continuing evolution of our spirituality. Honouring and interacting with the ancestors isn’t just a Samhain “thing,” rather it’s an every day “thing,” and one of the fundamental underpinnings of a strong, nourishing, resilient spiritual practice.


Many traditions pay special homage to their ancestors, to those who have come before us, to those who, by their struggles and failures, victories and joys have contributed to the common threads of being we all share. Honouring one’s lineage is the first and one of the most important steps in developing a strong spiritual foundation. It is a place of beginning. We all have ancestors. We can all tap into that connection. Ancestors may include those connected to you by blood, but also those who, while a blood relationship might be lacking, were nevertheless close enough to be kin. These are our teachers, mentors, and friends—our spiritual kin. No one lineage is better than another. Paying homage to one’s ancestors is not, in any way, shape or form an excuse for racism, rather it is a means of honouring the process of one’s spiritual journey, honouring those whose actions and lives helped create our own, shape our own. It means honouring those who shed blood for us, so that we might remember and also learn to craft lives of honour. It is an acknowledgement that we are all connected through the Holy Powers, through the cycle that Hela governs. We honour the continuity of Divine presence throughout the course of our lives. We honour their strength, courage, wisdom, struggles even as we seek to learn from them.

In the Northern Tradition, we have several different types of ancestors. The word “Dis” (plural: disir) refers specifically to the female ancestors of one’s line. These ancestors are very important because they are guardians of one’s luck and one’s wyrd. Luck particularly relies heavily on the female line in passing from one generation to the next. Sometimes the word ‘alf’ (plural: alfar) is used for the male antecedents, but in contemporary Heathenry this is not all that common as it leads to confusion with the denizens of Alfheim, one of the nine holy worlds. So most of us just refer to them as our “male ancestors”…unglamorous but effective! One might also encounter the word “wight,” an anglicized form of the Old Norse ‘vaet’ (plural: vaettir). This is a rather ‘catch-all’ term for nature spirits, elementals, and land spirits. Some use it to imply ancestors, but that is not its most common usage. The Northern Tradition is an animistic one and these beings, somewhat analogous to what Shinto would call ‘kami’ are no less important than one’s ancestors. So we honor not just our dead, but the spirits of the places in which we live, of our home, of the land itself as well.

One does not evolve spiritually in a vacuum. The strength of one’s spiritual House depends on the integrity of one’s lineage. By this, I mean being in right relationship with our ancestors. This is attained by honoring them regularly, rightly, and well. One’s ancestors and the vaettir of our world can assist us in our journey and in our spiritual Work. We can learn much from them but only if we empower them to act with us. A house cannot be built without bricks. Bricks cannot be secured without mortar. Paying homage to one’s ancestors and the spirits of the land is the mortar and clay from which those bricks are formed. We begin in the physical because we are physical beings. Our own physicality, the sense of touch, of sight, sound, smell, and hearing are the primary filters through which we experience our world. The first step in growing strong and whole and heal in this tradition, is honouring those who have struggled to do exactly that before us. This process is helped by the fact that many spirits choose to stay as guides/watchers and protectors.


There are endless ways of making proper offerings. The first step one should take, is the construction of an ancestral altar. This should be a separate altar from anything given to the Gods – a simple shelf will do, dedicated entirely to the ancestors. In my main kindred, we have a communal ancestral altar with offerings from each person. It’s quite a gathering of energies, because we all come from different backgrounds: Celtic, English, Swiss, German, Lithuanian, Cherokee, African, Italian, Polish. We honor our spiritual lineage too. This means that in addition to those actually related to us by blood or adoption, we also consciously honor those people who may have had a tremendous influence on us, who were teachers, mentors, and guides. For example, my mother kept a picture of Wilfred Owen on her ancestral altar, because his war poetry helped her through a very traumatic time in her life. In addition to the shared kindred altar, most of us also have our individual ancestor altars.

For the rest of this article click here: http://www.patheos.com/community/paganportal/2010/10/26/honoring-the-ancestors-samhain-and-beyond/

Preparing for Samhain

Article from A Pagan's Blog

Tuesday October 26, 2010

I've been busy polishing our ritual script for Samhain (pronounced "Sow-win"), which we will celebrate the 30th. I hope every other Pagan reader of this blog will have an opportunity to observe and celebrate this time as well. I think it is one of our two most important Sabbats.


Wicca celebrates and honors the Sacred in all its manifestation throughout life, for it is the Divine as it manifests in the world that serves as our "sacred text." We focus on the meaning within phenomena as symbols of a larger context toward which they point. Life is a cycle, and we see it symbolized throughout the course of a year here in temperate zones. On the equator we would need different symbolism to bring this insight alive, a sign that variety is itself Sacred. Along with the Sacredness of variety, I believe our world's other most fundamental teaching about the Sacred is its eternal linkage of life and death. Everything that lives, dies.


Samhain is when we honor death, as six months previously we honored life at Beltane. Then light was rapidly increasing, each day longer than the one before. Now night is becoming dominant, each night longer than the one before.


In NeoPagan and Celtic traditions Samhain is the last day of the year, as sundown is the end of the day and the beginning of the next. For Wiccans such as myself, the time between Samhain and Yule is the time when death is the dimension of Spirit most present at least symbolically.


For the rest of this article click on the following link: http://blog.beliefnet.com/apagansblog/2010/10/preparing-for-samhain.html