In life we witness and experience the great circle – the ebb and flow of the Spirit. In this world, and indeed, in this life all is in a state of flux. Everything changes. Therein lies hope. It’s summer. The circle turns, and it will soon be autumn and then winter. The circle turns, still, and winter becomes spring and so on. Ebb and flow. The following can be a(n enacted) poem, or liturgy for a ritual or service, or words for you to ponder upon in solitude, in gratitude of nature’s bounty and the Great Provider behind it all.
[Facing east]
Praise to you, Oh Supplier of air.
The wind rises as a mighty tempest and powers weather systems
and, yet as a gentle breeze, it moves leaves along the path.Ebb and flow.
[Facing south]
Praise to you, Oh Provider of fire.
The fire scorches the earth, from which new life emerges
and, yet as small and humble flame it gives heat and light to all.Ebb and flow.
[Facing west]
Praise to you, Oh Bringer of water.
The great seas maintain the planet’s life-equilibrium
and, yet in our homes it provides our daily, individual and essential needs.Ebb and flow.
[Facing north]
Praise to you, Giver of earth.
The earth provides vast fields for the seed, from which nourishment grows,
and, yet it is a reminder of the great circle of life, and death, and new life.Ebb and flow.
Thank you for this! Most mornings I stand in the middle of a big field and pray to all 4 directions with 4 different prayer intents. And the world and the light looks very different from each aspect. I shall now include your lovely words too
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Thank you for your comment. I’m pleased it’s been useful for you, and very much like your morning ritual, Blessings, Tadhg
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This has a wonderfully David Adam, vicar of Lindisfarne, sensibility about it. I may use this at some point, giving appropriate credit of course!
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Bless you brother. After you mentioned David Adam I did some research and he has a poem called ‘Ebb and flow’. Although the content, context, metre are very different, I’m wondering if that title was lodged away in some dusty cranial cell of mine. I might be guilty of titular plagiarism. Mea culpa. Oh dear 🙂
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There’s no shame in channelling the spirit of our influences. You are merely illustrating out of the depths of your own experience and study the tradition we both love and seek to emulate. I think Fr. Adam would be tickled!
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Bless you for your words, brother.
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