Hello Chrysalids,

In response to my last post Alyss writes…

“Its always so inspiring to hear how others work to better themselves in whatever form that takes. I totally know what you mean about the physical exercise part. I walk my dog every day but trying to fit in anything more seems so difficult – I have to work! And sleep! And watch Anthony Bourdain on the Travel channel

I would love to hear more about your 8 virtues prayer. I’ve never heard of this before at all.”

I know what you mean about inspiration from others, and the questions that you come up with in response to some of those inspiring pieces!

The 8 Virtues prayer is a prayer I developed years ago in my practice as a Solitary Witch, whose craft has been inspired by the popular writings from a number of Wiccan authors.   In particular I found the Doreen Valiente Charge of the Goddess a powerful spiritual touchstone.  At one point, desiring to dig deeper and not having much direction in my studies at that point I just started reading over and thinking about The Charge.  A primitive form of Pagan Lectio Divina (here, here, here, and here).

One of the passages I noticed was…

“Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth, for behold: all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you.” ~ from Charge of The Goddess by Doreen Valiente

From that I ended up developing a daily prayer….

Mother Celestial and Father Divine,

Let me walk in Strength and Beauty,

Let me exercise both Power and Compassion,

With both Honor and Humility,

Let me always remember Mirth, as well as Reverence,

That I may be worthy of Thy Perfect Love and Perfect Trust,

And that of those in whose hearts you dwell,

Blessed Be,

So Mote It Be.

As I originally wrote and recited it…

Now what’s wrong/different/interesting about the order of them?!

Yep, I transposed Strength and Beauty…  which has brought up the interesting question in that am I feeling the need for greater spiritual or physical Strength; or do my issues around my looks cause be to place the concept of Beauty as it relates to me as a secondary and less likely characteristic?

Although my original Craft name was Pax Et Fort, “Peace and Strength”, which were what I sought in the Craft in the firstplace… although as I’ve grown and changed so has my name... but still interesting that I still sometimes see myself as needing Strength…

I have been doing a fair amount of meditation on this over the years even as I approach and engage with those questions!

I usually recite it with “Beauty and Strength” in the proper order… although lately I was writing it in my new personal BoS I transposed them again!  More thought and contemplation going on,  on that topic right now I assure you…

So I would say that exploring the inspiring texts and poems that have influenced your Paganism can be a powerful tool for finding the words to engage The Holy Powers in conversation and in moving forward in your Spiritual Practice.

Peace,

Pax