Prayer to Epione #4

Disclaimer: This prayer was taken from the blog The Healer's Blade.  This prayer was not written by me.

You who face me in the night
seeking to know me
heed my words.
I am she who is the sacrifice for all
and all of the suffering of the world comes to me.
My touch brings gentle solace.
My kiss steals pain away.
I am Epione, once queen of Epidauros.
Your people have forgotten me
but I am here still.
I was there at your birth
my hand upon your mother’s brow
as she made her sacrifice in pain to give life to another.
I was there when you first knew heartbreak and despair
and it was my love that helped you heal.
At your death, I will be beside you
my kiss to take away your worldly pains.
At every turn, I am there
to swallow your agony and drink your tears.
All self-sacrifice for the sake of others
belongs to me.
You who hear my call have been chosen
yet the path of compassion
of love and kindness without prejudice
without choice
is not a gentle one.
Those who come with pale heart and trembling lips
my path will destroy.
Your feet will be numb with weariness
but it will not be enough.
Your hands will ache, your heart break
but it will not be enough.
You will pledge to me a life of service
but it will not be enough.
You will be brought low, humbled and scorned
but it will not be enough.
Only when compassion is your breath and blood
will you know me.
Only when you weep for all
offering your worst enemy what you would give your brother
will you be my child.
Only when you bare your throat on the altar of healing
yourself the sacrifice that will soothe others
will you belong to me.
And then the work begins.

Picture found on this website

Soon my altar will be put up, soon

DH got me three new things for my altar for Christmas, and I'm really excited about it.  We didn't do anything for Yule, in fact I wasn't aware it was Yule until someone said "Have a blessed Yule" that afternoon.  I've got everything for my altar: the altar itself, a cauldron, crystals, candles, etc.  All I have to do now is get it out of the box and set it up.  I don't use a wand, because it just doesn't feel right for me; instead I use my finger for the things other people would use a wand for.  I don't like phallic symbols or objects.

Witch cartoon created by Mark Parisi

Our kitty has been having some problems lately, so we are taking her to the vet soon.  If anyone would like to send up a few prayers for her good health, I'd appreciate it.  I don't care what religion you are.

This year I want to be more spiritual.  I want to celebrate all the Sabbats a bit more than I usually do, as well as observe the full moons.  The next full moon where I live is Sunday, January 4th at 10:54 pm.

I think the biggest challenge I've faced so far has been being able to concentrate when I'm in so much pain, like I am right now.  It makes it really hard to do magick or even celebrate the fertility or harvest of the land when I can't concentrate.  I need to start meditating again so that perhaps I can overcome these problems.  I have a CD on guided meditation for pain relief, and I really want to check that out.  I'm surprised I've had it as long as I have and not listened to it yet.  I put it up in the bedroom when I got it and forgot about it until right now.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Yule, Christmas, and New Year, if you celebrate these holidays.  If you don't I still hope the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 have been wonderful for  you.