Selections from the

Carmina Gadelica

Hymn for the Nascent Moon

Whene’er I see the Nascent Moon,

With upward eyes I paen this Rune,

And touch my knee upon the ground,

And bow my head in thanks profound.

To Thee my praises, Guiding Light,

That Thee appeared this very night,

That Thee, the Nascent Moon, I’ve seen,

Thou glorious Guide to whom I lean.

I think on those who’ve left us, too,

‘Tween now and last the Moon was new,

While in the earthly realm I’ve stayed,

Thou Moon of Moons and Holy Aid.

Prayer for the Trine

Thou ever wert and art

And evermore shall be

With us, Goddess Trine!

All that ebb, all that flow,

Bless them, Goddess Trine!

And as ebb and flow they do,

Bless us, Goddess Trine!

Spell for the Evil Eye

Here beeth Morrhigan’s Spell for the Eye,

Given to Beautiful Brighid.

Use it for Earth and for Sea,

And for Fire and Wind.

Use it for Talon and Wing,

And for Tooth of the Wolf.

Let he who laid the Eye on thee,

By selfsame Eye have Curses three:

His Flock decreased, his House destroyed,

His ev’ry Wile for nought deployed!

By Awesome Strength destroy the Eye!

Deflect from thee the Burning Dart,

The Triple Doleful Tongues of Death,

Descending to the Bowels,

The Naval, and the Breast!

From Brighid’s Heart,

From Cailleach’s Heart,

From Danu’s Heart!

So be it!

The Mothan

Now I pick the Sacred Mothan,

As did Mapon mac Matrona,

In the Holy Name of Dagda,

And of Brigit, Lugh and Danu.

Though in Field of Furious Fighting,

Where no Bounds are known to Anger,

Be Thou Happiness and Comfort,

Mighty Morrighan’s Protection!