Once again, our Coven joins the Interfaith Alliance for a Thanksgiving service, alongside members of many religions. Yes, the Christians, Jews, Muslims, Agnostics, Buddhists, Hindus, Unitarian Universalists, Baha’i and Witches, can all come together in a place of worship, and respectfully share examples of how our traditions create sacred space, and then express gratitude for our abundance.
The service typically begins with the folks from the Jewish temple blowing the shofar, then the Muslim mosque will sing the call to prayer. Having once lived in a Muslim country, nothing quite stirs my soul like the beauty of a well-sung Adhan, which means “to listen.” Next, our circle contributes with Evocations. We call them Elemental Blessings – its like “calling the quarters,” without actually opening the gateways, because there isn’t a properly cast circle to contain their energies, and I doubt our host church would appreciate renegade sylph or salamanders hanging about. <snicker>
Of course, we pagans celebrated the Mabon Thanksgiving sabbat and feast back in September, but I’m happy to join my neighbors during this time our nation sets aside for gratitude. Plus, we all share a meal together afterward in their fellowship hall, and that always brings back the best memories from my childhood in the southern baptist church. These events are an affirming and enjoyable experience, and I make sure to take my children, so they can experience first hand the beautiful pluralism of our nation.
I offer the following Thanksgiving Elemental Calls and Releases that we’ve used in the past. Should you ever get the chance to participate in an event like this one, I welcome you to put them to good use once more.
Happy Thanksgiving, and many blessings of abundance to you all!
~Heron
Elemental Calls of Thanksgiving
~By Heron Michelle
Creating Sacred Space
Blessings of the East and of Air!
Welcome amber twilight and crisp autumn chill,
reddening the cheeks and painting the hills.
As the harvest ends, we greet you in this sacred space.
Open the gates of thought and inspire us.
Let there be wonder and wisdom as we gather in Thanksgiving.
Welcome, Powers of Air!
Blessings of the South and of Fire!
Welcome crimson sun and hearth fire burning,
warming heart and home this autumn turning,
As the nights lengthen, we greet you in this sacred space.
Open the gates of action and revitalize us.
Let there be generosity and justice as we gather in Thanksgiving.
Welcome Powers of Fire!
Blessings of the West and of Water!
Welcome silver rains and dark evenings,
Frosty blanket settles over nature’s sleeping.
As the tides ebb, we greet you in this sacred space.
Open the gates of emotion and stir our hearts.
Let there be compassion and benevolence as we gather in Thanksgiving.
Welcome Powers of Water!
Blessings of the North and of Earth!
Welcome russet fields and harvest reaping
feeding body and soul from platters heaping.
As the feast is celebrated, I greet you in this sacred space.
Open the gates of growth and nurture us.
Let there be abundance and fulfillment as we gather in Thanksgiving.
Welcome, Powers of Earth!
Blessings of the Center, Great Spirit!
Welcome Mother and Father, Nurturer and Provider.
Dark fertile earth and flaming sun,
brought forth as the bounty that sustains us.
As we assemble with our greater family, we greet you in this sacred space.
Open the gates of Spirit and unite us.
Let there be acceptance and peace as we gather in Thanksgiving.
Welcome, Spirit!
Releasing Sacred Space
Blessings of the Center, Great Spirit!
From this sacred space we send the light of acceptance and peace.
With gratitude and reverence, we walk in Spirit.
Blessed be!
Blessings of the North and of Earth!
From this sacred space we send the light of abundance and fulfillment.
With gratitude and reverence, we bid you farewell.
Blessed be!
Blessings of the West and of Water!
From this sacred space we send the light of compassion and benevolence.
With gratitude and reverence, we bid you farewell.
Blessed be!
Blessings of the South and of Fire!
From this sacred space we send the light of generosity and gratitude.
With gratitude and reverence, we bid you farewell.
Blessed be!
Blessings of the East and of Air!
From this sacred space we send the light of wonder and wisdom into our community.
With gratitude and reverence, we bid you farewell.
Blessed be!
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