This week, instead of our normal essay, I wanted to share something that I hope will inspire.
I would like to share this blessing found in the illustrious Carmina Gadelica. It is an old, old prayer for the season of reaping and harvest. To the Celts, God was an ever-present force of guidance, protection, and plenty, and His angels and saints were always near to help.
Perhaps the practical image of “harvest” isn’t apt for you. And that’s okay! Think instead of what you wish to gather in this season, as we head toward a transition point in the year. What do you want to gather and preserve for yourself? What do you hope that God will protect for you? On whom do you want to call down blessing and strength from your household, friendships, or community?
I invite you to ponder as you read the words below, and perhaps read them more than once for the full force of their power. If nothing else, think of the generations of people who prayed these words fervently before each reaping, hoping that the provision of the Lord would carry them through another long, cold winter.
Note: many references to Mary, the mother of Jesus, in old Celtic prayers refer to her as pale, fair-skinned, or other such notes about her appearance being white. For the Celts, this no doubt was because they related to Mary as being “like” themselves, and also used whiteness as a symbol for purity. I find that I can still enjoy the beauty of the verse while understanding that depictions of Mary in these prayers is not historically or racially accurate. The devotion was always deep, even if the racial understanding was not.
Reaping Blessing
God, bless Thou Thyself my reaping,
Each ridge, and plain, and field,
Each sickle curved, shapely, hard,
Each ear and handful in the sheaf,
Each ear and handful in the sheaf.
Bless each maiden and youth,
Each woman and tender youngling,
Safeguard them beneath Thy shield of strength,
And guard them in the house of the saints,
And guard them in the house of the saints.
Encompass each goat, sheep, and lamb,
Each cow and horse, and store,
Surround Thou the flocks and herds,
And tend them to a kindly fold,
Tend them to a kindly fold.
For the sake of Michael head of hosts,
Of Mary fair-skinned branch of grace,
Of Bride smooth-white of ringleted locks,
Of Columba of the graves and tombs,
Columba of the graves and tombs.Did this piece resonate with you? Take a moment to share it!
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This is excellent. Re: Mary, in the Catholic tradition Mary has historically appeared to various people as one of those peoples. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a very famous apparition in Mexico and she appeared as a Mexican woman, Our Lady of Akita is a Japanese apparition and same story. I think there is something beautiful in that--that Mary (referred to among Catholics as "Our Blessed Mother") is Mother of all peoples.
I like this prayer because it causes me to stop and think what it is I am sowing, and what it is I am reaping. Even if not a literal harvest, am I sowing seeds of virtue? Am I reaping fruits of good work? An honest assessment would probably tell me that I am sowing and reaping less than I ought.
Thank you as always for this!
For me, Harvest is about being in a place of joyful abundance and gentle appreciation for all that is, as well as tuned to the rhythms of all that is soon to end on its way to a new cycle. It is a time to celebrate where we are and all that we are grateful for, as well as go within in preparation for who we will birth in the spring.