Carbon-Hearted Witch

Venus' Baths, (Detail), in English Gardens of Caserta

John Gilbert (1817–1897), “Hymn to the Night”

illustration from “The poetical works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow”

I heard the trailing garments of the Night Sweep through her marble halls! I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light From the celestial walls!

I felt her presence, by its spell of might, Stoop o'er me from above; The calm, majestic presence of the Night, As of the one I love.

I heard the sounds of sorrow and delight, The manifold, soft chimes, That fill the haunted chambers of the Night, Like some old poet's rhymes.

From the cool cisterns of the midnight air My spirit drank repose; The fountain of perpetual peace flows there, — From those deep cisterns flows.

O holy Night! from thee I learn to bear What man has borne before! Thou layest thy finger on the lips of Care, And they complain no more.

Peace! Peace! Orestes-like I breathe this prayer! Descend with broad-winged flight, The welcome, the thrice-prayed for, the most fair, The best-beloved Night!

Two of Wands and Three of Swords

Wingless creature, fallen for the sake of pride, 

You who chose to wander the Earth as beast and man, hear my prayer.

Sun and star, You whom in Your face reflect the light of a forsaken God, hear my prayer.

Black-cloaked and shadow-furred, You who bear the Witch’s Spark betwixt your mighty horns, hear my prayer.

Angel of the Morning, herald of the dawn, You who gave illumination to the minds and hearts of man, hear my prayer.

Ophidian demon, You who whispered temptation into the ear of Eve, deliverer from darkness, hear my prayer.

Father of Cain, progenitor of murder, You from whom all sin and salvation flows, hear my prayer.

Consort of Elphame, keeper of the Black Books, You who dance at the Sabbat Flame, hear my prayer.

Praise be to You, oh Lucifer, from the heights of Heaven to the depths of Hell.

Praise be to the sacred fruit which bears the memory of Your designs.

Praise be to Your children, borne in the blood of exile.

Grant that I may walk in Your radiance,

Your terror I shun.

The Birth of Darkness and Light