#orisons

Guiding spirits protect me. I can't do this without you.

Conciergerie, Île de la Cité, Paris, 1972.

The dictionary defines Orisons as an archaic noun meaning, "a prayer" but my experience is that it is something more than that, a way to roll prayer, personal reflection and a conversation with the Universe/Spirit/the Divine - including within ourselves - into a single entity, which deepens those connections and creates a more intimate relationship with it.

So what does this look, feel and sounds like?

My own practice, my morning orison, is a kind of greeting to the day which also defines my goal for each day. Let me share:

"Hail to the day, I greet you. In wakeful purpose I walk with you. Part of nature, forever and always Nine times eternal. So mote it be."

Throughout the day, trying to be conscious of my relationship to my elemental brothers and sisters, I try to say words of gratitude, for example, when showering I might say something like, "Hail, sisters of water, blessed be. I honor the sacred in you as you cleans the sacred in me."

Orisons like these can be said while doing things like eating, drinking, bathing, whatever feels appropriate.

Then, at the ending of day, my evening orisons help to transition from active to rest and reflection:

"Farewell to the day, I take my leave of you. I walk in dreams among the stars. Part of the universe, forever and always Nine times eternal. So mote it be."

Besides these things, something I always remember though, is the advice that my teacher gave, which is, "Please and Thank you are also words of power."