Prayer to Zeus and Hera

 

Today I feel a calling, a stirring from long ago…  The call of the ancient Greek gods.  It has been too long.  The sacred play of the gods is older than the written word, stronger than recorded history, greater than ancient myth or spoken tale.  There is more to the story than that which humans may know.   

Zeus is the mighty thunder god, ruler of the skies, and father of mankind.  Hera is the gracious earth mother and glorious queen of heaven.  Misunderstood and misrepresented are they both now, reduced to modern day caricatures of themselves.  There is a deeper truth.  The ways of the wise ones reveal themselves to the eyes of those who are willing to see, to honor the old ones and to follow the old ways.   

Today I honor mighty Zeus and regal Hera.  Hail to the divine couple, blessed are they!  Hail immortal parents.  The forces of nature awake under your footsteps, oceans crash and mountains shake at your lovemaking, the skies thunder and brighten in your presence.  Hail!  I honor thee.  I worship thee.  I praise thee.  Mighty ones, hear my prayers!  As I fall at thy feet, may my words rise in sound to please thy ears.  I ask for thy blessings and bow my head before thee.  Praises to Zeus and Hera, King and Queen of Heaven.  Blessed are they!

Heimdall

Hail to Heimdall, honorable and fair!  Hail, unfailing protector of Asgard and sworn enemy of chaos and treachery.  Hail!  Today I write about one of my favorite Norse gods.  Heimdall is the ever present guardian of Bifrost, the rainbow bridge.  He is a god of liminality and transitions.  As Odin gave up an eye to Mimir's well on his quest for knowledge and wisdom, Heimdall in turn gave up an ear.  In exchange, he received supersensory abilities.  He can see and hear far and wide, throughout the realms of heaven and earth.  Thus his extraordinary ability to ward and protect.  

In literature Heimdall can seem rather serious, but energetically I have found him to be quite the opposite.  He is wise and honorable, but also friendly and jovial.  Working with him in ritual brings smiles and easy laughter throughout.  Think of a fun favorite uncle, who always looks out for your well being, but is never too busy to joke and play.  You can trust him at all times to watch out for you and care for you.

Heimdall is known to be a beautiful god- white skinned and gold toothed.  He is quoted as being the son of nine wave maidens, and the father of mankind.  He is a "first god," one who appears at the beginning of time and remains through the end.  Perhaps that helps explain the close familial connection that can be so readily felt with him.

One of the things I love best about Heimdall is his forthrightness and reliability.  He has sworn to do his duty, and he can be trusted to do so.  He is on the up and up- what you see is what you get.  The world needs a little more trustworthiness, a little more dedication, a little more fealty.  The world needs Heimdall.  The world needs Heimdall energy.  Always a fan of good food and drink, let us lift a horn of mead and toast in his name:  Hail Heimdall!  Blessed is He!

Benzaiten

Today I thought I would write a bit more about my personal relationship with Benzaiten.  As I mentioned yesterday, I've been working with her energetically.  Historically she is well documented, with roots originating from the Hindu goddess Sarasvati.  She is one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan.  She conquered, tamed, and then married the dragon king.  She is a patron of artists, writers and geishas.

To me, Benzaiten energy feels very classical and refined.  She comes across as polished and precise, calming and soothing.  Think "Inhale, Exhale,"  like the feel of a slow deep yogic breath.

Benzaiten is simultaneously comforting and revitalizing.  She also has a playful, girlish, almost "valley girl" side that reveals itself on occasion.  I have yet to experience the warrior side of her, but I know it is there.

Lately when she has made herself present I have felt a welling up of potential inside, which has been manifesting thus far in a steady outpouring of creativity.  For quite some time I felt like I had a "block" within keeping me from writing, drawing, crafting, manifesting.  Now with Benzaiten energy the waves of words just come pouring out.  It is a wonderful feeling.  She truly is an amazing and multifaceted goddess.

Nike, Goddess of Victory

NIKE (or Nicé) was the winged goddess of victory in Greek mythology, both in battle and peaceful competition.  Hail Lady Nike!  Blessed is She!

Nike of Samothrace

Ganesh: Remover of Obstacles

"Wherever there is Ganesh there is Success and Prosperity," and "Wherever there is Success and Prosperity there is Ganesh." He is the lord of wisdom, intelligence, education, prudence, luck and fortune, gates, doors, doorways, household and writing. He is the remover of obstacles, and believed to be the harbinger of good fortune.

"Never Give Up."