Chants of the Celtic Goddesses

These are some beautiful chants inspired by the celtic goddesses, the Cailleach Beara, Cliona of the Waves, Eiru Mother of Ireland and Aine 'The Best-hearted Woman in Ireland'.
These are written by the poetess Madigan, of the the Clann Beirn.

The Caillech Beara

Wise woman, Mother, hag
dark life within
bright life without
Wise woman. Mother, hag

Chant #2
Woman of the clifftop
Woman of the hearth
Woman of the tillage
Mother of the Dark
Cailleach of the sea shore
Cailleach of the mart
Cailleach of the meeting place
Mother of the dark

Chant of the Goddess Cliona

Over and over and over again
thrice times three we call your name
beating and breaking and beating again
Cliona queen of the ninth breaking wave

Chant of Eriu

None can rule and none can wield
unless the goddess Eriu speaks
None can fight and none can hunt
unless the goddess Eriu speaks
No kings hall, no rath nor dun
unless the goddess Eriu speaks
no Clan wed, no cheiftains cairn
unless the goddess Eriu speaks

Chant of the Goddess Aine

Aine beloved, queen of the heart
Aine our mother, never depart
Aine our blessed, queen of the sea
Aine our homeland is sacred in me.

Added to these are some blessings, some form of which can be found still in use all over Ireland. Although bent into a more christian form, the ancinet lessons are learned again and again by every generation.

The Call to Brede

On the night of Imbolc, the women would fashion a 'cross' (Really a brede symbol) out of corn, and place it above the hearth, then pass the night in prayer and meditation. As the first light of day appeared the woman of the house (Bean an Ti)would open wide the doors and windows and call to Bridget (BREDE):

'Brede, we are waiting, the hearth is for you, bring to us bread and wine'
the call itself varies widely from place to place, but usually incorprates an invitation to Her to enter the home, a plea for fertility, good crops, etc and also a dedication of the house e.g. 'the hearth is for you'

Blessing of the home
Smudge sticks, sinilar to those used by the Native Americans, are used to cleanse the house. Salt water is carefully sprinkled everywhere especially doors and windows. Facing the east, 'sun rise' facing the west 'sun set' face north 'in between' face south 'house blessed'. Pine cones and seashells ona bonfire complete the ritual, and then bury their ashes with piece of paper with the above chant written on it, under the doorstep.

Blessing of a child

Cailleach Beara, Cailleach Dubhneach, Cailleach Laisneach; Misna, Eriu, Aine; Danu, Maeve, Macha;
Keep her/him in your arms, Crone, mother, maiden.
Born of the rivers and the fertile land, child of the clans of (insert family name), bless him/her, walk with her/him, keep him/her in love and light.

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