A morning and evening prayer

For Galina.

Morning Prayer
As the golden light of dawn spreads across the vineyard
and the forested mountain where the nymphs dance
after bathing in the rushing waves of the pure river,
I hail the noble son of Semele and loud-thundering Zeus on high,
bull-horned and ivy-crowned Dionysos,
giver of wine and countless blessings,
he who sets us free,
and banishes all care from our mortal hearts,
limitless joy to mankind.
Be with me as I go about the business of the day
in a spirit of reverence for all the wonders that the world holds.
Help me to remain true to my highest aspirations,
so that nothing can dull my senses,
tame my wild soul,
or distract me from my calling
to serve the holy powers with all I have and all I am.
This I ask
O ecstatic deliverer, lord of mysteries,
many named and many formed one.
And in return I will renew your shrine
with plentiful offerings and joyous libations.

Evening Prayer
As darkness descends and the world grows stranger,
calling forth the wild spirits who revel in the streets while others sleep,
I hail you god of the mask
and husband of the labyrinth’s mistress,
night-roaming Dionysos
who leads the dancing stars in heaven
and fills our hearts with joy and mystery.
I thank you for all the blessings of this day,
the things I’ve seen,
the passions I’ve felt,
the opportunities I was given
to do the work of the holy powers I serve.
May the life course within me ever stronger,
may I discover new depths to the mysteries,
may my soul be overcome with even more longing
for the ones I love
in the days to follow.
All this I ask through your gentle hand,
and in return I will renew your shrine
with plentiful offerings and joyous libations.

This is part of my A Night with Dionysos fundraiser. If you would like to commission some writing as well click here for details.