There are some spiritual practices that are universal. Chanting is one of these. It is a means of focusing energy, intent and outcome
into existence. Chanting can be a simple
vocalization on one or two notes, repetition of a simple set of words. Some
chanting can take a form of longer prayers that use the same words over and
over.
Chanting is used all over the world by all spiritual paths –
Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and all pagan traditions. The chants are often paired with prayer
beads, as in the Roman Catholic “Rosary”, and by Buddhist monks. “The Lord’s Prayer” is a chant that is used
universally in the Christian rituals.
One of the loveliest chants is simply opening your throat
and vocalizing a series of notes. When a
group of people do this, the result is one of beautiful harmonization since
such singing tends to blend all voices into one. It also tends to turn the participants’ gazes
inward, into their hearts and spirits, thus opening each person towards the
presence of the Divine. It is a prayer
in its purest form, wordless yet utilizing the Divine language. Chanting pours the heart out, straight from
spirit to Spirit and back again. It
disengages the mental, more critical, faculties and communicates your deepest
petitions and worship in the most direct fashion.
“Enchanted”. “Enchantment”. We use these words to describe something
beautiful and mysterious, and also something that has become transformed by
some sort of magic, either for good or for ill.
Take a closer look at the words, and you’ll see that the root here is “Chant”
– transformation by chanting. When I
chant, I initially visualize the sound and words creating a vortex of power
that is then disbursed to wherever that power is needed. The visualization does not last long, because
within a few seconds, I simply lose myself in the sound, which continues to do
the work it is sent out to do. Anyone
remember the chant of the Three Witches from Macbeth – “double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn
and caldron bubble”?
Aside from the vocalization chant, words can and are often
used. In the pagan circles, there are
many chants that have already been written and are used constantly, but you can
easily make up your own chants. How
about, “Love, joy, peace, health”? Or “Blessings
and Light”? Of course there are chants
that are already in existence. Here is
one of them:
We
All Come From the Goddess
We all come from the Goddess, and to her we shall return
Like a drop of rain flowing to the ocean.
REPEAT
Isis, Astrate, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Innana!
REPEAT
We all come from the Horned God, and to him we shall return
Like a spark of flame rising to the heavens.
REPEAT
Hoof and horn, hoof and horn, all that dies shall be reborn
Corn and grain corn and grain, all that falls shall rise again!
REPAEAT
The Goddess is alive and magick is afoot!
The Goddess is alive and magick is afoot!
RETURN TO THE BEGINING
Or how about this one:
The Earth, The Air, The Fire, The Water
Return, Return, Return, Return (2X)
Ah Ay, Ah Ay, Ah Ay, Ah Ay
I Ohh, I Ohh, I Ohh, I Ohh (2X)
Many more such chants can be found at the following link:
Another way of working with chanting is to have the leader
speak certain words, while all chant a repeating response. Here is a chant that I wrote a while back for
an animal protection ritual:
Thus far and no
further
(Thus far and no
further)
We permit this no more
(Thus far and no further – repeat this after every
line)
Disregard to the Earth
is now stopped!
All Life is declared
Sacred
Our Circle you shall
not pass
Forests, reseeded, Waters,
made pure
Air, unpolluted, Lives,
all respected
By the Great Mother’s
Love
Do we now this decree
By the All-Father’s
Power
Do we now this
proclaim
The wanton destruction
is stopped
And you go Thus far
and no Further!!
Instruction: “Thus far and no
further” continues to be repeated and chanted until the Officiates declare the
Power released.
May you ever stay Echanted!!
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