A Question of Balance

It is not hard to sense a lack of balance in the world around us from time to time. Even close to home, balance may seem illusive and it appears, at times, as though there is an effort to unbalance things in general from the world without.

It is in time like these that we look to ourselves for balance. It is when one looks within to ground and center and attempt to rediscover or to rekindle that balance. Winter and summer are an example of that balance. In one hemisphere we have the longest day or the year; in another we have the shortest day of the year. Somewhere, in some barrow or mound, the rays of light are finding their way down some long-ago constructed passage way to show the treasures and wisdom found therein.

Now that our inner chambers have been enlightened, it is time to DO something as opposed to just finding our center and holding it. While one may assuredly do a Core Order of Ritual to celebrate the High Day, what about the other 55 days in between? I have a suggestion which might help and may be easier that a Core-Order-Ritual-a-Day: how about devotionals?

Devotionals are really all about balance. We make offerings to an entity because we are a) devoted to that entity, and b) devoted to our practice. An entity, to define my terms, may be an Ancestor, a Nature Spirit, or a Shining One. The divisions thereunder are many and varied.

Devotionals are meant, in my opinion, to be daily events. By building a daily practice, we get better acquainted with the spirits that we work with. Household spirits are a good place to start, in my opinion, because we share a space with them on a daily basis. I consider them to be spirits of nature and certainly spirits of the place.

At the end of this post, you will find a devotional addressed to Manannan mac Lir. This is something I use of a daily basis and I wanted to present it as an example that everyone can do, solitary or non-solitary alike. I feel devotionals such as this may help keep a member’s interest and practice piqued between High Days. I know that many of our Solitary members feel isolated or alone out there. The use of devotionals, especially as summer and winter bring long days and / or long nights, is a great way of developing relationships and keeping the ADF work alive in our lives, today and everyday.

I hope this devotional brings you closer to Manannan Mac Lir and the to balance we all seek.

A Manannan mac Lir Devotional

Hail to you, Manannan mac Lir,

God of the Irish Sea,

Lord of the Isle of Mann,

He who walks upon the waves.

There are rocks that jut from the water, my Lord,

Please protect me from them;

There are eddies that form along the shore, my Lord,

Please protect me from them;

There are pitfalls and traps along the Way, my Lord,

Please protect me from them.

As I begin my journey this day,

Please stand with me, my Lord;

As I continue my journey this day,

Please walk with me, my Lord;

As I near my destination,

Please consul me as to the path ahead, my Lord.

Help me to walk with wisdom today,

And every day,

Let me walk the Narrow Way,

The Watercourse Way,

And set me true to my course.

Accept this offering my Lord:

I honor and I thank you,

Manannan mac Lir.