Stirring the Ashes: Elemental Blessing
Women Led Prayer
Catholic Action Network
February 22nd, 2008
Adapted from Jan Richardson’s book Sacred Journeys a Women’s Book of Daily Prayer
(set up candles in the circle from the church or home)
Opening Song: Drumming
Introductions:
Opening Prayer: God of fire, earth, wind and water, embrace the elemental wounds we bear. God of Grace and healing, help me return your embrace, that I may bring forth new blessings from the broken places.
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 30:19-20
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live; And that you may love your God, listen God’s voice, and hold fast to God. For your God is your life, and God will give you many years in the land God swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Gather in a circle- with drums.
A Blessing by fire, by earth, by wind and by water.
May you dwell in the Sacred Fire.
May the flames of the Holy dance in your eyes:
Flame of wisdom
Flame of insight
Flame of longing
Flame of devotion
Flame of new vision
Flam of long memory
Flame of warmth of spirit
Flame of strength of body,
May the Sacred Fire dwell in you.
May you dance in the eyes of the Holy.
Share: Remember and name the flames that have danced in your life.
Reading 3:By Earth be Blessed
May you know the embrace of Earth.
May she teach you the wisdom of time:
The unfolding of Spring
The ripening of Summer
The turning of Autumn
The shedding of Winter.
May she teach you the wisdom of intimacy:
Seed embraced by warm, dark soil
Crevice traced by insistent stream
Raindrop clinging to new, soft leaf
Precious stones hidden places.
May she teach you the siwdom of grace:
Flowers entwining fallen oak
Healing gifts of common “weeds”
Grain for bread, fruit for wine
Dancing stars through barren branches.
May you be known in Earth’s embrace.
Share: What do we learn from the Earth’s embrace
May you dance in the rushing wind.
May she blow open your door
And wildly lead you across dawn lit hills.
May she sing through the trees
And beckon you to accompany her rhythms.
May she capture your breathe, draw out the Spirit in you, and run with it, laughing,
Under a star- drenched sky.
May the rushing wind dance in you.
Where is the Wind blowing in our lives?
May you dwell with the spirits of many waters:
May you befriend Creativity of the birthing waters.
May endurance accompany you in the raging rivers.
May Pleasure embrace you beside moon-drawn oceans.
May sustenance lead you to her hidden springs.
May Compassion bathe you in her healing waters.
May you dance with Delight in the falling rain.
May the spirits of many waters dwell in you.
What waters dwell within your soul, blessing you?
Homily
Intercessions:
Offer blessings to those in our lives.
Sharing Peace with one Another
Closing Prayer:
This week laid me bare.
I came looking
for rest for respite for relief
but I was led to remembering
the wounds not only of others but of myself,
my own elements laid out on the table,
unwittingly prepared.
I found myself
saying the words again
naming the wounds again
holding in my hands the bread
lifting to my lips the cup.
The aching of my body told me,
the longing in my blood reminded”
I have wrestled this blessing, yes,
but I have birthed it too.
-Jan L Richardson