When the elderly florist I worked for died, I was unable to go to her funeral. I couldnt bear to be there, along with people who had been eagerly awaiting her death (one approached her executor at the funeral itself to ask about buying her shop - he told me later that he decided to sell it to anyone but that man). Instead, I spent that morning in a wooded area near my home, next to a poplar called Andraste and I gave her a druidic send-off. Farewell Ritual for Miss Levett. 9th January 2003. Let there be peace in the north. Let there be peace in the east. Let there be peace in the south. Let there be peace in the east. Lord, cleanse this circle and my intent. Let me do only what is pleasing to you. Invitation. Dearest friends, beloved ancestors And members of Miss Levetts family, Come in peace and friendship to bless her journey. On Boxing Day, her mortal lifespan ended. Let us bury our regrets, our sorrows, our anger and our shock As the body that housed her in life is returned to the earth And bless her new beginning and rejoice in her life And its everlasting continuation. Acknowledgement of the Directions. Spirits of the north, I ask a blessing On a woman of strength and character. Her word was truth, her integrity as firm as granite. Come then, spirits of the north and bless her. Spirits of the east, I ask a blessing On a woman of brilliance and talent. She danced with the Awen all her life, in paint and flowers. Come then, spirits of the east and bless her. Spirits of the south, I ask a blessing On a woman of warmth and will. She loved loyally and stood firm in all things. Come then, spirits of the south and bless her. Spirits of the west, I ask a blessing On a woman of wisdom and discernment. She feared neither life nor death, but lived and died well. Come then, spirits of the west and bless her. Offering to the Guardian. Andraste, dear you are to me, Especially in times of sorrow. May God bless you for your work. Take this, a token of our friendship. Sharing of Food and Drink. Spirits of this place, beloved ancestors And all who come in peace, Accept these gifts of food and drink. What I have, I share, In recognition of our kinship. Funeral Bit. I come as the bard of my lady. Her end, long dreaded but never truly expected Drove me into a wasteland of tears. She is dead, that generous heart is stopped. Her eyes, which lit the darkest days, are gone. Her laughter is no longer here to grant music to the world. I cry out the forbidden words, I want her back! She is gone, what can I say of her? It is right to cry the praises of the dead. Can I say that she was good? It seems so small, that word. She was good, yes, as a saint is good, Wonderful as is a sunrise, wise as is the wisest druid. She was a friend, loving and considerate, Faithful to those who loved her, strong in anger, Implacable against injustice, tender towards the weak. Animals and plants she loved, people she judged kindly. Shall I name her fault? It was only this, That she saw in others her own integrity And was often deceived, but never twice the same way. She was my teacher, a good teacher. She was my friend, fortunate creature to gain her affection! Her smile could banish all minor miseries of life. She was beautiful in her willingness to live. She was a light, a glowing light of goodness. Some hated her, because she had no talent for deception or guile. Those who hated her were worthless, may their names be forgotten! May they lack a friend when they seek one! We who knew her could only love her. We knew her to be too good for us, yet she was ours. My sorrows are deep, but deeper is my gratitude. Ten years could never be enough, a thousand could not be, But for ten years I knew her. A ten year blessing is not to be overlooked in a time of grief. Miss Levett is dead, but her life brought joy to many And to herself. Others have lived longer but lived less. A blessing upon the line that gave her life And the land that sustained her. A blessing on the path she now treads, free from infirmity. Bendithion, cariad. Blessing. Miss Levett, with all my heart, I thank you. I beg you, do not be held back by my tears. I grieve at my loss, but rejoice in your promotion. You are free of all earthly restraints. I commend you into the hands of God, Whom you served faithfully And into the company of your loved ones in Paradise. Though I will weep for some time yet, I will recover and think only of the happiness of our friendship. On behalf of all still living, I release you From any obligation you feel to the Earth. You owe us nothing, our debts to you are great. Therefore, go on in joy and without regret. Heaven awaits you and Earth relinquishes its claim. Go, dear light, into a greater light. Love outlasts death and we are never truly parted. Live in joy, you who brought joy to others. May God bless you, now and always. Father, into your hands I commend my dear friend, Employer and teacher, Miss Florence Gertrude Levett. Reward her well for all her kindness And grant that we may meet again in the life without end. I thank You for her life, a 98 year blessing on the world And a 10 year blessing on me. Look after her, Beloved, she is one of your best. For myself, I ask only for strength to endure this sorrow. Amen. Closing the Circle. Spirits of the north, I thank you, Go in peace and remember Miss Levett, That her name is engraved on the stone of this land. God bless you and all that you love. Spirits of the east, I thank you, Go in peace and remember Miss Levett, That her name is whispered by every breeze. God bless you and all that you love. Spirits of the south, I thank you, Go in peace and remember Miss Levett, That her likeness shines in the sunlight on the ground. God bless you and all that you love. Spirits of the west, I thank you, Go in peace and remember Miss Levett, That her name is kept in the hearts of all who loved her. God bless you and all that you love. Sanctuary Blessing. Lord, defend this shelter and sanctuary. Let no evil defile it until the end of time. Bless all who come here in peace. Heal their ills, restore their spirits, Grant them joy in life and a joyous death, Forgive their sins and give them eternal life. Bless everything that dwells here Grant the trees long life and many descendants. Give every plant a good life And bless every creature that lives here Or chances to pass through. Hold this sanctuary for me and keep it safe and sacred. Amen.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 11:24:17 +0000
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