The Hedge Witch Song
Bide within the Law you must,
in peace and friendship be you just.
Live you must and let to live,
fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Earth with care about,
respect within respect without.
To carry songs deep into time,
let them words be sung in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch,
speak you wisely, listen much.
Honour the Old Ones in deed and name,
let the ancestors be our guides again.
Know the names of the moon,
chanting out the joyful tune.
In the night Old Mother Moon has reign,
and dew falls from Her horse's mane.
Mother Night makes the day renew,
She gives rest and dreams to you.
When the moon rides at Her peak,
then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale,
lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East,
expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South,
love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West,
all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine herbs in the Cauldron go,
boil them fast and simmer them slow.
Birch bark helps to heal a harm,
bind it round a broken arm.
Oak in the forest towers with might,
make acorn brew to lend insight.
Rowan is a tree of power,
fertility is increased by its flower.
Willows at the waterside stand,
fevers cured by leaves in hand.
Hawthorn makes the sacred hedge,
tread carefully around the edge.
Hazel, the tree of wisdom and learning,
roast the nuts on fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree,
that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine,
giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen,
to represent immortality seen.
Elder is a curing tree,
extract from the berry and well you'll be.
Each full moon the seasons mark,
celebrate transition in the dark.
Winter's moon sees Summer wane,
Eostre's Moon sees Summer again.
When sun no longer Her face shows,
light the Yule fire and expect the snows.
At Summer's peak it is Her turn,
to rule the skies in bright glory burn.
When the moon shines on Winter's night,
bring in the animals for Blot rite.
When the moon brings Eostre fair,
let the animals out and watch the hare.
When the moon has turned to Yule,
honour the ancestors on Mother's Night rule.
When the moon to Litha turns,
long hours work in the fields as ale churns.
Summer belongs to Day at his height,
Winter belongs to old mother Night.
Day is governed by Lady Sunshine,
Night is measured by old mother Moonshine.
Heed the flower, bush and tree,
by the Wanes blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go,
cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need,
harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend,
or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part,
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind Wyrd's Sisters Laws you should,
return the bad and reward the good.
Cross the Hedge on hobby horse,
under the root and over the gorse.
Know the old gods by face and name,
rest you easy in Hel's domain.
- author unknown-
Blessings nine!
