Paidreacha Dúchais

For a long time, I was uncomfortable with using the word “God” in my prayers.
Growing up with a family who occasionally attended stuffy protestant services, hearing about a Grandmother who was excommunicated from the Catholic church, attending Episcopalian church during my teen years after being brain washed by a cult... the term "God" was loaded for me.

In my spiritual practice, I found myself fumbling for a word that felt sacred, some way to address the divine force which flows through everything, but it always felt awkward.

As I dive deeper into the Celtic cosmology, there is simply no way to avoid “God”. Much of what remains of the ancient beliefs and practices are filtered through Christianity, Catholicism specifically. Many of the folk prayers address or invoke God, so I had to challenge myself and dive into “God”.

Just saying the word "God" evokes the elements: it digs into the earth, sings across the air, flows like water, and commands like fire.

It is a one word spell which commands the attention of Spirit, and allows me to access the consciousness of all things while in prayer/trance state.

I don’t think of God as a he or lord. God is the life force, the death force, the silver stream of consciousness which weaves the web of life.

The piece of work that excites me most about exploring the Celtic cosmology is excavating the sacred from under the debris of imperialism and misogyny.
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Here is a Celtic folk prayer, or Paidreacha Dúchais, for protection. I say all but the first part each morning while I burn cleansing herbs as part of my daily practice:

May our bed of sleep be a safe bed for repose and may we arise in the morning in the permanent protection of God.

I rise up with God, may God rise up with me. The arm of God around me, when going about, and in bed, and at rising.

God with me.
God before me.
God to the right of me.
God behind me.
God to the left of me.
God above me.
God below me.
God within me.
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Here is one for peace, which I find interesting, as the speaker turns themself into a charm for peace:

Peace between nations,
Peace between neighbors,
Peace between kindred.
Peace between lovers,

In love of the King of life.
Peace between person and person,
Peace between wife and husband,
Peace between woman and children,

The peace of God above all peace.
Bless, O God, my face,
Let my face bless everything;
Bless, O God, mine eye,
Let mine eye bless all it sees.
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Finally, a prayer for day's end:

I smoor my soul under the shade of night;
Veil of love upon my heart,
Veil of light upon my brow,
Veil of life upon my limbs.
The veil of rest upon every being,
From fall of night
Till call of light.

Sunlight falling, moonlight calling,
Soul fire kindled in the dark;
Shadows falling, spirits calling,
Soul-fire from the hidden spark.

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However you address the divine force that flows through all things, folk prayers can be a powerful way to connect with your ancestral cosmologies and bless yourself, home and loved ones each day.


Till next time, may you be blessed <3