One of the lovely things about the Celtic tradition is the way that they framed every encounter with blessing. And this is a poem called “Bannoch” that I wrote several years ago and Bannoch is the word for blessing. There's also another Gaelic word in it which is the word “Corock” which is the word for canoe, a little canvas boat.
Bannoch
On the day when the waste deadens on your shoulders and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you. And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window and the ghost of loss gets into you, may a flock of colours indigo, red, green and azure blue, come to awaken in you a meadow of delight. When the canvas frays and the Corock of thought and a stain of ocean blackens beneath you, may there come across the waters a path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home. May the nourishment of the earth be yours. May the clarity of light be yours. May the fluency of the ocean be yours. May the protection of the ancestors be yours. And so may a slow wind work these words of love around you, an invisible cloak, to mind your life.
A blessing for work
May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart. May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul. May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those who work with you and to those who see and receive your work. May your work never weary you. May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement. May you be present in what you do. May you never become lost in the bland absences. May the day never burden. May dawn find you awake and alert approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises. May evening find you gracious and fulfilled and you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected. May your soul calm, console and renew you.
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