I’m not here to argue politics or statistics. I’m not a fan of conspiracy theories, either. (If you are, then scroll on by!) I’m a spiritual leader who desires to offer a ritual of remembrance as we hit the 200,000 mark of deaths in the United States due to the coronavirus. These are sad times we live in and those who have perished from this dreadful disease often did so hooked up to a respirator with no family to surround them to help ease the transition from this world to the next. I was a hospital chaplain for many years and it was always my desire to give others a “good” death. There are no good deaths when Covid-19 comes knocking. Therefore, it’s up to us to help ease their transition if their spirits are between the worlds.
So, how can we help? The simplest approach is to say a prayer. Work with whatever form of the Divine resonates with you. If you do any work with the Ancestors/Blessed Dead ask for their aid as well. You don’t really need a formal prayer. Just speak it from the heart. Honor those who have lost their lives due to this virus whether you know their names or not. They were somebody’s grandparent, parent, sibling, etc. Remind them they were loved and pray that the Divine/Ancestors will help them find their way to the other side in a way that is peaceful and loving.
If you’re at a loss for words, I’ve always found the following prayer meaningful. It’s from the Jewish Yom Kippur liturgy:
“In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember them. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember them. In the opening buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember them. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember them. In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember them. In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember them. When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember them. When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember them. So long as we live, they are now a part of us, as we remember them.”
If you want to do a bigger, more formal ritual, here is mine that I’ve been doing on at least a weekly basis since we passed the 100,000 mark.
After I’ve cast a magical circle and called the quarters, I raise some energy and sit in the center of the circle in front of my home altar. I spend some time in meditation until I’m peaceful and my mind is clear.
I prepare a “name paper” to put under a mugwort candle that sits on my altar. On this small piece of paper, I simply write the number of deaths such as 200,000. I anoint the candle with rue oil and light it. (Click HERE if you want more info on candle magic.) If you don’t have a mugwort candle you can burn a little mugwort in your incense burner before you cast the circle. You can also use any other type of candle that speaks to you. This is your ritual so the choice is ultimately yours.
I then spend some time in prayer, asking the Divine Presence and Ancestors to help these lost souls make the journey from this world to the other side. I channel the energy that I raised in the circle and direct it toward the candle, along with my prayerful intention.
Next, I do whatever other magical/energetic work I need to do and then close the circle, returning whatever energy is lingering back to the ground.
I’m sure you can find your own way of observing this sad milestone in our coronavirus journey. Hopefully I’ve given you a few ideas of how to observe it. Blessed be!
Copyright ©2020 by David Taliesin, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the name of April’s full moon, which occurs on the 7th, “came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. As a way of utilizing the power of this full moon, perhaps you can use it as a time to reflect on the question: “In the midst of a global pandemic where most of what we see in the media is bad news, what positive experiences and opportunities do I wish to blossom in my life? What can I do to nurture them so they continue to grow?” It is also a great time to do magical and energy work toward new projects we are just beginning to undertake.
Another name for the April full moon is the Beaver Moon. During this time of year beavers are busy constructing dams to provide shelter and places to fish. Therefore April’s full moon is a good time to contemplate the spiritual energy the Beaver brings into our lives. According to Jamie Sams and David Carson’s Medicine Cards, the Beaver tells us “it may be time to put your ideas into action or to complete some project that has been neglected. The Beaver can also be asking you to settle differences with fellow workers or friends. Beaver tells you to look for alternative solutions to life’s challenges and to protect the creations which you put your love and energy into.” Sounds like a good plan to me!
Sabbats and Sabbaths 