Liturgy of the Hours Challenge
The Sage and I have come up with what we are calling a Liturgy Challenge to share with you listeners who might want to try some of this stuff out for themselves.
Over the next however many Extras, we will be sharing each piece of our Liturgy of the Hours to give you the opportunity to incorporate each one into your daily spiritual practices.
Each piece will also be posted below so you can access the words and reasoning behind each one, and in the near future our Crone/Sage discussions on each will be added to our YouTube channel.
More to come on that later, folks!!!
1 - Upon Arising (Awaken/Arise)
Starting your day with prayer not only gives you an opportunity to set your intent to have a positive and productive day but to take a moment at the beginning to focus on your personal spirituality before all the mundane stuff starts getting in the way.
It can set the tone for your whole day because you start out with what’s most important to you.
☆ This is the first time of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.
It should be performed when you first get out of bed in the morning.
- Get a tea light that you can keep on your kitchen counter.
Most of us spend at least a few minutes in the kitchen after we get up either making coffee or eating some sort of breakfast.
- Sit down and take three deep breaths. The first one is for Body and as you breathe, be aware of the awakening of your body. The second one is for Mind and as you breathe, be aware of the awakening of your mind. The third one is for Spirit and as you breathe, be aware of the awakening of your spirit.
- Light the candle and say:
I greet this day in balance with fresh eyes looking forward.
I am aware of the magick within and all around me.
I am aware of the mundane within and all around me.
Both of these are manifestations of the Divine, My internal spark and the external spark of the Universe.
I go forth to walk in balance and joy.
- Take another moment to take three more deep breaths.
Leave the candle burning for a few minutes, then extinguish the flame, and start your day.
2 - Early Morning (Advance/Address)
You set your intent with your first prayer and now you can take a moment to get centered in your day after getting through all the stuff you have to do to get ready to face your day. It is a moment to remember that you are a Witch and magickal person.
☆ This is the second time of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours.
It should be performed after you have gotten yourself ready to start your day, whether that involves getting ready for work or school or getting kids out the door for the day, usually between 7 and 8 am
- Take a moment to take three deep breaths, one for Body, one for Mind, and one for Spirit before you say:
I am anchored in the starting of my day.
I acknowledge my mundane foundations and I feel connected to my Internal Spark of Divine.
I know I am surrounded by the magick of the other world and I reach out to the External Spark that is the Universe.
I walk the Hedge, that area betwixt and between, and I am prepared to begin the next part of my day.
- Take another moment to take three more deep breaths and move on to the next part of your day. You have gotten your day well underway, and this is a moment to pause and reflect about who you are and how your day is progressing.
3 - Midmorning (Adapt/Adjust)
You have gotten your day well underway and this is a moment to pause and reflect about who you are and how your day is progressing.
☆ This is the third time of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. It should be performed at the midpoint of your own morning depending on what time you began your day, usually between 9 and 10 am.
- Take a moment to take three deep breaths, one for Body, one for Mind, and one for Spirit before you say:
I pause briefly at midmorning to reflect on all I have already accomplished this day.
How I think and how I act is a reflection of my magickal Witch within.
What I present to the world around me is who I am, complete and without apology.
I know I am genuine and my spiritual practices matter to myself and the world I live in.
And I give thanks to the Divine.
- Take another moment to take three more deep breaths and move on to the next part of your day.
4 - Midday (Affirm/Acknowledge)
Most of us take a break around this time of day, especially to have something to eat at lunchtime. This is a good time to remember what is important to you spiritually and to reset the intent for your day
☆ This is the fourth time of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. It should be performed in the middle of your day, usually between noon and 1 pm
- Take a moment to take three deep breaths, one for Body, one for Mind, and one for Spirit before you say:
I take this moment at midday to connect and commune with my Internal Spark of Divine, to concentrate on the synchronicities and reciprocities flowing and going on around me while I have focused on the mundane concerns of my day.
I am poised on the Hedge and can feel the magickal reach out to me.
For this brief moment in time, I am balanced between.rrft Joyful and reverent simultaneously,
I reset my day as a Witch who walks between the worlds.
- Take another moment to take three more deep breaths and move on to the next part of your day.
5 - Midafternoon (Accept/Arrange)
This is the time of day where many of us are beginning to wind down our outside responsibilities and beginning to think about home, dinner, and plans for the evening. It is a good moment to pause and tune in to your personal awareness.
☆ This is the fifth time of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. It should be performed at the midpoint of your afternoon, depending on when you passed midday, usually between 3 and 4 pm.
- Take a moment to take three deep breaths, one for Body, one for Mind, and one for Spirit before you say:
I pause briefly at midafternoon to become aware of all I still have to finish.
I can easily accomplish what is needed walking in balance within myself.
I am aware that I am a Witch and I am aware that magick is all around me.
I know I am genuine and my spiritual practices matter to myself and the world I live in.
And I give thanks to the Divine.
- Take another moment to take three more deep breaths and move on to the next part of your day.
6 - Early Evening
After the dinner hour, most of us settle in at home or make plans to go out to be with friends or family. Taking a pause to remember what is important to you spiritually can lead to personal growth.
☆ This is the sixth time of prayer in the Liturgy of the Hours. It should be performed once you are done with the mundane part of your day, usually between 7 and 8 pm.
- Take a moment to take three deep breaths, one for Body, one for Mind, and one for Spirit before you say:
I am anchored in the ending of my day.
I acknowledge the Witchblood flowing through my veins and I feel connected to my internal spark of Divine.
I acknowledge my magick and the magick of the world around me.
I am part of the magick of creation and I reach out to the External Spark that is the Universe.
I am ending my day secure in self-knowledge of my identity as a Witch.
- Take another moment to take three more deep breaths and move on to the next part of your day.