May all be well

May people be well, may they be well,

Male, female, male, female,

Goats, cattle, boys and girls;

May they multiply themselves

Bad luck go away from us ..

                        -An elder of the Kithuri Clan,

                          The Meru of Kenya

Ah, the simple clean wisdom of those persons who live closer to the earth
than we do. I remember reading many books about pioneers and wagon trains
and settlers of the early days of our country. They were so necessarily reliant
upon the earth and its many changing moods and seasons.  This simple
prayer of the Kithuri elder pretty much covered it all, so simple and pure.... 
all about survival of the community.

The prayer to Kai carries the wisdom of balance.  So often the darkness
is perceived in such negative terms, yet, without the darkness we can not
see the light....all has its place in the whole, and all calls for respect. 

I want to be closer to the earth, there is so much wisdom there, so much
centering! As I retreat this week, I walk on the earth and I sit on my
hermit-porch watching and listening as the breeze flows through the lacy
branches of the trees.  And, I breathe, and breathe, and every breath
brings me closer to awareness of unity with the One, with ALL!      

Kai, Be with us.

Violence, destruction, receive our homage.

Help us bring darkness into the light,

To lift out the pain, the anger,

Where it can be seen for what it is -

The balance-wheel for our vulnerable, aching love.

Within the act of creation,Crude power that forges a balance

Between hate and love.

Help us to be the always hopeful

Gardeners of the spirit

Who knows that without darkness

Nothing comes to birth

As without light

Nothing flowers.

Bear the roots in mind,

You, the dark one, Kali,

Awesome power.

           - May Sartan

                                                                                                                      cate