From the movie Excalibur. I always wondered what the spell was Merlin was casting and what language it was in. Turns out to be Irish Gaelic (duh):

In Old Irish
Anál nathrach, orth’ bháis’s bethad, do chél dénmha

In Modern Irish:
Anáil nathrach, ortha bháis is beatha, do chéal déanaimh

In English:
Serpent's breath, charm of death and life, thy omen of making.

Go here to hear it spoken by Nicol Williamson.

Brigit búadach,
Búaid na fine,
Siur Ríg nime,
Nár in duine,
Eslind luige,
Lethan breo.
Ro-siacht noíbnem
Mumme Goídel,
Riar na n-óiged,
Oíbel ecnai,
Ingen Dubthaig,
Duine úallach,
Brigit búadach,
Bethad beo.

Victorious Brigit,
Glory of kin,
King of Heaven's sister,
Noble person,
Dangerous oath [for false swearers],
Far-rising flame --
Holy Heaven she reached --
Fostermother of the Gael,
Support of the strangers,
Wisdom's spark,
Dubthach's daughter,
High-minded person,
Victorious Brigit,
Life's living one.

Early Celtic Versecraft
James Travis
Ithaca, Cornelll University Press, 1973.
(ISBN:0-8014-0700-1)

I use music to get myself in the mood for all kinds of activities. Work, exercise, travel, reading. My wife uses music to help her meditate. Some folk in my coven use music to set the mood during ritual when it is their turn to be HP(S). Some don't. I find it helps me get further into the ceremony. I feel more connected to the moment, and it's easier for me to speak to the gods.

I started thinking about this while putting music on my Covenspace site. I know what I like to hear when I am trying to find my "mystical place." Does music help or hinder you? Do you use it during ritual? Do you sing or play an instrument during ritual? What songs do you like? I would like to hear about what others are listening to. New ideas are always good.

One musician that I think provides the right atmosphere is Steve Roach. He would be described by most as a New Age artist. A lot of his work combines drumming and digital sounds; sort of "future tribal". It makes me want to paint myself and dance around a fire. Another is David Arkenstone.

I found a blogpost on DailyKos, that I thought was interesting. Are Wiccans political? Does your religion affect how you vote? I guess I am still struggling with this idea. I always interpreted freedom of religion as being freedom FROM religion, too. As in "don't put yours on me, and I won't put mine on you, etc." I thought we had risen above these kind of considerations. But the way Romney has been raked over the coals in the media for being a Mormon recently makes me think otherwise.

I guess I am glad that Wicca is still mostly ignored by the rest of society. I hope it stays that way.

Why hello there, internet.

I was once told by someone I respect not to neglect the things of the spirit, meaning, I think, that without a spiritual life one is not a whole person, is not complete. So here I am, finding the path.

I am an American from the Midwest. I do IT admin stuff at a local university. My wife got me into Wicca and paganism, and I'm glad she did.