III. A Charm for Exalting Objects or Places

By now, the clever among my readers will have grasped the pattern of the mystical transformation-art represented by the Song of Creation. How, now, can we use it to “exalt” or enchant objects for various uses?

Tradition tells us that Irish Druids would sleep outdoors, wrapped in the hide of a sacrificed bull, to gain prophetic dreams. While I doubt any of my readers will be killing a bull these days, a large piece of leather hide or wool cloth can certainly be turned into a “cloak of prophecy” just so:

The naming of sky and earth,
Sun, moon and lake;
Rivers, many fruits,
Soaking rain,
Much wealth of sea,
Mouths, ears,
Eyes, treasures,
Feet, hands,
Warriors and storytellers,
Horses, swords,
Bright chariots,
Barbed spears,
Embossed shields,
Men's faces, women's faces,
Children running,
Dew, mist on rivers,
Stones on plains, sheen on leaves,
Day and night,
Ebb and flow,
A hide of prophetic dreams,
A granter of foresight in sleep,
A cloak for the seer.


And this very same pattern can be applied in any way imaginable- need a cup of water to become a draft that gives the power to “see” the spirits in the land? These lines could be added to the end of the Charm of Naming:

“A cup of sacred waters, the giver of sight,
Waters that reveal the unseen,
Waters that reveal the spirits of the land to all who drink.”


If it is named, it becomes real and actual. And any object can be enchanted in this manner, to any purpose. The bronze knife I use to divide sacrifices is made powerful with this song, given the qualities of a sacrificer’s knife- “To divide well, to sacrifice well, to please the Gods.”

A place can be “named” with qualities that will permeate its atmosphere. I’m speaking of river-banks, stands of trees, woods, houses, even villages and towns. Imagine these words on the end of the naming charm:

“A river-bank pleasant
A place of friendship and memory
Protected from accident or fear.”


Or:

“A home of tranquil peace
A gathering place of kin together
A place of kindly sharing.”


You can certainly fathom the possibilities inherent in these enchantments. The Song of Creation contains the power of creation- or should I say, it in conjunction with a human mind, heart, and spirit contains it- it is a vehicle for the very “flux of creation” that dwells deep in each person, waiting to come out, naming into form.


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