Pagan Prayers

Yvonne Aburrow
4 days ago
3 min read

A Prayer for the Dying, by Patti Wigington

Many mainstream religions have a Last Rite, or something close to it. In the moments before dying, a priest or pastor is called to the individual's side, and offers the blessings and prayers of that particular faith. Pagans and Wiccans often don't have such an option, for several reasons. First, we don't have a Big Book of Prayer that we all follow. Secondly, in many paths of Wicca, each person is their own High Priest or High Priestess, because we are all in touch with the divine. Finally, let's just face it - there aren't a lot of books out there about what to do when a Pagan or Wiccan is dying.

The following prayer is written as one which may be said by the dying person, but realistically, it may be better if someone says it for them - physically, a dying person may not be capable of speaking a prayer at all. Make sure, if you find yourself facing such a situation, that you have permission to speak to the gods on behalf of the dying individual. Permission may be granted by the person themselves or by a family member.

Feel free to substitute the names of your tradition's deities if you prefer. You may speak this prayer, or sing it - the choice is yours.

A Prayer for the Dying

Time has passed, the Wheel has turned.

It is time for me to move on.

I will walk hand in hand with the Ancient Ones,

and with my ancestors who came before me.

Great Mother, welcome me back into your womb,

I come to you and know I am blessed,

for my life has been one I am proud of.

As I enter your world, wrap me in your loving arms,

and welcome me.

Lord of Death, I wait for you to take me,

I come to you willingly, with eyes wide open,

as my last moment approaches on the horizon.

May I look upon you without fear, without pain,

and knowing that those who walked before me,

await me on the other side.

O Ancient Ones, give me strength to take these final steps,

and allow me to do so with peace and dignity.

Let my family mourn my passing but not my loss,

and let them heal knowing I will see them again.

Time has passed and the Wheel has turned.

It is time for me to move on.

Source: Prayers for the End of Life - RealPagan

The Druid’s Prayer

The Druid's Prayer, first recorded by Iolo Morganwg and updated in modern times, is used by many Druids:

Grant, O Great Spirit/Goddess/God/Holy Ones, Thy Protection; And in protection, strength; And in strength, understanding; And in understanding, knowledge; And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice; And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it; And in that love, the love of all existences; And in the love of all existences, the love of Great Spirit/Goddess/God/Holy Ones/the Earth our mother, and all goodness.