Midsummer Night’s Fest
Closing Celtic Blessings
This litany is a compilation of segments of “Night Shieldings” found in Carmina Gadelica, a collection of hymns, prayers and incantations from the Scottish Highlands and Islands by Alexander Carmichael, slightly adapted for the occasion of our first Midsummer Night’s Fest at Heatherhope Farm.
We are placing our souls and our bodies
Under Thy guarding this night, O Christ,
O Thou Son of the tears, of the wounds, of the piercings,
May Thy cross this night be shielding us.
Lift Thou from us, O God, all empty pride,
Lift Thou from us, O God, all our envy and jealousy,
Lift Thou from us, O God, our anguish,
Lift Thou from us, O God, our loneliness,
And lighten our souls in the light of Thy love.
We are placing our souls and our bodies
Under Thy guarding this night, O God,
O Thou Father of help to the poor feeble pilgrims,
Protector of earth and of heaven,
Protector of earth and of heaven.
Bless the earth that is under our feet,
Bless the tasks we embark upon,
Bless the goals that we seek.
Bless to us, O God, the moon that is above us,
Bless to us, O God, the earth that is beneath us,
Bless to us, O God, the crops and the animals of the fields,
Bless to us, O God, our families, friends and all we have care over.
Mayest Thou be shepherd over us,
Mayest Thou be guardian unto us,
Mayest Thou be with us, O Father everlasting and God of the heavens.
Be the peace of the Spirit ours this night,
Be the peace of the Son ours this night,
Be the peace of the Father ours this night,
The peace of all peace be ours this night,
Each morning and evening of our lives.
Amen
