Daily Devotional: November 22nd
Daily Prayer X
Prudence, wisdom's beacon in the mind's expanse,
In discerning gaze, thy insights enhance.
A lantern in shadows, a compass true,
Navigating life's labyrinth with virtue.
Oh, Prudence, guardian of thoughtful thought,
In the tapestry of choices, finely wrought.
Foreseeing consequences, with measured gaze,
In the realm of reason, thy wisdom stays.
In the quiet chambers of reflective thought,
Thy counsel, a treasure, in values sought.
Prudence, guide us with your steady hand,
In the complex dance of life, help us understand.
Daily Meditation
"God sends evil to men, not as being influenced by anger, but for the sake of purification; for anger is foreign from God, since it arises from circumstances taking place contrary to the will; but nothing contrary to the will can happen to a god.”
—Demophilus
Sentence 3
Suffering is a means of purification. Exposing the pain of mortality moves the soul to seek its natural state. This suffering prompts a reversion, a pulling away from the material world to our higher self. Like finding ourselves in cold, icy weather, we naturally seek warmth. We seek that which is more in accordance with our nature. Our soul craves the return to its natural state, which is free of material things. However, it's not enough to merely leave this plane; we must also lose our appetite for it.
Monthly Ascesis: Simple Rituals
“There is a simple formula to follow to begin making offerings to the gods. Since there are many gods, I recommend beginners direct all prayers to Mercury, who is the messenger of the gods. With this simple prayer, you can begin making offerings to all of divinity and know Mercury will deliver your prayers to the proper place.
Begin with this invocation:
Lord Mercury, messenger of heaven, swift-footed guide of mortals, hear my prayer and deliver it to the proper divinity:
[speak your prayer]
After your prayer, present your offering of food or incense and say:
Lord Mercury, be honored by this offering of [incense, food]
When you are finished, end with
Lord Mercury, be blessed. Fiat.
Fiat is pronounced Fee-aht and means 'Let it be done' in Latin.
If you are unable to make a material offering, that is okay. It is a gesture of honor and respect to the gods but is not necessary. Merely offering your thoughts and prayers is enough. The gods do not need our offerings to hear prayers. We offer these things out of gratitude and respect for them, not as a bribe or exchange of goods between us and the gods.”
-Excerpts from, Ascesis: the Handbook of Platonic Practice
Making simple offerings like this regularly sets our minds on the divine and places us in a giving posture toward the gods. The purpose of our rituals is not to ask for material goods but to give thanks to the gods and allow gratitude to fill our hearts. If we ask for anything from them in our prayers, we should ask for things that are like them such as virtues.
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