Gratia Pagana
Written by
John Opsopaus
A formal ceremony at the beginning of meals encourages us to reflect on our good fortune, but the usual "graces" are montheistic and patriarchial. Therefore I have (the author) composed a pagan "grace" that may be useful for holidays or for ordinary meals.
"Gratia" means thanks, thankfulness, kindness, charm, pleasantness, ect., all attitudes conductive to a central meal.
The Gratiae (Graces) were Goddesses who "stand for the joy and beauty produced bu the blessings of fertile nature and by other things that evoke spontaneous emotion of pleasure."
They include Euphrosune (Joy), Kale (the Beautiful), Aglaia (the Radiant), Thaleia ( the Flowering), and Auxo (the Grower). All goddesses we should welcome to our table.
In the following, the "dedications" are placed in a small bowl and after the meal are carried and left outside as a libation to the Nature spirits. These dedications may be made by the head of the table or by each person participating in the meal.
" We are grateful to Demeter for the fruits of the Earth. In recognition of our gratitude we give back this grain."
(Dedicate a piece of bread, some grain, or other plant material)
" We are grateful to Artemis for the animals who have given their life that we may eat meat. In recognition of our gratitude we give back this meat. "
(Dedicate a small piece of fat or other meat)
" We are grateful to Dionysus that nature transforms food that we may enjoy it better. In recognition of our gratitude we give back this wine, (beer, cheese, yogurt ect.). "
(Pour out a little wine, beer ect. or dedicate some cheese, yogurt, ect.)
" May we always enjoy Natures abundance and recognize our good fortune. "
