The Power of Words: Wiccan Remembrance Verses for Healing

A Wiccan remembrance verse is a spoken or written piece of poetry that is used to commemorate and honor a loved one who has passed away. It is a way for Wiccans, who follow a modern pagan religion, to remember and pay tribute to their ancestors and those who have crossed over into the spirit realm. Wiccans, like many other pagan traditions, believe in the concept of reincarnation and the eternal nature of the soul. They see death as a natural part of the cycle of life and believe that the spirit continues to exist after death. Remembrance verses are a way to acknowledge and honor this belief, as well as to remember and honor the deceased. Wiccan remembrance verses often include themes of love, gratitude, and the continuation of the soul's journey.

Now is the time to say goodbye to AB.
Ab is now free from any pain or distress s/he may have encountered.
Now is the time for us to let go of any times we hurt AB, and remember the love we shared
Now is the time to say to AB, we forgive you anything that you may have done to hurt us and send you on your way with our unconditional love.
Now, though we may be sad, is the time to remember the laughter we shared, the fun we had and the joy of being in each-others company, trusting that in time these tears of sadness will be replaced by tears of joy.
Goodbye AB, and thank you for being you, and being part of our lives.

Look through the whole world and there is no one like AB, but s he still lives on in your memories, and though no longer a visible part of your lives, AB will always remain a member of your family and of your circle, through the influence s he has had on you and the special part s he played in your lives. Just as the elements came together to create you, so now we ask those same elements enfold you and keep you safe as once again you become part of something greater that each of us and more than we know or understand.

Wiccan remembrance verses often include themes of love, gratitude, and the continuation of the soul's journey. They may reference the elements of nature, such as earth, air, fire, and water, which are important symbols in Wiccan spirituality. The verses may also mention specific gods and goddesses or invoke the presence of the divine.

Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

If this or something similar has been covered elsewhere in posts on the forum please direct me!

cheers and happy Summer!
4leaf

a Quechua prayer
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Where are you going, my father?
I'm going to the great forest, I'm going walking.
Why do you go? Who goes with you?
I go to the harvest, I go alone.

In the woods where you must go
Black flag is waving.
In the open place where you must cross
departing grass spreads cloaks of flowers.

Little Bell,
Ring farewell for me.
I am going to the great forest.
I will never return.

a Souix prayer
-------
My child, you have toiled through life and come to the end: and now our Lord has obliged you. Truly our home is not on earth: only for a while, only briefly do we w do we enjoy the companionship of one another. You have been taken by the Lord, he of the Swirling Waters, and also the Lady of the Land.
He has made you be his servant, he has brought you to his seat. For truly our home is there, our place of creation and ending is there, there where the the earth grows wide, where it all ends.
Now you have gone, gone to what ever kind of place it may be, the place where we all are born, the place we all go to,
At the end of many days you went away and left your children, your grandchildren; you left them orphaned you left them living. We will go and join you, we will be with you at the end of many days.

This short poem was included in a publication of The Nation's Favourite Poems (back in 1998). Although at the time its origins were described as a mystery it had become Britain's favourite poem.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die.

We have a mixture of customs here in Scotland. We lament a birth (lullabys are very dirge-like here) as the child has come from a place of joy to a world of toil. At a funeral we rejoice as the soul returns to the island of everlasting youth midst the great waters of the west.

There is an appropriate time for lamenting, after the proper period has elapsed after passing (3 to 7 days depending on the area) - at the funeral procession, and they do this with much gusto and even professionalism. The clan's greatest keeners and wailers would lead this ritualised keening as they followed the procession.

At the burial itself a poem, or more often song would be sung. One specially composed or a traditional lament. If specially composed it followed traditional lines though. The refrain (weary weary oh, so sad I am without thee) is used as a chorus, and the whole funeral party will sing this together.

The Corries do a version of Griodal Cridhe - a gaelic lament made famous by a Glen Lyon widow. They sing partly in English and partly in Gaelic. "Bheir Mi Oh" sounds like "Wearie Oh" or "Veer Mi Oh", depending on the area the gaelic speaker comes from.

GLENLYON LAMENT
Weary, weary, up the hill,
Weary doon the brae,
Weary by yon riverside,
Where we will meet again.
(weary oh refrain)
Gone where but the west wind blaws,
Gone where but the snow ne'er fa's,
I would sleep where sleepeth ‘ee,
Where the violets grow.

A lot of love songs have the Bheir Mi Oh refrain in them, perhaps implying the loved one is a person that is lost to the west.

THE FAIRY CHASE
I left my darling lying here, a-lying here, a-lying here,
I left my darling lying here, to go and gather blaeberries.
(weary oh refrain)
I’ve lost my darling baby O!
I’ve found the wee brown otter’s track,
(weary oh refrain)
But ne’er a trace of baby O!
I found the track of the swan on the lake,
(weary oh refrain)
But not the track of baby O!
I found the track of the yellow fawn,
but could not trace my baby O!
(weary oh refrain)
I found the trail of the mountain mist,
But ne’er a trace of baby O!

Personally I would like the Afrocelts to play at my funeral, even though their songs are a mix of cultures. "Eistigh Liomsa Sealad" is a perfect keening. "Release" is appropriate as it was written to commemorate a band member who had passed into the west, and features Sinead, it was described as "Proof of the healing powers of music and Sinead's amazing shamanic qualities. Their track "Mother" might be more personal for you, though it is sung in Kinyarwanda.

Don’t argue amongst yourselves
Because of the loss of me
I’m sitting amongst yourselves
Don’t think you can’t see me

Don’t argue amongst yourselves
Because of the loss of me
I haven’t gone anywhere
But out of my body

Reach out and you’ll touch me
Make effort to speak to me
Call out and you’ll hear me
Be happy for me

Don’t argue amongst yourselves
Because of the loss of me
I haven’t gone anywhere
But out of my body

Reach out and you’ll touch me
Make effort to speak to me
Call out and you’ll hear me
Be happy for me

Reach out and you’ll touch me
Make effort to speak to me
Call out and you’ll hear me
Be happy for me

MOTHER - ENGLISH LYRICS

Sun, sun goes down
There is no pain here
Beside her
Beside her

Somewhere deeper I hear her
As from a dream
And it's all that I can keep
Of what might have been

I've fallen down and I'm in your space
And I know that the time has come
To feel your grace

The Clanada Gadellica has collected together a lot of celtic funeral customs, if those interest you. As close as the stone is to the earth, so may the blessing of the gentle protector be as close to you in your times of need.

A lot of love songs have the Bheir Mi Oh refrain in them, perhaps implying the loved one is a person that is lost to the west.

These remembrance verses can be spoken aloud during rituals or private ceremonies, or they can be written in letters, cards, or other forms of written communication. They serve as a way to express emotions, offer blessings, and provide comfort to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. In Wiccan traditions, the practice of remembering and honoring the dead is not limited to specific holidays or anniversaries. Instead, it is seen as an ongoing and continuous part of spiritual practice. Remembrance verses can be recited or revisited whenever the individual feels the need to connect with their loved ones in the spirit realm. Overall, Wiccan remembrance verses are a heartfelt and meaningful way for Wiccans to honor their ancestors and express their love and gratitude to those who have passed away. These verses provide comfort, support, and a sense of connection to the spirits of their loved ones, allowing them to continue their journey in the spiritual realm while still being remembered and cherished by those who remain on the earthly plane..

Reviews for "The Role of Wiccan Remembrance Verses in Rituals and Ceremonies"

1. Karen - 1 star

I found the "Wiccan remembrance verse" to be extremely bizarre and off-putting. I couldn't connect with the overly mystical language and the strange references to nature. It felt like a pseudo-intellectual attempt at poetry that missed the mark completely. I was hoping for something more heartfelt and relatable, but instead, I was left feeling confused and disconnected. Definitely not my cup of tea.

2. Jonathan - 2 stars

As someone who is not familiar with Wiccan traditions, I found the "Wiccan remembrance verse" to be quite confusing. The verses were filled with obscure references to nature and rituals that only Wiccans would understand. It felt exclusive and alienating to anyone who wasn't part of that belief system. Additionally, the writing itself was quite flowery, which made it difficult to grasp the main message of the verse. Overall, I didn't feel a connection to the piece and would not recommend it to others.

3. Sarah - 1 star

I read the "Wiccan remembrance verse" out of curiosity, but it left me disappointed. The verse lacked depth and substance, relying too heavily on clichéd metaphors and vague imagery. It felt like a poorly constructed attempt at evoking emotions, but instead, it came across as shallow and insincere. The verse failed to engage me or leave any sort of lasting impression. I would not recommend it to those seeking a meaningful and thought-provoking piece of writing.

Wiccan Remembrance Verses to Guide Souls to the Afterlife