Singing to the Directions: A Morning Devotional

This morning on the way to work, I did something I have not done in a long time; I sang to the directions. Growing up this is how I learned to ritually call to the four quarters; not by invoking or summoning. Which there is nothing wrong with at all, in fact I generally use a traditional invocation.

For those that don’t know, I grew up attending a Contemporary Pagan Church; specifically the Church of Rhiannon out of Middle Georgia. My Uncle was one of the founding members and my Dad became involved when I was very young. It is only in my adulthood that I have begun to understand how their practice, and the slight differences therein, has shaped the manner of my own practice. Let’s just say that CoR developed about itself lore and praxis that beget its own perspective, that although clearly Contemporary Pagan it could not be classified within the sphere of Wicca, Druidry, or any other similar path.  

In CoR’s standard ritual liturgy, they sang to the four directions. From about the age of nine until I left home years later, this was the way I saw the directional provinces related to. The method was simple; turn towards the east and sing the appropriate call, they used the same four mini-songs every time, and then the Thegn, Gate Guardian and Keeper of the Veil, would sound their horn, or conch, to open the gateway to that realm, repeat in the south, west, and north. The singing was not an invocation, it asked nothing of the powers of the direction, but only called to them and sang who they were. This singing was about getting the attention of the direction, revering said powers, and attuning oneself to them; a joining of unity unto them.

It is not something that I do very often, but I did it this morning. I didn’t plan it or even think about. I simply noticed the sun cresting the eastern horizon and began to sing the old CoR calls. It felt good, it felt right. Mayhaps (Maybe + Perhaps) I will make this a part of my morning devotional.

For those that have never done this, I encourage you to try, write a short three or four line verse about the energies of each direction and then sing it with abandon to each of the directions, while focusing upon nothing but allowing the song to connect the two.

Happy singing!

Boidh se!

-Spanish Moss

"Lost in a thicket bare-footed upon a thorned path."