Calendar of the Moon 9 Ruis/Poseideon Day of Arawn Colours: Black and brown Element: Earth Altar: Upon a black cloth lay four bowls of incense, a goblet of clear liquor, and the figures of black dogs and black horses. Offerings: Resist a temptation. Keep a promise. Daily Meal: Game birds, such as duck or turkey. Invocation to Arawn Dark Lord of Annwfn, Keeper of the Country of the Black Sun, King of the Land Under the Earth, Grey-Cloaked, Silver-Tongued, Rider of the Pale Horse, We call your name into the echoing silence. (All whisper: "Arawn, Arawn, Arawn!") You are the tester of those who believe They are the image of honour; Your silver tongue guides us deeper Into the swamps of our illusions Until we find ourselves hunted down By the fierce howling of your hounds, And we learn truth, hard truth, running Like a rabbit through the thorns. (All whisper: "Arawn, Arawn, Arawn!" Your hounds were pilfered And yet your judgment dogs our guilty heels. Your deer were stolen And yet your truth follows us fleet of foot. Your lapwing bird cries in our ears A song of accusation that we cannot shut out. Your swine were stolen And yet it is we who must learn to sacrifice. (All whisper: "Arawn, Arawn, Arawn!") Guardian of the Ancestral Tree, Master Hunter who moves in shadow, Whose doors are the wild springs of the wood, May we never mistake your tests For mere random cruelty, Lest we lose the wisdom to be found In the dark depths of your implacable eyes. (All whisper: "Arawn, Arawn, Arawn!") Let us drink from your bitter cauldron, Let us bow in respect and reverence Before you and your dread lady Whose cold hand we dare not touch; Let us learn to keep our promises, To resist the temptation to think That we know better than the Gods, And to prove our honor in your eyes. Bless us, Lord of Annwfn, And may we all survive the chase Wiser than we were when we began. (All howl like hounds, then when silence falls, all shall kneel before the altar and think of what temptation pulls them to betray honor and vows. Each shall whisper it to Arawn, and then whisper their promise anew, to be heard and held by Him.)
[source:paganbookofhours.org]