138 139 Dhul-Nun, the Egyptian God, never do I listen to the voice of an animal or the rustling of a tree, the bubbling of water or the song of a bird, the roar of the wind or the rumbling of thunder, without finding that they testify to Your uniqueness and indicate that there is no one like You, that You are the Ruler who cannot be ruled, the Wise who knows no unawareness, the Just who is not cruel, the Trustworthy, who does not lie! From Islamic mysticism (Sufism) From the Wessobrunn Prayer, around 800 This I found, from men, as the foremost wisdom, That neither earth there was, nor sky above; Nor tree, nor hill there was. Nor starts there were; nor shone the sun. Nor moon-light there was, nor the salty sea. Nothing there was: neither end, nor limit. And there was the One Almighty God, The mildest of men; and many were with them, Godly Ghosts: and God the Holy. God Almighty! Thou wroughtest Heaven and Earth; And to men Thou gavest so much good. Give me the right belief in Thy grace; And a good will, wisdom, and also prudence; Virtue wherewith to withstand the Devils, To drive away Evil, And to work Thy Will. From: Karl Blind, “An Old German Poem and a Vedic Hymn“, Fraser’s Magazine for Town and Country 15 (1877), p. 726 Prayer of the Iroquois We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us. We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water. We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases. We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters, the beans and squashes, Which give us life. We return thanks to the bushes and trees, which provide us with fruit. We return thanks to the wind, which, moving the air, has banished diseases. We return thanks to the moon and stars, Which have given to us their light when the sun has gone. We return thanks to our grandfather He-no, That he has protected his grandchildren from witches and reptiles, and has given to us his rain. We return thanks to the sun, that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eve. Lastly, We return thanks to the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness, And who directs all things for the good of his children. From: Alfred Savinelli, Plants of Power. An historical survey of the divine nature of plants and ritual communication through plant helpers to the spirit world. Taos, N.M. 1997, 9
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