BOOK OF SHADOWS

INVOCATION OF THE HORNED GOD & WHITE GODDESS

I have been a stag of seven tines, running

I have been a flood across a wide plain, flowing

I have been a wind over a deep lake, whispering

I have been a tear from the brilliant sun, glistening

I have been a hawk in my nest above the cliff, watching

I have been a wonder among the lovliest flowers, blooming

I have been a god with smoke to fill the head, blazing

I have been a spear that roars for blood, flying

I have been a salmon in a clear pool, swimming

I have been a hill where poets walk, singing

I have been a boar upon the hills ruthless and red, roving

I have been a breaker from the winter sea, thundering

I have been a tide of the ocean, delivering to death and returning...
Who, but I, knows the secrets of the unhewn dolmen?

I am the womb of every holt,

I am the blaze on every hill,

I am the queen of every hive,

I am the shield for every head,

I am the tomb of every hope...
Who, but I, gives birth to all that was, is and shall be?

From "The Song of Amergin" - translated by Robert Graves

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Graves gives two of his own derivations of "The Song of Amergin":

I am a stag of seven tines,

I am a wide flood on a plain,

I am a wind on the deep waters,

I am a shining tear of the sun,

I am a hawk on a cliff,

I am fair among the flowers,

I am a god who sets the head afire with smoke,

I am a battle-waging spear,

I am a salmon in the pool,

I am a hill of poetry,

I am a ruthless boar,

I am a threatening noise of the sea,

I am a wave of the sea,
Who but I knows the secrets of the unhewn dolmen?

*

*

I am a stag of seven tines,

I am a flood across a plain,

I am a wind on a deep lake,

I am a tear the Sun lets fall,

I am a hawk above the cliff,

I am a thorn beneath the nail,

I am a wizard who but I
Sets the cool head aflame with smoke?

I am a spear that roars for blood,