Post by robincragin on Oct 27, 2015 17:02:18 GMT -5
One important practice during Samhain is chanting the Bagabi incantation. Scholars suggest that the Bagabi was written in a long-dead version of the Basque language. There are several versions of the Bagabi incantation that circulate within the Wiccan community and with this distribution, the chant has acquired some changes. The oldest verified version of the text comes from the thirteenth-century troubadour Rutebeuf’s manuscript, which is now part of the permanent collection of the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.
On Samhain, Witches traditionally chant the Bagabi incantation while walking widdershins, (which means counterclockwise in Wiccan parlance) around the perimeter of a magical ritual space that they create. This widdershins movement ritually symbolizes the state of death as a counter-movement to life. In combination, both the widdershins movement and ancient sounds of the Bagabi form a great mandala, a magnificent symbol of the interplay between the principles of life and death.
In today’s practice, chant the Bagabi incantation, and simultaneously walk, taking one small step for each word you recite. You will be combining the practice of moonwalking—which you learned in earlier lessons—and chanting. In some covens, a drum is beaten for each step participants take while chanting the Bagabi. If you know someone who might drum for you, you can try this technique out.
As you attempt to chant the Bagabi (and i say attempt, because the words are difficult for everyone to pronounce!) do not focus on the words themselves. Focus your attention on what the chant seems to evoke for you. If you focus on pronunciation, you will miss the point of the practice. Move into the heart of the practice, which is all about evoking the interplay between the opposing energies of endings and beginnings.
Bagabi laca bachabe
Lamac cahi achabe
Karrelyos
Lamac lamec bachalyas
Cabahagy sabalyos
Baryolas
Lagozatha cabyolas
Harrahya!
Palas aron ozinomas
Baske bano tudan dona
Geheamed cla orlay
Berec he pantaras tay.
Beautiful chant for ritual by Starhawk.
"A year of beauty, a year of plenty.
A year of planting, a year of harvest.
A year of forests, a year of healing.
A year of vision, a year of passion.
A year of rebirth.
This year may we renew the Earth.
This year may we renew the Earth.
Let it begin with each step we take,
And let it begin with each change we make.
And let it begin with each chain we break.
Let it begin each time we wake."
When you are finished with the chant, sit down and sense any changes of energy within the physical environment, or within yourself. Take time to journal about your experiences or talk about the experience with a friend.
On Samhain, Witches traditionally chant the Bagabi incantation while walking widdershins, (which means counterclockwise in Wiccan parlance) around the perimeter of a magical ritual space that they create. This widdershins movement ritually symbolizes the state of death as a counter-movement to life. In combination, both the widdershins movement and ancient sounds of the Bagabi form a great mandala, a magnificent symbol of the interplay between the principles of life and death.
In today’s practice, chant the Bagabi incantation, and simultaneously walk, taking one small step for each word you recite. You will be combining the practice of moonwalking—which you learned in earlier lessons—and chanting. In some covens, a drum is beaten for each step participants take while chanting the Bagabi. If you know someone who might drum for you, you can try this technique out.
As you attempt to chant the Bagabi (and i say attempt, because the words are difficult for everyone to pronounce!) do not focus on the words themselves. Focus your attention on what the chant seems to evoke for you. If you focus on pronunciation, you will miss the point of the practice. Move into the heart of the practice, which is all about evoking the interplay between the opposing energies of endings and beginnings.
Bagabi laca bachabe
Lamac cahi achabe
Karrelyos
Lamac lamec bachalyas
Cabahagy sabalyos
Baryolas
Lagozatha cabyolas
Harrahya!
Palas aron ozinomas
Baske bano tudan dona
Geheamed cla orlay
Berec he pantaras tay.
Beautiful chant for ritual by Starhawk.
"A year of beauty, a year of plenty.
A year of planting, a year of harvest.
A year of forests, a year of healing.
A year of vision, a year of passion.
A year of rebirth.
This year may we renew the Earth.
This year may we renew the Earth.
Let it begin with each step we take,
And let it begin with each change we make.
And let it begin with each chain we break.
Let it begin each time we wake."
When you are finished with the chant, sit down and sense any changes of energy within the physical environment, or within yourself. Take time to journal about your experiences or talk about the experience with a friend.