A Norse Path New Year's Prayer
May your life be filled
with warmth and with good cheer,
may you feel the gods’ succor
in times when you fear.
May the compassion you give
be returned when you need,
may you never know hunger
when the hungry you feed.
May your home echo of sweet tidings
from dear ones you hold,
may your family be delivered
from enemies, the cruel and the bold.
May the visitors be kind
that come to your door;
may the children know mirth
whom play at your floor.
May your hearth burn bright,
may your pantry stay full,
may your judgments be fair,
may you serve whom you rule;
and when tyrants attack
or pretenders pretend,
may you know equity
for the peace you extend.
May you enjoy the wealth
no coinage can buy;
the gold of friendship:
a lover who can’t lie;
may the kisses you yield
and the passions you chase
may they be returned or refused
with honor and grace.
May you be comforted in loss,
may your grief be allayed,
may all your sorrows be lifted
by joyful memories you’ve made.
May your trials be short
and the goodwill you have shown,
spread as ivy wherever
in the world it’s been sown.
May the light of hope
gather around,
and cling to you dearly
whenever darkness surrounds.
I wish you the Great Blessing,
which can’t be bartered or sold -
that whatever in love you give,
may it return to you threefold.
And whatever befalls you
far away or just near,
I wish you happiness
every day of this year.
©December 31, 2015 by Beth Perry
