Whenever I undertake work that is close to my heart, that is transformational, I like to invite spirit, both generally and specifically, to be present and to participate. Being old I know a lot of stuff, but spirit knows and sees way more than I ever can. So it is comforting and wise to have friends and allies to hand, working in partnership with me, so I do not have to rely on my own seeing alone.

Here is a prayer I often use, in this form or another, to invite spirit to be near and around me in whatever undertaking I am turning my hand to. Feel free to use, adapt or otherwise modify to suit your own ends and needs, so long as they are rooted and grounded in compassion and a commitment to work for the good of the whole earthly community.

Spirits of the east, you who throw open the gates of the dawn and invite us to greet the sun, you who are the midwives and nurturers of new beginnings, the protectors of the young, the nourishers of all that is new and uncertain: teach us to nurture, protect and nourish that which is new and tender in us; join us in this conversation; lean in to us and make your wisdom known.

Spirits of the south, you who are the brightness and satisfaction of noon, the coming to fruition and the brightness and bodily joy of high summer: teach us to wiggle out toes in the green grass, to stop and turn our faces to the sun, to love this life we have been given; join us in this conversation; lean in to us and make your wisdom known.

Spirits of the west, you who open the door for the setting sun, who prepare our eyes and hearts with the softening dusk to walk into the velvety dark of the unknown: teach us to be impeccable warriors, unburdened, with no need for enemies in this life or the next; join us in this conversation; lean in to us and make your wisdom known.

Spirits of the north, ancestors of our bodily lineage and of our spiritual lineages, you who have the heart to make the epic journey beyond death and return to stand behind and and to our left hand, to teach, guide and protect us: teach us to be aware of your presence near us and of the richness of your contribution to who we are now; join us in this conversation; lean in to us and make your wisdom known.

Spirits of the sky, the holy winds and the cloud people, Papa Sol our star, Grandmother Moon, star nations of whose stuff we are made: shine you light upon us so that we see ourselves clearly and the path that we are walking; shower your teachings onto us and around us and open our minds to receive them; join us in this conversation; lean in to us and make your wisdom known.

Earth my mother, Earth my mother, Earth my mother, you cradle us now as always; you meet and support us; you remind us that we are bone of your bone, blood of your blood, breath of your breath: teach us to walk with grace upon your skin, to dance in beauty upon your belly, to live in harmony with all your children our relations; join us in this conversation; lean in to us and make your wisdom known.

Blessings on you, my dears, as you go upon your way, as turn your hand to the work you have chosen, as you dream the dream that you are. May you live in beauty.