Pagan Prompt: Graces

[ns_kumiho]

Since Thanksgiving is being celebrated in the US today:

Do you offer prayers or graces before you eat? If so what do you say?

Comments

[sarenth]

I do, and I tend to thank the animals and plants' spirits first, then my Gods. It's usually a short, rather impromptu prayer. I may make the Sign of the Hammer or not, depending on the company. I may say it in my heart or not, again, depending on the company. Tonight at Thanksgiving was the first time I said my prayers aloud at the family Thanksgiving, and my very Catholic family said nothing negative at all about it. So, I say up with prayers of thanksgiving, regardless of the season.

A sample prayer might be:
"Thank you (plant, animal) for giving your life for mine. Know that in taking you in, I will honor the nourishment you give me by how I live my life. (Alternatively, I may say "May I/we always remember the sacrifice of your life for mine, and may my actions and words honor that sacrifice.) Thanks to the Gods who have helped me come to this food, who have helped to provide me with another meal, another day of life. Ves Heil."

[ravensong]

Love that sample prayer you just gave! Though I have one question, what does "ves heil" mean?

[sarenth]

Here we go

"The text of the carol employs noun and verb forms of "wassail," a word derived from the Old Norse ves heil and the Old English was hál and meaning "be in good health" or "be fortunate."
http://www.wordnik.com/words/ves%20heil

[sarenth]

Thank you; I'm glad you like it.

[ravensong]

Yes, I do. All year through. I usually thank the plant spirits and my gods (because I am vegetarian--nearly vegan, so no animal spirits to thank), in no particular order. I speak what comes to my mind and it's usually said in my mind/heart depending greatly on the company. More often that not though it's in my heart and not aloud.

My prayers are usually very similar to the sample one sarenth gave~