Inspired by a poem that was inspired by a poem by the late Doreen Valiente, "Witches' Rune" was recorded for the Blessings album as part ritual, part celebration, and part invitation to dance.
From S. J.:
"I chose "Witches' Rune" for Witchy Ways because it's appropriate for Samhain, the Witches' New Year often celebrated right next to (and right next door to) Halloween, as well as any given sacred witchy day. Magic(k) is most evident to me around this time of year, when many people say that the veil is thin. And I believe you can't have a proper holiday without dancing. I often emphasize the 'DANCE with us our witches' rune' lyric at my live shows, when there is room for the crowd to dance. Life is too short not to celebrate. Even when we are honoring our dead, I believe there should be room to dance."
A portion of all download sales of WITCHY WAYS goes to support Wolf Haven International, as part of the Online Hallowe'en Artists' Studio Trick-or-Treat.
Darksome Night and Shining Moon
Balance of the dark and light,
hearken ye our Witch's Rune,
as we perform our sacred rite!
With earth and water, air and fire,
by blade and bowl and circle round,
we come to you with our desire:
let all that is hidden now be found!
With censor, candle, book and sword,
and ringing of the altar bell,
we tie a knot within our cord
to bind our magic in a spell.
Mother of the summer fields,
goddess of the silver moon,
join with us as power builds!
dance with us our witch's rune!
Father of the Summer dew
Hunter of the winter snows
With open arms we welcome you!
Dance with us as power grows!
By all the light of moon and sun,
by all the might of land and sea,
chant the rune and it is done.
As we will, so mote it be!
credits
from Witchy Ways: an October Mix-tape,
released October 1, 2013
from Blessings, 2007
Vocals, guitars, music and lyrics by S. J. Tucker, from a poem by Scott Sumers.
Tracked and mixed by Ginger Doss, Eagle Audio
“Without our songs and stories, we are nothing.” S. J. Tucker has been captain of her own music career since 2004, when she
left the workaday world behind to sing songs and change lives. Tucker is the voice of lore at the campfire and the sharp laughter of modern myth. With one hand anchored in her art and the other held out to us, she is songs and stories, community and wit....more
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