Ancient Ways

In the scratches of the diamonds , and the screams of the ravens
And the tumbling of the stones, i learn the rituals and old ways
Light the fire, sound the bells, move the smoke, salt the shells, coil the light
Spread the cards, braid the twine, travel inward...
In the smoky wisps of incense, and the whispers of the branches
And the dna of bones, i learn the rituals and old ways:
Light the fire, sound the bells, move the smoke, salt the shells.

Call them forth, raise the power, cut the air, burn the cauldron.

Tana tanus jana janus arisham trutus satur mensus
Tana tanus jana janus kirahm venu thera silvus.

As above so below.

Wisdom of the bone, blessings of the blood, messenger+serpent, travelling below
On the river black, moon+stars above, walking on the tombs of ancestors below
They take my hands, palms to palms, they give me maps
Lines in my hands, a path to guide my way. Cut away the flesh, peeling past the veins
Whittle at the bone, i’m seeing past the grave
In the rusted nails and charcoal, and the shattered glass and damp, cold soil
In the roots of the trees, i learn the rituals and old ways
Light the fire, sound the bells, move the smoke, salt the shells
Coil the light, spread the cards, braid the twine, travel inward.