Canticles of Arkay

You are not alone.

Even now as you stumble on the path

with eyes closed, you shall see with guided hand...

the Light is here.

Draw your last breath, my friend.

Cross this plane and become one

with the land and the stars.

Let Arkay guide you to Aetherius,

sit by the sides of Divines...

and be Forgiven.

—Canticles of Arkay, 2:7–9

O Arkay you gave us this small light

O Arkay you gave us this small light,

this tiny life to outgrow us all.

The future blinded by their shining light

as the hands we once held, will hold us up

Yet all is ephemeral:

a white shroud to cover their bones,

a bright fire to lay them in earth,

a ceremony to honor.

O Arkay may you guide them to peace.

May Aetherium greet them with light surpassing theirs.

May the struggles and pain bleed away

and all that was fought for – receive its due

—Canticles of Arkay, 3:18–21

Arkay, be my light

A prayer to be repeated in aid for meditation.

Arkay, be my light in the dark places of the world.

Guide my hand against the evil that would break the necessary wheel of life.

Illuminate my words so that I may inspire

the wicked and cursed to seek the cure of your even grace.

And reveal to me your will, so that I may endure the night,

until the sun rises again on dawn's beauty.

—Canticles of Arkay, 16:1–3

Arkay, you who are the steward of our souls

Arkay, you who are the steward of our souls,

guide us, your children, as we venture forth,

whether in Divine purpose, or upon paths tread daily,

for what lies before us is unknown.

Darkness occludes our sight, our thoughts, our knowing.

Yet we will continue forward, with your spark in each of our hearts.

May you keep us until our rightful time is come,

and be the might in our righteous, seeking hands,

and keep us safe even in the Eternal After.

—Canticles of Arkay, 1:1–3

Arkay be praised

Arkay be praised, through those who forgive,

through those who endure sickness and trial.

Happy are those who endure in peace,

for by You they will be crowned.

Arkay be praised through the death of the body,

from which no mortal can escape.

Happy are those who die doing Your will.

for death can do no harm to them.

—Canticles of Arkay, 1:7–8

Send Your peace, O Arkay

Send Your peace, O Arkay,

which is perfect and everlasting,

that our souls may radiate peace.

Send Your peace, O Arkay,

that we may be contented

and thankful for the bounties of this world.

Send Your peace, O Arkay,

that amid our worldly strife

we may enjoy Your blessed Neutrality.

Send Your peace, O Arkay,

that we may endure all,

tolerate all in the thought of Your eternal Balance.

Send Your peace, O Arkay,

that our lives may become a mirror,

and in Your light all darkness vanish.

Send Your peace, O Arkay,

who brings us here and bears us away,

that we Your mortal children may unite in Aetherius.

—Canticles of Arkay, 3:1–6

This and that

To light a candle is to cast a shadow.

To pluck the flower of joy is to plant the seed of sorrow.

To expect one thing is to fear everything else.

To look for beauty is to learn about ugliness.

To purify the soul is to think the body unclean.

To be born is to begin to die.

To recognize what is creates what is not.

Opposites, they yearn to each other,

give birth to each other, and are forever reborn,

in a Wheel whose turning gives no safety and has no end.

How long will you see the world as this and that?

Look at how this and that are mingled!

How long will you speak of spirits and bodies?

Look at how this and that are mingled in love!

—Canticles of Arkay, 17:5–12

Meditation on the Wheel

Empty your mind of all thoughts.

Let your heart be at peace.

This is Balance.

Watch your emotions arise,

but contemplate their emptiness.

This is Neutrality.

Watch the turmoil of mortal beings,

but contemplate their return.

This is the Wheel.

Each separate being

returns to Aetherius,

and each return is a return to peace.

When you realize where you come from,

you realize where you are going.

You can deal with whatever life brings you.

And when Arkay comes,

you will be ready.

—Canticles of Arkay, 17:13–18

Arkay let me be a candle