What do wiccans/pagans say for grace?

Question

Christians say grace before eating

"Dear Lord, for what we are about to recive, may we be truly thankful. ahmen"

as do many other religions and even cultures

Japan : Itadakimasu!

My mum says there is a traditional one or so that wiccans (pagans) use. does anyone know what it is?

Answer 1

Hocrap, I didn't know I was s'posed to say something before eating. Well, I'm sure I'm not the only one, so maybe it ain't so bad.

The only exception to this, for me, would be during a ritual. xP

Answer 2

The only time that my, friends and family say a kind of pagan grace is usually during ritual, when we're either eating, sharing food or usually offering the left overs or passing offerings.

Pre christianity pagans lived in tribes usually so I can't imagine there were many set rules for most small things like this. There are many dieties that were passed around, but they often changed in meaning/name etc as well. Maybe not until the druids anyways.

As far as I know there is no set speech as most neo paganism is modern so nothing wrong with doing what most groups, families do and inventing your own, it makes it much more personal as well.  

Answer 3

DIE GOAT!!!!

Answer 4

At my house?

"Hail Freyr for his bounty and Frigga for her blessings"

Though my daughter does insist on holding hands.

Answer 5

I'm not aware of a specific traditional prayer of thanks at meals, but we do thank the Lord and Lady for the bounty which feeds us, and we make an extra effort to acknowledge the path from soil to seed to root to vine to fruit, as it were.  Sun and soil and rain and wind.  This is true even with regards to meat dishes, because the animals we eat tend to be vegetarians, and therefore being thankful for the plant cycle is still important.  

Someone else here said "I paid for this food, I owe you nothing."  Well, in a sense that person is right, of course.  But there are two reason I don't share that sentiment.  First, being grateful for the animal who gave it's life (willingly or not) for us to eat and for the fertility of the soil is a good way to remind ourselves that we're not separate from the life cycle of the planet.  Feeling grateful is, in my opinion, healthy and freeing.  Second, if the planet wasn't fertile, no amount of money would buy one enough food to fill one's belly, so perhaps thanks are in order, anyway.

Just my opinion, of course.

Answer 6

I have never heard of any table prayers for Pagans.

In most traditions we bless the animal at the time of

sacrifice... but since most people today buy their meat

at the grocery store already dead, it's too late then.

Christian grace is merely a poor imitation of our Pagan

sacrifice rituals. They don't get the idea that the ritual

was for the animals spirit as well as to express thanks

for the food. They forget about the animal and just act

like it's life doesn't count.

And they call us barbarians...

Answer 7

I don't know about the others, but I just sit down and eat.

Answer 8

There is no traditional public pagan/wiccan prayer for dining, unless however your mother is one of the Wica, then that's a different story and not to mention that makes her an Oathbreaker. So....either way you slice it, it's a dirty cake.

Answer 9

"We paid for this food, so thanks for nothing."

Answer 10

I usually just eat. But, back in the day, some would give offerings to show gratification. That wouldn't be right before they eat. Although, I have actually seen some that will pour an extra drink and put out an extra plate of food for their deity to show respect. I guess that could apply for this.

Answer 11

I'm not sure your mum is correct.

At sacred feasts we usually say something along the lines of "We celebrate your bounty that we better understand our own."