“Write what you know” is how the saying goes, but I think that’s a little limiting. I don’t think you should write from a position of ignorance, but if you want to write about something you don’t know much about, you can always read up on it before you do the writing.
I’ve often said that one of the things I like about this blog is the discovery that comes with doing research and fact-checking – the serendipitous learning that happens along the way.
While writing the three books in the Modern Pagan Prayers series, I got to do a lot of research and a lot of background reading. In particular, for the third book Turn of the wheel, we were writing about specific festivals and the corresponding traditions and folklore, so I needed to read up on divinities and customs I knew little to nothing about.
I was brought up on Bible stories and on Greek and Roman myths, with a smattering of North American, Asian and Scandinavian traditions, so my associations with autumn were pretty much limited to Persephone and harvest festival. I’d never come across the Goddess Rosmerta.
In fact there isn’t a great deal that is known about her and a lot that is online seems to be speculation. This, then is the harvest praise song that I wrote based on the little I could discover. I’m posting it here now as Mabon – the Autumn Equinox – is coming up in just a couple of days’ time and it’s a good time to give thanks and be grateful, not just for the earth’s harvest.
To Rosmerta, the Most Providential
Generous Lady, Goddess Queen,
Great Provider, Bringer of Plenty,
we bless you and praise you;
we welcome your abundant gifts.We thank you for your open-handedness,
for sharing with us unstintingly
from your limitless bounty.Caring Lady, Goddess Queen,
within whose authority lie health and fertility,
we bless you and praise you;
we welcome your abundant gifts.We thank you for our strength and energy,
for granting us physical and mental wellbeing
and for guiding those who care for us.
Prudent Lady, Goddess Queen,Protector of Traders, Companion of Mercury,
we bless you and praise you;
we welcome your abundant gifts.We thank you for sharing your wisdom
and for granting us acumen and competence
in our worldly schemes and business.Lady Rosmerta, Goddess Queen,
generous, caring, prudent,
we bless you and praise you;
we welcome your abundant gifts.
don't confuse the narrator 