Dear people,

I have a special question. Does anyone know the original words for the Anam Cara (anamchara) ritual. I only know the english version but really don't know if it is original. I've try o find the Gaelge version, but unfortunately coudn't find them. Maybe the verses below aren't the real words. If anyone knows the real words I would appreciate your kind help. Go raibh maith agat. The English words are:

In the presence of the Creative Source
In our consciousness of the Divine within us
In connection with the Spirit that inspires us
In friendship and affection
Let the power of eternal and loving presence
Bless us with strength and compassion
Love towards God
The affection of God
The smile of God
The wisdom of God
The grace of God
The awesomness of God
The will of God
Guide us so we might do our work in the world
as angels and saints do in heaven
Each shadow and light
Each day and night
Eacht time in kindness
Give Though us Thy Spirit
Merge our souls

To be quite honest, I'm pretty sure this whole 'anam cara ritual' is a load of horse crap. Looking at your version given below, this seems even more likely as anamchara, in Irish, does not translate as having anything to do with friendship, but instead refers to a spiritual mentor. And Googling it just brings up a lot of new-agey blogs that seem like the type to appropriate an Irish word they don't understand.

Sorry if that came off as harsh, and we could still translate it for you, but it really has nothing to do with anything traditionally Irish, and there seems to have been o such thing as an 'anam cara ritual'.

It is, I'm afraid, complete and utter bullshit.

Redwolf

Dear domynikha,

What a lovely piece of poetry.
I can confirm for you that the original language of this poetry is English, not Irish.
How lucky for you that you can enjoy it in its original language

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ЯГОН ТОҶИК НЕСТ ИНҶО???

To my knowledge the "anamchairdeas" you refer to is a new Wiccan concept rather than a historical one from irish folklore.

Although in Wicca and other Neo-Pagan religious movements there is often inspiration and sometimes vocabulary borrowed from Irish and its mythology, as far as I am aware none of the scripture or rituals themselves are written or composed originally in Irish. Although many practitioners and believers in such faiths are drawn to the Irish language, my understanding is that these beliefs have their roots in an English-speaking community rather than an Irish-speaking one.

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ЯГОН ТОҶИК НЕСТ ИНҶО???

"Anamchara" isn't Wiccan. It's an Irish word. It just doesn't mean what they want it to mean. It simply means "confessor" (as in the guy who hears your confession before Mass)

Redwolf