In my first-year witchcraft apprenticeship, I learned many different techniques for protection, and one of my favorites was something called a Lorica.
From Wikipedia:
In the Christian monastic tradition, a lorica is a prayer recited for protection. It is essentially a ‘protection prayer’ in which the petitioner invokes all the power of God as a safeguard against evil in its many forms. The Latin word lōrīca originally meant “armor” or “breastplate.” Both meanings come together in the practice of placing verbal inscriptions on the shields or armorial trappings of knights, who might recite them before going into battle.
I wrote my own Lorica, using the opening and closing from the Lorica of St. Patrick (not a big fan of him, but hey, his Lorica is nice!), and I love to say it first thing in the morning.
If you’re familiar with the seven-chakra system, you’ll see that I’ve used that as the framework for many of the stanzas. I like to focus on each chakra as I recite the relevant lines, feeling the energy moving from my root to my crown. I’ll even touch those parts of my body to really integrate the experience and weave the energy of protection throughout my entire being.
If the seven-chakra system is new to you, here’s what to look for in the prayer:
- Earth/Grounded/Body = root chakra
- Water/Flowing/Emotions = navel chakra
- Fire/Burning/Will = solar plexus chakra
- Breath/Inspiration/Heart = heart chakra
- Sound/Vibrating/Voice = throat chakra
- Light/Seeing/Vision = third eye chakra
- All/Oneness/Divine = crown chakra
My Witchy Lorica
I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Grounded in the Earth
Flowing with the Water
Burning with the Fire
Inspired by the Breath
Vibrating with the Sound
Seeing by the Light
Connected to the All.
I arise today
Guided by the Mother
Asking and receiving
Creating and connecting
Guided by the Father
Engaging and directing
Mastering and protecting.
I summon the powers
Of my body and emotions
My Will and my heart
My voice and my vision
And the Divine that unites them all.
The Goddess and the God are within and without
Above and below
In my words and in my heart
In my mind and in my soul.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.