Winning the Waters: An Avestan Water Blessing

Winning the Waters: An Avestan Water Blessing

All Waters come from Anahita and all Waters are Anahita.
All Waters, by essence of their nature, are sacred.

Hold up vessel of water at chest level
These Waters before us have been won, 

By virtue of our sacrifices and devotion to She who is the Waters. 

The Waters are strong and bright, and so they give us strength and brilliance.
The Waters are tall and beautiful, and so they aid is in reaching new heights and surround us with beauty.

The Waters flow from on high in a tempest as vast as the whole of the waters of the Earth, 

The Motherly Flow of Waters—if only we beseech them to come to us!

We stand before her, Ardvi Sura Anahita, 

Wide-expanding and health-giving,

Who is worthy of sacrifice in the material world,

Worthy of prayer in the material world,

Life-increasing and holy, 

Who makes the seed of man pure and the womb of woman bring forth life.

She asks of us, “Who will praise me?”

I ask you, (Raise vessel) Will you praise her?

All: We will! (lower to chest level)

She asks of us, “Who will offer me a sacrifice, with libations cleanly prepared and well-strained in three pours?”

I ask you, (Raise vessel) Will you offer her sacrifice?

All: We Will! (lower to chest level)

She asks of us, “To whom shall I cleave, who cleaves unto me, and thinks with me, and bestows gifts unto me and is of good will unto me?”
I ask you, (Raise vessel) Will you cleave unto her and bestow her with gifts?
All: We will! (lower to chest level)

For her brightness and glory, we offer her a sacrifice in three pours.

Anahita, Waters of Life!

Grant us our boons! (pour out small amount of water)

Heed our call and our devotion! (pour out small amount of water)

And grant us Blessings this day!  (pour out small amount of water)

We offer to you in three streams that you may bless us with the Waters of Life!
Anahita, Give us the Waters!

All: Anahita, Give us the Waters!
Anahita, Give us the Waters!

All: Anahita, Give us the Waters!
Anahita, Give us the Waters!

All: Anahita, Give us the Waters!
(Raise vessel high)
Behold, the Waters of Life!
All: Behold! The Waters of Life!