a prayer for Sigyn

I was reading a book recently that talked extensively about a Jewish prayer drawn from the book of proverbs. It’s a praise poem that husbands are meant to say to their wives every Friday night meal. It begins with the words “woman of valor” and i was quite struck by that. I have, in my own devotions, used that term for Sigyn for many years.

Sigyn: Woman of Valor

A woman of valor,
who can find?
Her value is greater
than any duergar-made jewel. She enriches

Her husband’s hall.
She is the sanctuary of his heart.

She strengthens and supports him all his days.
With her at his side,
he shall lack in nothing.

She is the guardian of their hearth. Her hands are industrious,
Her heart is willing.
She fills her home with delight.

She does not tarry in idleness,
but nourishes all who are within her care. She is diligent at the spindle,
and keeps the keys of her husband’s hall. She maintains a fruitful, frithful home and her heart is ever strong.

Those under her care have nothing to fear. She sets her hands to the distaff,
she holds the spindle in her palms.
She clothes and feeds her household

and their pantry is never bare.

She is courageous,
Strength and honor are her clothing, She meets the future with courage. Her lips bestow wisdom,
and Her tongue is ever kind. Constancy is Her brightest jewel.

Her children praise Her.
Her husband adores Her.
She surpasses all women in honor. Her piety is Her shield.
Her sweetness of heart Her strength.

All temporal beauty fades,
but the mighty heart
of a valorous woman is forever.
Let Her home be full of abundance, She adorned with every blessing.

Always, Her works will praise Her.

 

 

(by G. Krasskova; reposted from an older blog)