Taurokatharpsia

Mother Earth, womb of life,
this day you feast on blood bovine!
Mother Earth, cradle of light,
This day we dance on bulls divine!

Flowers adorn the beast,
A youth on its bare back -
Blood in the nostrils,
Horns of gold,
the sacrifice's nigh
Minoan might,
Kingdom of kings!

She who holds the serpents twined,
Goddess of both night and day -
Your bestial sons see us ride
A frenzied dance, the pipes that wail,
A mystic hymn, the drum that beats
That pound aloud, what ecstasies now
Adorn you shrines and altars alike!

Mother Earth, womb of life,
Fires burn bright, the ancient rites!
Mother Earth, cradle of light
Rebirth by blood, accept this sacrifice...