Beat the Hoof & Turn the Wheel Drumming Chant

This drumming chant is a rhythmic invocation of movement and power, designed to build energy through sound and motion. Performed with drumming, clapping, stomping, bells, or even a metronome, this chant begins at a steady, deliberate pace, gradually intensifying as the rite unfolds[1].

Beat the hoof, turn the wheel,
Flesh to fire, hand to steel.
Beat the hoof, turn the wheel,
Wake the path and make the seal.

Wind in the trees, tide in the sand,
Storm on the hill, fire in the hand.
Wind in the trees, tide in the sand,
Round we go at the witches’ command.

Faster, faster, ‘round we tread,
Tongue of the fire, crown of the dead!
Faster, faster, stir the deep,
Wake the road where the wild gods leap!

The drumming peaks in intensity. At the final line, stop suddenly and completely—holding the energy at its height.

Now is the hour, the fire is fed,
Power is waking, the charm is said!

At this moment, energy is released into the working.

[1] In some instances, such as when working with recorded music or with a metronome, it can be difficult to change the intensity of a chant through pace. However, intensity can also be adjusted through volume and through the force with which you pronounce your words.