A formal ceremony at the beginning of meals encourages us to reflect on our 
good fortune, but the usual "graces" are monotheistic and patriarchal. 
Therefore I have composed a Pagan "grace" that may be useful for holidays or 
even for ordinary meals.  If the bracketed references to the Gods are deleted, 
it shouldn't even offend (reasonably open-minded) Christian guests.  "Gratia" 
means thanks, thankfulness, gratefulness, kindness, charm, pleasantness, etc., 
all attitudes conducive to a centered meal.  The Gratiae (Graces) were 
Goddesses who "stand for the joy and beauty produced by the blessings of 
fertile nature and by other things that evoke spontaneous emotion of 
pleasure."  They included Euphrosune (Joy), Kale (the Beautiful), Aglaia (the 
Radiant), Thaleia (the Flowering) and Auxo (the Grower) -- all Goddesses we 
should welcome to our table. 

                                 GRATIA PAGANA
                                 John Opsopaus

{In the following, the "dedications" can be made in a small bowl or into a 
fire.  One person may officiate, making dedications from the common dishes, or 
everyone can make dedications from their own dishes.  Alternately, each person 
may take a part, making dedications from their own dish or the common dishes.} 

  "We are grateful [to Demeter] for the fruits of the earth.

  In recognition of our gratitude we give back this grain."

{Dedicate a piece of bread, some grain, or other plant material.} 

  "We are grateful [to Artemis] for the animals who have 
    given their life that we may eat meat.

  In recognition of our gratitude we give back this flesh."

{Dedicate a small piece of fat or other meat.}

  "We are grateful [to Dionysus] that nature transforms food 
    that we may enjoy it better.

  In recognition of our gratitude we give back this wine 
    (beer, cheese, yogurt, etc.)."

{Pour out a little wine, beer, etc. or dedicate some cheese, yogurt, etc.} 

  "May we always enjoy Nature's abundance and recognize our good fortune."

{The "offerings" are left throughout the meal as a reminder; after the meal 
they are returned to the earth in some way.} 

Since the point of the ceremony is to make the participants mindful of the 
sources of their good fortune, it is better to skip the ceremony altogether 
than to perform it perfunctorily. 

                                                                       
                                 B*B,  JO