Rituals are celebrations of Esbats, Sabbats, Rites of Passage and are also times set aside for magickal work, meditation,
communing with the Goddess and God, and for a myriad of reasons dreamed up by Pagans. Typically, a ritual includes the use of tools,
however, this is by no means a requirement. Tools can be store bought, made from natural items or gleaned from around the house. Your tools should
be objects that feel good to you, so if something catches your eye, don't hesitate to use it. On the other hand, not having tools does not mean you can't
have a ritual. Improvisation is a fun and creative way to celebrate.
With that in mind, this is a graphic that shows a common layout for an altar, and names the
tools. There are many ways to set up an altar or shrine, though, and as you will see, my own altar is arranged somewhat chaotically (which should tell you something about me!). I have included a photo of my own personal altar, which demonstrates a variety of things you can include
on your own altar. I like to have candles for each of the cardinal directions, and one for spirit, as well as natural objects such as herbs, nuts, acorns, stones,
feathers, beans, seeds and amulets. My wand, which is not pictured, is a fallen branch from an apple tree. It is always nice
to give thanks and leave an offering of some sort when taking objects from nature. I have seen many beautiful hand carved and crystal wands also.
(Please do not take this graphic of my altar, it is my personal sacred space.)
Purification of Self
This part of ritual preparation includes bathing, annointing your body with oils, meditation,
deep breathing, standing in the wind, drumming, or smudging with incense. The purpose is to prepare yourself
for the coming ritual, clear your mind, free yourself from the negativity that we all encounter in our daiy lives
and focus your awareness on the ritual to come.
Purification of Space
Similar to Purification of the Self, this part of ritual preparation is designed to
prepare the space where
your ritual will be performed. This can be done by physically cleaning or sweeping
the area, visualizing energy clearing while sweeping the area with the magic broom
(it is not necessary to have the bristles touch the floor), sprinkling water, salt
or herbs such as Rosemary, Sage or Frankincense, or smudging the area.
Creating Sacred Space
This preparation includes setting up the altar and forming the Circle. The altar
can be arranged on a table or on the ground, in the center of the Circle, toward the
sides, facing North or East.
Some like to represent each element and its corresponding direction with an
appropriate colored candle.
The Circle is cast from North to West through meditative visualization, dancing, chanting, walking in a circle with an
athame or wand, marking the area with a ribbon or cord, salt, herbs, or drawing a circle
on the earth if you are outdoors. Another pleasant way to cast a Circle with a
group is to cast it "hand to hand". Here, participants sit or stand, and one at a
time, hold the hand of the person to their left, stating "Hand to hand I cast the Circle"
until all in the Circle are holding hands. At this point, the "Circle is cast".
It is preferable that no one enter or leave the Circle once it is cast. This is to
preserve the flow of energy in the desired area,
and is also a demonstration of respect. When one must enter or exit, a "door"
can be "cut" in the space to allow passage, with the athame or the hand. Another pleasant way to cut a door is
to pantomime an unzipping of a tent, which can then be zipped
closed. All told, though, it is acceptable to leave the Circle if staying
would cause you any type of discomfort...anyone who had attended a Circle
would agree that a full bladder, for example, can make for an unpleasant experience and it
is not the purpose of ritual to be uncomfortable.
This is a good time to invoke the Elements.
INVOCATION OF THE ELEMENTS
:::As you light the candle for each Direction:::
Spirit of Air in the East
Let me unite with you
That I may have wisdom and intuition
Spirit of Fire in the South
Let me unite with you
That I may have passion and creativity
Spirit of Water in the West
Let me unite with you
That I may have fluid motion
Spirit of Earth in the North
Let me unite with you
That I may have stability and steadfastness
Invocation
This portion of ritual is the invitation extended to the Goddess and God to join the Circle.
This can be done with a simple or more elaborate prayer, depending on your preference.
INVOCATION OF THE GODDESS
:::Light the Goddess Candle:::
Gracious Goddess,
You who are the Queen of the Gods
The lamp of night
The creatrix of all that is wild and free
Mother of woman and man
Lover of the Horned God and Protectress of all
Descend, I pray
With your lunar ray of power
Upon my circle here.
INVOCATION OF THE GOD
:::Light the God Candle:::
Blazing God
You who are the King of the Gods
Lord of the Sun
Master of all that is wild and free
Father of woman and man
Lover of the Moon Goddess and Protector of all
Descend, I pray
With your Solar ray of power
Upon my circle here.
Ritual Observance
If your ritual is a celebration of a Sabbat or Esbat, this is the time to engage
in whatever celebrations you have chosen. This may be a meditation, giving of thanks,
moment to commune, or marking of a transition, planting of seeds, decoration of a Yule tree,
wrapping of ribbons around a May pole, painting of eggs, or whatever you feel is appropriate.
Energy Raising
This is the time for magical workings or the movement of natural energies to effect needed
change. Magic is usually worked while attuning with the Goddess and God, asking that they
lend their presence and strength to the task. Esbats and Sabbats are good times to work
magic, though some prefer to focus on celebration and attunement during Sabbats and do not
engage in magical workings at this time.
It is important to note that any magic that is designed to harm, control, "hex" or usurp the free will
of another creature, even if you feel it is in their best interest is negative magic. This is
the Wiccan Rede, "'An it harm none, do what you will". Beware that practicing negative magic
leaves you open to receiving negativity back, threefold.
Magic is highly personal. There are many sources for spellworking to get you started. I find
that the spells you design yourself are among the most effective.
Earthing the Power
Once you have completed your magical or other workings, residual energy remains. The Circle and remaining energy should be "earthed" or
grounded. A common way to do this is to consume "Cakes and Ale" in a "Simple Feast", or some variation such as cookis and milk, crackers and juice,
crescent cakes and wine. (Remember to take into consideration that not everyone at your circle
may be comfortable with drinking or using wine.) The food is often blessed and a small offering is made to the Goddess and God by
scattering crumbs and liquid on the ground or in a special libation bowl if indoors. Sharing the simple feast
with others in the Circle can be done by having each person in the room offer the Cakes and Ale to the person to their left,
and using the words
"May you never hunger
May you never thirst"
To bless the Wine:
Gracious Goddess of Abundance
Bless this wine and infuse it with Your love
In your names, Mother Goddess and Father God
I bless this wine
To bless the Cakes:
Powerful God of the Harvest
Bless these cakes and infuse them with your love
In your names, Mother Goddess and Father God
I bless these cakes
Thanking the Deities
This part of ritual includes thanking the Goddess and God their presence and
attendance at their Circle. This can be done improvisationally, with gestures, chants
or music.
O Goddess within
O God within
O Goddess of the Moon, Waters and Earth
O God of the Forests and Mountains
I give thanks for my many blessings
Go if you must
Stay if you will
Releasing the Circle
Here you release the four Elements, visualize the energy of the Circle being absorbed
by the attendees by the Earth and return the room to its normal state.
Farewell
Northern Spirit of Earth
Eastern Spirit of Air
Southern Spirit of Fire
Western Spirit of Water
I give thanks for your presence here
Go if you must
Stay if you will
The Circle is open, but remains unbroken
Merry Meet and Merry Part
And Merry Meet again!
