In the What is Wicca page, I talk about how Wicca is a religion and how hollywood exagerates what witchcraft is all about. Due to movies like The Craft, and tv shows like Charmed, alot of teens today are discovering the Olde religion. Theres nothing wrong with this, but one must realize that its not like on tv and movies. I find too many people are imitating what they see and run around calling themselves witches, threatening to "hex" anyone who stands in their way. Not only is it insulting but it is humilliating to an allready misunderstood religion and those who practice. Not that I'm all innocent, it does come in handy when you need to get some people off you'r back, but the truth is most would laugh. Before you even concider doing a ritual to devote yourself to a God and Goddess path, it is usually recommended that you study and experiment for a year and a day. Yes thats what I said, experiment. What good does it do to perform a ritual if you can't even cast the circle without feeling uneasy, which is ment to protect you in the first place? You don't have to cast spells or do a self dedication ritual in order to be Wiccan. However, if you choose to, then practice is in order! Some people after a year and a day don't do any rituals to start their devotion to their new path because they feel that belief is enough. Theres nothing wrong with this. Me, well..., I was 11 1/2 when I started my studies, and it wasn't until Imbolc (Candle Lammas) when I was 14 that I did such a ritual. This and Esbats are the best times to do them, but anytime you want is fine. Because I had just come out of "the broom closet" (a term used for when a witch admits to being one to someone who did not know) I did not feel comfortable going outside at night, and admiting what I was doing to the people who were home. So, it was done in my room, lights out, candles lit, and soft pagan music playing at a low level. (yes, we have our own music, and contrary to what hollywood depicts, its actually very positive, relaxing and can be quite fun to dance to too!) I did not adopt a Wiccan name to symbolically pronounce my Wiccanhood because incase it was ever found out, I'd have to choose another and what if I still liked it. Skye RavennWolfe is what I use when working with other people or on the internet, but the truth is, I have no name I use for just me. You don't have to, neither should the way I feel be a problem for you, do what you want and harm none. If you want to make your own ritual here are some tips: 1. Decide on where your going to hold it. If inside, make sure the area is cleaned with usual cleaning supplies and salt. For inside and out, draw out the negitive energy your area may hold by imagining a white light come down from above, filling the entire area, driving out negitivetity and when finished, turning the light blue. 2. Make sure you will not be disturbed. Go somewhere secluded, and if you can't, do it in a bath tub and just add salt to the water and so long as you don't leave the tub, you'r protected. 3. Get prepared before hand. Have everything you need before you start so as you don't lose your concentration because you forgot something. 4. Pure thy self of negativety. Meditate, use an essential oil, put a pinch of salt on the tip of your toung, bathe in salt water ( like mentioned above, when being in the tub is part of the ritual you've all ready got it covered) all methods are great, just use one! 5. Set up your altar and anything else your using. 6. Cast the circle ( if you'r doing the tub method as metioned above, theirs no need.) and invoke the God and Goddess with a prayer that asks them to protect and aid you with your ritual. Elements are next, if you choose, and state to the guardians and The God and Goddess what is your purpose for the ritual. ( for this one, you'd want to dedicate your faith to them) 7. Meditate on what this ritual means to you, what you intend to acheive and concentrate on that goal and see it all ready made. (If its Imbolc, you'd meditate on the Goddess being over her labor pains of giving birth to the God and the love she bestows on him that we share.) Observe the season. 8. Raise Energy while blessing your tools that are part of your Wiccanhood (such as your Book of Shadows) Dance around the circle, sing, pray, meditate, be joyous and if your working a spell for this specific season ( a love spell on Middsummer), do it at this time. 9. Cakes and ale time! Feast on bread, cookies, cakes, and/or crackers and enjoy some wine (or juice). This is also called Earthing the Power. Now that you've raised energy, you have to ground it because performing these rituals can take alot out of you. Make sure to share a portion with the God and Goddess by putting it in a libiation dish and burying it in the earth later. Also, this is the time to do any other majick. 10. Thank the elements for their attendance and thank the God and Goddess for their protection, aid, and blessings. ( The feast you ate and other good things in your life that your thankful for.) Declare your Wiccanhood to them and yourself and then release the circle. And thats it, your done! However, after this, meditation usually is in order because you may feel light headed after this ritual. If you do, its normal, just relax and don't do anymore majick or stressful tasks untill you feel better. All though it may feel nice, it can hurt you to continue with any more spells while your like this. If you are in a tub, get out before you fall asleep! If this all ways happens after every thing you do then don't continue any more rituals. Stick to simple things or nothing at all. However, expect it to happen after a Self- dedication ritual. When it happened to me, I knew it was the God and Goddess within me and I meditated on the harmony between them and the peace within me. It was a very rewarding experience and if you choose to do this, I wish you good luck!
- Skye RavennWolfe. |
