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Casting The Circle
(From:
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk)
Start with candles lit at the
cardinal points and a cauldron in the center
of the Circle area.
This ritual is designed for a High Priestess and two others, one
bearing
the chalice of salt water and one
carrying the incense but can easily be adapted
to a solitary ceremony in a small circle.
The High Priestess
starts at the altar. With unsheathed Athame she
salutes
the Sky and Earth. At the East corner
the Priestess raises
her Athame and calls out:
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtowers of
the East,
Powers of Air!
We invoke you and call you,
Golden
Eagle of the Dawn,
Star - seeker,
Whirlwind,
Rising
Sun,
Come!
By the air that is Her breath,
Send forth your
light,
Be here now!
As she speaks, she traces an invoking Pentagram in the air with her Athame.
She sees it,
in glowing pale blue
flame, and through it she feels a great onrush of
wind. She breathes
deeply, drawing in the power, then earths
it
through her Athame, which she points at the ground.
The High
Priestess traces the Circle as she continues around the edge. The
other
quarters are similarly called in
turn:
Hail, Guardians of the
Watchtower of the South,
Powers of Fire!
We invoke you and call
you,
Red Lion of the noon heat,
Flaming One!
Summer's
warmth,
Spark of life, Come!
By the fire that is Her
spirit,
Send forth your flame,
Be here now!
~ ~
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtower of the West,
Powers of
Water!
We invoke you and call you,
Serpent of the Watery abyss,
Rainmaker,
Gray-robed Twilight,
Evening Star! Come!
By the
waters of Her living womb,
Send forth your flow,
Be here now!
~ ~
Hail, Guardians of the Watchtower of the North,
Powers of Earth,
Cornerstone of all Power
We invoke you and call
you,
Lady of the Outer Darkness,
Black Bull of Midnight,
North
Star,
Center of the Whirling sky Stone,
Mountain,
Fertile Field,
Come!
By the earth that is her body,
Send forth your strength,
Be here now!
As the Priestess completes the Circle she again salutes the
sky and earth,
turns and touches the tip of her Athame
to the
central cauldron and says:
The Circle is cast.
We are between
the worlds.
Beyond the bounds of time,
Where night and day
Birth
and Death
Joy and sorrow,
Meet as one.
Opening the Circle
(From the Spiral
Dance by Starhawk adapted for Solitary Ritual)
After ritual work is
done, the process of returning to the world and ending the ritual begins
with what is commonly called "Cakes and Ale", which, simply put, means
eating something to help ground your energy and bring you back to this
plane. This can be anything from wine and bread, to juice and cookies ther
are no hard fast rules here.
The goblet and plate of food should
be held over the altar and a simple blessing said over them before
consumption:
All life is your own,
All fruits of the
earth
Are fruits of your womb
Your union, your dance.
Goddess
(and God)
I thank you for blessings and abundance.
Join with me,
Feast with me, Enjoy with me!
Blessed Be.
A small libation may be poured into the
cauldron or fire. Then eat and drink and relax until you feel it is time
to end the rite.
[Dismissing the Goddess and God]
Goddess and
God
I thank you
For your presence,
For your circle,
For light
and love,
For night and change,
I ask for your blessing
As you
depart.
Hail and farewell! Blessed Be!
After dismissing the deities it is time
to open the circle. Beginning in the East and working widdershins
(counter-clockwise), draw a Banishing Pentacle and say:
Guardians
of the East (North, West, South),
Powers of Air (Earth, Water, Fire) I
thank you
For joining in my circle
And I ask for your blessing
As
you depart
May there be peace between us
Now and forever. Blessed
Be.
Raise
your athame to the sky then touch it to the earth, then
open your arms and say:
The circle is open, but unbroken,
May
the Peace of the Goddess
Go in my heart
Merry Meet, and Merry
Part,
And Merry Meet Again.
Blessed Be.
Daily Meditation
I invoke
the presence of the Sacred, the presence of the Divine.
I invoke the
power of the Chakras , the
Sacraments and the Tree of Life.
Awaken and be active with
me.
Divine Spirit, bring me into union with you.
Remove the
obstacles that keep me from the experience of your presence.
Let me
clearly perceive your guidance.
Walk with me into my mysteries;
replace my fears with Faith.
Give me the capacity to abide in mystery
full time.
I give up the need to know why things happen as they do.
I surrender my will to your Will.
Let me feel your presence as
much in change as in tranquility.
Show me the purpose for which I
have been born.
Align my energy to Divine purpose.
I accept the
task that emerges.
Speed up my evolution.
Show me things
energetically, rather than have me live them.
Take away my
distractions, false voices, my illusions and misconceptions.
Show me
my shadow side, and what I'm here to learn.
In becoming a balanced and
conscious being, help me to develop honor,
creativity, integrity,
endurance, commitment, compassion, harmony and mercy.
I call my
Spirit back into present time. I unplug my energy from the
people,
places and things into whom and into which I have invested it.
I will
no longer finance the past or past memories with my energy.
Help me to
remember that all the people in my life are here
according to Divine
Plan.
They are helping me fulfill my sacred contract,
as I am
helping them with theirs.
I bless, forgive and release those whom I
perceive as having harmed me.
I ask forgiveness and release of those I
have harmed in any way.
Thank you for my life in just the package it
comes in, just as it's unfolding.
Thank you for the many teachers,
guides, and inspiring people in my life.
May there be Divine Harmony
among all of us.
May all be blessed with peace and joy, love and
light!
SELF DEDICATION RITUAL
You will need to decide on a
place where you will not be disturbed. It is best to come to this place
after a purification bath and a time of silent contemplation. This will
release incorrect energies and set up the correct ritual
attitude.
When you arrive at your location, you need to purify
space. You will use sea salted water and lighted incense to do this. I
like to use sandalwood because of its spiritual vibration.
Walk the
circle, with the incense and salted water once clockwise. Say:
"I
consecrate this place of rite,
by salted water, smoke , and
firelight.
So mote it be."
Now move back to the center of
the circle where your altar space is and replace the incense and salted
water.
Take a few minutes to visualize a circle of white light energy
surrounding your working space. Once this is done, you need to physically
redraw the circle with your athame, wand or right hand. Some traditions
walk the circle 3 times for the 3 Celtic worlds, or the Maiden, Mother,
and Crone; others simply traverse the circle once.
It should be done
clockwise in the way that feels right to you. You start in the North or
East. Say:
"This Circle is cast
as in days of old
to
welcome the Old Ones
and make the Old Ways retold.
So mote it
be."
Now you have your working space. In my tradition we
do not break the circle until we have completed all magickal
workings.
Next, annoint a white candle with sandalwood oil from
center to top, and
center to bottom. Light the candle using wooden
matches. Say:
"I do kindle this flame
that known it will be
of my
pledge to the Old Ones.
By my will, all to see! So mote it
be!"
Now you will call the Quarter to
witness your rite. Some groups start in the North, the center of the
mysteries, while some start in the East, the center of wisdom. Do what
feels right for you. You may raise your hands as you call them holding
your pentacle symbol.
For all quarters going
clockwise:
"Powers of (North, East, South, West)
Please join in my
rite
do witness my pledge
and grant me insight.
So mote it
be!"
Call to
the God and Goddess by raising your hands directly up from the
center
of the circle and say:
"Blessed Lady, Mistress of
Old,
May you witness this rite
And hear now my pledge
In your
love and your light"
"Ancient Lord, Protector of all
As this
pledge I do make
My you witness this rite
and the oath that I
take"
"By the powers of the Old Ones
and the magick of their
ways
I embark on my journey
May they bless all my days
So mote it
be."
With the God and Goddess, the Elemental Powers and
the Old Ones to witness your rite, you are ready to make your pledge. What
follows is a general example but it is best when it comes from your
heart.
Raise your white working candle and say:
"Before the God and Goddess, I (your name),
henceforth to be known as (your craft name), within the circle of the wise
to symbolize my rebirth, do pledge to honor the God and the Goddess in all
areas of my life. I will strive to understand their great mysteries, and
the mystery of myself. I will share this knowledge and this path with all
who sincerely seek such enlightenment. I will protect and guard the Old
Ways from those who would desire to destroy them. I will defend the God
and Goddess. I will work in harmony with the energies of the Earth, and
the Kingdoms of Plant, Animal, Spirit, and Man, striving always for unity
and balance. I will work in harmony with the elements, to understand them.
I pledge myself as protector of this Earth and Keeper of the Sacred
Mother. I will honor and respect my brothers and sisters in the Craft even
when our paths do not join. I will respect and keep the Old Ways and the
Wiccan Rede .
So mote it be."
If you have
chosen a ritual athame or other working tool, you may now want to
consecrate it by purifying it with the elements and speaking your purpose-
pass it through the incense, the candle flame, dip it into the salted
water, then wipe it clean annoint it with the sandalwood oil and
say:
"I charge this tool to serve me as I honor and
respect the Old Ones. May it serve me for as long as I work for the good
of all. So mote it be"
At this point, you will want to introduce yourself to
the elemental powers.
Walk to the 4 quarters, starting at
the
same one you started the circle. Say:
"I
(your craft name), who stands between the worlds do place myself before
you and enter into the sight, for I have pledged myself to the old ones
and old ways. Forever will I work in truth and light.
Sacred powers
of the (North, East, South, West)
Blessed realms of Earth, Air, Fire,
and Sea,
May we ever share harmony and peace
By my will, so mote it
be!"
You may now spend time meditating on the changes that
your rebirth into the Craft will bring. It is also a good time to start a
journal or Book of Shadows . Your first entry
can be what you expect to give to the craft and what you expect to take in
return. Be honest and begin your journey in truth.
Now it is time
to thank the God and Goddess for witnessing this rite. Say:
"Blessed Lady, Ancient Lord
Enjoined as the Sacred
One
I thank you for your blessings
By the power of the moon and
sun.
Merry Part, Merry Meet Again."
You may now release the quarters.
Start at West, South, East, then North.
(End in whatever quarter you
started in, do N, W, S, E if you started in the East) Say:
"Sacred spirits of Old
Powers of the
Quarters
Blessings now upon you
From magickal sons and
daughters."
"I thank you now and forever
for gifting me strength
of heart
May you always return when I call you
May your journey be
safe when we part.
So mote it be."
You may now snuff your working
candle with a candle snuffer. Never blow out a magickal candle, your
breath can alter the vibration of the purpose
charge. Now go on to
close the magick circle. Walk once counterclockwise
visualizing the
energy fading into the earth and say:
"Though this place of rite, is now
open
it forever is whole in my heart
Like the love of the God and
Goddess
staying with me though we are apart!
So mote it be!"
Consecration of a new Book of Shadows
Materials: 4
votive candles, 1 taper candle, a chalice with
salt-water, a
bowl of sand, a cone of sandalwood incense,
matches.
Place the object in the middle of your alter. Create a
Pentacle around it
with the corresponding votive candles,
Yellow-East-Air, Red-South-Fire,
Blue-West-Water, Green-North-Earth.
Then at the top of the Pentacle place
on taper candle of Purple or
Black-Akasha-Spirit. Off to the right center
of alter place the bowl of
sand, the chalice ,
and the incense.
Light the taper candle saying:
"I
place before you my Book of Shadows and
ask
the elements to assist my consecration."
Remove the taper candle
from its holder and light the green votive, from
its flame, saying,
"I consecrate with the element of Earth."
Place the bowl
of sand atop your BOS.
Light the blue votive, saying,
"I
consecrate thee with the element of water."
With your fingers
sprinkle a little salt-water on the BOS, and then
add some to the bowl
of sand.
Light the red votive, saying,
"I consecrate thee
with the element of fire."
Wave the flame of the taper candle
close to the BOS, but not close
enough to burn it.
Light the
yellow votive, saying,
"I consecrate thee with the element of
air."
Place the cone of sandalwood incense in the middle of the
sand, and
light it.
Place the taper candle back in its holder.
With your right hand pick up the
bowl now containing the elements. Now
with your left hand pick up the BOS.
Blow out the flame on the incense,
(it should burn sufficiently now), and
wave the BOS over the bowl,
making sure that it passes through the incense
smoke, saying,
"Consecrate and bless this Book of
Shadows, that it may contain my personal
records, be my
personal reference, and exude my personal devotion."
Place the BOS
back in the center of the candle created Pentacle. Place the
bowl back
on top of it, saying,
"By the powers of Earth, Sky, Star, and Sea,
This is my will, So mote it be!"
You may either end the ritual by
allowing the candles to burn until the
incense goes out, and then
snuffing the candles, or you may want to go
forward with your
Dedication of your BOS. Remember, rituals should be as
personal as
possible.
~Author Akasha Ap Emrys
Feast for the Fallen Warriors
~Source
Unknown
You will need the following tools
and items: Staff, athame, cauldron, 1 black
candle, 1 red candle, 1 white candle, a plate with bread and salt, a plate of
cookies in animal and human shapes, and an apple, blanket, Book of Shadows
Place the cauldron in the
center of working area and put the white candle inside the cauldron, the
black candle to the right of the cauldron, and the red to the left of the
cauldron.
Ground and center
Walk deosil 3 times around in a
circle
Stand before the cauldron
Light the black candle . Hold your staff before you
horizontally and say:
This is the time to honor all fallen warriors. Great
Dagda, All Father, you who have gathered to you all brave warriors who die
in battle, I salute you.
Light
the red candle to the left of the cauldron. Hold your staff before you
horizontally and say:
Morrigan, Supreme War Goddess,
you who have gathered your share of the fallen heroes, I salute
you.
Light the white candle . Again holding your staff horizontally
say:
Hail to the fallen warriors who dwell in Avalon. I
honor your courage, your willingness to die in defense of your family,
your property, your community, your country. Well do I understand that
brave warriors do not all fall in wars. Well do I understand that not all
heroes are men. Heroes sacrifice themselves as policemen on the streets.
They meet The Dagda when rescuing others in peril. They go to Avalon as
firemen on duty. They answer the Morrigan's call as parents defending
their children. The fallen warriors of Avalon have walked all paths of
life, yet because of the their deeds they were found worthy to enter the
Isle of Apples known as Avalon.
Lay the staff beside the cauldron and pick up the
athame and apple.
As there is death in life, so there must be life in
death. The symbol of the Lady and life eternal is hidden inside the sacred
fruit of the apple. Only those who seek it may find
it.
Cut the apple crosswise to
reveal the pentagram made by the core and seeds.
Behold! The Star of Life! Symbol of the Triple
Goddess who, with The Dagda, brings forth new beginnings out of the
cauldron of death and rebirth.
Eat part of the apple, saving the rest to be placed
outside for the birds and animals.
The secret of this sacred fruit
is forbidden only to those who walk in darkness. Those who turn away from
the great knowledge that life never ends shall not understand the Mystery.
Like a dried Autumn seed, each passing soul falls into the sacred
cauldron, to rest, then to be reborn in another time and
space.
Lift high the plate of
bread and salt:
Behold, the staples of life! The seed of grain which
must die in the soil to produce new grain. The grain which is ground and
baked into bread to sustain the body. Salt which is mined from the Earth,
which is tasted in tears and blood. Salt which preserves food and enriches
life. Each time I taste salt and bread may I remember that all life turns
in cycles of life and death.
Dip
a piece of the bread into the salt and eat it. Raise the plate of cookies
high, then set it before the cauldron. Go to the East. Salute by holding
up your power hand and say:
Rulers of Air, give your
blessings to the fallen warriors. Grant them rest in Spring fields
caressed by gentle breezes.
Go to
the South. Salute with your hand and say:
Rulers of Fire, give your blessings to the fallen
warriors. Grant them warm sunny days and warm nights of
feasting.
Go the West and hold up
your hand and say:
Rulers of Water, give your blessings to the fallen
warriors. Grant them warm pools of refreshing water where they may dream
of rebirth.
Go to the North
salute with your hand and say:
Rulers of Earth, give your
blessings to the fallen warriors. Grant them changing seasons, green
forests, and sweet meadow flowers to soothe their minds and
sprits.
Return to stand before
the cauldron and hold up your hand once more and say:
Great
Dagda, you who see beyond all actions to the truth, carry my greetings and
blessings to the heroes of Avalon. Although we may grieve their loss among
us, yet do we rejoice that they rest with you. Let them know that they are
not forgotten.
Raise both arms
and say:
Great Morrigan, Supreme War Goddess, you who know the
secrets of life and death and rebirth, carry my words to the heroes of
Avalon. Teach them what they must know in preparation for their return in
another form to this world. Let them know they are not
forgotten.
Close the circle. Put out the leftover bread and the cookies
for the nature spirits. If possible visit the graves of those who have
given their life heroically.
A
Full Moon Ritual
This is a VERY powerful ritual. I have had great results
from this. If done correctly, the presence of the Lady can be strongly
felt!
You will need
-two white candles
-a bell
-Wine or
lunar liquid
-Your chalice (or cup)
-spell material if you are doing
something afterwards
Cast your circle . Stand before the altar
facing North and say:
"This is the time of the full moon, a time of
great power for positive manifestation, a time of increasing and gaining.
The tide of Moon-power is strong. I am of the Goddess. I stand before You
at Your altar, in love and adoration. Be with me Goddess. Let me feel your
presence here tonight."
Go to the east with the bell. Ring it once and
say:
"Hail Selene. Help me feel the Lady's power and presence
within my mind."
Go to the South. Ring the bell once and
say:
"Hail Cerridwen. Help me feel the Lady's power and presence
within my spirit."
Go to the West. Ring the bell once and
say:
"Hail Athene. Help me feel the Lady's power and presence
within my emotions."
Go back to the North. Ring the bell once and
say:
"Hail Aphrodite. Help me feel the Lady's power and presence in
my body."
You will probably have an amazing wave of feelings
come over you. Let them sink into your body and soul. When you are ready,
return the bell to the altar, turn to the North, and raise your arms high
above your head. Say:
"Hail Goddess! Moon Mother, Lady of Light,
Mistress of Magick and Animals. You are the white light of the Moon upon
the Earth, the brillant rays of sun upon life. You are the beginning and
ending, the One who creates and takes away. Within You, I see myself and
all woman. In this time, You come to me and fill me with your
presence."
Communicate with Her now. Tell Her your problems,
wishes and anything you wish to tell her. When you are finished
say:
"All honor and love to the wonderful Goddess, for She is the
power behind all powers, the Goddess behind all gods, the Eternal Life
behind death. I see Her loving face within the moon and rejoice. All Hail
Queen of the heavens and the earth, the eternal on of
Wisdom!"
Raise the chalice to toast
her and say:
"To Diana and all the
Goddesses!"
Now is the time for divination, meditation, and spellwork of any
kind.
Close the circle when done.
Athame Dedication Ritual )O( Full
Moon
1. Ritual Bath -
2. Cleanse Athame of any dirt or debris and place on your
altar
A. Casting the circle
1. Facing East use your right index
finger to trace the
boundaries of your circle deosil
2. Light your
altar candle
3. Address elements by lighting East,South,West &
North
candles w/ the altar candle
4. Dip the tip of your forefinger
into the Salt & say:
"Let the Sacred Salt of life protect &
serve me in this rite"
5. Take 3 pinches of salt & drop them 1 at a time into
the water.
Stir the water 3 times clockwise & say:
"Deosil
Deosil round & round holy water holy ground"
6. Starting in the East sprinkle the
sacred salt water
around the circle's perimeter.
7. Repeat w/
incense.
8. Return to the altar & say:
"This circle is now
open! Golden divinity blessed be!"
B. Meditating - Connecting
1.Sit
or kneel before your altar (do not cross legs or arms)
2. Breathe in
& out 13 times to clear your system
3. If you have Deities or
symbols focus on them now
C. Athame
Dedication
1. Kneeling before the altar & say:
"This
night is crackling with anticipation! I have waited patiently for
the
coming of this blade & so I now wish celebrate its entrance
into my life.
The time has come to devote my athame to the Great Works
of the Universe!"
2.Sprinkle the holy water on both sides of the athame &
say:
"Bring purity of this tool so that I may use it in my
rites"
3. Hold your
athame over the incense & say:
"Bring clean energy to initiate
the spiritual changes that abound"
4. Now stand up & hold your athame
w/ left hand overhead & say:
"The left now meets with the
right, intuitive waters with no end in sight.
Feel the blade & know
its use, understand my intentions & then induce.
Through abstract
wisdom & depth of emotion see that my energies are not lost
in the
ocean."
5. Hold
athame w/ right hand overhead & say:
"The right now meets with
the left, consciously aware of every process. See
the blade & know
its use, understand my intentions & then induce. Through
mental
clarity & applied skill see that my energies correspond with my
will"
6. Now invoke
the power of elemental Air. Stand facing East & draw a
lare blue
pentagram with your athame starting on the right side & tracing
it
to the left point & so forth then finishing where you started.
Inside of the
pentagram draw the symbol of Aquarius, this should be
visualized as yellow.
Hold the entire image until you feel the energy
expanding within the circle.
Now place your athame inside of the
pentagram to introduce it to its own element!
7. Take the athame
& return it to your altar.
8. Raise energy in your own style;
dancing, chanting, spinning, drumming, etc..
9. At the moment of
climax take up your athame w/ both hands & release the
energy.
10. Return the athame to the altar & say:
"The
dagger is now alive with spiritual energy! I hereby proclaim this
tool
as being crafted, purified, & dedicated to the Great Work!
E.
Close the Circle
1. Starting in the East w/ your forefinger travel
deosil around the circle
collecting your energies. Travel back around
again extinguishing your candles.
2. Go to the altar & thank your
Deities or energies for their attendance, & influence.
3. Blow out
the altar candle
By James A. Hamilton
Metaphysical
Counselor
SPIRIT
GUIDE MEDITATION
*NOTE: You should record this on a cassette to play during
the meditation, leave long enough pauses between segments to complete each
part of the meditation....many have had success with this
meditation...
Sit comfortably, feet flat on floor, hands resting in
lap palms up.
Close your eyes, and breathe in thru nose, out thru
mouth...with every breath
you are becoming more and more
relaxed.
Picture yourself in a wooded area...you find yourself on a
path; walk down this
path...notice your surroundings...the tall trees,
the warm breeze rustling the
leaves, the animals that come out to greet
you...
Off in the distance you hear a small waterfall...you walk
down this path
towards the source of the water...you come to a clearing
where you see a lake
with the small waterfall...there are wildflowers
around the lake where you are
standing...and big rocks for you to sit
on.
Take off your shoes, and wade around in the water...splash
around..
the temperature of the water is perfect...it feels quite
refreshing and healing
as it touches your skin....stand under the
waterfall if you so desire...
Come out of the water and sit on one
of the rocks...feeling the sun warm your
skin...You notice a figure
moving towards you down the same path which brought
you to this
spot...as they move closer, you are able to see more detail of
their
presence...see them moving towards you and sitting next to you on
a
rock...this is your spirit guide.
Ask him/her their name...and if
they wish to give you any information at this
time....be open to
them...allow them to connect with you.
You feel so loved and so at
peace with your guide! Spend a few minutes
with
him/her......
**pause**
Now it's time to say goodbye to your
guide for now...give them permission to
speak with you at any given
time...and know that this is your special place by
the lake and you can
return here at any time to talk with your guide(s) and
spirits of loved
ones that have since passed into spirit.....
Follow the path back
to where you first started, again noticing your
surroundings...saying
goodbye to the animals, and that you will see them
again also. And when
you get back to your original starting point, when you
are ready, you
may open your eyes...
~Author Rev. Susan Royce
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