The Basic Principles of Spellcasting

Spellcasting Principles

Purification of Self

It’s important for the practitioner to be in the right state of body and mind before performing a spell. Bathe, dress appropriately, and take some time to meditate or breathe deeply. You may also wish to anoint yourself with an appropriate oil.

Purification of Space

Outdoor ritual spaces rarely have to be purified, but when working indoors, this is an important step. First, you should make sure you won’t be distracted. Close the curtains, lock the door, take the phone off the hook, tell others in the house that you do not want to be disturbed, and anything else to ensure that you will not be interrupted. Then, clean your space physically. Tidy up and vacuum or sweep the floor (with a regular broom) if needed. Next, purify the space spiritually. You can use a besom (ritual broom), incense, salt water, or even a musical instrument. While you purify your space, it’s very important to visualize the negative or distracting energies being dispersed, swept away, or otherwise banished.

Creating Sacred Space

This consists of arranging an altar or ritual setup and casting a circle.

Invocation

If you wish, you may call on the divine or certain energies to watch over and bless your rite. Invocations usually consist of a spoken prayer or verse, but it may also include music, dance, gestures, and song. Remember to speak sincerely and to be willing to open yourself to the divine.

Energy Raising or Magickal Work

This is the process of casting the spell, the actions that you perform to effect change. Generally, this is the part of spell casting that is described in this blog. Often, magical work involves reciting an incantation or prayer. Often these incantations rhyme, because it aids memorization and separates incantation from normal speaking, but rhyming is not required. In fact, impromptu words from the heart can work just as well. It is extremely important to visualize clearly and effectively. Simply going through the motions will not allow you to cast a powerful spell. You must push your intentions into your actions and visualize the energies or power at work. Clearly see in your mind’s eye the energies that you are working with, and imagine as clearly as you can the effects of your spell. The more you can see and feel it, the more real it will be. The circle will contain the energy of your spell until you are ready to release it. Energy can be released through several ritual forms, such as burning papers or herbs, visualization, or gestures. With intention and power, send the energy toward its goal.

Grounding the Power

Often there will be residual energies after casting a spell. You can return to a normal level of energy by visualizing a connection between you and the Earth, and allowing the excess energy to flow down into the ground. A common way to visualize this is to imagine yourself as a tree, with roots sinking deep into the ground. You can also hold up a ritual tool, such as an athame (ritual knife), and imagine any excess energy flowing into it. Another very common way to ground yourself is to have a small bit of food and drink. Eating is a very physical, grounding process that allows you to gently ease yourself from your ritual state. Before eating, make a small offering to the divine by scattering some crumbs and pouring some drink onto the ground. If you are inside, put your offering in a special offering bowl. Go outside and bury its contents in the ground after concluding your ritual.

Giving Thanks

If you chose to invite a deity into your circle, now is the time to give thanks and say farewell. This can be done with chants, gestures, offerings, and music, but all that is necessary is a sincere expression of gratitude. Thank them for their attention and ask that they come again. If you did not invoke the divine, then it’s still a good idea to express some general gratitude.

Closing the Circle

Do this by visualizing the energy of the circle returning from where it came, usually yourself. If you called the quarters, thank them and say farewell. Walk around your circle again, perhaps in the opposite direction from how you cast it, and imagine the energy returning through your hand, wand, or athame and going back into you. If you used an athame or handled wand, you can store some of the energy in the handle for later use. If you used anything to mark the circle, gather it up. Gather up your ritual tools and put them away. If you used a special altar setup, you can dismantle it if you like. Or, you can leave it up for awhile. When you do take it down, put out the candles last. Usually it’s considered better form to snuff or pinch out a candle rather than blowing it out. Once your circle is closed and your ritual space returned to its normal state, your rite has ended.

 

Important things to consider when casting a spell:

Timing. The moon phase, time of day, day of the week, season, astrological position, weather, etc., can all be symbolic and significant in spellcasting. For example, if you were to do a spell to help you succeed in a new endeavor, you might like to cast it on the day of the new moon, as this moon phase represents new beginnings. Then, as the moon grows full, your success will also increase. Do some research to see what different times and occurrences mean, if you like.

Symbolism. Magic relies heavily on symbolism. Everything used in spellcraft — herbs, tools, colors, actions, etc. — all symbolize something. By being aware of what certain things mean and using them in accordance with your intentions, you can add meaning and significance to everything you do, which can aid your mentality and make your spells more effective. Be sure to use symbols that are personally meaningful and make sense to you.

Effort and intention. You could perform a spell exactly as it’s written, with no mistakes or fumbles, but it still won’t be effective if you don’t push your energy and intention into your work. It’s not the tools you use, the words you say, or the actions you perform that make magic work — it’s what you put into the spell that’s important. You can use visualization, energy raising, and other techniques to put energy into your spells. Do everything you do in your spells purposefully and with intention. It’s my opinion that, when using magick to make an effect happen, the most important thing is to want it intensely and to will it to happen.

Your experience and level of knowledge. It’s easy to understand that a beginner will be less adept at magick than an experienced practitioner. As you learn and practice, you’ll grow to be better at the skills used in magick, such as meditation or visualization. And, of course, the more you practice and learn, the more understanding and knowledge you will gain.

Your state of being. If you are mentally, physically, or emotionally tired, distracted, distressed, or otherwise not in an optimal state for spellwork, your spells will be less effective and precise. Many people like to do some sort of pre-ritual to get themselves in the right state of mind. In general, to make sure that you are fit to practice magick, be sure that you get enough sleep, eat well, manage stress effectively, and generally have a healthy lifestyle.

Tips

• Sometimes it helps to forget about the spell so that you aren’t having second thoughts about the spell’s effectiveness.
• You need to believe your spells are going to work. If you don’t believe, how can you achieve?
• Use your resources. The more you practice and do the basics, the more effective your spell will be.
• Put all of your emotion into the spell while visualizing the outcome you desire.

Why Spells Fail

• You don’t believe you are able to cast the spell
• You don’t believe the spell will work
• You haven’t practiced the basics enough
• You didn’t put quality effort into the spell
• It was a fluffy spell

Divination & Scrying

If you are unfamiliar with the term, Divination is simply the use of an object or objects to ascertain answers to questions or to see an event or events which are not perceptible to the average person.

Divination takes many forms and while some of the Craft will use several different techniques, everyone will end up with one favorite or more successful ways of obtaining answers to their questions. Just about anything can be used as a divination tool and over the centuries just about everything has. Some of the more popular and well known methods are: Crystal and or Crystal Ball Gazing, Reading Tea Leaves, Gazing into a pool or bowl of water, Tarot Cards, Feng Shui, Palmistry, Candle Gazing and the list goes on and on.

Witches and Pagans have always been credited with having special powers, with being able to see the unseen. This is merely a result of our ability to work with our "Spirit Guides or "Spirit Twins" to obtain answers to the questions we seek.

In the following sections, we will cover these methods and the various tools employed to achieve these goals. This technique is best if done with a Crystal Ball and works best on nights of the full moon. If the purchase of a Crystal Ball is not within your budget, a bowl of water with a Quartz Crystal Cluster at the bottom will suffice. True Quartz Crystal Balls can be quite expensive. Also, never substitute a resin or glass ball since they are ineffective for anything other than children's games.

Light one or two candles in a darkened, quiet room. You can hold the crystal or place it on a stand, but it should have a blue or black velvet cloth underneath it. Make sure that there are no reflections from anything showing in the ball. You can also burn incense if you wish.

Before beginning, center yourself. Gaze into the ball, but do not stare. Try not to blink that much. While you are gazing, breathe in and out slowly and deeply. Just relax and gaze. You will feel a sense of limitless time. Enjoy the peacefulness and simply gaze. Do this for at least 15 minutes, and increase your time by 5 minutes with each succeeding session.

Usually around the second or third session, you will notice a small cloudy glow in the center of the crystal. This is your focusing area where your visions will appear. You may get a vision on your first try, while others have to attempt it several times before seeing something. Go at your own pace.

Just a small warning: Always remember the saying "Be Careful What You Wish For" while gazing. Think about what you wish to see before gazing.

There are also different forms that visions come in. You can get actual visions of places and people, or you can get symbolic pictures. Another form that visions come in are color clouds. Although no one has been successful in identifying what each color cloud means, the following has been pretty accurate for a lot of seers.

• Blue clouds symbolize success of career or business
• Gold clouds symbolize prosperity, steady cash flow, and renewed romance to come
• Gray/Dark gray symbolize ill fortune
• Black clouds symbolize some seriously bad stuff coming one's way
• Green clouds symbolize health, happiness of the heart
• Orange clouds symbolize hidden aggression and anger, troubled emotions
• Red clouds symbolize danger to come. This person must watch themselves
• Silver clouds symbolize troublesome times ahead followed by goodness
• White clouds symbolize very good fortune to come
• Yellow clouds symbolize upcoming obstacles

Meditation

Wiccan Basics of Meditation

Meditation is one of the basic tenets of Wicca, in order to be effective in magickal work, you will need to learn to enter a state of deep relaxation, a place of calm and balance to align yourself with the natural forces around you. As you learn to still your mind and enter this state of relaxation, you are learning to focus your mind, becoming centered, balanced and calm, you are learning mental discipline. It is here in your inner self that you will meet your Spirit self and your guide through your journey.

To reach a truly meditative state requires a lot of practice, and it is important to be patient and take your time. By using a meditation device repeatedly, such as incense, candles, chanting or drumming, you can condition your mind to enter a meditative state.

How To Meditate

Meditation should be done on a daily basis. It does not have to take very long; five minutes can be enough. There are no hard and fast rules for the length of meditation, however it makes sense to ease into it gently. The same goes for where or how you choose to meditate. Some prefer natural places, lulled by birdsong or running water and the sounds of the forests. Others do it at home, your altar may be the ideal place to meditate, or on the train or bus going to or from work. (Please not while driving though; you need to be fully aware.) Some prefer to do it whilst walking the dog or a long solitary walk at sunset.

Whether you choose to sit cross-legged, in a chair, lying on your back with your knees bent or in the lotus position if you are skilled in yoga, is up to you and you should choose whichever is most comfortable. You may want to try a meditation pillow used by many Buddhists, if you are sitting cross-legged.

As with all meditation you should keep a notebook and pen handy to write down any ideas, thoughts, symbols or imagery.

Meditation Techniques

There are two basic kinds of meditation, the first is active. This means that you take a symbol, picture or phrase and mull it over in your mind to the exclusion of all other thoughts. Look at its basic concept, how it is phrased, how many ways it can be interpreted, what it means to you in terms of mental images or abstract meaning. The aim is to extract everything you can from the subject and then to record the essence of your thoughts.

The second kind, is passive, here images and thoughts are allowed to rise in the mind as they will, formulating around a set mantra, symbol or idea.

Meditation Exercises

Close your eyes and become aware of your breathing. It is not necessary to breath in or out more deeply than usual. Just become aware of the workings of your body -- a gift from the Goddess. Move your awareness through each part of your body, beginning with your feet and working your way up to your head. If you feel any tension in a particular area, you can envision it melting away, or you can just accept that it is there.

Once you have checked in with each part of your body, return your awareness to your breathing. If any thoughts come into your head, let them come and go, like soap bubbles floating through the air. If you find yourself absorbed in a particular thought, just release the thought, return your awareness to your breath, and rejoice in your return to the present moment.

Breathe deeply for several minutes. Relax. Forget. Visualize the tensions and worries of everyday life exiting your body with your breath. Relax. Open your consciousness; allow your conscious mind to be receptive and alert. Commune and talk with the deities. Toss around symbols in your head. If you wish, chant one of the names of the Goddess or God, or a group of them. This is an excellent tool for slipping into the twilight world. Light should be subdued, burn white or blue candles if you wish. Also incense.

Meditation Subjects

These are a sample of the meditation subjects. You may wish to find your own. Try to use each one for two or three days each.

• Magic is the Art of Causation.
• Magic speaks to the subconscious mind of man through symbols and rituals.
• Change is growth.
• There is no part of me that is not of the Gods.
• All things are possible to a trained mind

Otherside Companions

The Fae each possess an Otherside Companion that takes the form of any type of Song Bird.

The Otherside is a sort of dimension running almost parallel to the Human World.

Description

The Otherside is a parallel dimension to the Human World. They both have the same timeline and share the same structures, but the appearance of these structures differ depending on whether you are in the Human World or The Otherside. Also, any being in The Otherside is invisible, inaudible, and intangible to those in the Human World, but they can see and hear those in the Human World.

All magical beings have the ability to cross from the Human World to The Otherside, and back again, at will. Humans, however, are a completely different story. Once humans enter The Otherside, they are stuck unless they go to Kintaria and enter back into the Human World via Crossing Point or Door.
Humans enter The Otherside when they break an unspoken law. Those humans who end up in The Otherside disappear completely from existence in the Human World but can be returned to their prior existence if they manage to get back.

Otherside Companions

Each and every being that crosses over to The Otherside "gains" an Otherside Companion. The Companions are always some type of animal. Otherside Companions act as guides to The Otherside and are inexorably linked with their respective being. Otherside Companpions take a different animal shape depending on the species of their being. These shapes can change if the species of the being changes (ie. Human to Vampire), but the Companion will always have the same name and personality. Some beings come with Otherside Companions that are able to shapeshift within their shape's Species (ie. Cat to Tiger, Dog to Wolf, etc.) if needed.

Those who possess Familiars outside of The Otherside have those Familiars replaced by the Otherside Companion. The Companion performs the additional duties of the Familiar as well as their Companion duties.

Species Otherside Companion List

• Human - Cat
• Vampire - Shifting Cat
• Sorcerer/Sorceress - Dog
• Witch/Warlock - Capuchin Monkey
• Elf - Bird of Prey (usually in the hawk family)
• Fae - Song Bird
• Shapeshifters - Same as secondary form
• Lycanthropes - Same as secondary form

The Realm of the Fae

Fairies, Keshalyi, Sidhe, Tuatha de Danann, The Fair Folk, Daoine Sidhe, Tylwyth Teg, Bonne Dames, The Fae.  All names for one broad group of humanoid supernatural beings who originated in the Real World and migrated to Kintaria with the rest of the supernatural.

Origin

The original Fae were created by human minds to explain away odd occurrences that were actually the work of gremlins and goblins. The race grew from there to be one of the most numerous races in all of Kintaria.

Appearance

All Fae are naturally pale, possess emerald green eyes, translucent wings, and an unnatural beauty. Those Fae of African decent are also pale, but to a lesser extent as their skin would be naturally dark were they human. In their true forms, Fae are small, the tallest reaching only about three inches in height.

Powers

All Fae possess the gifts of tongues, glamour, flight, and limited shapeshifting.

• Tongues: The gift of tongues allows them to speak any language at will, sometimes without even thinking about it. This gift allows them to work the elements, much as a witch or sorcerer would.
• Glamour: Glamour is basically the power of illusion, except that these illusions are very sophisticated and supernaturally powered. These illusions allow for virtual invisibility and a change in appearance. The Glamours can only be held for a short amount of time (usually about an hour); however, there are Fae that possess the ability to stay within a Glamour for as long as they wish although these Fae are rare.
• Shapeshifting: Fae shapeshifting is not what one normally thinks of when they think of shapeshifting. Fae usually only shapeshift to increase or decrease their size. This shapeshifting is proportional so that they cannot, say, make only one body part larger.
• Flight: Fae can fly by way of their wings which can be used at any size due to their supernatural properties.
• Sight: also known as Precognition.

Weakness

• Iron: Iron is poisonous of the Fae and may kill them if there is too much in their system. Iron can be passed into a Fae's system by the slightest touch so most tend to avoid cold Iron with a vengeance.
• Rowan wands: Rowan wands can break a Fae Glamour prematurely.
• Shiny Objects: Fae are very susceptible to shiny objects and are often seen dressed in sequins and gems. While this particular weakness does not incapacitate them, it could possibly be useful in distracting them.

Clans

Each Fae Clan is ruled over by a particular king or queen. Several Clans in one region often owe allegiance to whichever of the kings or queens is the most powerful of the region.

Regional Clans

• Sidhe of Ireland - ruled by Finvarra & Onagh
• Sidhe of Ulster - ruled by Aynia
• Sidhe of Tipperary - ruled by Bodb
• Sidhe of Munster - ruled by Cliodna, owe allegiance to Finvarra
• Sidhe of North Munster - ruled by Aoibhinn, owe allegiance to Cliodna
• Sidhe of South Munster - ruled by Aine, owe allegiance to Cliodna
• Plant Annwn or Tylwyth Teg of Wales - ruled by Gwyn ap Knudd
• Plant Rhys Ddwfn of Wales
• Seelie Court - a traveling band of the Fae who have never set down in one particular place for long enough to call it home
• Shefro
• Sleigh Beggey of the Isle of Man
• Fae of Denmark - ruled by the Snow Queen Virginal
• Fata of Italy
• Hyter Sprites of Lincolnshire & East Anglia, United Kingdom
• Keshalyi of Transylvania - ruled by Ana
• Sidhe of Connaught - ruled by Mebd, owe allegiance to Finvarra
• Unseelie Court - ruled by Morrigan, a traveling band of Fae who are particularly malevolent toward humans
• Bonnes Dames of France
• Sidhe of the U.S.A.
• Sidhe of Foxglove - ruled by Sira

 

Preferred Trooping Spots

The Fae have strong ties to the Real World and so are often found Trooping at or near Crossing Points. This is not necessarily the case as the Fae can be found anywhere in Kintaria if one knows where to look.

• Ireland
• United Kingdom
• Northwestern United States
• Midwestern United States
• Japan
• Transylvania
• Brittany

General Wiccan Rite Information pt. 2

Wiccaning

The Right Of Passage For Wiccan Children

Wiccaning is a ritual in which a child is formally named, and then presented to the universe. Bascially, wiccaning is the first rite of passage in life for Wiccan. This practice is not at all unusual or exclusive to Wicca. Jewish families have their rite of passage called a “brit.” Christians will hold a baptismal ceremony. The Wiccans have merely created their own version of something that is natural in religious and spiritual denominations.

While Wiccan practices and beliefs have been present in different cultures for centuries, the ritual of wiccaning did not originate until the 1960’s when it became a more practiced belief system in the United States. Most wiccanings take place outdoors, away from the city and modern conveniences, as a way to get back to their roots of nature.

The wiccaning takes place after the birth when the parents feel as though they have recovered from the eventful experience. Often times, after a child is born, the parents will stay at home for a while to place their full focus on this new addition to the family. When they feel as though they have a grasp on their home life and will truly enjoy the ritual, they can begin planning the wiccaning.

Planning The Wiccaning

The first step the parents have to take is to decide when they would like to hold the wiccaning. Some parents like to coordinate with the first new moon after the child’s birthday. Others choose the equinox or solstice of the corresponding season. Still, others pick an available weekend when family and friends are guaranteed to be free.

The Ceremony

As in other cultures, there is a ceremony that marks the wiccaning. An altar is set up with candles that match the color of the zodiac sun sign that the child was born, and the guests bring their symbolic gifts to it. The parents will then invite the deities to join them for the occasion. After everyone, both physical and spiritual, is in attendance, the parents bring their baby to the altar. The priest or priestess will introduce the child to the world, cast blessing on him or her through the elements of nature, and ask that the deities guide over the child through the journey of life.

Just as children who are baptized in the Christian faith, children of wiccaning usually receive a god father and a god mother chosen by the biological parents. Each will repeat a chant while holding the baby promising to be a neutral third party in his or her life. This began out of the idea that raising a child was too difficult of a responsibility to demand of one or two people. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” is the mindset of accepting god parents.

The ceremony ends with a name chant. Wiccan followers have their legal name that they are given at birth and a Wiccan name that they are presented with during the wiccaning. Wiccan names can be changed during the coming of age ceremony that takes place later in life. The entire group will chant the child’s Wiccan name in unison in many different ways. They will start by simply saying the name. Then they may grow louder and stronger in tone. Gradually, they may take it down to a whisper before singing the name. After the name chant is over, the guests feast on food and drink to celebrate the entrance of this child into their world.

One thing that is unique to wiccaning in comparison to a baptism is that it is considered a good sign if the baby cries during the ceremony. This is taken as a sign that the child is trying to participate in the ritual in the only way that he or she know how. While the baby should be comforted if in pain or danger, the parents are encouraged to let him or her cry if doing so for no apparent cause.

Funeral Ceremony

A Wiccan funeral tends to vary greatly from a traditional funeral. A Wiccan is more about celebrating the life of the deceased as opposed to grieving the death. The ceremony itself varies by coven, but elements of the earth are generally incorporated as much into the ceremony as possible. Many Wiccans prefer to have their bodies laid to rest directly against the soil without a casket, though this is not allowed in many jurisdictions. The body, however, is not a necessary element to a Wiccan funeral. Only the spirit is necessary. The intention of the attendees of the Wiccan funeral is more important than the ceremony itself, since as long as a Wiccan’s heart, soul and intentions are in the right place, no wrong can possibly be committed.

How Wiccans Perform Burial Ceremonies

The Wiccan funeral ceremony is a traditional rite of passage that many practicing Wiccans ask for upon their death. The passage is recognized as leading from one life to the next. Wiccans believe in reincarnation and the funeral ceremony centers around that belief. The traditions may vary for each group but in all cases the body is seen as a disposable vessel and returned back to the earth. The ceremony is held to ensure the deceased’s spirit is sent off on a peaceful journey.

Because the Wiccan religion is not completely accepted by modern society, many Wiccans are given Christian funerals. The majority of Wiccans understand a family’s need to follow their own traditions and will not interfere with the Christian funeral. A funeral is more for the living than the dead. The coven or other practicing Wiccans may choose to hold their own funeral ceremony.

Wiccan Conception Of The Afterlife

Most Wiccans believe that a person who passes from this life moves onto the Summerlands. The Summerlands are believed to be the place one’s spirit rests while in between lives. This is based on the belief of reincarnation. The Summerlands are thought to be filled with other loved ones that have passed from this life. The land is warm, green and peaceful and allows a person’s soul to rest before they are called back to earth to complete a new set of tasks in whatever life they are given.

The Ceremony

Fellow coven members or other Wiccan friends may gather to perform a private ceremony. The gathering is generally held outside but indoor gatherings can be held as well. The location is usually somewhere the deceased felt most at peace with the earth. A forest, garden or seaside often used as the location for a funeral ceremony. The ceremony calls for a circle to be cast around the deceased. The circle is an invisible line meant to create a sacred, safe place for the ceremony to occur. Modern times do not generally allow for this so the ceremony may be altered to include a person’s ashes, photo or a personal possession. Casting of a circle is completed by calling on the four corners as well as the god and goddess. Mourners step inside the circle. The circle may be highlighted with white candles and flowers. White is often the color of death but also relates to rebirth. Each mourner is asked to talk about or directly to the deceased. A High Priestess or High Priest is traditionally the leader of the ceremony. He/she may give a final speech depending on the practices of the group. The speech will most likely include a script about the turning of the Wheel of Life as well as good wishes to the deceased in their next life.

Many of the different sects of the Wiccan religion have a core belief that focuses on the earth and its elements. Part of a traditional funeral ceremony is returning a person’s body to the earth. Tradition dictates the body is laid directly into the earth, sans casket. In the majority of states across the U.S., this practice is illegal. Many Wiccans will request cremation so that their bodies can be returned to the earth without being confined by a casket. The decomposing body is believed to provide nutrients to the soil promoting future growth.

The Great Rite

The Great Rite is a term meant to explain sex acts performed in a magical context. The Great Rite is meant to signify the unity of the God and Goddess. The Great Rite is generally only performed by existing couples and no one should ever feel pressured to partake in sexual activity. No reputable coven will require that its members partake physically in the Great Rite. Many covens choose to symbolically perform the Great Rite instead of actually physically performing it. This is a way that all members of the coven can experience the Great Rite without anyone being pressured into sexual activity. It is also a way for covens that consist of many single members or many members of the same gender that are heterosexual to participate in the Great Rite and celebrate the unity of the God and Goddess.

The Great Rite is possibly one of the most misunderstood rituals of the Wiccan religion. Because it involves either symbolic or actual sexual intercourse it has led to unfounded rumors of orgiastic group sex. In actual practice, the ritual is meant to represent the marriage of the god and goddess. It is usually performed only by the priest and priestess as their representatives. It is meant to express the male/female polarity that exists in every being and symbolizes not only the sacred union of two beings, but the inward marriage of the male and female aspects of each person.

Ritualized sexual acts can be traced back to the beginning of recorded history and have existed in most cultures around the world. In some ancient cultures, kings were required to perform a version of the Sacred Marriage with a priestess representing the goddess to legitimize their ascension to the throne. Modern Wiccans trace their practices to the publications of Gerald Gardner in the late 1940s through the 1960s. Ritual sex, either actual or symbolic, was a large part of his teachings.

According to Wiccan beliefs, ritual sex is a sacred act and as such must be consensual. Demanding participation as a part of initiation into the group is not seen as a legitimate use of the act in most covens. While the symbolic version may be performed by the priest and priestess in a public setting, the actual physical form of the union is normally done in private. The Great Rite is not a casual act and as it is used in most groups, the people involved are already in a committed relationship with each other. There are a variety of reasons for enacting the Great Rite, but the two most common occasions are the festival of Beltane and handfastings.

The Great Rite Invocation:

 Assist me to erect the ancient altar
 At which in days past all worshiped
 The great altar of all things
 For in times of old, woman was the altar
 Thus was the altar made and placed
 And the sacred place was the point within the center of the circle
 As we have of old been taught
 That the point within the center is the origin of all things
 Therefore should we adore it
 Therefore whom we adore we also invoke
 O circle of stars
Whereof our Father is but the younger brother
 Marvel beyond imagination, soul of infinite space
 Before whom time is ashamed
 The mind bewildered, and the understanding dark
 Not unto thee may we attain unless thine image be love
 Therefore by seed and root, and stem and bud
 And leaf and flower and fruit, do we invoke thee
 O Queen of Space, O Jewel of Light
 Continuous One of the Heavens
Let it be ever thus
 That man speak not of thee as One, but as None
 And let them not speak of thee at all
 Since thou art continuous
 For thou art the point within the Circle, which we adore
 The point of life without which we would not be
 And in this way truly are erected the holy pillars
 In beauty and in strength were they erected
 To the wonder and glory of all men
Altar of mysteries manifold, the sacred circle’s secret point
 Thus do I sign thee as old, with kisses of my lips anoint
 Open for me the secret way, the pathway of intelligence
 Beyond the gates of night and day, beyond the bounds of time and sense
 Beyond the mysteries aright, the five true points of fellowship
 Here where the Lance and Grail unite
 And feet, and knees, and breast, and lip

Wiccan Yule

Wiccan Yule is known as the pagan Christmas. The celebration of Wiccan Yule during the time of the winter solstice far predates our current Christian Christmas celebrations. In fact, many of the elements of Christian Christmas celebrations have their roots in the celebratory aspects of Wiccan Yule. Wiccan Yule is one of the seasonal pagan holidays that marks the constant turning of the wheel of the sun throughout the year. The other pagan holidays that mark the change of the seasons are Ostara, Midsummer and Mabon. The winter solstice occurs during the third week of December. It is the shortest day of the year. During the solstice, the night reigns supreme as the light wanes in comparison.

Celebration

To celebrate the contemplative quietude of darkness and the return of the light, Wiccan Yule is celebrated with warmth, fire, friendship, candlelight and Yule pudding, a traditional plum pudding. The celebration of Yule marks the beginning of the return of the sun’s warmth as its light begin to increase directly after the winter solstice. According to pagan Celtic mythology, the Holly King is said to preside over the darkest time of the year. Wiccan Yule celebrations and festivities may be small and intimate or comprised of elaborate ritual ceremonies in large pagan groups. The Yule may be celebrated for a period of one to twelve days depending on the custom of the group of celebrants.
Celebrating the Wiccan Yule is a time of renewal for many of the participants. As the participants connect and honor the four directions (North, South, East, and West), they are renewed in body, mind and spirit. During Yule celebrations, the presence of a spirit guide is also honored; this protective and wise presence is called the “fifth element”.

General Wiccan Rite Information pt. 1

Wicca is an ancient religion, still practiced by many people worldwide today. Wicca is a religion based upon the belief of a God and Goddess that are supreme deities. Followers of Wicca follow one cardinal rule, known as the Wiccan Rede: “An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will”. There are several rites of passages of a practicing Wiccan priest. This article will serve to explain these important rites of passage.

Dedication

Wicca, often called a neopagan religion, bases many of its beliefs on old pre-Christian religions. Beliefs, rites, and rituals currently vary quite a bit, as there is no one true source of the religion. Over the years various leaders have split off and formed their own groups or covens, adding and changing various parts of the processes as they went. Some of the basic beliefs and rites still remain in most traditions, though. One of the rites that has lasted through the years is the Rite of Dedication.

Dedication is when a person makes the decision to serve the God and Goddess and becomes a Wiccan abiding by the Wiccan Rede. People dedicate themselves to the ways of Wicca and learn as much as they can about the religion and way of life. This is a trial period, of sorts, allowing people to explore the world of Wicca before completely committing themselves. Now is the time when the most learning and soul searching occurs. Though it is unlikely that someone that had recently undergone a dedication would relinquish their vows to Wicca, it is theoretically possible and still is a viable option at this stage in a Wiccan’s life. Frequently, a dedication will consist of a party with the members of the coven.

Where It Started

It is believed that the Rite of Dedication was brought through from one of the old religions through a collaboration between Gerald Gardner and Aliester Crowley in 1939 in England. Through this collaboration, Gerald Gardner put together a set of beliefs, rites, and rituals, and wrote a book called “Witchcraft Today” that was published in 1954. This book launched a reemergence of the religion that had been suppressed for many years due to the persecution of witches. Wicca grew in popularity and spread to the United States and Australia.

What Is Required for Dedication?

When someone is interested in learning more about Wicca before deciding to join a coven, they often undertake a regimen of study. Although the time of study varies from coven to coven, traditionally the person studies for one year and one day before they are allowed to undergo the Rite of Dedication. There are some traditions where someone may want to study Wicca without joining a coven. This person can also study for one year and one day before making the decision to dedicate themselves to further study.

What Does Dedication Mean?

Once someone has completed initial studies on their own, they decide if they want to continue studying further, either as part of a coven, or on their own. Once they make this decision, they dedicate themselves formally to the Goddess and/or God. The dedication formally invites them to study more deeply while getting to know potential coven members better. This also allows the coven to get to know them better and decide on whether they would be a good coven member.

Where is the Rite of Dedication Celebrated?

Wicca is a strongly nature-based religion, and so most dedications are celebrated out of doors, in nature. A wild area works well, someplace private and safe, such as a meadow, a cave, an outcropping by the sea, or deep in the forest. It is celebrated any place where a strong connection to God/Goddess is felt.

How is the Rite of Dedication Celebrated?

The actual Rite of Dedication ceremony varies greatly from coven to coven. Some are very formal, while others may be more casual and spontaneous. In general, the area where the ceremony is to be performed will be cleansed. The dedicate may take a ritual bath beforehand. A circle will be formed and protection invoked. The God/Goddess will be invoked and the dedicate will profess their desire for further study and dedication. The dedicate may be approached by someone within the coven who will help them in their studies. After the ceremony there will be a party, usually with music and dancing.

If the person is not joining a coven he or she may decide to perform a self-dedication. In this ceremony, they may take a ritual bath, followed by a period of meditation, again out in the wild, where they feel safe. When they feel connected to nature they call the God and/or Goddess, declare their dedication, and ask to feel the divine within them. This may be followed by a meditation. The dedicate will also celebrate in some way after completing their ceremony.

Summary

The Rite of Dedication is a very special time in a dedicate’s journey. It is a promise to their coven and/or to themselves to pursue continuous spiritual growth and attainment of knowledge. It is the beginning of a much deeper exploration of self and others. After more in-depth study, the dedicate and their coven then decide if they should be formally initiated into the coven for a life-long commitment. For the solitary practitioner, it is a journey of increasing connection to Goddess/God.

Initiation

An initiation is a formal acceptance of a follower of Wicca into the Wiccan community. This is when a Wiccan truly becomes Wiccan and formally accepts the God and Goddess as the divine beings that ultimately rule the universe. Each coven tends to have its own initiation ceremony. Frequently, your height is taken with cord and samples of your hair and fingernails are taken. Many covens choose to bury these items as a way of symbolizing that you are now one with the earth. If you are an independent Wiccan and do not have a coven that you affiliate yourself with; your initiation can be whatever you want it to be. It is important that whatever you choose to do is right for you and is from your heart. The vows that you design for yourself are so much more important than fancy food and pretty tools. You may wish to take your own measurements and bury them, or you may wish to perform other rituals. Initiating yourself as a Wiccan should be whatever it is that you want it to be, so long as it feels right and you are dedicating your life to worshiping the God and Goddess.

One of the most important rituals in Wicca is the initiation ritual. The initiation is considered a rite of passage which means that it is a ceremony marking a rebirth into Wicca. The initiation process is taken very seriously by members and can be a long process.

A dedicant is not allowed to blatantly ask to be initiated; instead, their teacher must elect them. Initiation rites are usually performed during the summer during a New Moon phase. Because initiation is a private ritual, group initiations are not allowed. Only the initiate and the initiator are involved, or the initiator and their Priest/Priestess working together. The initiator has to be of the opposite sex to the initiate, reflecting the male/female polarity of the God and Goddess.

There are several levels of initiation. Before the dedicant undergoes the first initiation, they must have some experience of the Craft, and need to learn Wicca basics like chants, circle principles, simply energy, and coven etiquette.

The first initiation serves as an introduction to the goddess. The initiate starts the ceremony with a challenge. After an ordeal and vows are given, the initiate then symbolically finishes wearing their ritual robe.

Very few people make it to the second degree initiation. The next degree is for practitioners who want to improve their Craft skills and who want to be more involved in rituals, the running of the Coven and its circles, and helping new initiates. It is very difficult for second degree initiate candidate to find a second degree initiate because second degree initiates are not allowed to reveal their status.

While the first degree initiation focuses on the Goddess, the second degree initiation introduces the horned God – the male counterpart to the goddess. The initiate usually has to wait a year and a day before undergoing the second initiation. Although the rites are different for men and women, both ceremonies include an ordeal and a vigil. After the initiation, the initiate is deemed High Priest or Priestess and is obligated to education and support dedicants.

The requirements for the last degree initiation are very difficult to attain. This degree is for people who plan on starting a new Coven or who want to stay with their Coven as an Elder.

The third degree initiation can only be granted to a Witch who has dedicated years to education and experience. The theme of the ceremony is the union of ego and shadow within the unconscious mind, union of the man and woman on a psychological level, and union between the God and Goddess. The Great Rite at Beltane is a symbolic representation of the coming together of the Goddess and God; some initiates literally join with their initiators in a sexual act, while others see it and enact it as merely as a symbolic union.

Wiccans who are not able to work in a group and practice alone are referred to as solitary Witches. Self dedication includes: purification, an introduction to the God and Goddess, a promise to the God and Goddess, and an offering. Although they are able to perform a self initiation, it is very challenging and can be dangerous.

Handfasting

A handfasting is the Wiccan equivalent of a wedding in which two people that believe they are matching halves of one whole dedicate their lives to one another. A handfasting tends to be a very different ceremony than a traditional wedding, since the traditional wedding ceremony is based upon monotheistic beliefs and traditions. A handfasting can vary based upon the couple’s wishes and the coven’s traditions, assuming that the couple has affiliated themselves with a coven, though there is generally no aisle to walk down and no white dress for the bride, as these are not Wiccan concepts. Generally, the four elements of the earth are incorporated into as many aspects of the handfasting as possible. Exactly how the four elements are incorporated vary upon the wishes of the couple and the traditions of the coven.

Handfasting ceremonies are equivalent to legal marriages and more and more Wiccan clergy members are becoming online ordained ministers, so a handfasting can oftentimes accompany a legal marriage. Many same sex Wiccan couples announce their commitment to each other in a handfasting ceremony. This is true even in states and countries that do not allow same sex marriage. Usually, either member of the couple can reverse a handfasting, which would be equivalent to a divorce, if they see fit.

A handfasting is an ancient European trial marriage ceremony in which a couple agree to be married for a specified amount of time, traditionally a year and a day. After the specified period of time the couple could renew the agreement for another year, choose to be married permanently, or go their separate ways. The term “handfasting” refers to the tradition of the couple either clasping hands or having their hands or wrists tied together with a cord of cloth during the ceremony (which is also the origin of the phrase “tying the knot”). It is primarily a Celtic tradition most common in the British Isles, and it has grown in popularity among Pagan and Wiccan couples as an alternative to a more traditional Christian wedding.

There are probably as many different handfasting rituals and traditions as there are people who have been married, and it is really up to the bride and groom to decide on what they want for their ceremony. Here are some of the elements that may be part of a traditional handfasting ceremony:

• The date of the ceremony is traditionally chosen to be near a full moon.
• The bride doesn’t wear a traditional wedding gown. The bride and groom wear attractive clothes for the ceremony, with the bride usually dressed in red.
• The ceremony is held within a circle formed with rocks, crystals, or some other marker. Four candles are placed to mark the cardinal directions.
• The couple approaches the circle from the east, the direction of the sunrise. This symbolizes the growth of their relationship. The couple walks around the circle and enter from the east.
• The circle is then cast by the presider, usually a Wiccan priest or priestess.
• The couple recite a prepared statement, saying that they have come of their own free will “in perfect love and perfect trust.” They then exchange rings.
• The presider will place a cord, ribbon, or strip of cloth on the hands of the bride and groom. After he or she advises the couple on their lives together, the couple is declared husband and wife.
• At the end of the ceremony the couple traditionally joins hands and jumps over a broomstick. This symbolizes their commitment to each other and their marriage.
• The priest or priestess who originally cast the circle then banishes it, ending the ceremony. A feast traditionally follows.

These are just some elements that may be part of a handfasting. There are countless variations, and it is up to the bride and groom to determine how they want to be joined.

Parting of the Ways

When a Wiccan marriage dissolves it is called a parting of the ways. This is similar to the traditional divorce of a traditional marriage. However, it would seem that it is intended to be much more civil and peaceful than the traditional divorce. A parting of the ways can be a time to celebrate if done properly. It is simply the act of two mature Wiccan adults deciding that their lives together can no longer continue on the way that they have been. The ceremony for this tends to vary by coven but it is generally similar to a handfasting. Wiccans tend to be very peaceful people. Even the dissolution of their marriages tend to be peaceful. The four elements of the earth are incorporated into most parting of ways ceremonies.

Before two individuals can be parted, however, they need to be brought together in the first place. Handfasting is the opposite of the parting, and this unifies two individuals together. Unlike Christian weddings, the amount of time may vary and it is up to the participants to decide. Some choose a year and still others choose to have a union for life. Usually, you do not make promises nor is it even necessary to have witnesses. The god and goddess, and spiritual nature are enough to solidify the union. The space must be made sacred and this may involve a little cleaning or the burning of herbs. The participant’s hands are bound together with ribbons, strings or whatever material they’d like to use. Blessings are said, and the ritual is performed. Sometimes after the union, they jump over a small fire or walk within a circle. Some couples exchange small rings during their ceremonies. The most popular day is Beltane in May. This is the apex of Spring, and it marks the blossoming of the season. For its importance on the Wiccan calendar, it is the most commonly used day for handfasting.

Depending on the ritual used, the “Parting of the Ways” may only require one individual of the couple to be present. An officiate (a priest/priestess or another coven leader) is usually present. The extant (he/she who is parting) may have their close friends or family with them as well. Children are up to the discretion of the couple. If it is an amicable split, then typically they stay. An altar where the couple is most comfortable is created in one’s home or outside in a clearing are common. The cords of the handfasting ceremony should be present. The appropriate colors or some cloth of meaning is draped in the area (red for healing, cobalt blue for wisdom, etc).

A short service is then preformed. The participants begin through the type of prayer, song or dance. Then the officiate “casts a circle” and marks the four directions of North, South, East and West. Depending on the individual’s preference, the four winds may be given special symbolic meanings. For example, East may be Decision. After this, the gods and deities may be called to join the gathering. Now the officiate would ask for affirmation from the present parties. Questions such as “Has the time come that love is ended?” are posed, and after being answered, he would cut the cords of the handfasting knots. Before they are dismissed a plain meal of something light (usually bread and water) is shared for the last time.

The officiate may use their “Book of Shadows.” This contains an individual’s spells, incantations and potions. Each Book is individualized according to the owner’s preferences. It’s a necessary means to record what and how they are doing their magic. One should always keep their Book close and always use it as a means of reference. Most rituals are individualized, meaning that the user adapts the basic service to his or her personal preferences.