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.

Esbats and Sabbats

Esbats

Esbats are rites held for the purpose of communing with the Moon's energies and are regarded as the time for most magickal workings. As opposed to the Sabbats, which are fire or sun festivals, Esbats are dedicated to the Moon in her various phases. These are considered the 'working' celebrations, the time in which to attract, banish, invoke protection, or to perform any other magickal workings. Most Sabbat festivals are held in order to celebrate the changing of the seasons, the gathering of the harvest, etc. The Esbats are held in honor of the Goddess. The Lunar Year contains 13 Full Moons. These have all been called by various names in the past but the ones that seem to have become the most popular are:

• January - Wolf Moon
• February - Ice or Storm Moon
• March - Chaste Moon
• April - Seed or Growing Moon
• May - Hare Moon
• June - Mead Moon
• July - Hay Moon
• August - Corn Moon
• September - Harvest Moon
• October - Blood Moon
• November - Snow Moon
• December - Oak or Cold Moon

The 13th Moon is called the Blue Moon, this occurs when four full moons fall within the same season (as regular seasons only have 3 full moons, the fourth full moon between solstice and equinox, or vice versa, is the Blue Moon). Obviously this must happen once a year, and always at a different time due to the inaccuracies of the modern calendar. The Celts originally set their year to correspond with the 13 moons but with the coming of the Romans and their method of calendar keeping this tradition was lost. Their 13th Moon was called Ruis or Elder.

The Blue Moon is considered the 'goal moon', at this time it is customary to set specific goals for yourself and to review your accomplishments and failures since the last one.
 
The other 12 Moons all have special meanings as well.

January is the time to conserve energy by working on personal problems that involve no one else. It is also a time for protection rites and reversing spells. During this month the energy flow is sluggish and below the surface.

February is the time for loving the self, accepting responsibility for past errors, forgiving yourself, and making future plans. At this time the energy flow is working toward the surface; good for purification, growth, and healing.

March is the time for new beginnings, breaking illusions, and seeing the truth in your life however much it may hurt. The energy flow breaks into the open, a good time for growing, prospering, and exploring. Light and Dark are in balance now.

April is the time for working on your temper, emotional flare-ups, and selfishness. The energy is flowing into creating and producing; a good time for change, self-confidence issues, taking advantage of opportunities, and realizing self-reliance.

May is the time for strengthening the connections with supernatural protectors and beings around you. The energy is in full flow making this a good time for intuition, propagating, and connecting with faeries and nature spirits.

June is the time for decision making, taking responsibility for present happenings, working on personal inconsistencies, and for strengthening and rewarding yourself for your positive traits. The energy is in full, but restive, flow, the Earth tides are turning making this a good time for protection, strengthening, and prevention spells.

July is the time for dream-work, divination, and meditation on spiritual goals and plans. The energy is slower and more relaxed, proper for success and prosperity spells. This month is the time to start preparing for the colder and darker months ahead.

August is the time for harvesting, gathering, and appreciating. The energy flow is slowing more and now is the time of vitality, health, and friendships.

September is the time for organizing and straightening up physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter. The energy flow is resting and Light and Dark are in balance.

October is the time for inner cleansing. Meditate on the laws of Karma and thoughts of reincarnation. This is the time of letting go, justice, balance, and inner harmony.

November is the month of transformation. It is time to prepare for the coming winter and a time to strengthen communication with the god or goddess closest to you. The energy flow is taking root and preparing to flow once more.

December is the time of Spiritual Paths. The Earth tides are turning and it is time to reach out to friends and family, the lonely, and the needy. This is the month of death and renewal. Spells should should be aimed at endurance and provision.

Sabbats - The Wheel of the Year

The Sabbats are seasonal festivals which mark the turning of the Wheel of the Year and the cycles of nature. Most western pagans celebrate eight sabbats; the Summer and Winter Solstices, the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes and the quarter days or fire festivals - Samhain, Imbolc, Beltaine and Lughnasadh.

These sabbats help you tune in to the cycles of nature as they exist within you as well as without. The idea of the eight-fold Wheel of the Year was created by Ross Nicholls in the 1950's. The festivals themselves, however, are very old, and mark important times in the agricultural cycle of the year. All of the eight sabbats were celebrated in the ancient world, but not all necessarily by the same people or in the same place. It should be remembered that the energies at different times of the year are different depending on where you are.

If you are living in the southern hemisphere, the seasons and therefore the festivals are reversed. It is important to try to learn what you can about the myths, legends, beliefs and festivals of the land you live in, to enable you to tune in to the natural energies as perceived by the inhabitants of the land through time.

SAMHAIN - 31st OCTOBER

Samhain, or Halloween, is the death festival, marking the descent of Winter. The leaves are falling from the trees in drifts, and life is drawn away from the surface of the earth, and descends deep into the earth. Life is now in the roots and bulbs of plants which rest over the Winter. The Horned God who was Lord of Life and the Wild Greenwood has now truly taken His throne as Lord of the Underworld, the dread Lord of Shadows, the comforter of souls.

The earth prepares for sleep and draws energy inwards. This is a time for introspection, as we too draw our energy within and prepare for the Winter. The Earth is becoming cold, and barren, and we see Her as the Cailleach, the Crone, the Wise One. She is the Dark Mother who devours the God that She may give birth to Him again. Her womb is also the tomb, and the Underworld, and the Horned God thus resides within Her womb over the Winter months.

Samhain is a time of transformation and inner work. It is also a sombre time of remembrance, when we remember and honour those who have died. The veil is thinnest between the worlds and we call on the spirits of the dead and invite them to feast with us on this, the feast of death. We call upon our ancestors and contact the ancient wisdom. It is a time of endings, but also a time of beginnings, as Samhain is a Celtic New Year's Eve festival. Thus we give up the past and look to the future, and it is also a good time for skrying.

It is the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Samhain is a good time for banishings, and for sorting out unfinished business. At Samhain we look back and take stock of the past year and contemplate what we have learned. Samhain is also the time to face our shadow, the dark side of ourselves.

We find no wild flowers blooming, yet the colours of nature are rich and warm. Magick mushrooms grow to help us explore other realms, to make the veil thinner still. Samhain is also a harvest festival, but a harvest of flesh. The livestock would be killed at this time so that there would be meat throughout the bleak Winter. The wind blows, Jack Frost makes patterns on our windows and the mists rise. It is no wonder this season is one of mystery.

THE WINTER SOLSTICE: YULE - 21st DECEMBER

Yule is the time we celebrate the return of the waxing sun. Light and life can be seen to be returning and conquering death. Yule is a turning point, a point of change, where the tides of the year turn and begin to flow in the opposite direction. It is the darkest time of the year, the time of the longest night, but there is the promise of the return of light.

We encourage the sun to rise and to grow in power, and we remember the seasons of plenty. Magickally we bring back the season of plenty, and we feast on rich foods and drinks. The fir tree represents life amidst death, it is evergreen, representing everlasting life, and lasting friendship.

Holly and Mistletoe bear berries at this time, symbolizing fertility. Mistletoe berries are white, representing the semen of the Horned God, the Holly berries are blood red, symbolizing both the menstrual blood of the Goddess and the sacrifice of the God. Evergreen trees also represent youth and freshness, and are symbols of the promise of spring. A yule custom, still practised at Christmas is to dress an evergreen tree, and make offerings.

We honour the spirit of the tree, and what it represents. It is sad that a custom of honouring the living tree has been replaced by the meaningless decoration of ghastly plastic or tinsel trees, or the cutting down of thousands of living trees so that people can have them in their living rooms for a couple of weeks, and then dump them, causing environmental damage. It is far better to honour a living tree, outdoors.

The tree may be decorated with appropriate offerings, fruit, decorated pine cones, jewellery, symbols of the sun, symbols of fertility, birds, animals, etc. At yule we say goodbye to the dying sun, and wait through the long, cold night for the sun's rebirth. The night belongs to the Goddess, and is a night of waiting, through her pregnancy, for the Child of Promise.

In the morning we greet the new sun and celebrate the waxing year. The rising sun brings the promise of the spring and the gifts that will bring. It is still a long time before the sun will be strong, but we hope and we trust. The sun is now the Child of Promise, the young hero God. It is a time of making wishes and hopes for the coming year, and of setting resolutions. From the darkness comes light.

IMBOLC or BRIDE - 1st FEBRUARY

The Festival of Imbolc or Bride, is celebrated around 2nd February by Pagans, and by Christians who call it Candlemas. Imbolc is Irish- Gaelic, translated variously as "in the belly" and "ewe's milk", and represents the quickening of Light and Life.

The first stirrings of the coming of Spring can be seen, as the first flowers (snowdrops and winter aconite) begin to appear. Seeds which have lain dormant within the Earth over the cold Winter months begin to stir with life, as yet unseen. At Imbolc we celebrate the Waking Light of the soul. Our spirits begin to quicken as we anticipate the rebirth of Nature. In Wicca it is the traditional time for initiation. Now is the time for the banishing of Winter and the welcoming of Spring. We welcome the Goddess Who is renewed, reborn as the Flower Maiden. She has passed through Her phase as the Hag, Crone or Wise One, and is a Maiden again. Bride or Brigid is a three-fold Celtic Goddess who has been christianized into St. Brigid, whose day is celebrated on 1st February.

In Ireland, St. Brigid's cross is made of rushes and straw, and goes back to pre-Christian times, representing the Sun Wheel or Fire Wheel. It may also be linked to an ancient ceremony connected with the preparation of the grain for sowing in the Spring. It was believed that the Spirit of the Grain, or the Goddess Herself, resided in the last grain harvested, and the last grain from the Harvest Festival was ritually brought into the house at Imbolc, blessed and planted as the first seed of the next harvest.

The grain may also be made into a female figure, the Brideog (little Brighde) and dressed. Bride's bed is made, and She is welcomed in. The Goddess is seen in Her three aspects at Imbolc, as the new-born Flower Maiden; the Mother, or bride of fertility, awaiting the fertilizing Sun God, and the Dark Crone of the dark half of the year. The sun is growing in strength, the Child of Promise, re-born at Yule, is now the Conquering Child.

What was born at the Solstice begins to manifest, and this is the time for individuation, as we each light our own light, and set ourselves tasks and challenges. We nurture and kindle our resolutions and begin to look outwards again, do outer activity, although first we look deep within to discover what potential lies there waiting to be fulfilled.

Through the weeks ahead the days grow gradually longer, but we are still in the dark half of the year (until Beltaine) and this is the time to develop non-physical skills, such as psychometry, clairvoyance and precognition.

EOSTRE: THE SPRING EQUINOX - 21st MARCH

This festival is named after the Anglo-Saxon Goddess Eostre or Eastre, also known in Old German as Ostara. Little is known about this Goddess, except that her festival was celebrated at the Spring Equinox, and became Easter, and that She was a Goddess of fertility, and was connected with hares and eggs.

She may also be connected with the Greek Eos and the Roman Aurora, both Dawn Goddesses, and with the Babylonian Ishtar and Phoenician Astarte, both love Goddesses.

The Anglo-Saxon lunar month, which became April, was called Eastermonath. The equinox is a time both of fertility and new life, and of balance and harmony. Light and dark are here in balance, but the light is growing stronger. It is a time of birth, and of manifestation. Daffodils, tulips and crocuses are all in full bloom, blossom appears on trees and catkins can be found on the hazel and willow. Rites are best performed at dawn or dusk, (but better at Dawn) that time between light and dark.

The days grow lighter and the earth grows warmer. As at Imbolc, seeds may be blessed and planted. Seeds of wisdom, understanding, and magickal skills may also be planted. Eggs may be used for the creation of talismans, or ritually eaten. The egg is a symbol of rebirth, and its yolk represents the sun, its white, the Goddess. Egg production in hens is stimulated when the bird's retina is stimulated by more than 12 hours of light, thus more eggs are produced after the equinox.

This is a time both of growth and of balance, and we may work on balancing ourselves and the subtle energies within us, such as our chakras, the inner masculine and feminine qualities, the light and dark aspects, etc. The equinox is also the time of Persephone's return from the underworld, to re-unite with Her mother Demeter, making the earth green again.

This is the time of spring's return, the joyful time, the seed time, when life bursts forth from the earth and the chains of winter are broken. It is a time of balance when all the elements within must be brought into new harmony. The Prince of the Sun reaches out His hand, and the Kore, the maiden, returns from the dark underworld. Where they dance, wild flowers appear, sorrow turns to joy, and scarcity turns to abundance.

BELTAINE - 1st MAY

"This is the time when sweet desire weds wild delight. The Maiden of Spring and the Lord of the Waxing Year meet in the greening fields and rejoice together under the warm Sun. The shaft of life is twined in the spiral web and all of nature is renewed. We meet in the time of flowering, to dance the dance of Life" ýÓ Starhawk,

The Spiral Dance Beltaine (also spelled Bealteinne, Bealtaine and various other ways) is the beginning of the Celtic Summer, the light season of the year. Like Samhain, it is a time when the veil is thin between the worlds, a time to communicate with spirits, particularly at this time nature spirits. In Irish Gaelic, Bealtaine is the name of the month of May.

In Scottish Gaelic Bealtuinn means May Day. The word originally meant "Bel Fire", and Beltane is associated with the Celtic God Bel, also known as Balor or Belenus. Bel is a God of Light and Fire and has been equated with the Greek Apollo, and associated with the Sun, although He is not specifically a Sun God. Fires were traditionally built at Beltane, and people would jump over the fire. Young, unmarried people would leap the bonfire and wish for a husband or wife, young women would leap it to ensure their fertility and couples leap it to strengthen a bond.

Cattle were driven through the ashes or between two Beltane fires to ensure a good milk yield. The maypole, still used in Mayday festivities, represents both the phallus and the Goddess. It is also the World Tree connecting the three Worlds, its root in the Underworld, its branches in the Heavens. The shaman`s spirit may travel between the realms via the World Tree, and the phallus is also connected with life, love and death.

The phallus and the World Tree may be seen as two aspects of the God in His relationship to the Goddess in His cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The May Queen is still elected in many village May Day festivals, although the May King is largely left out these days (apart from in Pagan circles). The May King is the Green Man, and was often covered entirely with leaves.

The mating of the Green Man with the Goddess as Queen of May was a magickal act considered necessary for the fertility of the Earth. Beltane is a time of fertility and is also an excellent time for Handfastings, the couple enacting the HeirosýÓgamos, or sacred marriage. The Hawthorn tree (also called the May tree) blossoms at this time, and we are in the Hawthorn month. The blossoms can be gathered, and a delicious wine made from them, to be drunk the following Beltane. Celebrate Beltane by taking pleasure in life and enjoying the gifts of the Goddess.

LITHA: SUMMER SOLSTICE - 21st JUNE

At the Summer Solstice the sun is at its highest and brightest and the day is at its longest. The Lord of Light has fought the powers of darkness, and is triumphant, ensuring fertility in the land. But in so doing so, He sows the seeds of His own death. The Wheel turns and the Dark God (the Holly King) begins to wax in power as the Light God (Oak King) wanes.

The Goddess shows Her Death- in-Life aspect, the Earth is fertile, and all is in bloom, the Goddess reaches out to the fertilizing Sun God at the height of His powers. At the same time She presides over the death of the God. The Goddess dances Her dance of Life and Death, the Sun God loves Her, and dies of His love. The Summer Solstice is a time of fulfilment of love.

Flowers are in bloom everywhere, i.e. in sexual maturity, ready for pollination, fertilization, yet once fertilized they die that the seeds and fruits may develop. At the same time, summer fruits appear, for a short but delicious season.

June was considered by some to be the luckiest month to be married in, and is the time of the mead moon, or honey moon. A tradition was for newly weds to drink mead daily for a month after their wedding, hence the post wedding holiday being named the honeymoon. Although the days begin to grow shorter after the Summer Solstice, the time of greatest abundance is still to come. The promises of the Goddess and God are still to be fulfilled.

This is a time of beauty, love, strength, energy, rejoicing in the warmth of the sun, and the promise of the fruitfulness to come. It seems a carefree time, yet in the knowledge of life, is the knowledge of death, and beauty is but transitory. We celebrate life, and the triumph of light, but acknowledge death, and the power of the Dark Lord which now begins to grow stronger.

At this time of year, our physical energy is generally at its peak, and we are active and strong. Games involving a show of strength, such as tug of war, wrestling, etc. are appropriate here, and are often staged at summer fayres. This can be considered a remnant of pagan customs involving the battle between the light and dark Gods.

LUGHNASADH - 1st AUGUST

Lughnasadh or Lammas is celebrated on August eve or August 1st and is the festival of the first of the harvests. Lammas is the Anglo-Saxon name for the festival, meaning Loaf mass. Lughnasadh is the festival of Lugh, a Celtic God of Light and Fire and God of crafts and skills. His Welsh form is Llew Law Gyffes, and in the Mabinogion story of Blodeuwidd and Llew, the theme of Llew as the sacrificed God can be seen (we need of course to consider the pre-Christian origins of the story).

Gronw can be seen as the Dark God of the Waning year, and Llew as the Bright Lord of the Waxing year, Blodeuwidd represents the Goddess in Her Flower Maiden aspect. Lammas or Lughnasadh then has the theme of the sacrificed God of the harvest, but he is sacrificed and transformed, rather than descending into the underworld to become Lord of Death, which comes later in the year.

Lammas is a time of the fullness of Life, and a celebration of the bountiful earth. It is a time of the sacrificial mating of Goddess and God, where the Corn King, given life by the Goddess and tasting of Her love is sacrificed and transformed into bread and ale which feeds us. The main themes of Lammas may therefore be seen as thanksgiving to the Goddess for Her bountiful harvest, stating our hopes for what we wish to harvest (for Lammas is the very beginning of the harvest), sacrifice, transformation, and a sharing of the energy of the Corn King.

MODRON: THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX - 21st SEPTEMBER

The two equinoxes are times of equilibrium. Day and night are equal and the tide of the year flows steadily, but whilst the Spring Equinox manifests the equilibrium before action, the Autumnal Equinox represents the repose after action, the time to take satisfaction in the work of the summer and reap its benefits.

The Autumnal Equinox is celebrated on 21st September, and is the second harvest festival, with the fruit being gathered in. We celebrate the abundance of the earth, and make wine from the excess fruit, to preserve the richness of the fruits of the earth to give us joy throughout the year.

This is the time of the Vine. The God, who was Lord of the Greenwood in the summer and the Corn King at Lughnasadh now dances His last dance upon the earth, as Dionysus, God of wine, music and dance, before making his descent to the underworld to take up his role as Dread Lord of Shadows. The Lord of Light, the Sun King, His power waning, exists briefly in balance with the Dark Lord before giving way to the growing power of darkness, but the power of the sun is encapsulated in the grape and the fruits of the earth.

The wine will remind us of his power throughout the year. The leaves falling from the trees and rotting into the earth are a reflection of the Horned God's journey from the Greenwood to the underworld, deep into the womb of the Mother, where He will reside until He begins to emerge with the new green shoots in the spring. The Autumnal Equinox marks the completion of the harvest, and thanksgiving, with the emphasis on the future return of that abundance.

The Eleusinian mysteries took place at this time, during which the initiate was said to have been shown a single ear of grain with the words "In silence is the seed of wisdom gained". The themes then of the Autumnal Equinox are the completion of the harvest, the balance of light and dark, and of male and female, and an acknowledgement of the waning power of the sun and the waxing power of the Dark Lord.

Consecration of Tools

Meet on the night of a new moon in order to consecrate new tools that Coven members have acquired.

Cast the Circle, and upon the altar place a bowl of sea salt and water. Next to it, burn consecration incense.

Gather in front of the altar, and one by one raise each item to the sky in both hands and say:

"In all time and all space I consecrate this (name of item) in the name of the God – Youth, Father, and WiseOne."

Then, one by one, thrust each item into the earth with both hands and say:

"In all time and all space I consecrate this (name of item) in the name of the Goddess – Maiden, Mother, and Crone."

Next, each Witch curtsies or bows in front of the altar, and passes the item they were holding through the incense and say:

"By Air and by Fire I consecrate this (name of item) in the Name of the God and the Goddess."

Then the item is sprinkled with salted water. Say:

"By Water and by Earth I consecrate this (name of item) in the Name of the God and the Goddess."

Finally, the consecrated tool should be rested on the Altar.  Say:
"May the Bearer of this (name of item) always do Your Will, My Lord and My Lady. As I will, So Mote It Be."

Serve cakes and ale with the traditional blessings, and take the Circle down, as the ritual is complete.

How to Setup a Basic Ritual

Use your patrons in place of mine, Aphrodite and Apollo, in this ritual. Also, adjust any attributes mentioned here to fit your particular Patrons.

Stand before your altar facing North or East.

Meditate for a few moments/minutes to free your mind of the mundane things.

Once ready:

• Ring the bell 11 times. 
• Chant while walking deosil around circle to bring you into focus.
• Face altar and pick up the bowl of water and touch the water with your finger tip or tip of your athame and say:

"I exercise this water that it cast out from it all impurities and uncleanliness, in the name of Aphrodite and Apollo."

 

• Place water back on altar and pick up the salt and touch the salt with your finger tip or tip of your athame and say:

"Blessings be upon this element of salt. Let all impurities flee and let only good enter in. As the water purifies the body, the salt purifies the soul. Therefore I bless it that it may aid me. In the names of Aphrodite and Apollo."

Casting the Circle:

• Pick up smudge stick and light it.
• Walk the circle spreading the smoke and say:

"I cleanse this circle of all negativity and impurities. In the name of Aphrodite and Apollo."

• Return to altar and face it.
• Place smudge stick inside its container.
• Walk around the circle deosil touch your athame to the ground and say:

"I now cast this circle that it may be a meeting place of love and joy. A shield against all that would destroy. A world between worlds, a place where the mysteries are revealed. A rampart to contain the power raised within. I do now consecrate this circle in the name of my Lord and Lady, Aphrodite and Apollo."

• Return and face the altar.
• Pick up the salt and walk the circle once with the bowls of water and salt.
• Chant element chant.

 

"Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath and fire my spirit"

 

• Return to altar and place salt and water back on it.
• Put a pinch of salt in the water.
• Dip finger in water and draw a cross or pentacle on forehead and say:

"Blessed be!"

Calling Quarters/Summoning the Watchtowers

• Walk deosil and stand on the east point of circle. Face out.
• Forcefully with intent draw the invoking pentagram with your athame while saying:

 

"Hear me oh Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East, Lords of Air. I (your name here), both priest and witch do summon you. I do summon, stir and call you forth to witness my rites and to guard this circle. Hail and Welcome!"

• Walk deosil to the south point and say:

"Hear me oh Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Lords of Fire. I (your name here), both priest and witch do summon you. I do summon, stir and call you forth to witness my rites and to guard this circle. Hail and Welcome!"

• Walk deosil to the west point on circle and say:

"Hear me oh Guardians of the Watchtowers of the West, Lords of Water. I (your name here), both priest and witch do summon you. I do summon, stir and call you forth to witness my rites and to guard this circle. Hail and Welcome!"

• Walk deosil to the North point on circle and say:

"Hear me oh Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North, Lords of Earth. Guardians of the portal between worlds. I (enter name here), both priest and witch do summon you. I do summon, stir and call you forth to witness my rites and to guard this circle. Hail and Welcome!"

• Return to altar. Face altar and meditate for a few moments.
• Prepare yourself for the next step.

Calling the Lord and Lady

• Face altar and say:

 

"Hail Mighty Ones! Hail Powerful Apollo! Hail Beautiful Aphrodite! I welcome and invite you to witness these rites in your honor.  The circle is now perfect!"

• Sing/dance/chant to raise energy
• Read and Speak the Charge of the Goddess...

Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Diana, Arienrhod, Brigid, and by many other names
Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me who is Queen of all Witches.
There shall you assemble, who have not yet won my deepest secrets and are fain to learn all sorceries. To these shall I teach that which is yet unknown.
You shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you be free you shall be naked in your rites.
Sing, feast, dance, make music and love, all in My presence, for Mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and Mine also is joy on earth. For My law is love unto all beings.
Mine is the secret that opens upon the door of youth, and Mine is the cup of wine of life that is the Cauldron of Cerridwen that is the holy grail of immortality.
I am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of youth unto the heart of mankind.

I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before.

Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the mother of all things and My love is poured upon the earth.
Hear the words of the Star Goddess, the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, whose body encircles the universe:
I who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters,
I call upon your soul to arise and come unto Me. For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed and unto Me they must return.
Let My worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold -- all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without.
For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

• and Charge of the God

Listen to the Words of the Horned God,

Who was of old called among men:

Adonis, Tammuz, Dianus, Herne,

Bran, Beli, Lugh, Gwyn,

Dionysus, Osiris, Cernunnos, Pan,

And by many other Names.

O Secret of Secrets,

That art hidden in the being of all that lives,

Not Thee do we adore,

For That which adoreth is also Thou.

Thou art That, and That am I.

I am the Flame that burns in the heart of every being,

And in the core of every Star.

I am Life, and the Giver of Life,

Yet therefore is the Knowledge of Me

The Knowledge of Death and Resurrection.

I am alone, the Lord within ourselves,

Whose Name is Mystery of Mysteries.

I am the Horned God.

I am the Lord of the Universe,

The Father of all living,

The All-Devourer and the All-Begetter.

I am He Whose Seed lies strewn

As glittering Gems across velvet darkness

Within the Womb of the Mother.

I am the Lord of the Shadows

In the darkness of the Underworld,

For I am the Midnight Sun.

I am the Light of the Stars,

And the Spark of the Spirit Eternal,

For I am the God Within.

I am the Horned Leader of the Hosts of Air,

The Leader of the Wild Hunt,

The Judge of Gods and of Men.

I am the Hidden God,

Who ever yet remains,

For I dwell within the secret seed.

I am the seed of grain,

I am the seed of flesh,

I am the Seed of the Stars.

I am the Lord of the Heights,

I am the Lord of the Depths,

God of forest, of flock, and of field.

I am the Hunter and Hunted,

I am the wolf and the Shepherd,

I am the vine and the grain.

I am a Guiding Star above you,

I am a bright Flame before you,

I am a smooth Path beneath you.

I am the Light of Life.

I am the Flame of Love.

I am the Horned God!

Great Rite
Pick up the Chalice in left hand and athame in right hand. Hold them up and say:
As the athame is to the blade, so the cup is to the chalice. I draw in the power of the God and Goddess, and feel their love.
Plunge athame into the chalice three times and when done say:
Blessed be!
If in a solitary ritual, take a drink from the cup and say:
May I never thirst. Blessed be!
If in a group ritual, hand the cup to another in the circle and say:
May you never thirst.  (they then take a sip)

Blessing the Cakes

Hold plate of food and say:

Oh Great Mother, bless this food that it may nourish my body and bestow health, wealth, strength, joy and peace. Blessed be!

Workings and Magic

At this point works of magic, charms and other things are performed.

Farewell to the gods

Face alter/north and say:
Oh great and powerful Lord Apollo, I thank you for your attendance here. I welcome you to stay but if you must go I bid you farewell as you return to your realm. Hail and farewell! Blessed be!
I thank thee oh lovely and beautiful Aphrodite for attending my rites this night. I welcome you to stay but if you must go I bid you farewell as you return to your realm. Hail and farewell! Blessed be!

Dismissing Quarters

• Walk deosil to the East point on circle.
• With force and intent use your athame to draw a banishing pentagram while saying:

"Hear me oh Guardians, Lords of East and Air. I thank you for your attendance and release you that you may return to your realm. I bid you hail and farewell!"

• Walk deosil to the South point on circle.
• With force and intent use your athame to draw a banishing pentagram while saying:

"Hear me oh Guardians, Lords of South and Fire. I thank you for your attendance and release you that you may return to your realm. I bid you hail and farewell!"

• Walk deosil to the West point on circle.
• With force and intent use your athame to draw a banishing pentagram while saying:

"Hear me oh Guardians, Lords of West and Water. I thank you for your attendance and release you that you may return to your realm. I bid you hail and farewell!"

• Walk deosil to the North point on circle.
• With force and intent use your athame to draw a banishing pentagram while saying:

"Hear me oh Guardians, Lords of North and Earth. I thank you for your attendance and release you that you may return to your realm. I bid you hail and farewell!"

• Visualize the circle dissolving into the ground. Once done say:

"The circle is now open but never broken. Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again! May the blessings of the God and Goddess go with me in my heart. Blessed be!"

Setting up an Altar for Worship and Ritual

Setting Up Your Altar

An altar helps to set your focus for rituals, ceremonies and magik workings. This space should be alive and teaming with energy. In other words, don't use it just for decoration or to display decorative items. Items that are used in each ritual and items that provide you focus and inspiration should be maintained on your altar.
 
This is your work space and it should be large enough for you to conduct your spiritual work upon. So you don't want to overwhelm your space with unnecessary statues, knickknacks and unused objects.
 
And lastly, the altar should be geared toward your personal beliefs. This is a spiritual altar and you'll want to honor your beliefs and the Divine energies that are present in you space. If your beliefs are aligned with Celtic practices, give your altar a Celtic feeling. If you work with specific Gods or Goddesses, a statue of the appropriate pantheon you align with is a good thing to maintain in your space.

Sacred Cloth

An altar cloth is also called for. You can use more than one cloth in varying colors and patterns, depending on the work at hand. But consider the use of the cloth before you cover the altar. If you are going to be mixing herbs, or creating spiritual objects such as handmade candles, smudge sticks or spiritual tools, then you want the cloth to be inexpensive and practical. If however, you are conducting a ritual to celebrate a holiday, then you might use a more formal cloth, any thing from crushed velvet to black satin or Victorian lace.
 
The cloth should reflect your personality, your beliefs and one that you feel comfortable with using. A male Witch for instance, may not want to use Victorian lace when casting spells for compassion, healing or love. Rather he might use something that strikes an essence of romance in his heart such as red silk. Whatever you chose to use, the cloth should be large enough to cover the entire altar and fit the work at hand.

What Should Be On Your Altar

There are items that should be included on your altar:

A Ceremonial Candle
This is a general purpose candle used to begin and set the focus of your energy and protection.

A Ritual Candle(s)
These are candles that you may want to use within your ritual workings.

A set of bowls to hold any ingredients that might be used in your workings. Personally, I have a set of 4 ceramic colored bowls. Each one represents one of the 4 elements. Such as blue for water, white for air and so on.

A mixing bowl or cauldron to combine your working ingredients in.

A ritual plate or serving plate
I use a flat brass candle holder as a serving dish for offerings. Sometimes these are cakes or cookies that I will share with others who are present. Sometimes it holds a small seedling that I will plant in honor of the GreatSpirits. A serving plate has a wide range of uses and often comes in handy.

A ritual cup or goblet
Wither you share wine or grape juice as part of your workings, a decorative cup adds to the essence of your altar.

A place for your Grimoire or Book of Shadows
Wither you're referring to your book for reference, or to record your experiences, there should be a place for your book. Personally I rarely have room on the altar itself for my Grimoire. But I did find a very sturdy and decorative adjustable podium to hold my book for rituals and workings.

What Can Be On Your Altar

There are many items that you may want to add to your altar based on the workings you're doing. If it's a ceremony for a Sabbat or a ritual for magik work, additional items might be needed to connect or cast your energies. This is just a small list of a few examples:

 

• Magikal Tools
• Inspirational Statues. If you feel connected to salamanders, then a small ceramic salamander can decorate your space.
• If you like incense with your workings, you'll need to add an incense holder. But you might also add a decorative feather for smudging.
• Crystals are also helpful energy conductors.

Types of Altars
 

An altar can be a permanent table you use in a special room designated for spiritual work. It can be a table you put up and take down after use. You can also find portable altars in various forms and shapes. From briefcase type carrying cases where you can store your altar items, so simple tables you set up and collapse to put away out of sight. There are many sites online that offer altar tables, but don't rule out some enterprising shopping at your local stores.

Preparing Your Space

 Before you begin any ritual or ceremony, you should Clear and Cleanse the area where the work is to be done. This is especially true when you're first consecrating your sacred space. You should re-cleanse this area each time you begin a ritual or use of this space, but these later efforts will all be affected by how you first set the intent and use of energy in this space for the first time.

Closing Your Space
 

Once your work is complete, you must close the energy around your altar. If you created a circle, around your space, closing the circle should incorporate the altar as well. This will ensure the energy used for your workings has properly been shut down. Leaving an open gate is not only disrespectful to the forces that assisted you, but also dangerous for you and your home. Closing your space is as simple as 1-2-3.

• Thank the guides, teachers, God/Goddess that you called or who came into the circle to offer assistance during your work.
• Imagine the energy around the circle lowering around you, toning down and fading so to speak.
• Finally, clear the space with a blessing and ask the energies to close the gate to the spiritual realm.