Rituals

Ritual Procedure

There is many ways to hold a ritual and prepare for one. Use what you are comfortable with and what you want for the path you are on. I am just putting the basics in this post.

First decide what type of ritual you are doing and

purpose of the ritual.

A. Ritual Preparation:

For me this takes days or hours before a Ritual. It depends on if it is a Sabath or just a Ritual I have a need for lets say cleansing my self of negative energy or some new tool ect. I always write out my ritual from open to close on paper then later I put it in my Book of Shadows. For my BOS I use a binder it makes it easy for me to keep everything organized and I can move my rituals, spells or workings with herbs around for what worked and what didn't.

Then I clean and prepare my space that I am going to use to hold my ritual. I also cleans myself with either a shower, bath or just a smudge of sage. I get all my tools, incense and set up my alter.

B. Cast Circle:

You can cast the circle or create sacred space depending on what purpose the ritual you are doing is for. If you are just working on something creative and want to do it in a magic space cast your circle with visualization, smudging, or just firmly declaring why you need this working space. If you are holding a elaborate ritual use a circle of power.

C. Invoking the Elements:

Invoking the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water requesting the elements to join your rites. This is a wonderful way to add power and grace to your rituals.

D. Invoking The God and Goddess:

Not all witches call the Deities some call just the one they feel close to. I personally call upon my Lord and Lady or my Mother Goddess and Farther God. I am drawn to Egyptian gods but I do not call upon them by name all the time. I believe and this is just my own beliefs that if you just call them by general names. The one you need most will come to you.  Just like if you call upon say Isis and instead you get Bast. That is because that is the Goddess that heard your call and was the one that felt could help you most at that time. Others believe different and that is your right! What is in your heart is what you should go with don't let anyone else tell you whats right or wrong.

E. Magical workings or main ritual: 

This is anything from spells to rituals. Drumming and dancing maybe even meditation and time with the gods asking for guidance. Even doing divination!

F. Cakes and Wine: 

After a ritual you can have cakes and wine. You can use bread and juice or anything you have on hand really.If you want to make special food or drinks it is up to you.

G. Thanking the Deities 

I think this is the best time to thank the God and Goddess from your heart for being there with you and helping with what ever you asked them to be there with you for. Don't worry about being a poet they will be grateful for anyway you thank them.

H. Devoking the Elements:

This is when you thank the elements for bringing there energy and you dismiss them from your ritual.

 I. Open circle or sacred space:

Opening the circle is when you let go of the focus that you have used to keep the ritual you did guarded and the energy condensed in the circle. After a powerful ritual it can be like stepping out of a hot tub into a snow bank. Also you always leave some cake and wine outside for the Deities. I bury them in the earth with any left over water, salt and Incense.