THE GODDESS AND MAGICK -
CASTING A CIRCLE AND PERFORMING RITUAL
AN EASY TO FOLLOW, STEP BY STEP OUTLINE, INCLUDING:
- PERSONAL PREPARATION, TOOLS NEEDED, ALTAR SET-UP
BANISHING, CASTING THE CIRCLE, CONSECRATION, PURIFICATION, BLESSING
CALLING THE ELEMENTS, INVOKING THE GODDESS,
RITUAL WORKING, RAISING ENERGY - CONE OF POWER,
GROUNDING THE ENERGY, CAKES AND WINE, CLOSING THE CIRCLE.
WHY DO WE CAST A CIRCLE?
In circle casting, there is an intent, of course, but to create a positive, powerful atmosphere for the intent, we honor the God and Goddess and all their forms, which are comprised of the Four Elements and the Spark, or Spirit or That Which Encompasses All.
The Gods are ready and willing to help us, but they need to be asked. Ritual is a manner and form of communication between us and the Gods.
We cast a circle to create Sacred Space. However, there is another important reason for Circle Casting. There is a very real need to protect ourselves when opening ourselves up to the elements and thus becoming vulnerable. Not only do we gather strength and energy to ourselves during Circle work, but we also gather all SORTS of strength and energy to ourselves if we are not careful. When you shine brightly in the world of spirits you are visible to more than just positive forces.
Witches sometimes underestimate their strengths and weaknesses,
and in addition sometimes underestimate the power and strength of the Gods.
Thus it is important to not ASSUME anything, to question ALL, and to fully protect oneself before undertaking serious Circle work.
PREPARING YOURSELF TO PERFORM RITUAL
There are a number of ways to prepare oneself for ritual work, to step away from the Mundane world and into a Magickal Space.
A ritual bath is recommended, wearing of clothing or robes made of natural fabrics (skyclad if it is one‘s will), proper consecration of tools to ensure no unwanted and/or negative energy is involved. Before entering the circle smudge with sage or any combination of purifying herbs.
In addition to smudging immediately before ritual, all are expected to come 'clean' to the Circle, meaning free of negativity, fear, anger, want, etc. This is where taking the ritual bath or shower helps - during your preparatory bath release all mundane concerns and thoughts, opening oneself to the magickal world Deep breaths while smudging help relax the body, and a little music doesn't hurt either.
TOOLS NEEDED FOR CIRCLE CASTING
The tools that are generally needed consist of altars or places set up at
each direction, and on the main altar (which I also use as North) there is
the Athame and Chalice, a Wand, a small bowl of salt, a container of water, a Pentacle, candles, incense and other appropriate tools for the work at hand. Matches need to be available for lighting candles and incense.
The Main Altar should contain as you all know the representations of the Four Elements, and the God and Goddess representations, namely the Athame and the Chalice. The pentacle and cauldron are also important in that the pentacle encompasses All that Is, and the cauldron is again representative of the womb, of birth, of All That Can Be. The cauldron can also be used to hold your sage wand and burnt matches.
Music is another tool that can be utilized, quiet meditative music appropriate to ritual, preferably music without words. If you use music make sure to keep it low and set it to repeat so it does not intrude during ritual but remains a background tone.
ELEMENTAL ALTARS
Each altar (one in each direction) can be as simple (a single candle flame) or as elaborate (full scale altar with representatives of the elements, colors, astrological symbols, etc.) as you wish. Remember to research your associations and try new ones to see how the energy feels. Set them up carefully before the ritual.
This is where your meditation practice really starts to come into play - breathe deeply, feel, see and taste and hear all the elements with your Inner being. You will.
BANISHING
Before your circle can be case it is important to banish unwanted energies from the area in which you will be working.
Banishing can be done in a variety of ways - using a besom to sweep away negative energy around the area to be consecrated, using a bell or tingsha, loud Clapping or more a more formal banishing such as a ceremonial banishing rituals.
(all movement about the circle is to be done in a sunwise or Deosil movement unless otherwise indicated by the specific ritual)
CASTING AND CONSECRATING THE CIRCLE
When the banishing is concluded, the Circle is ready to be cast.
The Altar Candles are now lit as well as ritual incense.
The HPS (or presiding Priestess) takes the Athame in her power hand, starting at the East, drawing a pentagram (sometimes intoning is done here) at the East altar, then drawing a circle to the South, drawing a pentacle there (intoning again - at each altar, if this is desired), continuing West, drawing a pentacle there, drawing and finishing the circle at the North and drawing the pentacle there.
The ritual participants may now can enter the circle, preferably from the North East - with the Guardian Priest/ess asking:
Who is it who asks to enter this circle?
(answer with your magickal name, as in “It is I, Athena“ )
How do you enter this sacred space?
(with perfect love and perfect trust)
PURIFICATION AND BLESSING
Once all have entered, the HPS or presiding Priestess takes some of the salt and some of the water from the altar, and mixes these together with a blessing -
"Blessed Be this creature of earth, part of our Great Mother, and part of us, we honor thee."
"Blessed Be this creature of water, part of our Great Mother and part of us, we honor thee."
When mixed, everyone present is sprinkled with this water as a purification in the presence of the Mother at Her altar.
Blessing the water, blessing the salt and them mixing the two together form a very simple yet magickal 'potion,' one which is as sacred as the holy water used in Catholic tradition. Blessing all present and the circle with this water is a very important and essential part of ritual, and is also significant of a baptismal or renewal rite.
A moment of silence follows as we make ready to call the Quarters.
CALLING OR INVOKING THE ELEMENTS
There are as many different ways to do this as there are traditions. The
main reason for doing this at all is first and foremost to invite the
elements to be present at our ritual, thereby honoring them for their unity
with us; Secondly to provide protection and positive presence at our
working; and also to honor the Goddess by honoring Her many parts, and then again honoring ourselves.
I will not go into specific scripts for calling the quarters - sometimes
mine are very impromptu and the reason for this is because I want to feel
the element when I invite its presence. Have you ever recited something,
the Pledge of Allegiance for example so many times you can think about what you're going to do in a little while, what you had for breakfast, etc. while you're reciting it? This is the reason for impromptu in ritual.
However, it is necessary at least in the beginning to have focus and structure, because this trains the mind for the order needed. Preparation of the altar for which one is calling as well as some forethought as to what one is going to say is very helpful.
Beginning with the East, and continuing to North we invoke in the way we
Feel it most, feeling throughout our whole bodies the element we are
invoking. Light the candle on the appropriate altar just before you call the element.
East is called, then South, then West and finally North. After each direction is called the group says:
Hail and Welcome to the elemental direction
(Hail and Welcome East!”)
INVOKING THE GODDESS / SPIRIT
After calling the four Quarters, the final step is to invoke the Goddess, or Spirit to preside over your Circle.
The Priestess can do this very simply by going to the center of the Circle, raising her hands and arms in Goddess position, looking up, and asking the Goddess to bless all with Her presence at your ritual.
This can also be done by holding your Athame in your power hand and pointing upward, raising your empty hand upward at the same time, asking the Goddess for Her blessing at your ritual.
There are times, for specific rituals, that you may call upon the God as well as the Goddess. Generally, though, it is understood that the God is a part of the Goddess and is invoked when She is.
This is also a time when the HPS will come to the center, and if a Drawing Down the Moon is appropriate, this will begin at this time. (This is an actual evoking of the Goddess into one’s body. This can be quite dangerous and should not be attempted by an inexperienced practitioner. More on this at a later date).
If you wish you may call upon a certain Goddess with whom you have a special affinity or the God/ess who is appropriate for the specific ritual.
After you ask the Goddess for Her blessing, invoking the Spirit, say the magickal words that never cease to give me chills:
"The Circle is Cast. We are between the Worlds."
RITUAL WORKING
Now that the Circle has been cast, the work planned for the ritual can
begin. It should be mentioned (but probably surmised) that this work is planned in advance, and any tools, implements, written work, etc. should be gathered and made ready BEFORE the Circle is cast.
Part of your setting up work - in other words, nothing should hinder you (at least as much as possible) while you are conducting your ritual.
This working may be spellwork, healing work, a dedication, consecration of tools, praise and honor on the occasion of a particular Sabbat or Esbat . It may be a specific ritual for a rite of passage or one of many other and varied magickal workings.
Usually deep breathing and relaxation takes place first, followed by the
work at hand.
This goes on for as long as necessary.
The work is done, and then the raising of energy begins to send the intentions on its way.
RAISING ENERGY/ THE CONE OF POWER
There are many ways of raising energy. Witches use dance, drumming, chanting and other methods.
To start raising energy have the circle be seated. Each member should take the hand of the person next to them, right palm up, left palm down. Your right, or dominant hand receives the energy and your left hand passes the energy on. Breathe deep, focus and pass energy to the left. Let the energy circle and build.
When the energy is high, dancing, drumming or chanting can ensue to further build energy. Continue this exercise, faster and faster, until the energy builds and builds. At the peak push the energy upward to the sky with your body and soul, and release it to the Goddess. Or, depending on the type of ritual your are performing, you may also release the energy into a person (healing work), a stone or crystal or some other object.
GROUNDING THE ENERGY
Once the energy has been released it is very important to ground. Kneel or lie on the ground, hands and forehead to the earth, allowing all remaining magickal energy to drain out of you and be absorbed by the Earth. When all are fully grounded, move on to Cakes and Wine.
**Do not skip this step - it can have serious consequences**
CAKES AND WINE
After the work and raising of energy is completed, we now first consecrate (bless) our offerings of cakes and wine (MANY meanings, first of which is food and drink), offer them to the Goddess and the God (libation offering), and then we Feast.
The Chalice is filled with wine or another liquid of choice. (alcohol is NOT required in a ritual), The High Priestess or officiant of the ritual takes the Athame (symbol of the God) and says the Words:
"As this Athame is to the God, so the Chalice is to the Goddess." (or similar words)
The HPS lowers the Athame into the chalice to symbolize the Great Rite or Great Marriage.
After a libation is offered to the Gods, the Chalice is then offered by the HPS to those in the circle, in a sunwise direction. The HPS usually says to the person receiving the Chalice "Thou art Goddess (God). May you never thirst." The Chalice is passed about the circle with these words being repeated.
Then a plate of bread or cakes is blessed and then passed by the HPS to one of the Circle, saying "Thou art Goddess(God). May you never hunger." That person then takes the plate and feeds the person next in the Circle, saying the same words. Take time to relax and enjoy your bread and wine.
At this time you may, if you wish, draw a Tarot Card for further reflection following the ritual.
CLOSING THE CIRCLE
When you are ready, the circle must be closed.
The elements must be thanked and released by the individual who invoked them - for example:
Hail and Thank the East, Air, the Wind, our Inspiration,
Go if you must, stay if you will
(then say all together)
Hail and Farewell East.
Continuing through the Four Elements.
The Priestess then thanks and says farewell to the Goddess, with honor and all reverence. (for example):
“Blessed Goddess we thank you for your presence, your love, your strength and your inspiration. We ask you to return to us, to again be present in our rites “
The Circle is open but unbroken
Merry Meet and Merry Part
And Merry Meet Again.
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