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Lesson 5 – Creating Sacred Space
Part II
Now that we’ve discussed the concept of sacred space and the preliminaries, I want to get into the actual casting of the circle. Depending on who you’re learning from, this can be done a variety of ways, but yet they all accomplish the same thing…they establish the boundaries where power and energies will be contained and harnessed for use in ritual spell work.
One thing we need to understand is the order of things within the circle. Everything has its timing and placement. Some may feel that Wicca can be rather disorderly because it is very free and accepting, and this is true, but once you are within circle nothing could be more organized.
First of all, before we can even think of casting the circle and performing magick, we have to carefully construct the entire event and determine its purpose. What special items and deities and energies are going to be needed for this particular purpose? When casting a circle at a Sabbat, the purpose is rather clearly laid out. Whatever is appropriate for that particular solar holiday is what will be used, but there will be times that you’ll want to do magickal workings and it won’t be any particular holiday at all. You won’t have a ready-to-use plan to choose from…you’ll need your own.
As an example, let me share the following with you:
I participated in the Imbolc 2000 ceremony with the Pagan Community Church this past weekend, which also happened to include the ordination of our first priest. It was so beautiful. As I observed the goings on… the lavish array of tools and icons which represented the elements in the quarters, the choice altar cloths and libations along with the page of chants which would be used in conjunction with the ritual outline, I could see the care that our High Priestess put into the creation of this sacred event. It isn’t something to take for granted and is a high honor to serve the gods in this way. It served as an example to those who would consider the path the importance of knowledge and paying attention to detail.
After everything was set up and ready to go, our priestess adjourned herself to go upstairs away from the hustle and bustle of the event to meditate…to prepare herself psychically and spiritually for what was about to transpire.
After she came down, we all learned the chants that would be used during rite and we were briefed as to the order of the ritual. Then we were asked to wait in the next room until the moment we were let in to the temple. While we were waiting the HPS performed a self-blessing* and then proceeded to allow us to enter one by one after blessing us with rose water. I felt so empowered as I walked in to our ritual space.
Then came the moment that the acting HP also received his blessing, anointing himself in the same manner the HPS did earlier, except now we were all present as witnesses.
Then we were taken through a grounding meditation so we could all be ready for the power that would be raised in circle.
Then, it was time to cast the circle. Three times round the circle, in a clockwise fashion did the HPS and HP walk their course…to bless and consecrate the sacred space with representations of the four elements of which all living things are comprised: 1) Air – the athame and incense, 2) Fire – a candle, 3) Water and Earth – Water mixed with salt. As they did we chanted:
We are a circle, we are
Moving together, we are
Moving together we are one.
I am Spirit and I flow in you.
You are Spirit and you flow in me.
Now that the circle was cast, a door was opened in the east that the Goddess might join us if she so desired. The three wick candle upon the altar was now lit, each wick representing an aspect of the Goddess…Maiden, Mother and Crone.
Now it was time for the HPS to perform the elemental purifications…she walked to each quarter where each element was represented on small tables and we were then ready to begin to Sing in the Quarters during which time the candles representing them (yellow – Air, Red - Fire, Blue – Water and Green – Earth) were lit and consecrated with a pentacle drawn in the air over them.
East: Be to me the air of noon,
Be to me the air of night,
Be to me the air of joy,
Turning darkness into light.
By the Young Lord shining gold,
By the Father, strong and bold,
By the Dark Lord, wise and old,
By the Sun, the One in Three.
South: (All the same words but substitute the word “fire” instead of “air.)
West: Be to me the water of noon,
Be to me the water of night,
Be to me the water of joy,
Turning darkness into light.
By the Virgin, waxing cold,
By the Mother, full and bold,
By the Hag Queen, silent old,
By the Moon, the One in Three.
North: (Same words as for West substituting the word “earth” instead of “water”)
After this it was time to pass Breid’s light around the circle from participant to participant. This was a wonderful and uplifting experience. As the flame was passed round, and one candle after another was lit, it created a warm glow on the faces of each person there. After all the candles were lit, we offered them to the image of Breid on the alter, placing them in a big earthen bowl before her and offered her a sea shell gift. We too were given the gift of a piece of anointed cloth which could be used for healing purposes at a later date. As we made our offerings one by one, we sang:
We will never lose our way to the well of her memory,
And the power of the living flame, it will rise, it will rise again.
The candles were allowed to burn all the way down in her honor and then it was time to invoke the Goddess and God, to perform the Great Rite (via the chalice and athame), and to partake of the cakes and ale.
After this, it was time for our friend and first priest Jim’s ordination ceremony. It was so beautiful and moving. After meeting his challenge and taking his vows, he was presented to each of the elements in the quarters as witch and priest. Then there were lots of congratulations, hugs and tears.
We then bid the God and Goddess farewell and dismissed the elements, starting in the North and moving widdershins (counterclockwise):
North: Hail Guardians of the Watchtower of the North,
Powers of Earth, We thank you for attending this rite
And bearing witness to this sacred ritual. As you depart
Your earthly realm, we bid you hail and farewell!
All: Hail and Farewell!
West: Hail Guardians of the Watchtower of the West,
Powers of Water, We thank you for attending this rite
And bearing witness to this sacred ritual. As you depart
Your watery realm, we bid you hail and farewell!
All: Hail and Farewell!
South: Hail Guardians of the Watchtower of the South,
Powers of Fire, We thank you for attending this rite
And bearing witness to this sacred ritual. As you depart
Your firey realm, we bid you hail and farewell!
All: Hail and Farewell!
East: Hail Guardians of the Watchtower of the East,
Powers of Air, We thank you for attending this rite
And bearing witness to this sacred ritual. As you depart
Your airy realm, we bid you hail and farewell!
All: Hail and Farewell!
The circle was then uncast by the priest walking widdershins with a candle:
May the circle be open but unbroken,
May the love of the goddess be ever in your heart,
Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.
This was just one example of the many possibilities of ritual construction, and they are only limited by the number of people composing them. Remember this, ritual magic is always for a reason and never to be done haphazardly, without direction. Preparation is always a must. Practicing the craft takes commitment and dedication, time and patience.
In the third and last part of this lesson series, you will learn how to cast the circle for your magickal purposes.
Self-Blessing* – generally is done when one wants to be in closer communion with the Godhead. Also may be done as a minor initiation, when it isn’t possible for a person to be initiated by a High Priestess or High Priest. It can also be used as a minor exorcism in order to banish evil influences that may have formed around the person. This is not to be used except in times of real need and mustn’t be done promiscuously. It is a powerful blessing and must be revered with honor.
Choose a quiet place free from distractions.
You will need the following:
1. Salt, about ¼ tsp.
2. Wine, about 1 oz.
3. Water, about ½ oz.
4. A candle, votive or other type
When you have completed this self-blessing, you should have a feeling of peace and calm.
1. Sprinkle salt on the floor and stand upon it.
2. Light the candle.
3. Let the warmth of the candle be absorbed into the body.
4. Mix water into the wine, meditating on the reasons for doing this self-blessing.
5. Say: “Bless me Mother, for I am your child.”
6. (Dip the fingers of your right hand into the water mixed with wine and anoint you eyes)
7. Say: “Blessed be my eyes that I may see your path.”
8. (Anoint your nose)
9. Say: “Blessed be my nose, that I may breathe your essence.”
10. (Anoint your mouth)
11. Say: “Blessed be my mouth that I may speak of you.”
12. (Anoint your breast)
13. Say: “Blessed be my breast, that I may be faithful in my work.”
14. (Anoint your loins)
15. Say: Blessed be my loins which bring forth the life of men and women as you have brought forth all creation.”
16. (Anoint your feet)
17. Say: “Blessed be my feet, that I may walk in your ways.”
Remain and meditate for a while. You may also read some poetry that honors the Goddess and God if you like. Enjoy their presence.
BB Sage |
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