Rituals and Rites

			Here you will find a basic Ritual for opening a circle, more will be added soon.

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			Opening & Closing of the Circle: You are striving to create an atmosphere in which magic can work. The candle-lit room, the wearing of robes and scented incense smoke can transform any ritual area into a shrine of power. Play soft music to help create atmosphere. Relax and take several deep breaths to center yourself. Put everything you will need for your altar and spellworkings inside the ritual area. Altar Supplies: Everything needed 4 specific spells; a chalice of water; salt; pentacle disk; sword/dagger; wand; incense burner (preferably with attached chains 4 carrying) with lighted charcoal; incense; 1 or 2 altar candles for light; 4 element candles. See 'casting a circle' within this Book of Shadows for details of candles and quarters etc. (Perform this BEFORE every ritual) Note: That in casting the Circle it is acceptable to use a dagger, sword, or the forefinger of your power hand. While you are drawing the circle, say: "I consentrate this circle of power to the Ancient Gods. Here may they manifest and bless their child. Move back to the altar, facing east. Raise your dagger or wand in greeting, Say: "This is a time that is not a time, In a place that is not a place, On a day that is not a day. I stand on the threshold between the worlds, before the veil of the mysteries. May the Ancient Ones help and protect me on my magical journey." Set the water chalice on the pentacle. Hold your dagger over it and Say: "Great Mother, bless this creature of water to your service. May I always remember the cauldron waters of rebirth. Hold your dagger over the salt, Say: "Great Mother, bless this creature of Earth into your service. May I always remember the blessed Earth, its many forms and beings. Sprinkle a little salt into the water, then hold the chalice up high. Say: Great Mother, I give you honor! Beginning in the East and moving clockwise, sprinkle the water salt mixture lightly around the edges of the circle. Replace the chalice on the altar. Hold your dagger over the lighted incense burner, Say: Great Father, bless this creature of fire into your service. May I always remember the sacred fire that dances within the form of every creation. Hold your dagger over the incense, saying: Great Father, bless this creature of air into your service. May I always listen to the spirit winds that bring me the voices of the ancient ones. Put a little incense on the lighted charcoal. (Don't put too much!) Using attached chains, touch the burner briefly to the pentacle disk, then raise it high saying: Great Father, I give you honor! Carry the burner around the circle clockwise, beginning in the East. Return it to the altar. Go to the eastern quarter of the circle. Light the Red(Yellow) candle and hold your hand up in greeting. (You may also salute the element with your dagger, sword, or wand): I call upon you, powers of Air, to witness this rite and to guard this circle. In the southern quarter light the White(Red) Candle and greet the element: I call upon you, powers of Fire, to witness this rite and to guard this circle. Move to the west; light the grey(Blue) candle and hold up your hand in greeting: I call upon you, powers of Water, to witness this rite and to guard this circle. End by going north; Light the black(green) candle and greet the element: I call upon you, powers of Earth, to witness this rite and to guard this circle. Move back to the central altar, and stand facing east. Raise your arms in greeting: This circle is bound, With power all around, Between the worlds, I stand with protection at hand. Proceed with your planned spellwork ceremony.... (To close the circle at the end, perform this AFTER every ritual) When everything is completed, hold your hand or dagger over the altar and say: By the powers of the Ancient Gods, I bind all power within this circle into this spell. So mote it be! When you are ready to end the ritual, go to the East and extinguish the Red(Yellow) Candle. Say: Depart in peace, O powers of Air. My thanks and blessings. Go to the South and extinguish the White(Red) candle. Say: Depart in peace, O powers of Fire. My thanks and Blessings. Go to the West and put out the grey(Blue) candle. Say: Depart in peace, O powers of Water. My thanks and blessings. Finish by going to the north and put out the Black(Green) candle. Say: Depart in peace, O powers of Earth. My thanks and blessings. Return to the altar in the center and say: To all beings and powers of the visible and invisible, Depart in peace. May there always be harmony between us. My thanks and blessings. Cut the circle counter clockwise with your dagger/sword to release all remaining traces of power for manifestation. Say: The circle is open, yet ever it remains a circle. Around and through me always flows its magical power. Put away all magical tools and clear the altar. Leave any candles or objects which must remain to either burn or be empowered for a stated period of time. Remember never leave a burning candle unattended.

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