GROUNDING AND CENTERING
This is the second step in preparing for ritual and magick. The first is PROTECTION.
Once you have you prepared your area it's important to prepare yourself for the energy you are going to generate. Grounding and centering do just that. It grounds you to the Earth plane and centers your energy in one area so you can control it and tap into it. Grounding and centering can and should be your whole ritual at least once. It's a very "uplifting" experience.
Grounding. There are many ways to do this. I visualize roots coming out of my feet and hands, reaching for the Goddess energy are the core of the Earth. Once I have reached this energy, I gently pierce the outer skin of the core and drink this energy up into my body. I see this as green healing light. Once I feel full of this energy and I am pulsating green light, I release my finger roots and let my hands float upwards. Then I reach to the heavens and take in the golden light of God. This light of Life also flows into my crown chakra. Once I feel full of this golden light, I release my hands and put them down to my side. I am still connected to God through my crown charka and the Goddess through the roots in my feet.
Centering. I take this energy from the God and Goddess and mix it up inside of me. It turns blue and into water. When thoroughly mixed then I let it spout out of my crown, flow over my body, be absorbed by my roots. Do this cycle at least three time, but do it as long as you like. When you feel completely relax and energized take a portion of this energy and ball it up. Mine takes the consistency of pudding. You can put this energy into your heart or sacral chakra. I put it into my womb.
This is the energy you will use for all of your magick. Thank God and Goddess for the gift and give the rest of the energy to the Goddess for healing.
I've been doing this for a while and while I still like to do it this way, as a ritual in itself, I do have a short cut version that I usually do.
I take a deep breath and hold it for as long as I can. When I let it out I shoot my roots into the ground and think "FIRE" . Do this again for each element letting the roots grow longer and longer. On the last element before you take in the next breath, gently pierce the Goddess's energy and as you draw in your breath, drink up Her healing energy.
(I visualize large roots when I do it this way)
Then I do the same for the God Life energy,  except I take three breaths and say "Father, Mother, Spirit, One". One breath per name.
Let the energy mix and heal you, let the water flow over you and refresh you. Then make up your "pudding" and store it away. Give thanks and give back.
Blessed Be