The Opening Ritual

Place the bowl of water on the pentacle atop the altar and put the tip of the athame in the water:

“I exorcise thee, O creatures of water, and thou cast out from thee all the impurities and unseemliness of the spirits of the world of phantasm; in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia.”

(or whatever God and Goddess you’re using).

Place the bowl of salt on the pentacle with the tip of the athame in the salt:

“Blessings be upon this creature of salt;
Let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth
hence from, and let all good enter herein;
Wherefore do I bless thee, that thou mayest
And me, in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia”.

(or whatever God and Goddess you’re using).

Next, pour the salt into the bowl of water.

A Self-Initiation Ritual

The Preparation

The tools on the altar: sword, athame, white-handled knife, wand, pentacle, censer of incense, scourge, cords, chalice of wine, anointing oil, bowl of water, bowl of salt and a necklace or pendant.

It is best if the initiate is sky clad; any jewellery usually worn should be removed.

The Ritual

Consecrate the water and salt, cast, the Circle, carry around the water, carry around the censer, carry around the candle and summon the Lords of the Watchtowers.

Face the altar with arms raised high and wide.

“I invoke thee and call upon thee, Mighty Mother of us all, bringer of all fruitfulness; by seed and root, by stem and bud, by leaf and flower and fruit do I invoke thee to bless this rite, and to admit me to the company of thy hidden children.”

Stand with your back to the altar and recite the Charge of the Goddess:

“Now listen to the words of the Great Mother, who was of old also called among men Artemis, Astarte, Athene, Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen, Dana, Arianrhod, Isis, Bride, And by many other names. Whenever ye have need of anything, once in the month, and better when the Moon is full, then shall ye assemble in some secret place, and adore the spirit of me, who am Queen of all witches. There shall ye assemble, Ye who are lain to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets; To these will I teach things that are as yet unknown. And ye shall be free from slavery; And as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall be naked in your rites; And ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, All in my praise. For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and mine also is joy on earth; For my law is love unto all beings.

Keep pure your highest ideal; Strive ever towards it, let naught stop you or turn you aside; For mine is the secret door which opens upon the land of youth, And mine is the cup of wine of life, And the cauldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of immortality.

I am the gracious Goddess, who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man. Upon earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal; And beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, And reunion with those who have gone before. Nor do I demand sacrifice; for behold, I am the Mother of all living, And my love is poured out upon the earth.

Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess; She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, whose body encircles the universe. I, who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the stars, And the mystery of the waters, and desire of the heart of man. Call unto thy soul; Arise and come unto me; For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe. From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return; And before my face, beloved to Gods and of men, Let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite. Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; For behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, Honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you, And thou who thinkest to seek for me, Know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knowest the mystery: That if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee, Thou will never find it without thee. For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; And I am that which is attained at the end of desires.”

Face the altar again with arms raised, giving the “Horned God” salute.

“Great God Cernunnos, return to earth again!
Come on my call and show thyself to men.
Shepherd of Goats, upon the wild hill’s way,
Lead thy lost flock’s from darkness unto day.
Forgotten are the ways of sleep and night -
Men seek for them, whose eyes have lost the light.
Open the door, the door that hath no key,
The door of dreams, whereby men come to thee.
Shepherd of Goats, O answer unto me!”

Sit of kneel in the center of the Circle facing the altar.

“Gentle Goddess, powerful God; I am your child, now
And always. Your breath is my life. Your voice, Great Mother, and yours, Great Father, speak within me, as they do in all your creatures, if we will only listen. Therefore here in your Magick Circle, which stands between the world of men and the realm of the Mighty Ones, do I open my heart to your blessing.”

Meditate in silence on the Goddess and God, opening your heart to them.

Once it feels right, rise and go to each of the cardinal points in turn and say:

“Take heed, ye Lords of the East (South, West, North), that I, ____, am properly prepared to become a priestess and witch.”

Stand in front of the altar once more with your right hand on your heart, speaking the Oath:

“I, _____, in the presence of the Mighty Ones, do of my own free will and accord most solemnly swear that I ever keep secret and never reveal those secrets of the Craft which shall be entrusted to me, except it be in a proper person, properly prepared within a Circle such as I am now in; and that I will never deny the secrets to such a person if he or she be properly vouched for by a brother of sister of the Art. All this I swear by my hopes of a future life; and may my weapons turn against me if I break this my solemn oath.”

Bow to the altar and take the anointing oil. Dip your fingers in and say:

“I hereby sign myself with the Triple Sign.
I consecrate myself with oil.”

Make the Triple Goddess sign with the oil over your heart and forehead.

Pick up the necklace and put it around your neck.

“With the Necklace, which is the Circle of Rebirth,
I seal my commitment to the Craft of the Wise.”

Finally, go to each of the cardinal points in turn and, with your arms raised, say:

“Hear ye, Mighty Ones of the East (South, West, North); I, ______, have been duly consecrated priestess, witch, and hidden child of the Goddess.”

The Ritual of Thresholds (consecration of altar)

Prepare yourself with a ritual bath taken about an hour before you begin the rite. After the ritual bath, dry yourself off and don whatever mask or other attire you have settled upon to help make a break with ordinary reality and keep yourself in a ritual frame of mind. Approach the altar in silence and light first the incense, then the candles of life and death. Cross your arms upon your chest and kneel down for a moment, contemplating your purpose and intent.

When you are ready, stand before the altar. Stare into your own eyes behind the veiled mirror. You will do this whenever you do ritual work at your death altar, for your veiled reflection represents the spirit aspect of you. When you work at this altar, you are trying to bring both spirit and flesh together, to allow yourself to walk and work as one, so identification with this veiled self is important.

Take three slow, deep breaths and feel the power begin to flow throughout your body. Place your fingers in the vessel of earth and invoke the first element:

“I call upon the earth, which gives and then takes back! You are the foundation of all life, nurturing the young and welcoming the dead with open arms. Lend your power to this space and consecrate it to the element that ground.”

Scatter a pinch of earth across the altar. When you are finished, touch your fingers to your forehead, leaving a streak of dust. Then place your fingers in the vessel of water and invoke the second element:

“I call upon the water, which cleanses and renews! You are my blood and my precious tears, and in the form of the great ocean, you take everything into yourself so it is transformed. Lend your powers to this space and consecrate it to the element that flows.”

Scatter the water clinging to your fingers upon the altar. When you are done, touch your fingers to your lips, tasting the salt of blood and tears. When you are finished, pass your hands over the candle flames, both at once, so there is a balance between life and death. As you do this, invoke the third element:
“I call upon the fire, which illuminates and consumes! You are the shifting flame that shines and then destroys. You are capable of devouring everything, reducing it down to its most basic parts. Lend your power to this space and consecrate it to the element that burns.”

Press both of your palms together in front of your heart. Smell the lingering scent of the flame as it clings to your flesh. When you are finished, waft the smoke from the incense towards you, so it billows up and around you. As you do this, invoke the fourth element:

“I call upon the air, which is both breath and life! You are the essence of a sigh and the voice of a mighty storm. Invisible to the naked eye, if you are absent, all life comes to an end. Lend your power to this space and consecrate to the element that breathes.”

Hold the incense holder in both hands and present the smoke to the left of the altar and then to the right. Finally, present the smoke to the veiled mirror, so curls of incense waft up past the centerpiece of your altar. Put the incense holder back down in its proper place. With the scent of the smoke still clinging to your skin, fold both hands over your belly, just beneath your navel. When you are finished, hold your hands out at your sides, palms turned upward. As you do this, invoke the final element:

“I call upon the spirit, supreme force that binds the rest. You are the essence that remains when the wind falls still. You are the light that shines when the fire has burned down. You are the force that flows when the water has gone dry. You are what remains when all the earth crumbles into dust. Lend your power to this space and consecrate it to the element that survives even death.”

Lift your hands before you and feel energy gathering in your open palms. Radiate this from your hands and your heart into the altar. Still summoning energy and infusing it into the altar, imagine a gate opening up between you and the veiled mirror, a threshold that stretches between the candle of life and the candle of death. Call upon the spirits to help open this gate from their end.

“I call to you, spirits, and unseen powers! I invoke the shadows and the creeping arms of night! Come, stand at this threshold and bear witness to my rite. Lend your power to the gate I now throw open. Join me here in the space between death and life.”

Point the first two fingers of your right hand out. Concentrate all of the energy you have been building in the ritual thus far into the tips of those two fingers. Starting at the floor beneath the left candle, begin to draw the outline of a gate in the air just in front of the altar. Move up in a line parallel to the left candle, arching over the altar, then drawing a line on the other side all the way to the floor, in line with the candle burning on the right.

As you do this, continue to concentrate the energy into your fingers, summoning the power of all five elements you have just invoked. Use this power to cut a gateway in the very fabric of reality, opening a gate between flesh and spirit.

“I consecrate this altar as a space between. When I stand here, I stand between life and death. When I stand here, I stand among you, my spirits, guardians, and friends. This is my threshold, and my will is my key. When I call for this gate to open, nothing will stand in my way.”

Stand before the gate, spreading your arms wide. Briefly invoke each of the elements again, calling the memory of their energy to your hands and imbuing this energy into the space of your altar.

“By flesh and spirit, by earth and air, by fire and water, I open this gate and bind it to me.”

Cross your arms upon your chest and kneel before the altar once more. Silently thank the spirits, elements, and powers for attending your rite, and silently bid them to depart. Continuing in silence, blow out the candles, snuff the incense, and remove your ritual attire. Do not speak until you have left the space of your altar. You may want to eat a small meal to help yourself ground and return to a normal frame of mind.

Ritual: An Imbolc Celebration

Things you will need:

* one large candle (your choice of colour)
* four small candles (one of each: yellow, red, blue, green)
* candle holders for the four candles
* a lighter or matches
* two bowls of dirt
*a small watering can filled with water
* one packet of flower, herb, or vegetable seeds (choose seeds that represent a goal or idea that you’d like to bring into your life)
* freshly made bread
* butter
* a cup of milk
* a libation bowl
* a small hand towel

***************************************************

Place the large candle, lighter, two bowls of dirt, watering can, and seeds in the center of your sacred space. If you are performing the celebration inside, be sure to cleanse your area with sage ahead of time. Put the four small candles at the edges of your sacred space: yellow in the east, red in the south, blue in the west and green in the north. Sitting facing the east, ground and center yourself, taking as much time as you need.

Once you feel relaxed and connected to the four elements, stand and walk to the east. Hold your hands up above your head and say:

“Hail to the Guardian of the East,
The simple Cherry Tree.
Beautiful and gentle, pure and willing sacrifice,
You understand the cycle of life and death and rebirth.
Bring to me the peace to acknowledge the inevitable
And to welcome my growth.
Cherry Tree, Spirit of Air, I welcome you!”

When you feel the presence of the east enter your sacred space, walk to the south, raise your hands, and say:

“Hail to the Guardian of the South,
The quickening Rowan Tree.
Fiery and nourishing, physical and spiritual healer,
Your berries support life while your bark soars with spirit.
Bring to me the knowledge of the ancient ways
And the strength to use it well.
Rowan Tree, Spirit of Fire, I welcome you!”

Feel the energy of the south enter your sacred space. Then walk to the west, hold your hands above your head, and say:

“Hail to the Guardian of the West,
The giving Apple Tree.
Loving and opening, emotional and otherworldly center,
You know the heart is the key to happiness.
Bring to me the acceptance of my inner truth
And the generosity to share it with the world.
Apple Tree, Spirit of Water, I welcome you!”

Once you feel the calming presence of the west in your circle, walk to the north. Hold your arms above your head, and say:

“Hail to the Guardian of the North,
The enduring Holly Tree.
Bright and gay, protective and compassionate partner,
You shift with the currents of change, adjusting to seasons and spirituality.
Bring to me the courage to alter my perceptions
And the ability to persevere through trials.
Holly Tree, Spirit of Earth, I welcome you!”

Be sure to light each candle after you have requested the presence of each elemental tree. Having called for the aid and guidance of the four directions, return to the center of your sacred space and sit down. Think of the goddess Brigid in all her many guises: powerful smith, watery healer, illuminating muse, preserved saint, forgotten goddess, fire, sun, land, divine. When you feel her nearby, place your hands over your heart and say”

“Most blessed Brigid,
Bright Arrow,
Arousing, swirling, teaching,
Direct my words and
Focus my art
To resonate your will
Beneath the sky, beneath the sea.
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
You inspire.

Most sacred Brigid,
Sudden flame,
Shaping, melding, purifying,
Forge my hands and
Guide my heart
To do your bidding
Beneath the sky, beneath the sea.
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
You transform.

Most honoured Brigid,
Living light,
Calming, soothing, restoring,
Mend my wounds and
Allow your love
To shine through me
Beneath the sky, beneath the sea.
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
You heal.

Most blessed Brigid,
Living light,
Bright Arrow,
Sudden flame,
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
Arise like a shining sun
And join me in my circle!

Brigid, goddess immortal, most blessed,
I light this candle
In fiery offering to you.”

Light the large candle and take some time to gaze undisturbed into its flame. Feel its warmth and envision the goddess Brigid welcoming you with open arms. When you feel relaxed and open, put the two bowls of dirt in front of you and concentrate on the holiday Imbolc. When you feel ready, say:

“Imbolc is a time to plant my seeds, to begin anew, forging ahead to create my own destiny. The Goddess, as young mother, protects and nurtures the God, just as the earth protects and nurtures the warming seeds in the ground. May she protect and nurture my inner seed, my inner growth, so that I may flourish in the beauty and vastness of spring. We are all flowers waiting in the gentle arms of the Mother for the soothing warmth of the equinox sun. We are all burgeoning power, waiting for our time to bloom.”

Plunge your hands into one of the bowls of dirt. Feel the dirt between your fingers, warm and dry or cool and moist. Close your eyes and empty your stress, anxiety, concerns, and worries into the soil. Feel your old hurts and old impressions of self seep out of your heart, making their way into your long fingers. They move slowly but deliberately into the very tips of your fingers, and when you are ready, they release into the soil, freeing you from their self-destructive grip. When you have emptied yourself of the negative in your life, in your spirit, and in your soul, shake the dirt from your fingers. Hold your hands over the first bowl of dirt and cleanse them with water from the watering can. (You will have to do one at a time). Wipe your hands on the towel.

Pour the seeds into your hands, holding them tightly. Concentrate on the goal or ideal that you would like to bring into your life. Your goal is like these seeds, burgeoning with possibility, not quite sprouted but filled with the life force of the goddess Brigid. With your mouth pressed tightly to the seeds, say:

“By Brigid, goddess of the forge and transformation, I name thee (your goal or ideal).
By Brigid, goddess of the hearth and healing, I name thee (your goal or ideal).
By Brigid, goddess of bard craft and creativity, I name thee (your goal or ideal).”

Blow lightly on the seeds, placing your energy and essence onto them, melding the two energies into one. Then plant the seeds in the second bowl of dirt and water them with the watering can. Hold your hands over the newly planted seeds, and send them love and support. Be the Goddess to these seeds just as the goddess Brigid nurtures the seeds of your dreams.

Place some bread and butter and milk into your libation bowl as a sacrifice for Brigid and the four elemental trees. While you do this, state:

“I honour Brigid and the Cherry, Rowan, Apple, and Holly Trees for sanctifying and sharing in this ceremony with me. I give you this sacrifice of my hands and my heart as a symbol of my love and connection to you.”

Then eat and drink as much bread and butter and milk as you would like. When you have cleaned up the food and drink, concentrate once again on the goddess Brigid. Hold your hands out to her and say:

“I thank you, Brigid, for your presence here in my circle,
For giving me warmth of heart and hearth.
As the sisters of old, I have honoured you
In the traditional way.
May my love for you be felt through time and space,
Across the universe, upon the earth, and under the sea.
Although the light of this candle goes out,
I carry your flame in my breast.

Most blessed Brigid,
Living light,
Bright Arrow
Sudden blaze,
Goddess of the sun and
Of the eternal fire,
I guard your flame.

Blessed be.”

Quench the fire of the large candle and then say:

“I thank the Holly, Apple, Rowan and Cherry Trees for their presence in my circle. May I forever learn from their generous gifts and hidden, secret knowledge. May their trunks grow tall and sturdy, and may they be honoured for their nurturing, mature wisdom. May their presence be remembered and enjoyed for all time.

Hail to the Holly Tree, tree of courage and change.
(Blow out the green candle).

Hail to the Apple Tree, tree of love and generosity.
(Blow out the blue candle).

Hail to the Rowan Tree, tree of inspiration and healing.
(Blow out the red candle).

Hail to the Cherry Tree, tree of beauty and sacrifice.
(Blow out the yellow candle).

I honour you. Blessed be.”

Return to the center of your sacred space and say:

“My rite is ended. May I go with the peace and love of the Goddess in my heart. Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again!”

Writer Talisman: A Ritual

Select a stone of your choice - it can be one with a writing correspondence, or simply one that you find pleasing. Cleanse the stone, then charge by placing it on your altar or under sun/moonlight for another 24 hours.

When you are ready to empower the talisman, dissolve some sea salt in a small bowl of water, and light a candle. Dip your fingertips into the sea salt water and anoint the stone as you repeat the following:

I bless this stone with water.
May the waters of inspiration flow through me!

I bless this stone with the salt of the earth.
May earth s constancy embolden me!

Now pass the stone above the candle flame as you repeat the following:

I bless this stone with air.
May air s transcendence blow through me!

I bless this stone with fire.
May the passions of fire inspire me!

Earth, air, fire, and water, now held within this stone.
May they gift me with energy and joy as I ply my craft.

Set the stone on your desk. Apply it to your crown chakra for inspiration.

Solitary Affirmation Ritual

Place a flame at the north point of the stone circle, saying:

“I give honour to the Lands of my Gods,
Ancient and good.
And the power that is within them.
Hail Odin!”

Put a flame at the east point, saying:

“I give honour to the Winds of my Gods
Ever fresh and new,
And the power that is within them.
Hail Odin!”

Put a flame at the south point, saying:

“I give honour to the warm Sun of my Gods,
Ever giving of new life,
And the power that is within.
Hail Odin!”

Put a flame at the west point, saying:

“I give honour to the seas and lakes
And rivers of my Gods,
And the power that is within them.
Hail Odin!”

Stand before the altar and place a light before the Rune of Odin, saluting and saying:

“hail Odin, giver of victory,
Thou who knowest the runes of wisdom,
And of power.
Bring me again to be with thy people.
Those who know the strength of thy
Ancient ways.
Give me of thy wisdom.
That I may better honour thee
As I prosper in thy name.
Hail Odin!”

Add any other items which you might wish to mention to Odin, and then drink in his honour. Next place a light before the Rune of Thor, saluting and saying:
“Hail Thor, laughing, red-bearded
Thundered and guardian.
Bring me again to be with thy people.
Those who know the joy and robust power of thine
Ancient Ways.
Give me of thy might, and of thy laughter
That I may better honour thee
As I prosper in thy name.
Hail Thor!”

Add any other items which you might wish to mention before Thor, and then drink in his honour. Next place a light before the Rune of Freya, saluting and saying:

“Hail Freya the Fair One,
Beautiful enchantress, jewel of the Gods
And chooser of the mortals who are most honoured.
Bring me again to be with thy people.
Those who know the magick and beauty
And triumph of thine Ancient Ways.
Give me of thy pride and persuasion
That I may better honour thee
As I prosper in thy name.
Hail Freya!”

Add any other items which you might wish to mention before Freya, and then drink in her honour.

Stand silently for a long while, meditating on the presences of the Old Ones, the Gods of our folk who are eternally young, eternally powerful, and returning again here and now to cast their sacred presences about you. Sense their power about you. Now is the time to add any words which you would deem appropriate, for yourself or for others.

When you feel that the rite should end, face the runes of the Gods and take up the chalice one last time, saying:

“O Great Ones of High Valhalla,
I give honour to thee
For being with me here.
May some of thy presences
Remain within me as I leave.
And be ever near me, as well as with
Those who are my true people.
To thee do I drink this toast,
And pour this libation.
Hail Freya! (salute)
Hail Thor! (salute)
Hail Odin! (salute)

Pour some of the drink out before the altar, and drink what remains. Then put out the candles at the North, East, South and West. Stand before the altar with your arms out, saying:

“I thank thee, O Great Ones.
The rite is ended.”

Maiden’s Day (February 2)

Set up the ritual so that you face North. Take eight stones and lay them down at equal intervals starting from the north and working sunwise. Between the altar and the stone marking the north-point of the circle, place or draw the runes of the Gods: Odin at the center, Freya to one side and Thor at the other. Have a full chalice on the altar as well.

Light the candles at he four quarters and recite:

“I light here a flame
In honour of the coming season
Of chill, and of solitude.
Be with me now Odin, Freya, Thor!”

Light the candle on the altar.

“O Great Ones, I dedicate this place
In thy honour and for thy magicks.
Be with me, and in me, and of me,
Odin the Wise,
Freya the Beautiful,
Thor the Mighty.”

Sit before the altar and then raise the chalice.

“I drink to thee, O Great Ones.
Though I am the only one of our people
Here in this place, it is still
A place of the Gods.
So long as thy magical flame
Burns in my heart.
Hail Odin! (drink)
Hail Freya! (drink)
Hail Thor! (drink)
Hail Hulda! (drink)
I salute also the spirit of the Vala,
The far-seeing prophetess
Who sought out the patterns
Of the future for Great Odin.
Grant me thy clear vision,
O Wise Woman! (drink)”

Lay out the runestones which are symbolic of the coming season. Then take up pen and paper and write the runes which best summarize why you feel guilty, and all that you feel you have done wrong in the past. Scribe the runes, and write plainly all that bothers you the most about yourself. Spend a lengthy time looking at the runes and meditating on them all, looking for the link between the symbols and the season and what you wish to accomplish. Finally, fold your paper with your own personal desires runed on it, and burn it in the cauldron, saying:

“Hear me, O Hulda,
Dark Goddess of times for distant.
I place before thee the symbols
Of all which hinders,
Harms, and makes guilty
Within my own soul.
As this flame burns, O Ancient Norn,
I ask thee to consume all my guilt, all my pain,
That it be gone forever.
And leave me pure
In thy holy Name.
I swear by the Sun, O Dark One,
That I shall do all within my power
To build myself stronger, better,
And more noble
In the year to come.
And I thank thee,
O Goddess before the Gods.
Hail Hulda!”

Gaze into the flames for a long while to see if you can perceive impressions, images or patterns which might give some hint of the future. If so, write them down.

Next this time you may perform any other observances or meditations which you feel are appropriate.

When you feel that the rite should end, face the runes of the Gods and take up the chalice one last time, saying:

“O Great Ones of High Valhalla,
I give honour to thee
For being with me here.
May some of thy sacred presences
Remain within me as I leave.
And be ever near me, as well as with
Those who are my true people.
To thee I drink this toast,
And pour this libation.
Hail Hulda! (salute)
Hail Freya! (salute)
Hail Thor! (salute)
Hail Odin! (salute)

Pour some of the drink out before the altar, and drink what remains. Then put out the candles at the North, East, South and West. Then stand before the altar with your arms out, saying:

“I thank thee, O Great Ones,
This rite is ended.”

The Festival of Lights (December 24)

“I light my candle in honour
Of the Child of Promise,
Of a magickal time,
And a magickal night.

This is the time for wonder,
For living again the time of beauty
And of joy.
On this beautiful night I again
Renew, within myself,
The promise of hope and joy
For the seasons to come.

This is the time for wonder,
For magick, for enchantment,
And for love.
On this beautiful night I who am grown
Can once more remember a child’s joy,
And children can touch the sky!

May the Holy Lady bless my home,
My family, and all I own.
So mote it be!

May my Lord and my Blessed Lady
Give blessings upon me.
Let me give joy and good friendship
Before the Great Ones,
And in doing, honour them.
This rite is ended.
The Gods be with me!”

Winter Solstice Ritual

“The Ring of the Year continues,
Without beginning and without end.
The second half-year has passed.
This time of old was called the Wolf Season,
In our old lands a time of cold and harshness.
But surely as the warm seasons
Shall follow this,
So also shall out Gods be with us.

The times that shall come are cold,
Yet look to the sky
And see the promise that the High ones
Have made to us:
The stars which we call “Freya’s Gown”
Are high in the winter sky,
And the winter way winds from her feet
To mark the path of souls across the sky.
So also, in the coldest of seasons,
Is the promise of life and plenty to come.”

Samhain Ritual

“Ever-present at this time is the beautiful,
Yet dark and fearsome Ruler of the Realms
Of the Dead, known to men as Hellia or Hel.
She gathers in the souls at twilight’s end,
And gives to each, what each deserves.
Without hate, without love, without pity.
Hail, Queen of the Dead!

Let me now place flames before the
Portals of the East and West,
For at this night the veil between
The living and the dead are thin,
And in times long past did the Dark Queen
Lead the spirits and the shades on procession
Through the dark forests, the night,
And the storms
Of this Middle Earth of humankind.
So let me now, in symbol, open the path
That leads between the worlds.”

Light the candles in the appropriate colours in the West and East.
Pour the drink into the chalice.

“On this night, O Great Ones,
Do I offer thee mead in lieu of blood,
For the times have changed.
Yet our honour and reverence to Thee
Remains as unchanged now
As it was in ages past.
On this night may we drink to welcome
The Gods of High Valhalla, and the ghosts
Of those who were of our people
In times past.”

Drink now in honour of the dead, those whom you have loved, and those you know not, yet all who were your kindred.

Personal Cleaning Ritual

“Take now the parchment from the altar,
And writing implements.
In silence, put on thereon the symbolic runes
Of all within yourself which hinders,

Harms and makes guilty.
Think upon it, yet let it be known
Only to the Gods, and then it before
The Ancient One.
And afterward look into the flames,
And search for the future.”

Write or draw that which symbolizes your weaknesses and guilts. After you’re done writing, read the sheet aloud to yourself and burn it.

“Hear me, O Hulda,
Dark Goddess of times far distant.
I place before thee the runes
Of all which hinders,
Harms, and makes guilty
Within my own soul.
As this flame burns, O Ancient Norn,
I ask thee to consume all which weakens me,
That it be gone forever, and leave me
Cleansed and strong
In thy holy Name.
I swear by the Sun, O Dark One,
That I shall do all within my power
To build myself stronger, better,
And more noble
In the year to come.
And I thank thee,
O Goddess before the Gods.
Hail Hulda!”

When the paper is completely turned to ash, look into the flames for images, signs and the like that might attribute to the future.

Calling the Faerie Elements

“I call upon the Guardians of the East,
The sylphs of air,
I invite and invoke you,
By the whispering wind.
I call upon you to commune with me
And protect my rite.
So mote it be.”

“I call upon the Guardians of the South,
The salamanders of the flickering fire.
I enchant and invoke you,
By the summer’s warmth.
I call upon you to commune with me
And protect my rite.
So mote it be.”

“I call upon the Guardians of the West,
The undines of the shimmering water.
I beseech and invoke you,
By the sparkling rain.
I call upon you to commune with me
And protect my rite.
So mote it be.”

“I call upon the Guardians of the North,
The gnomes of the fertile earth.
I call and invoke you,
By the seed sower and the moonrise,
By the earth that is her body.
I call upon you to commune with me
And protect my rite.
So mote it be.”

“Of all the elements far and near,
Witness, bless and be present here.
Hail and welcome.”

A Winter Solstice Celebration

Things you will need:
* a Yule log
* a white candle, a red candle, and a black candle
* candle holders for the three candles
* a plate of bread and butter
* birdseed and sunflower seeds
* an apple
* a small bell
* several cookies in the shape of snowflakes or suns
* juice or wine
* a medium-sized bowl
* mood music (optional)
* any solstice decorations for your altar (optional)

Place all of your items on the altar, grouping the three candles together and making sure you have a place to burn your Yule log, either in a fireplace or fire pit. Standing in front of your altar, ground and center as you usually do. Walk to the east and, with your arms extended, say:

“Hail to the Guardians of the East, Powers of Air!
I ask for your light and warming breath
On this most sacred of nights, Solstice Eve.”

Once you feel the presence of the knowledge of the east and the freedom of air, move to the south, extend your arms, and say:

“Hail to the Guardians of the South, Powers of Fire!
I ask for your heat and burning love
On this most sacred of nights, Solstice Eve.”

Noting the warmth of the south and the heat of fire, move to the west, extend your arms, and say:

“Hail to the Guardians of the West, Powers of Water!
I ask for your depth and fluid emotions
On this most sacred of nights, Solstice Eve.”

Feel the emotions of the west and the wetness of water on your face and in your heart. Then walk to the north, extend your arms, and say:

“Hail to the Guardians of the North, Powers of Earth!
I ask for your strength and sturdy comfort
On this most sacred of nights, Solstice Eve.”
Sense the power of the north and the strength of earth and return to your altar. Take a few moments to conjure up an image of the young Maiden Goddess and then say:

“Maiden Goddess,
Protectress of youth and innocence,
Sweet and pure and lovely above all things,
Join me this Solstice Night.
The God is reborn;
The sun returns.
The Maiden Goddess comes and walks among us!
Hail and welcome!”

Feel the innocence and beauty of the Maiden settle at your feet and in the palms of your ahnds. Then light the white candle. Breathe deeply three times, allowing an image of the nurturing Mother Goddess to flood your mind. When the image is complete, say:

“Mother Goddess,
Protectress of babies and animals,
Creative and giving and lovely above all things,
Join me this Solstice Night.
The God is reborn;
The sun returns.
The Mother Goddess comes and walks among us!
Hail and welcome!”

Sense the fruitfulness and creativity of the Mother settle in your womb/belly and heart. Then light the red candle. Again, take three deep breaths, seeing the image of the knowing Crone Goddess in your mind’s eye. Once the picture is finished, say:

“Crone Goddess,
Protectress of light and death,
Wise and powerful and lovely above all things,
Join me this Solstice Night.
The God is reborn;
The sun returns.
The Crone Goddess comes and walks among us!
Hail and welcome!”

Feel the wisdom and clarity of the Crone settle in your third eye, and then light the black candle. Take your bread and butter from the altar and hold them above the three candles while stating:

“On this, the longest night of the year, I celebrate and revel in my connection to the faerie folk. I offer bread and butter to them as a symbol of my wish to continue as friends. In honour, in trust, in fun, and in frolic, I pay homage to their spark of life.”
If inside, place the bread and butter back on the altar so that you can dispose of them outside after the ritual. If you are outside, place the offering anyplace that feels right to you. Take the birdseed and sunflower seeds from the altar and hold them above the three candles, saying:

“On this, the longest night of the year, I celebrate and revel in my connection to the animals on earth. I offer birdseed and sunflower seeds to them as a symbol of my wish to continue as friends. In honour, in trust, in hope, and in faith, I pay homage to their spark of life.”

Place the gifts to the animals either back on the altar or, if outside, someplace on the ground. Lift the apple from the altar and hold it above the three candles, stating:

“On this, the longest night of the year, I celebrate and revel in my connection to the priests/priestesses who have gone before me. I offer the fruit of life, the apple, to them as a symbol of my wish to continue as friends and to learn and grow from their example. In honour, in trust, in love, and in commitment, I pay homage to their spark of life.”

Return the apple to the altar or, if outside, place it on the ground. With reverence, pick up the Yule log and hold it up to the sky while saying:

“Since the beginnings of time, people of the earth have gathered in this season to celebrate the rebirth of the Sun. On the winter solstice, the darkest of nights, the Goddess becomes the Great Mother, and once again gives birth to the Sun - beginning the yearly cycle anew, bringing new light and hope to all the world. On this, the longest night of winter, the spark of hope flares strong and bright. It is the Sacred Fire, the Light of the World. I gather here to welcome the new light, midwife to the Goddess. As I join the Goddess in birthing the renewed Sun, I also welcome the new light within myself.”

Place the Yule log back on the altar. Keeping one hand on the log, ring a small bell with the other hand after each of the next four lines:

“Blessed be the Lady, giver of life!
Welcome, Lord, bringer of warmth!
Tonight darkness has reached the limit of its power.
Now the light of our God is victorious over darkness!”

Take your Yule log and bring it to your fireplace or fire pit. If you have a fire already going, then place the log in the flames. If you need to start one, wait to add the Yule log until the fire is very hot and bright. Once the Yule log has caught fire, exclaim:





“I light this flame for the infant solstice sun,
The light of hope that pierces the winter darkness.
He arises pure and beautiful
From the depths of the Mother’s womb,
Bringing warmth and love and joy.
May his gifts spread hope throughout the world!”

The Sun King will be reborn this night, returning to the world in brilliance and glory. As the Goddess’s helper on earth, aid his passage through her and back to the world by chanting:

“Hoof and Horn
Hoof and Horn
All that Dies
Will be Reborn.

Corn and Grain
Corn and Grain
All that Falls
Will Rise Again.”

Say this chant over and over again in order to raise power and activate the magick. You should go faster and faster with each round. You may wish to drum and/or dance around the fire as well, or play music. Once the power has reached its apex, place your hands over the fire, sending the power to the birthing Mother and the newborn God, and say:

“Tonight our God is reborn!”

Feel the energy pulse into the fire, and when your fingers stop tingling, return to your altar. Take the place of cookies and hold them over the candles and then over the fire.

“As the Mother births the Son, I toast her power and strength with food. Hail the Mother, giver of life!”

Place a bite of food in the libation bowl and feel free to eat some yourself. Then return the cookies to the altar and pick up the juice or wine. Once again, hold it over the three candles and the roaring fire.

“As the Mother births the Son, I toast her power and strength with drink. Hail the Mother, giver of life!”

Pour a small amount of drink in the libation bowl and drink some yourself. Then return the juice or wine to the altar. After you have savoured your food and drink, turn to your altar. Calling up the image of the Maiden Goddess, state:

“Maiden Goddess,
Protectress of youth and innocence,
Sweet and pure and lovely above all things,
Thank you for joining me this Solstice Night.
The God is reborn;
The Sun return,
Hail and farewell!”

Snuff out the white candle. Thinking of the image of the Mother Goddess, say:

“Mother Goddess,
Protectress of babies and animals,
Creative and giving and lovely above all things,
Thank you for joining me this Solstice Night.
The God is reborn;
The Sun return,
Hail and farewell!”

Snuff out the red candle. Recalling the image of the Crone Goddess, say:

“Crone Goddess,
Protectress of life and death,
Wise and powerful and lovely above all things,
Thank you for joining me this Solstice Night.
The God is reborn;
The Sun return,
Hail and farewell!”

Snuff out the black candle, turn to the direction of the north, and say:

“Guardians of the North, Powers of Earth!
Your presence this night has anchored and strengthen me.
I thank you for your many blessings.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Hail and farewell!”

Turn to the direction of the west, and say:

“Guardians of the West, Powers of Water!
Your presence this night has soothed and cradled me,
Connecting me to my first home - the sea.
I thank you for your many blessings.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Hail and farewell!”

Turn in the direction of the south, and say:

“Guardians of the South, Powers of Fire!
Your presence this night has opened my heart to life and to love.
I thank you for your many blessings.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Hail and farewell!”

Turn to the east and say:

“Guardians of the East, Powers of Air!
Your presence this night has brought the first stirrings of the new Sun.
I thank you for your many blessings.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Hail and farewell!”

Turn back to your altar, and say:

“Blessed be the Goddess and God.
Blessed be creation.
Blessed be the darkness.
Blessed be the light!”

Faerie Godmother Dream Ritual

(This exercise is a dream ritual to put you more in touch with your own faerie godmother. Do this dream ritual on a warm spring or summer night, on or just before a full moon.)

1) Turn on some soft faerie-like music. Create a faerie ring and faerie circle around your sacred space, and call in your faerie guardian.

2) Take the cup of water, and sprinkle the water clockwise around the faerie ring, starting and ending at the east point.

3) Light the candle. Dedicate it to your faerie godmother by saying:

“May this light guide my faerie godmother to me tonight.”

4) Sit comfortably with your notebook and pen on your lap, and breathe deeply in time with the soft music for a few minutes while focusing on the candle flame to center your awareness. Then write this question in your notebook:

“In what ways can I bring more magick into my life?”

Continue to focus your attention on the candle flame. Keep watching the flame, and imagine contacting your faerie godmother. Think about what your ideal faerie godmother would be like. Continue breathing deeply to the music to more clearly visualize the details of your faerie godmother. Write these details in your notebook.

5) Now return your focus to the candle flame. Imagine your ideal faerie godmother stepping out of the candle flame and into the room with you. You feel a bright expansive feeling, and you know magick is afoot. Imagine your faerie godmother speaking your name and smiling brightly at you. When she calls you by name, it might be more like a whisper or a thought. Keep breathing deeply, and ask your faerie godmother the question you wrote in your notebook. Repeat the question a total of three times. Each time you ask her the question, take a few minutes and write down any answers she gives you. The answers might come in words, thoughts, pictures, or sensations. Just be open to the communication and make note of anything you receive without analyzing it too much.

When you’re done, thank her and blow out the candle.

6) As you drift off to sleep, leave the faerie ring and circle intact. Repeat over and over to yourself:

“Faerie Godmother, dream with me tonight.”

In the morning, write down everything you recall about your dreams in your notebook. At this time, bid farewell to your faerie guardian by standing or sitting at the center of the circle, ringing the bell once, and saying:

“Faerie Watchers of all directions
I bid you farewell.
Please depart in peace and love.
Thank you for our presence.”

Ring the bell once more, and say:

“Blessed be! Evo-He!”

7) Pull up your faerie circle and ring. Face east and hold your power hand outward. Slowly turn in a counterclockwise. As you do this, imagine the blue-white light of the circle being drawn back up into your hand. Then do the same thing with the green light circle. Scatter the flowers in the ring. Next, erase the ring mark with the heel of your shoe or with your hand if you are doing this ritual outdoors. Do this in a counterclockwise motion. When you are done, face center, ring the bell once, and say,

“Blessed be! Evo-He!”

8) For the next 21 nights, as you are drifting to sleep, repeat the phrase over and over:

“Faerie Godmother, dream with me tonight.
I will remember my dreams in the morning light.”

Continue writing down everything you recall from your dreams in your notebook. Refer to your notes for insights and messages that will help you bring more magick into your daily life.

Intention Ritual

1) Have four symbols of the elements of Earth, Fire, Water and Air. You can use a stone, candle, incense and a chalice. Have a white candle for spirit in the center. Place them on your workspace. Don’t worry about directions and orientations on your space. Put them wherever it feels right. If you have a meditation altar, use it. If not, clear a space in a spot that is quiet to do this work, where others will not disturb you. You will also need paper and black thread.

2) On a small piece of paper, write out your intentions for this level of study.

EXAMPLE
“I, ___, ask in the name of the Goddess and God for aid in my studies of this level of witchcraft. I intend to become a priest/ess of witchcraft. I intend to complete this work successfully within one year if this is correct and for my highest good. I ask to be open to all experiences and understand all lessons given to me. So mote it be.”

3) Light your Fire candle and the incense. Leave the spirit candle unlit.

4) Imagine your protective circle around you.

5) Say this or something similar:

“I ask for the love and guidance of the four elements, Earth, Fire, Air, and Water, and the love and guidance of the Goddess and God. Hail and welcome.”

Feel the presence of the divine. Know it, even if you don’t feel anything different. The universe will always reach out to help those who sincerely call to it.

6) Hold the white spirit candle. Think about your spirituality and the path of the witch. Invite the Goddess and God to be fully present in your life, however you envision the divine. Light the candle.

7) Spend a few minutes reflecting on the meaning of the priestess and priest. Reflect on the path you are taking. Even if you think you don’t want to be a priestess or priest for the community, you are one for yourself, and through this ritual, you acknowledge and seek to deepen that role.

8) Read your intention slip out loud. Then roll it up like a scroll and tie it with the black thread, binding it together and sealing your intention. Keep the paper safe for use in the intention ritual at the end of the year’s time.

Yule Ritual

The altar is decorated with mistletoe and holly. A fire of oak roots is laid, but not lit. The room is dark.

Meditate with trance breathing.

“This is the night of Solstice, the longest night of the year. Now darkness triumphs; and yet, gives way and changes into light. The breath of nature is suspended; all waits within the Cauldron, the Dark King is transformed into the Infant Light. I watch for the coming of dawn, when the Great Mother again gives birth to the Divine Child Sun, who is bringer of hope and the promise of summer. This is the stillness behind motion, when time itself stops; the center which is also the circumference of all. I awake in the night. I turn the Wheel to bring the light. I call the sun from the womb of night. Blessed be.”

Purify and cast the circle. Do not light the candles. Invoke the Goddess and God. Sit down in the center of the circle and begin to chant:

“To die and be reborn,
The Wheel is turning,
What must I lose to the night?

“Fear.

“Fear is lost to the night.
Fear is lost to the night.
To die and be reborn,
The Wheel is turning,
What must I lose to the night?

“The light is born.
And the light has died.”
(Continue repeating these two lines).

“Everything passes,
All fades away.”

Place a pinch of salt on your tongue.

“My body is salt,
Taste the breath of death.”

Lie down and relax.

Dark Moon Ritual

(To be performed on the Waning Moon. A gazing crystal or scrying bowl should be placed in the center of the circle.)

Meditate while concentrating on your breathing.

“This is the ending before the beginning, the death before new life. Now on the ebb tide the secrets of the shoreline are uncovered by the retreating waves. The moon is hidden, but the faintest of stars are revealed and those who have eyes to see may read the fates and know the mysteries. The Goddess, whose name cannot be spoken, naked enters the Kingdom of Death. In the most vast silence and stillness, all is possible. We meet in the time of the Crone, to touch the deep power of the dark.”

Purify and cast the circle, but do not light the altar candle. Invoke the Goddess and God.

Begin to chant:

“She lies under all,
She covers all.
She is the teacher of mysteries.
She lies under all,
She covers all.
She is the motion behind form.
She lies under all,
She covers all.”

Continue as long as there are energy and inspiration. (This type of chanting requires sensitivity and openness.)

Earth the cone into the scrying bowl or gazing crystal.

Feast and open the circle.

Full Moon Ritual

(To be performed on the eve of the Full Moon).

Do a breathing meditation.

“This is the time of fullness, the flood tide of power, when the Lady in full circle of brightness rides across the night sky, arising with the coming of dark. This is the time of the bearing of fruits, of change realized. The Great Mother, Nurturer of the world, which is Herself, pours out her love and her gifts in abundance. The Hunter draws near to the Brilliant One, She who awakens yearning in the heart and who is the end of desire. I who look on her shining face am filled with love. Merry meet.”

Purify, cast the circle, and invoke the Goddess and God.

Move to the center of the circle and speak your name. Chant it, raising a Cone of Power as you raise one hand to the sky and the other to your heart, earthing the power into yourself, and filling you with the power and light of the moon.

Earth the power, trance or scry, then feast and open the circle.

Waxing Moon Ritual

(To be performed after the first visible crescent has appeared).

On the altar, place a bowl of seeds. Fill the central cauldron with earth, and place a candle in the center.

When ready, begin with a breathing meditation.

“This is the time of beginning, the seed time of creation, the awakening after sleep. Now the moon emerges, a crescent out of the dark; the Birthgiver returns from Death. The tide turns; all is transformed. Tonight I am touched by the Maiden who yields to all and yet is penetrated by none. She changes everything She touches; may She open me to change and growth. Merry meet.”

Purify, cast the circle, and invoke the Goddess and God.

Take the bowl of grain from the altar, saying:

“Blessed be, creature of earth, moon seed of change, bright beginning of a new circle of time. Power to start, power to grow, power to make new be in this seed. Blessed be.”

Going sunwise around the circle, offer the bowl to each quarter, asking, “What will you plant with the moon?”

Returning to the center of the circle, ask yourself the same question. Reply with what plans you wish to begin, or hopes you want to grow, in the moon to come.

“The blessing of the new moon be upon it.”

Visualize a clear image of what you want to grow, charging the seeds with the image. One by one, plant the seeds in the earth in the central cauldron.

Raise a Cone of Power to charge the seeds and earth with energy, and empower the projects they represent. The Cone is grounded into the cauldron.

Trance work or scrying may focus on clarity of vision for the projects now begun.

Feast, and open the circle.

Lesson: To Charge an Herbal Charm

Assemble all your materials on your altar.

Cast a circle.

Light a candle of an appropriate colour. If you wish, burn incense.

Raise energy.

In mortar and pestle, grind together all the herbs for your charm. Visualize the image or emotion you desire, and project it into the herbs as you grind them together. Draw or create any other symbols you may wish.

Gather together the herbs and other objects into the cloth. Twist the top around them and tie it once with thread.

Breathe on the charm and charge it with Air.

Pass it through the candle flame, and charge it with Fire.

Sprinkle a few drops of water on it, and charge it with Water.

Dip it into salt, or touch it to your pentacle, and charge it with Earth.

Hold it in your hands, breathe on it, and charge it fully with all the energy you can rasise, concentrating on your visualization.

Drop to the ground, relax, and earth the power.

Bind the spell, tying it as you do so.

Open the circle.