John Conlin March, 2010

The Promise of Spring is Ours to Keep

Ostara and the Quickening Moon

The light has changed and all but the most stubborn shadows have yielded their hold. Darkness gives way to green. All that was forgotten by the Sun and left to Fall’s descent, now lies transformed, ready to fulfill the promise of Spring. Ostara, the Vernal Equinox, brings us to the moment where the dreams of Imbolc begin to physically manifest. It is the point upon the Wheel where color begins to return in earnest to the world around you. The solemn quiet of Winter gives way to Nature’s chorus, as more and more of Her creatures follow the Goddess’ and God’s lead into the throes of the great dance. You can feel the energy blowing across fields and through the forests, refreshing your senses. You can feel it dancing over your skin; cool yet warm, flickering back and forth like a candle, as the seduction of Spring reawakens the desire to want more. Under the Spring rains and within the growing incandescence of the heightening Sun, you can feel wet and warm touch. The sky above fills your eyes with blue and the ground below vibrates with new life reaching outward. In all of this I can hear and feel the Earth, through Nature, speaking to me and showing me, that it is time to move ahead. It is time for me to take action on those dreams born at Yule and then nurtured at Imbolc. To act upon those discoveries I made, venturing into the darkness while embracing the wolf moon and those ideas I thought over as I sat in the stillness and quiet of the snow moon.  The Wheel has turned, the energies are converging and it is our moment, as well to apply our energy to a time and place. I recognize that traditionally the union of the Goddess and the God, (the aspect energies of each within Nature), is celebrated on May 1^st at Beltaine. From my perspective, where I live, I feel their energies unite much closer to Ostara. And by the 1^st of May, feminine and masculine energies have not only embraced but have been set to their destinies. I guess what I am trying to say is that I feel Ostara marks the union of the Goddess and the God, while Beltaine is the celebration of that prior union. The mystery and wonder of Nature move with her whim and such things are difficult at best to capture with even the most enlightened of calendars. I give this explanation, not so any who read this will follow my interpretation word for word, but instead, hoping that they will seek to feel what is present in their own world and interact accordingly. Before I address the ritual components I use for Ostara, I would like to talk a little about the Quickening Moon. This month’s full moon falls just after Ostara and as such, it directly corresponds to the same energies. To me it is the Quickening Moon but many know it by other names. The Full Worm Moon, the Crow Moon and the Sap Moon are some of the most common names. They all speak to the same concept though, a recognition and acknowledgement of the convergence of energies present at this point upon the Wheel. Each name serves as a reminder for us to constantly tune our awareness, a reminder for us to try to see the small, subtle actions taking place around us that ultimately shift the seasons. There are many ways to see and experience this world. Through both the mundane and the poetic we can find ways to make sense of all we encounter, thereby furthering our own understanding. No two beings find their way in exactly the same manner, because each of us interfaces with a different way or rate, to the Universe. What I see, what I feel, when I walk through the forest will be completely different and quite possibly somewhat irrelevant to another. For I think it is true, that each of us, can only experience, some lesser part of that which we imagine possible. That being said, there are still some things, like the turning to Spring, that can move and make us smile. It is not realistic to hold every ritual outside or travel to some natural location you deem to be sacred. Ostara however is one that I highly recommend you try to take outdoors. Whether you hold your ritual on the Vernal Equinox or need to wait a week to find the time, do what it takes in order to have it in Nature. I prefer to keep my ritual simple, heading down to where the forest touches the river, with just a few items. A candle each for the Goddess and the God, a chalice and my blade, a bottle of water, (not plastic), a piece of cake, (usually something slightly cinnamon), some incense and a magnifying glass, is about all I will bring. I like to use water for this ritual, as I see the coming together of fire and water as the catalyst of Spring. I tend to use the same cake recipe throughout my rituals, increasing or decreasing the cinnamon levels according to the season, in relation to the aspect present of the God’s energy. The magnifying glass is for lighting the incense, but it’s a good idea to bring along a few matches just in case the Sun does not cooperate. After doing everything involved with casting circle, I will light some incense and just sit or stand quietly. I will close my eyes at times to rely more heavily upon my other senses and allow myself to drift in between. The most important aspect of this ritual though is to breathe and feel the Spring. To pull the energy of the great dance within yourself, melt away the last of Winter’s hold and re-ignite your flame. Then as you stand in the Sun’s light, feeling the Earth tremble with energy, hold your vision brought forth from Imbolc and wrap it with the magick of Ostara. I will then tap three times on large rocks, trees and upon the Earth while saying,” Mother Earth, through soil and stone I call to thee,

For Father Sun has returned the light to see.

Awaken anew from your Winter’s sleep,

the promise of Spring is yours to keep.”

Tags: moon, Ostara, ritual

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Josh Whitney February, 2010

Tags: Advice, clothing, dress, ritual

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John Conlin January, 2010

Embracing the Wolf Moon

For me, every full Moon represents an opportunity to peer into an aspect of nature and try to find the spiritual relevance for the path I seek to walk.  There are many names given to the full Moons of each month and I believe that each of us must decide which best fits the place we live. In doing so, remember to acknowledge the memories of the past, while maintaining an awareness of the present and casting an eye toward the future. This month, January, I am going to share how I celebrate and understand the Wolf Moon, through my ritual.

I set my altar basically the same for each full moon. I use three candles to form a triangle. There is one to honor the Goddess, one for the God and the third candle to signify the energies joining to create a full moon. Along with the objects I’ve chosen to represent the elements, I will place a few items, small statues and photographs that visually remind the Circle of the wolf. In addition, I include an incense of pine or cedar, something that is able to conjure the deep dark of a forest, an anointing oil of similar design and an ambient music source that contains wolf sounds. If you are unable to find oil you like, try using a small branch from a conifer.  I find that when you include items that pull the senses more deeply into the ritual, the mind more easily follows and stands open within the sacred space. There are many gods and goddesses who are connected with wolves among the different pantheons, too many to mention here, so I suggest that each person does a little research to discover the deities who best relate to their own individual path.  The rituals I lead always begin with a breathing exercise with everyone standing around the altar. Once we have all relaxed and stepped away from the mundane, I start the circle cast. Most reading this probably have a circle cast, so I will not go into detail about the cast that I use. However if there is any interest in learning another one or any questions regarding casting circle, perhaps I can address this in a future column. This is a good place I think, for me to say how honored I feel to be asked to share how I experience this world and to share a little about myself. I am blessed to live in a place, with my wife and our two wolf dogs, where the Earth still sings loud and clear. Here in the forest, I am allowed to witness the cycles of nature. It is a place where salmon come to create anew and are granted release from their long promise. It is a place where a raging river reminds me that change is the only constant, while ancient trees stand patient and wise. Most important though, it is a place that whispers to the spirit, of the magick that exists in just a single breath of fresh air.

Once the Circle is cast, the space is cleansed, purified and sealed, the calls to the Watchers of the Quarters are made. The female and male leading the ritual then call to the Goddess and to the God and in turn light the appropriate candle. Together they hold a large wooden match, igniting it within the God’s flame while saying,” the God shines his light”. Then while moving the lit match into the Goddesses’ flame they say,” the Goddess captures and enchants the light”. Finally they light the full Moon candle saying,” and this night, bathes the world in her light and love”.  When this is completed and the altar is aglow it is time to speak of the meaning and the direction for the ritual. I feel it is important to give those in the Circle a basic framework so they can be at ease with me leading them into a meditative state. For this moon I let them know that we will be thinking about the significance the energies and spirit of the wolf may hold for each of us. Next I will light the incense and begin passing the wolf photographs around the Circle. As everyone is looking at the pictures and connecting in some way to the wolf, I make my way around the Circle to anoint their foreheads and say, ”I connect you to the Earth”. Once anointed each person takes a comfortable seat, within the Circle, closes their eyes and listens. The music begins, a lone wolf howls and I remember when,….

in the midst of a cold winter’s night we huddled together in fear of the wolf. He was a hunter, a walker of shadow, silent and ghostly he would come. Out of the darkness, from where the forest held its secrets and I dared not venture, the wolf crossed into my world.  I sat by the fire, fighting the sleep that called to me tirelessly and felt my heart beat ever faster as the howls grew closer.

Now I have taken much of the land for myself and seemingly conquered the night. I am safe, warm, dry and fed, yet I feel that there is something missing. It is not a thing I have forgotten to gather, but instead something I have lost. Perhaps my quest for dominance has quelled too much, the mysteries of life and I have allowed complacency to overshadow ancient fears that once raced my blood.

I have come full circle and now, as I peer into nature, I can realize what the wolf was always willing to teach me. To embrace the dark of night in the same way I do the light of day, to step away from the fire’s light and trust my eyes to see within the shadows and to remember that I am still a part of the wolf’s world. There is a haunting honesty I can hear in their calls, a cry out to remember that we feel something more, something that we need, to feed our spirit.

After I share these thoughts with out loud with the Circle, I tell everyone to continue with their own journey and I let the music finish. When it is done I give them a few minutes of quiet before gently bringing everyone back to the Circle. We share cakes and ale in some form, honor the Goddess and the God, release the Watchers, then begin to close our Circle. Once the Circle is been opened, we go outside to make an offering and give back some of our energies to the Earth.

Goddess of all that is, within and beyond all that I comprehend,

Maiden of magick, Mother and Crone of Earth and Moon,

I stand beneath you and I am complete,

a precious moment in between.

When I am more than just a man (or woman)

and nothing less than what I dream.

A glimpse of that which always holds true,

of the life that flows through me from you.

Tags: magic, magick, moon, rite, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora November, 2009

Tags: magic, magick, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora October, 2009

“Web of Desire Rite”

A solitary ritual to help you capture and bring something into your life.

Supplies

Silver cord

Five thin nails

Small wooden board

A tea light candle and holder

God and Goddess candles and holders

A small bell

Anointing oil of your own choice

Small piece of paper and a pen

Additional short length of the silver cord

Offering of food and drink

Chalice, plate and offering bowl

Preparation

Spend a lot of time thinking about something that you want to capture and bring into your life. It could be a new sense of self, such as peace and harmony or something tangible like a new friend or kindred spirit. In your mind, fully define what you are looking for, so much so that you can see it clearly in your mind’s eye.

Once you have decided what you want, set aside at least an hour of your time to make your web. Nail the five thin nails into the wooden board in a circular pattern. Thread the silver cord around the nails creating your own personal spider web. If you aren’t sure how to get started, check the internet for videos on how to make a spider web. Make sure that your web includes an small inner circle, because you will need that for the ritual (see photo), however your web should look unique and be meaningful to you, so don’t try to just copy the picture.

Rite

Sit down in a comfortable position and ground yourself in your own traditional way. When you are ready, cast a sacred circle and call forth the Elementals in your own traditional way. Invoke the God and Goddess, welcome them to your circle, and light the God and Goddess candles on your altar.

Using the paper and pen, write down the item of your desire. Role the piece of paper up and tie it with the additional piece of silver cord. Set it aside for now.

Anoint the web in a deosil direction by placing some oil on your index finger and use it to trace the outline of the web. While you are doing this, think about the different tools that you can use to bring the item of your desire into your life. The tools might be “of the self”, such as working on becoming more friendly and open, reliable, trustworthy, etc. The tools could be “of action”, like joining an in-person social group, based on a hobby that you have. Think about whatever tools you could use to gain what you are looking for. Anoint the web fully three times, saying:

Creatrix of the night, blessed spider,

Weave with me a strong net,

To catch that of which my heart is set.

When you are done anointing the web, light the tea light candle. Hold the slip of paper high above it (don’t light it on fire!). Say:

Webmaker, see with the light of this sacred fire,

Here is object of my wish and my desire.

Place the slip of paper in the center hole of the web. Say:

Tangle it, without harm, in my web,

Using the natural energy flow and ebb.

Ring the bell three times, and say:

With the blessings of the Gods I do call forth,

And with the Elementals East, South, West and North,

Ring loud and true, sending forth my prayer,

Drawing out the object to capture in my snare.

Make an offering of food and drink in the name of the God and Goddess, thank Them and bid them farewell. Thank the Elementals and let them take their leave.  Open the magick circle.  This rite is complete.

Tags: magick, rite, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora September, 2009

Tags: magic, magick, ritual

• Spells & Rituals

Witch1979 August, 2009

The Ritual Connection

From time immemorial we have desired guidance from the God/dess, and sought ways in which we can connect with and honor those powers we hold in reverence.  Many in the mainstream find prayer or meditation to fulfill their needs in this area, or they attend services where they can participate to a limited extent in the ceremonies led by the priests of their congregation.  The purpose of such rituals is to enact symbolic events that the observers understand to hold a deeper meaning than the actions themselves.  Realization of that meaning on the mental, emotional, and spiritual levels unites the individual with the divine.  But while churches tend to leave most of the actions to the clerics and expect their constituents to connect passively, Wicca invites all of its members to participate directly in its ritual workings, whether solitary or as part of a coven.

If you are working as a solitary there is no one to direct the course of a ritual for you.  As a matter of fact it can be difficult to make a start as a beginner.  What do I do?  Am I doing this right?  These are common questions that pop up when working rituals on one’s own instead of in a group setting or coven.  Several good books will provide a basic outline for common sabbat or esbat ceremonies, but even then it can sometimes feel as if you are reading a script more than invoking a deity.  Yet part of the beauty of Wicca is that you do not have to follow a script!  Witches celebrate spontaneity, as is fitting for an earth-based spiritual practice.  Many Wiccans create their own rituals based solely on the inspiration of the moment and their setting.  It is the feeling and intent they put into their words that matters, not the phrases themselves.  Knowing this takes the stress out of solitary ritual – What do I do?  Do what you feel is right!  Am I doing this right?  If it feels right then yes!  That may sound a bit glib, but the point of the matter is to just let go and forget about making mistakes. It is next to impossible to connect to a deity if you are wound up with worry.

That being said, just as most Wiccans share a common language of symbols and tools, most also follow a general structure in their rituals to identify it as Wiccan.  While no part is mandatory to an individual, these steps would be part of most group rituals, and each part has its purpose and place.  An excellent book that explains the reasoning behind the stages of a Wiccan rite is The Elements of Ritual by Deborah Lipp.  Before adding or omitting any steps it would be wise to study each part to know how those changes might affect the overall working.

Typically the first stage involves purification of both the participant and the area where the ritual is to take place.  Purify in this sense is another way of saying clearing one’s head and getting in the right frame of mind to connect to the God/dess.  This can be as simple as a grounding and centering exercise or as elaborate as a perfumed bath.  Most practitioners find a routine specific to them that they can rely on to trigger the correct mental state.  Purifying the space is the act of setting an area apart from being just an ordinary room and clearing it of any negative energy in preparation for ritual.  A besom or broom, sprinkled salt water, and/or incense are common ways to accomplish this.  The area you are working in will be host to the temple you create while there, and should be an outer reflection of your inner centered state.

A Wiccan’s ritual temple is held within the magic circle.  Such a circle is formed by the will and imagination of the participant, forming a barrier against outside intrusions and also serving to concentrate any energy generated within.  Covens and traditional forms of Wicca have very specific methods for circle castings, with the High Priestess using her athame or sword to project a visualized blue-white flame while pacing the outlines of the circle in a clockwise direction.  The representations of each element upon the altar are often brought around the circle as well, always in a clockwise or deosil direction.  Once the circle is established many Wiccans “call the quarters”, which is to say they invoke the energies associated with each of the cardinal points.  All of these actions reinforce the equilibrium maintained within the sacred space that is necessary to connect to the higher spiritual planes.  In a sense the witch is projecting their centered state into the area around them and calling upon forces within or beyond themselves to bless the work they intend to do.

Now the way is prepared for the main purpose of the ritual, which is the invocation of the God/dess and any magical or ceremonial work to be done.  Invocations can be anything from spoken prayers to words uttered while in self-induced trance states.  To invoke deity is to ask for guidance and blessing.  What we feel we cannot accomplish or realize on our own we ask to be aided with.  We can also invoke the divine out of simple reverence and a desire to honor that which is greater than but also part of ourselves.  Acknowledging the God/dess in our rituals makes the work we do sacred and set apart from the everyday.  We call upon what is highest and best to witness our endeavors.  And each time we do we hope to bring a bit of that spirit into our awareness to enrich our lives as a whole.

If the occasion calls for any magical work or special observance (for instance if it is a sabbat or esbat) it is typically performed after the invocation.  When all practical work has been accomplished it is time to reverse the process and deconstruct the sacred space.  This serves to bring the witch back into a more ordinary consciousness.  First the participant should ground any left over raised energy.  Visualizations can be used, as can the tradition of Cakes and Ale.  Eating a bit of food helps bring your focus back to your body and the material plane.  Any deities invoked or energies called upon should be thanked for their aid and released.  This is not so much a dismissal as a courteous farewell.  If you invite someone in its rather rude to have them show themselves out!  Traditional Wiccan practice has a variety of ways of circle deconstruction, but in its basic form the energy used to create the circle is reabsorbed either into the witch or his/her athame for future use.  With that the ritual is complete!

With this basic outline a solitary Wiccan has a tool to create any custom ritual for their own purposes.  The heart of the ritual is the invocation and practical working, which is only limited by the imagination of the individual.  I have a simple candle ceremony I have worked into my sabbat rituals to honor the Goddess in her triple aspect of maiden-mother-crone.  On my altar I keep a white, a red, and a black candle, and at the appropriate point in the year when the Goddess’s phase changes I transfer the flame from one to the other.  This is done with a silent prayer of welcome for the new aspect that has arrived and I meditate for a bit to try to connect with the new energies.  Such an observance is not elaborate or accompanied by eloquent poetry, but it works for its purpose which is to help me connect with my deity.  This is the true function of all religious ritual.  It just takes a bit of experimentation to help the new witch find out what works for them.

Journal for the Month of July:

I’m reading two new books this month, Progressive Witchcraft by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, and Goddesses in Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen.  The first is a very interesting read after having read A Witches’ Bible which was written by the Farrars a couple of decades ago.  It definitely reflects an evolution of Wicca and witchcraft over the decades, at least from one person’s perspective.  I am currently on a chapter that relates aspects of witchcraft to the Eastern chakra system.  I found it extremely interesting in that it draws parallels between the blue of the throat chakra and the blue flames visualized in traditional rituals and circle castings.  In my last ritual I connected each quarter call to the opening of the chakra connected to that element and was pleasantly surprised by the results.  It helped me connect my visualizations to the energy I was projecting, a stronger macrocosm-microcosm connection if you will.

The second book has been extremely interesting not just in learning more about classical goddess archetypes, but also more about myself.  The author makes a distinction between three classes of goddesses: the independent virgins, the vulnerable relationship-orientated wives/ mothers/daughters, and the transformative Aphrodite (in a class all her own).  Each of these archetypes is a potentiality in every woman, and the book goes into the challenges, strengths, and weaknesses of each in turn.  It’s given me a new perspective on the particulars of each goddess’ qualities and which I may chose to call on for a particular working.  It’s been a fascinating read and I highly recommend it to all.  Once I’m done with this one I’m moving on to her other book Gods in Everyman for some perspective on the guys!

Until next month, blessed be! )O(

Tags: 101, New, newbie, ritual, Wicca

• Articles

Aurora August, 2009

Pathways Rite

A solitary ritual to clarify your path ahead.

Supplies

Table salt

Pepper

A small bowl

Matches

One black votive candle and holder

One white votive candle and holder

One candle and holder to represent the God

One candle and holder to represent the Goddess

Small plate with deep edges

Offering bowl

Small bowl of extra virgin olive oil

A large piece of hardy bread on a plate

Chalice with beverage
Rite

Sit down in a comfortable position and ground yourself in your own traditional way.

When you are ready, stand up and cast a sacred circle and call forth the Elementals in your own traditional way.

When you are ready, invoke the God and Goddess and welcome them to your circle.  Light the God and Goddess candles on your altar.

Place the deep-sided plate in front of you, and pour the table salt into it, so that it nearly fills the entire depth of the plate.

Smooth out the surface of the salt with your fingers, while repeating:

Salt of the earth,

You are of me and I am of you.

We are one, sacred and true.

With your pointer finger, slowly trace a spiral into the flat surface of the salt, leaving a deep trail in the salt as you start at the center of the plate of salt and work your way out. As you are doing this, think of the direction you want to take in your life. What are the things that you want to accomplish? What are your goals?

When you are done, gently pour some pepper into a separate, small bowl. Take a pinch of pepper between your index finger and thumb, and think about where you are in your life at this very moment. Gently sprinkle the pepper onto the center point of the spiral. Say:

I am at the center of this moment,

but I have a path before me.

Take another pinch of pepper, and begin sprinkling it along the path of the spiral. Continue this until you have added pepper to the entire spiral (see photo).

Light the white votive candle, and repeat:

Walking on pathways sacred and true,

Walking along, journey’s not through.

Left turns and right turns and circling back,

Finding my way on this unique track.

Beneath me is earth, above me is sky

To my left and my right, other’s stumbling by.

Doubt is present, and fear passes through,

Yet I’ll find my way, because my compass is you.

Breath on my lips, earth under my feet

Fire in my belly, and water tastes so sweet.

Guided by the Gods, my paths become clear,

As I follow my own way, the choices draw near.

Light the black votive candle and say:

The paths are before me, laid by the Gods,

Yet my steps are my own, and I make my own odds.

The spice of my life, choosing one way or the next,

Make me who I am, beautiful and complex.

Take some time to commune with the God and Goddess, asking them any question you might have about your road ahead.

When you are ready, sprinkle some salt and pepper into the olive oil. Tear off a piece of the bead and dip it into the oil, then present this, your offering, to the God and Goddess, placing it in the offering bowl. Raise you chalice in honor the the God and Goddess and then pour some of the beverage into the offering bowl. Partake of the remains of the offering yourself, as you wish.

Thanks the God and Goddess and bid them farewell. Thank the Elementals and let them take their leave.  Open the magick circle. This rite is complete.

Tags: magic, magick, rite, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora May, 2009

Home Cleansing Rite

A solitary ritual to spiritually cleanse your home.

Supplies

Athame

Sage bundle

Abalone shell

Bell

Holy water/oil

Broom (besom)

Tray

Matches

Jar candle (small, light yellow or blue)

Chalice with drink (your choice)

Plate of offering (your choice)

*Tea light candle and holder (one for each window)

Preparation

Place an unlit tea light in a holder on each window sill in your home. Place your athame, chalice and plate of offering on your altar. Set the tray on another table in your ritual room, and place the matches, jar candle, holy water, bell, sage bundle and shell on it. Lean the broom on the wall next to your home’s main entrance. Next, shower/bathe in only candlelight before dressing in your traditional ritual robes and jewelry.

Rite

Sit down on the floor of your ritual room, and place the palms of your hands together, in a prayer-like position, bringing them in close to your body.  Inhale deeply and hold for a few moments, then exhale. While you are doing this, imagine your personal energies beginning to swirl within you, centering around your solar plexus. Do this until you can feel the hum of energy moving and spinning in your body.

When you are ready, stand and pick up your athame. Go to the center of the room.

Pointing your athame to the West, and say:

By the waters at the dock,

Point to the East and say:

and the fog of haze,

Point to the North and say:

By hardness of the rock

Point to the South and say:

and the heat of blaze,

Walk a complete circle deosil (clockwise) and say:

I cast this circle with the power of elements four,

Point the athame to the sky and say:

And the power of the fifth is at my core.

Point your athame to the floor and say:

This circle is cast. So mote it be.

Put your athame down on your altar. Go over to the table with your tray of ritual items.  Forcefully clap your hands together and then rub them together for a few moments. You should feel the energy growing within and between them.

Anoint the top of your left hand with the holy water/oil in the shape of a God symbol, while saying:

I anoint myself in the name of the God. May my hands yield the banishing power of the God.

Anoint the top of your right hand with the holy water/oil in the shape of a Goddess symbol, while saying:

I anoint myself in the name of the Goddess. May my hands yield the purifying power of the Goddess.

Place the anointment water/oil back on the tray. Light the jar candle on the tray and say:

May the universal energy move as I wish, as I cleanse this space.

Light the bundle of sage, but then blow out the flames, so the bundle is only gently smoking. Place inside the abalone shell (to catch the ashes).

Pick up the tray and walk to the main entrance of the home. Pick up the bundle of sage and draw a banishing pentagram in the air. Then, ring the bell three times. Anoint the door knob with the holy water/oil. Repeat:

Smoke in air and music sound

May my blessings carry ‘round

With sage and chime,

Now is the time,

To drive away all harm and fear

Only good may dwell in here.

Move widdershins (counterclockwise) through the house, repeating the actions and verse at each window and outside door.

Light the tea light candles at each window (watch out for the curtains!) and anoint their sills with the holy water/oil.

End by returning once more to the home’s main entrance. Open door and use broom to sweep outside all that is unwanted, saying:

Be gone with you, the toxic and the foul,

Reside no more and end your prowl.

You are welcome not in this abode,

I am captive no more of your heavy load.

Return the tray to your ritual room, and then move around the house deosil (clockwise) going to each window. Open the window, being careful not to knock over the candle! Repeat:

With this candles flame and smoke,

the power of negativity I revoke!

Blow out the candle, blowing the smoke out of the window, then close the window. Move on to each of the tea lights in the windows until they are all blown out, then return to the ritual room.

Pick up the chalice and plate of offerings and go to your home’s main entrance that leads outside.  Using your own words, offer the God and Goddess your libations and a taste of your offering. Pour some of the drink on the ground outside, and toss some of your offering on the ground too.

Return to the ritual room. Partake of the remaining drink and food, while thinking about all the positive energy now attracted to your home since you have banished all the negative forces.

Thank the God and Goddess in your own way.

When you are ready to end the rite and open the circle, stand up  hold your hands high about your head with your palms facing up. As you repeat this, slowly bring your hands down to your sides (palms down) and sink the circle’s energy into the floor and ground beneath:

By the waters at the dock and the fog of haze,

By hardness of the rock and by the heat of blaze,

I open this circle with heart pure this night,

May the power of the elements stay or take flight.

Within me, my spirit is at home and remains

Renewed and refreshed like the powerful rains.

So mote it be.

Blow out the jar candle after the circle’s energy has dissipated. Place it on the mantle above your fireplace or in the family room. Repeat this ritual whenever you feel the need.

Notes

*Please use caution and common sense when burning candles.

Tags: magic, magick, rite, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Boudicca Andarta April, 2009

Parilia: the Ancient Roots of Earth Day

Parilia is a Roman holiday in honor of the god Pales (whose gender is uncertain).  As the guardian of the flocks and herds, April 21st was set aside as a day for shepherds to cleanse both himself and his flock.  Rural in nature and predating the founding of the city of Rome, in time it became more urban over time and instead of being officiated by a shepherd, the ceremony was led by a priest.    In more recent times, this holiday became Earth Day, where we set aside time to remember our responsibility to the environment.

When in the hands of the shepherd, acting as his own priest, the ceremony was very personal in nature.  He would decorate the pen with greenery and place a wreath on the gate.  At sunrise, the shepherd would kindle a purifying fire made of straw, olive tree braches, laurel and sulfur and the crackling of the fire would be interpreted by the shepherd as a good omen for the coming year.    Once burning, the shepherd would jump through the fire and drive his sheep through as well, purifying them one by one.  Then he would give an offering to Pales of millet cakes and milk before wetting his hands with dew and repeating prayers to the East.  These prayers would be to protect himself and his flock from what we would call “bad Karma” brought on by accidentally trespassing on sacred grounds or mistakenly removing water from a sacred well.  Finally, the shepherd would conclude his ritual by drinking burranica (a mixture of milk and boiled wine) before jumping through the fire three more times.  The urban version of this ritual was a combination of the above ritual with other Roman religious practices, but this time the shepherd was replaced by the temple priest.

This is an excellent excuse for you to add some Spring decorations to you home and you could place a flower wreath on your front door.  For this particular spell, the altar can face the East and you can add some greenery (real if you can obtain it or faux from a dollar store if there isn’t any Spring growth just yet) to it if you so desire.  If you have a Cauldron or a Thurible for a small and contained fire, then so be it, but if not, then use a candle instead.  For your offering, have a small bowl of milk and you can replace the millet cakes with cookies.  In the aspect of Earth Day, you may also wish to add to your offering, giving something to the furry or feathered creatures such as bird seed or corn or even donating pet food to your local shelter.  If performing this spell outdoors, take a few moments to “tidy up” the lawn, your personal environment.

At your altar, light the fire (or the candle) and say:

“I call to Pales, ancient guardian;

Together we make magick with this spell I cast.”

Sit before your altar, close your eyes and firmly see in your mind what refuse from your life’s environment that you will dispose of.  Take mental note of what Spring Cleaning you need to do to make way for the positive changes coming your way.  The, because Nature abhors a vacuum, make a mental  “checklist” of new actions and habits you will employ form this day on to have a protected, prosperous life.  If you feel so inclined, take the time to meditate on this and ask your Totems or Guardian Angels for any wisdom they have to share with you.  When finished, open your eyes, place the offering of cookies and milk ion the altar and say:

“I start my life anew on this day of Spring.

So say I, so shall this be done!”

Place the cookies and milk outside for the Faeries and animals of nature -overnight and dispose of the next morning.

Sources: Encyclopedia of the Gods by Michael Jordan

Pagan Book of Says by Nigel Pennick

Tags: magic, magick, rite, ritual, Spell

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