Hearthkeeper May, 2012

Milestones: rituals for life’s moments

MM and welcome to my kitchen. Come in, sit down and grab a cuppa something yummy while we chat. This month I would like to talk about milestones of life. These are the moments in your life that make a huge difference as well as some that are smaller but equally important. We all know the big ones; marriage, birth, death, but what about coming of age? What about Croning? These and some others are important as well.

I am sharing some ritual ideas and plans for some of the life rituals that I have been involved in.

First as I see it is the birth rite. When your child is first born, or about to be born. Having a ritual that will ask the goddess of birth and motherhood to come in and watch over you and your child during this time. Creating a sacred space for your birthing to happen. Many of us will set up a circle, calling the element to bring the energies so that the baby will be exposed to them firsthand. Call of God and Goddess to be present at the birth and to guide and protect during the birth. This is a personal event and can only be written and enacted by the parents and the High priest or priestess involved.

Second would be the naming ritual. This is when you would present your child to the circle and to the Goddess and God in a formal setting, placing the guidance for the future with the deity of your choice. You would Name your child in front of the God and Goddess and elements you would start by bring all involved to the space. Casting circle, calling you elements and deities as well as your ancestors. Then picking up your child you would introduce that child to each element, deity and ancestor and then to each person in the circle. At this time you would expect each element, deity, ancestor and person in the circle to “gift” your child with a blessings or gift that will assist in its growing up.

Third as I see it is the coming of age ritual. This ritual would happen around age 13, when a female begins her cycle and male would start growing facial hair. These are signs that there bodies are maturing and they would have been (in the past) considered adults. This is when the child is introduced as an “adult” to the elements. This ritual is when you may want to give your child elements that could be incorporated into their altars. Wooden Athame, flameless candles for the quarters, I went to the craft store and found figurines that could be used to represent each of the elements and God and Goddess. Or you could talk to a pagan friendly potter and have them shape representation for you. If your child has been raised in the craft then they will know how to honor their Altar. You may just need to guide them a bit.

Fourth on my list would be birthday rituals.. Every year we are alive is a blessing (of at least I hope you feel that way) and should be celebrated by reaffirming you beliefs and desires. This can be as simple as a birthday candle wish or as elaborate as a full blow ritual that you re-assert your commitment to your Deities.

Now I know some may think that I have the line up a little off as I am listing Marriage or Handfasting as less important than birth . Well times are changing and many women are choosing to have children but never to marry. Or same sex couples who either don’t marry or cannot yet by law marry are still having children. So in my order of important marriage is a bit down the list. This does not mean that I hold them any less sacred. I have been married to the same man for over 20 years. But many do not feel that traditional marriage is the way to go. Handfasting seems to be the ritual of choice. This entails casting your circle but leaving a door cut in it. Invite all the guests to enter and be welcome and then guide the groom in. circle him clockwise into the circle and stand him at the altar. When ready the bride enters in circle and is also walked clockwise into the circle placing her in front of the groom. Then close the circle. I personally do not ask who gives the bride away as I do not consider her property to give away. But if this is a choice of the bride then this is where that should happen. The official (HP or HPS) would bind their left hands together and allow then to speak either prepared vows or vows they have chosen. I have then guided them around the circle, introducing them as man and wife to each of the elements and Deities. Asking guidance for their energy to be separate but join together thus strengthening them. Then walk them again introducing them as man and wife to all the guests and then allowing them one last walk around the circle to the doorway (at this time people could be throwing flower petals or blowing bubbles until they leave through the door cut in the circle), the guests can follow out and then as they go forth the official and then thank the elements and Deities.

Sixth I would say is the Aging ritual or the croning rite. This is to celebrate that we have found a new phase of our lives. We are no longer maidens, youth that are running round fertilizing and propagating the earth. And we are no longer the Mothers (fathers), chasing kids and teaching them how to be good people. We are now the crones; the wise ones who have hopefully learn a wealth of information and can now help guide our children and their children in being a force of good in our world. Help guide the changes to heal rather than harm. This is a more personal ritual that is between you and your Deities or with your coven (group) and you and Deities.

Lastly would be the passing on ritual. The ritual that we would use to guide our loved one on to whatever afterlife we may believe in. and to raise energy to heal the damaged hearts of the living. In this ritual we, as the family of the dead, would cast circle, asking each element to watch over our loved on and guide them into the resting place. We would call whatever deity we may have used or that the dead used, and ask that Deity to light the way so that our loved one would not stray or become lost. Lastly we may ask our ancestors to make a place among them for a much beloved member of the family and to help them to transition and to add their wisdom to the mix. After we would ask each person to remember the loved one with a good memory, because that loved one will never truly be gone.. Only harder to reach. And as long as we keep them in our hearts we will never lose them at all.

Now most if not all of these rituals are causes for celebration. Even a death can be celebrated as a life well lived and a soul who is now able to visit with God and Goddess. I wish there to be a big beach BBQ as my “wake” I want to crying, just laughter and memories of how I may have touched their lives.. joyful that I am now moving on to my turn on the wheel.. and that I may yet see them in another form.

That being said, celebrate. Have a big happy party, enjoy life in it many many phases. Share happiness and love and live connected.

Thank you for coming and checking my kitchen out.

Blessed Hearth and Home

The Hearthkeeper

Tags: life, rituals

• Articles

Rayne November, 2011

Ritual:  Solitary vs. Group

It is important to find balance in our lives, and in our practice. It doesn’t really matter what sect or tradition you come from there will be times when you will have to do a working alone, and times when you can work within a group. Both experiences are very different experiences that advise everyone to partake in. Coming from a small (VERY) small eastern Texas town I found it very difficult to find like-minded individuals that were actually serious about Witchcraft. Wicca and Witchcraft, both, have been very integral parts of my life, and I always found it extremely disheartening to meet a new Witch and listen to the complete asinine misconceptions I have fought for years to break free of projected into the universe.

So for a very large part of my life I worked as solitary Witch holding private workings, rituals, spells, Sabbat and Esbat rituals alone. Though lonely at times it offers a sense of freedom, you’re the only person there; I’ve learned that you truly get a larger understanding and reverence for your practice if you discover it alone. Unlike some of the Abrahamic religions as a Witch most of us don’t have a dogma telling us how to behave. Thusly, the beauty and sometimes agony of being a Witch presents itself. I suppose one of the biggest pros to me about working solitary is you are utterly free. It is only you, your spirit, and the Goddess and God.

Interestingly enough I prayed that the Goddess would send someone to me that would be serious about their faith, and their practice. That’s when I met my best friend Aaron. Now we were only two people mind you, but the determination and energy that two connected people set on a common goal can create is phenomenal! And that’s really when I first started experiencing work within a group. Though working within a group can present a lot of very interesting complications. For instance Aaron, and I were doing a Beltane a year ago, we had really just started the circle was cast, and we were in the middle of invoking the quarters. Being that I am more of a fire and air person I always invoke the East, and The south, Aaron takes the West and North. So there I was at the Southern point of the circle eyes closed, hands embracing the sky, and patiently waiting for Aaron to start his part of the invocation. And I wait… Finally after a minute or two of silence I turn around to find Aaron doing some other miscellaneous thing around the altar. Now I don’t know if anyone else has had this problem before, but I was a little perplexed. I asked him why he didn’t invoke the elements after I did, and he responded “I’m not really in a vocal mood today. So I invoked them in my mind.” This presented a type of problem for me. Because I am a very vocal person even when my rituals are solitary do I rarely not speak. And I didn’t want to disrespect my best friend by telling him to do it again out loud, and so I closed my eyes and said a few words, to remedy the emptiness I felt from the other two elements. So it comes to the invocation of Deity. Aaron usually does the Goddess, and I invoke the God, and we both invoke Spirit to watch over our circle. Again eyes closed, hands in the air, waiting for him to start, and he never does. I didn’t really know what to do. It was the first time in our Magical relationship together that I had a problem with something he did in our circle. So I close my eyes again do a small invocation to the Goddess and carry on to invoke the God. Moral of the story: I would say very consistently Pagans can be VERY different people, we all have our preferences on how we like things done, and most of us are open to change and exploration. And later after the ritual we talked and I explained why I had a problem with it, and from that moment on everything has been fine. I’m not at a University here in Texas, and an active member of the Pagan Student Fellowship. We have group meetings every Tuesday, host Sabbat, and Esbat rituals, and help each other out with different workings. It is absolutely AMAZING. The beautiful thing about groups are that everyone there sees Divinity in a different way, and from that difference comes changes to our own perception of Magic. I’ve learned things from my Pagan friends that I’ve never thought of, ways to do ritual that I had never pondered.

So I implore you if you ever get the chance attend a group ritual test it out see if you like it. But you don’t really know what you’re missing until you try it.

Tags: group, rituals, solitary

• Spells & Rituals

Rayneschild August, 2011

Greetings my beloved brother’s and sisters.  In the course of writing a solitary Lammas to share with you it became more and more clear, through my guides, as well as funny “coincidences” there are lots of Sabbat celebrations to be found but very few rituals to rid us of the useless baggage we carry.  So dear ones, rather than directions for a solitary Sabbat, which comes only once a year, I will instead share a ritual to shed those unwanted items every one of us carry one way or another.

In the interest of honesty and fair play I’ll go first, guilt.  Not just you’re run of the mill ” I cheated on my income taxes guilt”, mine feels like the place where all guilt was born.  It bids me a cheerful good morning as soon as I open my eyes, and then it lectures me relentlessly as I fall asleep.  It is a nasty, ugly mother, and I have decided it MUST go!!!

I could go on but since that’s the biggie I’ll leave it at that.  The worst thing about this negativity we all carry is that it found out a long time ago what our weak spots are and exactly what it takes to get to us.  The problem with leaving these nasty harbingers of some past moment of weakness is that most people can never be truly happy as long as they are present.  That, my friends, is why we are going to do a ritual to rid ourselves of these useless guests, and the best part is, there’s not a damn thing they can do about it!!!!

You can actually do this ritual during whichever moon phase that suits you, I choose full because looking up and seeing the Goddess has a stregthening effect.  Waning is also good since we’re removing something.  I use the words “Full Moons watchful gaze”, obviously you can substitute what works best for you.  And here we go:

Beneath the full moon’s watchful gaze

My negative habits I set a blaze

I can’t move forward until they’re gone

And now I’m ready to stop holding on

Strength of self I can’t achieve

Until these flaws and thoughts are made to leave

I pour all my energy into the words I write

It’s my intent this be done tonight

Each paper is folded, in the cauldron it’s placed

I then walk the witches circle and each element I face

I kindly ask that each of them lend their strong yet gentle grace

I then call the God and Goddess in a voice both strong and clear

I thank them for they’re presence and ask they take my faults away from here

As I watch the fire begin to grow

It’s then that in my heart I know

Witchcraft is the best of me

This is my will so mote it be!

For an awesome effect that really helps with the visualization process, after you add the folded pages to the cauldron, sprinkle them liberally with Isopropyl Alcohol.  Don’t go crazy just make sure all the pages are wet.  Once you raise you’re power to make them leave, use a wooden match, strike it and drop it in!   The effect that follows is great to give you that extra vision.  A word of caution, it’s a good idea to do this outside.  It’s very uncomfotable to explain to your local firefighters why you have a big cauldron set ablaze in a room that contains evrey find of pagan decoration known to man,lol!  You can apply this to other things, but it has never let me down.  This is also a great ritual to do in a group setting, have evrybody write a wish on a piece of paper, then have everyone place their hand over it to empower it.  You can add herbs of all sorts,or ask each participant to bring an herb that coincides with their wish.

Blessed Be

Tags: rituals

• Articles

Mama Donna Henes June, 2011

Are you cyclically confused? In a ceremonial quandary? Completely clueless? Wonder no more.

*Ask Your Mama™

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Spirituality and Didn’t Know Who to Ask™

by

©Mama Donna Henes, Urban Shaman

A Question of Ritual as Service

Dear Mama Donna.

I work with a group here in Cleveland who cook and feed close to 200 men at a homeless shelter every Thursday. It is a big commitment. The shelter is run by the Salvation Army, and the people who run the shelter are open to programming. As we have come to know these men, they are opening to us, and I feel it’s an opportunity to do some spiritual work. It occurred to me that I might start a drumming circle. I wanted to ask if you have ever worked with this particular population. They are really down and out, and I need some ideas about how to approach them and how to structure a circle.

Reaching Out in Ohio

Dear Reaching Out,

Wow! A spirit circle in Cleveland, my hometown. Who’d have thunk?

I actually do have a great deal of experience with populations of disenfranchised, dis-spirited folk. As an urban shaman, I move in all sorts of society and my constituency includes everyone. We are all equals in the eye of spirit.

Over the years I have done drumming circles with drugged and deranged women in a shelter, with very young single homeless mothers and their babies at a half-way house, with HIV-ill women at a treatment center, with inmates at several women’s jails and adolescent detention facilities, with the criminally insane at a state forensic psychiatric center, and dozens of other snake-pit venues for the down and out.

It is my experience that people are pretty much just people. In these special groups there is the same mix of helpful, open, clear, disruptive, hostile, sad, closed, and needy souls as I see in my open-to-anyone circles and celebrations. If you approach the situation as normal, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how normal it will be. Sanity, stability, centeredness is the continuum that we all travel on our journey toward our best selves.

Once I did a May Day/Beltane tree planting ceremony in Loring Lake Park in Minneapolis with a group of students from the College of and Design there. As it turned out, this park was a hangout place for intoxicated Native Americans. During our ritual, a bunch of fairly far-gone guys wove over to join us. They were drunk, but not rowdy. They instinctively understood the sanctity of what we were doing and were mightily drawn to be part of our circle.

At one point in the ceremony, one of the men stepped forward. He identified himself as Sioux, then announced, “I have no right to do this” and proceeded to offer a chant. While he was all-too-aware that he was ceremonially unclean and spiritually unprepared for such a righteous task, he also knew enough to realize that somebody had to sing this tree into the ground, and he happened to know the words. It was powerful magic that day: for him as he was tranceformed in grace, for me as an awed witness to true reverence, and for the tree, which I am sure is still thriving.

Another time, I did a big public celebration for the Fall Equinox at Pershing Square in Los Angeles. During the event, the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs came by the park to check on me because he was worried for my safety in this “dangerous” junkie/wino infested plaza.

Of course, it was these very men, drunk and high though they might have been, who actually got involved. They climbed ladders, helped me to hang my peace chants banners, and brought me coffee. And when the police came to arrest me later that day (despite my official status) for Inciting Littering (of all things) it was these same outcast men who tried to protect me.

After hundreds of similar situations, I have come to understand that if you enter a ritual situation with an open heart, people will recognize your sincerity and share themselves in return. Don’t worry. Your drum circles will be great. And you are dear for doing them.

Great good luck to you. This is a grand project.

xxMama Donna

Dear Mama Donna,

Thanks so much for your response. I want to work with these people in a spiritual way, and hope to start a small circle in the upcoming months. I think your point of treating the men in this shelter as normal is a good one. I have no fear, and believe some soul-level support and treatment is greatly needed. For about six years, I worked at Rosary Hall, a treatment center here. I learned that there is a yearning for something more in all of us, and I saw that the spiritual program was the strongest part of recovery. I’ll keep you posted, and again thanks for your feedback.

Peace and love,

Reaching Out

Dear Reaching,

May you drum up a beat of connection, a rhythm of pleasure and joy, a sacred circle of support.

xxMama Donna

*Are you cyclically confused? In a ceremonial quandary? Completely clueless? Wonder no more. Send your questions about seasons, cycles, and celebrations to Mama Donna at citshaman@aol.com

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

Donna Henes is an internationally renowned urban shaman, ritual expert, award-winning author, popular speaker and workshop leader whose joyful celebrations of celestial events have introduced ancient traditional rituals and contemporary ceremonies to millions of people in more than 100 cities since 1972. She has published four books, a CD, an acclaimed Ezine and writes for The Huffington Post and UPI Religion and Spirituality Forum. Mama Donna, as she is affectionately called, maintains a ceremonial center, spirit shop, ritual practice and consultancy in Exotic Brooklyn, NY where she works with individuals, groups, institutions, municipalities and corporations to create meaningful ceremonies for every imaginable occasion.

www.DonnaHenes.net

www.TheQueenOfMySelf.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Henes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Queen_of_My_Self

Watch her videos:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MamaDonnaHenes

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Tags: Drums, rituals

• Advice

Rose Embyrs February, 2011

How To Use Persuasion Spells In Witchcraft

Much of what spellcasters do is to fortify and focus on what they want to occur. Part of that mindset is to convince others to make their wishes come true. A spell such as invisibility will convince others they can’t see you. Invisibility is a great way to finish a project at work, school or home. If you’re not bothered, you can complete a task.

Another example is with a spell for luck. Once you’ve established a desire to bring luck to you, this manifests in your persona. You glow with anticipation of good luck and others around you feel that energy. A good spellcaster will not only gain clarity of their will to conjure what they want, they convince others to help them.

Here are a few spells to help a spellcaster gain the support of the people around them. At work, school, on the street, at a party and anywhere where people are present. Use a subtle voice, a gentle touch and sway your friends, family and co-workers to see things your way.

Witches Hand Shake

During a handshake, extend your right index finger and lightly touch the inside wrist of the person on the pulse point . Touching the pulse will open the person to your suggestion. Plant a seed by wishing silently or aloud what you want.

Examples:      “So nice to meet you, I would like to see you again.”

“I hope you’ll consider me, I would like this job.”

“I’m so happy to have run into you, call me soon.”

Good Luck Spell

Luck is a wisp of energy, an intangible aura that loosely adheres to your body, then disappears. To capture and hold luck, you must focus on your demeanor and gain support from others. Speak openly about how lucky you feel to friends and family. Believe that luck will come your way, then say these words while facing a mirror.

Goddess Fortuna I humbly request a bit of luck.

From your fair providence I do thee pluck.

Make others see your shining fortune on me.
In your name, I ask this of thee. So mote it be!

To enhance this spell and persuade others to acknowledge your good fortune, fill a green witch’s bag. Use a bit of tin foil rolled up into small balls, and a tiger’s eye stone. Now add real cotton, rose hips, nutmeg, orange peel, heather and Irish moss. Carry this bag on your person and place under your pillow at night.

Invisibility Spell

When you need to be less noticeable, use this spell to get some time alone. Anytime you need this kind of freedom, close your eyes and envision a white light surrounding your body. This white light will make you safe and blurred to the outside world. People will need to look hard if they need to see you. The lines between your desk and chair at work will be fuzzy to onlookers as the light shields you from everyone. Stay focused on the project you’re working on and don’t make eye contact with others. Move slowly, no erratic moves and the spell will last for a long time.

Persuasion Spell

Persuasion spells work well and for anyone, even teens. To soften even the coldest of hearts, cast this spell for a grumpy teacher, boss, parent, lover or friend.

You’ll need:

Red and blue pen

Parchment paper

Green, fresh fallen leaves

Write the name of person you desire to soften their mood toward you in blue ink. Now create a pentagram over their name. Flip the parchment over and write words to express what you hope from the person with red ink.

LOVE, HOPE, COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS, KINDNESS, MERCY, BELIEF, INDULGENCE and PATIENCE. Now place hearts around each word. Place a handful of leaves over the hearts and fold the parchment 3 times to trap the leaves inside. Put the folded paper over your heart and say:

May (name of the person) soften with all their heart

I (your name) am in need of a new start

With this fair gift from the Lord and Lady

I ask that your mood soften toward me.

Wear the parchment near your heart all day, then place under your pillow at night and repeat the spell.

Tags: magic, magick, rituals, spells

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora December, 2009

“Triumph Over Troubles Rite”

We have all experienced times when we are overcome with worry or doubt about something very important to us. This rite is designed to help you move through your worry and start working on a solution.

Supplies

Bowl of water

Bowl of salt

Worry stone

Worry dolls (5)

Pentacle paten

2 small pieces of mirror

Mica and unakite

Strand of silver cord

Two white candles

Incense burner, trivet, and charcoal tablet

Incense of your choice

Chalice with drink

Plate with food

Offering bowl

Altar Set-up

Gather all the materials and place on the altar. The two white candles should be across from each other, as they represent the God and the Goddess.  The God-side of the altar should be on the left and also include the bowl of salt and the plate of food for the offering. The incense burner with charcoal tablet should be on top of the trivet and placed on the left side of the altar. The pentacle paten should be in the middle of the altar. The right side of the altar should have the bowl of water, incense, and chalice with beverage. The offering bowl, silver cord, two mirrors, mica, unakite, worry dolls, and worry stone should be off to the side of the altar.

Rite

Ground and center yourself in your traditional way. Cast a sacred circle and call the powers of the Elements to balance your circle. Light the charcoal tablet and add some incense to it. Light the God and Goddess candles and invite them into your circle to offer their support for your workings tonight.

Hold the mica out in front of you and state your worry out loud into the stone. Encase the mica between the two pieces of mirror and tie them all together with the silver cord. Place the bundle on top of the pentacle paten on the altar. Place the unakite on top of the bundle.  Repeat the following:

I am captive no more in a place of nowhere,

Lingering aimlessly in my self-pity and despair.

I am taking control and lead from this day forth,

Finding strength within myself – the original source.

Place one of the worry dolls at each of the five points of the pentagram surrounding the bundle. Pick up the dolls, one-by-one starting this the top point and moving widdershins, and state to each doll one thing that you can do to help you move past this worry.  When you are done, say:

The will, the voice, and the movement are mine.

I will carry onward as I design,

New hope and new paths I walk on from here,

Banishing doubt, worry, sadness and fear.

Pick up the worry stone and hold out in front of you. Repeat:

But if new worries creep into my daily life,

And I find myself consumed in ongoing strife,

I will keep this token by my side,

And hold it close by so to it I can confide.

Dip the worry stone in the bowl of salt, pass it carefully through the smoke of the incense, and then dip it into the water. Then, carefully pass it over the flames of the God and Goddess candles.

In the name of the Mighty Ones,

This token is blessed.

May it serve its’ purpose well,

Doubt, fear and worry it will quell.

Make an offering of drink and food in honor of the God and Goddess. Thank them for the presence. Dismiss the Elements and open the sacred circle. This rite has ended.

Notes

When the issue is resolved, break the mica into two parts and bury them in the ground separately.

Tags: magic, magick, Rites, rituals, spells

• Spells & Rituals

Administrator May, 2006

I’ve Volunteered to do a Ritual, Now What do I do?

A practical guide to performing public rituals

You feel drawn to volunteer to do public ritual. You volunteer, commit yourself and then…PANIC ATTACK! You’ve never done a public ritual…where do you start? What do you do? That’s what this article will address and discuss.

One thing to point out right away, there is really no “wrong” way to do a ritual. Whatever feels comfortable to you as the leader should be what you do. However, it is good to do enough research that you don’t end up mixing elements that end up being incompatible – with possible nasty consequences.

The first thing to do is to decide what your ritual will focus on. If it is for a Sabbat, research the various aspects of that day. What or who do you feel drawn to? What activities would be appropriate for the event? Will there be children? If so, how can that be taken into account? If you are doing a moon-based ritual, again, research your subject. Look at what each moon means in various cultures, or pick a subject that has to do with the season you are in, or something in your own life that would appeal to others. With some groups it is traditional (although not required) that some sort of “take it home” activity occur. If you are not “crafty” (and not all of us are) pick something easy or choose to do something more intellectual so that what is brought home is not necessarily tangible, but valuable nonetheless.

After figuring out what you want to do, the next step is to secure a site, and figure out when and what time. Get that information locked down and out to the public at least 3-4 weeks before the event so people have time to plan. Notify local lists, make flyers, put it in the paper if possible, get the word out as much as possible. If you are doing a feast afterwards, make sure you note that on the flyers, along with any instructions such as “bring food appropriate to the Sabbat” or “provide your own plates, cutlery and cups”. If needed, recruit helpers/fellow planners as early as possible also. If it is traditional to plan a feast for afterwards, make sure you also decide what you will bring and keep in mind where the ritual will be held so you can make suggestions as to food or drink to those participating in the activities.

Now it is time to start planning your ritual. Sit down and prepare an outline of what you want to do. This is your “recipe” for the rite. After you have the recipe down, make your “shopping list”. Write down (don’t rely on your memory, write it down!) all the items you will need. By that I mean, not only things like “salt, water, incense” but practical, little things like “bowl for water and salt, matches or firestarter, juice, cups, etc.”. Don’t forget to include those things you will put on your altar or altars. Don’t forget to include your feast offering in your “shopping list”. Also, if you have helpers “assign” them specific tasks in the outline so you know what YOU are responsible for and what OTHERS are responsible for. Make sure your helpers know well in advance what they are supposed to do so that they can prepare.

Once you have your outline, flesh it out. Are you calling quarters? Casting a circle? Doing something different to create Sacred Space? Are you indoors? Outdoors? These things need to be considered. Are you creating one altar? Or several? Make sure you make a comprehensive list of what you are putting on the altar(s) and put a checkmark or something next to anything you might need to buy so you don’t forget. One thing many people don’t remember to bring is an “offering basket/bowl” to be passed around or put on the altar or entrance for donations (assuming, of course, you are hoping to get reimbursed for your expenses). If you are asking someone else to bring libations, or things for the altar or ritual, make sure they are aware of this in advance and contact them a couple of days before to make sure they remembered it. A friendly reminder is usually appreciated and will save the person and you possible embarrassment at the ritual itself.

It is a good idea to make not only an outline, but a “script” of the ritual. The outline is great for your helpers to have so they know who is doing what when. But, unless you plan to do everything “off the cuff”, it might be good to actually write down, where appropriate in the ritual, what you are going to do and say. Memorize this if you wish, or keep it handy to refer to during the ritual. No one will fault you for having “notes”, especially if the ritual is complicated or lengthy. Personally, I would keep a first public ritual simple, but that is up to the individual and what help they have from other people. A lot also has to do with what “tradition” (if any) they choose to follow. Some traditions have very strict and complicated rules that must be followed if the ritual is going to be a true sampling of the tradition and not a rip off.

One thing to be very aware of…if you are doing a public ritual do NOT assume that everyone knows the “proper” way to do things according to the tradition you are using. Chances are, that is not at all true. Also, you might have “first timers” who have no idea what to expect. Before the ritual starts, make sure you explain a little about what is going to happen, any special things the attendees will be expected to do, etc. You don’t have to reveal any ‘mystery’, but a quick overview is always appreciated.

So, what “makes” or “breaks” a public ritual? In my experience it is all about organization and understanding your participants. It doesn’t matter if you base your ritual on Wicca, or Celtic Reconstruction, or Voodoo or whatever, just be organized about it. If you are planning an activity that will take some time and involve only one person or a few people at a time (such as doing divinations), come up with an activity that the others can do that relates to the ritual while they are waiting. Have appropriate music in the background if you just wish people to sit quietly and meditate. If there are going to be children present, be sure they have something to occupy themselves. Having to make “idle conversation” in the middle of a ritual while waiting for your turn at something is not conducive to a spiritual experience.

Questions to ask yourself before you commit to doing public ritual or at least before the day of the ritual:

1.     What is my reason for doing this ritual? What do I hope to bring to the larger community OR what do I hope to learn from doing this? (you can actually have answers to all three questions, sometime you both want to give and receive from a ritual)

2.     Who will be there? (i.e. children, lots of newcomers, etc). About how many will be there? How is the best way to handle the group size-wise? Where is the best place to hold this type of thing, considering the amount of people expected?

3.     Who can I call on to help? Where do I go to find the resources for research I need to do? Do I have the physical tools I need? (i.e. altar stuff, libations, etc.)

4.     If necessary, do I have the permits needed? If not, where do I go, who do I see? Do I have the financial resources to carry this out?

5.     Have I advertised this event adequately? Do I want to have lots of publicity, or only a little?

6.     Am I prepared for this? Have I rehearsed what will happen? Are my helpers all lined up? Are my supplies all bought and organized, ready to go? Have I planned for weather (if necessary)?

The biggest challenge for a first-timer doing public ritual is to be confident in oneself. Prepare, prepare, prepare but also be open to the unexpected and don’t be rigid. Don’t come down on yourself if everything doesn’t go exactly as planned…sometimes it just isn’t meant to. Once you have done the ritual, all the participants are gone, the place is cleaned up, and you are looking forward to sleeping because you are so physically and emotionally exhausted, take a moment and give yourself a “pat on the back”. You just accomplished something you can remember and be proud of the rest of your life. Leading a public ritual is to give a piece of yourself to the community. There is no greater gift than this.

***

author bio:

Mariposa is a UU Pagan of 8 years duration. She spends much of her time reading, playing Celitc harp, and writing poetry. She calls her method of writing "Muse-inspired", as she writes the poem complete and whole at one sitting with, usually, only very minor changes. Also, if she gets "inspired" she must right down the poem at once or she "loses it". Mariposa currently holds the Office of Spirit for the Church of the Sacred Circle in Salt Lake City, and is also clergyperson of that pagan church. She hopes to get training to become a volunteer for the "No One Dies Alone" hospice program that sits with dying patients when family and friends are not available.

Tags: help, how to, instruction, Mariposa, rituals

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