Peeking in the Shadows: Crafting a Book of Shadows and Light

 

This month continues a series of exploration about Our Relationship to the Divine….

 

Our Relationship to the Divine

Part Four: A Ritual of Calling to the Divine

 

 

…. The Divine flows within me. The Limitless All supports me. All Beings of Spirit and Essence are my teachers. I AM the corporeal out-picturing of the Divine’s desire…

 

Ritual brings us closer to whomever or whatever we are hoping to deepen a connection with. It is through ritual that we learn more of ourselves and step more fully into the true nature of who we are as Divine Beings learning the ways of physical and corporeal existence. A ritual of honoring to your chosen God/dess with whom you wish to establish a relationship is a tangible and ephemeral way of acknowledging the importance they hold for you and the gift you may offer.

This is a simple ritual that you may use as a stepping-stone in cultivating and or continuing to strengthen such a relationship. It is also another addition for the Ritual section of your Book of Shadows and may be adapted, repurposed and rewoven as desired.

 

What you will need:

1. A quiet space where you will not be disturbed;

• • 2/white pillar candles and holders – 1/ representing the Deity and 1/representing yourself and lighter;

• • A physical representation of the Deity-this can be an image printed out online, a statue, or anything else that will allow you to “feel” the presence inhabiting the sacred space you have created when you look at it;

• • Purification Supplies: Incense and a Bowl of Salt Water;

• • 4/small candles representing the Quarters and/or a small object representing eh energy of that quarter (ie. feather in the east-match in the south-seashell or cup of water in the west-crystal, leaf or plant in the north);

• • An offering to be given to the Deity (something small is best);

• • A journal to be dedicated and used in recording inspirations and interactions with your chosen Deity.

This ritual may be done in any size space. If you are able to place and/or have separate Quarter altars aligned with East – South – West – North and a central altar for the candles and Deity representation and offering great. If not you may easily use the top of any surface that would be large enough to hold, 4/small votive candles for the quarters, the 2 white candles, offering to Deity and the representation of the Deity.

 

Here is a template of Ritual Outline you can add to the Ritual section of your BOS. I’ve included a blank one and the one that would be used for your Ritual of Calling:

 

Date of Ritual: ______

Name of Ritual: Calling to the Divine: In Devotion to (fill in the name of the Deity you have chosen)

1. 1. Preparation:

The altar (s) have been set with a representation of (name of Deity). There are 2/ White Pillars placed on either side of (name of Deity). Incense and salt water are readied and my offering of devotion to (name of Deity) is placed on the altar as well. Candles marking the 4 quarters are placed in their appropriate direction and my journal and pen/cil are accessible.

2. 2. Purification and Grounding:

I make ready my bodies and mind for the work at hand. By the transformation of fire and air I purify drawing the vibration of scent and ephemera around me. By the healing and opening of water and earth I purify. The salt contained for protection and strengthening and the water as carrier healing and cleansing. By the four alchemical elements like calls to like and I am readied. I am grounded and strong and the root of who I am reaches deeply into Mother Earth as my branches grow and expand into the light of Father Sun. I am whole. I am readied. I am a Being of Power clothed in the gift of physical form. So Mote It Be!

3. 3. Creating Sacred Space: Use whatever method you are most accustomed to in calling forth the energies of the Quarters and creating the Circle of Art and Magick.

4. 4. Invocation to Deity: Offer up words of calling to (name of Deity). Make them as heart-felt and personal as possible. Express words of gratitude and anticipation of what you are hoping this relationship will bring.

When you feel the energy of the emotion and intention you have offered in calling to (name of Deity) pick up one of the white pillars and light it as representation of the power, light and bounty of (name of Deity). After lighting, take a few moments to simply hold the candle, draw in the intensity of its energy now enlivened by (name of Deity). When it feels complete, place the lit candle slightly in front and to the side of whatever object you have on the altar that is the physical representation of (name of Deity).

 

The Working

Claiming Yourself: Pick up one of the White pillars. Hold it to your heart and envision the energy of your Being filling it. Give as much time as is needed to this step. Fill it completely and fully with all that you are. Now, hold the intention of filling this candle with all that you wish to Become. All that you envision this candle holding of the desire and seeking to establish a relationship with (name of Deity).

We Are ONE: Hold your unlit wick of your candle over the flame of (name of Deity). Allow it to take Light from that of the (name of Deity)’s candle. Hold the intention of the energy of the Divine passing into your Candle and You. The merging and reciprocity of light feeding light, flame feeding flame, power feeding power. When you feel complete, make declaration…

Fire to Fire

Breath to Breath

Heart to Heart

Body to Bodies

(name of Deity) and I are one

I enter into this relationship in perfect love and in perfect trust

I offer up Devotion to (name of Deity) and in so doing

I offer up Devotion to Myself.

May these flames burn brightly in each and May I find reciprocity in this Relationship.

So Mote It Be!

Now, place your candle opposite the lit candle for Deity.

In Devotion: Take up your offering. Infuse it with gratitude and love. Make declaration of how and why you are making this offering and place it in front of (name of Deity).

Sitting In Reciprocity: Take some time to sit in contemplation. Ask any questions that you wish of (name of Deity). Journal your interaction and when complete offer up this journal to the continued work with (name of Deity).

5. 5. Ending the Rite: Offer up thanks to (name of Deity) for this interaction and for blessing your space with (name of Deity) presence.

Release the energies of the Sacred Space, the quarters and Circle.

Gently extinguish the flame of (name of Deity)’s candle and then your own. Make declaration as you extinguish the flames…

I return these flames to the aethers that they

may continue to burn brightly

They are but a breath away and with my calling

(name of Deity) and I are ONE

So Mote It Be!

 

Blank Ritual Template:

Date of Ritual: ______

Name of Ritual:

1. 1. Preparation:

2. 2. Purification and Grounding:

3. 3. Creating Sacred Space:

4. 4. Invocation to Deity(ies):

The Working

This contains the body of what your working is and how you will complete it.

5. 5. Ending the Rite:

Release the energies of the Sacred Space, the quarters and Circle.

So Mote It Be!

***

About the author:

Robin Fennelly is an Elder within The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition and serves as High Priestess of Coven of the Mystic Path, the 12th Coven within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition. She teaches and facilitates classes for the Pagan Experience Study Group that serves as foundation for membership within Coven of the Mystic Path.  

Her spiritual journey is strongly rooted in both Eastern philosophy and the Western Magickal systems from which she has formed a core foundation that is diverse in knowledge and rich in spiritual practice.  A life-long learner, her practice has evolved from the classical and philosophical teachings of books, practical experience and enrichment of this knowledge base by attending workshops of various spiritual traditions presented by master teachers.

Robin formally came to the Wiccan path in 1994. Following a practice as a solitary for 2 years, she dedicated to Oak and Willow Coven of The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition in November of 1996. She received her 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Elder) degrees within the Assembly Tradition and has served as High Priestess of two ASW covens since Samhain of 2001 and the Winter Solstice of 2015.

As a teacher of esoteric and magickal studies she uses Energetic Anatomy, Tarot, Astrology, Hermetic Qabala, Eastern Philosophy, and Numerology as the foundations of her diverse selection of workshops and writings for more than 25 years. Exploration of varied energetic protocol has been the focus of her work for some time now and the information gained through direct experience informs all of her magickal and spiritual work.

Robin’s writings have been featured online, and in print Internationally.  She has authored several books incorporating her unique style of writing making use of poetry, prose and pathworking to enhance the concepts presented.  She has taught extensively throughout the Pagan community, including Sacred Space Conference, Spring Magick, Between the Worlds Interfaith Conference and Free Spirit Gathering Festival. Her most recent projects include a channel on youtube: A Journey to the Inner Chamber. She also shares audio pathworkings and ritual on her bandcamp site: Teachings on the Path with Robin.

Robin is the owner of Holistic Embrace providing services for mind, body and spirit such as Tarot readings, Astrology reports, Spiritual Guidance and other related offerings.  She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and her life is blessed by a 40+- year marriage, five children and the opportunity to work in the field of public education.

Robin’s Website: www.robinfennelly.com

Coven of the Mystic Path, ASW: www.covenofthemysticpath.org

Her books can be found on Amazon or purchased directly through her website:

For more info: http://www.robinfennelly.com/books.html

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 1 It’s Written in the Stars-Astrology

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 2 Poetry of the Spheres-Qabalah

The Inner Chamber, Vol. 3 Awakening the Paths-Qabalah

The Light of SELF: Consciousness, Spiritual Practice and Learning to Breathe

Magickal Verse: A Collection of Poetry and Prose

A Year of Gaia: The Eternal Cord

The Elemental Year: Aligning the Elements of SELF

Temple of the Sun and Moon: Luminous Devotions

Sleeping with the Goddess: Nights of Devotion

A Weekly Reflection: Musings for the Year

The Magickal Pen: A Collection of Esoteric Writings

The Enchanted Gate: Musings on the Magick of the Natural World

The Temple of the Sun: An Astrological Solar Year

Writings in the Shadow: An Exploration of the Shadow Nature