For those who are unfamiliar with pagan ritual and terms, here's a fuller explanation of some of the sections I listed in the “Outline of a Ritual” post.
Casting the Circle
Casting the circle serves two main purposes. It is meant to contain and focus the energy that is raised and gathered for the purpose of the ritual or magickal working. It is also meant to act as a protective barrier between the participants and the ‘other’ world. The energies raised during a ritual or magical working are going to attract entities of all kinds. The circle ensures that the spirits and other ethereal beings that are within the barrier are limited to the ones that you invited in. Though most pagans do not believe in the Christian devil or demons, we do recognize that there are beings out there that are mischievous and will try to mislead and misdirect you. There are also those that are outright malevolent and will seek to interfere and even harm you. And then there are those that are attracted by the energies and will disrupt the flow or syphon off the energy for themselves. This category of beings will make up the majority of the number that the circle is meant to keep out. They are neither good nor evil themselves, they just want the energy. So how do you cast the circle? The leader of the ritual will use an athame, wand, sword, staff or just a finger to trace a circle around the space that is to be enclosed. The circle is drawn in a clockwise direction, deosil ( JE-shill ). While tracing the circle, they envision a wall of some kind being raised along the path and are probably reciting an incantation. Personally, I envision and draw a full sphere so that I’m in a protective bubble. Once the circle has been drawn, it should not be breached. If someone must leave or enter the circle, a doorway must be opened and then closed once more. Breaching the circle may cause disruptions in the energy flow and allow unwanted guests into the sacred space. Opening or releasing the circle should be one of the last things you do when the rite is done. The circle is released by doing the opposite of how it was created. At the same starting point, trace the circle but in a counter clockwise direction, widdershins. At this time you should be envisioning the wall coming down,
Calling the Quarters
The quarters refer to the four directions and their elemental associations. North is associated with earth, east with air, south with fire and west with water. Each quarter is thought to have a ruler, keeper or guardian. Sometimes they are named; sometimes they are referred to as “guardian of the watchtower”. Each quarter is also considered to be home to certain types of beings.
Calling the quarters is a way to bolster your protection in the circle as well as inviting these guardians to add their energy. It also is a sign of respect. To call the quarters, face the proper direction and extend your invitation. If the ritual has a specific purpose or requires the energy of a specific element, I’ll call that quarter first. If it is a more general call, I usually start in the east then south, west and north. Others start in the north…I think it is just a personal preference. I’ll examine each quarter in more detail in another post. To dismiss the quarters, remember, this is more of a release than a dismissal. You don’t want to treat them as servants and then toss them out when you’re done. You won’t get too far that way, and they won’t take such disrespect lightly. They may just stop helping or they may actually start actively work against you. Dismiss the quarters in the same order as you called them. Thank them for their presence and their assistance. If you want them to leave, be polite and explain your reasons. Otherwise just let them know they are free to hang around or free to leave. It’s their choice.
Purification and Consecration
As I stated before, purification is the process of getting rid of unwanted energies. Consecration is a way to attract the type of energy you want to fill the void left by the purification. Both of these processes can be done for people, places and objects. The more something is exposed to outside forces and influences, the more often these two steps should be taken. Especially when a ritual is to be held. You may not realize it, but those outside forces can leave a stain or residue just as surely as smoke, smog or a spilled coffee does. I’m sure almost everyone has walked into a room and immediately knew that something had happened. The phrases “cut the tension with a knife” and “charged atmosphere” come to mind. Though that strong feeling may dissipate, that energy is still there. Just like the smoke from a campfire can be smelled on your hair, skin and clothes long after the fire has gone out.
So, how do you get rid of that smell? You could just try to mask it with perfume or a fabric freshener, but that just covers it up, it doesn’t eliminate it. The best way is to shower and wash everything with soap and water. In the spirit of that analogy, if the shower and wash are the purification process, then whatever is done after can be considered a consecration. Perfume, body lotion, conditioner for your hair, fabric softener or a dryer sheet for your clothes; all are adding something to replace what was washed out.
How do you do this with energy? No matter what method you use, it’s largely symbolic. The real effort comes from your mind. The ritual bath, the smoke from the smudging, sweeping with the besom; these are the tools used to help you envision and focus your mind on what needs to be done, whether it’s washing away the old or inviting in the new.
How often should it be done? As I said, the more often something is exposed to outside forces, the more often it should be done. For a person, this can be almost daily. Let’s face it, it can be a nasty world out there and even on a good day, some of that nastiness is going to stick to you.
Locations are also subject to that same nastiness, but maybe not to the same degree. Your own home may see some conflict and negative emotions, but not as much as a prison, or a hospital for instance. As a general rule, I do a complete home cleansing at least once a year at Samhain, but more often if the situation calls for it. I purify and consecrate a ritual space whenever I wish to have a ritual.
When speaking of objects that need to be purified and consecrated, I’m referring mainly to tools used for rituals. In theory, once the tool has been through these processes, they will only be handled by people who have been purified and consecrated in a space that has been purified and consecrated. This means that the objects shouldn’t be exposed to these unwanted energies I’ve been talking about and should only need to be done when new tools/objects are introduced. In theory. But we all know that theory and the real world can be two very different things. To be blunt – stuff happens. So go ahead and re-purify and re-consecrate whenever you feel it is warranted.
So, how do you get rid of that smell? You could just try to mask it with perfume or a fabric freshener, but that just covers it up, it doesn’t eliminate it. The best way is to shower and wash everything with soap and water. In the spirit of that analogy, if the shower and wash are the purification process, then whatever is done after can be considered a consecration. Perfume, body lotion, conditioner for your hair, fabric softener or a dryer sheet for your clothes; all are adding something to replace what was washed out.
How do you do this with energy? No matter what method you use, it’s largely symbolic. The real effort comes from your mind. The ritual bath, the smoke from the smudging, sweeping with the besom; these are the tools used to help you envision and focus your mind on what needs to be done, whether it’s washing away the old or inviting in the new.
How often should it be done? As I said, the more often something is exposed to outside forces, the more often it should be done. For a person, this can be almost daily. Let’s face it, it can be a nasty world out there and even on a good day, some of that nastiness is going to stick to you.
Locations are also subject to that same nastiness, but maybe not to the same degree. Your own home may see some conflict and negative emotions, but not as much as a prison, or a hospital for instance. As a general rule, I do a complete home cleansing at least once a year at Samhain, but more often if the situation calls for it. I purify and consecrate a ritual space whenever I wish to have a ritual.
When speaking of objects that need to be purified and consecrated, I’m referring mainly to tools used for rituals. In theory, once the tool has been through these processes, they will only be handled by people who have been purified and consecrated in a space that has been purified and consecrated. This means that the objects shouldn’t be exposed to these unwanted energies I’ve been talking about and should only need to be done when new tools/objects are introduced. In theory. But we all know that theory and the real world can be two very different things. To be blunt – stuff happens. So go ahead and re-purify and re-consecrate whenever you feel it is warranted.
Dedication
Here is a step that I didn’t mention in the “Outline of a Ritual” post. This can be done for a person or place, but it’s most commonly done for objects and tools. When you dedicate something, you are making a vow that the person, place or thing in question will be used ONLY in the service of the deity to whom it is being dedicated. This is not something to be taken lightly. If you break that vow, you risk losing credibility with and the favour of the otherworld beings.
Communion, Offerings and Libations
Communion
| Offering
| Libation
|
Communion
Pagans take part in communion in two different ways. During a ritual, participants are usually offered a sip of consecrated wine from a chalice. For some occasions, food is also shared, each person having a small bite. Feasts are a large part of pagan practice and is the second way communion is shared. It’s more than just food, drink and good times shared with friends and family though. Feasts are a celebration of life; a means of expressing thanks and appreciation for the bounty of the harvests. Deities and other beings are generally invited to the celebration and are served a portion along with the other guests. The spirit portion is left uneaten and usually placed outdoors after the celebration is done. The creatures that eat the food (human or otherwise) are seen as agents of the deities and are welcome to the portion.
Pagans take part in communion in two different ways. During a ritual, participants are usually offered a sip of consecrated wine from a chalice. For some occasions, food is also shared, each person having a small bite. Feasts are a large part of pagan practice and is the second way communion is shared. It’s more than just food, drink and good times shared with friends and family though. Feasts are a celebration of life; a means of expressing thanks and appreciation for the bounty of the harvests. Deities and other beings are generally invited to the celebration and are served a portion along with the other guests. The spirit portion is left uneaten and usually placed outdoors after the celebration is done. The creatures that eat the food (human or otherwise) are seen as agents of the deities and are welcome to the portion.
Offerings
Offerings are gifts specific to a deity or other being. It can be food, drink, or some other object that entity favours. It is given as a sign of respect; as a means to placate an angry or upset being; as an enticement or payment for a favour or simply as a thank you. It is personal to each giver and receiver and you should make sure it is something that will be found acceptable. I once left an offering of fish at the convergence of 3 roads. This was in thanks to Hecate for her assistance in a ritual and to show my respect. I made sure that the offering and the way it was given was sacred to her.
Offerings are gifts specific to a deity or other being. It can be food, drink, or some other object that entity favours. It is given as a sign of respect; as a means to placate an angry or upset being; as an enticement or payment for a favour or simply as a thank you. It is personal to each giver and receiver and you should make sure it is something that will be found acceptable. I once left an offering of fish at the convergence of 3 roads. This was in thanks to Hecate for her assistance in a ritual and to show my respect. I made sure that the offering and the way it was given was sacred to her.
Main Ritual
I didn’t go into any detail in “Outline of a Ritual” and I really can't go into much detail now. This is the section that is most unique to every occasion. Whether it’s a prayer, dance, re-enactment, recitation, spell or other magick, this part is the whole purpose behind everything else you’ve done.
Hopefully I've been able to answer some questions about rituals. Feel free to ask questions if there's something specific you wish to know. I can't promise an answer, but I'll do my very best! Goddess bless!