The Basic Components of a Ritual

This is the basic structure of a Wiccan ritual. This is only a guide, everyone must find the most comfortable way they wish to go about conducting their rituals.

Purification

Before begining a ritual it's important to feel you and your ritual area are clean and pure. Some people bathe before a ritual others simply wash their hands, feet and face, still others do nothing at all. If you choose to bathe use herbs in your bath that are conductive to the ritual your about to perform. Other ways to purify yourself are through meditation or through other physical clensing such as swimming in the ocean or standing, arms spread, in gusting wind. However you clense yourself be sure the clensing is a spiritual one more so then a physical one,we are exposed to negative energies everyday and clensing is a way to put yourself in the positive mindset necissary for ritual.

Purification of the ritual area is done both spiritually and physically. Physically the area must be free of all clutter except the altar and ritual tools. If lucky enough to have a spot outdoors to conduct ritual make sure to sweep the area free of twigs, dead leaves and such. Spiritually clense the area to remove any negative or cluttered energies. The most common way to do this is with a ritual broom, imagine the broom sweeping away the energy buildup as you sweep the area, it's not necissary for the bristles to even touch the ground the visualization is the important part. Other ways to clense the area are to sprinkle the area with salt, dried herbs or spring water, with incense smoke or even with the light of a candle.

Creating the Circle

After clensing the area and seting up the altar the circle needs to be cast. The circle is a bubble or sphere of energy within which the ritual takes place. The edges of the circle are usually marked simply to aid in visualization. Just about anything cane be used to line the circle; stones, twigs, string, sea shells, candles, salt, sand, leaves, flowers, or even just a line scratched in the dirt.

To cast the circle itself stand in the center of the ritual space and build up energy. Feel the energy flow into you, when you feel you've gathered enough walk around the circle clockwise, push the power out into the circle, imagine the power leaving you and forming the circle after walking fully around the circle visualize the energy forming a dome overhead. Once this is done the circle is complete. Many people use the Athame (ritual knife) to channel the energy into the circle others use a sprig with salt water, sprinkle salt or just direct it through their hand, whichever method you use is fine.

For solitary rituals some simply sit or stand in front of thier altar and visualize the energies coming to them and forming a circle, this is much easier especially for quick rituals when the full show isn't necissary.

Invocation

This is the only necissary part of a ritual, calling apon the elements and the Lord and Lady. There are a lot of different ways to go about invoking the elements, most commonly this is done by calling to each one and asking for it's presence at you ritual, possibly using a tool attuned with that element. Walking around the circle with the appropriate tool chanting an invocation is the most common method. Standing at each of the four corners and calling to them works well too.

The God and the Goddess are called in the same way but usually the invocations are longer. Usually there are two candles on the Altar representing the God and the Goddess, light these as you chant the invocation. When you call on the God and Goddess and the elementals make sure you ask of their presence and not demand it, call with love and sincerity and your rituals will be great successes.

Ritual Observance

During this time observe any special ritual occasions such as Sabbats, Esbats, Handfastings, Namings, ect.

Magick

After any observances it's time to cast any appropriate magick. There is much more energy inside a circle then normal making it ideal for spell work. On top of this certain magicks are more powerful when done on certian days such a Sabbats or Esbats.

Earthing Power

This is where you earth the power you've raidsed this can be done simply by placing you hands on the ground and sending back the energy. Many eat at this time, eating returns the body and mind back to the physical realm and helps drain the energies from the ritual.

Thanking

At this point thank the God and Goddess and the Elementals ask that they come again and prepare to break the circle.

Breaking the Circle

To close the circle there are a few methods. One is to simply stand or sit in the center of the circle or walk back around it and absorbe the energy back into yourself and then ground it. Some people use the Athame to cut the circle releasing the energy. If you have something marking the edge of the circle you can remove those markers to break the circle.

Your Ritual is Ended