Circle   



This ritual comes straight from the pen and BOS of Darnack. 


This is a standard ritual format for erecting the temple, drawing the
circle, whatever you chose to call it. If you see a "+" reference in
any of my other rituals it refers to the text in this document. This
ritual as well as most of the ones in my series have been written
from a one person performing point of view as opposed to a two
person one. They can easily be edited to included the other part of
the duo. I wrote them from this point of view to help solitaries as
well as coveners get ideas for their personal rituals. 



Supplies:
altar, altar cloth, athame, water bowl w/ water, salt dish w/ salt,
god candle, goddess candle. one candle for each of the four elements,
censer w/charcoal block and incense (to be lit before the ritual
begins) a cauldron, any other articles that feel appropriate to the
mood or purpose of the ritual.
<Gather the group together>
<have the participants hold hands around the altar in a circle>
<pick up the athame walk the circle docile>
With this athame I do draw the circle. Let none but love and light
dwell within. So mote it be.
<return the athame to the altar and take some salt and sprinkle it
into the water>
Salt of the earth infuse this water with your purifying properties.
<Stir the water and salt forming a pentacle at least once>
<walk the circle docile sprinkling the edges with the sacred water>
<return the water to the altar and take up the censer making sure
that it is still lit and smoldering well, add some incense if
necessary>
<walk the circle docile>
<return the censer to the altar and take up the athame>
<Go to the East>
Spirit of the East, Element of Air. We ask that you come and guard
our circle tonight. Lend us your energies and rejoice with us. Blessed
Be.
<Go to the South>
Spirit of the South, Element of Fire. We ask that you come and
guard our circle tonight. Lend us your energies and rejoice with us.
Blessed Be.
<Go to the West>
Spirit of the West, Element of Water. We ask that you come and
guard our circle tonight. Lend us your energies and rejoice with us.
Blessed Be.
<Go to the North>
Spirit of the North, Element of Earth. We ask that you come and
guard our circle tonight. Lend us your energies and rejoice with us.
Blessed Be
<return to the altar>
<hold the athame aloft pointed upward>
Gracious Goddess, You who are the Queen of the Gods, the lamp of
the night, the creator of all that is wild and free; Mother of woman
and man; lover of the Horned God and protecteress of all Witchcraft:
Descend, I  pray with your Lunar ray of power upon our circle
here tonight.  So mote it be.
<hold the athame at waist level pointed downward>
Gracious God, You who are the King of the Gods, the illumination of
the day, the creator of all that is good and evil; Father of man and
woman; lover of the Triple Goddess and protector of all Witchcraft:
Descend, I pray with your Solar ray of power upon our circle here
tonight. So mote it be.
<place the athame back on the altar>
The circle is open Merry Meet one and all.


Any specific worship or magick should be performed here.

Now is the time for cakes and ale.
First you take the cup and hold  it up to  the heavens and
concentrate  for a moment. Then you bring it down to chest level
and take your athame in your other hand and dip it straight down
into the cup. Then you say "As the athame is to the cup so is the
male to the female, ever joined brings blessedness". Then you partake
of the cup.
Then you hold the cakes to the heavens and concentrate for a
moment. Then bring it down to chest level and take you athame in
your other hand drawing a pentagram over the air above the cakes
saying "Blesses these cakes, may they bring nourishment to our/my
bodies/body, blessed be". Then partake of the cakes.

<now is what I like to the sacred bullshit session. It is a time to
talk with friends comment about how the ritual is going so far
share your feelings, etc. Whatever feels appropriate.>

The time of departure draws near.

<make sure you have everyone’s attention>
Lord and Lady we thank you for joining us in our circle tonight.
We ask that you stay with us in spirit lending us your guidance
and protection in our daily lives. Go if you must stay if you will.
Blessed Be.
<walk widdershins to the North>
Spirit of the North, Element of Earth. We thank you for joining us
in our circle tonight. Go if you must stay if you will. Blessed Be.
<walk widdershins to the West>
Spirit of the West, Element of Water. We thank you for joining us
in our circle tonight. Go if you must stay if you will. Blessed Be.
<walk widdershins to the South>
Spirit of the South, Element of Fire. We thank you for joining us in
our circle tonight. Go if you must stay if you will. Blessed Be.
<walk widdershins to the East>
Spirit of the East, Element of Air. We thank you for joining us in
our circle tonight. Go if you must stay if you will. Blessed Be.

This circle is open yet unbroken.
Merry Meet, Merry Part, Till We Merry Meet Again.