Performed with Non-Sectarian Group on 02/95

I The presider should gather the participants outside of the circle prior to starting the ritual outside of what will be the circle area.

You have come here on this eve of your own free will. I ask you to walk around and breath in the night air. Think about the life around you. Draw it into you. Think about the Life which is around you and which fills you. Walk around and talk and converse with those who are around you and will join you in this circle. When I call you to the circle, bring only your soul and not your physical body.

The presider should then cast the circle. You will need the usual ritual materials but also you will need the same number of scarves as their are participants. It could be scarves or just pieces of cloth. Make sure that you have the same number or even a few extra for safe measure.

II The presider shall set the circle in the following way. The center of the circle shall be the main altar which will have a white, black, red, blue, yellow/orange, and green candle on it. It should have a goblet filled with water, a pitcher with some water, a small dish of salt and an athame. There should also be a small dish of earth. The quarters should have the appropriate color candle and an incense to be lit later. The preparation of the circle can be done as flamboyant and as loud as you wish. Keep in mind the area and the people who will be participating and that this is a full moon ritual so be as light and as emotional as the brightness of the moon. Dance or Sing your incantations.

On this night oh Lord and Lady we come here of our own free thoughtful will to honor you and to draw from you the power and the essence of life around us. We need to become reacquainted with you and with the essences of Life which are around us on a daily basis. On this night, I ask you oh Lady to come here and bless us this night during this magick rite so that we may become part of your eternal glow and that the brightness of your full radiant moon will shed light into the dark recesses of our souls. I ask you to bless us as I light this candle on our altar so that you shall be physically represented here on this night.

The presider should then light the white candle on the altar.

Oh, Lord you are the physical balance and essence and the consort of the Lady. To make this ritual balanced and so that we may honor you as well, we ask that you come here this night and bless us with your guidance and presence so that we shall become mindful of the need for balance in our lives both spiritual and physical.

The presider should then light the black candle on the altar. The presider should then go to the yellow/orange candle (which represents Air in the East) which is on the altar and say something like:

This night we shall seek to enter the spiritual plane and to leave behind us the cares and worries of the physical realm. I ask the Lord and Lady of Air come and grace us this night with their presence so that we may be reminded of this spiritual quest which we make. I ask you to bless us and protect us during this magickal rite so that we may be safe in the realm which we as mortals have come to neglect and forget.

The presider should then light the candle and then proceed to the southern altar candle:

This is a night of emotions and passions which are contained within a physical realm and body. I ask the Lords and Ladies of the South to come here this night and to bless us with their knowledge and strength. Allow us to understand and concede to our passions and emotions on this night. To fill ourselves with the Light and Strength of Life. Burn away all our physical burdens and barriers. Burn away our fears and our doubts. I ask you come here this night and to bless us with your protective presence.

The presider should then light the candle and then proceed to the western altar candle:

We speak of balance and the need to find balance between the spiritual side and the physical realms. But we must also understand the need for Life to ebb and flow. Our lives and those around us change like the seasons and we must learn to become accustomed to this pattern of Life and accept it. I ask on this night for the soothing and flowing essences of the Lords and Ladies of Water to come here and honor us. I hope that their presence here on this night during this magickal rite will help us to accept that which we have the spiritual strength to learn on this night.

The presider should then light the candle and then proceed to the northern altar candle:

Oh, Lords and Ladies of Earth I ask you come here on this night to provide us with strength and firmness of our convictions. I ask that you come and honor this magickal rite with your presence and the essences of Life which you represent. I ask you to protect us on this night and to aid making this a separate and spiritual realm. May your firmness be felt and may you provide us with strength aid us in this night. I hope that you will be present on this night under our feet and in the life around us.

The presider should then light the candle in the north altar. Now the presider should bless the water and consecrate the ground which the people shall stand:

Oh, water of Life you are the balancer of all things and are found in all things including those who come here on this night. As I sprinkle your tiny drops on the ground which shall become the sacred circle I ask that you provide strength and balance to those who tread on this ground.

The presider should sprinkle the water around the circle clockwise in the area which will be the circle area. Then should dump or drip the remaining water on the ground in the west or somewhere near the altar. The presider should now take the plate with earth and say:

On this plate is contained a small part of the great mother. Like each of those who shall come to this circle on this eve, may we remember that we are part of the Mother and she part of us. We are all equal in her eyes and all deserving of her love. As I sprinkle this earth on earth, may we come to remember that we are worthy of goodness and worthy of Life and all that she brings us. Bless this circle and all who enter it on this night.

The presider should sprinkle the earth around the circle clockwise in the area which will be the circle area. Then should dump the remainder on the ground in the north or somewhere near the altar. The presider should now take the plate with the salt (preferably sea salt) and say:

On this plate is the salt of the Earth and the essence of Water. It is the component of all who will enter the circle this night. It is the aspect of the Lord and the stable part of this ritual. It is a crystalline structure which is steady and which is solid though small. I ask that this sacred salt bless the circle and also bless this water chalice to become free and open. The salt shall become unburdened by the Water and be a symbol of the unburdening of our souls on this night and the growing acceptance of who we are and the Goddess.

The presider then take a few pinches and place them into the chalice. The rest of the salt should be sprinkled on the circle area in a clockwise direction. The remainder should be tossed up in the air above the altar. The water chalice which has the combination of salt and water should then be taken to the portal area of the circle. A few drops should be placed in a line to create a portal on the ground:

With these drops, I ask that a portal between the realms be created so that those who cross this portal shall enter the realm of the spiritual and the realm of the soul. I ask that they leave behind them all mortal and physical cares.

The presider should then put the glass down on the ground so that it will be handy. The presider should also get the scarves at this point and lay them near to the water.

III After cutting the doorway for the portal, the presider should call the people to the circle, each person should be greeted the same way and should have the following questions asked of them and things done to them:

Who comes here on this eve?

Do you come here of your own free will?

Why do you come here on this night?

By what name do you wish to be called in this circle?

The presider should then sprinkle a little bit of the sacred water on the scarf for that person as well as their feet:

As I bless these sacred tools, I ask that you bear in mind that you wish to enter the realm of the soul and the spiritual realm of the Goddess. Leave behind all cares and worries and all essences of your daily life.

The presider should them blindfold the person and then spin them around once. Then should lead them carefully to a place on the circle. It doesn’t matter where but make sure that your soul decides where to place them on the circle edge. Speak to them as you walk them around be pleasant and calming to them especially if they are new.

When the last person has come into the circle, close the portal and take the extra scarves to the altar and dump the sacred water on the portal line.

IV. The presider should now approach the person who is standing the closest to the Air candle which is on the edge of the circle. Make sure to take a taper or something to light the candle with over to the person. Whisper in their ear to take off their blindfold and drop it on the ground in front of them. Then give them the flame and ask them to call the element of Air to the circle on this eve however they wish as they call and light the candle go to those around that candle and take off there blindfolds. Drop them on the ground in front of them.

Repeat the same process for each of the remain three elements till all the people have no blindfolds and the candles are all lit.

V. You all have entered the realm of the Goddess on this night and have been reborn of the elements and essence of Life. You have come here this night of this realm to accept that which the Gods have to offer and to realize that you are part of the world around you. You need to learn that you are a spoke in the wheel of life not only of your own life but of those around you. Those of this circle and those who you encounter in the world around you on a daily basis. I ask you now to breath in and out and to think about the world of Life and the breath of life which fills your soul on this eve. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth like your body was originally designed to do. Breathe in and out. Slow and more and more deeply each time. Close your eyes if you wish.

Pause and let them do this for awhile.

Feel the Goddess and the energy which she brings to your life. Feel the energy of the earth as it comes in through your feet. Feel the Air on your skin. The Water flowing through you and in each of your cells. Become aware of the water of life within you. Touch yourself if you wish. Look at yourself if you wish. Feel the fire of the world around you in your breath, in the connection with those next to you, the earth beneath your feet and the light of the Goddess on your heads from the Moon.

Pause and let them do this for awhile.

VI Now I ask you to take hold of the scarf which bound and closed your eyes to the world and realm of the Goddess. Take it firm in your left hand. Come closer and closer to the altar until you are touching the person next to you’s scarf in their hand.

Wait till they do this.

Now take the end of the scarf in your hand. Hold it tight. Now expand the circle till the scarves are tight and you have made a circle.

Make sure that you are not in the circle and if anyone needs help join in or offer help.

Now close your eyes. Begin to walk slowly in a clockwise direction around the altar. Keeping the scarf taught. Walk slowly are surely.

Watch and help when needed.

Now open your eyes. Keep moving and slowly increase the speed at which you circle around the altar. Feel the energy around you and feel the strength and power within you and those around you. As you increase the speed of the circle, feel the energy of the souls here on this night.

Watch and help when needed. As they get faster, say:

When you feel that you can no longer hold on let go and go free to your place. If you are still connected to someone keep going around the altar till your partner is not there.

Wait till all the people have gone to the edge of the circle.

VIII You have felt the energy of the world and Life around you. Keep that in mind. This life is always around you and you can draw upon it at anytime and at any place. You are part of the Goddess and the world. Take with you this energy and take with this knowledge and learn to balance your spiritual life with your physical life.

Now go to the person who is now near the Eastern Candle. Do not pick the same person. Ask them to thank the Element of Air for coming and to release it from it’s candle here. Do the same for the remaining three candles. As the person takes care of the candle on the edge make sure that you dispel the flame from the altar candle which matches that element. By the end of this stage the Lord and Lady candle should be left.

IX I thank the Lord and Lady for coming here this night and honoring us with their presence, protection, and essence. May we take away with us their understanding and a portion of their wisdom. As I quench these flames, may we recognize that they are always with us and that even though we are expelling the symbol of it on our altar. They are always in our souls and our physical bodies.

The presider should then quench the flames of the God/Goddess candles.

Thank you for coming on this night and as you cross the boundary into the physical realm may your soul remember this night. Merry meet, merry part and merry meet again. So mote it be.

Originally posted 2009-11-14 14:43:49.

©A L Folberth 1996     HalfWolfie@AOL.com

Permission granted for personal use only.

This is a guided meditation I wrote and led for Imbolc. It is designed for a group. A single candle is placed in front of the reader so it may be read in the dark.

This is a guided meditation. It is also called path working. It is a spiritual journey created by imagination. In a relaxed state, we can touch a side of ourselves that we may ignore in ordinary life.

We begin the meditation with relaxing. Stretch and move around until you are comfortable. This meditation will last no more than 15 minutes, Don’t worry about shifting position once we start. It’s your body’s way of telling you that the circulation is slowing down. If you are uncomfortable, you can’t concentrate. At the end of this meditation, I will ring a bell to let you know that it is over.

(Speak slowly and pause often)

Remember the flame in front of you and hold the image in your mind. Close your eyes. Now breath in deeply through your nose and slowly exhale through the mouth three times. Let your muscles relax, feel them settling against each other. Imagine your feet turn to stone. They should feel as heavy as granite. Imagine your ankles turning to stone. Your legs are starting to feel like great rocks sitting softly in the earth. Let them turn to stone too. The stone moves up to your hips and you feel settled. The weight of the body is turning to stone. Feel it settle and relax, Let it go. The weight of your body no longer tugs at you. Let it go. Your arms turn to stone and rest like fallen branches on the earth. As your shoulders, neck and head turn to stone, you realize that you are one. You are stone and solid. There is only peace and darkness.

The darkness seems to go forward. There is a depth that you reach out to. You touch it with your mind and the darkness seems to clear. As things begin to focus, you squint your eyes and find yourself in a snow covered forest. You feel no cold and yet the trees are bedecked in icicles. There is no sound save that of your own breath. There is no wind. The very air seems to have frozen. When you stand up and look around don’t see any sign from which way you came. The only footprints are the ones you are making now as the snow crunches beneath your feet. You reach down and pick up a powdery handful of snow. It melts in your hand and feels lightly cold. You drop the snow and brush it off on your legs. The sky is overcast in a soft gray and it seems to be getting on toward dusk.

There is a path a few yards ahead, so you make your way towards it. It is not much wider than a deer trail, but it is better than stumbling over rocks and logs hidden by the snow. As you walk along the path, you still notice the odd silence around you. The sky seems to have gotten a bit darker and you walk more quickly down the path. Low stones seem to be placed at the sides of the path and grow in size as the paths winds along larger rocks. You reach a stone outcropping that surrounds the path on both sides. It gets higher and higher until it reaches far over your head. Bluish green icicles hang from it’s edges and down it’s sides like a frozen waterfall. As you stop to admire it, you have the oddest feeling that you are being watched. You listen and again hear nothing. Off in the distance though, you could have sworn that you heard a tinkling, like chimes blowing in the wind.

You think to yourself, “Maybe I am imagining things”, and move onward.

The path now winds down a hill , it zigs and zags along a dried river bed. At it’s bottom, there is a boulder balanced on five stones. You notice that there is no snow covering it’s top and what looks like a small flame, like a candle’s. You’re startled when it moves in mid air. It comes toward you and hovers. Every time you move towards it, it moves with you and stays just out of reach. The flame then moves to the embankment and dances over it. It looks almost as it stone steps had been placed in it’s side. You climb up it, and as you peer over the edge, you see a great forest. The trees seem to be as ancient as they are large. Their bark is gnarled and look somewhat like giants reaching up to the sky. The flame grabs your attention again as it flits over a sunken path in the snow. It still matches your pace step for step. As you look directly at it, it seems to change colors to a soft yellow. It has grown in size as well. At first it has been a small flame and now it is as large as your fist. You follow it to an immense briar patch. Then the flame suddenly bursts forth like a blossom and then fades before your eyes. You reach the air where it was and it feels very warm. The briars are the first bit of green you have seen in this lonely forest. It’s spurs are very real, you notice, as one grabs at your clothing. Peering through the tangle, you can just make out light on the other side. Looking down, you see an opening large enough to fit under. There is definitely light coming from the other end. Curious, you decide to investigate. The snow from it’s branches falls onto you as you push through.

As you wipe the snow from your face, you see a beautiful young woman dressed in a white tunic. Her hair is long and as red as a sunset. Small fires, like the one that led you here, hover above you in a circle around the briars. The briars are fully leafed and their black berries shine like dark purple garnets. The light of the flames play across her exquisite features. She begins humming to herself, sitting beside a frozen pond. She reaches out to it and it melts at her touch. Then she looks directly at you. Her green eyes are deep and hold your full attention so well, that you hardly notice her speaking.

“I’ve been waiting. Not too many make it this far or try at all. Ah! You must be tired and thirsty after your travel. Here, sit beside me and have a drink.” She pulls out a goblet from behind her, dips it into the water and offers it to you. She smiles and says, “Go ahead, it will make you feel better.”

The strain in your legs, from the long walk, leaves and you feel a warm glow run through your body. All of your senses feel alive and sharp.

“Don’t speak. I know why you are here even though you do not yet. You did very well child.”

You bristle at the word, “child” and she smiles. She continues, “You are all children to me. Newborn buds on a great oak and songbirds in the sky. I was here long before you could ever be. I am Brid, but do you even yet know who you are?” She seems to notice your confused look and then points to the pond. “Look into the water and you see both our reflections, don’t you? Through me you will see your true self, realize dreams that you have never dreamt and songs that have yet to be sung. All the arts are mine as thread is to be spun. It is up to you to weave. I am the fire of inspiration. If you need to look for me, I shall not be any farther away than your own heart.”

She looks at the pond again as it starts to frost over and says, “Brave one, it is time for you to go. Do not forget the time that you spent here. I will be watching. “Affectionately, she places her hand on your cheek and with a tear in her eye she whispers, “Do well.”

You find yourself in the darkness again. There is light at it’s end. You walk your way to it’s end and it feels very familiar.

Let you body awaken and your eyes open. You are back in the room.

This is not the end but a new beginning.

<Ring bell>

Originally posted 2009-11-14 15:01:53.

(I did not write this meditation, I don’t know who did.  This is one of those AOL documents that had no credit give for it, and was posted on AOL unattributed.  I’m sorry for the confusion.  If you wrote this and can prove it, please email me so you can be credited properly.)

Meditation

Ground and center

Close your eyes, breathe deep, in through the nose, hold it, count to three, exhale.

As the air leaves your body, allow the stress you accumulated to leave with it.

Inhale, count to three, exhale.

As the air leaves your body, allow the anger you have accumulated to leave with it.

As the anger leaves, allow your body to relax.

Inhale, count to three, exhale.

As the air leaves your body, allow the guilt you have accumulated to leave with it.

As the guilt leaves, allow your mind to relax.

Inhale, count to three, exhale.

As the air leaves your body, allow the sorrow you have accumulated to leave with it.

As the sorrow leaves, allow your spirit to relax.

Breathe deep, feel the empty places now within. Tonight we will fill those places with love and light.

Visualize before you, a soft blue light. It hangs before you, just off your third eye. A gentle light, filled with the love the Deity has for each of us. Allow the light to pass within, to find your center. Allow the loving light to fill your center.

Now slowly allow this loving blue light to intensify, to grow brighter within you. As it’s glow spreads, let it spread through you, pushing all the negative emotions and energy away from your center, your core.

Allow this gentle light to spread, down your stomach to your groin, up your chest to your shoulders. Now allow this healing energy to flow down your legs to your toes, down your arms to your fingers, up your neck, embracing your crown. Feel the light drive away the darkness, the negative, replacing it with loving, gentle energy, allow Deity to cleanse away that which would harm you.

As the negative energy is pushed away from your body, out of your body, allow it to form a brittle shell about you. A fragile shell that easily shatters, leaving nothing negative behind.

Break the shell. Allow the pieces to fall from you, to gather on the ground. Let Mother Earth claim the pieces, to take them away. Do not worry, She knows how to deal with them. Leave no trace of the shell about you. Let Mother take care of it.

Breathe deep. Allow the light to fill you, from your toes to the ends of your hair, filling you with love and light, KNOW that you are loved, that there are those who care about you, that Deity loves and cares about you.

Exhale. All vestiges of negative energy are gone. You are now filled with the love of Deity.

Affirm with me:

I am loved.

(I AM LOVED)

I am whole.

(I AM WHOLE)

I love.

(I LOVE)

Deity is with me

(DEITY IS WITH ME)

Breathe deep, count to three, exhale. Allow the light to glow within you.

If you have an injury, an illness, let the light linger over the injury, the illness, to heal the injury, cure the illness.

Now send the healing, loving energy to someone you do not know.

Breathe deep, count to three, exhale. Allow the light to shine within you.

Now send the healing, loving energy to someone you know, who needs love and light in their lives, who needs healing.

Breathe deep, count to three, exhale. Allow the glow to warm you.

Now send the loving, healing energy to Mother Earth. Allow Her to use it as She sees neccessary. Send to Her.

Breathe deep, count to three, exhale.

Now allow the light to fortify your aura, to strengthen you, to protect you from the outside influences that would drain you.

Allow the beautiful light to shine without your body, from within. Allow the light to cover you, from top to bottom, bottom to top, in loving blue white light. See the light, now sparkling with silver, flood your aura. The outer shell of your aura draws strength, intensifying, becoming sharply defined. Fill your aura with this living, loving light.

Know that this energy is an inexhaustible supply from Deity, that at any time you may call upon it to protect you, to heal you. Know that your own energy mixes with Deity, and together you reinforce your aura, you reinforce the psychic shell that protects you.

Be aware of yourself, blissful and alert at the center of this loving light.

Breathe deep, count to three. Exhale.

Allow the light to fade from your consciousness, knowing at the same time that it has NOT faded from reality.

Breathe deep, count to three. Exhale.

Release the excess energy, knowing that Deity will guide the energy to where it is needed most.

Breathe deep, count to three. Exhale.

Allow your body to relax, you are becoming aware of your surroundings again.

Breathe deep, count to three. Exhale.

Remember the loving, healing light is a part of you. It strengthens your aura, it protects you.

Breathe deep, count to three. Exhale.

You are back. Waken.

Hug the persons next to you.

Originally posted 2009-11-10 01:50:12.

Shields and Wards

Well, I’m pulling this off another page since I have needed to reference this about 50 times and had to find it AGAIN buried in my lessons.  So, without further ado, here is my collected discussion about warding and shielding.

Shields and Wards

One of the first things that you need to accept and act accordingly when dealing with these protections is that they are real. If you assume that they are simply a projection of your imagination, you may as well stop now. No matter the tradition you are trained in, ALL of them have some variant of protection as part of its structure. Some examples of this are:

Wiccans “Casting a Circle” Christians “Dedication and Sanctification” Native ceremonies of blessing and consecration of the Drum Circle Prayers for protection

There are more, but I think you have the idea. Most of these seem to be definable as prayers; very few traditions and religions go so far as to make this a magickal rite in and of itself.

However, when dealing with the Astral World, one must assume that because you are able to interact with that world, that there are things that need to be protected against. Some of them are nuisances, some are curious, and some are truly dangerous. Also you must keep in mind that just as you can protect an area for yourself, so can others. Thus, if you encounter a wall on the Astral Plane that you cannot get past, leave it alone. Let me say that again, if you encounter a wall on the Astral Plane that you cannot get past, leave it alone.

Regardless of the type of protection that is needed, there are a few steps that are similar.

First is the preparation; getting yourself into a meditative or ecstatic mindset in which your consciousness is altered enough to allow you to see on the Astral Plane without leaving your body.

Second is the visualization of what you want to do.

Third is usually the actual construction of the protections (generally with the medium of a god-like being helping or doing it themselves).

Finally, there is the assumption that the protections are working and forgetting about them.

The preparation phase is probably the easiest to actually do, since it’s the same state that you go into each night before you fall into true sleep. It’s a self-hypnotic state in which you can see into the Astral Plane, see the things that you wish to protect against, sense them or what have you. It’s a lowering of the mental barriers the most of us have in place on a day to day basis that allow us to function in only THIS plane. Once they are lowered and you are calm and centered, step two can be started.

This is where you decide just what you need. Do you shield yourself or Ward the House you are in? A shield is mobile and will travel with you, and consequently is easier to construct, but a Ward will protect anyone in the home with you. However, to counteract that advantage, anyone on the inside of the wards will be able to invite other beings across. There are a few ways around this. You can make sure no one ever comes in your house, but that is not very practical. I will discuss another way in a while.

Understand, a Shield or Ward acts exactly like a force field on the Astral Plane. It will repel and prevent things on the Astral Plane from crossing its boundaries so long as it is in existence. In addition, anything that exists on the Astral plane inside those protections will be unable to cross those protections to get out, so it could be effective in trapping a spirit that you wish to be contained.

Generally, the mental visualization that many use is a sphere or egg of light, surrounding and encasing whatever it is they want to protect. That sphere is sometimes shrunk down to the surface of whatever is being protected, but not always. In this case, your aura is almost exactly like a shield, the only difference being that the aura itself is completely unconscious protection, and a shield is under conscious control.

A shield or ward can also protect from things like magick and psychic abilities as well. If, for example, you are one of those who feel other people’s emotions all the time (also referred to as an Empath), a shield can keep those emotions out of your perception and allow you to regain a good deal of mental stability.

Many meditations, self-hypnotic tapes and guided meditations take you through this step without you being aware of it. If you have ever listened to any of these, do you remember the part where the person speaking was talking about how your body was relaxed and the light was all around you? That is the set of suggestions that enable you to construct a simple shield around yourself. It usually doesn’t last beyond the end of that session, but it still protects you to an extent while you are in this trance.

Now, having determined the type of protection you need, how do you go about creating it?

Most shields and Wards are created entirely with the visualization of the mind. Normally, the caster creates the structure of the protection in his/her imagination, feeding energy into it from him/herself, then releasing it to settle around whatever is to be protected. It can be as simple as feeling as though you are wrapping yourself into a thicker and thicker blanket, to standing under a waterfall, to building a brick wall around you, to seeing a crystalline faceted geodesic sphere around your house. It all depends on what you want it to look like and your skill in visualizing it.

Normally many people have a good idea what they want to keep out with this kind of ritual, be it intangibles such as thought and emotion, to magickal energies that could be directed at them, to astral beings that are not specifically invited into the wards, to everything. You need to keep this in mind as you construct these wards and shields.

I’ll share with you MY shielding/warding spell and tell you about my permanent wards on my house, just to give you an idea. However, this is not all-inclusive and there will be links to other articles dealing with this same subject at the end of this essay.

Daven’s Wards and Shields

I have two different kinds of shields, really. I have the wards on my home, which I take a part of when I leave, and the shields that I put up in case I need to do something psychic away from home. I’ll tell you about the second kind first.

When I start (we will assume this is a magickal rite, or a spell that I’m casting), the first thing I do is define the area I wish to protect. If it is only myself, as opposed to a Circle in which I invoke the Gods and so on, then all I do is simply see a ball of light deep inside my chest, inside my heart. I see that ball as being perfectly solid, bright and full of energy. I grow that ball larger and larger, until it is solid and filling my chest area. Now, this does take energy. I then tell that ball of light that it will be come a shield around me to keep out ________________. Because I’m the one creating this, I make sure that the energy understands me and that I have convinced it that it will become a shield. Then I continue to expand that ball, while a hollow place in the center of that ball forms. As the sphere continues to expand, the walls get thinner and everything that is negative in myself driven out in front of those expanding walls of light.

Eventually, I finish expanding it around me. Now I’m in the center of that sphere of light, with it surrounding me and taking it’s energy directly from me and my life force. Usually at this point, I shrink the sphere down so that it is right next to my skin, once again surrounding me and continuing to glow brightly. I dim the intensity of the glow down so that it is not so bright, and thin the walls of that shield until I can sense the things I need to outside of the shield.

That’s it. End of the fireworks.

The process is similar for a Ward, and my first ones were exactly the same, save that I kept expanding the shield until it surrounded my house, then shrunk it down to the walls of the house I was in, and then I hooked the electrical power in the walls into the shields so that the ward would be powered by the electricity itself, rather than from me. With this process, you can also make your doorways “clean room suits”. Imagine that as a person enters, the ward bends around them stretching over them like a glove so that they are inside the room but not the wards. It is analogous to the suits attached to long plastic umbilicals used for very dangerous germs and viruses.

Here are links to some other wards and shields I know of:

The Ritual of Warding
Ward and Guards
Questions and answers about shielding
Protecting Yourself
A Simple Warding
Two Protective Rituals
http://pagan-home.com/bos/shield.htm
http://www.tryskelion.com/banishing.htm
http://www.tryskelion.com/cast_circle.htm
http://www.tryskelion.com/mirror_shield.htm
http://www.tryskelion.com/protcone.htm
http://www.tryskelion.com/spell18.htm

just to name a few.

Most often, wards and shields are nothing more than creative visualization. There are certainly times that someone takes the process to an extreme and makes a whole rite out of it.

Please note a few things:

1. These do not necessarily get rid of something that is already there, it will only protect from new outside influences
2. This does not sanctify an area, that is a whole ‘nother rite.
3. People inside the wards (as opposed to the shields) will be able to invite other beings inside, without your consent, unless you take steps to make sure that you are the only one with the authority to invite them in (adding a structure to the ward).
4. These need power continuously. Most commonly a shield is directly linked into the spine and powered from your energies. A ward is usually powered by an outside source, such as the elements or electricity.
5. As the creator of them, YOU will know if someone breaches them without consent, but you will have to figure out what that “feels” like.

And finally, a caution, once cast, you can get rid of the wards or shields by simply believing them not there. So, if you have the occasion to remember your shield or ward, know that they are still there; still protecting you, or you will have to go through the entire process again.

I’m adding the text of an email I sent a while back to a mother who was being haunted by an astral entity, and had written me for help. She consequently wrote back and told me that it worked perfectly and she had no further problems.

Greetings!

Well, this is an interesting problem you have. I can only offer some suggestions, not a solution.

First off, you must understand that a shield like what you tried to erect around your house only keeps out new influences, it does not prevent those that are already there from continuing to occur.

Think of this like you would a building. The Shield or Ward is like the physical walls of this building, and locking the doors will keep out others, but not prevent everything from being stolen by those who are already inside.

You are going to have to cleanse your house. By that I mean you will need to vacuum the entire house, bottom to top, dust and clean everything in your house, including anyone who is living inside. If it helps, use an herbal bath designed for cleansing like you will find in some books or on the Internet under “aromatherapy”.

Next, you will have to bless your house. First, raise a “temporary” shield around the house. Think of a force field like from Star Trek completely enclosing your house, even through the ground. Next you will use that smudge you had to drive out the things in the house. “See” them, in your mind, being driven out of your house by the smoke of the smudge and through the force field you put up. Go through every part of the house with this smudge, fanning the smoke into the corners and against the walls as well. Start from the center of the room and work your way outward.

Once that is done, turn the shield you have around your house into a permanent barrier. Simply “see” it shrinking down to the walls and roof and foundation of the house and settling there. See the electrical system feeding the energy to the shield to keep it erect and present. That’s all you need to do.

This should keep out everything that you do not specifically invite into your home. Your Angels, Guardians, Guides, Teachers, what-have-you will not cross this barrier unless you tell them it’s okay for them to be present. Everything else it will keep out.

Originally posted 2009-11-10 02:50:45.

(For multi-religious groups)

The following is a Handfasting (Wedding) Ritual that can be used for crowds that are non-denominational or have Christians among the wedding party or audience. I performed it in June in San Diego for about 100 people. I left a few things blank, which you can fill in or change to your liking. If you have questions, just email me or write me at:

The presider and her/his assistant shall enter the area from the “Northern End” (the side away from the audience) and shall walk clockwise around the circle to be created. They will stop so that their backs are to the audience. The presider will then light the male and female candles that are represented in the form of a black and white candle on either side of the altar, which is in the center of circle. The presider will then turn and face the audience and say (something like…):

In times long ago, a man and a woman came together in the presence of a representative of the Holy One to enter into a contract of marriage known as a handfasting. It is known as a handfasting because the couple joins hands to represent that they must remember to hold fast through all of Life’s challenges. The couple and their witnesses have decided to participate of a ceremony of their own free will and as an external display of their spiritual commitment to this Union.

Some of you may find this “medieval” style of ceremony to be a great leap from the present, however after much thought, (insert first names) have decided to follow their hearts and show the physical world their spiritual commitment in this manner. During the course of this ceremony, many symbols are used which shall be described both to the couple and to you as the worldly witnesses. Should you have any questions at the end of the ceremony, please feel free to ask.

II. The presider will then turn away from the audience and pick up the basket of petals and hold them over her head toward the “North” and say:

Oh, Powers of Nature, which permeates all, come here this day and Bless these petals of the (couple choose a flower) flower which shall trace the Circle to represent the boundary between the physical and the spiritual worlds. May all who enter this Circle come here mindful of their commitment to the Union of (insert couple’s names).

The presider will then give the basket to the assistant who starting from the north and moving in a clockwise direction sprinkle the petals to form a Circle. The basket will then be replaced on the altar after the presider sprinkles a few petals in a circle over the altar.

III. The presider will then lift the Water Chalice above the head to the North and says:Contained within this Vessel is the Water that flows and ebbs through our Lives. The circle shall be traced with this water to remind those who enter that Life is a never-ending series of challenges and triumphs. May the powers of the Water be present with us on this day so that the couple shall start their life together mindful that they must flow with the Tide of Life through their challenges and triumphs.

The presider will then replace the chalice on to the altar after pouring some of the water into the chalice that the couple has selected and some into the water bowl.

IV. The presider will then lift the crystal plate of Salt (preferably Sea Salt) above the head to the North and say:

The Salt which preserves and binds the Water of Life shall be added so that all who enter this Circle shall be reminded of the Earthly commitment that is being made on this day by (insert names).

The presider will then put a pinch of salt into the Couple’s chalice and the water bowl.

The Blessed Water is the symbol of the spiritual and emotional commitment, which they make on this day. This Salt is the symbol of the physical and material union that (insert name) will make. By joining the two, as we join (insert names) today, two separate entities become one. In tracing the Circle with the joined water and salt, (insert name) are provided with the image of their new relationship beginning on firm ground.

The presider will then pass it to the assistant whom starting from the north and moving in a clockwise direction will sprinkle the Blessed Water. He will then replace the Chalice to the altar.

V. The assistant will the light the Sage. The presider will then lift the Sage above her/his head and say:

All that is unseen to mortal man join us on this day to bless this union. With this Sacred Sage, we now trace this Circle to remind all who enter that this is a Holy endeavor.

The presider will then blow out the burning Sage and trace a circle above the head and hand it to her assistant who starting from the north and moving in clockwise direction will trace the Circle in Sage. The assistant should make large sweeping circles while moving in a circle. The assistant will then take whatever if any is left and place it in the designated spot in the East.

VI. The presider will then take the Staff from her assistant and tap it once on the ground in the North and call the bridesmaids. Then will say:

On this day, you who represent the Bride’s life up to this point, have come here of your own free will to witness this Union. I call to the portal: (insert names of the bridesmaids but not the maid of honour).

The presider will then briefly greet each of them. The assistant will escort the bridesmaids around the circle to their designated places on the circle edge to the Northwest.

You four (or however many) come on this day to witness this Union and to remind the Bride of her chosen commitment to (insert name). Do you understand your role on this day?

The bridesmaids will signify their response. The presider will then strike the staff again and says:

I call forth (insert name of Maid of Honour) to this Circle on this day.

The presider will then greet the Maid of Honour and lead her to the white candle on the altar facing out toward the audience.

Throughout the course of their marriage, you have accepted the role of the woman who is to remind (insert name) of her promises on this day, do you accept this responsibility?

The maid of honour will then signify her response. The presider will then strike the staff again and say:

I call to the portal: (insert names of the groom’s men). These four gentlemen are representative of the life which (insert name) held before this union.

The presider will then briefly greet each of the men while the assistant takes them to their position on the edge of the circle in the northeast section.

You have come on this day of your own free will to bear witness to the Union of (insert name) to (insert name). Do you accept all the responsibility that comes with this?

The men will signify their response. The presider will then strike the staff and say:

I call forth (insert Best Man’s name) to the Circle on this day.

The presider then greets the Best Man and leads him to the black candle and says:

You have come here to bear witness to (insert name) commitment to (insert name). During their lifetime together, you are present to remind him of all that he chooses to commit to on this day. Do you accept this responsibility and all that comes with it?

The best man then signifies his response.

VII. The presider will then strike the staff and say:

I call to the Portal the woman who has chosen to commit herself freely and thoughtfully to this Union.

The Bride will then appear at the designated spot. The presider will then lead the bride to the Bridesmaid spot and the two will then greet with a kiss and the assistant will lead the Bridesmaid to the other women. The presider will then take the brides hand and says:

Who comes here on this day?

To which the bride will state her full legal name. The presider will then say:

You, (insert name), come here on this day of your own free will before these friends and family to show your spiritual and physical commitment to the man you have chosen to be your lifemate. Is this true?

To which the bride will signify her response.

VIII. The presider will then strike the staff again and say:

What man comes here on this day to join with this woman?

The groom will then appear at the designated spot. The presider will then greet the groom and lead him over to the best man who will greet the groom. The assistant will then take the best man over to the other groomsmen. The presider will take the groom’s hand and say:

Who comes here on this day?

To which the groom will respond with his full legal name. The presider will then say:

You, (insert name), come here today of your own free will before these friends and family to show your physical and spiritual commitment to this woman, (insert name). Is this true?

To which the groom will signify his response. The presider then will take the bride and groom’s hands and join them.

These two have come here to join together in marriage, is there anyone among those present who sees any reason why these two should not be married on this day?

The presider will wait for a response. Then will ask the groom and bride to place their wedding rings or whatever is the symbol of their union into the wedding chalice. The presider will then say:

As a symbol of their Union, (insert name) have chosen the traditional circular representation of a continuous love and life, the ring. They are now placing their rings into the wedding chalice which represents their commitment. The vessel contains Blessed Water which will cleanse the rings so that when (insert name) place them on each other’s fingers they will be symbolically starting anew.

IX. The presider will then ask the bride to light her tape from the white candle on the altar and then light the wedding candle. The presider will say:

The candle which (insert name) is lighting is the Wedding candle. She brings to this union all that is feminine, all that is (insert name). By lighting the wedding candle first does not mean that her energy is more important, but rather that contained within her is the essence and origin of all that is Life.

The presider will then ask the groom to light his taper with the black candle on the altar and then light the wedding candle. The presider will say:

(Insert name) brings to this union the spark, which is masculine; all that is (insert name). By joining his energies using the symbolic candle, (insert name) infuses his life essence and that which is the catalyst to a new Life. The wedding candle is now a symbol for the course of their marriage of the commitment that they make to each other. In the old days this candle would be kept on the dining table or anywhere prominent in the home, so that the couple would have a tangible way to rekindle their love when rocky times would occur. I hope that (insert names) will light this candle also during the good times as well as the bad.

X. The presider will then lift the candle off the alter and ask the couple to hold the candle together while facing the audience. The presider will then say:

(Insert names) must learn to work together if they have not already. By asking these two to bear the burden of their love in the form of this candle, they begin to understand the weight of the commitment they make on this day.

The assistant will then picks up the red cord (about 1 yard long) and hold it up so that the audience may see it. The presider will then say while taking the cord from the assistant:

A tradition, which no longer takes place, is the symbolic tying of the two participant’s wrists together by a red cord or scarf. (Insert names) have elected to uphold this tradition. As I bind these two together, let no man or woman break them apart.

The presider will then tie the two together at the wrists while they continue to hold the candle. (Since most people won’t understand that the couple could only be untied after they had sex which they would do before the end of the ritual by going off somewhere and then coming back. This part has been modified for the benefit of Christian and multidemoninational settings).

(Insert name) may not untie this until the traditional end of ceremony kiss to represent this physical commitment to this union. The red cord also symbolizes that these two people must work together as one unit. Sometimes this is easier said than done.

The presider will then lead the couple around the circle once in a clockwise manner, stopping at the north once, then stopping finally in the east.

XI. The presider will then say as the assistant lights a stick of incense and a candle in the east:

Since this is a spiritual commitment, I ask all that is of the spiritual realm, the ancestors of (insert names), as well as the air which they breathe into their lungs to Bless this union. (Insert names), remember that this union is all that you breathe and all that you breathe into it. Remember that you take from this union, but that you must also give back to this union. May you be blessed on this day by all that is unseen.

The presider will then lead the couple to south after the candle and incense has been lit. The assistant will then light a red candle and stick or incense while the presider says:

The physical representation of this commitment is your passion, love and deep sincerity. (Insert names), may you take from the fire of the earth around you the energy of strength when you feel that your commitment wanes. But also remember that the fire of passion must be balanced. Do not get carried away with your love. However nice it may seem, remember that every fire needs to be stoked and needs to be watched so that it does not consume all that is around it. May you be blessed on this day by the energies of fire.

The presider will then lead the couple to the west. The assistant will light a stick of incense and a blue candle as the presider says:

Water is the essence of all Life. But it teaches us that what gives life can drown as well. (Insert names), like with the Fire of Passion, be balanced when dealing with your emotions of love. Remember that your love is not a constant thing, but that it will ebb and flow and that it will grow and change, as it is living within you. May you be blessed on this day by the balancing and soothing essence of water.

The presider will then lead the couple to the North. The assistant will light a stick of incense and a green candle as the presider says:

The three aspects of your love presented thus far are nothing without the Earth

you can stand on. (Insert names) you are comprised of all the elements and like these elements, need the firmness and stability of the Earth to hold you together.

Remember that your spirit is contained within an Earthly vessel. Sometimes you may become too set in your ways, too stubborn or too proud, (insert names) remember that the Earth also changes like the other elements. What was once stable can be shaken and destroyed by one earthquake. So, keeping that in mind, communicate with one and other throughout your lives together. Do not keep secrets from one another and be honest with one another. Through honesty change and hope can occur.

XII. The presider will then take candle from the couple replacing it on the altar. The assistant will lead the couple to the front of the altar where they will kneel without the assistance with their backs to the audience. At this point, the presider will take the wedding chalice containing the rings and allow the couple to take the rings from the chalice. The presider will then say:

Are you ready to make this commitment?

The couple will signify their response.

Do you, (insert bride) take (insert groom) to be your lawfully wedded lifemate?

Bride will nod.

Since you have chosen to commit to (groom’s name), I ask you now to tell all who are present and (groom’s name) of your love.

The bride will then tell all present of her personal vow to the groom. The presider will then say when she is finished:

Now that you have vowed you love, (bride’s name), place the symbol of your love upon (groom’s name) finger.

Bride will place the ring on the groom’s finger. The presider than says:

Do you (groom), take (bride) to be your lawfully wedded lifemate?

Groom nods.

Since you have chosen to commit to (bride) I ask you now to tell all who are present and (bride) of your love.

The groom then tells all present of his vow to the bride. The presider then says:

Now that you have vowed your love, (groom), place the symbol of your love upon (bride) finger.

The groom places the ring on the bride’s finger. The presider then helps the couple to their feet, while the assistant motions to the attendants to take their second position. The assistant escorts the attendants to their places with their backs to the audience. The presider then lifts the bread basket (the couple can choose cake but they must make it) and the altar goblet (filled with the drink of choice of the couple) above the head and says:

With this Bread and Wine this couple partakes of their first meal together. Symbolically, this represents the fact that their love leads them never to thirst nor hunger for anyone else. Since there are so many who have come to witness this marriage, (insert names) have elected to have you partake of this part of this ceremony at the reception.

The presider will then have the couple feed each other. The assistant will then give a piece of bread to each attendant beginning with the women followed by the presider who will give them a sip of wine. When the last has had a sip, the presider and assistant will finish the bread and wine. The assistant will then lead the attendants behind the altar facing the audience, and the presider will then lead the couple to the west where they will face sideways in preparation for jumping over the broom.

In ancient times, the care and protection of the house was shared by both. A long gone symbolic tradition of jumping over the hurdles of home and hearth is the hopping over the broomstick. (Insert names), jump into the unknown future together as a couple who agree to share the responsibility of the home whether it be monetary or pragmatic, like doing the dishes. This broom shall not just hang in their home but should be used symbolizing the work involved in this or any union. I now invite the couple to jump over the broomstick.

The presider then grabs the maid of honor’s and the best man’s hands. She then says to them:

I turn to (maid of honor name) and the (best man). I thank you for coming on this day. Remember your commitment to (insert names) as their pragmatic internal voices.

Then the presider turns to the other attendants and says:

I thank the other attendants as well. You ten are now released from this circle. I ask you now to walk down the aisles to announce the couple’s good fortune.

The attendants then walk down the aisle or out of the circle among the audience. The presider than grabs the red cord and says:

By the power invested in my by the State of (whatever) and the powers that be, I now pronounce (insert names) a married couple. (Insert names), you may now kiss.

They kiss and as the presider removes the red cord.

I thank you for coming, and now I present to you, (insert names).

The couple may now leave and the assistant and presider dispels the circle. This ends the ritual.

Originally posted 2009-11-14 14:39:31.

Copyright 1993, John Shepard, Performed at Dragonfest, August 1993

[Materials required: On the altar there are brown candles, a Tootsie Roll (the great big one---as the athame), a large glass with milk in it (the chalice), a small dish of Nestle's Quick and a spoon, a small dish of chocolate sprinkles, a plate of cupcakes and some Yoo-Hoo along with a goblet. Participants approaching are given 1-2 shiny pennies with instructions that they must hold on to them until the appropriate time in the ritual. When feasting begins, they must surrender a penny for cakes and one for wine or one penny for both, if only one penny is handed out.]

(Attunement chant is similar to the “Ohm” chant but is focused to the ritual, “Yum-m-m”)

CLEANSE THE SACRED SPACE:

Chocolate sprinkles where thou art cast
No calories in thy presence last.
Let no fat adhere to me,
And as I will So Mote It BE!

Nestle’s Quick where thou art cast
Turn this milk to chocolate, fast.
Let all good things come to me,
And make my milk all chocolatey!

CAST THE CIRCLE (using a tootsie roll):

CALL THE QUARTERS:

MAIN RITUAL:

HANDMAIDEN (Henceforth known as the Swiss Miss): Listen to the words of the Mother of Chocolate, who was of old called Godiva, Ethel M, Sara Lee, Nestle, Mrs. See, and by many other names.

HPS: Whenever you have one of those cravings, once in a while and better it be when your checkbook is full, then shall you assemble in a great public place and bring offerings of money to the spirit of Me, who is Queen of all Goodies.

In the Mall shall you assemble you who have eaten all your chocolate and are hungry for more. To you I shall bring Good Things for your tongue.

And you shall be free from depression, and as a sign that you are truly free, you shall have chocolate smears on your cheeks, and you shall munch, nosh, snack, feast, and make yummy noises, all in my presence. For mine is the ecstasy of phenylalanine (FEEN-EL-AL-A-NEEN), and mine also is Joy on Earth, yea, even into High Orbit, for my law is “Melts in your mouth, not in your hand.”

(Note from Daven: It should be noted that the ecstatic ingredient in Chocolate is not phenylalanine, but THEOBROMIDE or PHENYLETHYLAMINE.  For more information, please see http://www.chocolate.org)

Keep clean your fingers, carry Wet Ones always, let none stop you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret that opens your mouth, and mine is the taste that puts a smile on your lips and comfy, padding pounds on your hips.

I am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of joy unto the tummies of men and women. Upon earth, I give knowledge of all things delicious, and beyond death…well, I can’t do much there. Sorry about that.

I demand only your money in sacrifice; for behold, chocolate is a business, and you have to pay for those truffles before you eat them.

SWISS MISS: Hear now the words of the Goodie Goddess, she in the dust of whose feet are the cheap imitations, whose body graces candy racks and finer stores everywhere.

GOODIE: I, who am the beauty of chocolate chips, and the satisfying softness of big bars, the mystery of how they get the filling inside of truffles, and fill the hearts of all but Philistines with desire, call unto thy soul to arise and come unto me. For I am the soul of candy; from me do all confections spring, and unto me all of you shall return, again…..and again……….and again………………and again.

Before my smeared face, beloved of Women and Men, thine innermost divine self shall be enfolded in the rapture of overdose. Let my taste be within the mouth that rejoices. For behold, all acts of yumminess and pleasure are my rituals. Therefore, let there be gooeyness and mess, crispness and crackling, big slabs and bite size pieces, peanut butter and chocolate covered cherries all within you.

And you who think to seek me, know that your seeking and yearning shall avail you not unless you know the Mystery; “We will sell no chocolate until you pay for it.” For behold; I have been with you since you were just a baby, and I am that which is attained at nearly any shop in the land.

Messed Be!

SWISS MISS: Hear now the words of the Chocolate God, who was of old called Ghirardelli, Milton Snavely Hershey, Bosco, Fudgesicle, and by many other names.

HP: I am the strength of the candy rack, and the piece that fell on the floor, but looks like it might not have gotten too dirty, and the deepest bitterness of dark chocolate. No matter how you try to resist the call of chocolate, I will hunt you out and I will become your sacred prey. I am the warmth of hot cocoa in the dead of winter, and the call of the road that leads you to that really expensive Godiva store downtown.

I give you, my creatures, the fire of love of chocolate, the power of jaw strength to bite off a piece of that frozen Milky Way bar, and the shelter of Haagen Daaz when that big date didn’t work out. You are dear to me, and I instill in you my power; the power of a piece of chocolate that you had forgotten you had hidden, and the power of vision and magickal sight with which you can spot a candy counter a mile away.

By the powers of the half melted bar in the glorious sun, I charge you; by the darkest depths of the bottom of the cocoa pot and the lingering smell of bittersweet chocolate, I charge you; and by the beauty of a perfectly swirled vanilla butter cream, I charge you:

Follow your heart and your instinct, wherever they lead you. The wealth in your pocket can buy you treats that a Mayan king would envy. Take joy in that first bite of lecithin emulsified cocoa, and in the last satisfying slurp of Yoo-Hoo. Yet you must be wary of deceit. Eat not of that which is called “Baking Chocolate,” for it is vile and bitter.

Lastly, always remember to leave some chocolate behind you. Be not greedy, but let yourself be known as a connoisseur. Leave a little for someone else.

I am with you always, just over your shoulder, or around the next corner. I am the Lord of Chocolate, and when you have reached the end of your hoard, I will never be farther away from you than that 7-Eleven on the corner. I am the spirit of the Wild Child; the Inner Child who can never get quite enough. If you are a true chocolate lover, then your soul and mine are intertwined.

Cupcakes and Yoo-Hoo: (the Blessing of the Yoo-Hoo)

We all come for the Chocolate
And for it we shall remain
‘Til we get our fill—
No calories and no weight gain.

DISMISS QUARTERS:

HPS: Oh, ye mighty goodies of the ______, We thank you for attending our rites and guarding our circle. And ere you depart for your sweet and sticky realms, We say unto you, “N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestles makes the very best.”

ALL: “Chooooc-laaate.” (use sacred hand signs to salute the close of each quadrant)

Close circle. (HPS, HP and Elements join hands and intone as they lower hands to the ground to earth the Circle)

Haagen Daaz Forever!

copyright August 1993, John L. Shepard. Permission is given to post anywhere as long as the content is not altered and this notice is attached.

Added to and revised by Daven Jan 2000.

Originally posted 2009-11-14 14:46:56.

Bill Witt

Webster defines meditation as “The act of meditating; close or continued thought; the revolving of a subject in the mind.”

To meditate is to focus mentally on one thought, idea, or concept. It may also mean, to revolve an idea in your mind so as to change the way in which you think of that idea. Meditation is therefore, a tool with which you may manipulate thought in an organized manner.

Many people view meditation as a very difficult thing to learn. In reality though, we do it often without even knowing it. When you daydream or find your mind fixed on one thought, that is a form of meditation. Have you ever watched a bird in flight, or stared up at the clouds in the sky, or maybe even found yourself watching a stream of water flow by? If you have and at that moment the rest of the world around you has seemed removed, then you were in a state of meditation. The real key to this practice, is to be able to exercise control over your thoughts and awareness of the world around you.

There are many groups of people for whom meditation is an everyday ritual. Others use it at special times as a means of relaxation and “mental house cleaning.” It allows the individual a freedom unlike no other freedom. The freedom to look inside oneself and learn just who you are. Some use it as a way of being closer to nature or God. No matter how you wish to use it, you will find it a healthy and very rewarding experience.

Most all religions practice meditation in one way or another. Eastern philosophies such as Yoga, and Buddism are not the only ones to view meditation as a way of looking for the Truth found in one’s own consciousness. Even in Christianity meditation finds a place of value. The Bible itself mentions the value of meditation. In writing to the Phillippians, the Apostle Paul tells them this. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil. 4.8)

So you ask, what can it do for me. Well, beyond just being a good way to really relax, which we can all use in this hectic world, it can be a doorway to the Truth inside yourself. It is a way of gaining wisdom. Knowledge has always been fairly easy to come by. Wisdom on the other hand, is a bit harder to grasp onto.

In “The Task” by William Cowper, the following line is found. “Knowledge dwells in heads replete with thoughts of other men: Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own.”

For me, mediation becomes a way of “grounding” myself, of reaching a place of peace and stability, where I can find how I fit into the universe.

In many philosophies, mediation is viewed as a necessary skill. All those who are students of these philosophies must learn the ways of mediation early in their training. Although the techniques may vary from one group to another, the most basic concepts remain the same. The ability to be able to focus on one thought and selectively block out all others is the foundation upon which many more advanced skills will be built. These skills may range from telepathy to the ability to move objects with only the mind.

It is well known that Yogi adepts can lower their breathing and heart rates to near death levels. This is something you should not try as it takes years of practice to learn and can be quite dangerous. Still, these yogis are proof of the type of power the mind can exercise over the body through meditation.

In some cultures, the use of drugs to achieve a meditative state is encouraged. The American Indians for example, used drugs derived from various plants to put themselves into an altered state of consciousness. This was usually done as a religious practice and as an event marking the change from one state of life to another. A good example would be the ceremony marking the coming into manhood of a young boy. Today there are still many, who advocate the use of drugs to achieve these altered states. It is my opinion that such measures are neither necessary nor good. You can reach an altered state of consciousness without the use of drug induced “highs”. It takes practice, but it can be done.

In New Age philosophy, the art of mediation is highly valued. We also find another well developed skill which is called “creative visualization”. This is the idea of visualizing what you want to the point of it becoming reality. A good example would be a salesman visualizing himself as successful and prosperous. The concept is simple, if you can visualize a personal reality, you can change or bring that reality into being. “Positive Thinking” is a very similar idea. The technique of creative visualization goes beyond positive thinking however. It deals with the premise that we all create our own reality and therefore have the power to change many aspects of that reality. The idea of “personal reality” is a lengthy one and we do not have enough room to cover it in this course.

So far we have looked briefly at what meditation is and how it is used. By no means have we touched on all the aspects of this practice. There are many books on the subject which cover it in much more detail. My purpose is to give you an overview of the many facets of meditation in the hope that you will wish to learn more.

Basic Meditation Techniques

This is the second part of a three part online course in Basic Meditation Techniques

The course is divided into three sections. Section one deals with what meditation is and how it plays a part in the lives of those who use it. Section two will go into the techniques and tools of meditation. Section three gives suggestions on how to use what you’ve learned, in everyday life. A list of books for further reading on the subject, will be given at the end of section three.

In this second section of the “Basic Meditation Techniques” course, we will discuss various relaxation procedures and how they will aid you in entering a trance or meditative state. You will also be given some ideas about types of music and other “tools” which can help you achieve these relaxed states of mind. Let’s begin.

First, let’s set the stage for our meditation practice. You should pick a place which is as private and safe as possible. An altered state of mind, as in meditation, lessens your awareness of the outside world. For this reason, it is not advisable to practice these techniques in a public place where there is a chance of being mugged, robbed, or molested. If you are at home, with other family members or friends present, ask that you not be disturbed and that all other noise in the house be kept to a minimum. When you have found a place suitable for meditation, you may begin.

“The seekers of new mind states-the mind control devotees, the encounter group enthusiasts, the drug takers, the psychics, the meditators – all are on a journey into the interior universe trying to burst the limits of the socially conditioned mind. Weither acceptable or unacceptable, moral or immoral, wise or foolish, the mind of man is stirring toward a new evolution.” Dr. Barbara Brown (1)

As I said in section one, trance or meditative states, alter the way your mind deals with the realities it accepts as normal. Things which are experienced in a trance state are often not easily expressed in everyday language. You will at some level, experience a heightened state of awareness. Colors, smells, and sounds may seem amplified from what they normally are.

People who can achieve very deep states of trance often leave their bodies in astral projection, or have psychic experiences.

I highly recommend, that if you wish to enter deep states of meditation, you do so under the guidance and teaching of someone who is well trained in the practice of such techniques. The key thing to remember is that it’s not what level your working on as much as what you are learning. There is a lot to be gained in wisdom and knowledge at all levels of trance.

Now let’s learn some simple and useful relaxation exercises.

You want to be sure that the time you pick to practice your meditation is a time when you are least likely to be disturbed. You should not be overly tired or have just finished eating as both of those conditions may cause you to fall asleep. Even though you wish to achieve an altered state of consciousness, you do want to remain conscious to some degree. If you fall asleep when you are meditating, no harm is done and you will awaken quite refreshed and rested. Unfortunately though, you may not be able to recall all the things you experienced while in trance.

If you are lying down, be sure your back and neck are properly supported so as not to fatigue the body. If you are sitting, be sure that both feet are flat on the floor and that you are sitting as erect as possible without being too stiff or strained. You should have your arms resting comfortably in your lap with palms up.

In either case, it is important that your body not become strained or fatigued for at least thirty minutes. This is a good length of time to begin with as it should put neither a physical or mental strain on your being.

Next, visualize a yourself in a cocoon of white light. You should surround yourself completely. See the light as bright and warm. You may play with this sphere of light making it bigger or smaller until it “feels” right for you. Say to yourself, “I am protected by the pure white light of all that is good and truthful. I am surrounded by the pure light which keeps out all unwanted and evil influences.”

This is a good idea to do for several reasons. There are those, and I am one of them, who believe that each of generates an aura which protects us from outside influences when we are in trance. This aura may be strengthened by visualizing the light as growing brighter at our command. Even if you do not accept this idea, the practice lends a feeling of safety and security to you. Nothing which is outside of you may enter or touch you without your permission.

Learning to control and pay attention to your breathing is the next step. You should start by taking a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for the mental count of 4 and then let it all out slowly through your mouth. Repeat this until you begin to feel at rest and relaxed. Allow your breathing to settle into a steady, rhythmic rate. Just this simple technique can relax and refresh you at any time. When you are only doing the breathing exercise, it is not necessary to go through the white light sphere visualization. Some people use a muffled metronome or recording of some other rhythmic sound, such as ocean waves, to aid them in setting the pace of their breathing. A good source of recorded sounds which can help you in meditation is a series of records and tapes which have been produced under the title “ENVIRONMENTS”.

Now, as you are breathing, see yourself lying in the warm light of the sun. The light is warm and pleasant to be in. Starting with the tips of your toes, feel the light warming all of your body, slowly moving up into your legs, your trunk, and then into your arms and fingers. As you feel this warming become more and more relaxed, going deeper and deeper into a calm and quiet place.

When you fell totally relaxed and at peace, bring a single thought into your mind. It should be of a pleasant experience or of an idea such as love, joy, peace, or compassion. Focus on this one thought and if some other thought should try to intrude, picture it as being written on a clear board between you and your focal thought. Then picture it being erased from that board as it might be from a piece of paper. Deal with any thought, other than your focal thought, quickly. Try to maintain concentration on your focal thought for at least five minutes. Picture it as being real and experience it as if it were. When you are able to do this and can exclude all other thoughts as they attempt to enter your mind, you will have learned the single most important technique of meditation.

It is now time to begin coming back to normal consciousness. slowly let the thought fade from your mind and again become aware of the warm light of the sun. As you fell the light bathing you in its’ warmth, start to reconnect your mind with the physical sensations of your body. Become aware of your breathing and the room around you. Do this slowly and calmly. When you are fully aware of your surroundings, open your eyes slowly. Enjoy the sense of calm and peace.

If you succeeded in doing this exercise, you should feel more relaxed and calm than normal. It is important to remember that you are comparing it to normal for you, not to what you think others would or should feel.

If you do not feel you succeeded try again in a day or two. Between mediation sessions, practice your deep breathing exercises. If you keep trying, you will soon reach a calm and meditative state. Do not attempt to meditate when you are ill, tired, or hungry. Those feelings only serve to make your efforts more difficult. A very important part to remember is that you can not force yourself into a meditative state. You must flow into it and surrender to it calmly.

Some things which are found to be helpful in meditation follow.

Try concentrating on the flame of a candle when focusing. You could also use a crystal ball. The later is rather expensive but small crystal window ornaments or pyramids also work well and cost much less.

Music is also an aid to some. The music should be quiet and rhythmic. It should bring on feelings of peace and comfort. Such music may range from New Age recordings to classical.

Another useful device is to focus on a symbol which holds special meaning for you. It may be an well known symbol or one you design yourself. As long as it holds a special meaning or expresses a special concept, it is a useful focusing tool.

This brings section two of this course to a close. In the next part I will give you some practical ways in which to use what you have learned.

The most obvious use of the techniques you have learned, is relaxation. During the course of the day, many of us have moments when the pressure becomes almost to much. When this happens, we often can’t deal with other people or projects the way we should. The breathing exercises you learned in section two can help at these times.

It doesn’t require a lot of time or absolute quiet as does your meditation practice. All that is required is about five minutes and relative privacy. At these times, begin doing your rhythmic breathing and visualize a place which is calm and refreshing. This simple and quick exercise, can work wonders to help you regain control in a hectic situation.

Another way in which meditation is used is in the development of psychic powers. There are several books on the subject, listed at the end of this section. Most of those who teach about the use and development of these abilities, agree that meditation is necessary to any such study. Again the reason for this is that meditation allows you to reach an altered state of consciousness. In this altered state your mind is more open to such phenomenon as telepathy. If you should decide to pursue studies in this direction, please seek the help of someone trained in these areas.

One final use I will suggest is visualization. Meditation can be used as a tool for problem solving. While in a meditative state of mind, you have the ability to take any situation and manipulate it. By that I mean you can mentally play the out the situation using several different solutions. Then, you can pick the one which seems to best solve the problem. While the use of meditation can help you deal with problem solving more effectively, it is not infallible. All it can do is allow you to think more clearly and concisely about the problem at hand.

Well that concludes this study on meditation. I hope you have gained something useful from this course. It has been by no means, a full explanation of the subject. There is much more to learn than could be covered in this short series and It is my hope that you will want to continue your studies into this fascinating and useful skill.

More studies of this type will be developed in the near future. The New Atlantis BBS will continue to post these studies as an ongoing service to it’s users. Please feel free to leave suggestions on the BBS about subjects you would like to see covered.

Selected Bibliography:

list of books for further reading will be included.

References:

(1) Dr. Barbara Brown
“New Mind, New Body”
New York, Bantam Books, 1975
Page 17

Miriam Simos (Starhawk)
The Spiral Dance
New York
Harper & Row; 1979

W.E. Butler
How To Read The Aura, Practice
Psycometry, Telepathy and
Clairvoyance
New York
Destiny Books; 1978

Melita Denning & Osborne Phillips
The Development of Psychic Powers
St. Paul, MN
Llewellyn Publications; 1985

Originally posted 2009-11-14 15:02:46.

<– Continued from

STATING PURPOSE:

State your purpose. Have a clear, short speech ready for this. A purpose that is complex is rather like a complex wish made to a genie–you don’t know what you’ll get. So you want to make sure your purpose is simple and direct. State it aloud, and give it your entire concentration–this is what you *WANT*. It should be the only thing on your mind at that moment.

The statement of purpose is followed by the body of the ritual. This will vary wildly depending on the ritual. Perhaps you will do candle magic, or perhaps you will meditate, perhaps you will enact a “spell” where you burn something, perhaps you will sit and travel out of your body in search of advise from a spirit guide. You may take a bath, wander on a quest through your back yard, look through an old photo album, or sing songs. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

We will go into possibilities for the body of a ritual, in detail, later on.

CLOSING:

When you have finished doing whatever it is your ritual requires, you may choose to “end” by raising a cone of power. This involves envisioning something, be it light, butterflies, fire, flowerpetals, stars, sand, photographs, musical notes, feathers, soap bubbles or wild buffalo….well, maybe not the bison….something in tune with your ritual, something that contains your will, your wants, all the energy you’ve created within your circle, and you imagine it spinning clockwise. You may start to hum, or drum, or shake a rattle, or just imagine a sound or a song building (or imagine silence if that suits).

Make your magic spin faster and as it spins faster, raise it up. Lifting your hands helps here. UP and up and up and then, when you feel it can spin no faster, go no higher, throw up your hands and send it off!!

GROUND!

Ground immediately afterwards! Understand that even after you’ve used or sent off the magic/energy, you’re still sizzling with the residue. When you ground yourself after a spell or ritual, the excess goes back down into the earth. If you don’t do this, it continues to crackle around you; it can distract you, depress you, cause minor, klutzy accidents or, as with one person I talked, give you nasty headaches (etc. etc. etc.).

Grounding is simple–either touch the ground, or hold out your hands, palm down, toward the earth.

The centering at the beginning makes for better rituals, and the grounding at the end is *very* comforting, rather like taking a shower after working up a sweat. If, for any reason, you find that the grounding did not do the job, call a friend and have them talk you down–some people who are particularly powerful/magically or psychically sensitive sometimes have trouble with grounding and require assistance (they work up so much magic that they either get lost in it, or find that their efforts, alone, are not enough).

Some people like to follow their grounding with meditation in order to help “come down” from that rush of a cone of power.

DISMISSAL:

To conclude–Thank your guardian (and/or the Goddess/God), dismiss the quarters (the dismissal is usually simpler and shorter than the calling, something like: “Powers of the East we thank you for your help. Go or stay as you will; may there be peace between us always”.

With the dismissal of the east, the circle is “open”–in some traditions, you point your Atheme or wand and, going counter- clockwise, undo the circle you cast at the beginning–in other traditions it is not thought necessary. Up to you.

And you can ritualistically say: “The Circle is open, but not unbroken, Merry met, and Merry part and Merry meet again”–yes, you can say this even if you are a solitary.

CREATING A RITUAL:

***Any ritual requires imagination and visualization–don’t just go though steps, envision the energy that comes out of your hands, your wand, when you use it, see the ghostly veils that part as you use your Atheme, imagine fairy lights, magic fire, the glow at the center of your crystal, the Milky Way spiral of stars that fills your cauldron, the dragons you command, the elves who obey your wishes, the phantom owl who listens and flies off to relay your message to powers of another plane. Etc, etc, etc!–*see* what you create and do! (ex: Don’t just burn the incense, *envision* the power you release with that fragrance! If it’s sage, *see* it’s slivery green cleansing power.) This envisioning is what alters a ritual from choreographed steps into a dance!***

Assuming that you’re going to work a ritual out ahead of time (and not do it off the cuff), here’s what you need to do for almost any ritual:

1) Decide on a date and time. Meditate or sleep on it, following what inspiration tells you. You may wish to choose either the next new moon or full moon, or you may wish to consult your astrological calendars or a calendar which can tell you what special (but obscure/magical) days are ahead.

2) Decide on a tone for the ritual– again, follow your instincts here; do you want it celebratory or serious, quiet or filled with music, dark with a single candle, or brilliant with a dozen lights? What kind of ambiance and tone do you want? What’s right for you?

3) Start a “shopping list” of things you’ll need. Keep it on a separate sheet of paper so that you can add to it, subtract from it, change it as need and inspiration arises. List everything you’re going to need from towels to dry your hands, to what you plan to wear (jewelry included), to decorations, the color of the candles, the flavor of the incense, etc.

4) Make a “to do” list for what you need to do ahead of time for the ritual, including shopping (buying candles, matches, oil, incense, cookies, a new table cloth, etc.), cleaning, arranging to get your spouse out of the house or your children to visit a friend’s, the cats fed, etc. All the pre- ritual stuff.

5) On scrap paper or the computer, start writing out the ritual. Start with decorating/cleaning the space, and–with help from the shopping list–note what needs to go where for the ritual (towels by the bath, incense in the burner, matches and an ashtray ready, plate of cookies right outside the space, etc.); remind yourself to turn off the phone ringer, turn down the sound on the answering machine, lock the doors, shut off the lights, and prepare the music.

6) On a second sheet, work out how you plan to do the personal cleansing, grounding, how you plan to cast the circle, call the quarters– write up all words you’re going to speak.

7) On a third sheet, work out the body of the ritual–how you plan to perform the ritual, what steps you’ll go through, what you’ll say and, most importantly *WHAT YOU WILL ENVISION!*.

On a fourth sheet, write up how you plan to conclude the ritual–if you’ll raise a cone of power and/or meditate, remind yourself to ground, and decide on how you’ll dismiss the quarters and open the circle.

Go over these pages; change the ritual until it works for you. If you like, write up the final form in your Book of Shadows (if you’re a Wiccan, this is your personal book of rituals, recipes, magic and spells). Or just write it up on fresh sheets of paper.

Highlight, use sticky pad paper, or paperclips to make going over the ritual easy. Remember that rituals are open book open note– it’s great if you’re familiar with your ritual and don’t have to look, but don’t be afraid to look (this is why a book of shadows is so great–it makes looking up what comes next *part* of the ritual!). Also, don’t be afraid to change, alter or improvise–you created the ritual, and you can change it on the spot if you need to!

Half-an-hour before the ritual, go over your notes. Re-familiarize yourself with it. Don’t be nervous, you’re not going to be tested; if you make a mistake, it’s alright, it *will not* ruin the ritual!

Likely your first ritual (within your very own sacred space!) will be a ritual to dedicate/consecrate that space to your guardian “power”. You might care to pair this short ritual with a Dedication ritual (or rededication as the case may be).

While both these rituals can be non- denominational, the dedication ritual is primarily Pagan/Wiccan. It is the Pagan/Wiccan equalivant of a Catholic’s first communion, a new Baptist’s baptismal, or a Jewish Bar Mitzvah–with less partying. This is where you make a commitment, where you dedicate yourself to God/Goddess, where you name/re-name yourself a Pagan/Wiccan. Wiccans rededicate themselves every year, which I think is good as it establishes a continuing commitment, and, each year, makes us pause to re-think the path we’ve chosen and, freely, to choose it once again.

The usual day for Dedicating/Re- dedicating yourself to the God/Goddess is Imbolc (Candlemas) which is on February 2, but you may Dedicate/Re-dedicate yourself on any day that seems right to you.

DEDICATING YOUR SPACE:

Alright, down to the nitty-gritty! What sort of ritual *should* you do to dedicate your space?

I’m going to toss out various ideas for you to use, discard, or modify–in the end, all rituals have to be yours–this is your space, your dedication to your guardian, only you know what is right, what needs to be there or not.

I believe that a ritual dedication of a space should be celebratory, rather like christening a ship or opening a road or cheering the New Year! It’s a new beginning when you create and dedicate a new space. So I would top my shopping list with a small, personal bottle of sparkling wine (or cider or water if you don’t drink!) with which to fill my goblet! (I’d go for a crystal flute to stand as my goblet! Make it special, as you usually only consecrate a space once!)–what a wonderful bit of ritual it is to pop a cork, watch the mist smoke off the bottle mouth, and then pour yourself a frothing, foamy glass! *Very positive*.

One nice idea might be to hang a ribbon across the doorway leading to the space after it has been cleaned and decorated. Part of the ritual would be to symbolically “open” the space with the cutting/untying of the ribbon. Or, use your imagination and create an invisible ribbon of power that your atheme can separate, thus symbolically “opening” the space to you!

Another way to consecrate a ritual space is to keep your guardian symbol outside of the space until it’s ready. Make setting the symbol in it’s place of honor part of the ritual so that you “crown” the space with it. This would likely occur after your have cast the circle and called the quarters.

Set the Guardian in its place of honor, light the candles and the incense, and then invite the Guardian to be with you always, and thank the Guardian for it’s presence in your new space.

One of the things you might want to do with this ritual is use incense or holy water to cleanse the space and/or your tools. Take the incense round the room counter-clockwise. Pass your tools, one by one through the smoke, or sprinkle the room with the water, and sprinkle your tools as well. You can also pass the tools through fire, or sprinkle some Earth upon them (or do all three, Earth, fire, water).

You might want to say something akin to: “I remove all negativity from this_______________(name the tool). For now and always, it will be used for positive ends” or something like that. Always envision *something* as you perform these acts– for example, imagine each item spotlighted, imagine the negative vanishing from it, the dullness replaced by the a positive, magical glow.

Now you want to consecrate the tools and the space–place the tools on the alter, in the center either in your cauldron or on your power symbol of choice (ankh, cross, pentagram….), call up energy between your hands, draw it up, from the earth, from the water, from the air, from the candleflames; envision this energy, it’s color, the color of your power–is it violet? Silver? Gold? Brighten it, and then infuse your tools with the light–just aim it at them with your hands–and say something like “By my will and thine,” (referring to your guardian and/or the Lord/Lady), “I consecrate these, now and forever. And it harm none, let my will be done.” Let the energy engulf the tools, and then dissipate.

Do the same for the space, only this time, let your power fill the room, and say instead “I consecrate this space, now and forever…etc.” And finally, place your hands on your alter and, sending energy into it, say: “I consecrate this alter, now and forever, by thy grace ________________ (name guardian), an it harm none, let our will be done.”

Don’t forget to GROUND!

End by popping the cork, filling your flute, and toasting the Guardian with a hearty drink of sparkling wine; then thank the guardian, and open the circle.

BURNING WORDS/SYMBOLS/PICTURES:

Burning or defacing written words, symbols or pictures poses a problem to most, law- abiding Westerners. This is because we associate such with negative images of fanatics burning books, attempts to censor and mob violence. We think of people burning those they despise in effigy, of flags burning in angry protest. And, from what we’ve seen, far from easing anger, the burning of such things usually incites people to burn down other things, like embassies.

So how can we go about burning/defacing written words, symbols or pictures in good conscience? More, burning/defacing them for our own personal good?

First, let’s establish that you should never burn/deface anything out of anger:

1) To burn/deface something in anger/out of hate will do you no good. It will not ease your anger. Like the ungovernable mobs, it could easily make you angrier–because you know that this is symbolic, not the real thing, and it’s the *real thing* you want to burn.

2) To burn/deface something in anger/out of hate is an act of vengeance—since you cannot harm your object of hate, you burn a symbol of it. But the intent is the same, to do it damage, to erase it. This is very like sending out a spell to do harm–and as all you Wiccans know, any magic you do with intent to harm will come back to you threefold.

3) Burning something in anger/out of hate is usually a spur of the moment act which, if you’d taken a moment to think it over, you probably would not have done. As said before, the act won’t make you feel better. On the contrary, it might leave you fearful (if you burn a Bible, you might end up fearing God’s retribution) or regretful (if you burn a favorite picture of someone you love, you might end up regretting later).

So, under what circumstances might you burn/deface written words, symbols or pictures?

In the East, it is a commonplace to write prayers on paper, then burn them. In Tibet, complex sand mandalas are created, fantastic works of art, that are then destroyed by pouring them into the sea–this to send the magic out, and also to remind the monks that nothing is permeate. There are also ceremonies where people burn symbolic objects to release themselves from whatever was holding them back.

There are, in short, two very good reasons for burning/defacing written words, symbols or pictures:

1) To send out their magic: in this case, you write down a wish or a prayer or a poem, bless it and empower it, then burn it at the end or the ritual, transforming it into air that it may spread its magic.

2) To release the power the words/symbols/pictures hold over you if their message (to you) is negative.

#1 being fairly obvious, we’re going to focus, primarily, on #2.

Here are the rules regarding burning words, symbols or pictures that represent a negative influence:

1) That you own the object you intend to burn (don’t burn a book someone else loaned you!) 2) That you burn it without anger. 3) That you are not burning it in an attempt to “hide/censor it” (like a fanatic burning a book so no one else can read it, or because they believe it is evil). 4) That the ashes be buried or dropped in running water, not in the garbage! 5) That you take care to burn it with *all* safety! watching that no burning ashes go floating away to start a fire. 6) That you burn it in a ritual for your own emotional, psychological, spiritual well being (or the emotional, psychological, spiritual well being of others).

Or, to put it another way, *INTENT* is what really matters when you burn/deface something.

I remember speaking to one former Christian who, though a long time practicing Wiccan, was still having paranoid anxiety attacks about the biblical Apolycolypse.

I recommended to her a ritual which included finding the passages that most disturbed her, tearing them out or Xeroxing them, and burning them. The aim here was to release her from the power these words had over her.

IT WAS *NOT* (and I emphasize this! NOT NOT NOT) to show contempt or hatred for another religion’s sacred book. There is no reason in the world that respect for another religion’s belief should interfere with a personal, private ritual wherein you release yourself, in whatever peaceful and harmless way necessary, from the dominating, destructive power of a written word, symbol or picture.

That said: In what other ways can you release yourself from the power that words, symbols or pictures have over you? Or people or things for that matter?

One way is to take the words, cut them up, and reform them into other sentences–in this ritual, you take a passage that has control over you and you take control over it, you remove it’s power, and empower yourself. You see the words for what they are: Words.

If a person has control/power over you (and here’s where we get to defacing!), like an old lover, dominating parents, or even a figure in the news, take a picture of them, and, with marker in hand, draw clown hats on their heads, silly mustaches, weird glasses, etc. Do this before you tear or burn the picture, as you need to reduce them from their position of Tyrant before you can, by tearing/burning, symbolically break their hold on you.

If it’s a thing or institution that has power over you, sketch a picture (or get a photo) of whatever might symbolize that thing or institution and do something likewise to it (deface, cut up, tear or burn).

Just make sure that you do this within the context of a ritual geared toward this purpose (to release you from this thing’s power!). This is a “freedom” ritual, and it’s intent is to transform *you*–you’re not going to change your parents, your old religious institution, your boss, or your old lover, but you can change yourself, how you deal with, react or view these things.

A ritual which involves burning, defacing, cutting or tearing words, symbols, pictures can do this, powerfully. Your recognition of it’s power is, in part, what makes you leery, hesitant or fearful of it–your caution is good. No such ritual should be done lightly. On the other hand, these methods should not be feared or rejected out of hand. Used wisely, well and *SPARINGLY*, they can really change your life–even save it!

SEX MAGIC:

WARNING: This section will be discussing some well, not exactly graphic but certainly frank and factual information regarding SEX! Be warned!

Rituals/spells involving SEX are among the most powerful that can be done, which is why you have to use GREAT CAUTION when using Sex in a ritual!

One of the best known uses of Sex in a ritual is the GREAT RITE where, through the union of the HP (High Priest) and HPS (High Priestess)- -(usually done away from the rest of the coveners in a secluded place)–the coven sends off it’s cone of power.

Here’s a more common type of ritual/sex spell that can be done by you and a loved one your very own home:

Decide on something you both want/need badly. Focus on a keyword for the need or want (I don’t think I need remind you that it should be a *positive* need/want–like healing magic or finding a much needed job). Cleanse and consecrate the bedroom (or wherever you’re going to do this), decorate according to purpose. Take a bath or shower together by way of self-cleansing. Together, cast the circle, call the quarters, and state your purpose.

Then…get to work!

Relax, use aromatic message oils, feathers, special music (whatever turns you on) and, well, do what comes naturally. As thing get heated, as agreed, you both need to focus and, as much as possible, think about the want/need. Visualize (again, as best as possible) the energy building around the two of you, pulsing, growing, sizzling. When you climax (and you need not, uh, come together), speak the keyword aloud or in your mind, over and over and over—send it off with the erupting energy.

Make sure you have both climaxed, then come down, *GROUND*–cuddle and snuggle awhile and then, before you go to sleep, open the circle.

Now, here’s what you have to remember before you race ahead to try this:

1) Be sure you *REALLY LOVE* your partner, and that you *really, really, really* want to be with them *forever*–’cause the more sex magic you do with someone, the more you bind them, Karmically, emotionally, spiritually to you (and you to them!). And *this* is not the *only* life in which you’re going to be with them! The more sex magic you engage in with them, the more likely you’re going to meet them again and again in your next life. You don’t want to be karmically bound to a jerk!

I told you this is *SERIOUS* stuff!

2) BOTH PARTNERS MUST FULLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THIS! That doesn’t just mean that you say to your lover, “hey lover, tonight while we’re doing it, let’s think about a new house….”–No, no, no, no! Both of you have to be equally aware of what you plan to do, both of you have to agree and work out the ritual, both of you have to know what you are doing and believe in what you are doing!

3) DO NOT DO THIS RITUAL AT THE LAST MINUTE! This is not a ritual to do impromptu! The energy you’re calling up is too powerful! Choose the day/night with care and plan out your ritual IN ADVANCE! Obviously, the sex has to be “impromptu” (indeed, should be impromptu, creative, NEVER FORCED or stiff or mechanical!–you should, in all senses of the word *MAKE LOVE* or else you undermine the power of the sex) but everything else should be carefully choreographed. You want to feel confident about this.

4) If it turns out that, for all your planning, this just isn’t the night for one of you–stop, relax, laugh about it, and agree to do it another day.

5) Do not even *attempt* a sex ritual until and unless you feel yourself a competent ritual priest/priestess! This should not be one of the first rituals you try!

You’re probably wondering what will happen if you don’t listen to me–well, you can take it from me, the result will be a *DISASTER*! I messed up once (we won’t get into details on what I did wrong). The morning after, everything was completely out of balance- – things kept going wrong; negative dominated, positive was no where in sight. I had to restore the balance–which I did with a dismissal spell–*TWO of them!*

So heed this warning! Be very careful about using Sex in a ritual!

WHAT TO DO IF THINGS GO WRONG!

Sometimes rituals or spells can go wrong. Likely, when they do go wrong it’s from:

(1) Either forgetting to ground or shield (problems arising from these are very temporary unless you’re highly sensitive). (2) Because you used the ritual to deliberately harm someone. (3) You involved an unprepared partner (see the section on SEX MAGIC). (4) Your intent was not clear or befuddled by something else (usually a negative emotion like anger or hate).

The more rituals you do in a state of negative emotion, the more unbalanced/tangled your life can become.

So what do you do? Don’t panic! The effects usually do not last that long (30 days max). If they are not that bad, but really annoying and troublesome, try this little ritual from Silverwolf’s *TO RIDE A SILVER BROOMSTICK*:

*Decorate: Nothing more is needed here beyond a pen, paper and a pair of candles–a pair is good as it emphasizes balance. Pick two opposing colors, black/white, or rainbow candles. Use protective incense, wear protective symbols or gem stones.

Shield, and spend extra time centering.

*Cast the circle and call quarters. Your intent is to restore balance!

*Light candles, and by their light write something akin to the following:

On the day/eve of ________________ I cast a spell, The effect of which was ________________ May this spell be lifted and I be gifted with______________

If you write the spell, fold the paper three times and set it in the center of your alter or burn it. If you say the spell, say it three times while turning counterclockwise.

GROUND–and then spend a little time meditating, relaxing, feeling the balance restored inside you.

IF YOU HAVE A **MAJOR** IMBALANCE then try this ritual for restoring balance:

*In this case, go all out, cleansing, decorating–include a pair of scales in the ritual. Put something significant on the scales to unbalance them (coins, for example, if it involves money, I-ching coins if it involves divination, salt for almost anything else, sand for dreams gone wrong, or appropriate gem stones or herbs). Put all these to the right side if you feel that the imbalance favors the masculine while depriving the feminine. Put them to the left side if the opposite is true.

*Place the scale between the candles. Cleanse the area with smoke or saltwater.

*After self-cleansing, dressing protectively, casting the circle, calling the quarters- – invoke a god/goddess of balance to help you in this ritual along with your guardian deity.

*Light the candles and state purpose (to restore balance), and then with atheme or a wooden spoon (which you blessed) or your fingers, move objects (stones, coins, whatever) from one side of the scales to the other, little by little, until the balance is restored.

As you spoon or shift the objects, envision the objects glowing with your color or with a color appropriate to solving your problem (green or gold for money, for example). As each one is set upon the empty/opposite side of the scales, imagine the scales taking on a glow. The more they balance, the brighter they glow.

When the scales are balanced (make sure before hand, by the way, that they *will* be balanced–an odd number of coins won’t do it!), step back, and see the scales glowing with the radiance of balance.

*Infuse the scales with light, and then let the light dissipate/shoot out into the universe. Ground and meditate on being calm and balanced within.

*Thank the deities who helped you, dismiss the quarters and open the circle.

This ritual can also be done with a tangled bit of red string or a silver/gold necklace. As you untangle the string, imagine the tangle of your energy becoming untangled. When all knots are out, imagine the string radiating with energy, bright, brighter, until you can send it out.

If none of this works, contact friends and get some help–your energy is too tangled/unbalanced, you need others to help you untangle/balance it.

This ends Rituals: Sacred Acts in Sacred Space.

There are three other files regarding Rituals that were formed from the ritual study class. They are: CYBR.TXT an informal tutorial on how to create rituals in/for Cyberspace

LIFE.TXT discusses rituals for birth, adulthood, marriage, croning and death.

SABB.TXT covers holiday/Sabbath rituals: Yule (Winter Solstice), Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, Vernal Equinox and Samhain (Holloween).

Peace and light to you, Sister or Brother; may all your rituals bring you the blessings of the Goddess and the God. So Mote it be!

Originally posted 2009-10-27 19:19:55.

Materials Needed:

• Sword (doesn’t matter if sword is just for decor)
• candles (1 for each element +1 black candle)
• incense (preferably a dark colored incense any flavor)
• strip of leather (length of sword)
• bowl full of water (cauldron works)

Begin by cleansing your materials. Give any opening offerings to the Gods of your choice (preferably war Gods). Plot the land where you will work (mandatory outdoor ritual). Light the black candle and keep it burning throughout the ritual. Cast a circle using the sword by drawing the circle around you. Put sword in center of circle. Light the candle that represents Water and say:

In the element of Water I bless this sword to my name  (your name here) .

Stretch out the leather and lay it across the sword. Let a few drops of the candle wax drop on the leather. Extinguish the candle. Light the candle for Earth and say:

In the name of the God (God’s name here) I bless this sword of the Earth.

Let some wax drip on the leather. Extinguish the candle. Light the candle for Air and the incense and say:

In the name of the Goddess (Goddess’s name here) I bless this of Air.

Let some wax drip on the leather. Extinguish candle. Light the candle for Fire. Pick up the sword wave it above the Fire of the candle and say:

I dedicate this sword in the name of the following Gods (their names here).

I dedicate it to my self for (whatever reason here) and prey that thy bidding will be mine.

Let the wax drip on the sword. Tie the leather to where the wax is on the sword and say:

As I am without, I also am within. Bind this sword to me and my kin. I ask thee gods for Their greatness. So Mote It Be!

Leave the sword in the circle until the next full moon (optional) and then come back at the full moon and say:

I trust ye to be blessed. I pick you up. Now and forever ye be mine.

Say closing prayers and close the circle.

Originally posted 2009-11-14 14:49:41.

Please note a few things:

First, this is a ritual specifically for the ODU.  It’s posted here to give an example of the kind of ritual the ODU uses.  The elements of this ritual will be found in every rite that the ODU uses.  It is also designed to identify the person who is performing this as a member of the ODU, specifically in the parting and closing of the veil.  If you object to this, change the wording in those two sections.

Second, the Deities called upon in here are who I felt would be appropriate.  You don’t have to call these Deities if you don’t want to, and you don’t have to sacrifice the same things I did to Them either.  It was what I felt was right and correct for each deity.

So, do this ritual at your own peril.

1. Prep Will need
   1. Realm Candles (Blue, green, White candles)
   2. Hallows representations
   3. God/goddess candles
   4. Sea shell
   5. Thanksgiving offerings
      • Small loaf of home made bread for Dagda
      • Copy of article to burn sacrifice to Tailtu
      • Blood to Lugh (Donated to the Red Cross)
      • Find out what Brigid wants.
2. Meditation of the Cauldron
   • Focus on providing/plenty/success
3. Statement of Purpose: To get a new job
4. Parting of the Veil
   

   “Manannan Mac Lir,
   Son of the Sea,
   Keeper of the veil
   Guardian of the pathways
   Between our world and the Otherworld.
   Hear the words of the Seer,
   We ask you to part the veil
   So that we may commune
   With the beings of the Otherworld Realms.”

5. Invocation of the Three Realms
   Invocation of the Sea (Blue):

   “I light this sacred flame,
   To represent the Realm of Sea.
   I call upon the Realm of Sea,
   The Realm of the Past.
   The Realm of the Ancestors.
   Let those of my ancestors who wish it to come;
   Come! Join with me in my sacred rite.”

   Invocation of the Land (Green):

   “I light this sacred flame,
   To represent the Realm of Land
   I call upon the Realm of Land,
   The Realm of the Present.
   Our realm, which we share with the Spirits of Nature.
   I invite these spirits and all those who walk upon the land to meet with me.
   Let my voice carry throughout the world
   And all of creation may hear my praise
   Come! Join with us in our sacred rite.”

   Invocation of the Sky (White):

   “I light this sacred flame,
   To represent the Realm of Sky
   I call upon the Realm of Sky,
   The Realm of the Future.
   Within the Sky lies my potential
   Where my spirit shall soar among the stars
   The realm of Sky the home Gods and the pathway of the Sun.
   Come! Join with me in my sacred rite.”

6. Invocation of the Lord and Lady
   • God: Dagda
     

     “Oh Great Dagda,
     King of the Gods,
     Father of all
     Bring your Cauldron and Club
     Join me in this Sacred Rite”

   • Goddess: Tailtu
     

     “Tailtu,
     Foster mother of Lugh
     Goddess of the Land and Prosperity
     Join me in this Sacred Rite
     And bless me an my family with your Bounty.”

   • God: Lugh
     

     “Lugh Simaldanich
     Master of All Crafts,
     Come and join me in this Sacred Rite
     Share with me your Wisdom and accomplishment
     And lend me your Spear.”

   • Goddess: Brigid
     

     “Great Goddess Brigid
     Smith, Craftsperson
     Mother and hearthkeeper
     Share with me your skill and your excellence
     Join me in this Sacred Rite.”

7. Working, spell section
   • Invocation of the Hallows
     1. Facing North:
        

        “I stand in Ulster, the land of Conflict
        I hold the Sword, symbol of Power
        I invoke the qualities of power
        And skill
        To overcome my opposition and objections
        In gaining this new job.”

     2. Facing East:
        

        “I stand in the East, in Leinster
        With me is the Cauldron.
        I call upon the twin qualities of plenty (from the Cauldron)
        And Success (from Leinster)
        Both these virtues will allow me to provide
        A living for myself and my family.”

     3. Facing South:
        

        “I stand in Munster, In the South
        I have the Stone here
        And call upon the qualities of new beginnings
        And of Destiny
        To bring a new day to me
        And help me with this new time.”

     4. Facing the Center:
        

        “In Meath, where I now stand
        I hold the Staff.
        The support of the staff
        The connection between all possibilities
        I call upon these to bear me forward
        And help me support myself and my family.”

     5. Facing the West:
        

        “In Connacht, the West, I come to last
        Holding the Spear
        Calling on the virtues of drive and directness
        And the help of the Ancestors
        I use the Spear to send my will
        Into the Otherrealms.”

   • Desire call: (Short Meditation to focus thoughts)
     

     “I call upon the Powers of Ancient Eire
     Great Sons and Daughters of Danu
     Mighty are your deeds
     Sounding down through the Centuries!
     Great is your renown!
     Bright is your Stars and Spirits!
     Your gifts have been great
     To me and the family of my heart.

     Hear my voice!
     I am your son, adopted into your Clan!
     In your image I see to be seen
     And Your knowledge I hope to gain
     Along with your Wisdom!
     Hear my voice calling to you.

     Oh Great Ones! Shining Ones!
     I beg a boon from you, a favor, a gift from your generous nature.
     Guide my hand to support my family
     Build the energies of success around me
     Lay out the path of Sovereignty before me.
     Bring me success in my endeavors
     Bring me skill in my trade!
     Bring me fulfillment of my dream!

     I am not afraid of hard work.
     I am not afraid of excellence, so long as it is rewarded.
     I need to provide for my family and Clan
     But now it is not possible.
     I need to support my family in more than we are now.
     Just surviving is not satisfying anymore.
     Things for the health of my family need to be done now.
     I am not able to do this as things stand now.

     As the man is the king of his castle
     So to is the king obligated to care for his subjects.
     My family is counting on me to provide
     But I can’t as things are now.

     (Tell the Gods what you hope for in detail, no more chanting.)

8. Divination: Water in the Cauldron scrying
9. Thanksgiving
10. Thanking and dismissing the Gods
11. Thanking and dismissing the Realms
    • Dismiss the Sky
      

      “I call into the vastness of the Sky
      This flame has burned in honor of the Realm of Sky
      The Realm of the Future.
      I have witnessed my potential
      My spirit has flown among the stars
      Great Realm of Sky
      The home Gods and the pathway of the Sun.
      I thank you for joining with me this day”

    • Dismiss the Realm of the Land
      

      “I call to the corners of the world,
      The Realm of the Present.
      My realm, which we share with the Spirits of Nature.
      I thank those who have joined me this day.
      Let my voice carry throughout the world
      That all of creation may hear my praise
      Praise which issues from me every second of my life.”

    • Dismiss the Realm of the Sea:
      

      “I call to the Realm of Sea,
      The Realm of the Past.
      The Realm of the Ancestors.
      This flame was kindled in your honor.
      I have been in this sacred place,
      I have honored the ancestors of this place
      And I honored the ancestors of my own lineages
      Leave with me the knowledge and wisdom of the past
      Guide me through my daily life.”

12. Closing the Veil
    

    “Manannan Mac Lir,
    Son of the Sea.
    Keeper of the veil.
    Guardian of the pathways
    Between our world and the Otherworld
    We have communed with the Ancestors,
    We have communed with the Spirits of Nature,
    We have honored the Gods and Goddesses.
    We ask that the veil be closed at this time.”

13. Sharing of bounty with the Land
    1. Burn the pages
    2. Break up the bread and eat some, distribute the rest to the Land
14. Meditation and grounding
15. Clean up

Originally posted 2009-11-14 14:26:39.