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This page displays a typical format for the rituals.


A Ritual Format

Opening

Opening Chant: 

Come Pagans (one and) all, come gather round. Join us in a circle where love and trust abound.

Life, Light, and Love form a gate outside the circle at the South. Participants form a single line at the gate. South, East, North and West (the Quarters) are first in line in that order. Center purifies Light, Life, and Love then goes to the back of the line. After being purified South, East, North and West stop at their quarters. One at a time each is asked the following:

Life: (blessing with incense) “May I offer purification?” (response) “I cleanse you so you may be free of your burdens.”

Light: “Do you wish to be part of our circle?” (response) “How do you come to this circle?”

Love: “You are welcome to join our circle. Follow me, please.” The participants (after the Quarters) is lead clock-wise around the circle behind the Quarters until the circle is complete.

(After the circle has been formed, Center begins the ritual)


Center: "In the spirit of celebration,

And in the celebration of Spirit,

We come to this sacred place anew."

"We cannot falter

As we come to this altar

Because we know our intent is true."


[Ring the bell.]

Statement of Intent

"In this sacred time we celebrate {______________________}, "

"We celebrate the {ritual} and {theme}

This is our intent. So mote it be."


[Light the center candle.]

Purification

[Pass around the tool of purification in a clockwise direction and let each person speak the following blessing.]


"With this tool I attest

That, as a child of the universe,

I am blessed."

Ground and Center


"With the Earth below

We are grounded as we go.

With the Sky above

We shall soar like a dove.

Let us feel connected as we begin

And find the peace that is within.

Let us breathe in the peace of Earth and Sky

And let us feel connected as we release a soft sigh."


[Pause to breathe mindfully, center yourself, and feel connected.]


Centering Chant:

Let this time be holy, let this time be sacred.

Between earth and sky let us be here fully present.


Call of the Three Forces


Center: “Who speaks for Light?” (withdraw)

Light: “I speak for Light.” (come to the center)

"Through the Sun we understand Light

So that we may become as we might."

[Light the Sun candle then return to  the circle.]


Center: “Who speaks for Love?” (withdraw)

Love: “I speak for Love.” (come to the center)

"Through the Moon we understand Love

So that we may embrace all below and above."

[Light the Moon candle and return to the circle.]


Center: “Who speaks for Life?” (withdraw)

Life: “I speak for Life.” (come to the center)

"Through the Stars we understand Life

So that we may seek balance amid the strife."

[Light the Star candle and return to the circle.]


Center: “At this time let us silently call upon our personal deities or sacred principles.”

[Provide some silence so participants may honor their own deities or principles.]

Call of the Four Directions

Center: “We call upon the four directions starting with North.”


North: "We honor the direction of North and the element of Earth.

It is through the material that our soul is given birth.

We embrace the dark of the Winter night

So that we may seek the reborn light.

Let us experience the {________________________}

In this {_______________________} time.

So we say hail and welcome to the North. (response)

Let your light shine."

[Light the North candle.]


Center: “To the East!”


East: "We honor the direction of East and the element of Air.

It is the wind that carries our thoughts and makes us aware

Of wonders like mornings filled with Spring bouquets

And the wisdom that abounds in nature's ways.

Let us learn to {_______________________}

In this {_________________________} time.

So we say hail and welcome to the East.

Let your light shine."

[Light the East candle.]


Center: “To the South!”


South: "We honor the direction of South and the element of Fire.

It is the flames of emotion that move us to desire:

The joyful play of a Summer afternoon,

And the heart filled with a merry tune.

Let us feel {_________________________}

In this {________________________ }time.

So we say hail and welcome to the South.

Let your light shine."

[Light the South candle.]


Center: “To the West!”


"We honor the direction of West and the element of Water.

It is the peace of Spirit that our souls are after.

The hushed quiet of an evening in Fall

Is when we sense the soul's gentle call.

Let us connect to {_________________________}

In this {_________________________} time.

So we say hail and welcome to the West.

Let your light shine."

[Light the West candle.]

Closing of the Circle


"Let none be gone unless they must

For we are encircled in love and trust.

With the strength of our love shall we hold fast.

For now, at last, the circle is cast."

[Draw and/or visualize a circle around you.]


"In this sacred sphere we spin

A {________________________} ritual now begins."


[Ring the bell.]

Ritual Work


Introduction:

"In the cosmic book of endless changes,

We stop to read one of its pages.

Within the cycles of the ages,

To this {ritual} our heart engages."


The Work:

"This is the {________________________}"


[ritual work]

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________


Blessings:

“Now let us offer these blessings:”

  • "We ask the universe to bless __________.

Reflection:

"Let us reflect on this {ritual}:”

  • “What does this {ritual} represent to you?”
  • “What activity shall we do to commemorate this {ritual}?”
    • (possible activities)
  • “Is there anything else you wish to say about this {ritual}?”

Completion


"Now this circle we undo,

For this {ritual} is nearly through.

Let this work here done befall

To the good of one and all.

So mote it be."


[Ring the bell.]

Recognition of the Four Directions


Center: “We release the four Quarters beginning with the West.”


"We honor the West where the soul finds rest.

It is the water that we drink.

We connected to {_______________________}

Through your affinity.

So we say hail and farewell to the West

And blessed be!"

[Extinguish the West candle.]


Center: “To the South!”


"We honor the South where the heart seeks its path.

It is the fire that we burn and share.

We felt {________________________}

Through your affinity.

So we say hail and farewell to the South

And blessed be!"

[Extinguish the South candle.]


Center: “To the East!”


"We honor the East where the mind knows peace.

It is the air that we breathe.

We learned how {_________________________}

Through your affinity.

So we say hail and farewell to the East

And blessed be!"

[Extinguish the East candle.]


Center: “To the North!”


"We honor the North where our hands reach forth.

It is the Earth for which we must care.

We experienced {_________________________}

Through your affinity.

So we say hail and farewell to the North

And blessed be!"

[Extinguish the North candle.]


Center: “To the center!”


Recognition of the Three Forces


Center: Who speaks for Light?

Light: “I I speak for Light. 

We honor the warmth of the Sun

And the need to be unique." (extinguish Light candle)


Center: Who speaks for Love?

Love: “I speak for Love. 

We honor the inspiration of the Moon

And the love that we all seek." (extinguish Love candle)


Center: Who speaks for Life?

Life: “I speak for Life.

We honor the hope of the Stars

And the need to balance strong and weak." (extinguish Life candle) 


Center: “At this time let us silently call thank our personal deities or sacred principles for their guidance.”

[Provide some silence so participants may thank their own deities or principles.] 

Grounding


"With the sky above our words have sounded.

In the Earth below we shall be grounded.

I invite you now to take a moment to ground yourself."

[Pause to touch the Earth and feel grounded. Participants may repeat the following phrase.]

“Mother Earth and I are one.”

Opening of the Circle


"Let these blessings we have bestowed

Like a seed, take root and grow,

And to their purpose renew."

[Draw and/or visualize opening the circle around you in a counter-clockwise direction.]


Closing Chant:

Now this circle we undo, for the magick rite is through.

Let this sacred work befall for the good of one and all.


"Though this circle now is open,

Let these bonds remain unbroken,

For the {ritual} is now through."

[Ring the bell and extinguish the center or Working Candle.]


“So mote it be.”

Bow

From mind, and heart, and body, and soul

May you in peace and love go. 

And from Spirit from which we all came

Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

Blessed be !