Wiccan Rituals

Apart of the Guild of Pagans Guild Book of Shadows.

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Yule Ritual

The altar is adorned with evergreens such as pine, rosemary, bay, juniper and cedar, and the same can be laid to mark the Circle of Stones. Dried leaves can also be placed on the altar.

The cauldron, resting on the altar on a heat proof surface (or placed before it if too large), should be filled with ignitable spirit (alcohol), or a red candle can be placed within it. At outdoor rites, lay a fire within the cauldron to be lit during ritual.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle of Stones.

Recite the Blessing Chant.

Invoke the Goddess and God.

Stand before the cauldron and gaze within it. Say these or similar words:

I sorrow not,
though the world is wrapped in sleep.
I sorrow not,
though the icy winds blast.
I sorrow not,
though the snow falls hard and deep.
I sorrow not,
this too shall soon be past.
Ignite the cauldron (or candle), using long matches or a taper. As the flame(s) leap up say:

I light this fire in Your honor, Mother Goddess
You have created life from death;
warmth from cold;
The Sun lives once again;
the time of light is waxing.
Welcome,
ever returning God of the Sun!
Hail Mother of All!
Circle the altar and cauldron slowly, clockwise, watching the flames. Say the following chant for some time:

The wheel turns; the power burns.
Meditate upon the Sun, on the hidden energies lying dormant in winter, not only in the Earth but within ourselves. Think of birth not as the start of life but as its continuance. Welcome the return of the God. After a time cease and stand once again before the altar and flaming caldron. Say:

Great God of the Sun,
I welcome Your return.
May You shine brightly upon the Goddess;
May You shine brightly upon the Earth,
scattering seeds and fertilizing the land.
All blessings upon You,
Reborn One of the Sun!
Works of magick, if necessary, may follow. Celebrate the Simple Feast, the release the Circle.

Scott Cunningham, "A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner"

[Indigo Butterfly]

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Midsummer (Litha, Summer Solstice), Dec 21
(note: For those who live in the Southern Hemisphere)

As the light of the sun increases, we approach the time of the Summer Solstice or Midsummer's Eve, the longest day of the year. This is the day we celebrate the abundance and beauty of the Earth. From here on in the days begin to shorten. It is a time to prepare for the waning of the sun's power.

Midsummer's Eve Ritual

Before begininning the ritual make up a purification pouch. Use a small piece of cloth to hold herbs such as lavender(for peace of mind), chamomile (for balancing the solar plexus), rose (for mending emotional wounds and restoring forgiveness) or sage (for clearing negativity). Tie the pouch closed with a length of red string. While making the pouch, visualise all your hurts and troubles being soaked up by the herbs.

Arrange your altar as usual, making sure you have a red candle (or if outside, a small fire) for burning the purification pouch. Light your candles and incense. Cast your circle as usual.

Invoke the Goddess and God.

Stand before the altar and say the following, or words of your own with the same basic meaning:

I celebrate the noon of summer with mystic rites.
O great Goddess and God,
all nature vibrates with your energies
and the Earth is bathed with warmth and life.
Now is the time of forgetting past cares and banes;
Now is the time for purification.
O fiery sun,
burn away the unuseful,
the hurtful,
the bane,
in your omnipotent power.
Purify me!
Purify me!
Purify me!

Pich up your purification pouch and light it in the flame of the red candle (or drop it into your fire) and lay it in your cauldron or chalice saying:

I banish you by the powers of the Goddess and the God!
I banish you by the powers of the Sun, Moon and Stars!
I banish you by the powers of Earth, Air, Fire and Water!

Watch while your cares are being burned away. Then say:

O Gracious Goddess, O Gracious God,
on the night of Midsummer magic
I pray that you charge my life with
wonder and joy. Help me in attuning with
the energies adrift on the enchanted night air.
I give thanks.

Feel the powers of nature flowing through you, washing you clean with divine energy.

Release the circle.

adapted from "Wicca - A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham


As with all ritual or magic, this is just a guide. Make it your own, write your own chants, use tools and ingredients that mean something to you. Be well,
[wiccanmaiden]

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-The Guild of Pagans
-The Wiccan Room
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-The Guild Book of Shadows