Still working on it....

Well,
I am still working on my assignments for my classes for clergy.
I'm in my second year as most of you know.
I have most of the assignments done, but the one I am finding to be the toughest, besides having to write a ton of rituals, is making a timeline of my events. I have been doing my thing for about ten years now, and i cant remember which rituals i have been able to attend or not, or which sabbats and esbats i celebrated when or all the spells i have done. I should have kept better records, but its too late for that now. I dont know how im going to do this. I dont want to make it up or guess because it will feel false to me. Ho hum....

Ritual Preparation Guidelines

Ritual Preparation Guidelines
*Overview*
A. Define purpose
B. Write ritual
C. Gather necessary tools
D. Prepare area
E. Prepare body

A. Purpose

What is the significance of this ritual? Is it a Sabbat or Esbat? What are you looking to accomplish?

 Sabbat – what is the major focus of this Sabbat?
 Esbat- what sign is the sun/moon in?

B. Write Ritual

Using the ritual outline, create a ritual, making sure to double check for errors and possible changes that may be needed.

 Is it easy to follow?
 Is everything included that should be?
 Does everyone have their roles defined?
 Is this a solitary or group ritual?
 Does it clearly demonstrate the goal?

C. Gather Necessary Tools

Make sure you have everything you need ahead of time to avoid confusion and disorganization
This may include:

 Herbs
 Incense (making loose incense)
 Censer
 Offering Plate
 Broom
 Cauldron
 Robe
 Bell
 BoS
 Bowl for Water
 Bowl for Salt
 Spritzer
 Altar Cloth
 Bolline
 Athame
 Wand
 Cup/Chalice
 Altar Pentacle
 Altar Candles
 Goddess/ God Candle
 Oils (blending oils)
 Candles (anointing candles)
 Stones
 Checking Correspondences
 Determining Directions
 Who Is Calling Directions
 Cakes And Ale Set Up
 Astrological Positions
 Cleansing Tools Prior To Use (see below)


*Cleansing, Blessing, Charging and Protecting Tools*
Needed Items: sea salt, incense, water, candle
Mix sea salt and water. Stir (clockwise) to dissolve the salt in the water. Light candle and incense. Dip your fingertips into the salt water, sprinkle it onto the tool you wish to cleanse and bless and say:

I bless this (tool name) by the power of earth and water.
Now run the tool through the flame of the candle and the smoke of the incense and say:
I charge this (tool name) by the power of fire and air.
Next, with the index finger of your projective hand, trace a pentagram over the tool. Visualize electric-blue or purple flames streaming from your fingers to form the monogram and say:
With this pentagram and (tool name) I wish to protect
Cleansed of all negativity, harm will deflect

My magickal hand charges with success
And asks the Goddess and God to bless

I now invoke the law of three:
This is my will, so mote it be!
(Do this with all your tools and any other object you wish to cleanse bless charge and protect.)


D. Prepare Area

It is important to plan out and prepare the area where the ritual will take place. Here are a few things to consider:

 Make sure to avoid and prevent interruptions- take the phone off the hook, lock the doors, post a “do not disturb” sign, maybe have to find somewhere else for children and animals to be if the occasions call for it (incorporate children if desired which is totally based on the individual and the group).
 Remember, an interruption won’t ruin your ritual unless you let it.
 Accommodate space needed based on how many people are expected.
 Set up a working altar where the circle is to be cast. This physically prepares the area to become sacred while simultaneously psychologically preparing the participants to enter that space. (Also may have visual aids on the altar.)
 Determine the timing of the ritual so everyone knows when to be prepared.
 Cleanse the space prior to ritual by:
o Smudging
o Sweeping with besom
o Using a feather to sweep clean
o Carrying a white and/or black candle
o Spritzer of salt water
o Visualization
o Carrying each element around the circle area

E. Prepare Body

 Ritual Bath (or Shower)
o Whenever possible, take a ritual bath prior to ritual. It is beneficial to wash away everyday tensions before entering sacred space. In addition to being a spiritually as well as physically cleansing event, immersion in water links us with our most primal memories. If you cannot take a bath, a shower will also work. (Visualize the nasties flowing out of you and down the drain, leaving you pure and fresh.)
o If you do not have access to water, you can use incense, or a bell, or a few minutes of light drumming or meditation for the same cleansing effect.
o The goal is to enter the circle with a clear mind and an untroubled heart. You are trying to meet your friends, including Deity, on a higher/deeper level than in day-to-day life.

 Ritual Dress

Ritual Dress is another way to mentally prepare oneself for ritual.

o Nudity (optional, solitaries though some groups do practice ritual nudity as well)
o Robes (may be in specific colors or styles depending on ritual purpose)
o Jewelry (pentagrams, earrings, bracelets, etc)
o Any Other Ritually Significant Accessories (hats, shoes, bags, etc)

Witchie Book Wish List

Check www.bigwords.com for lowest prices

Sabbat Books and Prices from Amazon.com

Samhain-Halloween: Customs, Recipes & Spells by Silver RavenWolf
Buy new: $13.45
Used & new from $1.24


Yule- Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth by Dorothy Morrison
Buy new: $11.21
Used & new from $0.70


Imbolc- Candlemas: Feast of Flames by Amber K and Azrael Arynn K
Buy new: $11.53
Used & new from $4.30

Ostara- Ostara: Customs, Spells & Rituals for the Rites of Spring by Edain McCoy
Buy new: $13.45
Used & new from $6.54


Beltane- Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration by Raven Grimassi
Buy new: $11.21
Used & new from $6.33


Midsummer- Midsummer: Magical Celebrations of the Summer Solstice by Anna Franklin
Used & new from $56.61


Lughnasadh- Lammas: Celebrating the Fruits of the First Harvest by Anna Franklin and Paul Mason
Used & new from $49.60

Mabon- Autumn Equinox: The Enchantment of Mabon by Ellen Dugan
Buy new: $10.17
Used & new from $4.28

Sabbat Ritual Outline

Sabbat Ritual Outline

Preparation
a. Define purpose
b. Write ritual
c. Gather necessary tools
d. Prepare area
e. Prepare body

Casting Circle
a. Greeting
b. Find elemental directions
 Physically and mentally cast the circle beginning in the North going Deosil
c. Call the guardians of the elements
 Make sure it is clear who is calling quarters before ritual is started, it cuts down on confusion and keeps focus in the group
Invoke deity
a. Goddess
b. God
c. Welcome them both to the circle

Purpose is stated out loud

Actual rite is performed
a. Working
 Complete spell work
 Raise power/ energy
 Focus and direct power/ energy
 Ground power/ energy
b. Honoring
 Cakes and ale
 Dedicate cakes and ale
 Partake in cakes and ale

Mediation and grounding

Thank and release deities

Closing the circle
 Mentally and verbally close the circle by thanking and releasing quarters
 Physically close the circle reverse beginning West going Widdershins

Announcements

Clean up
 Disposal
 Washing plates and glasses
 Putting away tools and other implements

last day

so this completes my full moon challange,
its been great following the goddess through her many phases
and so much has happened in just a month
both good and bad
and can we forget when i thought she disappeared
then realized it was the new moon
heh
love it!

Blood Moon!

Happy Blood Moon all my fellow pagans!
I'll be working!
I harvested my pumpkins, gourds, green beans, green peppers, and more!

Still got a few more things, but im saving them for the final harvest!

I'm so happy i can see the moon!
Shes so lovely!

Half way there!

The moon has been there steadily. Today it looked kind of foggy but it fit in with the spooky environment with my halloween decorations.

I'm just happy to have it back where I can see it. My moms trying to find me a used computer, some company buys them from businesses that rent them out, then fix them up and resell them. So hopefully it works ok or I'll be grr.

Set up my altar for Samhain tho it still needs more work....

Love and Light

Ami