Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...

Book II: Rites & Rituals 125
For honesty breeds trust, and without trust all our actions are suspect.
May our souls be lit with the light of love which shines into the dark corners of our being,
removing the darkness of hatred, anger and prejudice, so no one ever need fear for
their safety or be made to feel shame for their race, religion or lifestyle.
For where love shines, darkness cannot find hold.
May we show compassion for those whose lives are not as easy as our own.
Let our hearts see that the spirit inside each of us comes from the same divine source and is,
therefore, deserving of dignity and respect no matter what the body’s present condition.
For only with self-respect can one find the strength to improve their condition.
We pray that our lives are grounded in faith because faith in something greater than ourselves
gives us the power to aspire to be more than we are, reaching beyond our human
limitations to propel the human spirit to new levels.
Faith brings us the comfort of divine planning, letting us understand all that happens,
happens for a reason, a purpose which we, from our limited perspective, may have
trouble seeing. But the Divine sees the outcome of every event and knows why each
event must occur.
We pray for Honesty, Love, Compassion, and Faith, that our spirits be transformed into
golden spirits, shining with the light of the Divine.
We ask this of deity in whatever form each of us perceives it.
So may it be.
III. Consecrations
Cleansing Your Space (an Elemental Consecration)
By Moonwriter
This ritual can be a part of seasonal cleaning, such as spring cleaning, or can be done
anytime a place needs to be “sweetened.” Prepare by washing (bathing or showering, if possible,
with a dab of rosemary oil added for auric purification) and putting on clean clothes or magickal
garb. Watches and jewelry should be removed, but magickal jewelry may be added.
Arrange a simple altar in in the room, representing the four Directions and the Elements. On
the altar, place a sprig of protective herbs, tied with a ribbon or piece of yarn in a meaningful
color correspondence (your choice). (Some common plants and herbs that are very good for
removing—and preventing—negative energy are: aloe, anise, barley, basil, bay leaf, cactus, carnation,
cedar, chamomile, cinnamon, clove, cumin, curry, dill, dragon’s blood, eucalyptus, fennel,
fern, flax, frankincense, garlic, ginseng, ivy, lavender, myrrh, onion, parsley, pepper, peppermint,
rosemary, sage, thyme, and violet.) Begin by spending a few moments at the altar, centering
and connecting with the center of the home. Using a broom (besom), create a circle by
sweeping deosil around the room, starting and ending in the North. At the altar, combine water
and salt in a chalice or ritual bowl. Walk deosil around the room, starting at the North; sprinkle
droplets of the salt water (symbolizing the Elements Water and Earth) throughout the room.
At the altar, ignite a smudge stick or a small pile of dried herbs in a thurible or other
fireproof container. Blow out the flame and, starting at the North, walk deosil around the
room and waft the smoke (symbolizing the Elements Fire and Air) throughout the room with
your fingers or a feather.
Place the sprig of herbs above the door to the room. You may also wish to leave your
besom or broom standing just inside the door.
At the altar again, close your eyes and breathe slowly, connecting with the home’s
center. Do this for as long as you wish. Offer a simple blessing of thanks.
Sweep the circle closed (widdershins).
Take the herbal sprig from the altar and mount it above the door as a protective amulet.