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

134 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
o Variation: To envision strengthening, change these statements to, “Weakness is being
washed from me” and “I am being robed in strength.”
o For even more effect, “dress” the shower stall or bathtub with a few drops of essential
oil, chosen for a specific purpose, or wash with a specific scented soap. For example,
frankincense and lavender are excellent for purification, sandalwood for balancing
emotion, lemon for clearing and enhancing energy, rosemary for stimulating the mental
processes, and juniper for protection.
• When putting on lotion, powder, or cosmetics, be mindful and thoughtful of the ways in
which you are nurturing and blessing yourself.
• When leaving the house in the morning, say, “Another morning, here for me, greet the
morning, blessed be.”
Substitute other words for “morning,” e.g., sunrise, Tuesday, rainstorm, etc. The point is to
be thankful for the new day and its opportunities.
• If you are a computer user, create folders of seasonal images for display as your computer
desktop/wallpaper. Change these on the equinoxes and solstices.
• Change things around your home to honor the seasons. For instance, at the Spring Equinox
you may wish to change the bed linens, towels, and tablecloths from a “winter set” to
a “spring set.” Changing from dark jewel tone colors and patterns to lighter, sunnier patterns
helps make the seasonal change obvious. Keeping a seasonal indoor wreath is another
way to honor the changing months.
• Meditating at work and/or school is a good way to relax and feel less stressed. If you can’t
meditate while at work or school, try sitting quietly with eyes closed. Ground and center,
then work to put your mind at peace, relaxing as fully as you can for even 3-5 minutes.
When you finish, have a drink of water, tea, or fruit juice and say, “I am at peace.”
• When you get home each day, remove your shoes as soon as you cross the threshold. This
represents leaving the travails of the world at the door, so that they do not violate the
sanctity of your home. Pause for a moment, close you eyes, and take a slow, deep breath.
Feel gratitude at returning home. Murmur a “thank you,” and bask in the feeling of returning
to your haven.
• When you climb into your bed at night, settle in and luxuriate in how good it feels.
Think about how the day has gone and what the next day will hold. Starting with your
feet, move slowly up your body to your head, taking stock of each part and how it feels,
and consciously relaxing yourself in preparation for sleep. When you finish, murmur
“Blessed Be,” or a blessing of your own choice.
Altar Spaces
A home altar is usually in the main living space. Ideally it should be as close to the
home’s center or “heart” as possible. Devote a home altar to two things: 1) showcasing
family successes or celebrations, and 2) honoring the seasonal wheel.
Many people keep a magickal altar in their home’s sacred space. This will have all of the
usual items: representations of the four Elements, candles, magickal tools, representations of
Deity, a small cast iron cauldron/thurible, dried herbs, etc.
People involved in a committed relationship may keep a sweetheart altar in the bedroom.
This might include candles, oil lamps, an abalone shell for burning incense, a candle
snuffer, personal memorabilia and photographs, etc. Pink and red—the colors of love and
passion—are good choices here.
Another important type of altar is the ancestor altar, which honors the departed ones.
This could be a “traditional” magickal altar, with pictures or objects representing the ancestors,
or it could be a much more casual display of family memorabilia. Items referencing time
and the four Elementals are always appropriate on an ancestral altar.