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

186 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
When one knows peace,
Then alien there is none.
Then no door is shut.
Oh answer my prayer, that I may never
lose the bliss
Of the touch of the one,
Of the face of the many.
(—Traditional Gregorian chant)
At this time, those in the Circle are asked
to embrace those sitting next to them. At this
point, the ritual can go in many different directions.
For example:
• A Magick Circle can be cast, deities invoked,
and magickal Workings performed.
• The event can turn into a Bardic Circle, with
an ongoing ring of stories, songs, etc.
• The Fire Circle could be used for a time of
recognition, passage, etc. Participants can be
asked (in advance) to bring written scrolls
or small items to be given to the fire.
In the end, someone should step forward
to give thanks to spirits of Earth, Water, Fire,
and Air, and the event formally closed. At this
point, people may elect to remain seated around
the fire for a casual gathering. A snack or hot
beverage would be very appropriate.
Finishing:
When the evening ends, care must be
taken that the fire is completely out; it must
not be left unattended!
The next morning, have participants return
to the Fire Circle to gather some of the
ashes in a film canister, zip-loc baggie, etc.
They can then use these ashes to sprinkle over
their next council fire. In this way, they may
carry the love and memories of a lifetime’s
worth of fire with them.
Spirit Naming Ceremony on Full Moon
By Ancient Singing Moon
This ritual is best done at night by fire or candlelight
All people have been asked to come dressed as one of their power animals, including the
Initiate and the Shaman. As people arrive, there is one person who stands at the threshold
smudging people. Once over the threshold, the participants sit down and another greeter silently
washes everyone’s faces and hands, and anoints foreheads, palms of hands, and, if possible, the
bottoms of feet with an oil blend. The oil blend will change depending on the initiate.
The participants enter and gather around the initiate in a “village.” They can softly chat,
say prayers, and sing songs while all the others are entering. Gifts for the initiate may be
placed in a separate area. Once everyone has assembled, the ceremony begins.
The Shaman invokes the spirits, guardians, Directions, and any special spirits who wish
to be present for the initiate. The Shaman also casts the Circle, the container in which the
ceremony will be held. The initiate is led by two villagers to stand at the center of the room.
The Shaman will say something from the spirits if moved, such as a blessing, prayer, or
direction. Then the participants are asked to find a stone and place it in a Circle around the
initiate. Prayers may be said as the stones are placed. People may choose to touch the initiate
with prayers and good energy, but only if the initiate is okay with this.
When the stones are placed, the participants take up drums, rattles, sticks, or any other
instrument. The Shaman listens for a spirit song for the village to sing. Once that is heard and
conveyed, the village begins to sing and use their instruments. They continue to sing and dance,
celebrating the new spirit name. The Shaman circles the initiate while rattling, listening for songs,
words, or anything else the spirits wish to convey through her. The Shaman listens for the spirit
name and whatever qualities may wish to come through. (The spirit name is usually known by
the initiate and communicated to the Shaman prior to the ceremony.) These things are conveyed
to the initiate through song, dance, or prayer words. This continues until it feels complete.
Then the Shaman signals the village to be quiet, and touches the initiate in some way.
Then, the intiate is to speak her name, saying “I am _____, the one who ______. What I want
from life is ____. The gift I bring to the world is _____.” She can say an oath or a prayer,