Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...
Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...
Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
38 <strong>Creating</strong> <strong>Circles</strong> & <strong>Ceremonies</strong><br />
I cast the Circle round <strong>and</strong> round—<br />
Shadow of Moon upon the ground<br />
I cast the Circle round about—<br />
A world within; a world without!<br />
—Morning Glory<br />
You may also wish to further mark the boundary of the Circle with the Elements, by sprinkling<br />
salt <strong>and</strong> water around the perimeter <strong>and</strong> carrying the c<strong>and</strong>le <strong>and</strong> incense around as well.<br />
Motions in the Circle are always conducted deosil (sunwise), except during Walpurgisnacht<br />
(May Eve), Samhain (Hallowe’en), <strong>and</strong> Dark Moons (when the gates between the mortal world<br />
<strong>and</strong> the world of faerie st<strong>and</strong> open). During these times the motions are reverse, or widdershins<br />
(contrariwise). In the Northern hemisphere, “sunwise” is from left to right, or clockwise in a<br />
circle. But in Australia, South America, <strong>and</strong> South Africa, as I mentioned earlier, “sunwise” is in<br />
the opposite direction from the North, <strong>and</strong> so all these motions are reversed. Even the seasons<br />
are opposite from those in the North, as is the planet’s Coriolis Force (Google this...).<br />
Once the Circle is cast, it must not be entered or exited without cutting a Gate. This is<br />
done with a W<strong>and</strong>, starting at the ground <strong>and</strong> drawing a line up, over the top, <strong>and</strong> down the<br />
other side to make a “doorway” you can then walk through. Or you may draw a line straight<br />
up from the ground to above your head, <strong>and</strong> just zip it open <strong>and</strong> step through, like the double<br />
sliding doors on the Starship Enterprise. Don’t <strong>for</strong>get to close your door behind you!<br />
Groundings<br />
1. Ground <strong>and</strong> Center<br />
Let’s start by st<strong>and</strong>ing up as straight as possible, with your heads tilted slightly back,<br />
<strong>and</strong> taking a few deep breaths—through your nose if you’re able—<strong>and</strong> try to push your<br />
belly out as you inhale.<br />
Hold it <strong>for</strong> a few seconds…<br />
And slowly release…keep your lips only slightly parted as you exhale.<br />
With every exhale, feel yourself sinking deeper <strong>and</strong> deeper into a deep state of relaxation…<br />
…deeper <strong>and</strong> deeper into a pleasant state of calm…<br />
Keep breathing in this manner <strong>for</strong> a few more breaths (between 2 to 5 breaths,<br />
depending on your own com<strong>for</strong>t level)…<br />
…<strong>and</strong> say “ready” when prepared to continue.<br />
(Continue after everyone has said “ready”).<br />
“Now, I’d like you to take another deep breath, drawing the deep, strong energy from<br />
the Earth up through the sole of your left foot as you inhale…<br />
…through your entire body…<br />
…<strong>and</strong> down through the sole of your right foot as you exhale…<br />
…leaving you calm, empowered, <strong>and</strong> ready <strong>for</strong> magick.”<br />
Keep circulating the energy <strong>for</strong> a few more breaths (again, between 2 to 5 breaths,<br />
depending on your own com<strong>for</strong>t level)…<br />
….<strong>and</strong> say “ready” when prepared to continue.<br />
—Crow Dragontree<br />
2. Tree of Life Grounding<br />
Imagine you are an ancient tree. Feel yourself planted here on this holy ground. Now<br />
sink your roots deep into the darkness of the Earth. Feel the layers of cold Earth <strong>and</strong> rock<br />
beneath you as you reach down, down, through the soil, the rocks, past the bones of your<br />
ancestors. Reach down through the crust of the Earth, through the fiery mantle, down into<br />
the molten core, <strong>and</strong> the throbbing crystalline iron heart of our Mother. Feel Her heat rising
Change language