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

52 Creating Circles & Ceremonies
4. Inviting in the Deities
Invocations & Evocations
By Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
Now, into this Magick Circle where we are
gathered, we invite the deities to join us, for
our magickal workings are done in their honor,
and with their blessings. Many rituals are purely
celebrational and specifically designed to
honor Deity in some way, so the invocation
of spiritual energies is common. Spirit beings may be invoked in whatever form is
appropriate—calling a god or goddess of the hunt, such as Herne or Artemis, if strength
is desired; a goddess of the arts, such as Saraswati or Brigit, for creative inspiration; Hermes,
Thoth, or Odin to aid in our magick; and angels, spirits of the ancestors, animal totems, the
Faerie folk, and anyone else we may desire would also be called in at this time.
Some magickal practitioners—especially those of the “New Age” traditions—may regard
these spirit beings merely as symbols or Jungian archetypes, anthropomorphic personifications
representing different aspects of human consciousness (as in Jean Shinoda-Bolen’s books, Goddesses
in Every Woman and Gods in Every Man). While there is certainly a degree of validity in
such identification with immanent divinity (often expressed as “Thou art God” or “Thou art
Goddess”), it is not the whole picture. It is our experience that the deities, angels, totems, and
other spirit beings of the various cultural pantheons (families of deities) are very real personalities,
just as we are. Like all living beings, they each have their own stories, histories, attributes,
and, perhaps most importantly, their own agendas—which may not be the same as ours!
The main difference between Them and the rest of us is that they are trans-corporeal—
independent of individual bodies and hence immortal. They are not, however, omniscient (allknowing)
or omnipotent (all-powerful), though they do know things and have influences that we
as mortals do not. Just as in dealing with anyone else, we must treat and respect them as real
beings if we are to develop a genuine relationship with them. For example, we find it useful to
consider that when we call them to enter our circle and attend our rite, the first thing they’re
going to say is: “Well? Why have you called Us? This had better be good!” And it better be!
It is entirely up to you to decide whom you want to invite into your Circle. Whatever works
and feels right is right. Many rituals will invoke both a goddess and a god, just as you might
invite both your mom and your dad to Thanksgiving dinner or to a play or other performance
you’re in. There are, of course, many different gods, goddesses, and other spirit beings to choose
from. Every culture that has existed throughout history has had its own pantheon, and I recommend
you study some of these and become familiar with them. (See the lists of deities and their
attributes in the Appendix.) But just as one can speak of Woman or Man as an abstract, transcendent
idea, without having to name each and every individual man or woman, so we can speak of
The Goddess or The God without having to consider all of them individually.
In the HOME Tradition, we usually invite the Goddess in first, and then the God. This order
may be reversed at some festivals or Sabbats (such as Lugnnasadh or Mabon), which are particularly
dedicated to the God. Some Pagans have the God and Goddess take turns being first as
the seasons roll around, while others may call upon only one or the other. Or a particular ritual
may call for several deities. If you participate in Circles by various groups, you’ll learn how they
do it. In such matters, always remember that there is no one true right and only way to worship
the Lord and Lady—or any other deities. Some, in fact, are androgynous, hermaphroditic, or
transgendered, which will require adaptions. Whatever works and feels right is right!