Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...
Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...
Creating Circles and Ceremonies: Rituals for All ... - reading...
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86 <strong>Creating</strong> <strong>Circles</strong> & <strong>Ceremonies</strong><br />
sip, then elevates the cup <strong>and</strong> intones, “Gods, I needed that!” And means it. Then begins the<br />
daily recapitulation of ontogeny...<br />
Sects of the Javacrucian Tradition vary mainly around additives to the basic brewe:<br />
• The Left-Out Path<br />
• The Path of Delectable Darkness<br />
• The Milky Way<br />
• The Path of Sweetness <strong>and</strong> Light<br />
Associated cults include Teaosophists, Rastacolians, Matteyanists, <strong>and</strong> Chocolytes.<br />
Air<br />
Breath<br />
Breath is a rhythm that accompanies every moment. Unlike our heartbeats, we can consciously<br />
control breath: holding it, speeding it up, slowing it down, making it shallow or deep,<br />
raspy or smooth. Yet when we are asleep or unconscious, our breath continues. Because breath<br />
can be controlled both by the conscious <strong>and</strong> unconscious minds, it is used as a bridge between<br />
the two. In many languages the word <strong>for</strong> spirit <strong>and</strong> the word <strong>for</strong> breath are the same: ruach in<br />
Hebrew, esprit in French, prana in Sanskrit, <strong>and</strong> pneuma in Greek. Breath has been used since<br />
prehistory not only as a bridge between the conscious <strong>and</strong> unconscious, but also as a bridge<br />
between body <strong>and</strong> spirit. Breath is the foundation of most sacred sex practices. It is used in ritual<br />
to raise <strong>and</strong> focus energy <strong>and</strong> to bring an experience of full aliveness, embodying the spirit <strong>and</strong><br />
inspiring the body.<br />
Music<br />
Music plays a central role in almost every religious tradition. Diverse groups of people can<br />
grow very close very quickly through an experience of music or singing. Music fills the air<br />
around us, embracing everyone present <strong>and</strong> echoing in our souls. The Pagan community is<br />
blessed with many inspired musicians <strong>and</strong> bards, <strong>and</strong> these folk contribute to virtually every<br />
Pagan ritual <strong>and</strong> occasion, often inviting everyone to join in. The two most ancient <strong>and</strong> widespread<br />
sacred instruments are the voice <strong>and</strong> drum. Both are intimately connected to the rhythms<br />
of the body—the voice to breath <strong>and</strong> the drum to heartbeat.<br />
Fire<br />
Campfires<br />
The most ancient <strong>and</strong> distinctively human experience is that of sitting around a campfire,<br />
sharing songs <strong>and</strong> stories with your clan. A campfire automatically <strong>for</strong>ms the focus of a primal<br />
Circle, <strong>and</strong> scrying into the flames may reveal many things. Firewalking also has been practiced<br />
by many as an initiatory <strong>and</strong> trans<strong>for</strong>mative experience.<br />
C<strong>and</strong>le-Burning<br />
Burning c<strong>and</strong>les of selected colors may be used in spellwork. Some of the most popular<br />
color associations are:<br />
• Red— Physical work, healing of people <strong>and</strong> animals, passion, sex<br />
• Orange— Pride, courage heroism, attraction<br />
• Yellow— Mental work, meditation, intellect<br />
• Green— Vegetation, gardening, fertility, prosperity<br />
• Blue— Emotional work, love, peace, protection<br />
• Violet— Power, wealth, good <strong>for</strong>tune<br />
• Black— Blighting, binding<br />
• White— Blessing, or anything you want!
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