Pagan 101Ritual Overview : Pagan 101Ritual Overview
Slide 2 : All as it Was in This Place TimelessBe Nancy Woods
All as it was in this place timeless
All as it was between the human soul and the earth
For these is no Difference between
The life of a man and the life of all growing things
Who is to say if a man
Shall not be a tree instead?
We Pray to all nature and do it no harm
These are our Brothers
All Men and all Animals and All trees
Some part of ourselves
Is in either and sky and everywhere
It shall coninue
As long as Nature follows it own Purpose
It shall continue
As long as we know what we are doing here
Slide 3 : Overview
A Ritual is defined as a rite; a formal procedure or act in a religious or other serious context. Connected with the word are overtones of its being a repetitive act. Getting up in the morning is performed ritualistically by many people. Ritual has a number of benefits, the most important of which may be the creation of a group mind. It may be used for celebration, or for Magical work.
Pagan ritual, whether formal or informal, has a certain structure and it can be divided into a number of relatively separate steps. For successful ritual it is necessary that each of these steps take place, and that the logical order of the ritual be preserved. Particularly when teaching, many Pagan groups use set, written, rituals, which are followed pretty accurately. Many groups, at one time or another, will substitute highly informal ritual for the written ones. Familiarity with the basic steps of ritual help the newcomer to adjust to the differences in ritual encountered in the same group amongst the various occasions of ritual; and when visiting ritual held by other groups.
Slide 4 : Why do Ritual?
To celebrate the change of seasons
To tune into the earth
To thank Deity for things
To work for Healing
To work for something we need/want (spell working)
To invoke changes within ourselves
Can you think of other reasons?
Slide 5 : Steps in Ritual
All ritual, whether formal or informal, written or free-wheeling, must contain a certain basic structure; obviously it would be pointless to direct and ground the power before it had been raised. The basic structure of most neo-pagan ritual is very similar, whether it is Wiccan, Druid, or generic pagan.
Planning of ritural – Purpose, items needed, date/time, Writing ritual
Define Sacred space
Summon spirits, powers and/or deity
Define purpose of ritual
Raising of power
Directing power
Gounding power
Cakes and cup
Dismissal
Clean up
Slide 6 : Planning a ritual
For a Ritual you need a –
Reason for – Why do you want to do a ritual?
When – you need a date and time,
Ritual – Do you need to fully write or adapt a ritual/spell
Reqired Items – Anything special you need?
These are important steps. Forgetting the Matches/fire to light the candles and ritual fire tends to dampen the ritual.
Slide 7 : These are the steps needed in a Ritual
Define Sacred space – where are you going to cast your circle? Inside or outside and how large?
Summon spirits, powers and/or deity – which Deities and quarter guardians are you going to call
Define purpose of ritual – what are you asking for and what outcome would you like to see
Raising of power - how are you going to raise power? Meditation, Dancing, Chanting .. Or a mixture?
Directing power - what are you asking for.. And how are you going to see it sent to where ever?
Slide 8 : Gounding power - how are you going to ground extra power?
Cakes and cup – what type Cakes and wine are you going to used?
Dismissal – how are you going to thank the guardians and Deities you called? And dismiss the circle?
Clean up – very important. Make sure ritural objects are cleaned or disposed of properly.
Slide 9 : Homework and questions
1. How would you define ritual?
2. What is it's importance in the Wiccan religion? Is it an absolute necessity?
3. Have you ever been in circle? Did your experience(s) resemble the way ritual is described in the lesson?
4. Briefly describe what you feel are the most important items used in ritual. Why? Do you absolutely have to have any of these tools in order to do ritual?
Casting Circle
1. What does it mean when you cast a circle?
2. Briefly describe you would setup a circle, include any tools or
elements you would use.
3. How would you cast a circle? What visualization do you use?
4. What is the importance of an entrance or a door in circle?
5. What would you include on the altar and why?
Slide 10 : Invoking Deities
In this context, "invoke" means to invite usually a God, Goddess, and the Community (the remembrance of all who follow paths compatible with our own). How would you invite a deity?
Cone of Power
1. Define the cone of power.
2. How do you raise it and what do you do with it?
Earthing or Grounding the Power
1. What is the importance of grounding?
2. How do you ground?
3. What happens if you don't ground?
Slide 11 : Cakes and Wine
1. What do cakes and wine represent in circle?
2. Why do we do it?
Closing the Circle
1. Why is it important to close the area we worked in?
2. Do you thank the deities and elements for attending? If so or if not, why?
Circle Etiquette
1. How should you prepare before going into circle?
2. Which direction do most circles move?
3. What do you consider polite circle behavior to be