THE WITCH'S CORNER

 "We seek to find peace of mind in the word, the formula, the ritual."

Upon this page, you will find:

 1.  Circle Casting

2.  Cakes & Wine

3.  Initiation (solitary ritual)

4.  Wiccaning (baby naming)

5.  Female Puberty Rites

6.  Male Puberty Rites

7.  Croning (eldering for women)

8.  Saging (eldering for men)

9.  Handfasting

10.  Marriage

11.  Divorce or Separation

12.  Death or Remembrance

13.  Blessing a House or Property

14.  Book Blessing

 There are many different types of circle castings.  This is one of the most basic:

Circle Casting

 

Whenever you are going to do magic, you should cast a magic circle.  It will keep any undirected energy that you stir up inside the circle.  The magic circle also protects you from any harmful entities or magical beings.  Inside your circle is holy, consecrated ground where you are safe and where only things that you invite may enter.  The circle serves to hold and concentrate the energies you raise when spell casting until you are ready to release them.

 

You should never cast a circle when...

 

1.  you are sick or exhausted

2.  when you are unprepared

3.  when you are angry

 

Cleanse the space you are going to use to cast your circle by using a broom to “sweep out” all negativity (and dirt!) from this space, sweeping East to West, while chanting:

 

“Sweep, sweep with this broom,

In this place,

All negativity from this space."

 

Consecrate this area by walking around it three times...

 

1.  first with a chalice of wine/water:

 

“I walk the circle once around to cleanse and consecrate this ground.”

 

2.  second, with a bowl of salt:

 

“I walk the circle once again. 

Between the worlds, time can bend.”

 

3.  Third time with your burning incense:

 

“I walk the circle thrice this time.

For the protection of the God/Goddess are mine.”

 

 

OR

 

 

You can add a pinch of salt to a bowl of water, stirring it deosil (clockwise) with your finger. After sweeping the area with your broom, use your hand to sprinkle the area with this water.

 

When you have completed the cleansing of this space, say:

 

 

“The circle is now cast and we are between the worlds, beyond the bounds of time, where night and day, birth and death, joy and sorrow, meet as one.”

 

 

When your rituals/magical workings are complete, the circle must be dismantled (closed) properly.  To neglect this step, is to run the risk of leaving scattered energies running amok.

 

Hold your wand/athame in your power hand.  Use it to trace the circle widdershins (counter-clockwise), while saying:

 

“Open now this sacred space.  Send all energies back to place.  Fare thee well and safe return, Let not my magic ‘ere be turned”

 

 

OR

 

 

Sit in the center of the circle, raising your wand/athame above your head.  In one swift motion make a widdershins circle in the air, saying:

 

“This circle is open but never broken.”

 

 

 

 

 

 This is one of my favorite circle casting incantations:

 

 A Circle Casting for Folk Magick

~ courtesy of Silver Ravenwolf



“Witches’ lair and wolverine night,

Ancient Ones bring second sight.

Blood and bones of those before,

Help me with this little chore.



Thread and pins and natural things

At my bidding magick bring.

East and South, West and North,

Circle round, bring power forth.



Land and sky, fire and sea,

Open now for Divinity,

Spirit rise and seal this place,

I now work in sacred space.”

To view/purchase books by Silver Ravenwolf, click here.

To visit Silver's official website, click here.

 

  

"As this athame is the male,

 so this cup is the female, and joined they bring

 blessings."  

 

 This is the most beautiful initiation ritual that I have ever come across, solitary or otherwise.  It is taken from, "Witchcraft:  Theory & Practice" by Ly de Angeles.  At the bottom of this box, you will find a link to this book.

It is required that you enter into personal initiation as seriously as if you were being initiated at the discretion of a witch of High Priesthood.  Therefore, you will be required to fast from sunset of the day before until the dark of the night you have chosen, and to speak as little as possible (preferably not at all).  Contemplation is part of the preparation.  You are to be between-the-worlds for this time.

You are to learn the ritual by rote.  You can tape The Journey and play it at the appropriate time (your tape player is to be battery-operated as you won’t have an electrical cable crossing the border of your circle), but have it written in your Book of Shadows, and have this book in your circle with you (as well as a pen).

Requirements

1.  A silver pentagram necklace.  This is your gift of initiation to yourself and also the symbol of your own commitment (there are many amulets and talismans that are worn by witches the world over that are specific to their own lineage, but the pentagram is an acknowledged symbol by all occultists).

2.  A bottle of very good red wine (or fruit juice if you desire something nonalcoholic).

3.  Four candles (colors of your choice) for the elemental gateways, one black and one white candle (representing the understanding of duality) for the altar, and one white candle for your altar candle.

4.  Prepare specific oil for this night, sufficient to cover your whole body, but have your vial of magical oil on the altar.  You will use it tonight for the second time.

5.  Have all ritual equipment and tools within the circle with you (don’t forget matches or a lighter), as well as your Book of Shadows, a pen, and the tape player and tape of The Journey.

6.  The ritual is to be worked within the boundary of the cast circle.

Between sunset and full dark of the day of your initiation, you will reive and set up your sacred space in preparation.  Bathe with intent.  Have all necessary things on the altar (including the silver pentagram necklace and the bowl of specially prepared oil) within the boundary of your circle.

Make the incense of your choice and pour the wine into the cup.

Be certain that you will not be disturbed.

Cast the circle.  Move deosil at all times.  Light only the candle in the west (do not invoke any of the guardians at this time). 

Seat yourself before your altar and prepare yourself as you have learned.  When you're ready, make the sign of the invoking pentagram of Earth with your athame over the container of specially prepared oil, and then rub your entire body with it saying:
 

“I, (name), am properly prepared

to take the rite of initiation.

I have no fear.  I am committed to this.

I have two perfect words, Love and Trust,

And with all things I will uphold my oath rightly.”

Start the tape of "The Journey"...Be seated on the ground with your knees drawn up, your arms around them, and your head resting on your arms for the entire journey.

Note:  I use “we” and “I” and “the rider” in particularly interwoven fashion throughout the journey to indicate both you and you-within-the vision.  Don’t let it disturb you.  Once you’ve read the vision through...you’ll understand.

The Journey Between the Worlds

I see before me the Tunnel of Time.  I project myself toward this place and am drawn down and down, back and back, way, way back to before the dawn of Christendom in a land of emerald green and ageless beauty.

I am flying low over rolling hills and moorlands, circling freely over forests and small hamlets of country folk, over manor and mere heading toward an inevitable destiny.

I slow and close the distance between my world and this.  The timelessness of a winter’s night is silent; not even the sounds of the hawk or the owl can be heard through the thickening pall.  I descend.

Now I hear muffled sounds from the marshland below me.  I come to ground level where the mist is not so thick, but moving, steadily shape shifting as it swirls around the mire.

There!  Just ahead, on horseback, holding high a lantern to pick a path through this desolate place is the horse and rider that I have been seeking.

I swoop slowly and land, as a mist, upon the horse’s rump.

We think of naught; we must not lose our thoughts upon any other theme than that of following the almost imperceptible path through this empty place.

No life here.  The lights of a thousand lost souls glint through the mist to remind us of our peril, but we hesitate not and heed not their warnings.  My destiny burns within my soul and would destroy me were it not fulfilled.

I can see myself clearly by the light of the lantern; outlined with the ravages of many a sleepless night, I am gaunt.  My jaw twitches with my effort and my eyes are haunted the dream.  I am physically strong, cat-like.  I clench the lantern, vice-like, in my hand.  My clothing is simple: thonging crisscrossing the furs about my calves and woolen leggings as thick as mail about my thighs.  My jerkin is the skin of a wolf snared in some past day and my cloak is russet and of heavy woven wool that hangs limply along the sides of my mount.  I wear a hood of leather, but my hair lays in tangled rivulets down my back.

The length thus far, of my journey lays heavily upon me, and my shoulders are bent foreword with fatigue; but we may not stop until we are past this dreadful place.

Hour upon hour we move, well into the midnight, until at last the horse raises her head and snorts as she stumbles onto the grassland.  We travel slowly still until the rider is certain of our bearings, then we roar with triumph and we are off, running like the wind, as the plain thunders beneath us!

We slow as dawn creeps above the horizon in a washed-out blur, and horse and rider, sweating at their efforts, breathe deeply at the sight.  We come at length to a copse of trees into which we walk.  We dismount and lead our beloved mare into the depths.  There, a stream, cool and deep, at which we drink before we lead the horse to graze beneath the oaks and peer around, cautiously, to guess that none come here often; that we might have peace for a few hours during which we will rest.

I know not why, but know it I do, that the rider wishes to be seen by no one, so we ride by night and hide by day so that none may know that we are abroad.

We unsaddle the mare, crooning to her as we do so, and rub her down with the blanket from beneath the saddle.  A smile crosses the rider’s face, and a look that stirs my soul with its intensity and passion.  Our task done, we proceed to prepare a small fire over which we roast potatoes and a strip of dried meat.  We draw a leather flask from our pouch from which we quaff deeply, the contents sweet and fiery.  Having eaten of our simple meal, we stamp the fire and curl within the cloak to sleep away the daylight hours.

And so I watch...

...at one point I rise above the trees and seek to ascertain our safety, for although the rider is furtive and a feared of notice, I ache for the quest, knowing it is also my own, and my compassion reaches out to the strength within our sleeping form who would do no harm without good cause.  I know not how I would rouse us should danger approach, but there is no farm or village within distance, so I fear not for us.

I return to find us turning about restlessly in our sleep, the dream causing much mumbling and sighing; ad so it is for a few hours more until I am woken by my own shouts.  Sweat beads upon my face, and I stand and remove my hood and cloak, and walk to the stream to wash myself, ad so lose the dreaming.  I again light the fire and draw from my pouch a large cup that I fill from the stream.  I brew a draught of strong herbs to help me to wakefulness for the long night ahead.

My journey will be done, thus far, on this night—at least where riding is concerned.  The journey of the rest of my life is just beginning, the end of which is assured in my mind.  There is no turning back from what I so earnestly seek but what I so earnestly dread; for it is unclear to me what ventures will befall me between the present moment and some eventual death.

I stamp the fire and cover its remains with dirt and brambles so that none may know that any had passed this way.  I call to my horse and she comes from her grazing by the stream.  I saddle her and attach my pouch to my belt.  I don hood and cloak, and mount.  We move slowly through the trees in the direction of the setting sun.  We reach the edge of the woods and wait.

When the night is black, I ride; hour upon hour do I ride.  This night is clear and I watch the stars for a bearing.  Sometimes I walk the horse, sometimes it almost seems that she flies.  Rising behind me the Moon glows full and high, lighting the way. 

Ahead I see monolithic rocks rising to the night sky and the mist of ocean reaches all about us.  The tang of salt is in the rider’s nose and I see my nostrils flare and my eyes widen with that same unseeing passion.  We approach the cliffs and I hear the roaring of waves thrashing upon the rocks below as it relentlessly drawing all within themselves.  A wild place is this!  I see a vast expanse of inky blackness within each rock’s shadow, which is also the sea over which the Moon glows, causing a pathway between herself and the things beneath the waters.

I stop to light the lantern for the path is rough and the mare troubles with each step.  I sigh and lay my head upon my arm before raising myself straight within the saddle.  “It is now,” I whisper, “We wait and seek no more!  As know, I have arrived!”  I look ahead to a rocky outcrop like a finger upon the sea.

I ride hard then, sparks flying from the horse’s hooves upon the granite way.  As we approach the peninsula, I see a faint glow, as if from another lantern.  I slow down now, and throw my own light over the cliff.  I am wary and seek to approach unseen.  I dismount and walk toward the glow.  I see a small cottage almost buried so deeply was it built within the overhand of the cliffs, like a tiny fortress against the wild winds and sea.  A lonelier spot I have never known.

The rider’s face is set like stone and I cannot perceive what thoughts are veiled within.  We walk with dignity, as if to our death. 

I come at length to the door, of massive proportion compared to the size of the cottage.  I hesitate not but ban a fist upon it, a sigh upon cold lips.  There is a wait, then a woman’s voice calls from beyond the door, “Who comes?”

“I am called (your ritual name), I shout.  There is a laugh from within and the door is swung wide.  There stands a small woman dressed in male attire, with wild copper hair cascading down her back.

You are doubly welcome, (name) and thrice!  We have waited long for you!”

“I knew it to be true!” I reply, although I smile not.  “Was it you who called me here?”

It was your own dream, (name), and not of our doing.  Enter.  I shall tether the mount and see her well.”

“What name have you?” I ask, without moving; but she just smiles and shakes her head and again bids me enter.

The room is dark save for the lantern in the window and the fire in the hearth.  I see that only the first of the cottage is man hewn and that the rest is of solid rock formed from the depths of the cliff.  A hooded figure stands from a chair beside the fire.  Straight of frame and as tall as an elm, but with the whiteness of hair to tell of great age, that falls to shoulders that show no stoop, hallowed with fireglow.  He wears a robe of heavy dove-gray wool, and as he moves toward me he smiles.  I see great love in the smile, but as I look into his eyes I flinch at their blackness and depths.  There is unfathomable power within them as though they had seen the passing of time from its very conception and had learned from the travel all that had been there to learn.

“I’ve missed you, (name)!  Blessed be!” he says, as though he knows me well.  He takes my arm and leads me to stand before the fire.  “We have known that you would come.”  He laughs with obvious glee.

“Who is the woman?  By all the Gods, who are you? I demand, as although this whole thing excites me, I fear it also and am tired of the mystery that has haunted me waking and sleeping.

“She is who I am, and who you are to become!” he replies.

“Her name?”

“Call Her (a name from myth with which you resonate), and She will answer you!”

“And you, Sir, what be your name?” I ask again.

“(The name of your myth) is one of the names that I am known to be, child.”

“And why am I here?” I ask, hoping for confirmation of my yearning.

“To learn, (name), the secrets of life and fire!  To be at one with Her and mold tomorrow with all of my yesterdays!” he says.

“What must I do?” I ask...

“Show me the ritual!”

You will return, then, to the place of your circle and proceed with the rite.  Refer to your Book of Shadows only if absolutely necessary.  Go deosil about your circle and light all the candles, then the incense.  Consecrate the water with your athame, making the sign of the pentagram in it.  Consecrate the salt, likewise, and add it to the water.

Now stand and, beginning at the gate of Earth, hold aloft your pentacle and bear it about your circle, leaving it at the gate once you have returned there.  Do likewise from the gate of Air, with the incense; at the gate of Fire with both the black and the white candles of duality (that you have on the altar); and from the gate of Water with the consecrated water, sprinkling as you walk your circle.

Return to the altar, raise your dagger aloft and say:

I, (name), in this place which is not a place,

And in this time which is not a time,

Do give my most solemn and sacred oath

That I will abide by my chosen path

And will fulfill the dance of my destiny

Without complaint,

Knowing it to be the Way of that

 which I call my Goddess

and that which I call my God!

I shall keep silent all things

Entrusted to me by the Gods

And by those who seek silence of me,

In the true nature of priestess!

I hereby take upon myself the life of witch

And tell all that gather here

That my name is (Craft Name)!

Now take the pentagram necklace from the altar, go deosil about your circle, and hold it up to each gateway saying:

Earth, I call to you,

Great guardian of the gate of Earth!

I hold before you the symbol of my initiation!

Acknowledge me,

For I am, (name)

Priestess and witch!

Place it momentarily on the pentacle to infuse it with the power of Earth.

Air, I call to you,

Great guardian of the gate of Air!

I hold before you the symbol of my initiation!

Acknowledge me,

For I am (name),

Priestess and witch!

Hold the pentacle within the smoke of the incense for a moment to infuse it with the power of Air.

Fire, I call to you,

Great guardian of the gate of Fire!

I hold before you the symbol of my initiation!

Acknowledge me,

For I am (name),

Priestess and witch!

Pass the amulet through the flames to charge it with the power of Fire.

Water, I call to you,

Great guardian of the gate of Water!

I hold before you the symbol of my initiation!

Acknowledge me,

For I am (name),

Priestess and witch!

Dip the amulet into the consecrated water to charge it with the power of that element.

Return to your altar and drop the pentacle necklace over your head.

Take up your athame and place the blade, oh, so sensually, into the wine in your chalice and say:

Sip.  Put a drop of this fluid on your finger and trace the pentagram on your own forehead with it.

 

Stand and take the vial of sacred oil.  Put a little on both of your feet saying:

 

Blessed be these feet

Made to walk the path of the twice-born!

 

Touch your knees with the oil saying:

 

Blessed be these knees

Made to kneel at the altar of all things!

 

Touch your genitals with the oil saying:

 

Blessed be the way of the creation of life!

 

Touch oil to your chest saying:

 

Blessed be this breast

Formed in beauty and strength!

 

Touch oil just above the below your lips saying:

 

Blessed be these lips that speak the truth;

By all the names of Goddess and God!

May I be blessed!  Blessed be!

 

Finally you will dedicate yourself to one of the faces of both Goddess and God: name them, understanding that these names represent certain powers and influences that you seek to know and represent.  Oath yourself to clarity and the refusal of betrayal of the Way of Witch.

 

Drink deeply now from the cup, leaving a libation that you will pour onto the earth.

 

Take up your athame and circle from Earth to Air to Fire to Water, farewelling each guardian and closing each gate.

 

Write in the back of your Book of Shadows the ritual name that you have taken and the date of your initiation (and any other pertinent details).

 

Then open your circle using your athame to withdraw the force field; earth it as you have been taught.  Put away all things of ritual.

 

Have a feast to ground yourself and celebrate.

 

The rite is done.  Blessed Be!

 

Before you go to sleep that night, and each night for a couple of weeks, repeat silently, or whispered, using your ritual name...

 

I am (name),

Priestess and Witch!

 

 

 

 Congratulations, Welcome to The Craft!Blessings, Lady Amythyst

To view/purchase "Witchcraft:  Theory & Practice" by Ly De Angeles, click here.

 To view/purchase handcrafted pagan ritual robes, click here.

*Note:  In Ly's original copy of this ritual she uses the dual option of Priestess/Priest.  I chose to use the term "Priestess" exclusively.  If the person taking this intiation is a male, he may simply use the term Priest in place of Priestess.

A “Wiccaning” is the formal presentation of a baby to the Goddess and the God.  This same ceremony can be used when a couple adopts a child.  The couple can be joined by supportive family and friends.

Items needed:

The regular ritual tools, plus the wand/athame, a white candle with the child’s name carved into it, the cauldron, a special piece of jewelry, and a plate of cookies.  The carved candle is placed inside the cauldron, which is set in the center of the altar.

Cast the circle.

*Note:  When calling the Quarters, a special invitation may be sent out to the Guardians of the Watchtowers...

“Join us as we welcome a new soul into our midst.”

The Priestess stands before the altar and touches the carved candle with her wand or athame and says:

“This candle represents this child, who has been given by the Lady and the Lord to __________.  May __________ always walk the ancient path of light and love.”

The parents come to the altar with the child.  One of them lights the carved candle from the altar candle. 

They both say:

“This child is born of our love and joy.  We freely bring __________ to this altar to thank the Goddess and the God.  We will share with __________ our love, our faith in the Old Way, and the light of our spiritual path.”

(If the child is adopted, substitute the following, instead of the above paragraph.)

Both parents say:

We chose this child above all others.  We freely bring __________ to this altar to thank the Goddess and the God for joining __________ with us.  We will share with __________ our love, our faith in the Old Ways, and the light of our spiritual path."

The Priestess or the one officiating says:

“Have you named this child?”

The parents answer:

“Yes, This child is named __________.

Priestess:

“Is it your will that this child be raised in the Old Way?”

Parents:

"It is our will that __________ follow the ancient path to the Goddess and the God.”

The Priestess or one of the parents gently sprinkles the child’s head with consecrated water from the chalice.  She says:

“We bless you with Water.  We name you __________, and welcome you into this life.  May your life be one of joy and love.  May the sacred circle always bring you peace and comfort.  And may your heart always cleave to the Lady and Her Lord.”

The Priestess carefully passes a lighted candle over the child.  She says:

“We bless you with Fire.”

The Priestess carefully passes incense over the child.  She says:

"We bless you with Air."

The Priestess places a pinch of salt on the child's tongue.  She says:

"We bless you with Earth."

The Priestess holds her dominant hand over the child, saying:

“We bless you with Earth, Air, Fire, Water, four Elements do we freely give.  The fifth is Spirit.  That comes only from the Lady and the Lord.”

The Priestess takes the piece of jewelry out of the cauldron and hands it to the parents.  The parents may put it on the child, or hold it for her/him.

The Priestess says:

“Rejoice all spirits of nature and the Elements!  Rejoice, all Pagans, near and far!  Come, all guardians and teachers in spirit!  We welcome __________ within this circle with all our love, for __________ is a gift from the Old Ones!”

The ritual of Cakes & Wine is begun and the wine is blessed as usual and then...

The Priestess raises the juice chalice high over the altar, and says:

“To the Lord of the Harvest!”