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The
following is the basic guide that WildWood uses for writing a ritual
- Ground and Centre - before any ritual can
begin, the participants must be calm and focussed on the task ahead. WildWood
uses the following structure for Grounding and Centring: Imagine your base (of
your spine) becoming the roots of a tree, these roots grow deep into the
Earth, feminine energy streams up these roots and half fills your body.
Imagine your Crown (top of your head) becoming the branches of a huge tree.
These branches spread to the sky and beyond, masculine energy streams down
your branches and fills the top half of your body. The two energies, dark and
light join with an orgasmic BANG! You are grounded and you are centred.
- Cast Circle - Witches cast circle to prevent
negative energies and beings from interrupting their workings. Basically what
the "circle" is is a sphere of brilliant white light that surrounds the
working space, above below and around. In WildWood we cast circle by using the
chant: "We weave the wyrd of WildWood, the ancient place where stones once
stood. We turn the wheel, great circle's mark, to join the light unto the
dark. We weave and wind and bend and twist, the ancient power of WildWood
tryst. To form the Circle's holy trove and call upon the WildWood grove." This
chant is very specific to the Coven of the WildWood and should not be used by
everyone. A chant for general use is: "From hand to hand, this light we pass;
from hand to hand, this circle cast". When casting circle, everyone present
should join hands and form a circle. The right hand should be placed on top to
pass energy and the left hand underneath to receive energy. Energy is passed
in a deosil direction (anti-clockwise).
- Calling the Elements - The Inner Court of
WildWood have special chants for each of the four elements (Air, Fire, Water
and Earth). These chants are not known to the Outer Court/general public so we
won't be posting them here. Basically each element should be invoked (Air,
then Fire, then Water and then Earth) individually by calling on the aspects
of that element. The call will always end with the words "Hail and Welcome". A
candle should be lit in the direction of the element. The table below lists
some characteristics of each of the elements (taken from Asiya's Shadows - see
Links):
|
Characteristic/Element: |
Air |
Fire |
Water |
Earth |
|
Direction (Sth. Hem.) |
East |
North |
West |
South |
| Sun
Phase |
Rising sun (dawn) |
Midday |
Setting sun (dusk) |
Midnight |
|
Elementals |
Sylphs |
Salamanders |
Undines |
Gnomes |
|
WildWood Guardian |
Owl |
Fox |
Stag |
Mother Bear and Cub |
| Symbol |
Tip up triangle + line |
Tip up triangle |
Tip down triangle |
Tip down triangle + line |
| Other |
Sky, Wind, Clouds, Flowers |
Fire, Sun, Stars, Volcanoes |
Waterfalls, Ocean, Rain |
Mountains, Caves, Forests |
Calling Spirit - Spirit is the fifth element
and the joiner of the other four elements. It is the quintessence of mind and
providence of the Great Mystery. The call will always end with the words "Hail
and Welcome". A candle should be lit in the centre of the four elements.
Invoking the Ancient Trinity - The Ancient
Trinity is the Land, the Sky and the Sea. WildWood invokes the Ancient Trinity
by saying "By land, by sky, by sea; by the ancient trinity; So Mote It Be".
The Trinity represents the 3 Earth realms.
Calling the God/s and Goddess/es - WildWood
has two Patron Gods and two Patron Goddesses: The Weaver, the Green Man, The
Crescent-Crowned Goddess and The Stag-Horned God. During our circles, members
of WildWood call upon one of the Gods/Goddesses. We do this by
getting a clear picture of them in our head and verbally inviting them to join
us. Outside of the Coven, people often call on The Lord (masculine energy) and
the Lady (feminine energy) or on their own particular Gods and Goddesses. The
call will always end with the words "Hail and Welcome".
Drawing Down the Moon - If you are conducting
a New Moon or Full Moon Esbat, it is important to invite the Moon to join you.
WildWood does this by pointing the athame up and inviting her and "drawing"
her into the circle. The call will always end with the words "Hail and
Welcome".
Calling the WildWood - This aspect of a
ritual is not for the general public, it is specific to the Coven of the
WildWood. We invite the Astral realm of WildWood to join us as it is our
heartland. "Deep beneath the shade and power, of this tree we call our tower.
days fleeting shadows fall, across the path our feet touch all. End to end
this circle's path, blazing, shining as we laugh. Dance the merry round with
spark, as we Witches' tread the dark. Wheel turning eight-rayed sun. Spiral
serpents birth the one. Crescent-Moon lays down her claim, to her lover
hanging lame. And we the witches of WildWood, stand where ancient stones once
stood. Now the Greening seeks the Grove and that which rests in treasure
trove." The call will always end with the words "Hail and Welcome".
Farewelling - Before you open circle, you do
everything backwards (i.e. WildWood, Moon, Gods/Goddesses, Ancient Trinity,
Spirit, Elements, Open Circle, Ground). In WildWood we usually start by
saying, "We thank and acknowledge [insert here] for its presence in our
circle. Hail and Farewell." (everyone echoes "Hail and Farewell)
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