The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Wiccaning Ritual

Goal:

This ritual is for the purpose of formally naming a child, and presenting him or to the universe. It is a first rite of passage for a new life, called “christening” in Christianity.

Supplies:

Standard altar set up, and a candle to match the color of the zodiac sun sign under which the child was born. Guests and their symbolic gifts, parents and siblings of the child and their symbolic gifts. If the name has a visual symbol, you may place something on the altar to symbolize it, in our example, a {child’s name} feather for {child’s name}.

Optional God/dess Parent Component:

The Goddess Parents should be brought forth then to the center of the circle, and the parents as well. one parent should hold the baby.

Priestess: In times past, children were not the sole responsibility of the biological parents. This responsibility is too great for any one or two people to bear alone. I hope that all in the community would help a child in need. As a reminder that children need many sources of support, the tradition of the god/goddess parents arose. These chosen people will have a special relationship with {child’s name}, will be there should she need someone outside the home to talk to. To share experiences, and to be a “neutral” and loving third party should the family need help.

The parent should say {God/dess parent’s name or names} will you participate in the upbringing of this child, {child’s name}. Will you be their to listen to her, and help and advise us for her welfare if necessary?

God/dess parents answer

Parent passes the child to the god/dess parent. If there is more than one, the goddess parent holding the child repeats the speech and then hands it to the other or next god parent. Then the parent takes the child back and says.

God/dess parent(s): Bless and keep you {child’s name}. I will be here for you.

Name Chant

The parent(s) then sit or stand in the center of the circle with the baby, and the group chants the baby’s name. For example, they might being Rob-in, Rob-in, {child’s name}, then people will start to say it in different ways, whispering it, singing it, saying it in different tones and inflections, it should make a musical sound to raise energy. When the power is at it’s peak the priestess or parent should call it by standing with the child and holding them up the energy then goes forth to the universe, declaring the presence of young {child’s name} and blessing the child. This energy could go into a protective shield for the child, if desired.

All eat cakes and wine, ground, open circle, thank and say farewell to quarters and deities. and celebrate, and probably change the baby!

As part of the celebration, make a time to let each person present their symbolic gift to the child, and state their wishes. It is best to go around for this so everyone can hear and join in this portion of the ceremony. This may be done inside the circle before the called and wine if desired.



SELF DEDICATION RITUAL



Materials needed:



Two white taper candles.

One Red taper or pillar candle.

One Green or white votive.

One Red or white votive.

One White votive.

One Blue votive.

A bowl of salt water

A dish of salt

A dish or vial of annointing oil

A Black cord at least 60", preferably about 110". (rather thick)

Incense (i prefer Red Sandalwood or Sage)

A sharp knife (for cutting a bit of your own hair)



Set all the candles on the altar. Light the red pillar/taper and say this:



"I CALL TO THE ESSENCE OF REBIRTH

PHOENIX FIREWIND, READY YOUR WOMB

FOR I SHALL BE REBORN IN LIGHT"



Light incense and say:



"I ASK THAT MY PRAYERS AND CALLS BE SENT TO

THE ETERNAL ONENESS OF THE SPIRIT OF DIVINITY"



Go to the Eastern portal and kneel, saying this:



"I ASK THAT A CIRCLE BE CAST FORTH IN BLAZING LIGHT

TO SET APART A SACRED SPACE THAT IS NEITHER HERE

NOR THERE THAT I CAN USE TO WORSHIP THE OLD ONES."



Go back to the altar in the center remembering to always walk clockwise (deosil) in the circle. Take the white votive, light it with the red candle called the *WORKING CANDLE* or W.C. for short, and carry to the east, hold it up and say...



"I CALL TO THE ELEMENT OF THE WINDS

BE A PART OF THIS DEDICATION CIRCLE

IMPARTING YOUR WISDOM. SO MOTE IT BE."



Walk Deosil back to the altar, and light the Red or White votive with the W.C., and carry to the south, hold it up and say...



"I CALL TO THE ELEMENT OF THE FLAMES

BE A PART OF THIS DEDICATION CIRCLE

IMPARTING YOUR POWER. SO MOTE IT BE."



Walk Deosil back to the altar, and light the Blue or White votive with the W.C., and carry to the west, hold it up and say...



"I CALL TO THE ELEMENT OF THE SEAS

BE A PART OF THIS DEDICATION CIRCLE

IMPARTING YOUR CHANGE. SO MOTE IT BE."



Walk Deosil back to the altar, and light the Green or White votive with the W.C., and carry to the north, hold it up and say...



"I CALL TO THE ELEMENT OF THE STONES

BE A PART OF THIS DEDICATION CIRCLE

IMPARTING YOUR STABILITY. SO MOTE IT BE."



Walk Deosil around the circle once and return to the East, hold up your hands and say:



"I INVOKE AND CONJURE YE OH SIDHE (FAERYS) OF

THE EAST. SLYPHS AND SPRITES I SUMMON THEE.

COME TO THIS CIRCLE AND BE ONE IN MY RITES."



(Note - Sidhe is pronounced Shee)



Walk Deosil around the circle to the South, hold up your hands and say:



"I INVOKE AND CONJURE YE OH SIDHE (FAERYS) OF

THE SOUTH. SALAMANDERS AND DRACOS I SUMMON THEE.

COME TO THIS CIRCLE AND BE ONE IN MY RITES."



Walk Deosil around the circle to the West, hold up your hands and say:



"I INVOKE AND CONJURE YE OH SIDHE (FAERYS) OF

THE WEST. UNDINES AND MERLINGS I SUMMON THEE.

COME TO THIS CIRCLE AND BE ONE IN MY RITES."



Walk Deosil around the circle to the North, hold up your hands and say:



"I INVOKE AND CONJURE YE OH SIDHE (FAERYS) OF

THE NORTH. GNOMES AND BEAN TIGHES I SUMMON THEE.

COME TO THIS CIRCLE AND BE ONE IN MY RITES."



(note- Bean Tighe is pronounced BAN TEE-Gh)

Walk Deosil around the circle returning to the Altar. If you are wearing a robe, or any jewelry strip them off, and annoint your chakaras, and the Wiccan 5 places of power (feet, knees, genitals, breast, brow). As you annoint the 5 places say:



"Blessed be my feet, that walked to this place.

Blessed be my knees that kneel to the Gods.

Blessed be my phallus/womb from which all life springs.

Blessed be my breast/s strong and bold/nuturing and warm.

Blessed be my brow that I might know the Gods."



Take the oil.. annoint your head with a celtic cross(an equilateral cross within a circle), your heart with the pentacle, and then your left breast, genitals, and right breast forming the sacred triangle. Take the censer and cense around you and your hair, and the sprinkle salt in your hair. At this point, if you wish, you may put back on your robe, and if you have jewelry, cense it, and the put it back on. Light the White taper you have decided will be the White taper of the God and kneel down.



Say:



"Oh Holy God, Sun King, Oak King, and Winter King.

You are always within me. And my love is always

yours. It is to you my heart calls. And i ask

in your name, to be dedicated in the Craft.

Burn like this candle, ever within me, and know

that I love you. So mote it be."



Kneel, squat, or sit down lotus/indian style and meditate to the God. In your meditation, view him and tell him how much you love him. Light the White taper you have decided will be the White taper of the Goddess and kneel down.



Say:



"Oh Holy Goddess, Maiden, Mother, and Crone.

You are forever my mother. And my love is

always yours. It is to you that i am born.

And i ask in your name to be dedicated into

the Craft. Burn like this candle, ever within me, and know

that I love you. So mote it be."



Kneel, squat, or sit down lotus/indian style and meditate to the Goddess. In your meditation

view her, and tell her how much you lover her. Cut a bit your hair and put it in the censer, and while your hair burns cense the black cord. Wrap the black cord around your waist. This is your cingulum. Your Wiccan's Belt. Black is the symbolic color of death and rebirth. If you wish sing or dance. Or listen to the rest of your tape.



CEREMONY OF INITIATION

Guided Meditation

(The following will be read to all participants in the form of a guided meditation, prior to the processional. It helps if the first paragraph is read by a male voice and the second paragraph by a female voice. NOTE: All are nude; the initiate is also blindfolded.)

Hear the words of the Threefold Goddess, who of old was called Artemis, Astarte, Dianna, Aphrodite, Ceridwen, Isis, Arionrhod, Brigid, Aradia, and many other names:

"Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me who is Queen of all the Wise. She who would learn all sorcery yet has not won its deepest secrets, them I will teach her, in truth, all things as yet unknown. And you shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you be free you shall be naked in your rites. Sing, feast, dance, make music and love in My presence, for Mine is the ecstasy of of the spirit and Mine also is joy on earth. For My law is love unto all beings. Nor do I demand aught of sacrafice, for behold, I am the mother of all things and My love is poured out upon the earth."

Processional

The Initiate is left to meditate as the others rise and follow the High Priest/ess into the Circle area and three times around, chanting:

"We all come from the Goddess,

And to her we shall return

Like a drop of rain,

Flowing to the ocean." (repeat)

Raising of the Circle

HIGH PRIEST/ESS takes the Sword from thealtar and traces a circle around the coveners. When he returns to the north, he kneels and salutes, saying, "Hail and well come, frosty Spirits of the North. Lend to us your power and protection this night, that
ALL: (envisioning a wall of dark-green light springing up from the circle) "So mote it be!"

HIGH PRIEST/ESS advances to the east, kneels and salutes, saying, "Hail and well come, bright Spirits of the East. Lend to us your power and protection that _initiate's born name_ may be given a true initiation, to justly wield the power of Air. So mote it be!"

ALL: (envisioning a wall of lemon-yellow light springing up from the circle, within the wall of green) "So mote it be!"

HIGH PRIEST/ESS advances to the south, kneels and salutes, saying, "Hail and well come, fiery Spirits of the South. Lend to us your power and protection that _initiate's born name_ may be given a true initiation, to justly wield the power of Fire. So mote it be!"

ALL: (envisioning a wall of crimson light springing up from the circle, within the walls of green and yellow) "So mote it be!"

HIGH PRIEST/ESS advances to the west, kneels and salutes, saying, "Hail and well come, tireless Spirits of the West. Lend to us your power and protection that
ALL: (envisioning a wall of dark blue light springing up from the circle, within the walls of green, yellow, and red) "So mote it be!"

Statement of Purpose

HIGH PRIEST/ESS: "I call upon the Horned God; I call upon the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone; I call upon the Spirits of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water; I call upon the Hosts of the Mighty Dead; and I call every true Witch within this circle to witness that we are here to consecrate _initiate's name_ as Priest(ess) and Witch. The circle is cast!"

ALL: (envisioning the walls of the circle bending together overhead and flowing together under the floor to form a hemisphere of bright white light) "So mote it be!"

The Warning

HIGH PRIEST/ESS cuts a gate in the circle, and roughly leads the Initiate to kneel at the edge before the gate, then balances the sword-point over the Initiate's heart (the Initiate raises his or her hands to support the point). "You stand at the edge of a place that is between the worlds, in the presence of the Gods and under the watchful eye of the Mighty Dead. If you go any further, you embark on a path that cannot be safely turned aside before your death. Feel the sharpness of the blade at your breast, and know this in your heart - it would be better for you to throw yourself forward and spill out your life than to enter this circle with fear or falseness in your heart."

INITIATE: "I come with perfect love and perfect trust."

HIGH PRIEST/ESS lays down the sword, lifts the Initiate to his or her feet, and kisses him or her. "Thus are all first brought into the Circle.", then leads the Initiate to the altar and taking up the sword, re-draws the circle over the gateway.

Administration of the Oaths

ALL (except the High Priest/ess and the Initiate) begin a quiet "Aum" and sustain it throughout the Five-fold Kiss and the Oaths of Initiation.

HIGH PRIEST/ESS, administering the Five-fold Kiss: "Blessed are your feet, that have brought you to this place. Blessed are your knees, that shall kneel at the altars of the Gods. Blessed is your sex, without which we could not be. Blessed is your breast, formed in strength and beauty. Blessed are your lips, which shall speak the Words of Truth. Are you prepared to take the oath?"

INITIATE: "I am."

HIGH PRIEST/ESS: "Then kneel." Takes the Initiate's Measure. "You who have from birth been called _born name_ but now seek to become _Craft name_ - do you willingly pledge yourself to the God and the Goddess?"

INITIATE places his or her left hand on the top of the head and right hand on the soles of the feet. "All between my two hands belongs to the Gods. So mote it be."

ALL others raise the volume of the "Aum" slightly.

HIGH PRIEST/ESS: "And do you swear to keep silent all those things that must be kept silent, and to respect that which is taught to you?"

INITIATE: "I willingly swear to keep silent all that must be kept silent, and to respect that which is taught to me. So mote it be."

ALL others raise the volume of the "Aum" a little more.

HIGH PRIEST/ESS: "And by what surety do you swear all of these things?"

INITIATE: "All of these things I do swear, by my mother's womb and my hope of future lives, knowing well that my Measure has been taken in the presence of the Mighty Ones. Should I fail utterly in my oaths, may my powers desert me, and may my own tools turn against me. So mote it be. So mote it be. So mote it be!

ALL yell quickly: "SO MOTE IT BE!"

Triggering of the Spell

ALL grab the Initiate quickly and hoist him or her completely into the air (if possible), chanting the Initiate's new name over and over again, as fast as possible, as they carry him or her three times quickly around the circle. When they return to the starting point, they set him or her down face-down and press him or her firmly into the ground. Gradually, the pressure relents to gentle massage. Through all of this they continue chanting the Initiate's new name, falling off in volume and speed as the pressure relaxes.

HIGH PRIEST/ESS: "Know that the hands that have touched you are the hands of love." Removes the Initiate's blindfold and helps him or her up. "In the Burning Times, when each member of the Coven held the lives of the others in her hand, this would have been kept, and used against you should you endanger others. But in these happier times, love and trust prevail, so take this (hands the Measure to the initiate), keep it or burn it, and be free to go or stay as you please."

Follow-Through and Earthing of Power

HIGH PRIEST/ESS hands the sword to the Initiate, and leads him or her to the West, where they both kneel. The Initiate salutes, and the High Priest/ess announces, "Behold, restless Spirits of Water - I bring before you _new name_, who has been consecrated as Priestess and Witch!" Repeats at the South, West, and finally North.

ALL (including High Priest/ess and Initiate) join hands in the Circle. HIGH PRIEST/ESS: "Thank you Spirits of the Mighty Dead, Spirits of the Four Elements, and awesome Lord and Lady for hallowing our circle. Go or stay as you will - our circle is ended."

ALL ground and center, then absorb the power of the Circle and return it to the Earth beneath their feet.

HIGH PRIEST/ESS (after a suitable pause): "Our lovely rite draws to its end. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. Blessed Be!"

ALL: "BLESSED BE!"





Elder Status, Midlife, Menopause

The Charge of the Crone

Hear the words of the Grandmother of Time:

She who has been known as

Hecate, Erishkagel, Cerridwen, Kali-Ma,

Anna, Perenna, Spider Woman,

and many other names

- some feared, and some loved,

but none ever ignored.

She it is who brings wisdom and

the awareness of eternity.

She has been the Maiden, and remembers that joy.

She has been the Mother, and recalls that pleasure.

But age has changed her,

and taught her the mysteries of

the Wheel that is ever turning,

the Wheel that is life, death, and rebirth.

She is the whirling tornado, the erupting volcano,

the rising tidal wave, the trembling of the earth's crust.

With age comes an understanding of the past,

and a glimpse of the future.

For, in the turning of the Wheel,

the past is the future,

and the future is the past.

She is the Learned One, the Teacher,

the Bringer of Inevitable Change.

She is the Dark of the Moon, the Hidden One,

the invisible unknown that lies ahead.

But do not fear her for she is not malicious,

and her touch, however harsh, is love.

Only in ignorance is she scorned and reviled.

Those who do not know her,

parody her as the ugly old woman

whose powers were said to blight crops

and sour the milk in the cow.

It is fear that turns her age into abomination,

her wrinkles into hideous deformity,

and her voice into an evil and manipulative cackle.

For those who sought power over the earth were afraid

to face her wisdom and her unalterable truth.

But in the old days, we sat at her feet to learn the most ancient lore.

From her came the knowledge of the healing herbs,

and the chants and songs that shaped our lives.

She sat in honour at our councils, our marketplaces, in our homes.

She governed our governing, and interpreted our laws.

She gave focus to our changing seasons.

She was our teacher, our oracle, our promise of rebirth.

Come, honour her as of old,

listen now to the words of Wise One,

the ancient Seer, the Crone!





Dust in the Wind:

Memorial for the Children Who Weren't

Cleansing

Creature of fire and creature of air, take this circle into your care.

Creature of water and creature of earth, hold us, protect us, grant us rebirth.

Cast the Circle

The Circle is cast. We stand between the worlds.

EAST: Guardians of the eastern watchtower, spirits of air, creatures of thought and communication, we bid you join us and protect this circle from all peril approaching from the east.

SOUTH: Guardians of the southern watchtower, spirits of fire, creatures of faith and will, we bid you join us and protect this circle from all peril approaching from the south.

WEST: Guardians of the western watchtower, spirits of water, creatures of dreams and emotion, we bid you join us and protect this circle from all peril approaching from the west.

NORTH: Guardians of the northern watchtower, spirits of earth, creatures of strength and endurance, we bid you join us and protect this circle from all peril approaching from the north.

CENTER: Guardians of the central watchtower, spirits above and below, the spirit of humanity, creatures of identity, we bid you join us and protect this circle from all peril from within.

Invoke the Goddess:

Great Mother, by your thousand names we call upon you. Persephone, Queen and Mother of the Dead, we ask that you witness this rite.

Invoke the God:

Horned One, by your thousand names we call upon you. Hades, King and Father of the Dead, we ask that you witness this rite.

Drawing Down the Goddess (Priest):

We call upon the goddess of perfect Love, who purifies the seas in which worlds are born, and brings to flood and ebb the rivers flowing beneath all manifest being. Behold now in her Image, crowned with the deepest glory of the sunset, robed in blue and green and silver. We call upon the Goddess who sets the stars in motion upon the endless mirror of night. Behold her now, Lady of the silver Wheel, crowned with silver and crystal, robed in deepest black. As Guardian of the Deepest Mysteries of Death and Birth she opens now the Way, and fills the Circle with her blessing, her power, and the unseen presence. Listen...listen for her heartbeat. Feel her warm and gentle breath as she enters the circle. Be still, and listen.

PAUSE

The Goddess speaks (Priestess): I am the Dark Mother. I am the Blood Mother. I am the Queen of all Creation, and I am the Guardian of the Graveyard.

I have given birth to planets, to stars, to entire galaxies. All that is may call me Mother.

Yet I have also birthed the empty husks of dead worlds, and seen the lightless voids in the universe where my children did not thrive. I have known the pain of losing a child unborn, or unconcieved, or of watching the dead body of my child emerge from between my thighs. My heart has stopped suddenly when I realized that my newborn child's cries had stopped. I, who am the Mother of all - I who am the Great Goddess - have cried bitter tears over the loss of my children.

And to you who have shared in such loss, I say this:

YOU DID NOT KILL YOUR CHILD!

Your seed is not poisonous...

Your womb is not a house of death.

Your child's life ended before it was truly begun. But you did not kill your child. There is no blame. You gave all you could to your child, and now the child is gone. You did nothing wrong. The child did nothing wrong. There is no blame.

Every parent, even before the birth of the child, has dreams for the child, hopes of how the child will be treated and how the child will treat others. And each parent has a storehouse of love for each child.

In time you may find that your hopes and dreams, dulled by pain and disappointment, will fade. But do not let that love fade.

Do not do as others may tell you, and give this love to your other children. Do not do as others may tell you and dedicate this love to the creative works of your hands and of your mind. This love is a gift your child has given to you; use it wisely. Do not waste it where it is not needed. Save and cherish this love as love for yourself. Love your body, your mind, your soul. Learn to accept yourself. For the sake of your child, love yourself.

Look to the stars at night and know that they are your brothers and sisters. They know your grief, and will help you bear your anger and fear. Look to the Sun and see the bright face of the Lord of Light; He will always be there to warm you against the shivering cold of loss. Look to the Moon and see Me; I will always be there to share your sorrow and to hold you when the pain is too much.

But look, too, within yourself, to find the God and Goddess within you, and to find the love that makes you whole. Feel the fulness of all the love you have within you. And know that your child loves you still.

Pause

Chant (begun slowly):

In balance with the moon and the sun and the earth

To my soul and body I will give rebirth.

Pause

EAST: Spirits of the east, we thank you for your presence here tonight and for the qualities of thought and communication with which you have endowed this circle. Go in peace.

SOUTH: Spirits of the south, we thank you for your presence here tonight and for the qualities of faith and will with which you have endowed this circle. Go in peace.

WEST: Spirits of the west, we thank you for your presence here tonight and for the qualities of love and compassion with which you have endowed this circle. Go in peace.

NORTH: Spirits of the north, we thank you for your presence here tonight and for the qualities of patience and strength with which you have endowed this circle. Go in peace.

CENTER: Spirits of the center, bright spark of the self, we thank you for giving us the wisdom, the will, the love, and the patience to partake of the energy of this circle.

Great Mother, we thank you for your love and understanding. Be with us always.

Horned One, we thank you for your strength and compassion. Be with us always.

Take down the circle.

The circle is open, yet unbroken. Go with love in your hearts.