VISIONWEAVERS
Weavers of visions, rituals, etc. meeting since 1986 in the Northern Virginia area. An eclectic Neopagan coven focusing on Wicca, Shamanism, nature, spiritual growth, and healing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A. VisionWeavers is a coven that includes both men and women and combines Wicca, Shamanism and other useful types of workings.
B. Our focus is generally on working with Nature, spiritual growth, healing, Pagan religion, and exploration of consciousness.
C. Our Wiccan practice draws from the works of Starhawk, Selena Fox, VisionWeavers members and others. Our Shamanic practice draws from the teachings of Selena Fox, R.J. Stewart, Michael Harner, Jan Fries, and Wohali Agvnige (a Cherokee Water Pourer, Story Teller and Shamanic practitioner) - along with VisionWeavers members and others. We often work with Nature Spirits, and the combination of Wiccan and Shamanic practice is mostly our own, but similar to that of some other Wiccan-Shamanic groups. Over time, we have developed a tradition; but it is a growing one, enriched by what our members bring to it and what we learn from others.
D. Many of our practices are similar to those in Amaranth Anthology and The Spiral Dance.
E. We do rituals at Full and New Moons and at 8 Sabbats. We also meet at other times for planning, learning, camping, Pagan Festivals, partying, special rituals, etc.
F. Much learning within VisionWeavers comes about as a result of working with others to plan and perform rituals and as a result of individual study and practice, with guidance and feedback from other members of the group. However, we also provide individual training, and occasionally do formal classes.
G. Before bringing newcomers into rituals, at least two initiated VisionWeavers members meet with the person to discuss their interests, their knowledge of Wicca, Shamanism and ritual technique, to discuss ethics, and to determine if our paths are compatible. Training is individually tailored. If compatible seekers are:
• Inexperienced with magical ritual and Wicca, they are asked to read The Spiral Dance (by Starhawk) and Amaranth Anthology; and we highly recommend that they read Positive Magic (by Miriam Weinstein) and Drawing Down the Moon (by Margot Adler). We then provide individual training on basic ritual technique starting with exercises from The Spiral Dance, beginning with grounding and centering using an enhanced version of the "tree of life" meditation (exercise 5), "Salt Water Purification" (exercises 20 and 21) and earthing power (exercise 7). Training on calling quarters, circle casting, and more advanced techniques follow.
• Highly experienced practitioners, briefing on our magickal technique and verification of the ability to lead portions of a ritual may be all that is needed (along with providing information on the ritual or, preferably, participation in planning the ritual)
H. Most VisionWeavers members started out working as solitary practitioners and have learned many things that we teach each other as a result of this experience (as well as group work). Some VisionWeaver members are also initiated in other Wiccan Traditions and/or the Church of All Worlds.
I. Decision-making is generally by consensus.
J. We work with many deities, and generally at least one Goddess and one God in each ritual. The choice of deities depends on the purpose of the ritual and our knowledge of the deities. While we commonly work with Gaia and Pan, or Isis and Thoth, or Bridgit and the Dagda, we sometimes call other deities, or call the Goddess and Horned God (or other God) by aspect, and let them come in the most appropriate form
K. Ethics:
1. Respect for life of this planet
2. Respect for other's rights
3. Honesty and keep commitments
4. We refrain from magic that would increase harm
5. Vision quests should be to open doors, not to lay a trip on people
6. Protect privacy and guard mysteries of the Craft
7. Aid and teach others in the Craft, without demands for personal gain
L. In ritual, we generally wear what we feel comfortable and magical in (if anything). Most VisionWeavers members prefer to work skyclad (nude) when temperature and circumstances permit, except for a few magical items.
RITUAL FORMAT
VisionWeavers rituals generally involve a sequence of flows of consciousness, including:
• Clearing the mind, body and immediate surroundings from interfering thought patterns and vibes
• Unifying with the universe
• Connecting with power flows, and allies
• Reaching out through the universe and connecting with the target,
• Visualizing the objective of the work achieved (if the working is aimed at physical results) or exploring the state of consciousness achieved, if the working is aimed at spiritual advancement
• Pumping power into the target while visualizing the objective achieved (if the ritual is aimed at physical results), or learning from the state of consciousness achieved if the working is aimed at spiritual advancement
• Then disconnecting, thanking the powers invoked, and ending
Any set of thought forms that allows the practitioner(s) to do this smoothly and effectively will work. Most of us can mix techniques from many traditions (picking the most powerful that we know) for the aforementioned stages in a ritual and have it work, without loosing any momentum between stages. However, such mixing (if done at all) must be done carefully. Certain symbols may mean different things in different ritual systems, and changing the meaning of symbols in mid ritual can cause participants to break their meditative state and loose contact with the flow of energy and its intent.
People who are into keeping traditions separate also can be jarred at transition points between the aforementioned stages, at which traditions change, causing them to break their meditative state and loose contact with the flow of energy. In such cases, it is important to draw from the same cultural base when designing a ritual.
Designing an effective ritual is kind of an art, somewhat like designing an effective dance sequence, and one has to experiment and determine what works for you and the others involved, and how to move between the parts while maintaining an overall story line.
For most indoor rituals, a Wiccan format is used:
TYPICAL GENERAL VISION WEAVERS INDOOR RITUAL FORMAT
* Prepare space
* Welcome & explanation
* Quiet time
* Procession & chant
* Purify & Establish Space (usually the Earth Air Fire Water chant, but sometimes LBR or other procedures)
* Personal Purification
* Tree meditation (or silent centering)
* Sometimes formal casting of a circle, if an unusually strong boundary is needed to contain the power until it is ready to be released
* Name chant (everyone intones name, and people intone it back, sending good energy)
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* Call Quarters (Candles and Pentagrams unless it is a work with Divas, power animals or other natural spirits, in which chase rattle, invoke, whistle in 6 directions may be used) <casting circle in the process with the taper used for lighting the candles>
Invocation/praise of the God & Goddesses
* Presentation of Focus
* Main Work (Connect with target, raise energy, send to target while visualizing objective achieved; or journey of exploration; or drawing down the Moon; etc.)
* Cakes & Wine
* Grounding
* Thank Goddess & God
* Close Quarters
* Group Hug & Formal Closing
Outdoor rituals, in which members have established their personal power spots generally involve
* An explanation of the ritual before leaving for the ritual location
* Often proceeding in silence to the ritual location, although sometimes a Procession & chant is used just prior to entering the space for the main portion of the group ritual
* Setting up the main ritual gear at the location to be used for group ritual,
* Personal smudging/purification,
* Everyone going to their individual power spots and inviting the spirits of the land to join in (a process taking about 10 min)
* Returning to the main ritual space and rattling and drumming until everyone is back
* Purify & Establish Space (usually the Earth Air Fire Water chant, but sometimes other procedures)--making sure that the thoughtform used is open to the helpful spirits of the land entering the circle and joining in
* Tree meditation (or silent centering)
* Name chant (everyone intones name, and people intone it back, sending good energy)
* Call six directions (with rattle, invoke, whistle, with Goddess as earth mother and God as Grandfather Sky) while inviting in the spirits of the land in all of the directions. Sometimes we just rattle and whistle, if specific invocations are not needed. Candles may also be lit at the quarters at night, if needed for light and/or designating the circle boundaries
* Presentation of Focus
* Main Work (Connect with target, raise energy, send to target while visualizing objective achieved; or journey of exploration; or drawing down the Moon; etc.)
* Cakes & Wine
* Grounding
* Thank Goddess & God
* Close Quarters
* Group Hug & Formal Closing
For Shamanic circles, we invoke 6 directions, start using a rattle in four barrages, while mentally calling whoever or whatever you work best with and the spirits of nature in that direction. Many use their rattles in a pentagram motion while rattling. Sometimes a short invocation to a power animal follows (if it is rattle, invoke, whistle, rather than rattle/whistle). Then we whistle four times (while visualizing elemental wind and calling to spirits, or whatever works for you).
The point in invocation is not the wording, it is the power and resonances set up by the wording. in the circle. Some participants are known to invoke in what I call "Martian" (as in Stranger in a Strange Land) using power sounds (like speaking in tongues). We have as a group even done powerful circles with no words at all - just sounds, intent, and action.
Usually, in a Wiccan circle, I use wording like "Hail, Spirits and Guardians of the East, Spirits of Air, ye who bring clarity of thought, coherency, far sightedness and truth. We call and invite you to this circle, bringing your powers to the work at hand <often I am more specific as to what that work is, and adjust the invocation accordingly>. Come, be with us." (then I thrust my Athame towards the center of the visualized pentagram, in effect stepping through it into the realm of air , intone Eurus; and, when a good flow of energy into the circle is established, say "Hail and welcome."
In a Shamanic circles, when we rattle, invoke, and then whistle, what I say when invoking is often something like "Ho! I send a voice. Golden Eagle of the East, Mighty One, Be with us, guiding the spirits of nature on your way." while visualizing the eagle flying in and at the same time attuning to the spirits of nature in my vision. Sometimes friendly nature spirits join the eagle from the surrounding woods. The eagle and the nature spirits hang out in the East, and join in the magic.
That gets good results for me. Others have different ways that also work.
ASPECTS OF RITUAL:
GENERAL SPACE CLEARING CHANT (by Selena Fox)
Chant is accompanied by appropriate gestures and visualizations to invite and channel in elemental energies from the appropriate quarters:
Earth and Air and Fire and Water, Surround us with protective light,
Earth and Air and Fire and Water, Guard us with your magic might.
Come Watchers Come and balance our circle, come Watchers come and balance our group.
Come Watchers come and strengthen our auras, Come Watchers come and strengthen our work
personal purification
general wording and process of THE salt-water purification
((based on The Spiral Dance by Starhawk)
Fill ritual chalice, with water.
Put a mound of salt on a pentagram
Get athame ready
Ground and Center
Light appropriate incense (frankincense or sage very good), saying:
Blessed be thou creature of air
Bless water, salt and athame, one at a time, saying:
Blessed be thou creature of Water
Blessed be thou creature of Earth
Blessed be thou creature of Art
Using your athame, stir in three mounds of salt and stir counter clockwise. While doing so, say:
Salt and water, Inner and outer, Soul and body, be cleansed!
Cast out all that is harmful!
Take in all that is good and healing!
By the power of the Mother of all life, And her lover the Horned God, So mote it be!"
(or can end with by the powers of life, death, and rebirth, So mote it be!)
Hold the chalice close to your heart and feed power into the water. When you can feel it glow, it is ready.
Pass the cup around the group, and each person does a personal purification. Participants hold the cup and visualize all your worries, problems, and distractions flowing out into the water in a muddy stream,
* Sit with the cup in your lap. let your fears, worries, doubts, hatreds, etc. surface in your mind. See them as a muddy stream, which flows out of you as you breathe and is dissolved by the salt water in the cup. Allow yourself time to feel deeply cleansed.
* Now hold up the cup. Breathe deeply and feel yourself drawing up power from the earth. Let the power flow into the salt water, until you can visualize it glowing with light.
* Sip the water. As you feel it on your tongue know that you have taken in the power of cleansing, of healing. Fear and unhappiness have become transformed in the power of change.
Everyone in circle repeat above
Then use water to purify the circle, magical tools, etc.
Empty the leftover water into a running stream. (Alas normally the closest stream is the one in your kitchen sink that runs down the drain.) (Starhawk)
BREATH (PRANA)
Sit upright and breathe deeply from the diaphragm
Breathe in white purifying energy, feeling it energize and purify
Bring this energy to your center
Breathe out muddy brown bad energy (while thinking of whatever might be bothering you being expelled and grounded)
Continue until you feel clear/purified
(This can be combined with the Starhawk Tree Meditation or other grounding and centering involving breath
PURIFYING BATHS:
From an Imbolc dedication ritual by Selena Fox:
Draw Ritual Bath (add ritual salt and/or purifying herbs in bath, plus three white flowers)
Light room with three white candles
Light frankincense
Comb body hair to help remove negativity
Ask Goddess to wash away negativity, cleanse body, mind and spirit,
Immerse 3 times while sending thoughts and feelings to get rid of into the water (repeat if necessary)
Affirm: May the Goddess work through me from this point forward
Dry, comb, and center self, then proceed to ritual
A variation involves sending the negative energy into shower water instead of a bath. This can be enhanced by use of purifying soap, a cheesecloth sachet of purifying herbs and/or salt during the shower, and brushing skin with flowers afterwards.
MANTRA & MUDRA (for use if you or an area gets slimed):
Ground and Center (when circumstances permit)
Attune to Kali, recognizing yourself as a manifestation of her and a channel for her power
Intone:
Im, rheem, cleem, shreem , (while using hands in rotary motion from ground up, scooping and rolling up crap from your aura into a wad of nasty energy)
Phat, (Picking up the wad of energy above your head and concentrating it
Swaha (Throw energy to floor while projecting fiery energy of transformation at the energy sent)
(phonetic spelling)
GROUNDING AND CENTERING
ENHANCED STARHAWK TREE MEDITATION
* Relax while sitting or standing upright
* Breathe deep breaths from the diaphragm, and with each inhalation build a ball of energy deep within and feel more refreshed.
* Now imagine that your spine is the trunk of a tree; and, from its base, roots extend deep into the Earth. Deep into the rich moist Earth. (If in a location where one is unsure of the receptiveness of the Earth, etc. to sharing energy, it can be helpful to mentally ask the nature spirits for permission first, If it is not given, find more receptive surroundings in which to work)
* With every inhalation receive more energy and with each exhalation send the energy downward and feel the roots extending deeper,
* Feel the energy within the soil, stones, and the waters of the Earth as your roots pass through them
* Extend the roots deeper into the bedrock, sensing the powerful energy within the core of the Earth flowing upward
* Feel your roots absorbing nourishment from the Earth, its core, its waters, its soil, etc.
* Feel the moist, warm energy rising.
* Feel it bursting up from the Earth and rising up your spine, like sap rises in a tree, empowering and opening chakras on the way.
* Feel the energy rise to your crown chakra (at the top of your head).
* Now imagine that you have branches, branches that sweep up and then bend down towards the Earth, like the limbs of a willow.
* Feel the branches extending and interweaving with your surroundings.
* Feel the warm, moist energy of the Earth flowing through your branches. As it flows, feel yourself being purified, centered, and connected to the Earth.
* Feel the power from the Earth flowing through your branches and then down back to the Earth, like a fountain.
* Note how your branches absorb energy from the air. Also, feel them receiving light (fire) from the sky.
* Feel the energy from above penetrating deep through your body and roots into the Earth.
* Feel the energy circulating.
* Notice how your branches intertwine with the branches of energy surrounding you.
* Feel the energy dancing among your branches and the branches around you.
* Notice how your roots also intertwine with underground energy channels.
* Feel the energy dancing between your roots and the surrounding energy patterns.
* Notice how you and the life around you are rooted in the same Earth, breathing the same air, receiving the same fire, drinking the same water, sharing the same underlying essence. You are one with the magical grove.
This may be further enhanced by:
* Adjusting the thickness of the roots and branches-- thicker to enhance interconnectedness or thinner to reduce it
* Noticing that the layers of earth near the surface were built up over time when first passing roots through them, and when returning to this layer with the energies from below, note something in the past that made you feel empowered and draw in this energy also
* Adding purification by breath work and by having the flow of energy purify you by washing away inappropriate energies as they move through the body, aura, etc.
“Pile-Driver” Grounding and Centering (taught by Anodea Judith)
Relax while sitting or standing upright
Breathe deeply from the diaphragm, drawing in energy from the air when you inhale
Feel life energy building in the lung like a ball of energy, experiencing how it feels
1 Slowly exhale, sending the ball of energy down into the earth
Stop breathing for a couple of seconds, feeling the ball of energy spread into the earth
Breathe in while drawing a larger ball of energy up from the earth
2 Slowly exhale, sending the ball of energy up into the sky
Stop breathing for a couple of seconds, feeling the ball of energy spread into the sky
Breathe in while drawing a larger ball of energy down from the sky
3 Slowly exhale, sending the energy into your surroundings
Stop breathing for a couple of seconds, feeling the ball of energy spread into your surroundings
Breathe in while drawing a larger amount of energy from your surroundings
Continue until you are fully connected and channeling large amounts of energy (switch to tree meditation if needed, etc.)
CALLING THE POWERS
ENHANCING INVOCATION WITH CANDLES, ETC.
Items related to the direction (pictures, god & goddess statues, charged stones, etc.) are placed in the appropriate elemental directions, along with a candle (surrounded by three appropriate elementally charged stones). For Wiccan circles, generally, we light a taper from the Goddess, the God and the fire candle on the Alter. The East candle is then lit, and with we do an invoking pentagram and invocation as shown below. After calling the wind and saying Hail and Welcome, the taper is then lit again from the candle in the direction just invoked, and given to the person who invokes the next direction, preferably along the outer boundary of the circle, to strengthen it. We work with East-air, South-fire, West-water, and North-earth. After Earth, the taper is then brought the rest of the way around, and connected to the East Candle (to complete the circle).
The point in invocation is not the wording; it is the power and resonance set up by the wording and the way it is presented. A member has been known to invoke in what I call "Martian" (as in Stranger in a Strange Land) using power sounds (like speaking in tongues). We have as a group even done powerful circles with no words at all - just sounds, intent, and action.
Usually, in a Wiccan circle, I use wording like "Hail, Spirits and Guardians of the East, Spirits of Air, ye who bring clarity of thought, coherency, far sightedness and truth. We call and invite you to this circle, bringing your powers to the work at hand <often I am more specific as to what that work is, and adjust the invocation accordingly>. Come, be with us." (then I thrust my Athame towards the center of the visualized pentagram, in effect stepping through it into the realm of air , intone Eurus; and, when a good flow of energy into the circle is established, say "Hail and welcome."
For Shamanic circles, we invoke 6 directions, start using a rattle in four barrages, while mentally calling whoever or whatever you work best with and the spirits of nature in that direction. Many use their rattles in a pentagram motion while rattling. Sometimes a short invocation to a power animal follows (if it is rattle, invoke, whistle, rather than rattle/whistle). Then we whistle four times (while visualizing elemental wind and calling to spirits, or whatever works for you).
In a Shamanic circle, when we rattle, invoke, and then whistle, what I say when invoking is often something like "Ho! I send a voice. Golden Eagle of the East, Mighty One, Be with us, guiding the spirits of nature on your way." while visualizing the eagle flying in and at the same time attuning to the spirits of nature in my vision. Sometimes friendly nature spirits join the power animal spirit from the surrounding woods. The power animal and nature spirits hang out in the East, and join in the magic.
That gets good results for me. Others have different ways that also work.
ENHANCING PENTACLE WITH PRANA (BREATH)
When calling a direction and associated elemental power use an invoking pentacle (start out high and move to the left and down), breathe:
* Out on down strokes,
* In on up stokes,
* Out and in on horizontal stroke
While visualizing the pentacle hanging in mid air at the edge of your circle
It can help if the exact wording of each elemental invocation focuses on those aspects of the element pertinent to the work at hand.
Similar technique can be used for the banishing pentacle (start on the left lower corner and go to the highest point)
ENHANCING PENTACLE WITH VISUALIZATION
Visualize a dynamic picture of aspects of the element that brings to you the most power for the corresponding element through the center of the pentagram (for example I see an erupting volcano in south, along with fire elementals)
CALLING
ELEMENTAL WINDS
Elemental winds are the elements in motion. To call an elemental wind (usually just before ending an elemental invocation) all participants in a ritual intone the name of the elemental wind:
* East is Eurus
* South is Notus
* West is Zephyrus
* North is Boreas
while
* Stepping forward and thrusting your invoking tool (Athame, wand finger, etc.) through the center of the pentacle (using both hands) and
* Visualizing yourself passing through the center of the pentacle into the elemental realm that you visualized as the pentacle sweeps through the circle
* Sweep your hands back as if you are pulling yourself through the pentagram.
* Feel, taste and smell the elemental energy.
* When a good flow of energy into the circle is established, welcome it by saying “Hail and Welcome”
The original pentagram will remain at the quarter, but elemental power will pour through it
For Spirit (Akasha), the elemental winds just summoned in the four directions are quickly called from all four directions, creating something like a hurricane of power in the circle, which turns into spirit energy. This is done by quickly pointing to the center of each pentagram while invoking:
“Come to us now Oh Spirit” (or substitute an appropriate goddess or god name for Spirit)
once in each direction, and then continuing the flow by making an overhead circle with your invoking tool or hand.
Upon the resulting swirling mass of Akashic power filling the circle, invoke a Goddess or God.
Repeat for the next God or Goddess.
When in large public circles, one can explain to participants the above procedure, or have them simply intone with you something easy to remember, like “Spirits of the East Come” while the invokers and others knowledgeable about the elemental winds do the appropriate visualizations, etc. to call on the elemental winds.
INVOKING DIETY
Besides calling the winds in quick succession to create a substantial and dynamic field of Akasha (Spirit power) upon which to invoke deities (giving them substantial substance upon which to manifest),
In many Hindu pujas, deities are ritually offered items associated with each of the elements (incense for air, a flame for fire, water for water, and herbs or ash for earth, etc.), as well as items that they like (such as favorite foods) during invocation. In making such offerings, one can enhance the elemental power by the following procedure
* Face (and go to, if possible, the appropriate direction at the edge of a circle, visualize the pentagram and its aspects and intone the wind name or elemental bija
* Feel it pouring forth elemental power
* Call the corresponding wind to channel elemental power into the offering
* Thank the spirit of the elements when through with a direction, make the offering, and then go to the next direction, etc.
When doing magic with a deity, you may get more than you expected—including consequences associated with myths and purposes involving the deity that you may have been unaware of. It is best not to invoke any entity that you would not want to be a permanent part of your consciousness. When invoking deities, start by researching the deity, its myths, motives, powers, rituals, invocations and preferences. Understand who and what you are invoking, as well as the possible unintended consequences; and choose your deities accordingly.
Use the results of this research to help identify appropriate invocations, what to offer, and what else to do when calling on their help for specific purposes. It is also possible to invoke a deity, considering its elemental aspects and invoking appropriate aspects in appropriate elemental directions.
To raise the vibes of an object, you might consider going Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and using a chant appropriate for the Deities invoked for spirit power (or a general cone of power).
Some use magical mudras (gestures, while others invoke). To further enhance your elemental power, it can help to go through the training in the Church of Seven Arrows Handbook on Magic, Volume I (and/or other hermetic training) and to find elemental spirit helpers while astral-projecting into the elemental realms (through the center of an invoking pentagram when calling the winds or through a charged elemental tool or symbol while calling the winds).
Nevertheless, we all have our own personal connections and correspondences that work for us best. As a Wiccan Shamanic Coven, we respect these individual traits, but try to understand each other so that what we invoke does not clash.
RAISING MAGICKAL ENERGY
I. Direct Energy Work
A. In a group holding hands in a circle, center and channel energy in your right hand and out the left to circulate it. The result is a heavy energy charge circulating in circle, which can be sent to the target.
B. Channeling energy between hands into ball of energy or to object
C. Bioenergy Healing Field
1. Circle participants center and breathe deeply
2. Left hand on head of person next to you, right hand at side,
3. Feel energy rising and circulating through you and out left hand, (induced field builds in center)
4. Visualize person at center healed
5. When energy peaks, channel energy to center.
D. To charge an item (or items) in a group in which everyone has magical cords, one end of every participant’s cord is tied to an end of the other cords. The center knot is placed over the item(s) to be charged -- preferably in contact with the items. Participants take the other end of their cord and channel energy through it -- while stroking their cord, making power sounds, and visualizing the energy flowing to the center and charging the item(s).
E. Build ball of psychic energy between your hands and send into the target when it is fully powered
F. Sex Magic:
1. Transform sexual stimulation energy into light (color related to purpose) and/or visualization of objective achieved. Release power into target during orgasm)
2. Channel energy into partner and receive from partner to achieve a unified consciousness with partner, let energy build - can aim for greater unity with partner, enlightenment, magic.
G. Sufi Solar Charging: This involves chanting, moving, and energy work. Intone;
* “Flying undying swift-horsed Sun” (4 times while walking around circle with arms outstretched and gathering elemental energy)
* “Ahora Mazda “(3 times while spinning at one location with arms outstretched, gathering a field of Akashic power fed by power of quarters)
* “Shine, Shine, Shine” (twice with arms extended to center of circle channeling energy)
* Go into energy field & do affirmation about something you want to create in your life for coming year
Send off energy field as a beacon to draw what is needed to manifest affirmations with appropriate chants, movement, and/or intonation
H Channeling for healing involving three Deities
1. Perform Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBR) 3 times, banishing all sickness
2. Om receive healing deity, 3 times
3. Om receive Interdimensional Power Amplification Point (IPAC) to do work 100% effectively from this point
4. Om receive master healer
5. Allow healing deity to come through with perfect vibration to heal first priority
6. Channel through the healing vibration and send
7. Same on second priority, third, etc.
8. Om to receive appropriate being to help the person being healed
9. Channel through the deity
10. Om receive Deity to stabilize the work performed
11. Say: "so mote it be" or "so it is"
12. Offer energy up
13. Thank powers who helped
II. Chakra Work:
Start with Power Sounds to charge chakras:
EEE- Physical (root) -- or use bija LAM
OOOH- Sexual -- or use bija VAM*
UMMM- Spleen chakra -- or use bija RAM
AHHH - Heart chakra -- or use bija YAM
GRRR- Throat -- or use bija HAUMG
WOW,WOW,WOW- Crown -- or use bija OM)
Then focus the flowing power with sound, such as:
SISSSS- Cleansing Fire
BJSHHH (3x) - Protective Shield
SHHHH- Peace into Aura
III. Breath Work -- Train (the breath sounds like a train)
Sit cross-legged, hands on floor next to legs
Breathe out as bend forward and in as go back to upright position - ten times
On tenth breath
- Suck in air
- Throw arms over your head
- Hold Breath
- Force air down to tummy while holding in back door (and visualize target achieved)
- Drop arms forward (or down), letting air out, feeling and channeling energy
Repeat 3 times
IV. Blasting (used for killing cancer, to transform blockages, in psychic self-defense, etc.):
A. Center self and channel energy, bring hands to third eye in triangle formation, throw forth energy at intruding thoughtform or entity while chanting "Isis Victrix"
B. Shiva Torpedo
1. Purify self
2. Purify space used
3. Cast Circle
4. Om to receive Lord Shiva (picture him clearly)
5. When Shiva present, transfer the thought that the only purpose is to transform negativity to good.
6. Om to receive Lord Shiva to receive a cloak of invisibility and undetectability.
7. Om to receive interdimensional power amplification point (IPAC)
8. Om to concentrate any jams, blocks etc against you until they are right in front of you (a triangle can be used to concentrate and confine them)
9. Om Shiva
10. Om to receive "torpedoes" (Shiva energy bolts)
11. Om to send torpedoes: Om, Om, om-om-om-om-om (pitch gets higher)
12. When energy bolt ready to launch, launch and make explosion sound, reflecting the astral explosion that happens as the torpedo hits target.
13. Wait for rubble to settle and see if space is now clear.
14. If space not clear, Om Shiva, IPAC, receive and send more torpedoes until space clear.
15. When clear, thank Shiva
16. Om to receive good energy source (Brahma, the creator)
17. Om to receive interdimensional power amplification point
18. Om to receive positive energy (love, etc)
19. Channel positive, healing, loving energy into the rubble until it feels really good
20. Offer manifested energy up, thanking the helpful goddess, God, etc.
21. Om to receive Lord Vishnu (the preserver) to stabilize things
22. Om to receive and send Vishnu energy
23. Thank Vishnu
24. Ground
25. Cakes and Wine & End rite
C. Quick Cabalistic/Shiva Torpedo
YHVH (arms up clearing space above)
Yod-He-Vav-He (arms down, clearing space below)
Eloheem (hands around making circle ending at back, clearing space around)
Shiva (clearing space within while swing arms up & forward and blast target)
blessing the cakes and wine
From the Earth, She brings forth bounty.
He ferments it with his fire,
Through us it dances in the dance of life,
And returns again to the Earth
Earth Mother, Sky Farther, join us in this feast of love.
Words to close the ritual and open the circle
We end with a group hug, and tree rounds of
“We are a Circle, within a circle, with no beginning and never ending” are sung
This has evolved into a good-natured contest on who can maintain the last note the longest (the humor of which may help in transition from magical consciousness to mundane consciousness)
Then, something like:
"The circle is closed; the rite is ended. Merry meet, merry part, merry meet again."
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RITUALS FOLLOW
(NOT INCLUDING SABBATS)
TRUE WILL RITUAL
Need usual circle gear with full set of tools + charged oil for anointing
Everyone needs loose fitting robes (or to be skyclad), candle and candle holder (must collect drips) personal power tool, and charged oil for anointing candle
After doing strong purifications (such as the Earth, Air Fire Water space purification, and salt-water personal purification), doing a strong "tree meditation" (as in Starhawk’s Spiral Dance), casting a circle, calling the quarters and a God and Goddess (perhaps Maat and Thoth):
* Visualize the essence of each of the elemental energies within and say affirmations identifying with each of the elements, and with what you affirm:
- "I am Earth, I am centered and strong. I am the vessel through which my True Will manifests.
- I am Air, I am focused. My mind is keen and tuned to reveal my True Will.
- I am Fire, I have the power within to know my True Will and to act upon it.
- I am Water, I am sensitive, intuitive, and magickal. The waters of my inner consciousness are calm, clear and clean. I am able to see into my depths and to know my True Will.
- I am Spirit. I am all that is. I am Balance and Unity. I am that from which my True Will comes."
* Consecrate a candle with five elemental tools and do a free form chant to dedicate the candle to aid in knowing your true will.
* Light the candle and place it in front of you.
* Gazing at the candle, meditate on the following, one at a time:
- Know thyself,
- Areas where your are uncertain of your true will,
- Your commitment to act on your True Will when you know it, and spiritual growth from knowledge of self.
* Then chant until you feel unity with the light from the flame
"Candle light, candle glow, inner sight, will to know."
* You should then go into a trance and get direct messages from deep within.
* When you have received what you need, tell yourself to remember your insights. Then take a few deep breaths and return to the circle.
* Then say something like "Though I extinguish this candle flame and end this rite, may I always be aware of the flame of will that burns within me, and may I always act according to my True Will, born of Spirit. So mote it be" and blow out the candle.
* Do cakes and wine, ground, and dismiss the quarters and spirit.
Selena Fox published
this working in Circle Network News about 20 years ago. One-year
subscriptions to Circle Network News cost $17 per year ($25 first class)
and can be obtained by writing to Circle Sanctuary, P.O. Box 219, Mt. Horeb, WI
53572.
HOME BLESSING MAGIC
Summary of Home Blessing (based on one by Selena Fox in an early Circle Network News)
Best done at new moon, with all magically active residents involved
Purification: Thoroughly physically clean the residence. (adding salt, purifying herbs, etc.)
Set up your ritual space, including an altar with Deity symbols, pentacle or bowl with salt, chalice with water, censor with burning frankincense, red candle and a fire tool (sword, athame or wand ), and symbol of spirit (ankh, crystal, etc.).
Purify yourself (and all participants), ground, center, purify your ritual space, invite your spirit helpers and household spirits in accordance to participate, cast circle, and call quarters, Goddess and God. Use invoking invocations related to having entities invoked help with cleansing dwelling of all unwanted influences, making friends with dwellings own spirit nature, creating protective force field to ward off psychic and physical invasion (along with destructive weather and accidents), and creating a happy and harmonious environment in and around the home when doing this.
Then:
* Meditate on the purposes of the ritual, inviting your spirit helpers, deities, etc to add their energies to the working
* Call the five elements and associated elementals, one at a time in the following order (to raise the, facing each appropriate quarter (up for spirit) raising the appropriate elemental tool, and using incantations (ending in so mote it be or equivalent) for:
- Earth to ground out all negative influences in the place, now and for as long as you dwell there, bringing strength, stability, and balance to the household
- Water to was away emotional negativities and psychic garbage, now and as long as dwell there, bringing love, joy and positive magic to the household
- Air to dispel all negative and unsuitable thoughts now and as long as dwell there, bringing wisdom, light and health to household
- Fire to consume all harmful energies directed to the place, now and for as long as dwell there, bringing strength of will and power to household
- Spirit to help transmit energies and align them with the spirit nature of the dwelling. Ask for spiritual power to create a force field of positive magic in and about the place that will let pass into the dwelling only those persons and energies that are right to be with and repel all others. Ask that the place be filled with spiritual energy to aid those within in their spiritual growth and to bring peace.
* Carry each elemental symbol around the dwelling in the following order: Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Spirit (in accordance with alchemical density from most dense to most rarified:
* Walk around each room clockwise, one at a time, moving from room to room as clockwise as possible, including stairways, all floors, hallways, attic, basement and adjoining garage (if applicable)
* When carrying an elemental implement, let it be a vehicle for transmitting the energies of that element to all parts of the dwelling, using ritual gestures and chanting to intensify the work.
- Cast pinches of salt in every corner of every room as well as around each room’s perimeter and at every window and doorway.
- Do the same with water and, using a finger, trace a pentagram on every window and door.
- Use the censor on each surface and blow the smoke into cupboards, closets, hearths, chimneys.
- Draw pentagrams with sword, athame or want at every threshold, window, hearth or other point of entry
* If blessing an entire house, after finishing the interior, do the same outside (as discretely as needed to not attract unwanted outside influences.
* Do the same for your garage, barn, etc. if applicable
* After finishing the procession of Elements, return to your altar, prepare and empower a charm to serve as a psychic battery to continue the effects of the ritual as long as you dwell there. It can be a rowan wand, bough of mistletoe or a horseshoe (ends pointed up) hung over the main doorway, a witches’ bottle buried by the front steps or in a flower pot by the front door of an apartment, Taoist mirrors on inside walls facing each entrance and window, specially charged magic mirrors on the outside that only let helpful energies in (transforming to positive what can be transformed and reflecting others), etc. . Then place the charm(s) in its (their) place(s) and experience their energies spreading.
* If you feel it needed, raise a cone of power to further empower the work
* Now ground, share cakes and wine, thank the powers that helped, and close the rite.
An Herbal Witches’ Bottle (based on one by Selena Fox in an early Circle Network News)
Assemble a glass jar with a meal lid, sea salt, 3 bent rusty nails and/or a loadstone, 1 fresh egg, 13 herbs of protection, sealing wax (a dripable candle will do), a chalice of water, an incense burner with a lit coal, frankincense, a red candle to represent fire, and your usual ritual tools, etc.
* Set up your ritual space, purify, ground and center, invoke your spirit helpers, elementals, deities, etc-- in your customary manner asking for their help and participation in the work (or do as part of general home blessing ritual).
* Center yourself
* Purify the inside and outside of the jar and lid, sprinkling with salt and water, fuming with incense smoke and passing over the red candle flame
* Place three scoops of salt in the jar and say O spirit of salt, purify my home and bring it strength and stability
* Place the three nails and/or loadstone in the jar, saying: O Spirit of iron, ground out any negativity directed to my home and those who dwell within it and let it (be transformed into helpful energy or) return three fold to the sender
* One at a time, call on the spirit of each herb, hold it, meditate on its spiritual essence, sprinkle some on the lit charcoal and chant to the spirit of the herb to lend its particular energies to the charm. Then place some of the herb in the jar. Here are some example protective herbs:
- Frankincense: to sanctify and promote spiritual consciousness
- Sage to dispel negativity and bring wisdom
- Basil to ward off thieves and bring loving vibrations
- Mint to purify and bring joy
- Mistletoe to ward off evil and bring prosperity
- Yarrow to ward off psychic invaders and bring harmony
- Rowan wood/berries to protect from harmful natural forces and bring good luck
- Rue to ward off negative magick and protect from psychic attack
- Sandalwood to sanctify and bring well-being
- Myrrh to guard against disease and bring health
- Garlic to protect against all kinds of harmful influences and bring the Horned God’s energies
- Rosemary to purify, sanctify and bring Goddess energies
- Whole Orris Root or Ginseng Root (or some other suitable root with human form) to serve as guardian of the charm and work together in harmony
* Finally, place the jar in the egg, saying: Oh spirit of the egg fill this charm with life and spirit
* Then charge the charm, sending energy from your fingertips into the jar while doing free form power chanting.
* When fully charged, put the lid on tightly, seal it clockwise with sealing wax, ground, thank the powers invoked, take down the circle and bury the bottle near your front steps or in a flowerpot near your doorway (if in an apartment)
* When you move, be sure to de-activate the charm by digging it up, breaking the seal, and either burning or scattering its contents.
NATURE SPIRIT MAGIC
by Larry Cornett
INTRODUCTION:
Deity (God, Gods, Goddesses, the Tao, etc.) manifests in nature immanently. Animistic Pagans and others can work together with Deity as manifested in the Spirits of nature to heal the Earth, however we may think about other levels of Deity.
Each plant, animal, rock, and other entity has a spirit (consciousness resonance matrix). These spirits can join together, in a hive-mind, as a spirit of an area. Nature spirits include real biological intelligences, are psychically powerful, and are much less abstract and controllable than the Elementals that many magical people who perform all of their rituals indoors are familiar with. They can be extremely powerful allies. It is possible to sense nature spirits, to determine if they are receptive to a ritual planned, and to have them actively participate in magical workings if they are.
SOME EFFECTS OF WORKING WITH NATURE SPIRITS:
Spectacular physical manifestations can happen when working with nature spirits in the wild. I have personally seen actual foxfire mark the boundaries of a magic circle at a location that was identified as a receptive power spot and attuned to a planned ritual the day before. I have seen more than one site attuned for ritual be dry and comfortable, with a round hole in the clouds overhead, on days that were cold and rainy at other nearby locations. Birds have joined in rituals, flying around the circle when energy was being raised; and insects, birds and animals have joined in chants. In addition, the wind often responds to invocations. Generally, these spectacular manifestations happen unexpectedly.
With or without such manifestations, nature spirits often will channel tremendous amounts of power into the magic being performed. It is suggested that you do not consciously try for specific manifestations. Let Nature channel her power into the magic in her own way. If approached with respect, Nature may give you many pleasant surprises.
Spectacular physical manifestations are not a necessary sign of success. If you need a spectacular manifestation and nature spirits know this, you will get it. The best success in magic is on the inner planes and more subtle than such manifestations. This success involves beneficial changes in consciousness that last and helpful chains of synchronicity. In addition, working with Nature Spirits can also bring a deep sense of partnership with Nature, and bring new levels of attunement.
To get the best results, perform nature spirit attunement several hours to several days before the main ritual. The purposes of such attunement are to find suitable power spots and to get the help of friendly nature spirits. This timing gives Nature time to gather her children and to prepare to actively participate in the main ritual.
WHAT TO NOT DO:
If nature spirits are approached with disrespect by attempting to command them rather than listening to them and inviting them to work with you, nature spirits may flee, rebel, or attack. I once attended a ritual by some pseudo-Crowleyites who attempted to perform the "Ritual of the Barbarous Names" at a power spot in a forest and then to extend the circle several hundred yards in all directions.
While the forest in general had loud insect and frog noises, the area at which the ritual took place got quiet immediately when the main ritualist declared that all spirits were subject unto him. The vibes from nature could best be characterized as "Oh yea, Motherfucker!" One participant was quickly possessed by an angry spirit and kept repeating: "You killed my children! Your children will never live in peace!" When the priestess stepped out of the boundaries of the original circle, she was attacked by bees; and bees covered the Book of the Law. Magicians should know better than to attempt to command spirits whose true names they do not know!
CALLING NATURE SPIRITS:
To make the most out of working magical ritual in the wild, one should find power spots where nature spirits are receptive to the ritual planned and approach the spirits with respect, as equals. In my experience, the most effective power spots for working with the living intelligences of nature are located in wild areas with diverse, active ecologies.
When entering a wild area to find a site for a ritual, find a place that feels good. Then do the following, either individually or, if in a group, as a guided meditation:
o Relax, while standing upright, and focus on your breathing. Breathe deep breaths from the diaphragm. Breathe together if in a group.
- Feel the wind, and let it relax you and awaken your spirit within, as your deep breathing takes you into non-ordinary reality.
- Picture, in your mind's eye, a light inside you. As you breathe, feel the light expand, purify and energize you - as it expands to fill your aura.
- Feel yourself glowing, balanced, purified, and full of power.
- Connect with your inner self (your higher self), and feel your intuitive self-operating.
o Feel yourself as:
- The wind, full of life and intelligence, communicating with all around.
- The Sunlight, warm, alive, channeling the power to communicate with nature and energizing all around.
- Water, emotional, intuitive, refreshing, and connected with nature.
- The Earth, and note how your physical body is able to wander while remaining part of Mother Earth.
o Focus on your spiritual self, and:
- Note the light within and feel it as love,
- Expand the light and love beyond the immediate aura of your body to the surrounding area - where you will go to find a power spot and contact nature spirits.
o Telepathically (by thinking while channeling the love and light energy) send out signals to nature spirits to emerge and be aware of your presence.
- Say why you have come, and invite them to join in sharing, mutual celebration, and the work you intend.
- Visualize the light and love energy you are channeling extending out and merging with the light from distant places.
- Feel the power of the Earth flowing up through your body and feet.
- Feel the power from the sky, and channel this power also to further energize the carrier signal of light and love for communicating with nature.
- Visualize the light expanding and merging.
- Continue to send out telepathic signals.
o Now go deeper:
- Close your eyes, sit on the Earth, and feel your connection while you channel more light and love.
- Continue modulating the light and love with your thoughts -inviting receptive spirits to join with you and to make themselves known.
- If in a group, someone should start playing a drum at a rate of about one beat per second; and you should listen to the drum and let the drum take you deeper.
- Affirm that you are a nature magician, a medicine person, who knows and communicates with nature. Let this part of yourself emerge to full consciousness. Let the drum and the connection to your inner self awaken that part of yourself that naturally communicates with other life forms. Let it awaken your telepathic senses.
- Continue sending telepathic signals to nature.
- When you feel ready and an inner urge to begin, open your eyes a crack and look around, while continuing to channel love and light and telepathically calling for a response.
- You may see light coming from certain areas that are receptive. You may get other signals, such as a feeling of power or love returning in a certain direction. Perhaps the type of response to this work will be unexpected; follow your intuition in interpreting it.
- You may test your connection by communicating (mentally) instructions for signals for yes/no responses (such as light getting brighter for less and darker for no) and then mentally ask questions and observe the responses.
o When you have found an area that seems to be responsive and receptive, begin walking to the area, while beaming love energy. Extend your aura to the area and sense the energy.
ENTERING A POWER SPOT:
o Before entering a power spot, ask permission to enter. If the response is good, enter; if not, locate another more receptive area.
o When entering the power spot, look around. Perhaps the responsive energy will be concentrated around some singularity (a bush, a tree, a specific branch, a moss covered rock, or other entity that stands out). Perhaps the energy will be more general. Use your intuition and feedback from the spirits to guide your actions.
o If it feels right, send out a signal that you would like to touch the singularity (or the ground) for better communication. If the response is good, approach beaming love energy and then touch or hug the singularity (or the ground).
o Treat the spirits as you would other Pagans you meet for the first time - be sensitive, open, and listen.
DEEPENING COMMUNICATION WITH NATURE SPIRITS:
o Now that you have made contact with spirits that seem receptive, deepen the communication:
- Breathe deep breaths from the diaphragm, and with each breath, feel more refreshed.
- Now imagine that your spine is the trunk of a tree; and, from its base, roots extend deep into the Earth. Deep into the rich moist Earth.
- With every breath, feel the roots extending deeper,
- Feel the energy deep within the Earth and within the waters of the Earth. Feel your roots absorbing nourishment from the Earth and from its waters.
- Feel the moist, warm energy rising.
- Feel it bursting up from the Earth and rising up your spine, like sap rises in a tree.
- Feel the energy rise to your crown chakra (at the top of your head).
- Now imagine that you have branches, branches that sweep up and then bend down towards the Earth, like the limbs of a willow.
- Feel the branches extending and interweaving with your surroundings.
- Feel the warm, moist energy of the Earth flowing through your branches. As it flows, feel yourself being purified, centered, and connected to the Earth.
- Feel the power from the Earth flowing through your branches and then down back to the Earth, like a fountain.
- Note how your branches absorb energy from the air. Also, feel them receiving light (fire) from the sky.
- Feel the energy from above penetrating deep through your body into the Earth.
- Feel the warmth of the Earth rising also.
- Feel the energy circulating.
o Notice how your branches intertwine with the branches of energy surrounding you.
- Feel the energy dancing among your branches and the branches around you.
- Notice how your roots also intertwine with underground energy channels.
- Feel the energy dancing between your roots and the surrounding energy patterns.
- Notice how you and the life around you are rooted in the same Earth, breathing the same air, receiving the same fire, drinking the same water, sharing the same underlying essence. You are one with the magical grove.
o telepathically mention the time in the past when nature spirits and people communicated regularly and the need to establish such communication now.
o Test your connection by asking questions and observing the responses.
WORKING WITH NATURE SPIRITS:
o Explain to the spirits the purpose of your coming to them and the nature of the ritual you plan.
o If the spirits you contacted are receptive:
- Explain to them the details of the ritual and invite them to provide ideas.
- Listen, you may receive suggestions on how to improve the ritual. Such suggestions may come in the form of hunches, visions, answers to yes/no questions using pre-arranged signals, or in other ways.
- Explain what type of space is needed and ask what the best place to perform the ritual is.
- You may see light or get other psychic signals leading you to other sites, or you may be at one of them.
- You may also ask what the best places for other aspects of the planned work are (picnicking, individual vision quests, etc.).
- If preparation of the site is needed (removing briars, preparing a fire circle, etc.) ask permission of the spirits before proceeding with such action.
- Before you leave the power spot, tell the spirits you have contacted when you plan to return to do the ritual (visualizing the associated lunar and solar aspects can help with this communication).
- Invite them to join in the ritual when you return and to bring their friends.
- Ask if it would be best to return silently, with drums, with chanting, or with some other form of approach.
- You can also ask the spirits to provide guidance for working in balance and to provide a teacher to provide further guidance.
o Before you leave the power spot:
- Thank the spirits,
- Channel love energy,
- Trigger your memory of the experience, and
- If it feels right, leave an offering of tobacco, or beer and honey poured on the ground (or other suitable material).
o Leave in peace and love.
o Proceed to other sites that were indicated by the spirits, doing similar meditations at each site.
o If you need something, like a staff, a Maypole, or a wand, you can also ask where you can find it and follow the guidance you receive (not slavishly, but as you would guidance from another Pagan).
o Before leaving the general area in which you found power spots and contacted nature spirits:
- Channel love energy towards the receptive sites you found,
- Thank the spirits of the land,
- Pull back your roots and branches,
- Ground any excess energy into the Earth (placing your hands on the Earth, breathe in any excess energy, and channel the energy down your arms, while visualizing and feeling the energy going into the Earth), and
- Leave in peace and love.
o Naturally, you should leave the area at least as clean, and preferably cleaner, than you
found it.
o If you work with techniques of Wicca or Ceremonial Magic, you may find that by casting a circle, calling the Elements, the Goddess, the Gods, and the local nature spirits while you are at receptive sites, you may be able to greatly increase communication.
o Through the use of drums and other power raising techniques, it is even possible to energize receptive nature spirits. The results can be very interesting. If with a coven, such circles can be done as part of a group attunement to a power spot you have located.
o If you do not get good feelings in response to your explanation of the ritual and are unable to come up with a ritual that gives good responses, do not try to force a good response. You would only be fooling yourself.
- Thank the spirits for their attention.
- Ask them why they are not receptive (if it feels right and they are communicative).
- Trigger your memory.
- Pull back your "roots and branches," return any excess energy you feel into the Earth.
- If it feels appropriate, leave an offering of tobacco or other appropriate material, out of respect for the spirits.
- Move to a more receptive site.
o If it is hard to find a site that is really receptive, you should:
- Consider any impressions you got of why the nature spirits were not receptive in the area you were in, and re-think your plans for a ritual, as necessary and appropriate.
- It may also be appropriate to look for another general area in which to find a suitable power site that is receptive to the work planned.
WHAT TO DO WHEN RETURNING:
It can be very powerful to purify and center yourself and to attune to the spirits of the land using the techniques previously described for calling nature spirits immediately upon returning to the site.
Often, individuals may have found small specific power spots to which they have a special attunement, where the spirits are interested in participating; but where the site is too small, has too much vegetation, or is otherwise unsuitable for the main ritual. Individual attunement to the spirits in such areas and inviting them to participate in the main ritual can be worthwhile.
Then approach the main ritual site using the previously arranged technique. You should have the details worked out with the spirits of the land. An exceptionally powerful technique involves doing a procession through or past receptive power spots, inviting nature spirits to join as you pass each power spot, and then moving to the central power spot for the main ritual. If participants are at individual power spots, they can join the procession as it passes nearby.
When consecrating space in the wild, or casting a circle, do not set up the perimeter as a barrier to all outside forces; it should be a beacon to attract friendly nature spirits, a container for holding magical power, and a barrier to spirits who it isn't right to be with.
One thing that is fun and worthwhile in nature is to bring instruments, such as a rattle, a flute and/or a drum, to tune in to nature's sounds, and to make music in time to nature's sounds. You may be able to get some very interesting back and forth exchanges of music going with selected creatures of the wild, and get into an amazing jam session.
After the work is complete, be sure to thank the spirits for their participation. Libations and other offerings may also be left for the spirits during and/or after the ritual.
DRAWING DOWN THE MOON
After purification, casting circle, and calling quarters:
Priestess stands in front of altar with athame in one hand and chalice in other in Osiris position, with tools crossed.
Priest does five-fold kiss, then embraces priestess.
Priestess takes blessing position, with right foot slightly forward.
Priest, while either:
o Anointing on right breast, left breast and womb two times and then back to right breast, or
o Anointing throat, left hip, right breast, left breast, right hip and throat again (pentagram),
o By drawing a giant pentagram with a smaller pentagram)
invokes something like:
I invoke thee and call upon the, Mighty Mother of us all, Bringer of all fruitfulness.
By seed and root, by stem and bud, By leaf and flower and fruit,
By life and love do I invoke thee to descend upon the body, of this thy servant and priestess,
See with her eyes, hear with her ears, speak to her heart that she may become one with you.
Then priest kneels and says something like:
Hail Great Goddess, from the highest heavens, Pour forth thy store of love!
I bend before thee and adore thee, With loving praise thy shrine adorn,
Through earth and air and fire and water our prayer is upborne, Upon the rising power (empower kundalini); then spend thine ancient love,
Mighty One, descend to aid us who, without thee, are forlorn.
Priest takes a pace backwards still facing the Priestess:
Priestess channels or draws invoking Pentagram of Earth in air in front of priest saying:
Of the Mother darksome and divine, Mine the scourge and mine the kiss,
the five-point star of love and bliss. Here I charge you, in this sign!
Priestess lays tools down and both face Coven
Priest says:
Listen to the words of the Great Mother; she who of old was also called upon as Isis, Astarte, Athena, Diana, Lakshmi, Aphrodite, Cerridwin, Hera, Arianrhod, Demeter, Bridgid, and by many other names.
Priestess channels, or may say, or if successful start with and then digress:
Whenever ye have need of any thing, once in the month, and better it be when the moon is full, then shall ye assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of me, who am queen of all witches. There shall ye assemble, ye who are fain to learn all sorcery, yet have not won its deepest secrets; to these will I teach things that are yet unknown,
And ye shall be free from slavery; and as a sign that ye be really free, ye shall be naked in your rites; and ye shall dance, sing, feast, make music and love, all in my praise. For mine is the ecstasy of the spirit, and mine also is joy on Earth; for my law is love unto all beings.
Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret door which opens upon the Land of Youth, and mine is the cup of the wine of life, and the Cauldron of Cerridwin, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality.
I am the Gracious Goddess, who gives joy unto the heart of man. Upon Earth, I give the knowledge of the spirit eternal, and beyond death, I give peace, and freedom, and reunion with those who have gone before.
Nor do I demand sacrifice, for behold, I am the Mother of all living, and my love is poured out upon the Earth.
High priest says:
Hear ye the words of the star Goddess; she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the universe.
High Priestess says:
I am the beauty of the green Earth, and the white Moon upon the stars, and the mystery of the waters, and the desire of the heart of man, call unto thy soul. Arise and come unto me.
For I am the soul of nature, who gives life to the universe. From me all things proceed, and unto me all things must return; and before my face, beloved of Gods and of men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.
Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not, unless thou knowest the mystery; that if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee; thou wilt never find it without thee. For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
DRAWING DOWN THE SUN
After five fold kiss and embrace:
High priestess kneels and invokes:
Deep calls on height, the Goddess on the God, On him who is the flame that quickens her;
that he and she may seize the silver reins and ride as one the twin-horsed chariot.
Let the hammer strike the anvil, let the lightning touch the Earth,
Let the lance ensoul the Grail; let the magic come to birth.
Anoint priest on throat, left hip, right breast, left breast, right hip and throat again (invoking pentagram) and then spread hands outward, palms up:
Mighty Father of us all, Horned Hunter, By hoof and by horn, I invoke you,
By grape and by grain I invoke you, By sword and by song, I invoke you,
Descend upon the body of this your servant and priest, touch with his hands, speak with his voice, kiss with his lips, that your servants may be fulfilled!
Priest channels or says something like:
I am he whom the folk of old called Amon-Ra, Marduk, Frey, Helios, Sol, Sun-Father in all languages. I am the source of light which gives life to the world; and your every meal is my gift, the very air you breathe comes from me. Know in your flesh, there is no part of you which is not of the Gods; and remember this by celebrating me at the times appointed to you by the seasons and the stations of the Sun.
I am he whom the folk of old called Horus, Baal, Zeus, Mars, Thor and Escandar. I am the panic fear that waits in wilderness places; and I am the unconquerable wild spirit in the human heart. I am the teacher of warriors, and all acts of courage and freedom are my rituals. If it harm none, do as you will.
I am he whom the fold of old called Thoth, Llew, Apollo, Vulcan, and Ahura Mazda. I am the clear light of the intellect, the artificer of civilization. Once my worshippers built great libraries in great cities. We can build sacred cities again.
I am he who the folk of old called Osiris, Tammuz, Adonis, Baldr, Nergal, Hades, Arawn, Odin, the Dagda. I am the loving Father who lays down my life for my children; and I am the dread Lord of death and rebirth who measures an end to each human life; and I am the wisdom beyond words.
I am a bright flame before you. I am a guiding star above you. I am a smooth path beneath you. I dwell within the secret seed and the ripe grain. Mine is the Mystery of five points of fellowship (sketch pentacle); here where lance and grail unite, and feet and knees and breast and lip.
or
I am the Horned one! I come riding in a cloud! I am the Guardian of the Gate! Through me all life passes. Through me it returns! Know me and have no fear.
I am the wild one -- the dancer in the Woods! My dance is the dance of lust, life and love. Know my power and be free!
or
I am the God, The Horned One, The light of the rising sun. In me is the dawn, and the night
In death you come through me. In life you dance with me.
I am the Guardian at the gate, the presence in the woodlands.
I am seen in all beings, in light, the fire, the will, the spark.
I am the drive that is within you all. I am the planter, the grain and the reaper.
I am the impregnating force, the wild undeniable need. To love, to lust, to embrace.
The seed passes into the Earth to rise in the spring, to become one with the light, to become one with the Earth, To come to union.
One to one, heart to heart, Lance to Grail. Mine is the song of lust, crying in the wild
I am untamed. I dance in all your lives. Embrace me and have no fear. For through me all your desires become reality -Byron R.
BRIDGE MAGIC FOR DRAWING DOWN
by Michael Firefall
Purify, cast circle, etc.
After centering and getting very plugged in to the flow of power:
Facing East, with Priestess (or other person) to do channeling at East facing west:
Close eyes and listen, may pick up white noise, tune senses to unseen realm.
Visualize a bridge across a chasm, with yourself on one side and other side indistinct.
See a swirling, moving, white mist starting on the other side -- filling field of vision.
See the mist intensify into something like a white storm of astral light filling area and coming almost, but not quite, into the circle
Strongly visualize bridge and channel power into it.
When sense Goddess approaching, hold bridge strongly and let her pass over bridge, through you and into Priestess.
When time comes for Goddess to leave Priestess, clear bridge and get it ready. Channel power to bridge. Let her pass, then stop visualizing bridge. Visualize white storm fading into mist and fading completely.
End visualization and return to circle.
DETAILS ON INITIATION
Initiation is typically at Imbolc or Lammas:
A. First do personal vision quest ritual to get magickal name. Details on this ritual will be provided to the person to be initiated.
B. Initiation includes affirmation by group of being a Priestess or Priest of the Craft and a full initiate of VisionWeavers Coven, along with transfer of a magickal current and craft secrets.
C. Initiation is one of the few VisionWeavers rituals where all of the details are not provided to all participants. Certain aspects of the experience are true Craft secrets that carry a current, and mystery and surprise enhance the experience for the person initiated. However, the person being initiated will be given instructions for a solitary ritual from which she or he will be summoned at the beginning of the actual initiation ceremony.
D. The person seeking initiation must submit a draft initiation ritual in advance to VisionWeavers initiates. Background material on initiation will be provided.
E. Details of the initiation ritual are worked out by those who are already initiated, considering the traditional VisionWeavers initiation and the submitted draft ritual.
F. To be initiated, one must be active for at least 1 year in the Coven (or longer depending on attendance, competence, and the level of participation) and agree to the magickal oath below:
OATH OF INITIATION
(The 13 questions:)
• What Goddesses, Gods and other entities do you call upon to witness this rite?
• Why do you seek initiation?
• Do you promise to faithfully attend the rites, so far as you are able?.
• Do you promise to love and honor thy brothers and sisters of the Craft, to aid them when in distress, to care for them when sick, to protect and defend them from their enemies, so far as you are able?
• Do you hold your pledged word sacred and to remember the value of honesty in thought word and deed?
• Do you promise to respect the life of this planet?
• Do you promise to respect other's rights to freedom, and their safety, privacy and opinions?
• Do you promise to guard the mysteries from the profane who would dishonor that knowledge, and to protect the privacy of those who wish to remain so?
• Do you promise to further your own knowledge, to join with others in the Craft for mutual teaching, and to teach those worthy students sincerely seeking knowledge to the best of your abilities, sharing your knowledge of the Craft without demands for personal gain?
• Do you promise to never use magic to merely impress the foolish or for any end that increases harm?
• To what purposes do you dedicate your magic?
• Do you promise to try to help the Craft of the wise and to hold its honor as you would your own?
• Kneel... Do you vow all between these hands to the words you have spoken, to the Gods you have called to witness, and to the old Gods of the Craft?