Ritual Outline

1. GROUND AND CENTER

Two members act as high priest and high priestess.  The person leading ritual (referred to as HP) will lead the centering in his or her own fashion.  Generally we will take a moment to individually gather our thoughts and center ourselves at the HP’s bidding.

2. ESTABLISH INTENTIONS

The HP will tell the group why we are gathered and the meaning of the specific holiday and/or the significance of the position of the calendar Wheel.

3. DEFINE RITUAL SPACE

Four members call to each of the four elements and invite them to join us.  They ask them to assist us in casting our circle and defining our space.  With the group’s assistance, the HP will then cast a circle using his or her Athame while addressing the four elements.

4. INVOKE THE FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES

The high priest and high priestess will invoke God and Goddess and ask them to join our ritual.

5. INVOKE FACETS OF GOD AND GODDESS, NATURE SPIRITS AND ANCESTORS

Starting with the person on the HP’s left and going clockwise, attendees can invoke an aspect of Goddess or God, a Nature spirit or ancestor to join us.

6. RITUAL WORK

This is specific to the holiday and will be lead by the HP

7. THE EXCHANGE

Moving clockwise, each attendee may ask the kindred for assistance in some cause and in return they may give an offering; either physical, in the form of praise, or as a promise of action.

8. CAKES AND WINES

After blessing the food and giving thanks, cakes (usually bread) and either wine or some other drink is passed around and shared by the attendees.  This symbolizes the communion with the kindred and each other and the exchange between the members and the kindred that just took place.

9. CLOSING THE CIRCLE – FAREWELL TO KINDRED

Going counter clockwise, each member gives thanks to those they invited and bids them farewell.

10. CLOSING THE CIRCLE – FAREWELL TO THE MOTHER AND FATHER

The high priestess and high priest say farewell to Goddess and God and use their candles to light the unity candle.

11. TAKING DOWN THE CIRCLE

The HP moves counter clockwise and takes down the circle. Then the four members that invoked the elements, dismiss them.

12. CLOSING THE CIRCLE – FAREWELL TO ATTENDEES

The HP summarizes the ritual and thanks the attendees for joining.