Living Wicca

*These are my notes I made when I read this book*

Living Wicca by Scott Cunningham

Tools of Learning

Members of covens have access to teachers, attend learning circles, and can enjoy the experience of other Wiccans in guiding and enriching their Wiccan knowledge. Solitary Wiccans lack all of these opportunities. What, then, are our tools of learning?

Self-teaching can be accomplished through the use of four tools:

Study

Thought

Prayer

Experimentation

This fourfold approach may answer nearly every question you have if you’re willing to trust yourself; if you’re willing to think; and if you’re not caught up in worrying that you’re doing something incorrectly.

There’s no one correct method of casting a circle; of invoking the Goddess and God; of ritually observing the seasons or performing Wiccan magick. Which allows a unique opportunity for the solitary Wiccan: to discover new forms of worship that others may have missed.

-Study

Many people first learn of Wicca through reading books, and most use books to guide their first steps on the Wiccan path. Such books, if written in a clear manner by experienced Wiccans, can be valuable learning tools. Each book is a different teacher. Each teacher has distinct ideas concerning the subject being taught.

Experience and training have created specific ideals concerning Wicca within each book’s writer, and these ideals are clearly presented within her or his books. Divergences of opinion are natural in experts in any field and shouldn’t dismay those who are confronted by them. Feel free to pick and choose among the published rituals and ritual textbooks to decide what feels right. It’s this selectivity that will usually prove to be the most effective.

You become your own teacher, and books provide some of the lessons. Learn to trust yourself. Settle questions in the best way you can. Think. Pray. Experiment. And just do it.

It’s best to avoid all books written by non-Wiccans about Wicca. One of the most popular forms of misinformation is found in books on the ancient history of Wicca. Read tales of ancient Wicca with a great deal of discernment and a large grain of salt.

While books aren’t infallible sources of information, they can be valuable allies on the solidarity path if you keep these in mind:

• Books are tools that are meant to be used. They provide lessons; we have to put the lessons to work.
• Books can’t answer every question, but neither can any High Priestess of teacher.
• Be discriminating when reading books. If an author makes wild statements that you know to be untrue, consider the book a possible source of incorrect information.
• Make notes of what you read. 
• Combine information from a number of books on a specific topic, such as magic, energy raising, or circle construction. This will give you a greater chance of finding what’s right for you. 
• If books are too expensive for you to budget, search used bookstores. Libraries are another possible source. If you don’t find them on a self, ask the librarian if they have them stored in the back.
• Don’t see reading as a passive activity. Make it an active process. Question what you read. Think about what you are learning. Never take an author at his or her word. Search for similar themes. Books are great teachers, but we must allow ourselves to hear their messages and trust ourselves so that their lessons can begin to unfold.

-Thought

Many Wiccan teachers state that the classes that they lead are just the beginning of the lesson; that they should be springboards to continual learnings. This can take place only we reflect upon what we’re being taught.

Thought is often combined with questioning. Questions can be answered by reading, then reflecting on what’s been learned. This thought process must follow the uncovering of new information if it is available for use as needed. 

Thinking through new material allows you to closely examine it to weed out unsatisfactory information. Thinking about what you’ve learned is a part of the process of elimination, and of finding you ideal Wiccan practice. It’s an integral part of the learning process.

Many new solitary Wiccans have a great number of questions regarding the Goddess:”What does she look like?”; “Can I touch her?”; “Where did she come from?”; “Which myths should I use?” Many of these and similar questions can be answered through study and thought; others require prayer and experimentation. 

Thought should also be combined with feeling. In Wicca, we can realize that our feelings are usually what attracted us to Wicca. It wouldn’t be wise to distress our feelings.

Intuition is a form of psychic awareness. Use of this tool while learning Wicca is of the utmost importance, for it’s the filter through which you can evaluate questionable information. Your reactions on this information may profoundly affect your final decisions.

Thought, then, is a necessary part of learning solitary Wicca. It can be summed up in the following manner:

• Determine questions(if necessary).
• Study to uncover knowledge.
• Determine your feelings concerning this knowledge. Rely on this intuition. 
• Determine what information is applicable to your solitary Wiccan practice.

Reflect on what you’ve studied. Trust yourself, your intuition, your feelings. And learn.

-Prayer

Prayer is another tool open to the Wiccan. When you’re absolutely stuck; when the information can’t be found in books, or when found, confuses you, when you have a real need for assistance, ask for it. Prayer of this nature doesn’t need lengthy ritual. You might accompany your prayer with the lighting of a candle, a walk in the woods or park. You can pray at any time, no matter where you are. You might follow up prayer with a popular tool of divination.

The structure of the prayer isn’t as important as the emotion that you place within it, and the clarity of your words. You might direct it solely to the Goddess or both the God and Goddess. Express your need for this information or for guidance with the present situation, and thank them for their assistance. 

True prayer is more than spoken words, for the devotee releases energy through the prayer. Because nature abhors a vacuum, an answer will appear. This answer may take on many forms. It can be something as simple as a quiet voice answering you. The message may appear in a symbolic form; a cloud may suggest a shape, which may suggest an answer. Cards or stones or the movement of a pendulum could give you answers. Prayers might be answered in dreams. 

There are numerous other ways in which your prayer may be answered. You may suddenly find a book that contains the needed information, or come across an article in a Wiccan publication. Prayers are always answered, but not always in direct ways. Divine revelations are usually of a personal nature.

Don’t discount prayer as a tool of information gathering. It seems ethereal, but when we consider its source, is this so surprising?

-Experimentation

So you’ve read many books, thought about what you’ve read, and compiled information from a number of sources, you’ve filtered this knowledge through the sieve of your feelings(intuition) and have prayed to the deities for assistance. What’s next? Putting the information into practice.

Wicca is, after all, a living religion. Religions don’t exist within theories and ritual plans; they come to live only when they’re being practiced and lived. The outer forms(rituals, use of tools) are important because they symbolize nonphysical processes, and remind us of what we’re doing in Wicca in the first place. 

Begin to experiment with various ritual forms. Piece them together in various ways, discarding unsuccessful combinations and holding onto those that you find fulfilling. Questions such as “Is this the right way?” “Am I doing it wrong?” should not be allowed to interfere with your creative process. Such questions will only delay your process.

The process of experimentation is necessary for determining all aspects of solitary Wicca; everything from seasonal festivals to esbats, power raising and sending techniques, magickal rituals, the use and meaning of tools, self-initiations, and every other aspect of Wicca.

Secrecy

Times of secrecy may be changing. Still, the prevailing climate is one of confusion, doubt, and fear. Those raised to believe in one faith feel threatened when another makes its presence known; especially one as misunderstood as Wicca. Occasionally, this leads to violence and even murder. 

Such reactions are the direct result of the misinformation continually being fed to an unsuspecting public. The major sources of those lies are television evangelists, but many preachers continue to speak of us as satanic, child-killing devils with one aim: to rule the world. Even the media-promulgated :”New Age” has been widely discussed as a satanic threat to Christianity. 

Though we know this is absurd, many nonWiccans do not. In such a heady climate, is it best to reveal your religion to your parents, mate, children, friends, employers, landlords, and neighbors? Could such a revelation create anger, fear, and misunderstanding to the point that you wished you never said a thing? Your mate may grow cold, your employer may let you go, your neighbors might shun you, your parents may become extremely distressed, your landlord may give you thirty days notice, or up your rent. It’s possible. The opposite is also possible. The decision of whether to inform others of your Wiccanhood must be a personal one. However, remember this: many people simply don’t care what you believe. They simply have no interest in the matter.

Magickal Secrecy

It’s commonly believed that secrecy is absolutely essential for successful magick. Don’t speak of your magickal workings, we’re told. Don’t tell your friends of your interest in magick, let alone discuss the candle ritual that you performed last night. Be still. We’re told. Talk not. Let the power cook.

This is unfortunate and unnecessary. True magick is limitless. Speaking of a ritual to others doesn’t disperse its energies. On the contrary, it gives you another opportunity to quickly send more power toward your magickal goal.

Disbelief also isn’t a satisfactory reason for magickal secrecy. The disbelief of others has as much effect on magick as does an unschooled person’s doubt that a calculator can add two and two, to equal four. The calculator will work, regardless of the observer’s doubt. So, too, will magick will be effective. 

If a person truly feels that secrecy is necessary to perform an effective rite of magick, she or he has accepted a limitation concerning magick’s effectiveness. Acceptance of any form of limitation in magick reduces the Wiccan’s ability to raise and send energy, for it breeds doubt within the Wiccan’s mind that magick isn’t an all-powerful force that, correctly performed by properly experienced people, can truly manifest wondrous, positive changes. 

Secrecy isn’t a necessary part of magick. It’s no guarantee of magickal success and may block your magick. This doesn’t mean you should walk around with a green button that states, “I did a money ritual last night!” It also doesn’t mean that you must discuss your magickal affairs with others, especially if you’re working on intensely private matters.

It’s perfectly fine to keep quiet concerning your magickal activities- so long as your motivations aren’t limiting. If you don’t wish to discuss your magickal activities with others, don’t. Not because some Wiccan wrote that you shouldn’t, but because you don’t want to.

Should I Do It While I’m Sick?

Many types of illnesses create dramatic changes within humans. Some of these changes are physical; others are mental, emotional, spiritual, or psychic. Are such temporary alterations beneficial or detrimental to the performance of Wiccan ritual?

Illness and Wiccan Religious Ritual Physical Changes

Some illnesses create a pronounced lack of energy. It may be difficult to walk across the room, let alone cast a circle. Casts on broken limbs may or may not restrict your ability to set up an altar and hold a Book of Shadows. Your movements in circle may be limited. Adapt ritual conditions to take into account your present physical condition. 

If you are ordered to bed rest, or to stay off your feet, follow those instructions. Either adapt ritual to a purely verbal and mental experience, or wait until you’ve recovered. 

• Mental Changes

During many types of sickness( including colds), a pronounced change of consciousness often occurs. Slight dizziness, sinus pressure, elevated temperature, pain, and other symptoms can create the most remarkable shifts in consciousness- even in people who haven’t attempted to mash the symptoms with drugs. This type of consciousness can lend the ill Wiccan a radically different perception of the world; this can hinder ritual work.

If you simply can’t concentrate long enough to formulate any type of ritual, it’s probably best to let it go for now and resume ritual workings when you’re once again able to do so. 

• Emotional and Spiritual Changes

Let’s face it- most of us don’t feel good when we are sick. We may be grumpy, irritable, impossible to be around, depressed, worried, and stressed. Sometimes, we’re simply not in the mood. This is quite natural, and if you truly don’t feel like doing ritual work, don’t. No one’s keeping score.

On the other hand, if you’re physically able to do so, performing ritual may actually make you feel better. Effective Wiccan ritual( which can be difficult during times of illness) gives a spiritual boost, which in turn makes us feel better. 

Finally, a simple prayer to the Goddess and God may comfort you and if nothing else, give you a different focus than that of your illness.

• Psychic Changes

Illness can have great effects on our psychic awareness. Though this may not seem to be particularly important when doing rituals, our ability to tap into our psychic minds is necessary for effective ritual. Ritual is often empty and mechanical without this linking of two minds(conscious and psychic).

You may possess the ability to perform a ritual physically, mentally, and emotionally, but if you seem to be psychically shut down, probably wouldn’t be a good idea.

• Nonprescription and Prescription Drugs

Drug reactions are perhaps the most important factor in determining whether to perform rituals during illness. The vast number of drugs now in use and their varying effects make it impossible to speak in any but the most general of terms.

Many drugs have no effect on consciousness, don’t alter emotions, have no noticeable psychological effect, and leave the psychic mind alone. However, some drugs ( prescription and over the counter) can cause just these changes. Among these, of course, narcotics. If you seem to be suffering from negative side effects, limit ritual work while under their influence.

You must use your judgement and common sense in determining whether illness or prescription drugs will interfere with your Wiccan ritual. If your health care provider has told you to stay in bed, stay in bed and forget about setting up a circle. If you’ve just had stitches, don’t do an ecstatic dance around the altar. If you are suffering from lung complications, don’t burn incense. If you’re taking meds that prohibits alcohol, don’t drink wine after ritual. Solitary Wiccans can do ritual at any time, and if necessary, delay or miss ritual as well. Illness is a legitimate reason for skipping ritual.

• Magick and Illness

Performing magick during periods of illness may or may not be a positive action. It’s a natural time for self-healing spells, but spells for other reasons should be postponed, no matter how important the work may be. Waiting until you’re well not only allows you to give the magickal rite your full attention, it also assures that you’ll be able to raise far greater amounts of energy.

When we’re sick, our bodies have lowered reserves of energy( personal power). Not only aren’t we producing as much as usual, we’re also using more energy to heal ourselves. This lowered reserve can make performing magick during serious illness quite dangerous, for you are drawing on the energy that would otherwise be working to heal you. When you’re sick, you must be number one. Use this energy to heal yourself. Later, you’ll be in shape to take care of the rest of the world.

The bottom line: no magick except self-healing during illness.

Magickal Names

Many Wiccan books discuss the taking of a Wiccan( magickal) name. The ceremonial bestowing of such a name upon the initiate is part of many initiation ceremonies. Afterwards, the new Wiccan is usually exclusively called by this name within the circle.

Magickal names are quite popular among Wiccans, so popular, in fact, that many Wiccans have two or even three names; a public Craft name( used at Wiccan gatherings, when writing articles, and so on); a sacred name( the one bestowed during initiation); and perhaps a third name, which is used only when addressing the Goddess and God, and is known only to them and the Wiccan. Wiccans who are members of more than one tradition may have different names for each group. For many Wiccans, taking a new name is an outward symbol of her or his devotion to Wicca. It’s seen as part of the process of rebirth into the religion.

Throughout history, names have been given considerable magickal importance. A spirit’s name had to be known  before it could be exorcised from a sick person in ancient Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria. In Hawaii, babies were given revolting names in infancy, to guard them from evil during their early, vulnerable years. A more fitting name was given to the child when she or he reached a certain age and was less susceptible to the wiles of evil spirits. In some cultures, mothers will bestow a secret name to their children. This “real” name, unknown to anybody but the mother, protects the child. The common name by which he or she is called has no power over them. In our country, numerology is used to discover the power of our names, and many people change their name to advance their careers. With all the importance attached to names, it’s not difficult to understand why many Wiccans use Craft names.

The major reason for utilizing a Craft name, is that it represents the Wiccan you. For some, use of this name gives them a sense of power and mystery which they may otherwise not feel. We live in such a mundane world that it can be difficult to “switch on” the magickal side of our nature. Thus, use of a Wiccan name may assist in altering the conscious mind and preparing it for ritual. 

There are many approaches to find your magickal name. Some Wiccans adopt a name of a Goddess or God, to honor them. Others look into their family’s cultural history and choose a name from the associated folklore. Many contemporary American Wiccans incorporate an animal in their name, such as “Howling Wolf” or “Sweeping Eagle”. Flower and plant names ( Rose, Oak Keeper, Grove, Fish, Ash) are other possibilities. You may also simply make up a name.

Everyday Wicca

Wicca isn’t limited to ritual, prayer, and magick. It’s a way of life as much as it’s a religion. Applying Wicca’s principles to our world is one of the simplest methods of bringing Wicca into our daily lives. 

• Harm None

Think about this when someone cuts you off on the road, steals “your” parking space, is rude to you, or when you’re facing all manner of trouble with mates, family, friends, neighbors, or co-workers. Remembering this code allows us to rise above anger, jealousy, and hatred, and even transform such potentially destructive emotions into positive energies. It also presents the opportunity to care for ourselves by reducing stress. (That is far from easy.)

• Reincarnation

Reminds us that we have more than one chance at life. This concept negates suicide as a solution to problems, or as an easy way out, since we’ll be back sooner or later to confront these same issues that we believed were too difficult to face in this life. Additionally, thoughts of reincarnation can help us through periods of mourning. It can also free us of fear of death.

• Karma

This concept states that right action is returned with positive energy, and negative action is returned with negative energy. It’s allied with “harm noe” and is a reminder to act in a positive fashion. Additionally, we can see how good(positive, beneficial) actions are in themselves acts of spirituality. 

Some Wiccans express a slightly different concept known as the Law of Three or the Threefold Law. This states that anything we do returns to us in triple strength. Thus, a small act of caring may be returned to us as a great act of caring by someone else. A petty act of revenge may result in great harm against us. 

• Magick

Reminds us that we do, indeed, have control over our lives. If we don’t like them, we can change them through positive ritual. However, magick also teaches us patience: a cauldron placed on an open fire never immediately comes to a boil, and magick doesn’t immediately manifest. We may also be able to see little bits of magick at work in our everyday lives- and this can be comforting.

• Thought

Teaches us that thoughts are things; that is, thoughts generate and release energy and, if repeated with intent, can be powerful sources of energy. Thus, as we control negative thoughts, we improve our lives. Simply refusing to recognize a negative thought and changing our focus from the negative to the positive, can produce dramatic effects. And so, because we can improve our lives and harm none by positive thinking, even our thoughts can be expressions of spirituality. 

• Earth Stewardship( caring for our planet)

Is another of Wicca’s most important concepts. There’s nothing particularly spiritual about filling a garbage can or chopping down a tree- two actions that are in violation of Wiccan principles. However, rinsing and reusing bottles, recycling paper, aluminum cans, plastic, and glass are acts of spirituality, for we are caring for our planet. Similarly, planting a tree, tending gardens, giving gifts of plants to others, refusing to use pesticides, donating to ecological causes, and writing letters in support of preserving endangered animals and their environments( forests, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive areas) are all further expressions of Wicca’s concern and love for our planet. Even political involvement, when it truly leads to better earth stewardship, can have its rewarding spiritual aspects.

• Continuous presence of the Goddess and God

If we’re on earth, we’re with the Goddess and God. No part of us or our lives is divorced from them, unless we deem that this is true. In the heart of roaring cities, in the quiet of a country valley, or in a mobile home roasting in the desert, the Goddess and God are there. In our office, school, neighborhood, and favorite store, the Goddess and God are there. In rush-hour traffic, in long lines at the bank, or in the flowers and plants on our windowsills, the Goddess and God are there. 

The omnipresence of our deities isn’t some exalted spiritual sentiment; it’s true. The earth isn’t a representation of the Goddess; it’s a part of her. She is everywhere. Similarly, she is also within us, as is the God. Thus, whatever we do, wherever we go, from a convenience store to a concert in the park, they are present. Remembering this fact may, once again, reveal the inherent spirituality in many situations.

Other Methods of Enhancing Everyday Spirituality

Make an offering to the Goddess and God each day. Set aside at least five minutes a day as “sacred time”. During this five minutes you can simply think about your place in life and Wicca’s role, or you can perform other activities directly or indirectly related to Wicca. Examples are:

• Morning and evening meditations
• Working on arts and crafts with a Wiccan theme
• Listening to classical or contemporary Pagan music
• Tending or planting plants
• Volunteering
• Recycling
• Journaling about your Wiccan involvement
• Corresponding with other Wiccans
• Meditating( or psychically attuning) with stones
• Writing new rituals
• Experimenting with new methods of divination
• Collecting magickal herbs
• Visiting gardens or parks
• Listening to and communicating with animals
• Reading Pagan fairy tales to your children

This list can be extended. Indeed, once we begin to think of how Wicca has influenced our lives, a wide range of activities can be performed during such sacred time. 

Prayers

Prayer Is Directed Both Within As Well As Without

Many religions preach that our bodies are filthy, disgusting things that even their deities dislike and hate. Such faiths deny the flesh and turn their eyes toward the skies when seeking the divine.

Most Wiccans, however, accept that the Goddess and God are within ourselves as well as outside us. If everything in nature is connected through subtle but real energies, so, too, are we linked with the Goddess and God. We must become more intimately familiar with this connection.

We gain familiarity with the divine spark within ourselves through ritual, meditation, and prayer. It’s during these moments, in which we expand our awareness beyond the physical world, that the divine energy within us rises and fills our consciousness.

Prayer is the process of attuning and communicating with the Goddess and God.

Prayerful Attributes

Many people, of all religious persuasions, pray only in times of need, terrific stress, or spiritual crisis. This part of human nature: when all else fails, appeal to higher forces. Prayers at such times are certainly appropriate, and can often provide just what we need to get through such periods. However, they’re not the ideal prayerful occasions, for we often don’t take the time to truly contact the Goddess and God before we begin our communication.

It may be quite difficult to adopt such a state when a friend has just become ill, a child has run away from home, or your pet is missing. However, attaining this peaceful, hopeful, spiritual state will lend greater power to your prayer, for it will allow you to more directly connect with the Goddess and God. Once you’ve linked with the Goddess and God, you can be as emotional as you wish.

Goddess within;

God within;

Goddess of the moon, waters, and earth;

God of the forests and mountains;

Starting your prayer this way will help you get into the proper mode of consciousness.

Pray everyday, in a prayerful attitude. Talk to the Goddess and God about positive events in your life. Thank them for manifested prayers. Speak to them about the moonrise, the sound of the birds in the morning, the new kittens. Speak to them, too, of your needs and hopes and desires.

Make prayer a daily occurence. Don’t wait to pray solely during those rare occasions when crushing need forces you to turn to them for assistance. Prayer- true prayer- on a daily basis sets up a regular line of communication. So long as you don’t recite prayers without emotion or feeling, this prayer experience will come in handy when you’re faced with a crisis.

Prayer should always be respectful. Wiccans don’t bargain with the Goddess and God. Prayers consist of deal making. We never threaten or order around the Goddess and God. Such “prayers” have no place in Wicca.

Types of Prayer

There are many types of prayers: prayers of thanks, of celebration, of need. Situations obviously frame the nature of most prayers. However, praying only when in need is using the least of prayer’s potential. Examples:

Prayers of thanks are just that:

O Goddess within;

O God within;

O Goddess of the moon, waters, and earth;

O God of forests and mountains:

I give thanks for___________ ( or, for my many blessings).

The prayer may then continue on to describe how this blessing has changed your life:

Thank you for lending me spiritual strength in this time of need; it has refreshed and encouraged me.

Or:

Thank you for assisting me in finding the perfect________

Or: 

Thank you for touching my life and allowing me to find the right person for me; my world is filled with love and happiness.

Such prayers may be quite lengthy. In prayers of thanks, it’s best to detail your specific reasons for thankfulness. This strengthens the fact that the Goddess and God have recently assisted you, and also strengthens the prayer’s effectiveness. 

If you need assistance in creating a ritual, try:

O glorious Goddess; 

O gracious God; 

You who created all that is; 

Help me create this ritual

In your honor

At the time of the full moon( or Yule and so on).

Prayers of celebration may also be framed when the Wiccan has accompanied a tremendous feat, with or without the direct assistance of the Goddess and God;

O gracious Goddess, 

I passed the test.

Or:

O Mother Goddess; 

O Father God

I finished_________

Prayers of need are just that:

O Goddess within;

O God within;

Goddess of the moon, the waters, and the earth;

God of the forests and mountains; 

O shining ones of infinate wisdom; 

Teach me to understand________( my child, friend, lover, parents, etc).

Lend me spiritaul strength to overcome my anger and pain, 

Quinch my fires with love.

Certainly, there are many types of need. In our market economy, where we must work to earn money to buy things that others create, our needs are often physical: new car, home, good job, more money. Prayers of need may also be involved with healing, compassion, love, protection, and many other aspects of daily human life.

At times, our needs may seem insurmountable. We may temporarily lose our Goddess and God focus and descend into negative thinking, disillusionment, and fear. It’s at such times that we may pray to them:

O Goddess within;

O God within;

O Goddess of the moon, the waters, and the earth;

O God of the forests and mountains;

I need to feel your presence.

I need to be reminded of you.

Assist me to remember your lessons;

Show me the key that will unlock my spirituality.

Blessed Be.

Or, we may pray regarding problems that we’re having with our religion. After introductory part of prayer, you may say:

Goddess and God, I’m trying to find the perfect circle casting. Guide my mind, heart, and hands as I try to figure this out.

These methods are intended as assistance.

Daily Prayers and Chants

A Prayer Before Meals

From the forest and stream

From the mountain and field

From the fertile earth’s

Nourishing yield

I now partake of

Divine energy

May it lend health, Strength, and love to me.

Blessed Be.

Another Prayer Before Meals

O Goddess within

O God within

I now partake of the

Fertility of the earth.

Bless this food with your love.

A Third Prayer Before Meals

Goddess of the verdant plain

God of the sun-ripe grain

Goddess of the cooling rain

God of the fruit and cane

Bless this meal I’ve prepared

Nourish me with love

Bless this meal I share with you both above

A Morning Prayer

Bless this day, sun of fiery light

Bless this day, prepare me for the night

Sunrise Chant

Fire growing,

Sun is glowing

Glowing, flowing

Down on me.

Another Morning Prayer

O gracious Goddess, 

O gracious God,

Lend me health, strength, and love

During this coming day.

Assist me with the challenges ahead.

Share your divine wisdom.

Teach me to respect all things.

Remind me that the greatest power of all is love.

Blessed Be.

An Evening Prayer

The moon illuminates the earth

With wondrous silver rays

Illuminate me through the night

And through the sun-lit days.

A Prayer Before Sleep

O gracious Goddess 

O gracious God, I now enter the realms of dreams.

Weave now, if you will, a web of protective light around me.

Guard both my sleeping form and my spirit.

Watch over me

Until the sun once again

Rules the earth.

O gracious Goddess

O gracious God, be with me through the night.

Invocation Before Sleep

Lady of the moon

Lord of the sun

Protect me and mine

Now day is done.

New Moon Chant

Silver flowing 

Diana’s growing

Growing, showing

Love for me

Short Chant For Help

Divine Mother,

Mother divine,

Show me the way

Give me a sign.

Prayers and Rites of Thanks and Offering

Offering Rites

The main tool of such rites is the offeratory bowl, into which the offering is placed( if indoors). Though this may be of any material, a clay, wooden, ceramic, or silver bowl is preferred. What types of offerings are best? Generally, food in any form(save for meat) is fine, as are small, precious objects. Even jewelry and expensive items are sometimes offered and buried in the earth. If you have nothing else, and can spare no food, pure water can be used. Incense may also be in smoldered offering, but it should be a type that you don’r normally burn. Remember, we never sacrifice living things to deities.

Offerings must be consciously made and done with thanks, intent, and foucus. In past times, such offerings were considered vital to the worshipper’s existence. Today, we might see them as vital to our spiritual existence. 

The time of day isn’t important, though most prefer the night. Offerings can also be made at any time in thanks for an answered prayer.

Use your intuition and experiment to find the forms best suited to you.

A Daily Offering

Place the offering in the bowl( or on the ground) while saying:

    What I take I freely give.

    Please take this offering, Goddess and God.

Another Daily Offering

Make the daily offering while saying:

    I give you this symbol of my devotion .

    May it strengthen my bonds with you.

An Offering for a Special Request

This should by no means be seen as a bribe. We don’t bribe the Goddess and God, for they created and possess everything in existence. However, giving an offering before making a special request ( during power) is again a symbol of our need. The actual energy that exists within the offering is sent by the power of our prayer to the Goddess and God, and so further emphasizes our nee.

When you bury the offering in the earth, it is done. Do not dig up and retrieve offerings. Once you’ve given them to the Goddess and God, you’ve relinquished their physical forms. What’s done is done.

Rites of Thanks

Thanks for an Answered Prayer

    

Goddess

What no human ear could hear, you heard.

What no human eye could see, you saw.

What no human hand could do, you did.

What no human power could change, you changed.

Goddess of love; Goddess pmnipotent, 

You through them whom all power flows, 

Source of all,

Queen of the cosmos,

Creatrix of the universe,

Accept this humble toke of thanks

From a solitary Wiccan

Who has spoken

And who has been heard.

(Place an offering, such as a flower, a coin, a jewel, a picture you drew, or some other object precious to you, and bury it in the earth. If this can’t be done immediately, place the offering in the bowl and later give it directly to the earth.)

A Solitary Ritual of Thanks

(You alone will know when to perform this ritual. It can be done at any phase of the moon, diring the day or night, whenever needed.)

You’ll need one large white or pink bowl; one white candle; water; small, fresh flowers(white blooms are best); and one piece of white cotton cloth.

Place the bowl on the altar (or on any table). If desired, cast a circle. Affix the white candle to the center of the bowl with warmed beeswax or with drippings from another white candle (so the bowl acts as a candleholder).

Pour the water into the bowl. Float the fresh flowers on the surface of the water. Light the candle.

Visualize your reason for the ritual; remember why you’re thanking the Goddess and God. Touch the water on both sides of the candle with your fingertips, saying these or similar words:

“Lady of the moon, of the stars and the earth

Lord of the sun, of the forests and the hills

I perform a ritual of thanks. 

My love shines like the flame

My love floats like the petals

Upon you.

Lady of the waters, of flowers and the sea

Lord of the air, of horns and of fire

I perform a ritual of thanks.

My love shines like the flame

My love floats like the petals

Upon you.

Lady of the caves, of cats and snakes

Lord of the plains, of falcons and stags

I perform a ritual of thanks.

My love shines like the flame

My love floats like the petals

Upon you.

Look into the candle’s flame, then down into the water. Blow gently upon the water’s surface and watch the flower’s movements. Meditate, commune, thank.

When it’s time, remove the petals from the water. Place them in the center of the white cotton cloth. Wrap the cloth around the petals. If you’re cast a circle, close it now. End your rite of thanks by quenching the candle’s flame, pouring the water onto the ground, and burying the flowers in the earth. It is done.

Simple Wiccan Rites

You’re excited about an upcoming trip. Then you realize that your travel plans will interfere with the celebration of a sabat or esbat. Since it wouldn’t be practical ( or advisable) to take along all your ritual tools, what can you do?

On other occasions, the desire or need for a ritual may suddenly occur. When this occurs, there’s little or no time for preparation. You may hear that a friend is in the hospital or that someone you love is in danger. Again, what do you do?

The answer lies in simplified Wiccan rites. In certain circumstances, a magickal working(such as folk magick) may be more appropriate. Ritual tools are assistances to ritual. They aren’t necessary, but when we’re beginning to learn Wicca, they’re of invaluable help in creating ritual consciousness, defining and purifying sacred space, and invoking the Goddess and God.

Though the ritual tools and forms of Wicca are important because they, in part, define our religion, they’re not necessary. Effective ritual isn’t dependent upon the number of tools you use; it begins within you and continues from there.

The need for such rites may arise at any time, usually when you’re away from home and books aren’t available. To be prepared for such emergencies, think in advance of some ways in which you can perform simple yet effective Wiccan rituals at any time, and at any place, with few tools.

Casting A Circle

Stand, sit, or lie down, accroding to the situation. Raise energy by tightening your muscles. Visualize the energy glowing as a ball of purplish-blue flame within you. Using your protective hand, direct this energy out from you into a small magick circle. Alternatively, send out the energy in a clockwise circle around you without moving your hand. Feel the circle shimmering and pulsing. (If desired and possible, sprinkle salt and/or water around you to bless the area before creating the circle.)

Invoking the Goddess and God

Prayers that you’ve memorized may feel right, simply say what you feel. Remember to focus on your connections with them while praying. If circumstances don’t allow you to speak out loud, think your words. Try this formula:

     “Mother Goddess, be here with me.

      Father God, be here with me.”

Then explain the situation or say words in celebration of the ritual occasion. Here’s a suggestion:

• State the reason for rite: recognition of a sabat(which one), full moon, or a spiritual need.
• State something about the occasion or ask for their assistance, if appropriate.
• Thank the Goddess and God for their attentions.

Meditate upon the meaning of the occasion a few moments, then say:

“Goddess and God, thank you for attending my simple circle. Hail and farewell.”

Closing The Rite

After thanking the Goddess and God, take up the energy with which you created the circle. If at all possible, eat something directly following the circle( if nothing else, taste a bit of salt). Your simplified rite has ended. 

If you whisper and internalize your actions, such rituals can be performed in crowded rooms, without the knowledge of others. You can truthfully say that you wish to pray for a few moments, and in no way reveal to whom you’re praying.

There’s no reason to miss ritual because you’re away from your tools, or have had no warning. 

Magick and the Solitary Wiccan

The Circle

You should already know how to create a magick circle. You raise energy, give it purpose and, using your mind and perhaps a tool, direct this energy outward from your body in the shape of a large sphere, in which you perform your rituals.

Using all your senses( especially your psychic abilities), examine your circle after finishing it. Determine if you feel the difference within the circle’s boundaries. That’s one of the clues. If you do find problems, close the circle and begin again with more attention to what you’re doing. 

We must never become sloppy in our circle constructions. Creating the circle is similar to building a cathedral of raising the megaliths of stonehenge: we’re building a temple, our temple, in which we worship our deities. It deserves every bit of our time, energy, and attention. 

Raising Energy in the Circle

This form of magick should also be familiar. A need is visualized. While visualizing, the Wiccan raises energy from within his or her body and, through the visualization, imprints this need onto the energy. The power is then released. 

Unfortunately, solitary Wiccans have few energy raising methods. The first: you’re sitting before the altar. You begin to slowly chant a statement of purpose, such as “heal her” or “protect me”. You slowly increase the speed of the chant, never wavering in your visualization. You begin tightening the muscles all over your body ( this raises physical energy, even when you’re still). The power builds within you and threatens to spill over. You release it. 

Another method is far more physical. You begin slow, clockwise dance( or walk) around the altar while visualizing snd/or chanting the need. The dance increases in speed. When you release the power, you may fall dramatically to the floor. 

Yet a third method utilizes breathing techniques which tighten the muscles and raise energy. 

Sending the Energy

As solitary Wiccans, we must always be both the energy raiser and the energy sender. This demands practice and control. When it’s time, simply push it out. Relax your muscles- all at once. With visualization, direct the energy outward from your hand or athame.

The perfect ability to raise and send energy is one of the challenges of solitary Wicca, and will come with time. When you’ve properly cast a circle, you’ve sent energy from your body for a specific purpose, purpose achieved. Thus, you performed a magickal working. 

Once you’ve achieved this, the next step is to raise more energy. And then send it a bit further, through the circle and out toward its goal. Don’t worry about the circle somehow blocking the exit of the energy. It’s somewhat akin to a door. You’re inside the structure, and sending energy through it opens the door. Like doors, circles don’t need their functions explained to them during magick. The circle “knows” that one of its functions is to release energy. (The door automatically shuts once the energy has left.)

Soitary Wiccans also raise power within the circle. And yes, we may release a bit of energy too early. Still, it’s important that we hold in the enrgy until the last possible moment. A single energy release is most effective. 

Push the energy out of you. Feel it exploding away in a focused beam of energy, shooting from you, through the circle, and out to it’s goal. Visualize and feel any excess energy lying around the circle as joining the main stream of energy. Fortunately, with practice, it’s really quite simple. Visualize!

After every Wiccan rite, especially those that have involved magick, some energy will naturally be retained within the circle. This energy can be subtly distracting, son it’s usual to earth it by consuming food after each ritual. Protein foods (such as beans and corn, dairy products, and so on) are ideal. Eating shifts the consciousness back to this reality, and also replinishes some of the energy lost during magick. 

Deity Concepts

• Goddess of Outer Space ( stars, galaxy, universe)

-- Darkness; black cloth, stars, the night; the void; cauldron; nocturnal flowers and owls.

• Goddess of the Moon ( waxing, full, waning moon)

-- Crescents; pearls; moonstones; mirror; silver; labrys.

• Goddess of the Earth ( fertility, plants, animals, storms, earthquakes, and volcanic activity, gentle rain, wells, rivers, lakes, sea, and oceans)

-- Fruits; plants; fertilizing nature; corn dollies; animals ( cats, dolphins, lions, horses, dogs, bees); pure water; sea shell; cups; chalices; cauldrons; emeralds.

• Goddess of Beginnings ( freshness, renewal, promise, and potental)

-- Unplowed fields; eggs; spring; new moon

• Goddess of Childbirth, Mothers, and Mothering

-- Full moon, holed stones, round or oval-shaped objects; a baby.

• Goddess of Love ( beauty, and compasion)

--Mirros, hearts, flowers, honey

• Goddess of Healing

-- Purifying waters, power-streaming hands

• Goddess of Prophecy 

-- Quartz crystal, psychic awareness, caves, nudity, pools of water

• Goddess of Magick 

--All magickal tools, sword, athame, spindle, fire, cauldron

• Goddess of Wisdom

-- Fires, books, owls, waning moon

Keep in mind that such symbols may not actually be used in ritual, but can be ustilized when writing ritual invocations. The mention of these tools immediately and directly connects your invocation with the Goddess.

The God

The God shares an equal place in the hearts of most Wiccans, for without him, our world would be cold, desolate of fertility and of all life. Here are some attributes:

• God of the Sun (Sun, goild,brass, bonfires, candles)

• God of Human Fertility( and thus, sex) (acorns, pinecones, wands)
• God of the Earth ( wild animals, crops, deserts, plains, valleys) ( Grain, stones, valleys, seeds, forests, bull, snake, fish, wolf, eagle, lizard)
• God of Summer (Blazing fires, daylight, the south)
• God of Hunting( Horns, spears, quiver, bow, arrows)
• God of Death and Rebirth( Sunset, winter, pomegranates, dried leaves, sickle, night, the west)
• God of Retribution( war and conflicts)

Let’s speak frankly here. The Goddess appears to be more loving, more understanding, more caring than the God. The God, through no fault of his own, may appear to be unapproachable except in Wiccan ritual, and even then, formalized prayers are necessary. This easily explains the lack of material regarding him.

The God has been given a bad name by two thousand years of patriarchal hyperbole that has strayed far off the path that Jesus allegedly once preached. Religious institutions have transformed the male conception of deity into a wrathful being whose followers have wiped out entire civilizations and destroyed hundreds of cultures; a god in whose name miilions  of persons have been killed in holy wars; a god whose representatives have repeatedly stated that deity is not female and that women can’t be priests; a male deity ruling over a male-oriented world in which men have long used religion as an excuse to dominate, subdue, and abuse women.

Do you see the God as woman-hating? See him instead as a being that the Goddess has brought into her arms. Remember that thousands of priestesses worship him everyday. 

Do you see the God as bringer of death? Remember that death is necessary at some point. And that the Goddess brings us rebirth.

Do you see the God as the bringer of war? Remember the men have exploited his dark side for this purpose. Remember, however, that war is rarely religious in nature: its main motivations are politics and money. Religion is often simply an excuse. 

Ritual Design Part 1

Except in rare cases( emergencies), or during spontaneous rites, all Wiccan rituals should include the following:

• Purification of self
• Purification of space
• Creation of sacred space( including the altar)
• Invocation
• Ritual observance ( and/or) raising of energy
• Earthing the power
• Thanking the Goddess and God
• Breaking the Circle

Ritual observances aren’t necessary during every single Wiccan ritual, and neither is energy raising (magick). They’re done when appropriate. However, the ramaining aspects are vitally necessary if your tradition’s rituals are to be Wiccan.

The ways you observe these ritual necessities are, of course, up to you. Following is the way one solitary Wiccan might construct her or his rituals( allowing for changes based on occasion):

• Purification of self( bathe and/or anoint with oil)
• Purification of space (sprinkle fresh water or sweep area)
• Creation of sacred space( set up altar; cast circle with athame; carry around salt, censer, candle, and water)
• Invocation( pray to the Goddess and God with memorized or spontaneous invocations)
• Ritual observance( Perform rituals recorded in B.O.S., if a sabbat or esbat)
• Raising of energy
• Earthing the power( cakes and ale)
• Thanking the Goddess and God( in written or spontaneous words)
• Breaking the Circle( cut Circle with athame, draw energy back into the knife; disassemble the altar)

Full moon rituals are a bit different. If it’s not possible to perform ritual on full moon, two days after the actual phase is considered to be close enough to the time. Here’s one suggested plan for a full moon esbat:

--Have a purification bath

--Cleanse the space with incense

--Create the altar with the usual tools. ( some Wiccans use a slightly different arrangement for the esbats. Additional tools, connecting this occasion with the moon, may include: white altar cloths, silver objects, cresent moons, moonstone, white flowers, and other lunar obects>

--Circle casting. ( and usally the same as the Sabbat ones)

--The Goddess ( and usually the God) is asked to be present at the circle.

--Following this invocation, some Wiccans then meditate upon the moon itself or upon a Goddess image( but such meditation may come later).

--Then, after the meditaion, or in its place, a work of magick may be performed to take advantage of the moon’s more powerful force.

--After the energy has been raised and sent toward its destination, many Wiccans will sit, meditate, pray, or simply relax. 

--Next, the Wiccan grounds themself with cakes and ale.

--Finally, the Goddess and God are thanked for attending the rite, the circle is broken, and the altar tools put away.

Sabbats

Wicca’s vaguely British/Middle Eastern cultural framework can be used to determine sabbat themes ( and often is). These include: birth of the God (sun) at Yule; the Goddess’s recovery at Imbolc; the coming of spring (Ostara); the mating/wedding  of the Goddess and God(Beltane); the coming of summer (Litha); the first harvest (Lughnasadh); the second harvest (Mabon); the death of the God(Samhain).

    Basic symbolism:

Yule: Renewal and rebirth during winter

Imbolc: The festival of lights (to encourage the sun’s return)

Beltane: The return of full-blown fertility

Litha: Great, magickal power

Lughnasadh: Harvest and thanksgiving

Mabon: Second harvest and mysteries

Samhain: The end of summer; the dead are honored

   Ritual actions are an important part:

Yule: Fires are lit within cauldrons; candles may be carried around the circle; tress or potted evergreens may be honored as symbols of continuing fertility of the earth; a Yule log may be lit if a fire is physically within the circle.

Imbolc: Candles or torches are lit and held in circle, and are usually carried around the altar at some point; a symbol of the wheel is placed on the altar; ritual blessing and planting of seeds in the circle with requests to the Goddess and God. 

Ostara: A fire is lit in the circle with appropriate words during the rite itself-- not before.

Beltane: Weaving ribbons( not traditional, but a solitary verion of creating and dancing the maypole); bonefire leaping; the blowing of horns.

Litha: Cauldron, ringed with flowers( or filled with fresh water and flowers); sword plunged into cauldron; bonfire leaping; drying herbs over the bonfire.

Lughnasadh: Bread is eaten, tossed into flames, or otherwise used on ritual.

Mabon: Fruit is praised as proof of the Goddess’s and God’s love; a ritual sprinkling of leaves.

Samhain: Scrying in smoke, candle flame or fire; calling the deported ones; leaving food outside after ritual for the dead.

   There are symbols, special tools, and colors associated with each sabbat:

Yule: Colors are green and red. A wheel symbol( wreath or wreath form); Yule log; small tree(potted).

Imbolc: Colors are white, or green aqnd white, or blue. A dish of snow; evergreens; candles.

Ostara: Color is white. A potted plant; cauldron or bonfire.

Beltane: White. Fresh flowers; cauldron filled with flowers; mirror.

Litha: White. Mugwort. Mirrors to capture the sun ( or the flames of fire).

Lughnasadh: Red and orange. Corn dollies; special loaves of bread; grain.

Mabon: Red and brown. Pinecones; acorns; wheat; dried leaves.

Samhain: Red or black. Pomegranates; pumkins; apples.

These are just some ideas. You can look at different rituals for each sabbat, then pick and choose each one is right for you. Even adjust parts of ritual to suit you.