Wiccan Rites

Wiccaning

1. Cast Circle

2. Call the Elements

3. Call the Gods

4. HPS and HP turn to the coven

HPS All bear witness, with us is the beginning of the next generation

HP Bring this child forth

5. The child is brought forth. The parents stand before the HP and HPS

F This is the child

M His/her name is ___________ (Full name)

HP Is s/he to be brought up in love?

M/F Yes! In love, guidance, integrity, and joy

HPS This lovely child is an individual. S/he will develop his/her own dreams, feelings, and ambitions. This child is not for feeding your dreams. Don’t forget this.

M/F We won’t forget.

6. The HPS takes the child. The HP puts the child’s hand through smoke

HP Lord of air protect this child

HPS Lady of Air guide this child

7. HP touches a wand to the child’s hand

HP Lord of fire protect this child

HPS Lady of fire impassion this child

8. HP places child’s hand in a bowl of water

HP Lord of water protect this child

HPS Lady of water cleanse this child’s spirit of past life fall out

9. HP places child’s hand in a dish of salt

HP Lord of earth protect this child

HPS Lady of earth provide this child a firm foundation in life

10. HPS passes the child over the altar

HP By what name is this child to be known in our circle?

M/F This child will be called ____________

HPS Lord and Lady I present ____________ to you. May they be welcomed into your ways.

M/F May they be welcomed into your ways

HP Everyone welcome our newest member

11. Parents introduce the child to all the circle members.

12. Do the cakes and ale ritual.

13. Have a party.

14. Close the circle

School Start Rite of Passage

1. Cast the circle

2. Call the elements

3. Call the gods

4. Bring the child before the HPS and HP

5. S escorts the parents away to where the child can not see the parents. If the child begins to have problems, the coven should hand out hugs and kisses. Preferable the child knows the coven’s members before the ritual

HPS Here is one who begins the next stage of life’s journey. It can be a fearful thing.

HP Don’t be scared little one. We will stand with you.

6. The child is blind folded. His/her hand is held at all times by the HPS

HP You will be away from your momma and daddy and everyone you know for a time.

HPS But soon you will have friends.

HP And just because your family is away.

HPS They are not gone for long, just for a little while. So you can learn.

HP To learn is really cool.

7. HPS and HP take child to the east.

HPS Do you want to learn? Do you want to be smart like you mommy and daddy?

C yeah

8. Child is escorted to the south

HP Do you want to be able to do the things your mommy and daddy can do, maybe even more?

C yeah

9. Child is taken to the west

HPS Do you dare to be like the big kids? Do you dare to go to school?

C Yeah

10. Child is taken to the north

HP Do you know you go to school to learn? You have to be quiet sometimes. If your quiet sometimes, you’ll get to know lots of things. It’ll be fun. Are you ready?

C Yeah

11. The child is brought back before the altar. The blindfold is removed

12. The child lights a candle with the HPS

HPS Just like me, you light a candle to learning.

13. Keep the child from looking to the east by playing. Bring the parents in through the east.

HP Look ___________________(child’s name), The time has ended and your parents have returned.

14. The child is allowed to go back to its parents.

HPS You are now a big girl/boy. And to help you on your new adventure, we have things that you can use.

15. School supplies wrapped as gifts are handed out.

16. Cakes and ale (Have the child pass out sodas or milk cartons and cookies)

Thank everyone and close the circle.

### Mommy and Daddy can be replaced with whichever adults are the main caregivers in a child’s life, grandparents, and aunt, or just a friend that cares for the child.

Male Puberty Ritual

1. MC must conduct a 3 day fast with water only. He records his thoughts and brings them to the ritual

2. Cast the circle

3. Call the elements

4. Call the gods.

HP Gods, we have gathered here today because times change, and so do we.

5. The MC claps his hands as hard as he can three times.

HP Who desire’s entrance into the circle.

S A boy.

HP No boy can be admitted to the circle without his parents.

S He feels he is no boy.

HP Has he been tried?

S He has. With him he brings his thoughts and abilities.

HP Admit him and we shall see if he is a man.

6. The MC enters and is smacked in the rear end. If he cries out like a child, ritual over. If not, continue.

HP Give your hand for the final trial.

7. HP sticks the MC’s finger three times three. If he cries like a child, ritual over. If not, continue.

S He has passed the three tests.

HP He has passed the three tests. Hand over your journal.

8. The fasting journal is read aloud.

9. Everyone analyzes the journal. This is a two way street. The MC can defend his own words as he wishes.

10. A sword is lain on the ground.

HP Are you ready to become a man? Are you ready to be a warrior, protecting those you love? Do you do this willingly.

MC I am ready to be a man and a warrior. I do willingly enter into the next stage of my life.

HP Then pass the momentos of your child’s life away and cross the threshold into manhood.

11. The MC gives his toy(‘s) to the S. He crosses the sword and shakes the HP’s hand like a man.

HP A man always needs a name of his choosing. You have crossed the line and become a man. What name do you choose to be known by with all men and women of the craft.

MC I am to be called _________________.

S Welcome ___________! Welcome to our numbers.

Coven Welcome __________! Welcome! You are now a man

12. Take MC to each element. Say to MC while touching him with a representing object

HP May the air keep your thoughts and mind clear,

May the fire make you strong, passionate, and just

May the water let you feel your emotions with pride, not shame

May the earth make you steadfast and fertile.

13. Enter a sweat lodge. Talk on ordinary things treating the MC like a man.

14. Take a bath in a wading pool set outside for the purpose of cleaning up after the sweat lodge.

15. Return to circle. The men give the MC his first self-defense lesson without harming him.

16. Return MC’s toys to him.

HP Because we become men doesn’t mean we still don’t have the inner child. Keep your toys as a reminder to not ignore the needs of the inner child.

17. Cakes and ale

18. Thank everyone and close the circle.

Menarche Ritual

1. Give the woman-child a ritual bath beforehand

2. Cast the circle

3. Call the elements

4. Call the gods.

HPS Times change, always. We must move with them or go against all that is.

M Bring the child forth to us.

5. The woman-child (WC) is brought to the altar.

HPS Have you reached the time of menses?

WC Yes

6. HPS paints a red circle on the girl’s head.

HPS Red is your blood, red is the color of life. Life always comes full circle.

M It is all cycles, just like your menses will be.

HPS This is your power source.

7. Everyone tells their Menarche stories.

8. Give WC a present. Make sure its at least three layers wrapped. The last layer being a red ribbon wrapping a statue of the fertile goddess of menses.

9. Place the ribbon on the ground.

M Who approaches this threshold?

WC It is I ____________(WC’s name)

HPS Are you ready to leave behind your childhood, as you become a Maiden?If so, leave your toy behind and cross the threshold.. When you are ready. Step over the ribbon.

10. When WC does cross the rib , ive her a hug and comfort her as needed.

HPS Welcome maiden on the path of womanhood.

11. Brush WC’s face with a feather

HPS May the air fill your sails and send you soaring

12. Circle a candle over WC’s head

HPS May the fire not scorch you, but make you strong

13. Sprinkle WC’s hair with water

HPS May the water of life flow freely and gently for you

14. Circle a dish of red clay or salt over WC’s head

HPS May the Earth be a place of joy for you

15. Place a spoonful of honey in her mouth

HPS Growing up brings with it the sweetness of life

16. Place some salt on her tongue

HPS And also the bitterness of life. As you mature I know you will learn to handle both

17. Present gifts of womanhood.

18 Light a red candle

HPS As you travel on the road to Womanhood and you encounter fears and difficulties, remember that you are not alone. Here is your circle of women who will help you and guide you

19 Return WC’s toy she left behind earlier

HPS Keep this with you to remember and acknowledge the child spirit that will remain with you always

20. Cakes and ale (all red food and drinks)

21. Thank everyone and close the circle.

Hand Fasting Ritual

1. Cast the circle

2. Call the elements

3. Call the gods

4. HP puts down all tools and turns to the assembled

HP We have with us today two who would be united.

5. The HPS guides the couple into the circle along with the parents

HPS Come forth and be united

6. The HP and HPS face the bride, groom, and there families over the altar.

HP Today __________________(groom) wishes to unite with _____________(bride) in a state of matrimony.

HPS They wish to be united in body and mind as one, yet still be remembered as individuals.

HP Who brings this man forth from boyhood into man hood?

G M/F We _____________(groom mother) and ____________(groom father) bring our son forth for this union. We give our blessing to the union.

HP Who stands as friend and brother (or sister) to this man?

G (b wo/man) I __________(groom best wo/man) stand beside my friend and brother and as witness to this union.

HPS Who brings this woman forth from girlhood into womanhood?

B M/F We ____________ (bride mother) and ____________________(bride father) bring our daughter forth for this union

HPS Who stands as friend and sister (or brother) to this man?

B (b wo/man) I __________(bride best wo/man) stand beside my friend and sister and as witness to this union.

HPS We thank you for standing with your friends and family today.

7. HP and HPS put the two hands together of the couple and stands them before the altar.

8. HPS lights the pillar candle from the main altar candle

HP As you are bound to one another, may you stay bound. As you love one another, may you continue to remain loving to one another.

HPS You become one in the eyes of all. As one you are a team. One is not a boss over the other. When you argue, try not to argue about everything at once. Don’t let the small stuff carry you away and erode your love. You are each individuals with your own ways. You must remember this.

9. B takes a candle and lights it from the pillar candle as she says her vows

B I ______________(bride) Do hearby swear to be one with __________ (groom) to love, cherish, and respect as long as love does last, and until we are called on separate paths.

10. G Takes a candle and lights it from the pillar candle as he says his vows

G I ______________(groom) Do hearby swear to be one with __________ (bride) to love, cherish, and respect as long as love does last, and until we are called on separate paths.

11. HP takes the ribbon and wraps it around each wrist binding them together. It must be left loose so they can pull it off later. Repeat the statement each time the rib oes around the wrist. It should be 9 times

HP/HPS You are now bound

12. HPS tells the couple that the candle is to be kept and lit whenever they argue. The HP tells the couple to hide the ribbon in a protection bottle hid in their house.

13. HP announces the new couple to all present. If there is no reception, hold cakes and ale feast and have a party within the circle. Have the B and G jump a broom when they leave the circle.

14. Thank everyone and close the circle

Hand Parting Ritual

1. Cast the circle

2. Call the elements

3. Call the gods.

HP The time has come for a parting of ways.

HPS The road of life does not always go as planned

HP Sometimes unions go sour

HPS Sometimes love fades away, or turns to others

4 The couple that wishes to part is brought before the HP and HPS. If one partner is absent, another coven member the same gender as the missing partner can stand in.

5. The HP takes a white candle and gives it to the person in the female role.

6. The HPS takes a white candle and gives it to the person in the male role.

7. The HPS lights both candles and a union altar candle

8. The HP wraps the wrists of the couple

HPS Lord and lady, these are two who were once of a single mind but are now of two minds

HP Lord and Lady forgive them now and may they forgive themselves because their soul’s journeys are now going in different directions.

HPS Has the property been distributed?

H/W Yes

HP Do you both agree to said property distribution?

H/W Yes

*HPS Have provisions for the residence of the children been established?

H/W Yes

*HP Has support of the children been established?

H/W Yes

9. HP cuts the cord. He also takes any rings and sells them later and splits the dividends between the couple.

HP The physical symbols of union of been removed

10. HPs guides the H to the east. HP guides the W to the west.

HPS The light of sharing has been extinguished.

11. H/W extinguish their candles and are brought back to the center of the circle.

HP The light of union has been extinguished

12. HP puts out the union candle.

HPS They are now two.

HP They are now free to pursue their own lives as they will.

Coven Blessed Be ____________(W) and ______________(H)

13. Cakes and Ale

14. Thank everyone and close the circle.

* Only if the couple has children

THE GREAT RITE

1 The HPS and HP stand facing each other in the center of the circle, her back to the altar, his back to the South.

2. The HP kneels before the HPS and gives her the Five Fold Kiss; that is, he kisses her on both feet, both knees, womb, both breasts, and the lips, starting with the right of each pair. he says, as he does this:

HP Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways.

Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar.

Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be.

Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty.

Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names.

3. For the kiss on the lips, they embrace, length to length, with their feet touching each others. When he reaches the womb, she spreads her arms wide, and the same after the kiss on the lips.

4. The HPS then lays herself down, face upwards, with her arms and legs outstretched to form the Pentagram. He then kneels facing her, with his knees between her feet.

5. The HP calls a witch by name, to bring his athame from the altar. They do so and stands with the athame in their hands, about a yard to the west of the HPS’s hips and facing her.

6. The HP calls another witch by name, to bring the chalice of wine from the altar. They do so and stand with the chalice in his hands, about a yard to the east of the HPS’s hips and facing her.

HP Assist me to erect the ancient altar, at which in days past all worshipped;

The altar of all things. For in old time,

Woman was the altar.

Thus was the altar made and placed,

And the sacred place was the point within the center of the Circle.

As we have of old been taught that the point

within the center is the origin of all things,

Therefore should we adore it;

Therefore whom we adore we also invoke.

O Circle of Stars,

Whereof our father is but the younger brother,

Marvel beyond imagination,

soul of infinite space,

Before whom time is ashamed,

the mind bewildered, and the understanding dark,

Not unto thee may we attain unless thine image be love.

Therefore by seed and stem, root and bud,

And leaf and flower and fruit do we invoke thee,

O Queen of Space, O Jewel of Light,

Continuous on of the heavens;

Let it be ever thus That men speak not of thee as One,

but as None; And let them not speak of thee at all,

since thou art continuous.

For thou art the point within the Circle, which we adore;

The point of life, without which we would not be.

And in this way truly are erected the holy twin pillars;

In beauty and strength were they erected

To the wonder and glory of all men.

7. The HPS rises and kneels facing the HP and takes the chalice from the witch.

HP Altar of mysteries manifold,

The sacred Circle's secret point

Thus do I sign thee as of old,

With kisses of my lips anoint."

8. The HP kisses the HPS on the lips, and continues:

HP Open for me the secret way,

The pathway of intelligence,

Beyond the gates of night and day,

Beyond the bounds of time and sense.

Behold the mystery aright

The five true points of fellowship

9. The HPS holds up the chalice, and the HP lowers the point of his athame into the wine. Both use both of their hands for this.

HP Here where Lance and Grail unite,

And feet, and knees, and breast, and lip.

10. The HP hands his athame to the witch and then places his hands round those of the HPS as she holds the chalice. He kisses her, and she sips the wine; she kisses him, and he sips the wine. They keep both their hands on the chalice during this.

11. The High Priest then takes the chalice from the High Priestess, and they both rise to their feet.

A Wiccan Funeral Ritual

Part One:

The Priestess and Priest, dressed in green and black respectively, shall conduct the ceremony. Their assistants, dressed in red and black, shall assist, act as ushers and lead Part 3. The ritual space will be prepared as follows: cleared of furniture, with a candle at each of the cardinal directions and two flanking the main altar. The corpse should be laid out at the main altar. Have everyone in the circle when it is cast.

1. Cast the circle

2. Call the elements in reverse, used the specified verses instead of the normal ones but let the actions be the same

West: HPS As the sun sets, So our friend has left us

All The water of our tears like the salt water of the sea, and

Coven Life the water of our mother's womb, blesses this Circle.

South: HPS As life is a day, So our friend has passed into the night

All The fire of our life, the memories and courage, the

Coven Strength given to us by our friend blesses this Circle.

East: HPS As all that falls shall rise again, So our friend will be reborn

All The are we breathe, this treasure of our life, the

Coven Compassionate caring we give each other blesses this Circle.

North: HPS As the Earth forms us, So our friend shall return to the earth

All Our Mother feeds us and clothes us. She gives us

Coven Everything and in the end she takes our bodies back. Earth blesses this Circle.

3. Call the gods

HPS You are dead. None should ever die alone. I am here to help you with your death. There is only love, the greatest Mystery. I reach behind my fear. I open my heart and my eyes in the light of this love. Our lives are formed of many others and we form other lives in turn. And when we are here with you after you die, we honor your life. There is only love. The love of the Goddess gives birth to the universe. The love of our parents gives birth to us. The love of our friends and family sustains our life. Kindness, love and pleasure – we are formed from these and we form each other. When we die we leave them behind us.

HP You have left your family. You have left sex and even gender. You cannot be a woman or a man and enter the other world. You have left behind your body. None who have bodies can pass into the other world. The Goddess is taking you back now, the Great Mother. Her womb is the Earth that will receive your body. Your body is a seed now, a seed of other lives.

HPS In a sacred space we have gathered to honor you and to give you some things to take on the journey with you.

HP Please come up now if you can and speak of your dead. Tell him/her whatever you need to. Help in the journey into death. I will remember you at Samhain and bless you then.

All (quietly) We all come from the Goddess, and to Her we shall return, life a drop of rain, falling to the ocean

Hoof and horn, hoof and horn,

all that dies shall be reborn,

Corn and grain, corn and grain,

All that falls shall rise again.

4. While everyone who wishes to comes to the main altar and talks to the dead person.

5. Each person will then take a turn

Person I remember when _________did/said_________ it made me feel ________________.

All We will remember

6. Everyone will keen very quietly for about 3 to 5 minues.

Part 1 Cont.

7. HPS ends the keening and speaks to the body

HPS Journey on now, sister. We will follow when we can. May you be born again at the same time and in the same place as those you knew and loved in this life. May you know them again and love them again.

8. Thank everyone and close the circle. Banishing the elements will be done in normal fashion except these words will be used. And now the body will be ceremoniously wrapped and the Circle ended.

HP East – "The Sun will rise again."

HP South – "Life continues."

HPS West – "Love is all that we can be sure of."

HPS North – "Only the Mother is eternal."

Part Two:

The grave has been dug and prepared.

1. Cast the circle

2. Call the elements as usual except use the words below

HPS East: "We welcome the spirits of the Ancestors and the honored dead not yet reborn."

South: "We welcome our heroes and inspirations."

West: "We welcome the Ancestors to incarnate in our children and grandchildren and in our families."

North: "We welcome our deaths and our lives."

3. The body is gently lowered into the grave.

4. Cakes and ale

5. An offering of cakes and ale is left at the graveside

6. Thank everyone and close the circle

Part Three:

1. Cast the circle

2. Call the elements

3. Call the gods

4. Do cakes and ale

5. Hold a party or reception while the body goes to the cemetery

6. Enjoy as much as possible as no one I know would want people crying and unhappy, they would want their lives celebrated.

7. When people are ready to go, thank everyone and close the circle.

8. Some people will want to stay longer so don’t just shut the place down.