Writing and performing your own rituals is an extremely powerful path to spiritual advancement. I enjoy participating in traditional, handed down rituals and ceremonies as well, sometimes the feeling of connectedness to those who’ve gone before can be very powerful in these. I also appreciate the rituals prepared by peers, there are so many inspired artists in the craft. Personally, however, I find I get the most of a sabbat, ritual or prayer if I research and write it myself. This comes partially from the fact that I tend to read up and meditate on the topic of my intended ritual, thus getting deep into the flow of the energy of it, and partially, through the creative process, which taps into your subconscious, and gets the whole mind, body and spirit involved in the process. I like having something I created to look back upon later, sort of like a spiritual diary, that tells me where I was in learning when I wrote it.
Some may be daunted by the prospect of liturgy. I think this is partially because many of us come from the culture of patriarchal religions in which we feel we are “unqualified” to channel or create sacred materials. Remember that in Wicca, and many other Pagan religions, we have direct access to the divine. If you are having any feelings like that, consider doing a bit of affirmation for yourself. Look into the mirror and repeat a phrase several times a day “I am a sacred being, with access to divine inspiration” or something similar of your own invention. A variation is to write the affirmation 9 times per day, for 9 days to bring about it’s manifestation.
How you proceed from here depends upon how you like to do things. Some prefer to carefully research and read as much material as possible before writing some sources include books (see reading list at bottom for suggestions), Internet (there are hundreds of documents available written by your peers to inspire you, use your search engines!), personal contacts and meditation. Others prefer to simply think about their goal, and then dive straight into writing, relying on divine inspiration. I have used both methods, depending on my mood and the occasion.
When it comes down to creating the ritual, you should consider the following. Nothing is set in standing stones of course! If you feel your ritual doesn’t need all of the following, don’t use them. This is a list to prompt your creativity, and design a typical ritual.
Example:
Very Simple: Artemis, I invite you to attend this rite.
Flowery: Hail, Silver Huntress of the Primal Wood, Mighty Artemis, I entreat you to be here now, and witness this holy ritual.
While many prefer to write in current day English, some people, especially those with a strong connection to a particular mythos, like to write in language that conjures up images of that heritage. Some even learn a few words of the ancestral language (like Gaelic or Greek) for use in their magickal work.
Whatever makes you comfortable, and puts you in a magickal frame of mind will be okay with the gods! You know, all acts of love and pleasure are her rituals, so she will understand what is in your heart, whatever comes from you lips.
Consider your “audience” as well. Is your ritual for you alone? Is it for your coven or group who are very familiar to you? Is it for a an open to the public ritual or a civic presentation? While the gods will understand, mere mortals might not, so try to put things in simpler terms if you are involving non-craft people, or very new students. If not simplifying for these circumstances, offer an explanation of the practices and meanings of words before the ritual if needed. Keep in mind that if you are asking others to work magick, etc. the clearer image everyone has in their minds, the more effective and enjoyable the magick.
Copyright © Zaratyst, 1997 This document may be freely used and distributed, but please leave copyright attached. Thank you!
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