Including children in ritual can be a very warm and rewarding experience. Though if one’s never Circled with children before, planning a ritual to include them may leave one drawing a blank.
Children have a natural interest and curiosity for all the natural world and they take easily to magickal workings. They also function on a more spontaneous and open level, versus the methodical and rational level that adults tend to operate from so planning a ritual for kids is actually much simpler than planning a ritual for adults. But, given that adults and children do function differently, there are some things to keep in mind that can make the ritual more enjoyable for everyone involved.
aka Purification Day, Lady Day, Brighid’s Day, and Candlemas
The Earth held firm in icy Winter’s grasp, but the Sun grows stronger in power. Each morning, since the Solstice, He rises a little earlier; each evening He sets a little later. But now, this day, the Lady feels His presence and begins to stir.
The Sun climbs higher, shining stronger, and at last the ice breaks, melts, and water flows, washing away the debris that has collected since the Fall. The Earth, purified, now awakens fully; the Lady opens Her eyes. As testament to this fact a few brave creatures also awaken and so, too, do the trees and a few adventurous plants.
Many religions feature an altar as part of their worship and Wicca is no different. But, despite what many would have you believe, an altar is more than just a place to store your magickal tools.
An altar is a dedicated space to your interaction with your Gods, that is why when you are not actively using your altar it is more precisely called a *shrine. An altar is a sacred place where you call your Gods and sing Their praises, where you leave offerings for Them and ask for assistance. It is also a place where you do your magickal work , where you keep long-term spell items or charms worked at a distance for someone.
Outside of specific Traditions of Wicca and other Neo-Pagan religions, there is no standard altar set up. That means if you are a solitary practitioner your altar can look however you desire -with whatever tools you want on it. There are, however, some general guidelines to the layout of an altar.
Winter can be a time when aligning oneself with the forces of Nature can seem difficult. The cold and snow can keep everyone locked indoors, and all time spent outside must be limited for one’s own safety. But Winter is a time just as applicable to magick as any other season. And though all plant life has diminished and many animals have hidden themselves away, slumbering till Spring, there is still much at hand that the Witch can use.
pronounced "sow-ain"This the harvest of root vegetables, the last of the corn, and the blood harvest: slaughtering the animals that won’t survive the Winter and those that are needed for food for our own survival. The focus now is on endings, getting rid of what is no longer needed, and making preparations for harder times. Now is a time for magick aimed to release, to free, to cause lasting profound change within oneself. Now is a time for divination of all kinds: pierce the thin veil, seek out the truths you need. Celebrating SamhainHere are a few suggestions for your own Samhain celebrations. Some of these are traditions enjoyed by many Pagans, Wiccans, and Witches as part of their own observances. - Bobbing for apples. Here’s a fun variation that turns this traditional game into a group divinatory act. In addition to the apples and a barrel of water, you’ll need a knife and 3 toothpicks to each apple. You’ll also want larger apples for this, such as Red Delicious. Take an apple, cut it in half. On the inside of one half, carve in a small symbol (such as a heart for love, dollar sign for wealth, etc.) or perhaps use Runes. Now stick three toothpicks into the apple around the symbol so that you can rejoin the halves (i.e. the toothpicks will be halfway into each half, holding the halves together. Make sure the toothpicks are near to the center of the apple: if they’re too close to the edge they could pop out through the skin of the apple or poke someone in the mouth when they bob for it.) Ask a question before you bob, the symbol in your apple reveals the answer.
- Have a feast including root vegetables such as Potatoes, Yams, Onions, Garlic, and vegetables like Corn and Squash. Include other "dark" themed fruits and wine, such as Blackberries and Elderberry. Leave an extra place set at your table for your beloved Dead.
- As this is a Sabbat of Sacrifice, consider what you can rid yourself of to further support your own survival. What habits are you cultivating that do you more harm than good, what relationships could use weeding for you both to be free, what changes to your personality do you need to initiate to better accomplish your goals?
Other Articles You May Like:Samhain (published 2010) Autumn: the Time of the FallScrying
Grounding is a fundamental term and practice within the art of Witchcraft and Magick. It is also a common part of Wiccan ritual, especially if any power has been raised or magick wrought.
However the term grounding is misleading, as it suggests that one is merely “earthing the power,” yet what is actually taking place is so much more than that.
The ritual tools of Wicca are powerful symbols, connecting us to greater energies beyond our everyday perceptions. Each tool has its own story, its own symbolism and vital archetypal energy that it taps into. Going further than the Elemental association, for even They have a simpler correspondence, each tool has a basic association: masculine or feminine. The reasons for this go further than being a basic expression of animal life (i.e. male and female,) but to what it is these two sexes accomplish when united. Together, they are Creator, that which is able to bring forth new life into this world. (Going off of the Law of Similarities, we should thus be able to create anything, magickally, with these tools.) And it is this ability to create, this fertility, that is at the utmost core of Wicca. Many erroneously describe Wicca as a Nature religion as opposed to the Fertility religion it rightfully is. The difference in these two terms is what they emphasize. Being a Nature religion means a belief in the Natural world being sacred, a belief in animism and an immanent Divine. A Fertility religion, on the other hand, is based upon the driving forces behind the Natural world, the ebb and flow of energies, that which turns not just the Wheel of the Year, but the wheel of Life and Death as well. As this energy permeates all (and is also beyond it) it is only to be expected that the Natural world is honored, for just as we are, it is an extension of this energy and is thus, just as we are, sacred. This is the energy that is sought when a Wand is raised and this is the energy that is honored when Athame enters Chalice. Each tool is a representation of that which we are most familiar with in the dance of creation, the very parts of us that we use to create. Accordingly then, every Athame, every Wand, represents Man and the animating force that allows all to exist and every Chalice, every Cauldron, represents Woman and the matrix from which all emanates. The use of these tools in ritual affirms the sanctity of life and that which creates it. The symbolism is simple, for these are very basic energies. But the power that is in turn wielded and honored is nothing less than the driving force of the Universe. Other Articles You May Like:The Tools of Wicca and WitchcraftRitual: a Reminder of the SacredThe Importance of Making your own Tools
The second of the Harvest Festivals, this is a celebration of Thanksgiving! At this time, the Harvest season is in full swing and there is much to be grateful for. Vegetables are being brought in from the garden by the barrel full, the last of the grains are being harvested, and everywhere you look the Earth yields Her bounty, an offering to the life She created and now sustains in love. Now is the Harvest of fruit: of apples and grapes. As such, this is also a celebration of Wine as last year's wine is cured to perfection and now able to be drunk to celebrate the fresh harvest of grapes and newly vinted supply. Common Mabon TraditionsHere are a few ideas for ways you can celebrate Mabon. - As part of the Eleusian Mysteries, this is the day where Kore, daughter of Demeter, was abducted by Hades and taken to the Underworld to be His bride, and where She returns again each year to be with Him (when in the Underworld She is known as Persephone.) In response to the loss of Her daughter, Demeter allows nothing to grow until She is returned. As part of ritual theater, act out the abduction of Kore and Her descent into the Underworld.
- As the Autumnal Equinox is a time when Day and Night are equal, reflect upon the balance in this World. Consider areas within your own life where you could use more balance, and, thus, stability. As this is also a Day of Thanksgiving, think of the many blessings you have in your life, no matter how small they may seem, and consider how you can give back in appreciation and to keep the flow of blessings in your life continuous.
- Make a Mabon pentacle wreath from 5 cobs of multicolored corn. Pull the husks back from the cobs, leaving them attached. Arrange the cobs, points in and husks out, into a star -one cob to each point of the pentagram. Glue the points of the cobs together with a sturdy craft or wood glue. When dry, braid or twists the husks together to form the circle of the pentacle.
The Harvest surrounds us. The bounty of Summer, the fruit of our labor, is ripe and hanging heavy on the vine. The theme for this Holiday is abundance and thanksgiving, rightfully so, as Mabon is the second of the harvest holidays and the most productive, and labor intensive, of the three. In many places, this harvest marks the peak of the garden harvest and the beginning of the fruit harvest, especially of grapes and apples. Due to the grape harvest and the nature of wine making, this is also a wine celebration, as last year’s vintage is finally able to be enjoyed and a new batch is now being started.
This day is also the Autumnal Equinox, a day when day and night are equal, balanced. From here on out the days will be shorter, the nights longer, the Winter that much closer. A chill in the air, frost on the grass, these mark the entrance of the spiders into our homes, a desperate effort to escape the cold and perhaps survive a little longer.
Within these few characteristics of Mabon, there is an underlying theme: connection. Who is it that we worked so hard with to create the abundance we now enjoy and pull in, but our community, those with whom we are most intimately connected. Our family, our friends, they are our community and they are the ones who celebrate all of our joys with us, with whom we give thanks and of whom we are thankful for. Even the entrance of the spiders into our homes, taking up residence in the corners where they will happily take care of any biting insects, echoes this theme of connection, this time to the larger community. The spiders remind us that we are never fully removed from Nature, even when we hide ourselves away in our climate controlled homes, surrounded by technology and “proof” of our superiority over the natural world.
The energy of the Autumnal Equinox spills over, and at this time when there is so much, we find ourselves pulled to share the abundance with those around us. At this time when Day and Night are equal, so, too, are all people equal; divisions and barriers are taken down, and we are reminded that we are all the same and we are all truly members of the same community.
It’s all cause and effect. When we start to acknowledge our connections, that we are not separate, it is then that we notice the Community to which we belong and notice just how far the breadth of that Community stretches. We notice our place in the scheme of things, and this leads to compassion, to the desire to share what we have with those around us. This sacred day reminds us of the need for community, the blessing of community, and the obligations we have as members of a community.
The Dark Moon is not truly well suited to magickal endeavors; rather, this time is better spent by focusing inward. Divination is appropriate, as it is a means to connect with one’s intuition: “that little voice” inside of ourselves. Another method to utilize at this time of heightened Crone energy is meditation.
Meditation is a means of quieting the conscious mind, allowing the subconscious to come forth and enabling us to connect with our Higher Self, as well as any Spirit Guides, and even our Gods. It can foster greater relaxation and helps in dealing with stress, even if only done for a few minutes.
Anyone can meditate, even small children. However, you will be the one to determine if and when your child is able to start meditating. Some kids will be able to learn how at about age 3, others perhaps not until 8. How soon is not an indication of anything in regards to your child, after all, there are many adults who struggle with meditation.
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