Ritual Construction

Ritual is the term given to all Wiccan acts of worship and magick. This is because whether it’s a Sabbat celebration, Handfasting, or work of healing magick, there is a prescribed way to go about things, certain steps that are considered integral. The exact manner in which these steps are carried out may vary from individual to individual and group to group (as well as from Tradition to Tradition) and there may also be additional steps added, as per preference of the participants, but there is a basic format adhered to by all.

A ritual consists of six basic steps: 

• purification, both of the individuals that will partake in the ritual and of the space where the ritual will take place 
• the creation of sacred space, this may involve erecting an altar and casting a Circle
• inviting various Spirits and Deities, such as the Spirits of the Elements and the preferred God(s) and Goddess(es) of the participants, as well as perhaps Ancestors and other Nature Spirits
• the body of work, such as holiday observances, Rites of Passage, or works of magick
• thanking the various Spirits and Deities for attending, often involving a shared meal between the participants and libation to the present Spirits and Deities
• dissolving the sacred space returning the participants to the profane or “mundane” world

Within these six steps, we see the three factors common to all religious rituals, be they Wiccan, Christian, Hindu, et cetera. The first is separation. Within Wiccan ritual, this can be seen in the donning of sacred robes, purification of self and space, and the casting of the Circle. The second is transition, apparent in the actual act of being within the Circle (as it is seen as being “between worlds,”) and the actual body of work, as this most often involves the creation of some sort of change, such as in a Rite of Passage where there is a change in the individual, or a holiday observance where there is a change in nature, i.e. Sabbats which acknowledge changes within the Solar cycle and Esbats that observe changes in the Lunar cycle. The third step is incorporation, in which the changes that have occurred or been observed in the ritual are made a part of one’s everyday life.

Using these steps as a guide, one can create the perfect ritual for any occasion or need. While the rituals found in books and online can be very nice and powerful rituals, a ritual that you compose yourself, perfectly suited to your situation and personal taste, is sure to serve you better. It’s that personal touch, that incorporation of personal energy that makes all the difference.