Spells, Rituals and Rites.

[fangedeshana]

Well, I know the difference between a ritual and a spell. But what is a 'Rite', and what makes it different from a ritual?

I know some Wiccans refer to the Union of the God and Goddess (or man and woman) as The Great Rite, and Esbat rituals as "Full Moon/Goddess Rites"... is there a different between a ritual and a rite? :whatgives

[Ninjakitten]

I'm still technically a newbie myself, but I'd think that a ritual is basically the workings of what you actually do, and a rite is specific times and reasons to do a particular ritual.

[~Elise~]

I would see the following as a rite:

Wiccaning
Croning
Passage rites ( male and female)
handfasting
funerals
etc

[SSanf]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A rite is an established, ceremonious, usually religious act. Rites fall into three major categories:

* rites of passage, generally changing an individual's social status, such as marriage, or Christian baptism
* rites of worship, where a community comes together to worship, such as Jewish synagogue or Christian Mass
* rites of personal devotion, where an individual worships, including prayer and pilgrimages such as the Muslim Haj.


There's your technical answer. For us, I believe, it is usually the rites of passage like those mentioned above.

[fangedeshana]

Ah, I see. So... rites are basically extra special, not so oftenly celebrated rituals, usually marking some kind of milstone. :) Thanks for clearing that up, guys.

[SSanf]

By golly, I think you got it!

Good luck with your rites and rituals!

[CaitrionaMorgaine]

I think of a Rite as something that marks a particular major life event. Rituals imply something that is done on a regular basis (Sabbats, Esbats, ect).

Avalon's Blessings, ~Rhiannon

[Toby Stimpson]

A Rite is a doorway between two pahses...a point of no return. It is a ritual of transformation...and also of acceptance by others. Bar Mitzvahs...Weddings...Christenings...Funerals are all rites of passage to help us along. They are special occasions that coem only once, or perhaps twice...and are a celebration of a soul on the run.

[fangedeshana]

A Rite is a doorway between two pahses...a point of no return. It is a ritual of transformation...and also of acceptance by others. Bar Mitzvahs...Weddings...Christenings...Funerals are all rites of passage to help us along. They are special occasions that coem only once, or perhaps twice...and are a celebration of a soul on the run.

Thank you, that was the best exsplination I've recieved. Very specific and worded wonderfully!

[Rick]

"Rite" is shorter to spell & say than "ritual"...