Pratice Ritual?????????

[faeriedust]

is there a such thing as a pratice ritual? one i could do to quote get my feet wet? i am new to this but would love to do a simple ritual.

[Myst]

A ritual doesn't have to be complicated with many tools or exact wording and movements anyway.. why not just cast a circle and sit in it, practice your meditation and visualization techniques, etc.? Or just do a simple ritual from a book or website.

This stuff isn't really that complicated :p

[faeriedust]

is there a such thing as a pratice ritual? something simple to quote get my feet wet? any ideas would be appreciated.

[faeriedust]

i must not be looking in the rite sites because i haven't found a simple ritual. lol

[Danustouch]

Well..I have a couple of suggestions for you. First of all..I'd start with an Full Moon ritual. Full Moon rituals can be for adoration, worship, meditation. They don't always have to be for spells. It would be good to get your feet wet in the vast pool of the "ritual" realms, to start in a way such as this, instead of by trying to do spell work. Because you can start to "feel" what it's like, you can start to go through the steps, etc...and basically, just get a feeling of what works for you.

I'd have to ask, do you have ritual tools yet? If not, and you want to do a ritual for the full moon, I'd simply get five candles. The colors of the elements, and a white one. Place the candles in the directions which they belong, and the white one right in front of you. It's up to you which direction you wish to face. Some people face North, others east. Some people (especially in certain celtic pantheons) even face west. About the only direction i haven't heard used too frequently to face in for a ritual, is south. Anyway...from there, it's pretty much up to you what you would want to do. How you would want to create your circle. Some people do it by visualization, visualizing "cones of power" raising, to create the circles protective barrier. Other people, do it by dancing clockwise around the circle at an ever increasing rhythm. (I'm not quite that athletic, so I use the first technique). Of course, before any of that, you should really start off by learning what it feels like to "Raise" energy, and "Project" it. Once the circle is created, though, by whatever method you choose to do it, it's pretty much up to you how you want to peform your ritual. It would generally be reccomended to have a representation of a God, or Goddess, or simply Male and Female energies (ranging anywhere from elaborate statues, to a simple acorn for male and a sea shell for female.), Some wine or juice, or some sort of beverage, and some sort of cake, cookie, or something to eat. You could write your own invocation to the elements, to the God and Goddess, and speak to them, just welcoming them to your circle. Then, you could say whatever prayers of thanksgiving, or any prayer you have weighing on your heart, and then just meditate in silence, for a while, gazing at the white candle. When you feel your focus start to shift out of the meditation, you know that it's time to come out of it. That would be the time to ask a blessing over the wine, and the cakes, and partake of them (to replenish your energy). Then, after thanking the elements, the God and Goddess, you can simply end your rite, by dismissing the circle, and then maybe go for a nice walk in the moonlight.

Now..bear in mind, this is a wayyyyyyyy simplified version of a full moon right. There are so many things which some people incorporate. But..you have to find what is right for you. So, my main suggestion, is READ READ READ!

I found Scott Cunningham to be great to start out with. Many people think his writings are all fluff. But..for a beginner, someone entirely new to the craft, and ritual practice, there is no easier way to start, then by following Scots outlines. Then, once you get comfortable with the basics, you should read works by others, and research more, and you'll just evolve over time, like we all did.

Ok...i'm going to shut up now.

lol..

[Myst]

Guess so.

Keep in mind brushing your teeth everyday is a ritual. If you have a cup of coffee in the morning that's a ritual.

For me sometimes a ritual can be as simple as lighting candles and incense and creating a circle.

Maybe take Danustouch's suggestion :)

[Lavender]

Danus' ritual is a pretty good one to try. Like Myst said, it can be as complicated or simple as you like. Sometimes, I just light a single candle, sit down & meditate. Sometimes, I cast a circle and do a full blown ritual with all the trimmings - not often, I must add. Candles, cups, bowls, etc - they're all extras. The only thing you really need is yourself & the desire to commune with your deity.

[faeriedust]

for your suggestions. i kinda feel like i asked a dumb question. i am sorry.

[Lavender]

Nope, not a dumb question at all. Being solitary, I have the luxury of making a ritual suits me & me alone. I know some groups or paths do have set rituals that they don't like to deviate from.

[WolfWoman]

Originally posted by Wildchild
Nope, not a dumb question at all. Being solitary, I have the luxury of making a ritual suits me & me alone. I know some groups or paths do have set rituals that they don't like to deviate from.


I agree. And truthfully, sometimes I just don't have it 'in me' to do a full blown ritual. I'm usually pretty tired & relaxed after one and I feel it's sometimes better to do a smaller ritual than to do a larger one that's either ineffective or one that felt like a 'chore'.

[Pagecrd]

to this also id just like to say thanks so much. i have only participated in one ritual and that was many years ago. my mother is pagan so while i have participated in a few spells she has done and a few of my own, i still feel i have alot of learning to do! thanks!!!!

[Danustouch]

I totally agree, that rituals can be as simple or as complex as you want them. I just tried to give Faeridust a "Middle" option:)

Sometimes, I just do meditations on full moons' too.

[faeriedust]

for your suggestion. it was exactly what i was looking for. i did not want a spell but something simple to go through the steps with. i will definately try it. i am trying to read, but i can't afford to but books right now and my library has none of the books that everyone has suggested. i asked her about related titles,subject matter and she started acting like i was evil or something. i finally found Drawing Down The Moon. i will be starting that today!!!!!!!!!! but thanks again for your advice.:)

[Danustouch]

You might reallllllllly want to wait before jumping in to drawing down the moon. It reads really dry, and mainly talks of the History more that practice, so some people get a little umm..bored with it quick. I didn't..but..i've heard alot of people say they have.

Doesn't your library have interlibrary exchange? Is it possible that another library in your state has it? If so..really..get the Cunningham. Oh..and Raymond Bucklands"Complete Book of Witchcraft" too. Those were what I started with..and i promise you..it doesn't get easier than that!

Good luck!

[Lavender]

Faeriedust, Myst had posted a really great link to an online book. It has some pretty good rituals that you can adapt to suit your needs. Lots of other great info too. It's in the Cool Links For Newbies thread in New Pagan.

[Dryad's Wyrd]

Sure! I believe that each ritual we do is to practice getting more and more in tune with the earth and the gods and goddesses. Some really good rituals to do are elemental rituals. They help you to become more grounded in nature and bring new perspecitves to mind. Also, you could work with the Faeries to give you inspiration and ideas. Hope that this offers you a bit of help :)
Love and Light,
Dryad

[faeriedust]

is going back to the library for now. you are right Danustouch, too intense for me. my husband brought me home a suprise last night from our local book store. To Ride A Silver Broomstick. i thumbed thru the first pages.... The Charge of the Goddess. I am hooked already. i hope it is an okay book to start with.

[Haedis]

To Ride a Silver Broomstick is an OK book for starters, IMO. But I think SRW tends to make things too structured at times and at other times not structured enough. She doesnt really give more than one example of how to do something...so just realize that there are MANY ways to do rituals. I agree with Danus, though....esbats are a really good place to start from when starting to do rituals.