Alter dedication questions.......

[Isis]

MM,

Ok, I've never done an alter dedication, and after looking around here, I'm wondering if this is something I have to or need to do. In my heart I know the positivity that I feel when I'm at my alter praying.

I've never drawn down the moon, dedicated an alter, and had a fancy ritual to work a spell. I guess I'm pretty basic, and as a former Catholic am sick and tired of fancy, schmancy rituals. I like the simple, heart felt dedications. Cast circle around the entire room, light the candles, and just thank the gods and goddessess for their presence. Then I begin my meditative, mind clearing process and then slowly go into my desire and focus on that. Once done, I thank the Universe for the energy, and the Gods or Goddess for their presence and then I return the energy to its originating home.

Now, my question is....is this normal? Wrong? Bad? What? Should I do the alter dedication just to practice? Should I do a formal magickal ritual? Right now just the intense focuse coupled with a verbal prayer, and visualizastion have brought things to fruition for me.

Also do any of you ever get nervous that your magick might not work? Like you feel that your not 'qualified' so to speak?

Sorry so long, and thanks for the answers.




Isis

[Rick]

Isis! Isis! Ra! Ra! Ra!

~ahem~ Sorry, it was bound to happen, sooner or later...

Ok... as my ol' Granpappy used to say, "If it ain't broke, why ya wanna fix it?" Your process seems to be working for you, so... "Why ya wanna fix it?"

We all have moments of doubt, of lowered self-confidence, of not feeling "worthy"... but since the first time my castings worked, I've never doubted they'd work again.

There's an old saying...

Believe & recieve.
Doubt & do without.

[clef0628]

I keep my practice very simple like yours. I try as a whole to keep my life simple. Offen I feel as if I should do more but, I find it hard. So, I tend to keep things at a level that's makes me happy. And if you find what your doing works for you, then it is right for you and that is great. :)

[bloodstone20]

practice how you choose!!! never let anyone but you tell you whats right and wrong!! be yourself!

[rantnraven]

What you are doing is wonderful. I practice about the same way but for Altar dedications, I throw in a little incense and some sea salt water. But that is just me.

Practice as you will, An it harm none.

RnR

[Lavender]

Not everyone here does the big fancy rituals. It works well for some & others prefer simple. I like the simple. For me, fancy is having 2 candles! I feel there's no point having all the trapings when your heart's just not in it. That's the important thing. When it feels right, you will do all the rest.

[Isis]

MM everyone,

Thanks for your help!!!!!!!! I know you're right, so I'll keep it the way it is, till I feel moved to change it

I guess I just get giddy like a small child when things work out the way that I want for them too, ya know? LOL. I guess I'm still like a kid in a candy store, though I'm very careful what I wish for, because I know it will happen!!!

Blessed be to all of you, and thanks for your support and answers!!!!!!!!!

Isis

[SilverRain]

I did a formal ritual with a group of friends once, just for the sake of doing it i think. No one in the circle that night was satisfied with it. We all have always done simple stuff, thats mostly spontaneous and that's what works best for us... i haven't liked formal rituals since that one. For me it's always best when it's from the heart and not too structured.

SilverRain

[WiccanGoddess]

You've just got to do it your way without anyone telling you what to do and how to do it. It's what you do and how YOU do it that influences how everything turns out. Blessed Be little one.

[indigo rain]

sounds as if you practice a bit like me, and i find my practice very effective. it basically just depends on your personality and psychology, since ritual is really only a psychological technique to reach the subconcious.