Prayers, Poems, and Chants

Welcome to the prayers, poems, and chants page! Here you will find an assortment of common ritual prose and verse. You will also find some original poetry, charges, chants, etc.. Check back frequently, as we plan on adding to this page on a regular basis.



ASSORTED RITUIALS

SELF DEDICATION:
Many people have asked us about becoming a Witch Questions about what to read or what rituals to do come in constantly. There are many excellent books with suggestions on rituals and self training methods, as well as books to introduce you to various traditions from which to choose. Even Witches who work in specific traditions come into the Craft as individuals. Most of those individuals have felt the need to align with the Old Ways and the Old Gods and Goddesses in some ritual way. Even individuals who will go through coven dedication sometimes feel the need for a more personal and private introduction into the Old Ways. This is a very natural desire since we are a religion of individuals who need no intervention to commune with our Gods and Goddesses.

Before any such ritual, whether private, coven, or both, it is important for the individual to take the time that they need to contemplate what this means to them. Personally, I view dedication as a promise to one's self and the God and Goddess to honestly explore the Craft and its way of life as a possible path for one's self. It is a commitment of respect and tolerance for others as well as a commitment of respect and tolerance for self. In a sense one does not become a Witch, but rather commits to a lifetime of becoming a Witch. In the world of the Witch there is no stagnation, only the constant flow to work in harmony with the seen and the unseen worlds around us. Witches understand that they will never know everything, but they are sure that many times will come when they desire to know more. It is a commitment to a lifetime of education. Not education through just books and classes, though that will be a large part of it, but rather education through experiencing that lifetime. In both good times and bad times the lessons will come. Witches know that to change the world, we must first change ourselves, and in order to change ourselves we must know ourselves. Perhaps this is the hardest commitment of all. A Witch must honestly come to know and love themself and must be willing to see the faults and gifts within themself. This will not be easy, but no one ever said becoming a Witch was. True initiation comes from the Goddess. No one can give it to you or take it away from you except the Goddess. Teachers can guide us but they can not travel the path for us, since it is a journey of self. Dedication is the first step on the journey.

What some people do not contemplate is that Witchcraft and a commitment to its way of life is also a commitment to understanding that this way of life is not the right way of life for everyone. It is a commitment to respect all religions and the place and importance they hold in the hearts and lives of others.

With this said, what follows is a basic dedication ritual that can be enhanced and used as desired, if desired.

DEDICATION RITUAL

You will need to decide on a place where you will not be disturbed. It is best to come to this place after a purification bath and a time of silent contemplation. This will release incorrect energies and set up the correct ritual attitude.

When you arrive at your location, you need to purify space. You will use sea salted water and lighted incense to do this. I like to use sandalwood because of its spiritual vibration.

Walk the circle, with the incense and salted water once clockwise. Say:

"I consecrate this place of rite,
by salted water, smoke , and firelight.
So mote it be."

Now move back to the center of the circle where your altar space is and replace the incense and salted water. Take a few minutes to vusualize a circle of white light energy surrounding your working space. Once this is done, you need to physically redraw the circle with your athame, wand or right hand. Some traditions walk the circle 3 times for the 3 Celtic worlds, or the Maiden, Mother, and Crone; others simply traverse the circle once. It should be done clockwise in the way that feels right to you. You start in the North or East. Say:

"This Circle is cast
as in days of old
to welcome the Old Ones
and make the Old Ways retold.
So mote it be."

Now you have your working space. In my tradition we do not break the circle until we have completed all magickal workings.

Next, annoint a white candle with sandalwood oil from center to top, and center to bottom. Light the candle using wooden matches. Say:

"I do kindle this flame
that known it will be
of my pledge to the Old Ones.
By my will, all to see! So mote it be!"

Now you will call the Quarter to witness your rite. Some groups start in the North, the center of the mysteries, while some start in the East, the center of wisdom. Do what feels right for you. You may raise your hands as you call them holding your pentacle symbol.

For all quarters going clockwise:

"Powers of (North, East, South, West)
Please join in my rite
do witness my pledge
and grant me insight.
So mote it be!"

Call to the God and Goddess by raising your hands directly up from the center of the circle and say:

"Blessed Lady, Mistress of Old,
May you witness this rite
And hear now my pledge
In your love and your light"

"Ancient Lord, Protector of all
As this pledge I do make
My you witness this rite
and the oath that I take"

"By the powers of the Old Ones
and the magick of their ways
I embark on my journey
May they bless all my days
So mote it be."

With the God and Goddess, the Elemental Powers and the Old Ones to witness your rite, you are ready to make your pledge. What follows is a general example but it is best when it comes from your heart.

Raise your white working candle and say:

"Before the God and Goddess, I (your name), henceforth to be known as (your craft name), within the circle of the wise to symbolize my rebirth, do pledge to honor the God and the Goddess in all areas of my life. I will strive to understand their great mysteries, and the mystery of myself. I will share this knowledge and this path with all who sincerely seek such enlightenment. I will protect and guard the Old Ways from those who would desire to destroy them. I will defend the God and Goddess. I will work in harmony with the energies of the Earth, and the Kingdoms of Plant, Animal, Spirit, and Man, striving always for unity and balance. I will work in harmony with the elements, to understand them. I pledge myself as protector of this Earth and Keeper of the Sacred Mother. I will honor and respect my brothers and sisters in the Craft even when our paths do not join. I will respect and keep the Old Ways and the Wiccan Rede. So mote it be."

If you have chosen a ritual athame or other working tool, you may now want to consecrate it by purifying it with the elements and speaking your purpose- pass it through the incense, the candle flame, dip it into the salted water, then wipe it clean annoint it with the sandalwood oil and say:

"I charge this tool to serve me as I honor and respect the Old Ones. May it serve me for as long as I work for the good of all. So mote it be"

At this point, you will want to introduce yourself to the elemental powers. Walk to the 4 quarters, starting at the same one you started the circle. Say:

"I (your craft name), who stands between the worlds do place myself before you and enter into the sight, for I have pledged myself to the old ones and old ways. Forever will I work in truth and light.

Sacred powers of the (North, East, South, West)
Blessed realms of Earth, Air, Fire, and Sea,
May we ever share harmony and peace
By my will, so mote it be!"

You may now spend time meditating on the changes that your rebirth into the Craft will bring. It is also a good time to start a journal or Book of Shadows. Your first entry can be what you expect to give to the craft and what you expect to take in return. Be honest and begin your journey in truth.

Now it is time to thank the God and Goddess for witnessing this rite. Say:

"Blessed Lady, Ancient Lord
Enjoined as the Sacred One
I thank you for your blessings
By the power of the moon and sun.
Merry Part, Merry Meet Again."

You may now release the quarters. Start at West, South, East, then North. (End in whatever quarter you started in, do N, W, S, E if you started in the East) Say:

"Sacred spirits of Old
Powers of the Quarters
Blessings now upon you
From magickal sons and daughters."

"I thank you now and forever
for gifting me strength of heart
May you always return when I call you
May your journey be safe when we part.
So mote it be."

You may now snuff your working candle with a candle snuffer. Never blow out a magickal candle, your breath can alter the vibration of the purpose charge. Now go on to close the magick circle. Walk once counterclockwise visualizing the energy fading into the earth and say:

"Though this place of rite, is now open
it forever is whole in my heart
Like the love of the God and Goddess
staying with me though we are apart!
So mote it be!"

RECOMMENDED READING LIST

Spiral Dance - Starhawk
Power of the Witch - Laurie Cabot
To Ride a Silver Broomstick- Silver Ravenwolf
Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft - Raymond Buckland
A Witches' Bible Complete - Janet & Stewart Farrar
Earth Power - Scott Cunningham
Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner - Scott Cunningham


A RITE OF PASSAGE
A Memorial Service

With the coming of Samhain, my thoughts often turn to those friends, family members, and pets who have crossed the bridge and no longer walk this earth plane with me. During this season, I once again take comfort in their companionship and love as I invite them to join in my rites. These things often lead my thoughts to ponder my own mortality. As a Witch, I have definite beliefs as to how my own transition should be. I shudder at the thought that non-sympathetic family members may be left to plan for this transition time without regards to my desires . Even well meaning friends and family members, without sincere knowledge of my ways, may be left uncertain of how to best fulfill my desires.
I am fortunate because I have a Craft family who, even if they could not prevent my immediate family from planning this time to fulfill their needs more than my own, are prepared to meet my spiritual needs. Though for some this would mean the absence of their physical remains at this rite it should not erase the powerful spiritual needs that will be met. After all our physical body is simply the vehicle we have chosen to learn through in this incarnation. It is our soul that must be freed to make this necessary journey.

What follows is a simple Wiccan memorial service to be used as written or as a catalyzing example to an individuals creativity and needs. It can be used with the presence or absence of physical remains and can be left in the hands of a sympathetic trusted friend, or it can be performed by a beloved friend whose own family is unknowledgable or unsympathetic to their needs.

Rite of Passage Memorial

A High Priest and High Priestess may be chosen to lead this ritual or various parts may be given to various member of friends and family.

( Light Incense)
(Purify Space)
"By Water, By Earth, By Fire, By Air, By Spirit, Be this circle bound as we desire! So mote it be!"
(Cast Circle)
" I conjure thee, O Circle of power that thou beest a meeting place of truth, love and joy.
A shield against all wickedness and evil, a boundary between the worlds of men and the realms of the mighty ones.
A rampart of protection that will preserve and contain the energy they we will raise within thee. In the names of the Dark Goddess and the Dark Tanist. So mote it be."
(Light Candles)
Black- "O candle of power to this circle give the knowledge and truth in which all power lives. So mote it be."
White- "O candle of light send forth all we do to cause only changes deserving and true. So mote it be."
Brown- "O candle of the mother on whom we all live for all that we take in return we must give. So mote it be."
(Call Quarters)
(Use Silver Branch)
"Great Guardians of the (N,S,E,W,) we call to your powers. Be here in our circle, join our rite. So mote it be.
(Invite God/dess)
" We call to the Dark Goddess, The Crone, The Reaper, The Comforter, Sister in life and death. Be with us, join our rite! Blessed be.
We call to the Dark Tanist who resides in Caer Sidi, Greeter at the gates of Death and Life again. Be with us, join our rite! Blessed be."
(The Rite of Passage)
" Tonight we gather to bid farewell to one who has begun the journey from life into death. Tonight we gather to call the Ancestors, those who have gone before us, to be with us in this rite. We call to the Goddess and God to join us in this rite. We call to the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, to be with us here tonight."
(Light Lavender Candle)
" We call to _________. May you hear our words tonight. Though we know you cannot take any physical gifts with you on this journey you make to the other world, we gather to offer you gifts of energy.
Gifts to guide and ease your journey, Gifts to empower you to cross the bridge and Gifts to bless you when once again you leave the land of Spirit for rebirth to the Land of Life. We offer these gifts into the Cauldron of Rebirth."
(Each coven member and friend places their herb gift into the cauldron and speaks the gift to share with everyone.)
"I offer the gift of (herb name) May it (Purpose) . Blessed be!"
( All offer their gifts individually.)
Hps: "We offer these gifts to you (name) . May they bless you now and always. By Water may your emotions be carried and cleansed. By Fire may your soul light shine brightly in the other world. By Air may your spirit rise and soar. By Earth may you find comfort and peace within Her arms. May the Ancestors light your path. May the Goddess embrace your soul. May the God guide your rebirth. And may the Wheel turn again to bring you there. Merry Part, Blessed Be, and Merry Meet Again."
(A small amount of the mixed herbs are placed in a small mojo for the family and the rest are burned to release the spell.)
( As they are burned the group may wish to chant the following traditional chant):
Hoof and Horn, Hoof and Horn, All That Dies Shall Be Reborn,
Corn and Grain, Corn and Grain, All That Falls Shall Rise Again.
(Move into the symbolic Great Rite. If possible this should be performed by the mourning family members to symbolically reaffirm the power of life.)
M) "As the Athame is to the Male,"
F) "So the Cup is to the Female,"
Both) "And when joined they bring Truth, Love and Life. Blessed Be."
(Bless Cakes)
"May these cakes be blessed with Love, Joy and the Hope of future life. Blessed Be."
(Release Goddess)
" We thank you God and Goddess, You who reign in the Underworld, for joining our rite. Be with us again when we call you forth. Merry Part, Blessed Be, Merry Meet Again."
(Release Quarters)
" Guardians of the N,S,E,W, we thank you for your part in our circle. Return from whence you came harming none along the way. So mote it be."
(Close Circle)
" This circle is open but never broken. May the Blessings of the Dark God And Dark Goddess teach you the value of life! So mote it be!"