Lighting of the Candle
Exorcism of the Water
Blessing of the Salt
Casting the Circle
Consecration of the Circle with the Four Elements
Calling the Mighty Ones
Items required :
Altar, 2 altar candles, Water Bowl, Salt dish, Pentacle, Censser, Athame, Bell, Presence Lamp, 4 Quarter Candles, Sword (optional), Candle Snuffer (optional).
Make sure all are fit to enter into the presence of the Gods.
Start in the dark with all lights extinguished. Ritual Leader (RL) waits until it feels like time to begin, then rises....
Lighting of the Candle
RL: "I light this candle (light presence lamp)
in the name of that ancient presence,
which is, was, and ever shall be
male, female, all-knowing, all-powerful
and present everywhere.
And in the names of the four Mighty Ones,
the rulers of the elements,
may power and blessing descend
in this hour upon this place
and those gathered here."
Exorcism of the Water
Ritual Leader lights the two altar candles, the charcoal, and the four quarter candles from the presence lamp. RL kneels before the altar and places the Water Bowl upon the Pentacle. RL purifies the water by plunging the tip of his/her athame into the water, saying:
"I exorcise thee,
O Creature of Water,
That thou cast out from thee
all the impurity and uncleanliness
of the world of phantasm.
In the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."
Blessing of the Salt
RL sets the water bowl aside and in its place sets the salt dish upon the pentacle. RL touches the salt with the tip of the athame saying:
"Blessings be upon thee, O Creature of Salt;
let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth from thee,
and let all good enter within.
Wherefore do I bless and consecrate thee,
That thou mayest aid me.
In the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."
Using the tip of the athame, RL takes three measeures of salt and puts it into the water, then stirs deosil three times with the athame, saying:
"But ever mind that as water and salt purifies the body,
So the scourge purifies the soul.
So mote it be !"
Casting the Circle
RL draws a circle, continuous from north deosil unto north with the Sword (or athame), saying:
"I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou beest
a boundary between the world of men and the realms of the MIghty Ones;
a meeting place of love and joy and truth;
a shield against all wickedness and evil;
a rampart and protection that shall preserve
and contain the power that we raise within thee.
Wherefore do I bless thee, and consecrate thee,
in the names of Cernunnos and Cerridwen."
(If others are without, a gate is opened, and they are now brought into the Circle with a kiss, and the Circle is resealed.)
Consecration of the Circle with the Four Elements
RL takes up the consecrated water and asperges the Circle with his/her fingertips, form north deosil unto north; and then touches each person within with the water, being touched in turn by his/her working partner (or another of the opposite sex to RL, if available). Water Bowl is returned ot altar.
RL takes up the censer, and likewise censes the circle from north unto north deosil.
Lastly RL takes around the Presence Lamp (or a candle lit from the Presence Lamp and returned to it).
Calling the Mighty Ones
All stand and salute the East. RL stands in fornt of group facing East. Maiden stands at back of group with the Bell. Maiden rings the bell.
With athame, RL draws three deosil circles and then an invoking earth pentagram, saying :
"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the East,
Ye Lords of Air;
I, (insert name), do summon stir and call you up,
to witness our rites and guard the Circle !"
All turn and face South. Ritual Leader and Maiden move to corresponding positions; others turn in place. Maiden rings bell.
With athame RL draws three deosil circles and then an invoking earth pentagram, saying:
"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the South,
Ye Lords of Fire;
I, (insert name), do summon, stir and call you up,
to witness our rites and guard the Circle !"
Similarly in the West:
"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the West,
Ye Lords of Water;
Lords of Death and Initiation;
I (insert names) do summon, stir and call you up,
to witness our rites and guard the Circle !"
And in the North :
"Ye Lords of the Watchtowers of the North,
Ye Lords of Earth;
Boreas, thou Guardian of the Northern Portals;
I, (insert name), do summon, stir and call you up,
to witness our rites and guard the Circle !"
All turn back to the East and salute.
Now all turn to North again. Maiden rings bell.
Ritual leader says:
"Ye Mighty Ones,
Lords of the Watchtowers of the Universe,
Dread Lords of the outer spaces,
Thou powerful God, thou gentle Goddess,
We invite you to our meeting.
(pause)
O thou Loving Cerridwen,
O thou Mighty Cernunnos,
we gather ( I stand) before you
to ......(state intent)
The Circle is now perfect."
http://www.witchhaven.com/celticwolf/castcircle.htm
