The Real Witches’ Book of Spells and Rituals. Kate West

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СКАЧАТЬ for instance Sabbats and Rites of Passage. In the former, energy or power is raised to fuel an act or acts of magic, and therefore a Circle should be cast. As the latter are celebratory it is not necessary to raise power and therefore to actually cast a Circle. This division between Esbats and Sabbats is not fixed as it is possible to work magic at the Sabbats (so long as it fits with the theme of that Sabbat), in which case you will need a Circle. Also, you can work magic at other phases of the Moon, and these Rituals will also need a Circle. Similarly, you may choose to hold a celebration, perhaps a Wiccaning or Handfasting, at an Esbat, in which case you will not need a Circle. Initiation Rituals, whilst celebratory, are also magical workings and will need a Circle and the raising of energy, even though you are not working any spells as such.

      There is also a difference between working on your own as a Solitary and working in a group or Coven. In the former you have only yourself to prepare, in the latter you have others to consider and communicate with. In the former you can work largely in your head, silently and perhaps sitting on the floor. In the latter you will need to speak out loud and probably move around one another. You will also find that it is helpful to have more tools and visible objects when working with others, as these visual keys help to ensure that everyone is focused on the same thing at the same time. When starting out as a Solitary you may find that these same visual keys help you to retain focus, as you will have much to remember as well as keeping your intent clear.

      THE WORKING SPACE

      This is the room or area you intend to work in. Witches do not need purpose-built temples or even a special room in the house as they can create their Sacred Space wherever they wish to. The area in which you are going to create that space is your working space. It should be spacious enough for you, whether you are one or many, to move freely in, and indoors this may mean moving some of your furniture. Again, if it is indoors it should be clean, tidy and free from too many distractions, as you not only need to focus but you are also inviting the Goddess and the God, so try to make it somewhere you feel they would come to! If outdoors you need to ensure that you are neither trespassing nor are likely to be disturbed. If you are Solitary, or few in number, then you should be doubly careful that you are not going to be accosted by passers-by wondering what you are up to. You also need to ensure that it is safe, with no hidden cliffs, rabbit holes, broken glass or rusting metal to be discovered by the unwary. The working space is generally considered to be circular, although you may need to compromise somewhat if you are short of space or have a non-circular area to work in.

      Whilst it would be nice to be able to align your working space with the points of the compass, so that your North really is in the direction of North, it is not always possible. In this case try to align as closely as you can, whilst still being able to use the space in a reasonable manner.

      THE ALTAR AND WORKING TOOLS

      Here I am going to give a fairly basic Altar layout with a selection of the tools most commonly placed on it. There are other ways of setting the Altar and a great many other tools which may be placed on it. Some Witches like to have all their working tools to hand, others prefer to have only those which they are going to use. Whichever course you choose it is as well to check the tools against your Ritual notes to ensure that you have everything which you are going to use, before you Create your Sacred Space.

      Working tools do not have to be expensive or bought from specialist suppliers, you can select ordinary everyday objects for many of them, or make your own. It is, however, preferable if your working tools can be kept separate from other household items and their use reserved for Ritual and magic as, with use, they will build up their own reservoir of magical energy.

      ALTAR

      The Altar is simply the surface on which you place everything you will need to work with. If you are on your own and intend to work sitting on the floor, then it could be as simple as a small cloth placed in front of you, although do ensure that if you are using candles you can keep them safe. However, most Witches prefer to use some kind of table or other surface of adequate size at a convenient height. When working outside you may like to use a convenient rock or tree stump, or to take a box with you for the purpose.

      The Altar can be placed in one of a number of parts of the Circle:

      * The Centre, to allow you maximum use of the circumference. This is especially useful when working indoors with limited space and a large number of people. This is less convenient if you intend to Circle dance, or to have any other central feature such as a cauldron or fire.

      * The East, which is the starting point of the Circle, as it represents Air and thought. This does mean that when it comes to actually Casting the Circle you will have to move around nearly the whole circle (as you always move Deosil in Circle) before commencing to actually Cast it at the North-East.

      * The North-East, or point of entry. This is fine unless and until you wish to have someone come in at the point of entry, as in Initiations for example.

      * The North, or point of power. This is where I prefer to have the Altar.

      Whichever you choose, it is important that you and everyone else in the Circle know at which point the Altar is set. Generally speaking it is best to choose your Altar point and then keep that for all your Rituals in order to avoid subsequent confusion!

      ALTAR CLOTH

      It is usual to cover the Altar with some kind of cloth, kept especially for the purpose. This not only protects the surface from any spills but also helps to mark the change of use from daily to Ritual. An Altar cloth does not need to be particularly fancy, or bought from a specialist supplier, but it does need to be kept clean and unrumpled. You may choose to have different cloths for each of the Sabbats and others for different kinds of magical working, or you may simply have the one for all Craft purposes. Whichever you choose is up to you, there is no right or wrong choice.

      REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ELEMENTS

      * Earth. Earth is usually represented by salt in a small container. Some consider that it should be rock salt rather than sea salt, but again it is what feels right to you that is most appropriate. However, you could also use soil, a small rock or pebble.

      * Air. Air is generally represented by incense, which may be of a scent to complement your magic or the festival. Incense comes in sticks, cones and loose, but whichever you select you will need to ensure that you have a fireproof stand or container to place it in or on. Please ensure that this container does not itself become so hot that it could set fire to the underlying surface. If using loose incense you will also need ‘self-igniting charcoal’ on which to burn it, and probably some kind of tongs to hold that charcoal whilst setting it alight. Loose incense is usually burned in a container called a Thurible (see Appendix 2, Terms and Definitions). Please consider the effects of burning incense on any smoke detector you may have fitted! You will also need matches. If you cannot burn incense you could substitute essential oil in an oil burner, or even a feather to represent air.

      * Fire. Fire is usually represented by a candle, in which case you will need a safe candleholder. You may also like to have a snuffer with which to extinguish the flame later on. If you cannot have a naked flame then a small faceted crystal is a good alternative.

      * Water. Water is generally represented by a small bowl or dish of water. Some purists like to collect rainwater for this purpose, rather than using the chemically treated stuff that comes from the tap. As a substitute you can have a seashell or other object which represents water.

      THE GODDESS AND THE GOD

      It is usual to have something to represent the Goddess and the God, and hence the Spirit. This could be statues of your chosen Deities, candles – one for each or one СКАЧАТЬ